The “Three A’s” of Sin
1.
Some of the history books now being used by school
children talk about the events on
2. Some children are told that we should not blame anyone for the thousands who were killed.
3. Certainly we should not call anyone a “terrorist.”
4. Such a label, according to some sources, is not appropriate. It is not nice.
5. Some are saying that we do not have the right to make such a judgment.
6. Our society is so out of control that people try to tell us there are words that we should not use.
7. One of the words that is not too popular in some circles is “sinner.”
8. For some this is a distasteful word.
9. Think about the reactions we would receive if we went up to people and said,
10. “Are you a sinner?”
11. “Not me,” some would say.
12. “I am a good person,” might reply another.
13. “I know some sinners but I am not one of them.”
14. “I prefer not to hear or use that word because it interferes with my self esteem,” would say another.
15. “Please do not use that word because it doesn’t make me feel good about myself.”
16. Today a lot of religion is designed to make people feel good.
17. New Testament Christianity wants people feel good, but it does not do this by avoiding certain words
THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT IN ORDER TO GO TO HEAVEN, PEOPLE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THE EXISTANCE OF SIN IN THEIR LIVES.
A. In the opening verses of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus provided some wonderful promises.
B. He said that some people would receive the “kingdom of heaven.”
C. The people who received the kingdom would also (Mt. 5:4) “be comforted.”
D. These people would be filled.
E. They would inherit the earth, obtain mercy, be sons of God, and even see God.
2. Who did Jesus say that all these blessings would go to?
3. The answer is found in Mt. 5:3 – READ .
4. Who are the “poor in spirit?”
A. These are the people who acknowledge that they are sinners.
B. This type of person comes to God and says, “I have sinned. I am not perfect.”
C. “God, I have broken your laws.” “I have missed the mark.
D. “Because of my transgressions I have been removed from your fellowship.”
E. “Our relationship has been severed because of my sins.”
F. The person who truly acknowledges sin hungers and thirsts after righteousness (Mt. 5:6).
G. In Mt. 5:4 Jesus added that this type of person is grieved because they have sinned.
H. Sinners are those who are made aware of sin and they acknowledge their guilt.
5. To truly enjoy life a person must concede that they have sinned.
6. There are those in life who do not want to be made aware of their wrongdoings.
7. Some say that telling them about sin would leave them with guilt, bad feelings, or low self esteem.
8. If Christianity stopped with the acknowledge and awareness of sin, these things might be true.
9. The recognition and acknowledgement of sin are just the first steps in a wonderful process.
10. To get to the place that is enjoyable people must first come before the God of heaven.
11. They must own up to the fact that they have broken God’s laws.
12. An example of these things is found in Acts 2.
13. On this day preachers spoke to thousands of people.
14. Some who listened to the gospel learned that they needed to acknowledge that they had sinned.
15. The text tells us that some did admit that they were guilty.
16. Acts 2:37 says that there were many who were “pricked in their heart.”
A. These people mourned over sin (Mt. 5:4).
B. These people were poor in spirit (Mt. 5:3).
C. These people hungered and thirsted after righteousness (Mt. 5:6).
17. Peter showed them that God could bless them just like Jesus taught in Mt. 5.
18. GOD COULD BLESS THESE PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY HAD THE RIGHT ATTITUDE. THIS IS THE SECOND KEY TO UNDERSTANDING THE WORD SINNER.
A. Consider what happens when people are made aware of (or acknowledge) their wrongs.
B. Some people acknowledge a mistake but laugh about it, even though it is not funny.
C. Others are made aware of a serious error but they do not take it very seriously.
D. Some are truly concerned about their transgression but they do not take any corrective action.
E. Some become angry when people tell them about their mistakes and sins.
F. There are also those who say, “We don’t want to hear it.”
G. “I am just as good as anyone else, and probably better.”
19. These responses are all common reactions to sin.
A. Think about the parables described in Lk. 15.
B. Jesus described a lost coin (Lk. 15:8).
C. Did the coin know that it was lost? No.
D. This might be compared to the “I don’t know and don’t want to be told” attitude concerning sin.
E. The one sheep that was lost (the other 99 were okay) was willing to receive help, Lk. 15:5.
F. There are some people who have this kind of attitude towards sin. Some will accept help.
G. Jesus told a third story in this chapter, a young boy who left home, Lk. 15:13.
H. Though the son eventually realized that he was wrong, it took a long time to make things right.
I. Some wait a long time to recognize and deal with sin. Some are indifferent for a long time.
J. If we want to further simplify man’s responses to sin, look at the cross.
K. Jesus was close to two thieves.
L. One man who was crucified along with the Lord took the I don’t care approach to sin.
M. The other man had a much different attitude.
N. He asked that Jesus “remember” him. He was concerned about what would happen to him.
20. NO MATTER HOW WE LOOK AT SIN, WE KEEP COMING BACK TO THE FACT THAT THERE MUST BE AN AWARENESS AND AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF WRONGS. ONCE THESE THINGS ARE IN PLACE THERE WILL BE AN ATTITUDE.
