Sin (Part 1)

The Beginning of Sin

Text: Genesis 3:1–7 Big Idea: Sin began when humanity chose self over God — and we still face that same choice today. Key Takeaway: Understanding where sin began helps us see why we need a Savior.

INTRODUCTION

“Have you ever done something you knew was wrong… but did it anyway because you thought it would be worth it?” Picture

Illustration

One time, Summer and I went on a cruise out of Miami. The day before we left for Miami, I had an idea… I wonder how much Miami Heat tickets are? Are they playing tomorrow? Boom, I was in luck. $25 a ticket and they played at 8:00 the day we flew in. So, I snagged the tickets. We got there, they scanned our tickets, we walked in the arena. We started looking for our seats and were struggling. I found a worker, “excuse me sir, can you help us find 400SROH423?” He said, “sure thing, just head up that elevator and anywhere in the top of the arena is fine.” I looked at Summer, “anywhere in the top of the arena? What is he talking about?” So we followed his instructions and when we got to where he said, I understood. 400SRO stood for the 400 section, standing room only. So here we are, jet lag, had to wake up at 4:00 to get to the airport, that morning, feet hurting, and having to stand. The game is about to start, Summer is mad, I’ve screwed up. I look around, and there are plenty of open seats throughout the stadium. So I have the idea, I know we didn’t pay for those seats, but there are two open ones down there. We could sneak down there and steal those seats. Summer follows me, we sit down. Man, this is nice. 2 minutes go by, then a couple comes up with one of the security guards. We were in their seats, they removed us and told us we had to go back up to the SRO section. A few minutes go by, hey there’s 2 more seats a couple of sections over, lets go over there. We sit down, almost immediately, another couple and another security guard. At this point, I’m afraid we’re going to get kicked out. We went to the other side of the stadium and eventually found 2 seats that nobody was actually in. We knew we were wrong, and nearly got kicked out for it.

Transition: Some of you may have done something similar. I know I’ve done way worse. That moment… when we choose our way over what we know is probably right, is exactly what happened at the very beginning of the Bible.

Context: Genesis 3 shows us how sin first entered the world. However, It’s not just a story about Adam and Eve... it’s a mirror showing what still happens in our hearts when we choose to sin.

1. The Temptation of Sin

Genesis 3:1–5 ESV

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

A. The Enemy’s Deception

So what was the serpent’s strategy here?

The serpent twists God’s words: “Did God really say…?” How many times have you been tempted to do something you shouldn’t, and you have similar thoughts? Well, if its just a little then its not that bad right? What if I only went this far? If nobody else knows and I’m not hurting anyone then I’m fine.

Its easy for us to let Satan twist our perspective and our thoughts.

Satan’s goal is always to make you doubt God’s Word and God’s goodness.

He doesn’t start with big lies... just small questions that lead to bigger doubts.

B. The Appeal of Desire

Eve saw that the fruit was “good for food, pleasing to the eye, and desirable for gaining wisdom.”

Sin always looks good before it destroys.

Hebrews 11:25 ESV

choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

Hebrews tells us that the pleasures of sin are fleeting. What does fleeting mean? They last for a short amount of time. There are benefits to sin, for a short amount of time. Afterwards, it just causes destruction.

Temptation doesn’t feel evil — it feels appealing, justified, or “not that bad.”

Application: Every sin starts with a small compromise… it was just a puff, it was just a sip, I only cuss a little, I didn’t go all the way with that guy or girl we just messed around a little, it was just over snapchat so it doesn’t even count right, its just a vape it could be worse, everyone else parties so I can too, I just snuck out once, it was just a white lie, I only searched that up a few times… Small compromises say we believe our way is better than God’s. And I hate to break it to you, its not.

2. The Choice to Sin

Genesis 3:6 ESV

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

A. Disobedience is a Decision

So one obvious point, Adam and Eve weren’t forced into sin — they chose it. Sin is a choice. There is no “well my parents had the same issues so I’m bound to” or “I just can’t help it.” Sin is a choice.

Sin happens when we stop trusting God’s word and trust our feelings instead. We become selfish to the desires we have and spit in the face of God when we choose our desires over his. Sin is what sent Jesus to the cross. He died for yours and mine. So when you choose to sin, you’re the one beating Him, you’re the one who is nailing Him to that tree, you’re the one punishing our Savior. Its a decision you’re actively making.

B. Sin Affects Everyone

When Adam and Eve sinned, everything changed... not just for them, but for the whole world.

Romans 5:12 ESV

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

Application: Your choices matter — they don’t just affect you, they influence everyone around you. There are people who used to be in my life that I was not the best influence on. My sins bled out on to them and I caused them to stumble. Those are decisions that I no longer can take back. That’s a stain in my past that I deeply regret. Your choices matter to those around you as well.

3. The Consequence of Sin

Genesis 3:7–13 ESV

Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

A. Sin Leads to Shame

They suddenly realized they were naked and tried to cover themselves. They had no shame beforehand. They didn’t know what that felt like.

Sin always brings guilt and shame. The things I’m most shameful of our times when I sinned against God willingly. It separates us from God and from others.

B. Sin Breaks Relationship

When God came to walk with Adam and Eve, they hid.

That’s the heart of sin: its hiding from the One who loves us most.

But notice the response from God. God didn’t stop loving them, however, the relationship was broken and needed to be restored.

Application: Sin always promises freedom but delivers bondage. It looks good, feels right, but leaves you empty and distant from God. This life that you are wanting to live instead of selling out completely to God isn’t worth it. Some of you won’t make the commitment to giving your life to Jesus because you know your life would change and you like the sin you’re living in now. It will only lead to guilt, shame, and destruction.

4. The Hope in the Story

Genesis 3:15 ESV

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

Even in the middle of the fall, God made a promise. One day, a Savior would crush the serpent’s head. He would defeat Satan.

The story of sin begins in Genesis, but it ends at the cross.

Jesus is the answer to the problem that started in the Garden and He’s the answer to your sin now too.

Conclusion

Don’t pick the world over Jesus Christ, its not worth it. Don’t settle for the sins you live in, there is freedom at the cross! If you have never took that first step to give your life to Jesus, do it now. If you have and you’ve found yourself falling in to sin, Jesus is still the answer. Come settle it with Him!