Document: pub/resources/text/exeout/EXEOUT10.TXT "THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND THE PROBLEM OF SIN" - By Mark A. Copeland The following outlines are from The_"EXECUTABLE_OUTLINES"_Series, freeware programs containing collections of sermon outlines and study guides in menu-driven executable file format with search, print, and save features. If you would like to receive a free copy of the latest available program on a disk, send your mailing address to Mark Copeland (copeland@gate.net). The "Executable Outlines" Series, Copyright (c) Mark A. Copeland 1994 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND THE PROBLEM OF SIN CONTENTS How The Gospel Addresses The Problem Of Sin The Gospel's Answer To The "Love" Of Sin The Gospel's Answer To The "Practice" Of Sin The Gospel's Answer To The "State" Of Sin The Gospel's Answer To The "Guilt" Of Sin The Gospel's Answer To The "Power" Of Sin The Gospel's Answer To The "Result" Of Sin This material is free to use, copy, and distribute, provided it is done without cost to those to whom it is given. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND THE PROBLEM OF SIN" How The Gospel Addresses The Problem Of Sin INTRODUCTION 1. A number of years ago a book came out with the title: "Whatever Happened To Sin?" 2. This is a relevant question, for today "sin" is often taken too lightly... a. By the world b. Even by the church 3. Exactly what is sin? The Bible speaks definitively, describing sin as: a. A transgression of the law of God - 1 Jn 3:4 b. A failure to do what you know to be right - Ja 4:17 c. Doing that which violates your conscience, even if the act is right within itself - Ro 14:23 4. The Bible also reveals the seriousness of sin, which is seen... a. In its UNIVERSALITY - "all have sinned... (Ro 3:23) b. In its CONSEQUENCES - "The wages of sin is death..." (Ro 6:23) 5. Even so, I am not sure that many people, even some Christians, truly appreciate... a. The problem of sin b. How the gospel of Christ really and effectively addresses this problem! [The goal of this lesson is to introduce some thoughts that should increase our understanding and appreciation of how the gospel of Christ addresses the problem of sin. We begin by first noticing...] I. THE PROBLEM OF SIN A. THERE IS THE "LOVE" OF SIN 1. Sin does have its pleasurable nature - He 11:24-25 2. It is this pleasurable side that makes it easy for men to love sin, which in turn can then blind them to the truth - Jn 3:19 B. THERE IS THE "PRACTICE" OF SIN 1. The seriousness of this aspect of sin is seen in that ALL have sinned! - Ro 3:23 2. Even Christians continue to practice sin at times - 1 Jn 1:8-10 C. THERE IS THE "STATE" OF SIN 1. Those who both love and practice sin are said to be DEAD "IN" SIN - Ep 2:1 2. This pertains to our relationship to God; as far as He is concerned, our practice of sin places us in a STATE in which we are DEAD "TO" HIM! D. THERE IS THE "GUILT" OF SIN 1. In the Scriptures, this refers primarily to "LEGAL" guilt, but it often includes as well "EMOTIONAL" guilt 2. We may try to deny or suppress this truth, but a HOLY GOD still recognizes our guilt before Him - Ro 3:19 E. THERE IS THE "POWER" OF SIN 1. Sin is so powerful, that even when a person wants to do good, outside of Christ they are unable to do so consistently 2. As an illustration of this, notice Ro 7:14-21 F. FINALLY, THERE IS THE "RESULT" OF SIN 1. "The wages of sin is death" (Ro 3:23) 2. In the Scriptures, death includes the idea of separation (e.g., physical death is the separation of body and spirit - Ja 2:26) a. The result of sin is "spiritual death," or separation from God b. Such separation exists in this life, but even more so in the life to come! - Re 21:8 [Such is the problem of sin...do we appreciate what a serious problem it really is? How does the GOSPEL OF CHRIST address this problem? Bear in mind that the gospel consists of: - FACTS to believe - COMMANDS to obey - PROMISES to receive The FACTS to believe are concisely stated in 1 Co 15:1-4, which reveal things that God has done in Christ. These things which God has done make it possible for the COMMANDS and PROMISES of the gospel to really address the problem of sin! To briefly see what I mean, consider...] II. HOW THE GOSPEL ADDRESSES THE PROBLEM OF SIN [First, the "COMMANDS" of the gospel...] A. THE "COMMAND" TO "BELIEVE IN CHRIST" ADDRESSES THE "LOVE" OF SIN 1. That it is necessary to believe is evident from Mk 16:15-16 2. When a person really believes in Christ and the FACTS the gospel tells about Him... a. They will come to HATE sin for what it cost God and Christ b. They will have the attitude expressed by the Psalmist in Ps 119:104 3. The point is, true faith will help to eliminate our love for sin B. THE "COMMAND" TO "REPENT OF OUR SINS" ADDRESSES THE "PRACTICE" OF SIN 1. The gospel clearly calls mankind to repent - Ac 2:38; 17:30-31 2. When a person truly repents (a decision of the mind that leads to a change of action), they will cease living a life devoted to the practice of sin C. THE "COMMAND" TO BE "BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST" ADDRESSES THE "STATE" OF SIN 1. Remember, outside of Christ our state is "dead in sin" 2. We notice that the gospel includes the call to be baptized - Mk 16:15-16; Mt 28:18-20 3. When we are baptized, our "state" changes a. For baptism puts us in Christ - Ga 3:27 b. In Christ, we are now "dead TO sin", no longer "dead IN sin" - Ro 6:1-7 [And now for the "PROMISES" of the gospel...] D. THE "PROMISE" OF "REMISSION OF SINS" ADDRESSES THE "GUILT" OF SIN 1. Remission of sins is promised to those who repent and are baptized - Ac 2:38 2. When sin has been remitted, there is no longer any guilt! E. THE "PROMISE" OF THE "GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT" ADDRESSES THE "POWER OF" SIN 1. The gift of the Holy Spirit is likewise promised to those who repent and are baptized - Ac 2:38 2. With the help of God's Spirit, we are no longer under the power of sin - Ro 8:12,13; Ep 3:16,20 F. THE "PROMISE" OF "ETERNAL LIFE" ADDRESSES THE "RESULT" OF SIN 1. Instead of spiritual death and eternal separation from God, we can have spiritual life and eternal communion with Him! 2. As Paul put it so succinctly: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Ro 6:23) CONCLUSION 1. In succeeding lessons we will examine these COMMANDS and PROMISES more carefully 2. But I hope we can see how wonderfully the GOSPEL OF CHRIST addresses THE PROBLEM OF SIN! Have you let the gospel address YOUR problem of sin? By... - Believing the facts? - Obeying the commands? - Receiving the promises? Do so, and in Jesus Christ you can overcome the problem of sin! "THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND THE PROBLEM OF SIN" The Gospel's Answer To The "Love" Of Sin (Faith In Jesus Christ) INTRODUCTION 1. In the previous lesson, we introduced "How The Gospel Addresses The PROBLEM Of Sin" 2. In