Category: Sin

While on the internet earlier this week I came across a quote by Rick Warren. There are many things that Warren teaches that are not true, but he got it right with this statement:

Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone’s lifestyle, you must fear or hate them. The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense.

You don’t have to compromise convictions to be compassionate.

This truth can easily be demonstrated with the parent/child relationship. Many children grow up to embrace beliefs or practices that their parents reject. The parents will express disapproval and may be intolerant of such rebellion, but that in no way indicates a lack of love.

The same thing is true regarding our interactions with one another as Christians. Paul wrote (cf. Galatians 6:1-2) that it is the spiritual man’s duty to correct his brother who is in sin. To do so is an expression of love.

It is also an expression of love to convict the alien sinner of his personal guilt when it comes to sinning against God. It is our duty to the world to seek to save their souls from sin. When we condemn their sin and call them to repentance, we are not hating them. We are practicing charity!

Numbers 32 records the petition the children of Reuben and Gad made to Moses and the leaders of the congregation of Israel. They desired to settle on the east side of the Jordan River rather than with the rest of the Israelites in Canaan. Moses agreed to allow this, so long as the two tribes guaranteed they would fight with the rest of Israel until “until every one of the children of Israel has received his inheritance” (vs. 18). Having given his approval, Moses warned the people should they go back on their word:

“But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out” (vs. 23).

There are many different examples, in both the Old and New Testaments, of people trying to hide their sin. While it is possible for the sinner to hide his sin from men, it is not possible to hide his sin from the Almighty.

Continue reading ““Your sin will find you out”” →

Invitation delivered by: Armando Vera

Sin and temptation is everywhere in our society. In the face of all this temptation, it is important for all of us to be courageous in standing against sin. James 4:1-10.

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Sermon by Marc Smith.

In this lesson Marc answers from scripture the often troubling question, “When do children become accountable for sin, before Almighty God?” Scriptural principles give parents guidance on the question.

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Powerpoint Slides

Sermon by Marc Smith.

In this two part sermon, preached Sunday and Monday nights, Marc emphasized the danger of our becoming desensitized to sin, and gave suggestions and applications to ensure we remain sensitive to and obey God’s commands for us.

Audio Part One

Audio Part Two

Powerpoint Slides

In the Fort Worth Star Telegram on the crosswords page, there are two “jumble” type puzzles, where you have to rearrange letters to uncover the intended words. Each of them have a “payoff” word that comes with a clue. I liked the “Scramlets” puzzle from Tuesday. The clue was:

Politeness is the art of choosing among your thoughts.

Wisdom comes from the most unexpected places. The quote acknowledges that everyone has thoughts that are rude or inappropriate, but a polite person chooses carefully those thoughts he will express.

This reminds me of James’ thoughts regarding temptation and sin in James 1:14-15, “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings for death.”

All are tempted to sin. No matter the enticement, no matter the desire, sin is avoided when we choose not to pursue it. The choice is not always easy to make, and is made easier only as a Christian matures spiritually. However, two things are indisputably true. First, we can resist the temptations to sin. Paul wrote, “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Second, we are accountable for the choices we make! “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

The sermon describes both the physical and spiritual consequences of sin, using King David as an example and object lesson.

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One of the many reasons why sin is so popular in our society is that people have been able to convince themselves that such activity can be enjoyed with few consequences.

While certain sins in the past carried with their commission a certain stigma, such is not the case today. Pregnancy outside of marriage, sexual promiscuity, drug use, homosexuality — all are accepted by society, or at the most are looked upon as a mild indiscretion. We witness the famous engaging in bizarre and destructive behavior, and they are continually enabled and excused in their lawbreaking and infidelities. Authority figures in our country, including policemen and educators, often have their hands tied when trying to deal with crime and delinquency. We are a society that defends, rationalizes and enables. Sin is seldom dealt with as God intends — even in the church.

Continue reading “Painful Consequences” →

The lesson is an examination of Paul’s warning of perilous times in 2 Timothy 3:1-9. The description given of ungodliness is explained, and the warnings to “turn away” from “such people” is noted.

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The apostle Paul instructed the Corinthians, using the sins of Israel as an example from which to learn. The church today can be guilty of the same mistakes and failings if we do not learn from Israel’s example.

Sermon preached by Josh Cox

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The fool has certain common characteristics he shares with others of his ilk. He denies God’s existence, does not control his base impulses, ignores the dangers of sin, refuses godly counsel because of prideful heart, and never prepares himself for his inevitable death.

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Powerpoint Slides

I recently came across an article that was discussing advice given by a “preacher” to a young Christian who was wondering if it was acceptable for Christians to go to night clubs. The preacher wrote him:

“… I urge you to stop living under that unbiblical legalism and live more like Jesus. Jesus hung around prostitutes and sinners and partied with tax collectors.”

Later, the preacher ridiculed what he considered that legalistic view:

“We can’t hang out with sinners but — at most — we can stand at a distance and preach at (usually condemn) them. Not a brilliant tactic. Not successful. Not like Jesus…”

In reality, the Lord ate and drank with sinners (cf. Luke 5:30) — He didn’t “party” with them. And, He had a purpose in approaching them, “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.’” (vs. 31-32).

We are to be in the world, but we are not to be of the world (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:9-11). And, we are certainly not to be like the world (cf. Philippians 2:14-15). The young man was not asking permission to “shine his light” he wanted to be justified in “fitting in.” That is something Jesus never sought to do! In this unfortunate example, the preacher’s words are shameful and wrong!

Invitation delivered by: Justin Carrell

Among other irrational thoughts discussed, Justin points out the absurdity of the idea that a person can be a Christian while practicing sin (cf. 1 John 3:4-9).

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Invitation delivered by: Joshua Cox

It is true that no one is perfect. We all sin (cf. Romans 3:23). But, the fact that we aren’t perfect does not give us the right to not strive for perfection. Passages such as 1 John 3:6 show us as Christians that we must strive for perfection.

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“Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly–and indeed you do bear with me. For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

(2 Corinthians 11:1-3)

The apostle Paul greatly desired the faithfulness of the brethren in Corinth. It was his intent that through his efforts they might fully please God. Therefore, he exhorted them, realizing that there were great impediments strewn by the Adversary.

Continue reading “Satan’s Deceptions” →