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Sin: Our Country’s Biggest ProblemIntroduction:
I. If the average person was asked what this country’s
biggest problem is, they might say:
A. Terrorism
B. War
C. The Economy
D. Crime
E. Taxes
F. People
G. Inflation
H. World peace
I. Unemployment
J. Etc.
II. They are wrong.
A. The answer is sin. Proverbs 14:34
B. We live in a society that virtually “winks” at sin.
It has been pampered, and babied, and “molly-
coddled” to the point that sin no longer means very
much to us.
1. “We don’t go down with a quick hard fall, but
just glide along. Little by little we lighten
our load until we can’t right from wrong.” It
doesn’t happen overnight, but gradually. We
make statements like it is not all that bad.
“Sin is a monster of such frightful countenance,
that to be hated needs but to be seen. But,
seen too often, familiar with her face, we first
endure, then pity, and then embrace.” Alexander
Pope
"Sin is a monster of so frightful mien,
As to be hated, needs but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace." Alexander Pope
Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
As to be hated need but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.
- Essay on Man (ep. II, l. 217) A. Pope
2. We live in a society that has definitely
embraced sin.
3. But sin is sin!!
III. Let us turn to the Bible and see what it says about
sin.
Body:
I. Sin defined.
A. Definition (amartia):
1. hamartia--
1) equivalent to NT:264
a) to be without a share in
b) to miss the mark
c) to err, be mistaken
d) to miss or wander from the path of
uprightness and honor, to do or go wrong
e) to wander from the law of God, to violate
God's law, to sin
2) that which is done wrong, sin, an offence, a
violation of the divine law in thought or in
act
3) collectively, the complex or aggregate of
sins committed either by a single person or
by many (Thayer's Greek Lexicon)
2. Vine - hamartia NT:266 is, lit., "a missing of
the mark," but this etymological meaning is
largely lost sight of in the NT. It is the most
comprehensive term for moral obliquity.
B. 1 John 3:4 – Sin is the breaking, violating, or
going away from the word of God. Points out the
need to know the word of God.
C. 1 John 5:17 – A failure to keep God’s commands is
sin.
a. The prefix “un” signifies a lack of the quality
specified.
b. Psalms 119:172 – All God’s commandments are
righteousness.
1) Those who obey God’s commandments are
righteous.
2) Those who do not obey God’s commandments
are unrighteous.
c. Distinguishing between 1 John 3:4 and 5:17:
1) 1 John 3:4 – discusses the matter positively.
2) 1 John 5:17 – discusses the matter negatively
3) Hence, there are sins of commission and
omission.
D. James 4:17 – Knowing to do good and not doing it is
sin.
a. This verse emphasizes the fact that sin is not
only wrong doing, it is also failure in right
doing, failing to do good.
b. We are not only to abstain from evil but to do
good.
E. Romans 14:23– Sin is a violation of the conscience.
II. Sin is against God.
A. Joseph realized this. Genesis 39:8-9
B. Sin is repugnant to God. Psalms 5:4-6
III. All have sinned.
A. There is a universal nature to sin, Romans 3:23,
9-18.
B. All are responsible for their own sins.
1. Scriptures
a. Ezekiel 18:19-20
b. Jeremiah 31:29-30
2. Many believe that we are guilty of the sin of
Adam, and therefore are inherently depraved but
nowhere does the Bible support this concept.
a. read from The Five Points of Calvinism.
3. I will stand before God for MY sins and no one
else’s – Not my father’s – etc. or Adam’s.
a. Romans 14:10-12
b. 2 Corinthians 5:10
IV. We are responsible before God for our sins because we
chose to sin.
A. The choice to obey or disobey is ours, Joshua
24:14-15.
1. I can’t say, “The Devil made me do it!!”
2. I can’t blame my environment, my friends, my
parents, etc. (these will definitely influence
my choices, but the final decision is mine).
3. I can’t blame God – God does not tempt anyone
(James 1:13) – With each temptation, He provides
a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13).
B. Sin is a little-bitty word with a great big “I”
right in the middle of it (sIn).
I am guilty of sin!
I choose to sin!
I am responsible for my sins!
I will stand before God and face my sins!
V. The consequences of sin.
A. It separates from God.
1. Scriptures:
a. Isaiah 59:1-2
b. Micah 3:1-4
2. When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they
became separated from God; they died
spiritually.
a. Genesis 2:16-17
b. Romans 5:12ff.
3. Sin separates a man from God in that he has no
communion with God. Genesis 66:18
4. Then there is a final and complete separation at
the judgment.
a. Though separated spiritually from God, the
sinner still feels the effects of His
benevolent care. (Matthew 5:44-45).
b. At judgment, however, all connections will be
broken.
B. Physical death.
1. As a result of the sin of Adam and Eve, physical
death passed upon all men when they were driven
out of the Garden of Eden and separated from the
tree of life.
2. Genesis 3:19, 22-23
C. Untold suffering, sadness, and heartache has
resulted as a consequence of sin.
1. Proverbs 13:15
2. Galatians 6:7-8
D. Physical blessings are sometimes withheld as a
consequence of sin. Jeremiah 5:25
Conclusion:
I. There is great hope for those who are guilty of sin
through Jesus Christ.
A. Isaiah 55:6-7
B. Isaiah 1:18
II. Jesus requires the alien sinner to (Mark 16:16; Acts
2:38; Romans 10:9-10):
A. Believe.
B. Repent.
C. Confess.
D. Baptism.
III. Christ requires the Christian who is guilty of sin to:
A. Repent.
B. Confess.
C. Pray.
IV. If you need to render public obedience, won’t you do
it now!
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