this lesson we will focus our attention to that part of the problem which is the "LOVE" of sin... a. We saw that sin does have its pleasurable side - He 11:24-25 b. This pleasure makes it easy for men to love sin... 1) Such love often blinds men to the truth - Jn 3:19 2) Such love definitely alienates one from the love of the Father - 1 Jn 2:15 3. The gospel of Jesus Christ answers the problem of the "LOVE" of sin by commanding us to have "FAITH," or to "BELIEVE" a. E.g., notice Mk 16:15-16 b. Faith can be defined as "a strong convinction, assurance" c. When we come to have the RIGHT KIND OF FAITH, we will come to no longer LOVE sin, but even to HATE it! d. As the Psalmist expressed in Ps 119:104 4. In this study, I want to do two things: a. Define exactly what KIND OF FAITH we need to really hate sin b. Consider briefly the EVIDENCE that ought to create that kind of faith I. THE KIND OF FAITH NECESSARY TO HATE SIN A. ONE THAT BELIEVES THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD 1. That the gospel requires such faith is clear from passages like: a. Jn 20:30-31 b. 1 Jn 5:13 2. I.e., a strong conviction that Jesus of Nazareth, son of Mary, was indeed: a. The Messiah foretold by the Jewish prophets - Ac 2:36 b. More than just a good man, but the only begotten Son of God - Jn 1:14 B. ONE THAT BELIEVES THAT THIS JESUS DIED FOR OUR SINS BECAUSE GOD LOVED US 1. Believing that Jesus died for our sins is a necessary part of the gospel - 1 Co 15:1-3 2. Understand...Jesus died for OUR sins! a. Just as the Scriptures foretold He would - Is 53:4-6 b. Why, because God loves us! - Jn 3:16; Ro 5:8 C. ONE THAT BELIEVES THAT GOD THEN RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD 1. This fact is also an important part of the gospel 2. Consider 1 Co 15:3-4; Ro 10:9 D. HOW DOES BELIEVING IN THESE THINGS CAUSE US TO HATE SIN? 1. IF WE ARE STRONGLY CONVICTED... a. That Jesus was truly the beloved Son of God b. That He was really the Christ, the promised Messiah c. That God loved us so much (and hated sin so much) that He sent His Son to die for us d. That God raised Him from the dead to prove to us that His death was an acceptable sacrifice for sin 2. ...THEN HOW CAN WE "NOT" HATE SIN? a. Sin is responsible for making the death of Christ necessary in the first place! b. Sin is responsible for the anguish God must have felt when He: 1) Saw the separation between Him and us! 2) Deemed it necessary to have His Son die for us! c. Sin is responsible for the pain and agony suffered by Jesus! 1) In the garden of Gethsemane - Mt 26:39 2) On the cross of Calvary - Mt 27:46 [When we understand and really BELIEVE these things, then we will say with the Psalmist: "Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I HATE every false way." (Ps 119:104) This is the kind of faith called for in obedience to the gospel, and the kind of faith which effectively deals with the LOVE of sin! But how does one gain this kind of faith? Ro 10:17 tells us that faith comes from the Word of God. Upon closer examination, that Word reveals that the apostles of Christ tried to create faith in the hearts of their listeners by providing two primary lines of evidence...] II. EVIDENCE THAT CREATES THE KIND OF FAITH WHICH HATES SIN A. EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY CONCERNING THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS 1. THIS WAS AN IMPORTANT FOUNDATION UPON WHICH FAITH IN NEW TESTAMENT TIMES WAS CREATED! a. Jesus knew this was how people would come to believe on Him - cf. Jn 17:20 b. Therefore, in their preaching and teaching, the apostles appealed to this line evidence... 1) Peter - Ac 2:32; 3:14-15; 4:33; 10:39-41 2) John - Jn 20:30-31; 1 Jn 1:1-3 3) Paul - 1 Co 15:3-8 2. HOW STRONG IS THIS EVIDENCE? a. Consider the number of witnesses 1) This affects the strength or weakness of any testimony 2) E.g., the OT required at least two or three - Deu 17:6 3) In this regard, the strength is very strong - 1 Co 15: 5-8 (over 500 people!) b. Consider the character of these witnesses (they were certainly not gullible) 1) Some had not believed in Christ prior to His resurrection a) Like His brothers in the flesh - Jn 7:3-5; Mk 3:21 b) But after the resurrection, they too became disciples! - Ac 1:14 2) Some were disciples who had been skeptical after His death a) E.g., Thomas - Jn 20:24-25 b) Only after hard, empirical evidence did he believe - Jn 20:26-28 3) Some were former enemies who had violently opposed Christ (e.g., the apostle Paul) c. Consider the nature of their testimony 1) Hard, empirical evidence - Jn 20:25; Ac 10:40-41; 1 Jn 1:1 2) Objective, not subjective evidence that could possibly be attributed to hallucinations, dreams, etc. d. Consider the transformation which took place 1) Prior to the resurrection, they were cowards who had lost hope! a) They fled at His arrest - Mk 14:50 b) Peter denied Him c) They hid for fear of the Jews - Jn 20:19 2) Yet, after the resurrection, they were praising God and proclaiming Christ boldly as having been raised from the dead! a) Praising God in the temple - Lk 24:52-53 b) Proclaiming Christ, despite persecution - Ac 5:28-32; 41-42 3) Even an honest Orthodox Jew admits that the transformation in their lives is strong evidence for their testimony: a) "If the disciples were totally disappointed and on the verge of desperate flight because of the very real reason of the crucifixion, it took another very real reason in order to transform them from a band of disheartened and dejected Jews into the most self- confident missionary society in world history." (PINCHAS LAPIDE, former chairman of the Applied Linguistics Department at Israel's Bar-Iland University) b) LAPIDE concluded that a bodily resurrection could have possibly been that reason! (TIME, May 7, 1979) e. Consider the high moral standard they taught and lived 1) Exhorted the disciples to live holy lives - 1 Th 4:1-7 2) Lived their own lives in an unimpeachable way - 1 Th 2: 10-12 -- Does this sound like people who would propagate a lie if they knew better? f. Consider the sacrifices they paid in life and death 1) They endured much hardship because of their testimony - 1 Co 4:9-13 2) All but one of the apostles died violent deaths because of their testimony of the resurrection 3) Even James, Jesus' brother, was thrown off the temple and clubbed to death for his refusal to recant his eyewitness testimony of the resurrection of Jesus! 3. TO DENY THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS IS TO IMPUGN THE HONESTY AND INTEGRITY OF THESE WITNESSES! a. Every single one of them would have had to been rank liars and frauds, out to deceive the world! b. Yet, these are the very ones... 1) Who tell us what we know of Jesus, whose life and teachings has transformed the history of the world and the lives of millions! 