Regenerative Power of Confession

Introduction

We often try to change our ways/habits through turning over new leaves, only to realize failure. We go to positive actualization seminars, and we find some measure of success. However, the Bible teaches that true conversion, a changing of one’s life from dishonor to honoring God, only occurs through confession of our SIN.

Judah, hemmed into a tight corner, overcame many obstacles in his life through God’s regenerative power.

Thesis: We overcome slavery to sin through God’s regenerative power in Jesus Christ.

The life story of Judah shows us three enslaving sins from which God frees us.

We Can Overcome Slavery to Our Parents’ Sins

A. Exegesis

1. Father Jacob played favorites, v. 27.
   • a. Jacob had two wives, but only recognized one, Rachel.
   • b. Jacob had twelve sons, but only recognized two: Joseph, whom he believed to be dead; and Benjamin.
2. Father Jacob idolized his favorite sons, 37:3 & v. 30.
3. Father Jacob was a liar and a cheat.
   • a. cheated his brother Esau out of his birthright;
   • b. lied to his father, Isaac;
   • c. cheated Esau out of his spiritual blessing; and
   • d. cheated his father-in-law, Laban.
4. In contrast, Judah is concerned for his father’s health, vv. 30-31a.

B. Illustration

The biography, Norma, is the story of well-known singer for Lawrence Welk, Norma Zimmer. One of the more poignant aspects of her story is that of her teen years. Her parents were a source of great pain to her because of their drinking. Though these years were difficult for her, she began to find an escape into a better world through singing. As a senior in high school, Norma was invited to become a featured church soloist by Carl Pitzer of the University Christian Church in Seattle. When her parents heard that she was to sing a solo in church, they both insisted they wanted to hear her, though they did not normally attend. She tells the story of that morning:

“I was excited and elated at the prospect of singing again. The choir processed down the middle aisle, and as we walked I stole glances at the congregation, trying to find my parents. I couldn’t spot Mom and Dad.

“Then in horror I saw them–weaving down the aisle in a state of disheveled intoxication. They were late. Few empty seats were left. My parents stumbled over the feet of other people to reach a place in the middle of the row. The whole congregation stared. I don’t know how I ever got through that morning. The invocation, the congregational hymn, the prayer, the offering–and then I stood up to sing. ‘How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings.’ The song seemed interminable. I tried to think only of the words and kept my eyes from turning to the row where my parents sat.

“I took my seat, my heart pounding, my cheeks burning. Dr. Hastings started to preach. At first I hardly heard him. Then his words reached me, ‘God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in time of trouble.’

“My own trouble seemed to bear down on me with tremendous weight that morning. I felt I had more than my share of grief, and I knew I needed help. I realized how desperate life in our family was without God, and that day I recommitted my life to Jesus. As Dr. Hastings preached that morning, Jesus came into my life not only as Savior, but for daily strength and direction.”

C. Application

1. The Good News is that through Jesus Christ, God can change us, make us new, so that we do not have to be enslaved to our parents’ sins.
2. A changed environment may help, but a life changed by God is the only way to be re-created new.

We Can Overcome Slavery to Enslaving Others

A. Exegesis

1. Judah convinced his brothers to do a “lesser of two evils” to his brother Joseph.
   • a. Sell Joseph into slavery for profit, 37:26-27.
   • b. “Don’t kill him, after all, he is our brother.”
2. Now, twenty-two years later, Judah offers himself as a substitute slave for Benjamin, v. 33.
3. Regeneration results in a new heart / attitude / mind with the capacity to love others sacrificially.

B. Illustration

J.C. Penney was a man of advanced years before he committed his life fully to Christ. He had been a good man, honest, but primarily interested in becoming a success and making money. “When I worked for $6 a week at Joslin’s Dry Goods Store in Denver,” he confessed as he looked back on his life, “it was my ambition, in the sense of wealth in money, to be worth one hundred thousand dollars. When I reached that goal, I felt a certain temporary satisfaction, but it soon wore off and my sights were set on becoming worth a million dollars.”

Mr. Mrs. Penney worked hard to expand the business, enslaving themselves to the business, that one day Mrs. Penney caught cold and pneumonia developed. She soon died. It was then that J.C. Penney realized that having money was a poor substitute for the real purposes in living. “When she died,” he said, “my world crashed about me. To build a business, to make a success in the eyes of men, to accumulate money–what was the purpose of life? What had money meant for my wife? I felt mocked by life, even by God Himself.” After several more fiery trials, J.C. Penney was financially ruined and, naturally, in deep distress. That is when God could deal with his self-righteous nature and his love for money. After his spiritual conversion, he could testify of God’s working.

“I had to pass through fiery ordeals before reaching glimmerings of conviction that it is not enough for men to be upright and moral. When I was brought to humility and the knowledge of dependence on God, sincerely and earnestly seeking God’s aid, it was forthcoming, and a light illumined my being. I cannot otherwise describe it than to say that it changed me as a man.”

C. Application

1. Regeneration changes the way we think about people from objects to persons.
2. The proof of God’s regenerative work is our willingness to substitute our desires and lives for others.

We Can Overcome Slavery to Deception

A. Exegesis

1. Judah went along with his brothers in deceiving his father.
   • a. They ripped Joseph’s coat of many colors and dipped it in goat’s blood.
   • b. They brought the blood stained pieces of Joseph’s coat to Jacob.
   • c. While they did not tell a lie, they allowed Jacob to jump to the conclusion that Joseph was killed by a wild animal.
2. Judah deceived Tamar, his daughter-in-law, by not allowing levirate marriage to his youngest son, chapter 38.
3. Judah, on a business trip to Timnah, led a double-life–he slept with a prostitute.
   • a. This prostitute, unknown to Judah, was Tamar in disguise.
   • b. When Tamar was found to be pregnant, Judah led the lynch-mob to kill her.
   • c. Judah’s sin was found out, and he confessed that Tamar was more righteous than he, 38:26.
4. Now, twenty-two years later, Judah is willing to spare his father any more anguish, v. 34.
5. What happened? God’s regeneration. When?
   • a. God was already at work when Judah confessed his sin of adultery, 38:26.
   • b. God was at work again when Judah confessed: “God has uncovered your servants’ guilt,” v. 16.

B. Illustration

A woman was contacting her high school classmates about their 35th reunion. Many were excited about seeing their old friends. One man wrote back to the woman: “I have the 5 B’s–baldness, bifocals, bridgework, bulges, and bunions.” A woman quipped, “I wasn’t half the woman then that I am today” (referring to her weight). But another woman said, “I can’t wait to see everyone. I’ve changed completely. In high school I was the class ‘tramp.’ I had no standards and everybody knew it. But a few years after high school, I received the Lord Jesus as my Savior. My life was transformed. Because of Christ, I’m not the person I was, and I want my classmates to know about it.”

C. Application

1. Just when we think we have forgotten about our private sins, they come out of the closet and confront us.
2. When God changes our lives, we will not be the same–we will want others to know the grace and forgiveness of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

How do we regenerate? By being born again by the Holy Spirit of God. Acknowledge your sin. Believe in Jesus as your substitute Who takes your place in punishment. Commit your life’s service to Jesus Christ through baptism and church membership.

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