Dear Lighthouse,

 

            Well, it’s been a hectic few weeks for me.  I’m sorry I haven’t had the chance to send out the e-mail for that past two weeks.  But, here’s to a better couple of weeks! 

In the Lighthouse Sunday School we are in the middle of a lesson series entitled Keys to Spiritual Growth.  It is from the book by the same name by John MacArthur.  If you some spare time to read this summer I highly encourage you to pick up a copy or borrow mine.  This coming Sunday we will be tackling the issue of confession.  Confession is a key to spiritual growth because we have to come to an understanding of what confession is all about.  What does it mean to confess our sins?  Why should we do this?  What happens if we don’t?  These are critical issues in the life of the believer.  One point that I hope to emphasize in class comes from I John 1:7 & 9 which reads:

 

“But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.”

“If we confess out sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

 

We will be examining this scripture critically this week.  The most important thing a Christian needs to understand is his or her relationship with the Father.  You need to remember that you are in the Light and you are the Light of the world (Matt. 5:14).  Therefore, you have fellowship with God through His Son.  It is that relationship - that connection with Jesus - that allows you to be called forgiven and be cleansed of you sin.  Jesus continues the work of cleansing as long as you live.  That is the gift of grace that should give us confidence.

I believe there is a serious lack of confidence in the Church today.  Christians are largely ineffective in their service to the Lord because of a fundamental ignorance in the nature and benefits imputed to the believer.  I encourage you to go to the Word today and examine grace afresh.  Look at the books of Romans and I John.  Jesus came for a reason - to set us free from sin so that we can live powerful and effective lives of confidence and joy before the Father (I John 4:17 & 5:14).  We are not under the yoke of sin any longer (Rom. 6:14), but we are set free to serve in full faith that our hope in Him will not disappoint us when He returns (Rom. 5:5). 

So where does confession fit in?  We will see Sunday how confession acts as a “maintenance plan” to restore our joy after sin occurs.  Confession is indeed good for the soul.  Confession matures our relation with the Father and it helps us recognize our sin for what it is.  Confession should be a characteristic of every believer, just as forgiveness in the very character of God! 

Come join us at the Lighthouse as we discover more about the character of our Lord.  And bring friends!

 

Be looking for a few new programs, challenges, opportunities, fellowships and changes within the Lighthouse this summer.  We are always looking for ways to improve our service to God by benefiting His children - YOU.  You make the Lighthouse what it is and I thank you for what each of you do to make it run.  From substitute teaching, to organizing parties, to putting up bulletin boards, to organizing meals, leading accountability groups, watching kids for meetings, cleaning up the room, bringing food, greeting visitors, praying for each other, inviting new people, spending time in meetings and study, writing encouragement cards and letters, and on and on!!!  Wow, you do A LOT.  And for what purpose?  To the glory of God.  May He be glorified daily by your acts of service and love to Him and each other!  Thanks.