2) Who gave us the NEW TESTAMENT, which contains the highest standard of morality the world has every known! -- DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO CALL SUCH MEN "LIARS AND FRAUDS"? [To accept their testimony and the fact of the resurrection is not only rational, it is the beginning of the kind of faith which will come to hate sin! But there is even more evidence which creates this kind of faith...] B. FULFILLED MESSIANIC PROPHECY 1. THIS ALSO WAS AN IMPORTANT FOUNDATION UPON WHICH FAITH IN NEW TESTAMENT TIMES WAS CREATED a. Jesus used this to strengthen the faith of His disciples 1) The two disciples on the road to Emmaus - Lk 24:25-27 2) The apostles - Lk 24:44-47 b. Therefore, in their own teaching and preaching, the apostles appealed to this line of evidence... 1) Peter - Ac 2:29-31; 3:18,24 2) Philip - Ac 8:35 3) Paul - Ac 17:2,3 2. HOW STRONG IS THIS EVIDENCE? a. It has been calculated that there are at least 330 prophecies in the OT that were fulfilled in Jesus Christ! 1) Twenty-nine (29) were fulfilled in one day! 2) Such prophecies were spoken at various times by many different people during the ten centuries from 1500 B.C. to 500 B.C. b. The SCIENCE OF PROBABILITIES has been used to show that it is nigh to impossible that Jesus fulfilled these prophecies out of coincidence 1) In one study (by Peter Stoner), eight (8) prophecies were considered: a) The likelihood of anyone fulfilling just these eight by CHANCE was calculated to be 1 in 10 to the 17th power b) This would be like finding on the first try, while blindfolded, a marked silver dollar in a pile of silver dollars two-feet high covering the entire state of Texas! 2) In another study (also by Peter Stoner), forty-eight (48) prophecies were considered: a) The likelihood of a coincidence was 1 in 10 to the 157th power! b) How big a number is 10 to the 157th power? 1] Counting at the rate of 250 a minute... 2] It would take you 19 million times 19 million times 19 million YEARS to count such a number! c) Remember, that is just calculating the chance of any one man coincidentally fulfilling 48 prophecies - Jesus fulfilled 330! c. Look at it another way... 1) Your chances of surviving a fall from 10,000 feet without a parachute is 1 in 10 million 2) Would you "willingly" jump and take such a chance? 3) Yet to reject JESUS because because you think His fulfilling 330 prophecies was coincidental is INFINITELY MORE RISKY than jumping out of an airplane at 10,000 feet without a parachute! a) We would say that anyone who jumped out of an airplane with such odds against survival is either stupid, crazy or ignorant of the risks b) What about someone who takes the chance of rejecting Christ in view of the overwhelming odds he is wrong about Christ??? CONCLUSION 1. This is kind of evidence found in the Word of God to create faith in Jesus as the Son of God: a. EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS by numerous, reliable witnesses b. FULFILLED MESSIANIC PROPHECY that overwhelmingly convinces any informed, rational and objective person! -- Yes, "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." (Ro 10:17) 2. What kind of FAITH? a. One that HATES sin... 1) For what it did (separated us from God) 2) For what it cost (the death of God's only begotten Son) 3) For what it can do when engaged in by the unrepentant Christian (crucify again the Son afresh - He 6:4-6) b. One that LOVES God... 1) For what He has done 2) For what He is doing 3) For what He will do c. One that will... 1) Do whatever God desires me to do, to rid my life of the guilt of sin (e.g., faith, repentance, and baptism) 2) Utilize whatever blessing God offers to overcome the problem of sin (e.g., remission of sins, gift of the Holy Spirit, the promise of eternal life) 3. Do you have that kind of faith which the gospel both gives and requires...a loving and obedient faith? "If you love Me, keep My commandments." (Jn 14:15) "THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND THE PROBLEM OF SIN" The Gospel's Answer To The "Practice" Of Sin (Repentance Toward God) INTRODUCTION 1. Paul declared that he was not ashamed of the gospel because it was God's power to save those who believe - Ro 1:16-17 a. We have seen in general terms that the gospel saves us from the PROBLEM of sin (first lesson) b. Our previous lesson dealt more closely with FAITH as the gospel's answer to the LOVE of sin c. In this lesson, we shall focus on REPENTANCE as the gospel's answer to the PRACTICE of sin 2. That the PRACTICE of sin is a serious problem is seen in that... a. ALL have sinned - Ro 3:23 b. And EVEN CHRISTIANS continue to sin at times - 1 Jn 1:8-10 3. The gospel of Jesus Christ answers the problem of the PRACTICE of sin by commanding us to "REPENT" a. E.g., notice Lk 24:45-47; Ac 2:38; 3:19; 17:30-31; 26:19-20 b. When a person TRULY repents, they will cease the PRACTICE of sin! 4. Unfortunately, the call to repent is often neglected in preaching the gospel today... a. By those who preach "faith only" b. By some who react to "faith only" by emphasizing "baptism" 5. But as the passages listed above clearly reveal, one cannot truly preach the gospel of Christ without the call to repentance a. But what is "repentance"? b. What are "indications" that repentance has occurred? c. What leads one to true repentance? 6. 2 Co 7:9-11 is the most elaborate discussion on "repentance" found in the Scriptures, and will serve as the basis for much of our study 9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, [what] clearing of yourselves, yea, [what] indignation, yea, [what] fear, yea, [what] vehement desire, yea, [what] zeal, yea, [what] revenge! In all [things] ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. (2 Corinthians 7) [Based upon this passage, let's begin by...] I. DEFINING "REPENTANCE" A. FIRST, SOME MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT REPENTANCE... 1. THAT REPENTANCE IS "SORROW" a. But 2 Co 7:9-10 shows that repentance is an OUTCOME of sorrow b. Not the sorrow itself 2. THAT REPENTANCE IS "A CHANGED LIFE" a. Or a converted life b. But Ac 3:19 shows that repentance and conversion are two separate things 1) Peter says to "repent" and "be converted" 2) Peter is not being redundant, the one leads to the other 3. As we shall see, the order is actually this: a. First, there is SORROW b. Then, REPENTANCE c. And finally, A CHANGED LIFE (CONVERSION) B. A PROPER DEFINITION OF REPENTANCE... 1. The Greek word is metanoeo (meta=change, noeo=thought or mind) 2. W. E. Vine's definition: a. "a change of mind" b. "signifies to change one's mind or purpose c. "this change of mind involves both a turning from sin and a turning to God" 3. So we can think of repentance as a "A CHANGE OF MIND" in which we DECIDE to "turn from sin and turn to God"; a DECISION... a. Which is PRECEDED by sorrow b. And is FOLLOWED by a changed life [Having defined repentance, here are some...] II. INDICATIONS "REPENTANCE" HAS OCCURRED A. 2 CO 7:11 MENTIONS SEVERAL... 