Sin

1 Peter 2:9-10

Peter is encouraging these Christians with all that they are as Christians. Verse 10 compares what they are versus what they were.

Q. How many categories?

Q. Where would you put yourself?

I. What is sin and what are its consequences?

Isaiah 59:1-2

Q. How does sin affect our relationship with God?

• There is a wall of separation between God and man due to our sin.

In a relationship, we care about the feelings and desires of the other person, so we should care about God. We want to develop a heart that asks God: “Show me how I am hurting you?”

Q. What must be done for a relationship to exist between God and anyone?

• The wall of sin must come down. This is the forgiveness of sins.

Q. How would you feel about not having a relationship with God?

Q. Has the wall of sin come down in your life? If so, describe how that happened.

Romans 3:23-25

Q. How is sin defined?

• Sin is falling short of the standard of God, of the will of God for our lives. We are in a “dire situation.”

Sin means “to miss the mark.” When we sin, we miss the mark of God’s required perfection. We fall short of his glory.

Q. How many have sinned?

• Answer: All.

No one is righteous by their own deeds. 

• Illustration: No one can jump over the Grand Canyon. Everybody would fall short just as everybody falls short of God’s perfect standard.

All are equal, all are lost. A good moral life does not save you.

II. What does sin look like?

Galatians 5:19-21

Paul tells these Christians that if they live this way, they will not inherit the kingdom of God.

2 Timothy 3:1-5

There are also sins that might not be as obvious as the list in Galatians 5.

James 4:17

It is also considered sin when we don’t do the good we know we should do.

III. Our attitude toward sin

Romans 6:23

Q. What is a wage?

• A wage is something that is earned because of work/effort. Our sins earn spiritual death or separation from God; a break in our relationship. V. 23 shows us what God has done to help us be restored to Him.

Q. What has God provided for us?

• Answer: The gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

God has taken steps to break down the wall of sin so we can receive the gift of eternal life. We take steps to accept the gift of eternal life in order to have a relationship with him and be healed because of our “dire situation.”

Conclusion

Q. What does confession of sin bring about?

• Answer: Healing.

This is a time when we promote healing in our lives through confession. We will then further study what Jesus has done so our sins can be forgiven.