The Original Sin Genesis 3:1-6

“Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” – Psalm 106:1

“The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” – Psalm 145:8-9

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” – Genesis 1:31 “I can be just like you”

Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

Tree of Knowledge of God & Evil Why can’t they eat from this tree? Isn’t knowledge a good thing? Its not about KNOWING good and evil Its about DETERMING what is good and evil The temptation the devil is offering is to reject God as the one who decides what is right and wrong and become judges ourselves of right and wrong.

3:1-5 2:16-17 “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’ “The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, you must not touch it, or you will die.” “And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”

3:1-5 2:16-17 “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” “And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”

The Devil is calling God a Liar This is an attack on God’s character “Eve, God is holding you back, you are not being allowed to fulfill your potential, just eat from the tree and you will see!

Did God Really Say… When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” – Genesis 3:6

“Did God Really Say” Removes God from the throne & places you on it This is idolatry 1st of the 10 commandments “And now , O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commandments and decrees that I am giving you for your own good?” – Deuteronomy 10:12-13

“Did God Really Say” “See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it.” – Deuteronomy 12:32 It does not say, “Question all I command you” It does not say, “Re-interpret all I command you” It does not say, “Choose which to follow”

The Great Tragedy The great tragedy is not: “God you are holy, I am not, I need your mercy and strength to live by your word.” The great tragedy is: “God you say you’re holy and right, but I’m not sure you are. I’m not sure what I’m doing is sin, in fact, I declare it to not be a sin.”

Did God Really Say… Baptism is essential for salvation? “…this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you…” – 1 Peter 3:21

Men are Spiritual Leaders? Did God Really Say… Men are Spiritual Leaders? “I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man, she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve.” - 1 Timothy 2:12-13

“…appoint elders in every town (church) Did God Really Say… Churches Need Elders? “…appoint elders in every town (church) as I directed you.” -Titus 1:5

Did God Really Say… Homosexuality is a sin? “…The wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God…homosexuals, greedy, idolaters, drunks… - 1 Corinthians 6:9

Sex Before Marriage is Wrong? Did God Really Say… Sex Before Marriage is Wrong? “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexual immoral” -Hebrews 13:4

Did God Really Say… We Must Love Our Enemies? “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” - Matthew 5:44

Did God Really Say… We Must Forgive? “If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” - Matthew 6:15

Did God Really Say… He Created the World in 6 Days? “For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them. - Exodus 20:11

The Sin is NOT… The Sin IS… Did God Really Say… Studying to find out the truth Questioning to make sure you’re right We should be like the Bereans – Acts 17:11 The Sin IS… Refusing to accept what God has said once you see it for yourself or twisting it to fit your desires The Devil is using the same technique today Did God Really Say…

“He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike, an abomination to the LORD” – Proverbs 17:15

Make These Decisions I Declare that God is God and not me I Declare that the Bible is the word of God and the only standard on earth for what is righteous and what is wicked. I Declare that in times of question I will ask, “DID GOD SAY…”, but when I see it with my own eyes, I will accept it.

Did God Really Say… There are places called heaven and hell? YES That only Christians are going to heaven? That I have to repent, be baptized, and change my lifestyle to dwell eternally with God?