What is Sin?

By:  M. Allen

 

FILING INFORMATION:

97044

11/2/97 - Rapid City, SD

 

I.  Introduction

A.   There are a great # of problems facing man today.  If one were to spend a few moments thinking about all the problems mankind faces - one can get depressed very quickly.

1.     problems in society and home.

2.     Crime on the uprise

3.     War & injustice go on in many areas of the globe.

B.    Many, many people spend a great deal of time, money, and effort trying to alleviate the problems we all face… certainly, those people are to be commended for their actions.

1.     but when we look at the problems facing mankind do we realize where the root of all of man's problems lie?

2.     The root - or very core - of man's problems lies in a three-letter word: S-I-N.

3.     If every human would be aware of the sin in their lives, we would be well on our way toward solving the greatest problem facing mankind.

C.    Contrary to what the devil wants you to think, sin is serious!

1.     Who could count the times that Satan has deceived us into believing that sin is not that bad of a thing…

a.     Everyone is doing it.

b.     No one will ever know

c.     It really doesn't matter

2.     Sin is a universal problem.

a.     Rom. 3:23 - for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

b.     Of course, when we read this verse, we find that no one can truthfully say that sin does not present a problem in their lives.

c.     1 Jhn. 1:8…

D.   Our lesson this AM, will focus upon what sin is.  Well, "What is Sin?"  Only if one has a clear definition of what sin is will he be able to fight the problem with success.

1.     Wish to approach this subject from a Biblical perspective.

2.     When it comes to spiritual matters, let each one of us use the Bible as our one & only guide.

a.     not only does it identify what sin is - it tells us of the remedy of sin.

b.     Let each one of us evaluate our lives and see if we are doing our best to deal with the problem of sin.

3.     J. W. McGarvey once said, I would esteem above every other gift that could be bestowed upon me as a preacher the power to adequately conceive what sin is and to adequately set it before the people.

 

II.  The Biblical Definition of Sin

A.   Sin is a violation or breaking of God's Law - 1 Jhn. 3:4

1.     OKJV says….sin is a transgression of the law.

a.     English word "transgression" is from the Greek word "anonia" which means lawlessness.

b.     The ASV defines sin as lawlessness.

2.     Very simply, sin is the breaking, violating, or the going away from Almighty God.

a.     For example, in the NT we are told:

1.     Eph. 4:25 - not to lie - Paul told Eph. To put away lying.

2.     Eph. 4:29 - not to speak corruptly - not to let it proceed from our mouth

3.     Heb. 10:25 - not to forsake the assembling.

4.     Theses represent parts of God's law.

b.     If we go against these things, if we tell a lie, speak corruptly, or if we willfully forsake the assembling of ourselves together - we have broken or violated God's law and thus sinned!

c.     this is a very simple principle which all of us gathered here today should be able to see

1.     easy to see in other aspects of our lives.

2.     Stop sign at end of this st…  fail to stop…break man's law of the land.  We can see that, and understand that easily…

3.     We must realize that God has a law & if we go against that law - we sin & we must make correction in our lives!

3.  God's law is real - Rom 4:15 - we must all understand that there is a set of penalties attached to His law for those who break it.

a.     how many people realize this?  Do we realize it?

b.     society?…  Let everyone do their own thing…

c.     there are no moral absolutes.

d.     How many today do "what is right in their own eyes" as the Israelites did in Jud. 17:6???

4.  What every human being must realize: We are here to please Almighty God & Him only!  Do we reveal this directly in our lives?

B.    Sin is a Failure to Keep God's Commandments.  1 Jhn. 5:17 notice 1st phrase.

1.     Someone has said after reading this verse that "every failure to obey God's law is sin."

a.     Those who are unrighteous do not possess righteousness.  "un" = to lack the quality of…

b.     What is righteousness?  Psa. 119:72 for all your commandments are righteous…

1.      those who obey the commandments of the Lord are righteous and those who do not obey are unrighteous.

2.      Are we living in accordance to the commandments of the Lord?

2.  Some basic commandments of the Lord

a.     be baptized - Acts 2:38

b.     give back a portion to the Lord - 1 Cor. 16:2

c.     visit those who are in need - Js. 1:27

d.     repent of sin - Acts 17:30

e.     spread the gospel - Mk. 16:15-16

f.      teach & edify those who are already Christians - 2 Tim. 2:2

3.  If we fail to obey these commandments - we are sinning and thus falling short of the glory of God.

a.     can we do better?  Let us strive to do our best before the Lord.

4.  Notice the difference between 1 Jhn. 3:4 and 5:17.  3:4 discusses the matter of sin in a positive manner (sin is a violation of a command of God)

a.     Notice that 5:17 speaks of the matter in a negative manner (sin is a failure to keep or obey the commands of God)

b.     What we need to realize is that there are sins of omission

c.     Many feel confident of their eternity because they have not:

1.     lied, cheated, stole, or committed adultery.

2.     This is great, but what have we done for the Lord?

5.  Mt. 25 deals w/omission…

a.     v. 1-13 - foolish virgins lost because of what they didn't do - prepare in advance for the delay of the bridegroom.

b.     V. 14-30 - one talent man lost because of what he didn't do - take his talent and use it before the Lord

c.     V. 31-46 - goats lost because of what they didn't do - neglected responsibility to help those in need.

