Category: Sin
Subject: Sin
Continuing in Sin
It is sad that a statement by Paul “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that race may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:1-2), should need explanation and defense. And yet, because of error and the current cultural climate, it certainly does.
Paul taught salvation by grace, which just about every religious person believes. He taught that sin precludes any individual being saved by perfect obedience, which just about every religious person accepts as a true statement. Here he taught that continuing to sin after being saved by grace was unacceptable. This truth, which is clearly stated, can’t be accepted by individuals who believe the Calvinistic precept of the Perseverance of the Saints, colloquially known as “Once saved always saved.” Continue reading “Continuing in Sin”
Sermon: The Prosperity of the Wicked (Psalm 73)
The Psalm reveals that our perception that the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper is not accurate. Ultimately, the wicked will suffer God’s wrath as the righteous are rewarded.
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Sin Leading to Death
“Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16).
Many articles have been written and sermons preached about the destructive nature of sin. It seems that the concept is accepted by other religions too. On Facebook the other day I came across a quote of Mahatma Ghandhi. Ghandi was Hindu, well known, a political activist and successful leader in accomplishing India’s independence from British rule. The title of the meme attributed to him, is “7 blunders of the world that lead to violence.” Though the language of “sin” is not contained in the meme, the points mirror what is taught in the word of God. Consider the following: Continue reading “Sin Leading to Death”
Sermon: Inescapable
Certain things are not avoidable in life, including The Consequences of Sin, Death, and the Judgment!
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Sermon: Psalm 53
A discussion of the 53rd Psalm and the expression of the evil fool, “There is no God.”
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What Defiles a Man
After his disciples were criticized by Pharisees for eating with unwashed hands, Jesus told a multitude, “Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man” (Matthew 15:11). This offended the Pharisees, who were bound by the traditions of the elders, and even was confusing to His own disciples. Peter asked Jesus, “Explain this parable to us” (15).
The explanation is simple. Jesus was using the process of digestion to show that what we eat is eliminated, but the things that defile a man are what come from the heart, come from within. Things like, “evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (19).
Today, under Christ’s covenant, defilement is not physical, it is spiritual. Defilement is defined by our Lord as sin itself. Holiness is determined by the proper practice of our faith! “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27).
So disregard man-made traditions, restrictions, requirements. “These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh” (Colossians 2:23).
Take sin seriously. This is what affects our relationship with God. Ask yourself, “Have I defiled myself with sin?”
Sermon: Secret Sins
The text of Psalm 19 notes the frustration of the Psalmist who is concerned with falling into secret sins. Such sins are discussed, with ways to avoid them.
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Sermon Minute: Drowning in the Sea of Sin
The gospel does not condemn us. We are drowning in a sea of sin, and the gospel is a life preserver that when heard can be grasped or refused.
They Are Just Like Us!
One of the best aspects of God’s word is the willingness of the Holy Spirit to reveal the faults of His people as well as their positive attributes. This helps us greatly, as we do not improperly elevate the efforts of men, knowing they are subject to frailties and sin as are we.
Because of this, the emphasis of salvation by grace has value for us as does the realization that the imperfection of all men preclude salvation by merit. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
These things are born out by the imperfections of Adam, Isaac, Jacob, Jacob’s children, Moses, Samson, Saul, David, Solomon, Rehoboam, Jeroboam, and a host of others throughout the Old Testament. They were all great men, to be honored and respected, but that is all they were — men. Subject to the same failures and mistakes that trouble us all. Continue reading “They Are Just Like Us!”
Nevertheless
In reading 2 Chronicles 12, we note a particular response of God to the unfaithfulness of King Rehoboam. The chronicler wrote that it happened in the fifth year of the king (2). Shishak, the king of Egypt waged war against Rehoboam at Jerusalem. The scripture states clearly that such a challenge came “because they had transgressed against the Lord.”
The challenge was great: 1,200 chariots, 60,000 horsemen, and “people without number who came with him out of Egypt” (3). The challenge was succeeding as the fortified cities of Judah were taken and Jerusalem was threatened. Shemaiah, a prophet of God, told Rehoboam the reason for the threat. “Thus says the Lord: ‘You have forsaken Me, and therefore I also have left you in the hand of Shishak’” (5).
This declaration brought repentance. “So the leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, ‘The LORD is righteous’” (6). One might think that this repentance (which of course led to the return of God’s favor), was enough to change the course of events. And it did. When God witnessed the repentance of Rehoboam and the leaders of Israel, He granted deliverance. But, the deliverance on this occasion was not total. Consider the words of verses 7-8: “Now when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, ‘They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance. My wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.’” Continue reading “Nevertheless”
Acknowledging Responsibility for Wrong
This is a hard thing for children. It might be because a child thinks that if he admits he has done wrong, there will be consequences. In fact, some children will continue to proclaim “I didn’t do it” or “It wasn’t me” even if they were caught red handed!
It can be the same for Christians as well. Why would a Christian who has sinned deny, or rationalize, or excuse their actions? Well, it may be that they fear what others may think if they admit to not being perfect! But, no one is perfect, and that shows too much concern for what others think, rather than what God thinks! “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6). Continue reading “Acknowledging Responsibility for Wrong”
Sermon: Why Keep Jesus Waiting?
Though Jesus is at the door of our heart, knocking, and desiring entrance to save men, there are numerous reasons why men refuse to answer His invitation. The lesson deals with four such reasons.
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Highly Esteemed Among Men
Luke 16 records an example of the typical conflict Jesus had the Pharisees. He had just taught the parable of the unjust steward to his disciples. The Pharisees heard him as well, teaching that material wealth was “unrighteous mammon”, and showing that duel loyalties do not please God.
We are told in verse 14, “Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him.” The word “derided” comes from the Greek ekmykt?riz? , signifying the nose. Thayer defines the word: “to deride by turning up the nose, to sneer at to scoff at.” The image is familiar to us today and shows that in different centuries the disdain of men is shown in similar ways. Continue reading “Highly Esteemed Among Men”
Sermon: Can You Get Away With It?
A lesson discussing the oft asked question, “Is there anyway to get away with sin?”
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Naaman’s Reasoning
A discussion of God’s will regarding dealing with the spiritual disease of sin, using Naaman’s cleansing of leprosy as an illustration.
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