A. People will make a choice about sin.
B. Some will concern themselves to the point of doing what God says. The rest will not.
C. John sums up people’s attitudes about sin in 1 Jn. 1.
D. He shows that people generally have one of three attitudes towards their wrongs.
E. Most us are probably most familiar with the information in 1 Jn. 1:7, 9.
F. We will draw on these verses, but we also want to pay close attention to verse 6.
G. Here John provides us with a little piece of information that is easy to overlook.
H. 1 Jn. 1:6 – READ .
I. People can be made aware of sin and even acknowledge sin but still stay on the wrong path.
J. John said that some “walk in darkness.”
K. Most of us have met people who live in darkness.
L. People know the right way, they acknowledge the right way, but they do not live that way.
M. This is a possible response to sin.
N. Walking in darkness also describes the person who makes fun of sin.
O. John’s description even extends to the person who doesn’t want to hear about sin.
P. There are many ways to walk in darkness.
Q. This is one attitude that we find as we deal with people in the world.
R. Some do not want to deal with their sins.
21. This verse, if we take the entire thought, gives us a second attitude towards sin.
22. Some say that they have “fellowship with God” but walk in darkness.
23. That is, some pretend to be Christians.
24. They go through the motions and seem concerned about sin but it is nothing more than an act.
25. Some say that they want to deal with sin but they are insincere.
26. Such a person acknowledges sin and is aware of their wrongs, but has the wrong attitude.
27. This way of life is also walking in darkness.
28. The third attitude towards sin is found in first part of verses 7 and 9 – READ .
29. IN THESE THREE VERSES JOHN DESCRIBES ACTION.
A. To put this in perspective let’s take a moment to think about what we have studied.
B. To be pleasing to God we must first be aware of sin and acknowledge it.
C. This is the unpleasant stage. This is not something that is very enjoyable.
D. After we recognize sin, we will respond to it with some kind of attitude.
E. It may be the attitude of the thief on the cross; some refuse to repent.
F. It may be the attitude described in 1 Jn. 1:6 — hypocrisy.
30. We hope that it is the attitude described in 2 Cor. 7:10.
31. Paul said that people can have “godly sorrow.”
32. This is the kind of feeling and emotion that Jesus described in Mt. 5 (mourning for sin).
33. This is what we find in Acts 2:37 (pricked in the heart).
34. When people have “godly sorrow,” they will want to be in the light that John described.
35. They will “confess their sins” to God because they know that they can have forgiveness.
36. Most of us deal with people, who in one way or another, are bothered by sin.
37. People see counselors and therapists to deal with guilt and shame.
38. Some Christians struggle with these same problems.
39. In the New Testament we have the solution for man’s greatest problem.
40. This solution will work in our own lives.
41. This solution is one that we need to use and share with others.
A. To become a Christian and be forgiven people must admit that they are a sinner.
B. The word “sinner” is not a bad word.
C. It is a term that shows people that they need help and that help is available.
D. When people admit their need and have the right attitude, they can take action.
E. The person who is not a Christian is commanded to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness…
42. After people are baptized they are not perfect. There are times when the best Christians fail.
43. After a Christian sins, there must again be an awareness of sin.
44. There must be the right attitude (a desire to live according to God’s will and ways).
45. The right attitude is necessary for both the Christian and the non-Christian.
46. The “action,” however, is different when it comes to being forgiven.
47. While the non-Christian is commanded to repent and be baptized, the Christian has already been immersed.
48. Because the baptism is a completed event, the child of God is instructed to “confess” the sin.
49. Confession is made to God and there is then a turning away from what was wrong.
50. Today we must ask if we are aware of sin.
51. Have we had the courage in the past to acknowledge our wrongs?
52. If so, what has been our attitude?
53. Do we want to do what is right, or do we want to try and bear the burden of hiding what is wrong?
54. We can be forgiven. The record can be wiped clean. Total forgiveness is available.
55. Our actions determine whether our sins will be forgiven or unforgiven.
56. Are we someone who needs to act?
57. Has the time come for us to be baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins?
58. We can help you do that this morning.
59. Do we need to act in other way? Are we a Christian who needs help?
60. If you need aid in dealing with sin God is ready to do His part.
61. Can we help you?