C.    Sin is Knowing to Do Good and Not Doing It. - Js. 4:17

1.     Sin is a failure in right doing - failing to do good.

2.     Christians exhorted throughout the NT to do good to others.

a.     Gal. 6:10; Tit. 3:1; Heb. 10:24

3.     Bible full of exhortations to do that which is right.  Examples such as:

a.     Lk. 10:30-37 - the good Samaritan

b.     Acts 10:38 - Jesus went about doing good

c.     We should strive to do good as well!

4.     when we think of knowing to do good - but not doing it, several things come to mind.

a.     the failure to do something that we know is right

b.     the sin of knowing how to live in a right manner but not doing it.

5.     how often do we hear:

a.     I know what is right, but…

b.     I know that I should be teaching the lost, but… I'm afraid.

c.     I know that I should be a Christian, but…

6.     Let us realize the knowledge of what is right carries along the responsibility to do right.

D.   Sin is a Violation of One's Conscience.  Rom. 14:23

1.     "Faith" in v. 23 refers to the persuasion or confidence of the individual.

a.     we must have full persuasion that what we are doing is lawful - otherwise if we act (go against conscience) it is sin.

b.     We must believe a thing to be right (that God will approve it) before we do it.

2.     actions must be based not on "what the crowd says) or opinions of men - but on what God teaches & reveals to us in His law.

3.     Our conscience Must be guided by the Word of God.

a.     remember Paul had a clear conscience in persecuting Christians.

1.     Acts 27:1; 24:16; 26:9 - he was not right in doing it!

b.     thus the conscience is not an infallible guide.

4.     But as one grows in the Lord & begins to understand the way of a Christian - certain things will begin to violate the conscience…

a.     more one grows in Christ the more he should have doubts about perhaps:

b.     playing a certain game; saying a certain thing; going to a certain place; practicing a certain habit.

5.     if we have doubts about such things, we must refrain from doing.  Must not live in doubt, but in confidence & obedience. 

a.      Heb. 10:22-23

 

III.  How Does the Bible Picture Sin?

A.   Sin is a Disease of which man needs to be "healed."

1.     Psa. 41:4; Mt. 13:15; 1 Pet. 2:24

2.     One is only "healed" of sin through the power of Christ upon our obedience to His will.

B.    Sin is a Heavy Burden

1.     Psa. 38:4-6; Isa. 24:20; Gal. 6:1-2

2.     Sin carries along a tremendous burden.  This is why Christ issued the great invitation in Mt. 11:28-30

C.    Sin is a Hard Taskmaster

1.     Jhn. 8:34; Rom. 6:6; 7:23; Prov. 13:15

2.     sin takes over our lives.  If we let it, it will control everything we do.

D.   Sin is Foolishness

1.     Prov. 24:9; Lk. 15:17

2.     Notice the phrase in Lk., when he came to himself…

3.     Phrase in Greek often used in the case of a "deranged" person coming to his senses.

E.    Sin is a Defiling Filth

1.     2 Pet. 2:20-22 - the description is explicit and eye opening.

2.     Tit. 1:15 - sin is defiling

3.     Psa. 14:1-3 - sin corrupts our lives.

4.     Js. 1:21 - put filthiness away!

F.    Sin is a Huge Debt.

1.     Mk. 11:4; Mt. 18:23-35

2.     Sin is often spoken of as a debt because it is a failure to keep an obligation.

3.     Often we fail in discharging our duties to God, others, and self.

G.   Sin is a Blemishing Stain.

1.     Psa. 51:1-2, 7; Isa. 1:18-20

2.     Isa. 1:18-20 has been made into an invitation song that we sing from time to time.

3.     Sin indeed stains the soul - but through the blood of Christ our sins can be washed clean.

 

IV.  How is Our Spiritual Maturity?

A.   Heb. 5:12-14

1.     Spiritual maturity is "having our senses exercised to discern both good & evil.

2.     We are to be able to prove or to determine the good, perfect, and acceptable will of God.

a.     Rom 12:1-2

B.    when faced with a problem there are ways to determine whether something is right or wrong…

1.     Is it condemned in the Bible?

a.     Gal. 5:19-21; 2 Jhn. 9

2.     Will it harm me spiritually?

a.     Rom. 8:1-17; Gal. 5:16-26

3.     Will it harm me physically?

a.     Rom. 12:1; 2 Cor. 7:1

4.     Will it hurt others - will they be led astray?

a.     Rom. 14:1-15:3; 1 Cor. 8

5.     Will it take too much time & money?

a.     Lk. 12:16-21; Eph. 5:15-16

6.     Will it hurt my influence for Christ & the church?

a.     Mt. 5:14-16; 1 Tim. 4:12

7.     Will it violate my conscience?

a.     Rom. 14:21-23

8.     If Christ were here - would He disapprove?

a.     1 Pet. 2:21; 1 Cor. 11:1

9.     Will it cause spot or stain to our souls?

a.     Eph. 5:25-27

10.  Will it lead me into bad company?

a.     1 Cor. 15:33

11.  Will I want to hide this action?

a.     Heb. 4:12-13

12.  Will it hinder me in performing my Christian duties?

a.     Mt. 6:33; 2 Tim. 2:4

 

V.  Conclusion

A.     Sin is no laughing matter.  Don't let the devil "trick" you into believing otherwise.

1.     sin has been Biblically defined here this morning.

2.     Are you letting it reign in your life?

3.     If so, why?

B.      a clear understanding of what sin is constitutes a strong reason not to sin.

C.      Correct your sin - come to the Lord!

D.     I N V I T A T I O N