1. diligence (KJV, carefulness) a. This can be defined as "earnestness, zeal, sometimes with haste accompanying it" b. I.e., being quick to do what is right! c. The examples of conversion in the book of ACTS demonstrate this diligence by the fact every conversion described in detail shows people obeying the gospel after one lesson! 2. clearing of yourselves a. To clear one's self of blame b. E.g., to quickly stop doing what is wrong, if such is the case; or to quickly respond to the offer of forgiveness if one realizes they are guilty of sin 3. indignation a. This involves a sort of anger, hatred b. I.e., toward the SIN which required the repentance 4. fear a. Lest the sin be repeated b. Lest the sin should not be quickly removed 5. vehement desire a. I.e., a "fervent wish" b. Especially to be right in God's eyes 6. zeal a. "eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something" b. In this case, to turn from sin and turn to God 7. vindication (KJV, revenge) a. As the NIV puts it "what readiness to see justice done" b. To do the right thing! B. SUCH ARE THE "SIGNS" OF TRUE REPENTANCE... 1. Not apathy 2. Not half-hearted service 3. But a desire to do "works befitting repentance" - Ac 26:20 [Now that we may have a better idea as to what repentance is and what indications are that it has occurred, let's consider what is involved in...] III. PRODUCING "REPENTANCE" A. 2 CO 7:9-10 REVEALS THAT "GODLY SORROW" PRODUCES REPENTANCE... 1. NOTICE... a. Not simply "sorrow", but one that is "godly" b. For there is such a thing as "sorrow of the world" 2. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "GODLY SORROW" AND "WORLDLY SORROW" a. "WORLDLY SORROW" is a SELFISH kind of sorrow 1) E.g., when one is sorry because HE got caught 2) E.g., when one is sorry because what one did made HIMSELF look bad 3) In "worldly sorrow", one is concerned about one's self! b. "GODLY SORROW" is sorrow directed toward GOD ("godly" is literally "according to God") 1) I.e., one is sorry because their actions are sins against a Holy God - cf. the attitude of David in Ps 51:4 2) Also, one is sorry because of the price GOD must pay to have our sins removed c. Some more differences... 1) "worldly sorrow" produces regret 2) "godly sorrow" suffers loss in nothing 3) "worldly sorrow" produces death 4) "godly sorrow" produces repentance leading to salvation B. DESIRING SUCH REPENTANCE IN OURSELVES AND OTHERS, HOW CAN WE HOPEFULLY PRODUCE THE "GODLY SORROW" WHICH WILL LEAD TO IT? 1. Nathan's rebuke to David provides some insight - 2 Sa 12:7-12 a. Make an appeal to God's love - 7-8 b. Reveal the sin - 9 c. Warn of the consequences - 10-12 2. The GOSPEL OF CHRIST, when properly taught, is designed to produce "godly sorrow" in the same way, and in turn, repentance a. It appeals to God's love as a basis for repentance - Ro 2:4 b. It reveals our sin - Ro 3:23 c. It warns of the consequences - Ro 2:5-11 CONCLUSION 1. The gospel of Jesus Christ, properly presented and understood, can help produce the kind of REPENTANCE that will effectively deal with the PRACTICE of sin! 2. HAVE YOU TRULY REPENTED? a. Can you look at your life and see indications that you have really had a "change of mind"? b. That you IN FACT made "a decision to turn from sin and to turn to God"? 1) If you have not yet obeyed the gospel...you have not repented! 2) If you have become slack in your service to God...you are in need of repentance! 3. If such is the case, then you are in need of a healthy dose of "godly sorrow", brought about only by realizing... a. God's love for you b. The fact you are still in your sins c. And the consequences if you do not repent 4. If you BELIEVE the good news of God's love for you, and "godly sorrow" has prompted you to have a "change of mind", why not do those "works befitting repentance"...? a. Confess your faith in Christ and be baptized into Christ for the remission of your sins (if that is your need) b. Confess your sins and ask for the prayers of the brethren (if such is your need) "THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND THE PROBLEM OF SIN" The Gospel's Answer To The "State" Of Sin (Baptism Into Jesus Christ) INTRODUCTION 1. We have been examining how the gospel addresses the PROBLEM of sin in this series of lessons a. Our first lesson dealt with this subject IN GENERAL TERMS b. Then we looked more closely at: 1) The command to BELIEVE as the gospel's answer to the LOVE of sin 2) The command to REPENT as the gospel's answer to the PRACTICE of sin 2. In this lesson, we shall examine how the command to be BAPTIZED is the gospel's answer to the STATE of sin... 3. Beginning with the "Great Commission", an important part of preaching the gospel was including the command to be baptized: 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16) 4. As the apostle and others went out preaching Christ, they taught the NECESSITY of baptism: Peter on the day of Pentecost... 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37 Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men [and] brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2) Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch... 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on [their] way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, [here is] water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. (Acts 8) Peter and the household of Cornelius... And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. (Acts 10:48) As Ananias told Paul (and related by Paul himself)... And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. (Acts 22:16) [Why this emphasis on baptism? It helps us to appreciate its importance when we see how baptism changes the "STATE" of sin...] I. BEFORE BAPTISM INTO CHRIST, ONE IS "DEAD IN SIN" A. CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE: 1 And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (Ephesians 2) 1. Such is the STATE or CONDITION one finds himself in regards to sin 2. They are "DEAD IN SIN", and as a result are "DEAD TO GOD" 3. As for as having a relationship with GOD, there is none! B. BUT NOW READ ON... 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2) 1. By the mercy, love and grace of God (and not through any meritorious works of our own)... 2. Those who were "DEAD IN TRESPASSES" (dead in sin) were MADE ALIVE TOGETHER WITH CHRIST! 3. Those who were dead in sin were RAISED TOGETHER WITH HIM! [A most important question to answer properly: "HOW" AND "WHEN" DOES A PERSON WHO IS "DEAD IN SIN" BECOME "ALIVE WITH CHRIST" AND THEN IS "RAISED TOGETHER WITH HIM"???] II. IN BAPTISM, ONE "DIES TO SIN", AND BECOMES "ALIVE TO GOD"! A. PLEASE NOTICE CAREFULLY THE FOLLOWING TEXT: 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: (Romans 6) Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:11) B. PLEASE NOTICE THAT PAUL IS "NOT" SAYING... 