<< Previous | Index | Next >>"THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND THE PROBLEM OF SIN" How The Gospel Addresses The Problem Of Sin INTRODUCTION 1. A number of years ago a book came out with the title: "Whatever Happened To Sin?" 2. This is a relevant question, for today "sin" is often taken too lightly... a. By the world b. Even by the church 3. Exactly what is sin? The Bible speaks definitively, describing sin as: a. A transgression of the law of God - 1 Jn 3:4 b. A failure to do what you know to be right - Ja 4:17 c. Doing that which violates your conscience, even if the act is right within itself - Ro 14:23 4. The Bible also reveals the seriousness of sin, which is seen... a. In its UNIVERSALITY - "all have sinned... (Ro 3:23) b. In its CONSEQUENCES - "The wages of sin is death..." (Ro 6:23) 5. Even so, I am not sure that many people, even some Christians, truly appreciate... a. The problem of sin b. How the gospel of Christ really and effectively addresses this problem! [The goal of this lesson is to introduce some thoughts that should increase our understanding and appreciation of how the gospel of Christ addresses the problem of sin. We begin by first noticing...] I. THE PROBLEM OF SIN A. THERE IS THE "LOVE" OF SIN... 1. Sin does have its pleasurable nature - He 11:24-25 2. It is this pleasurable side that makes it easy for men to love sin, which in turn can then blind them to the truth - Jn 3:19 B. THERE IS THE "PRACTICE" OF SIN... 1. The seriousness of this aspect of sin is seen in that ALL have sinned! - Ro 3:23 2. Even Christians continue to practice sin at times - 1 Jn 1:8-10 C. THERE IS THE "STATE" OF SIN... 1. Those who both love and practice sin are said to be DEAD "IN" SIN - Ep 2:1 2. This pertains to our relationship to God; as far as He is concerned, our practice of sin places us in a STATE in which we are DEAD "TO" HIM! D. THERE IS THE "GUILT" OF SIN... 1. In the Scriptures, this refers primarily to "LEGAL" guilt, but it often includes as well "EMOTIONAL" guilt 2. We may try to deny or suppress this truth, but a HOLY GOD still recognizes our guilt before Him - Ro 3:19 E. THERE IS THE "POWER" OF SIN... 1. Sin is so powerful, that even when a person wants to do good, outside of Christ they are unable to do so consistently 2. As an illustration of this, notice Ro 7:14-21 F. FINALLY, THERE IS THE "RESULT" OF SIN... 1. "The wages of sin is death" (Ro 3:23) 2. In the Scriptures, death includes the idea of separation (e.g., physical death is the separation of body and spirit - Ja 2:26) a. The result of sin is "spiritual death," or separation from God b. Such separation exists in this life, but even more so in the life to come! - Re 21:8 [Such is the problem of sin...do we appreciate what a serious problem it really is? How does the GOSPEL OF CHRIST address this problem? Bear in mind that the gospel consists of: - FACTS to believe - COMMANDS to obey - PROMISES to receive The FACTS to believe are concisely stated in 1 Co 15:1-4, which reveal things that God has done in Christ. These things which God has done make it possible for the COMMANDS and PROMISES of the gospel to really address the problem of sin! To briefly see what I mean, consider...] II. HOW THE GOSPEL ADDRESSES THE PROBLEM OF SIN [First, the "COMMANDS" of the gospel...] A. THE COMMAND TO "BELIEVE IN CHRIST" ADDRESSES THE "LOVE" OF SIN 1. That it is necessary to believe is evident from Mk 16:15-16 2. When a person really believes in Christ and the FACTS the gospel tells about Him... a. They will come to HATE sin for what it cost God and Christ b. They will have the attitude expressed by the Psalmist in Ps 119:104 3. The point is, true faith will help to eliminate our love for sin B. THE COMMAND TO "REPENT OF OUR SINS" ADDRESSES THE "PRACTICE" OF SIN 1. The gospel clearly calls mankind to repent - Ac 2:38; 17:30-31 2. When a person truly repents (a decision of the mind that leads to a change of action), they will cease living a life devoted to the practice of sin C. THE COMMAND TO BE "BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST" ADDRESSES THE "STATE" OF SIN 1. Remember, outside of Christ our state is "dead in sin" 2. We notice that the gospel includes the call to be baptized - Mk 16:15-16; Mt 28:18-20 3. When we are baptized, our "state" changes a. For baptism puts us in Christ - Ga 3:27 b. In Christ, we are now "dead TO sin", no longer "dead IN sin" - Ro 6:1-7 [And now for the "PROMISES" of the gospel...] D. THE PROMISE OF "REMISSION OF SINS" ADDRESSES THE "GUILT" OF SIN 1. Remission of sins is promised to those who repent and are baptized - Ac 2:38 2. When sin has been remitted, there is no longer any guilt! E. THE PROMISE OF "THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT" ADDRESSES THE "POWER" OF SIN 1. The gift of the Holy Spirit is likewise promised to those who repent and are baptized - Ac 2:38 2. With the help of God's Spirit, we are no longer under the power of sin - Ro 8:12,13; Ep 3:16,20 F. THE PROMISE OF "ETERNAL LIFE" ADDRESSES THE "RESULT" OF SIN 1. Instead of spiritual death and eternal separation from God, we can have spiritual life and eternal communion with Him! 2. As Paul put it so succinctly: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Ro 6:23) CONCLUSION 1. In succeeding lessons we will examine these COMMANDS and PROMISES more carefully 2. But I hope we can see how wonderfully the GOSPEL OF CHRIST addresses THE PROBLEM OF SIN! Have you let the gospel address YOUR problem of sin? By... - Believing the facts? - Obeying the commands? - Receiving the promises? Do so, and in Jesus Christ you can overcome the problem of sin!<< Previous | Index | Next >>
The "Executable Outlines" Series, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 1999
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