Weekly Update – August 7th, 2025
Confession can be a confusing topic in the Christian life. The reason why is because many wonder if there is a need to actually confess sin. Very few Christians will deny that they still sin, but if we are forgiven in Christ (Eph. 1:7), accepted by God (Rom. 5:1), justified of all our sins (Rom. 10:10), and waiting for the fullness of our inheritance to come (Eph. 1:14), then why the need to confess sin? Sure, as Christians, we still feel guilty when we do something wrong and we understand that repentance is an ongoing pursuit in our lives, but again, what role does confession play?
Consider Colossians 2:13-14 which says, “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands.” Here we are assured that our sins are forgiven. We often sing, “Jesus paid it All” to highlight the truth that there is now no more condemnation in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1). Yet, we must reconcile this truth with 1 John 1:8-9 for example, which says, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Here John is writing to Christians about the need to confess their sins, even though they are already forgiven. So then, what are we to think?
This is where we need to understand what we might call, the already/not yet. You see, on the one hand, all of our sins are forgiven. Everyone who believes in Christ is forgiven (Acts 10:43). We are given a right standing with God and will never be cast out of his presence (John 6:37) or put to shame before him (Rom. 10:11). On the other hand, we are told to put sin to death (Col. 3:5) and to work out our salvation (Phil. 2:12). Why? Because we as Christians still sin, even though we have been set free from sin’s bondage (Rom. 8:2) and have been raised up with Christ to walk in the newness of his life (Rom. 6:4). Therefore, we confess our sins as an acknowledgement of our continual falling short here in this life and we ask for forgiveness, realizing that present sin is offensive to God and can grieve the Holy Spirit. Yet we can confess with hope, knowing that we are secured in Christ as we await our day in glory.
Let’s not neglect confession in our Christian lives. For as we do every Sunday morning, we reflect upon our sin when exposed to it from God’s word, confess it, then we move forward in assurance, believing that as Christians our sin no longer separates us from God, neither does our confession gain us any merit with him. We are fully and finally God’s children, not based upon our work, but based upon Christ’s work achieved on our behalf. We display these truths as we not only confess our sins, but as we confess our need for him. (Eph. 2:8-9).
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week
The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
- Psalm 34:15-16
Announcements:
Guest Speaker: Dr. Wes Fowler will be preaching for us this Sunday. Dr. Fowler is the Executive Director of the Missouri Baptist Convention. You can read more about Dr. Fowler HERE.
Building Remodel: We will officially kick off our building fundraiser in September, but if you would like to start giving, you can do so HERE and select “building remodel.” You can also give through one of the offering boxes at church. Be sure to mark your envelop, “building remodel.” Check out a video highlighting the work done so far.
Blankenship/Norman Baby Shower: On Sunday, August 10th at 2:00pm, there will be a joint baby shower for Maddie Blankenship and Gracie Norman in the fellowship hall. All ladies of the church are invited to attend.
Sisters in Service: On Thursday, August 7th at 10:00am or 7:00pm, Sisters in Service will meet in the library. See Sheriann Kessinger for more details.
Home Groups: Home groups typically meet on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. We will have sign-ups available in the hall throughout the month of August if you are interested in joining a group.
Ladies’ Conference: On Monday, September 29th, our ladies will be headed to Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary to attend a conference led by Jen Wilkin. The cost will be $25. There is a sign-up sheet out in the hall.
Men’s Retreat: On Friday, October 24th – Saturday, October 25th we will host our 2nd Men’s Retreat at God’s Mountain Camp. The theme will be, “Servanthood.” Cost will be $45. More details and a sign-up sheet are to come.
Men’s Study: On the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, from 8:00-9:15pm, the church hosts a men’s study through the book, The Measure of a Man. See Clint Blankenship for more information.
Food Pantry: The food pantry is currently in need of peanut butter and jelly, spaghetti noodles and spaghetti sauce, canned soup, canned vegetables, canned tuna, boxes of macaroni and cheese, cereal, and oatmeal. For a complete list of food pantry needs, click HERE.
Awana Bible Club
Awana Clubs are held on Wednesdays throughout the school year. The next Awana year begins on Wednesday, September 10th. Dinner will be at 6:00pm with Awana Clubs starting at 6:30pm. Children can be registered HERE.
Equipping Hour
We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Firm Foundations” meets in the Sanctuary, a study in Isaiah in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the New Testament meets in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.
Giving
To Give Online, Go HERE.
You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030
Home Groups
Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.
Prayer
An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE.
Prepare for Sunday
Guide for Worship can be found HERE.
Worship Service
Worship Service begins at 10:30am on Sunday mornings. Nursery care for children ages 0-4 years is available during the worship hour.
Livestream
Continue to join us at 10:30am on Sunday mornings.
YouTube: HERE.
Join us and invite a friend or family member to watch with you.
Sunday School
Children and Youth Sunday School take place at 9:15am on Sunday mornings.
Ages 0-2 and 3–k meet in the nursery suite.
Grades 1-3rd meet upstairs in U-5.
Grades 4th-6th meet upstairs in U-6.
Grades 7th-12th meet downstairs in the youth room.