1. That baptism is a SYMBOLIC demonstration of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ engaged in by those who have ALREADY died to sin (as taught by many denominations, though baptism is never described in these words in the Bible) 2. That baptism is to be a PUBLIC profession of one's faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (likewise taught by many, despite several examples in the New Testament of baptism in private - Ac 8:35-38; Ac 16:30-34) 3. Nor that one "dies to sin" in REPENTANCE and then is buried with Christ in baptism (as many of my own brethren teach) C. PAUL IS REMINDING HIS READERS "WHEN" AND "HOW" THEY DIED TO SIN! 1. It happened when they were baptized into Christ, which was a baptism into His death - Ro 6:3-4 2. It is IN BAPTISM that one is "CRUCIFIED WITH HIM (CHRIST)" - Ro 6:6 3. It is IN BAPTISM that we DIE TO SIN, and then are "FREED FROM SIN" (it's guilt, consequence, and power) - Ro 6:7 4. The following illustration might be helpful: HOW BAPTISM CHANGES THE "STATE" OF SIN ____________________________________________________________________________ BEFORE BAPTISM| IN BAPTISM | AFTER BAPTISM | | We are... | We are... We are... | We are... DEAD "IN" SIN | BURIED WITH CHRIST RAISED WITH CHRIST | DEAD "TO" SIN DEAD "TO" GOD | BY BAPTISM INTO Co 2:12 | ALIVE "TO" GOD Ep 2:1 | HIS DEATH TO NEWNESS OF LIFE | Ro 6:11 | Ro 6:3-4 Ro 6:4-5 | Ga 3:26-27 | \ / | | ~~~~~~~~~~\~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | ~~~~~~~~~~~~\~~~~~~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\CHRIST'S/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~DEATH/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | ~~~~~~~~~~ United in a likeness~~~~~~~~~~ | | ~~~~~~~~~~ of His death, we are...~~~~~~~ | | ~~~~~~~~~~ CRUCIFIED WITH HIM ~~~~~~~~~~~ | | ~~~~~~~~~~ Thus, we... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | ~~~~~~~~~~ DIE TO SIN ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | ~~~~~~~~~~ And we are... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | ~~~~~~~~~~ FREED FROM SIN ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ro 6:6-7 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | ______________|___________________________________________|________________ 5. Notice that our STATE in regards to SIN has changed (and also our state in regard to God, as well!) - Ro 6:11 a. Before baptism into Christ, we were dead IN sin b. But after baptism into Christ, we are dead TO sin, and ALIVE TO GOD! [How can such a simple act of immersion in water bring out about such a significant change?] III. THIS CHANGE TAKES PLACE IN BAPTISM THROUGH FAITH IN THE WORKING OF GOD! A. NOTICE CAREFULLY THESE WORDS... 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (Colossians 2) B. USING THE FIGURE OF "CIRCUMCISION", PAUL STATES "HOW" AND "WHEN" OUR SINS WERE "CUT AWAY" 1. It was WHEN we were buried with Christ in baptism! 2. Though "dead in trespasses" we were made alive! (remember Ep 2:4-9?) 3. HOW? We were raised... a. Through FAITH (this is man's part, expressed by submitting to the command of baptism) b. In the WORKING OF GOD (this is God's part, who through His grace cleanses us by the blood of Christ and by His Spirit causes us to be "born again" - cf. Jn 3:5; Titus 3:5) c. Yes, baptism is a "working of God" by which He imparts wonderful blessings to those submit to it, NOT a "work of man" by which one tries to earn or merit salvation!) C. SO WHEN A PERSON IS BAPTIZED AS A PENITENT BELIEVER (one who believes in Christ and has repented of their sins)... 1. God performs a "spiritual operation" (the "circumcison of Christ")! a. He who was dead in sins has his sins removed (through the blood of Christ shed in His death) b. And thus he is made alive! 2. Coming forth from the watery grave, he is being raised together with Christ (Co 2:12), having in baptism "put on" Christ... For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (Galatians 3:27) 3. This is how one REALLY receives Jesus Christ into their life; not by saying "the sinner's prayer", but by submitting to the command of Christ to be baptized into His death for the remission of sins! CONCLUSION 1. No longer DEAD "IN SIN, but DEAD "TO" SIN, God's work on us in baptism can truly change the STATE of sin! 2. This explains why in the preaching of the gospel of Christ, the command to be baptized naturally follows the commands to believe and repent: 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16) 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37 Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men [and] brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2) 3. Are YOU really "DEAD TO SIN" and "ALIVE TO GOD"? a. Only if you have been scripturally baptized (immersed in water by the authority of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins - Mt 28:18-19; Ac 2:38) can you be CERTAIN that through the "working of God" your sins are forgiven and you have been raised together with Christ! b. For a more detailed study on the subject of baptism, please see another "Executable Outlines" program entitled "BAPTISM" - A Special Study "THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND THE PROBLEM OF SIN" The Gospel's Answer To The "Guilt" Of Sin (The Remission Of Sins) INTRODUCTION 1. We have been examining how the gospel saves us from the PROBLEM of sin in this series of lessons 2. Our last three lessons dealt with COMMANDS found in the gospel which, when obeyed, effectively answer some of the specific problems of sin a. The command to BELIEVE, when obeyed, solves the problem of the LOVE of sin b. The command to REPENT, when obeyed, solves the problem of the PRACTICE of sin c. The command to BE BAPTIZED, when obeyed, solves the problem of the STATE of sin 3. In this lesson and the two to follow, we shall concentrate our attention on the PROMISES of the gospel... a. Again, bear in mind that the gospel of Jesus Christ contains: 1) FACTS (or good news) to be believed 2) COMMANDS to be obeyed 3) PROMISES to be received b. We have seen how keeping the COMMANDS of the gospel deals with the problem of sin c. Now we want to be sure to appreciate how the PROMISES we receive upon obeying the gospel are also effective in dealing with sin... [In the first lesson, in this series, we touched briefly upon the "GUILT" of sin. Let us first elaborate on this point...] I. THE "GUILT" OF SIN A. THE BIBLE DECLARES THAT ALL ARE "GUILTY" BEFORE GOD IN REGARDS TO SIN 1. This was Paul's first major point in writing the epistle to the Romans: 9 What then? are we better [than they]? