Sin

Review

GOD, THE GOOD RULER AND CREATOR

Revelation 4:11 “11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.””

Summary

God is the ruler of the world.

He made the world.

He made us to rule his good world, giving thanks and honor to him.

Introduction

OUR REBELLION AGAINST GOD

Isaiah 53:6a “6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way;

Summary

We all reject God as our ruler by running our own lives our own way.

By rebelling against God’s way, we damage ourselves, each other, and the world.

Definition

Incomplete definitions of sin

immoral acts

transgression of law

missing the mark

Complete definition

To be a truly complete definition we must recognize that sin is rebellion against a holy God

Read Genesis 3:1-7.

What arguments persuaded Adam and Eve to eat the fruit?

What was their attitude towards God in their sin?

Read Psalm 51:1-5.

How does David describe sin? What does this teach us about sin?

Why do you think it says “against you, you only, have I sinned”?

Read Romans 1:18-25.

What can all people know about God. How should they respond to this knowledge?

What do people do instead?

Key Concepts

Sin is a treason against God

Sin is universal and comprehensive

All sin

Sin corrupts us to our core

Futile thinking

Darkened hearts

Corrupt actions

Sin kills

Sin enslaves

Sinful culture (ways of this world)

Satan (ruler of the kingdom of the air)

Distorted desires (cravings of our flesh)

Ephesians 2:1–3 NIV

1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

In your own life, when or where do you most often notice the impulse to “run your own life your own way”?

How does a view of sin as treason against the king help us to see “good people’s” need for the gospel?

Alternatives

We’re all good – evil is outside of us

Sincerity is most important – as long as we try hard we’re okay

In this view, sin is breaking our own rules rather than rejecting God

We have some good in us – we have a positive contribution to make we just need God’s help

Which of the alternative views have you heard from others most often? How can you respond next time you hear this view?