It's All Gone Pete Tong! (2)

Introduction

A World Affected by Sin

We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocency, but by their disobedience they lost their purity and happiness; and that in consequence of their fall all men have become sinners, totally depraved, and as such are justly exposed to the wrath of God. (5th Article of Faith)

Sin impacts all of our lives. / Look around world, watch news, read newspaper > abuse, poverty, greed, corruption. / How did it all go so wrong?

Created you and me in his image to love us and to have a deep, lasting relationship with us. / But it’s all gone Pete Tong/wrong, relationship broken. / A&E chose to do things own way. / Their disobedience > allowed sin to enter world. / Everything dislocated and distorted. / God’s world still good, but deep divide.

Explanation

Our Doubt in God

S> E to doubt God’s provision. / G: Every tree / E: May eat - missed “every”/discounted/minimised generosity > G look stingy.

G: Must not eat. / E: And must not touch. / Over-exaggerated God’s strictness. / G so harsh, even touching tree would lead to death. / Tempted: Holiness = unrealistic./Bible on forgiveness = impracticable, etc.

E > softened God’s Word. / G: you will certainly die. / E: you will die. / Threat is diminished/revised what God said. / Do same today - Culture - moral relativism: “As long as I think it’s OK and it doesn’t hurt anyone, then it does no harm”.

= G > ugly light. / S goes further: G’s threat = scare tactic to keep A&E in place./G = repressive, jealous of humanity = Blatant slur on God’s character. / And E believed him! > Life would be altered for ever.

Inherited E’s doubt and belief in what S says. / Apple > their relationship and ours = broken. / Separated from God. / Beset by guilt, fear, shame and spiritual death. / Sin touches every part of our lives. / Distorts ability to discern what = right/wrong. / Changes way we see world/others. / Makes it more difficult to discern God’s will = “I know better than God”.

Application

Confess Our Sin

What can we do? - Accept responsibility. / A&E blamed each other/serpent. / Have to change history/confess our sin. / Not about piling on the guilt. / Reflective, honest look at things in life that distorts relationship with God. / Transformation starts with confession. / Confession creates room for God to work.

Make a moral inventory. / Grab pen/paper, ask God to bring to mind your sin. / Take time/Don’t rush/Be specific/Accept blame/Don’t rationalise/Don’t minimise/Don’t blame others - You may not be 100% to blame, but accept 10% blame that’s yours./Ask for forgiveness./Believe G will forgive you.

It may have gone all Pete Tong, but it doesn’t need to remain that way

Famous violinist > manufacturer > very best instrument skilled fingers could produce. / Violin delivered, tone did not please sensitive artist. / Indignation > smashed it.

Dealer tried to atone for failure. / Broken pieces > remade violin sent it back to fastidious musician. / Master charmed with tone, surprised to learn violin was very one he had broken to bits. / "I have made it out of the fragments." / G can take fragments of life shattered by sinful indulgence, and, putting its pieces together, he can produce in the regenerated soul sweet melodies.

What fragments of your life does G need to put back together? He will.

Next Steps

Song: Take Broken Me