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. (Romans 3) 2. Even if a person breaks only one commandment! As James says: 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one [point], he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. (James 2) B. THIS "GUILT" REFERS PRIMARILY TO "LEGAL" GUILT 1. In the sense of having violated the LAW of God a. In this way, EVERYONE has sinned: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23) b. This makes them "transgressors" of the law; as the apostle John wrote: Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. (1 Jn 3:4) c. Other synonyms are used in the Bible to describe those who have violated God's law: 1) "lawless" 2) "disobedient" 3) "workers of iniquity" 4) "ungodly" 2. This "legal guilt" is real, whether or not a person... a. Is aware of their actual "guilt" (IGNORANCE does not excuse one of guilt before God) b. Feels any sense of "emotional guilt" (more on this shortly) -- They are still held accountable before God as "guilty" of sin: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10) C. FOR THOSE WHO KNOW GOD'S LAW, AND HAVE A SENSITIVE CONSCIENCE, THERE IS ALSO THE "EMOTIONAL GUILT" 1. But this really only a SIDE EFFECT of the "legal" guilt of sin a. Though it does include some terrible consequences: ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, FEAR, DOUBT b. As it is written: [There is] no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked. (Isaiah 48:22) 2. There may be some who don't experience the emotional consequence of "legal" guilt... a. If so, it is because they have "rejected" their conscience to the point of it being "seared" b. Even as Paul spoke of several in this condition: 1) 19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. (1 Timothy 1) 2) 1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; (1 Timothy 4) c. But such people are guilty of "legal guilt", nonetheless! [But the gospel of Christ declares that when we obey the COMMANDS of the gospel, then one of the PROMISES we receive is the REMISSION OF SINS, which can effectively deal with the GUILT of sin...] II. THE "REMISSION" OF SINS A. CONSIDER THE PROMINENT PLACE "REMISSION OF SINS" HAS IN THE GOSPEL 1. The blood of Jesus was to be shed for the remission of our sins - Mt 26:28 2. Remission of sins was to preached in the name of Jesus to all nations - Lk 24:45-47 3. Peter told people they could receive remission of sins in the name of Jesus... a. By BELIEVING in Jesus: 42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God [to be] the Judge of quick and dead. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10) b. By REPENTING and BEING BAPTIZED in His name: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38) B. WHAT DOES THIS "REMISSION OF SINS" INVOLVE? 1. The word remission means "to remit", and involves a dismissal, release 2. A key synonym often used in some translations is the word "forgiveness" 3. Other terms and metaphors found in the Bible to describe the "remission" of sins: a. "taken away" - Jn 1:29; Ro 11:27 b. "blotted out" - Ac 3:19 c. "washed away" - Ac 22:16 d. "covered" - Ro 4:7 e. "not imputed" - Ro 4:8 f. "set free" - Ro 6:17-18 g. "purged" - He 1:3; 2 Pe 1:9 h. "remembered no more" - He 8:12 4. All of these signifying the REMOVAL of the GUILT of sin from the sinner! a. A legal term used to describe a sinner whose sins have been so forgiven is the word "JUSTIFIED", b. Which means "NOT GUILTY" - cf. 1 Co 6:11 C. "REMISSION OF SINS" INCLUDES NOT JUST REMOVAL OF "LEGAL GUILT", BUT "EMOTIONAL GUILT" ALSO! 1. We can now have a PERFECT conscience a. Something the OLD LAW could not do! - cf. He 9:8-10; 10:1-4 b. But by the BLOOD OF CHRIST, it is possible to have this "perfect" conscience - cf. He 9:14; 10:22 2. A PERFECT conscience in the sense that we have real reasons to not feel guilty for our sins: they are TOTALLY forgiven by the blood of Christ! a. Therefore, there is no need to have FEAR, DOUBT, ANXIETY, or DEPRESSION over our spiritual condition b. Instead, we have PEACE and JOY through the justification that comes by grace: 1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5) CONCLUSION 1. This is the PROMISE given to those who obey the GOSPEL that effectively deals with the problem of the GUILT of sin! a. Your sins are remitted! b. You are released from the guilt of your sins! 1) Both your LEGAL GUILT for breaking God's law... 2) And your EMOTIONAL GUILT brought on by a sensitive conscience 2. Again, how does one receive this PROMISE of "remission of sins"? a. By obeying the COMMANDS of the gospel... 1) Believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, who died for your sins! 2) Repent of your sins, deciding in your mind to turn from sin and turn to God 3) Be baptized into Jesus Christ, by the simple act of immersion in water in which by God's grace you are raised to walk in newness of life! b. Please note how the last command (baptism) in particular answers the problem of guilt... 1) First, the LEGAL guilt: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38) And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. (Acts 22:16) 2) But also EMOTIONAL guilt: The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 3:21) (The "answer of a good conscience", or as the NASV puts it, "an appeal to God for a good conscience") 3. Have you accepted the gospel's PROMISE to deal with the GUILT of your sins, by submitting to the COMMANDS of the gospel...? "THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND THE PROBLEM OF SIN" The Gospel's Answer To The "Power" Of Sin (The Gift Of The Holy Spirit) INTRODUCTION 1. We are continuing to examine how the gospel saves us from the PROBLEM of sin in this series of lessons... 2. We have seen how the COMMANDS found in the gospel effectively deal with specific aspects of sin: a. The command to BELIEVE when it is obeyed solves the problem of the LOVE of sin b. The command to REPENT when it is obeyed solves the problem of the PRACTICE of sin c. The command to BE BAPTIZED when it is obeyed solves the problem of the STATE of sin 3. And we have also begun to notice that the PROMISES found in the gospel relate to different aspects of sin's problem; e.g., the promise of the REMISSION OF SINS takes care of the GUILT of sin 4. In this lesson, we shall examine another PROMISE given to those who obey the gospel of Christ: THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT! [Before we can really appreciate the part the Holy Spirit plays in the life of the Christian, we need to understand...] I. THE POWER OF SIN A. SIN'S POWER IS VIVIDLY DESCRIBED IN ROMANS 7 14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that [it is] good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (Romans 7) 1. Paul describes the condition of one under the power of sin a. I understand Paul to be describing the dilemma of one outside of Christ; though he speaks in the first person, from the context I believe he is demonstrating how the Law of Moses was inadequate to deal with the sin problem (cf. Ro 7:7-14 and Ro 8:1-4) b. Others feel that he is describing the inner warfare that goes on inside of everyone, including Christians (which is certainly taught in Ga 5:16-17) c. But the reason I take the view that I do is seen as we continue on... 2. Notice that the person in this text is described as: a. "sold under sin" (14) b. having "sin that dwelleth in me" (17,20) c. in "captivity to the law of sin which is in my members" (23) d. "wretched man that I am" (24) e. in a "body of death" (24) -- (is this the condition of one in Christ? Not in light of what Paul goes on to say in chapter eight...) 