TEXT: ROMANS 3:23
AIM: To know that man is sinful in nature and needs salvation
INTRO:
The Bible refers to sin as appearing in many forms, from deliberate wrongdoing and moral evil to accidental failure through weakness, laziness or ignorance (Exod 32:30; Prov 28:13; Matt 5:22,28; Rom 1:29-32; James 4:17).
MESSAGE:
I. CHARACTERISTIC OF SIN
a. It is against God (Ps 51:4; Rom 8:7).
b. It is the breaking of God’s law (Isa 1:2; 1 John 3:4).
c. It is the ‘missing of the mark’ (Deut 9:18; Rom 3:23).
d. It is unbelief (Deut 9:23; Ps 78:21-22; John 3:18-19; 8:24; 16:9).
e. It is ungodliness (Ps 1:5-6; Rom 1:18; James 2:10).
II. ENTRANCE OF SIN
A. Pride (Rom 1:21-23; 1 John 2:16; cf. Isa 10:15; 14:13-14).
B. Doubt (James 1:14; cf. Ezek 28:2,6; John 16:9).
C. Disobedience (Prov 4:23; Jer 17:9; Mark 7:21-23)
D. Rebellion against God’s revealed will (Gen 3:17; Rom 1:25; 1 John 3:4).
III. RESULTS OF SIN
A. We fall under God’s judgment and have come into a state of conflict
1. With the natural world (Gen 3:17-19; Matt 24:39),
2. With our fellow human beings (Gen 3:12-13; 1 John 3:12),
3. With our inner selves (Gen 3:7,11-13; Rom 7:15,19) and
4. With God (Gen 3:8- 10,22-24; Rom 3:10-18).
IV. PENALTY OF SIN
A. Death (Gen 2:17; 3:19,22-24; Rom 6:23)
B. Separation from God (John 3:3,7; Rom 6:16; 7:5,13; 1 Cor 15:56; Eph 2:1-5;).
B. We become hopeless (Isa 59:2; Rom 3:19-20; Gal 3:10).
V. OUR HOPE FROM SIN
A. Jesus Christ (Rom 5:6,8,15,18)
B. Repentance (Rom 4:24-25; 5:8; 2 Cor 5:21; Gal 3:10-13; Phil 3:9).
C. Faith in God (John 1:13,29; 6:44-45; Acts 3:19; Rom 3:24-25; Eph 2:8-9)
D. The true way we live (Rom 6:1,14,18; Gal 5:1).
CONCLUSION:
We can expect victory over sin, and even when we fail they can be assured that genuine confession brings God’s gracious forgiveness (Matt 6:12-15; 1 John 1:6-10; 2:1-2; 3:10). Because of the continued presence of the old sinful nature (the flesh) they will not be sinless, but neither will they sin habitually (Rom 6:6-13).
CHALLENGE
1. Confess your sins
2. Admit you’re a sinner
3. Believe that Jesus died for your sins
4. Claim Him as your savior
