Category: Sin
Subject: Sin
Invitation: We are Debtors
Invitation delivered by: Josh Cox
In Romans 5:12 the apostle Paul affirms that death has spread to all men. The only way to escape death is through God’s gift to man (cf. Romans 6:23). As such, we are Debtors (Romans 8:12).
Sermon: Evil Suspicions
The sin of evil suspicion, or evil surmising (KJV), as listed in 1 Timothy 6, is divisive, destructive, and to be refused by faithful Christians.
Sermon: Be Wary of Corrupting Influences
The world we live in is truly profane. As Christians we need to take care that we not be corrupted by worldly influences.
Sermon: Healing the Sick
Unlike many religious quacks, Jesus is the Great Physician, with the cure for man’s greatest disease, SIN.
Looking at sin through God’s eyes
What is your attitude toward sin? The world in general are dismissive of the entire concept. A few years ago there were expressions of derision when our President referred to terrorists at “evildoers.” It seems that the idea of inherent evil is not too popular in our day. However, God used the term. In fact, the term is found 17 times in the text of the New King James translation. One example of this is in Isaiah 31:2, where the prophet promised, “Yet He [God] also is wise and will bring disaster, and will not call back His words, but will arise against the house of evildoers, and against the help of those who work iniquity.” It seems that God not only identified some as “evildoers”, but also proclaimed His strong opposition to their works.
Sermon: The High Cost of Sin
The account of Samson’s fall and imprisonment by the Philistines teaches some important truths about sin:
1) Sin will always take you farther than you want to go.
2) Sin will always keep you longer than you want to stay.
3) Sin will always cost you more than you intended to pay.
In the News: The Colorado City Murders
Last week a mentally unbalanced man named Robert Dear killed three people in Colorado City, Colorado. The location of the attack was a Planned Parenthood clinic.
The statement above contains one assumption, that the man was mentally unbalanced. It is admittedly an assumption, but there are a number of facts that seem to bear out the assessment. First, there is the deranged look of the man in his booking photos. Second, there is the characterization of the man’s interaction with police which was described in numerous press reports as incoherent ramblings. Finally there are the descriptions of witnesses of a man who was a loner, a recluse who lived by himself in an isolated shack without plumbing or electricity. In many ways, he seems reminiscent of the “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski.
From the Preacher’s Pen: Why are the wicked that way?
The Psalmist provided some interesting insight into the motivation of wicked men in Palm 36:1-2:
“An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flatters himself in his own eyes, when he finds out his iniquity and when he hates.”
The wicked man does not fear God. It may be that he is in denial concerning the existence of God. It may be that as judgment will come in the final day, he erroneously thinks he is getting away with his wickedness. It may be he has a false impression concerning his own abilities, or holds to the false perception that God is impotent. Whatever the reason, the fear of God in no way constrains him.
The wicked man flatters himself. He thinks more highly of himself than he ought. It may be that others flatter him as well, building him up to a degree that he begins to believe his “press.”
But, the wicked man is a fool! The wise man of Proverbs wrote, “For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, but His secret counsel is with the upright. The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the just” (Proverbs 3:32-33).
Don’t be foolishly prideful, and rail against God. Instead, heed His will, and received the blessings that come upon the home of the just.
From the Preacher’s Pen: Boasting in Evil
Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man?
The goodness of God endures continually.Your tongue devises destruction,
Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.You love evil more than good,
Lying rather than speaking righteousness.You love all devouring words,
You deceitful tongue.God shall likewise destroy you forever;
He shall take you away, and pluck you out of your dwelling place,
And uproot you from the land of the living.The righteous also shall see and fear,
And shall laugh at him, saying,“Here is the man who did not make God his strength,
But trusted in the abundance of his riches,
And strengthened himself in his wickedness.”(Psalm 52:1-7)
Here on earth the wicked may prosper, but as the Psalmist knew, ultimately God will settle all accounts. It is a righteous thing with Him to take “vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:8). Instead, as the Psalmist we must make God our strength, and serve Him with all our might!
Sermon: The Way of the Transgressor is Hard
Proverbs 13:15 tells us that the way of the transgressor is hard. Sin promises happiness and enjoyment, but ultimately delivers only sorrow. This is a lesson that is important for all to learn.
Sermon: The Story of Jehu
Sermon by Brantley Gallman.
Brantley examines a number of different lessons to be learned from the Old Testament narrative regarding King Jehu. (2 Kings 9 & 10)
Sermon: The Christian’s Attitude Toward Sin
Sermon by Josh Cox.
Josh discusses the proper attitude toward sin that should be present in every child of God.
Sermon: Anger and Wrath
The lesson examines a number of scriptures that emphasize the importance of controlling ones anger, and the dangers and sins associated with anger and wrath.
In the News: “Sex” and “Gender”
The latest cover for Vanity Fair Magazine has been revealed, and features former Olympic decathlete Bruce Jenner, who now gender identifies as a woman. The caption — “Call Me Caitlyn.”
With surgical advancements, some have determined to change their physical characteristics from male to female, or female to male. With hormonal therapy, augmentation, amputation, reconstruction — it is possible to mask a person’s sexual characteristics, and look like the opposite sex. The first time I became aware of this was way back in 1975 when a man named Richard Raskind had what is referred to as sex reassignment, or sex change surgery. From that point on known as Dr. Renee’ Richards, he petitioned to play in the ladies bracket of the U.S. Open tennis tournament in 1976, and was denied. He sued, and won, and actually played in both singles and doubles in 1977. He played on the women’s tour through 1981.
Sermon: Wood of the Vine
In Ezekiel 15, the prophet uses the metaphor of wood cut from a vine to describe the unfaithfulness of Judah, which would be met by God’s judgment. The lesson has direct applications for us today.