3. This is the power of sin and the condition of all who do not have the help of God! B. INDEED, SIN AFFECTS EVERYONE! 1. "ALL" have sinned - Ro 3:23 2. Even Christians must confess they often sin - 1 Jn 1:8,10 3. For it continues to play a strong role in our lives... a. It prompts the flesh to wage war against the soul - 1 Pe 2:11 b. It tries to take advantage of our desires, and if it does, can lead to spiritual death - Ja 1:13-15 [But the gospel of Christ offers to all who obey its commands a wonderful promise to deal with the power of sin in our lives...] II. THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT A. THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS PROMISED TO THOSE WHO: 1. Believe in Jesus - Jn 7:38-39 2. Repent and are baptized - Ac 2:38-39 3. Obey God - Ac 5:32 B. THOSE WHO HAVE SO OBEYED GOD AND RECEIVED THIS PROMISE ARE SAID TO: 1. Be the "temple of God" (collectively, as the church) - 1 Co 3:16-17 2. Be the "temple of the Holy Spirit" (individually, in our physical bodies - 1 Co 6:19 3. Have the "Spirit of God (who) dwells in you" - Ro 8:9-11 C. WITH THE HELP OF GOD'S SPIRIT DWELLING IN CHRISTIANS, THEY NO LONGER NEED TO BE DOMINATED BY THE "POWER" OF SIN! 1. As Paul wrote: "12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." (Romans 8) a. Christians are to "put to death the deeds of the body" - cf. Co 3:5-11 b. The Holy Spirit through His indwelling helps us to do this! 1) "The Holy Spirit by its indwelling strengthens the human spirit to enable it to control the flesh." (DAVID LIPSCOMB) 2) "The Christian's being successfully under the control of his own spirit is conditional, the condition being that the Holy Spirit shall dwell in him and help him." (MOSES LARD) 3) "To them (i.e., Christians) the Spirit is given as a helper of their weakness...and by its aid they overcome the flesh." (B.W. JOHNSON) 4) "Internally, the Spirit aids by ministering strength and comfort to the disciple in his effort to conform to the revealed truth and will of God." (J.W. MCGARVEY) 2. Compare this with the condition we saw described in Romans 7... a. In chapter 7, the man was described as in "captivity" to the law of sin which is in his members - Ro 7:23 b. But according to chapter 8... 1) In Christ, one is "set free" from this law of sin and death - Ro 8:2 2) By the help of the Spirit, one is no longer a "debtor" - Ro 8:12-13 D. SO THE CHRISTIAN HAS REAL "POWER" TO DEAL WITH THE POWER OF SIN! 1. Paul wanted the Ephesians to appreciate this "power" - Ep 1:19-20 a. Notice: it is according to the same power that raised Jesus from the dead b. By what power was Jesus' resurrection accomplished? 1) "And declared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:" (Romans 1:4) 2) "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." (Romans 8:11) -- I.e., by the power of the Spirit of God! 2. Paul prayed that the Ephesians would be strengthened inwardly through this "power" or "might" (i.e., the Spirit of God) - Ep 3:16 3. How great is this "might" or "power"? Note carefully Ep 3:20 where it is stated that God is: a. "able to do" b. "exceedingly" c. "abundantly" d. "above all that we ask or think" -- "according to the power that works in us"! 4. This should make us appreciate more the statement of Paul later in his letter to the Ephesians: Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." (Ep 6:10) [The source of that strength and mighty power the Lord provides is the indwelling Spirit in the lives of Christians! Consider, therefore...] III. THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS GIFT A. FOR THE CHRISTIAN... 1. This wonderful promise should serve as a MOTIVATION not to sin a. For you are a "TEMPLE" of the Holy Spirit - 1 Co 6:18-20 b. When you sin, you deeply offend the Spirit! - Ep 4:30; He 10:26-29 2. This wonderful promise should ENCOURAGE YOU IN YOUR FIGHT against sin a. You are not alone in your efforts! - Ph 2:12-13 b. You have whatever power you need to overcome the sins you face! - 1 Jn 4:4; 1 Co 10:13 1) This does mean that we can become "sinless" - 1 Jn 1:8 2) For we do not have perfect knoweldge of God's will, and can therefore be guilty of "sins of ignorance" 3) But it does mean we can overcome those sins of which we are aware! B. FOR THE NON-CHRISTIAN... 1. Don't put off obeying the gospel until you have "reformed yourself" a. Many people mistakenly think that they cannot become a Christian until they overcome all their bad "habits" b. Yet Romans 7 demonstrates the futility of trying to do this without Christ! 2. God will take you "as you are"... a. Provided you will: 1) Believe (trust) in His Son Jesus (that he died for your sins - 1 Co 15:1-3) 2) Repent of your sins (i.e., have a change of mind in which you decide to turn from your sins and start living for God - Ac 17:30-31) 3) Be baptized into Christ for the remission of your sins (an immersion in water as commanded by Christ and His apostles - Mt 28:19-20; Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:38; 10:48) b. Then God by His grace will: 1) Forgive you of your sins 2) Give you the gift of the Holy Spirit Who through His indwelling will help you to "reform" as you heed the Word of God! CONCLUSION 1. Don't you desire these wonderful "PROMISES"? 2. By the grace of God, when you OBEY the gospel you receive... a. Not only the "remission of sins" TO DEAL WITH YOUR PAST b. But the "gift of the Holy Spirit" TO HELP WITH YOUR FUTURE! 3. To those who would accept these gracious provisions of God, I can only tell you the same thing the apostle Peter said to those people of his day: 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call. (Acts 2) "THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND THE PROBLEM OF SIN" The Gospel's Answer To The "Result" Of Sin (The Gift Of Eternal Life) INTRODUCTION 1. The purpose in this series of lessons has been to help us understand and appreciate how the gospel of Christ is indeed God's power to save us - Ro 1:16-17 2. We have examined various aspects of the PROBLEM OF SIN, and then how the GOSPEL OF CHRIST with its COMMANDS and PROMISES effectively addresses the problem of sin. To summarize thus far: a. When the command to BELIEVE is obeyed, the LOVE of sin is addressed b. When the command to REPENT is obeyed, the PRACTICE of sin is dealt with c. When the command to BE BAPTIZED is submitted to, the STATE of sin is changed d. When we have obeyed these commands, we receive wonderful PROMISES... 1) REMISSION OF SINS, which removes the GUILT of sin 2) The GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, which enables us to deal with the POWER of sin 3. In this final lesson, we shall examine another PROMISE which deals with the RESULT of sin: the promise of ETERNAL LIFE - Ro 6:23 [In the first lesson, we touched briefly on the RESULT of sin; we shall now examine it more carefully...] I. THE "RESULT" OF SIN A. ONE RESULT OF SIN IS "SPIRITUAL" DEATH 1. This is likely the death referred to by God when He warned Adam & Eve - Gen 2:15-17 a. Note: "...for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." b. They did not die "physically" in the day they ate of the forbidden fruit, but they did die "spiritually" in that day 2. "Spiritual" death is "separation from God" a. Death of any sort involves the idea of "separation" b. Just as physical death is the separation of body and spirit - Ja 2:26 3. "Spiritual" death is what occurs when all sin - Ro 5:12 a. It occurs when we reach that "age of accountability" where we know the difference between right and wrong, and then violate God's law - cf. Ro 7:9 b. This is the "death" referred to in Ep 2:1-3 1) All who are outside of Christ are "dead in sin" 2) Those who are "dead in sin" are separated from God and all the blessings that would otherwise come from union with Him - cf. Is 59:1-2 B. ANOTHER RESULT OF SIN IS "PHYSICAL" DEATH 1. Because of their sin, Adam and Even lost access to the "tree of life" - Gen 3:22-24 2. Because access to the "tree of life" was lost, all mankind is subject to "physical" death - "in Adam all die" (1 Co 15:22a) C. THE FINAL RESULT OF SIN IS THE "SECOND" DEATH 1. This death is referred to in Re 21:8 2. This "death" involves ETERNAL separation from God! 3. This "death" Jesus often spoke of and warned about - Mt 10:28; 25:41-46 [Truly, in more than sense, "the wages of sin is death" (Ro 6:23); but the same can be said about "the gift of eternal life"! No matter what the RESULT of sin, the PROMISE and GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE more than makes up for it!] II. THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE A. IN ANSWER TO SIN RESULTING IN "SPIRITUAL" DEATH, THE GOPEL PROVIDES IN ONE SENSE "ETERNAL LIFE" EVEN NOW! 1. John speaks of this "life" in 1 Jn 5:11-13 2. This is "eternal life" in the sense of knowing God and Jesus in a special way, having fellowship with them - cf. Jn 17:3; 1 Jn 5:20 3. With this type of "eternal life"... a. One is no longer "dead in sin" b. One is no longer "separated from God" c. The emphasis in this use of the expression (eternal life) is the QUALITY of life, not quantity - cf. Jn 10:10 4. "Eternal life" in this sense begins when we rise from the watery grave of baptism in "newness of life"... a. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4) b. This is because in baptism... 1) Our sins are forgiven, washed away by the blood of Christ - cf. Ac 2:38; 22:16 2) We enter into a new relationship with God as our Father, having put on the Lord Jesus Christ - Ga 3:26-27 5. In this way, we who were once dead "spiritually", are now "made alive" in Christ! - cf. Ep 2:1, 4-9 B. IN ANSWER TO SIN RESULTING IN "PHYSICAL" DEATH, THE GOSPEL PROMISES THE "HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION" 1. Jesus spoke of this "hope" in Jn 5:28-29 2. Paul wrote of this wonderful "hope" in 1 Co 15:20-23, 50-58 3. This hope of the resurrection we have is based upon our conviction that Jesus Himself was raised from the dead - 1 Pe 1:3 4. With such hope, "physical" death has lost much of its sting - 1 Th 4:13-18 C. FINALLY, IN ANSWER TO SIN RESULTING IN THE "SECOND" DEATH, THE GOSPEL PROMISES, IN YET ANOTHER SENSE, THE "HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE" 1. In this sense, "eternal life" is still a future promise... a. Jesus spoke of "eternal life" in this sense, in Mt 25:46; Mk 10:29-30 b. Paul also spoke of "eternal life" as a future hope, and not a present possession, in 2 Ti 1:1; Ti 1:2 2. This "eternal life", which is yet to be realized by those who are in Christ... a. Comes AFTER one has: 1) Been set free from sin (which occurs in baptism - Ro 6:3-7) 2) Become a slave to God (which occurs when we present our selves as servants of righteousness - Ro 6:17-19) 3) Produced the fruit of holiness - Ro 6:22 -- Please notice carefully what Pauls says: But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (Romans 6:22) Did you notice? Everlasting life comes at "the end" of a life that has borne fruit unto holiness! It is a gift, yes (Ro 6:23), but in the text Paul is speaking about a gift that one receives as "the end" of the Christian's faithful life! b. Comes AFTER the resurrection and judgment - Mt 25:31-34, 46 c. Comes to those who patiently DO the will of God! - Ro 2:4-7 d. Offers honor, peace and glory to those who receive it - Ro 2:8-11 e. Is beautifully described by the apostle John in Re 21:1-7; 22:1-5 CONCLUSION 1. This is how the gospel addresses the "RESULT" of sin: a. In every sense that that sin results in death... 1) "spiritual death" (where our sins separate us from God) 2) "physical death" 3) "second death" (eternal separation from God) b. ...the gospel of Christ offers the PROMISE of life! 1) "eternal life" (in the sense of knowing the Lord, which begins at one's conversion) 2) "the resurrection from the dead" (which occurs at the coming of Christ 3) "eternal life" (in the sense of eternity with God and Christ, which begins after the Judgment) 2. I hope that we better understnd the wonderful grace of Christ; and why Paul calls it "the gospel of the grace of God" (Ac 20:24)... a. Even the COMMANDS to be obeyed involve God's grace: 1) We must BELIEVE IN CHRIST, if we are to stop the LOVE of sin; yet BY GRACE God's Word produces such faith! - Ro 10:17 2) We must REPENT, if we are to end the PRACTICE of sin; yet it is God's goodness (i.e., BY GRACE) which leads us to repentance - Ro 2:4 3) We must BE BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST, if we are to change the STATE of sin; yet, even in this, it is BY GRACE (for God is the one who is at work in cleansing our sins and regenerating us anew) - Co 2:12 b. HOW MUCH MORE are the PROMISES of the gospel indicative of God's marvelous grace! 1) The REMISSION OF SINS removes the GUILT of sin 2) The GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT helps us to overcome the POWER of sin 3) ETERNAL LIFE is God's gracious gift in response to the RESULT of sin Have you accepted the grace of God by obeying the gospel of Christ? If not, may the words of Paul encourage you do so TODAY... 1 We then, [as] workers together [with him], beseech [you] also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6) If I can be of any assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me at any one of addresses given in the section "About This Program". May God be with you. +=====================================================================+ | Mark A. Copeland MCopeland (America Online) | | 341 Overstreet Ave. 76420,2006 (CompuServe) | | Longwood, FL 32750 MARKCOPELAND (Delphi) | | (407) 331-3417 copeland@gate.net (Internet) | +=====================================================================+