Overcoming Sin by Understanding the Consequences I Cor. 15:34 – Stop Sinning

Sin Separates Us From God Isaiah 59:2 Sin separates Isaiah 59:2 Sin separates Eph. 2:1 Dead in trespasses and sins Eph. 2:1 Dead in trespasses and sins Col. 2:13 Made alive after being dead Col. 2:13 Made alive after being dead

Teaching Our Children (And Ourselves) Eph. 6:4 Eph. 6:4 Gen. 18:19 Commended Abraham Gen. 18:19 Commended Abraham Prov. 3:1-2 Long life and peace Prov. 3:1-2 Long life and peace Not obvious to those who are younger how this works Not obvious to those who are younger how this works

Who Does Sin Hurt? God – Gen. 6:6, Gen. 39:9, Heb. 3:17 God – Gen. 6:6, Gen. 39:9, Heb. 3:17 Others – Phil. 2:15 be harmless, Rev. 9:10 Others – Phil. 2:15 be harmless, Rev. 9:10 Self – I Cor. 6:18 Self – I Cor. 6:18

Stealing Commanded not to: I Cor. 6:10 Commanded not to: I Cor. 6:10 Victim – The one given stewardship Victim – The one given stewardship Could be their livelihood, retirement or intended gift for another Could be their livelihood, retirement or intended gift for another

Lie (or False Witness) Commanded not to: Rev. 22:14-15 Commanded not to: Rev. 22:14-15 Victim(s) – Those about whom the lie is told and the hearer who may act on the false information Victim(s) – Those about whom the lie is told and the hearer who may act on the false information Have you ever been lied to? Has a lie been told about you? Have you ever been lied to? Has a lie been told about you? Eph. 4:15 Speak the truth in love Eph. 4:15 Speak the truth in love

Covet Commanded not to: I Cor. 6:10 Commanded not to: I Cor. 6:10 Victim – Others and ourselves Victim – Others and ourselves Curse Curse Work hard to obtain when not God’s will Work hard to obtain when not God’s will May eventually lead to unlawful obtaining May eventually lead to unlawful obtaining Be content – Phil. 4:11 Be content – Phil. 4:11

Adultery Commanded not to: I Cor. 6:9 Commanded not to: I Cor. 6:9 Victim – Spouse, another and self Victim – Spouse, another and self Broken vow; hurt spouse; cause another to be lost Broken vow; hurt spouse; cause another to be lost

Murder Commanded not to: I Pet. 4:15, I Jn. 3:15 Commanded not to: I Pet. 4:15, I Jn. 3:15 Victims – The one killed and their family Victims – The one killed and their family Consequences – hatred, revenge Consequences – hatred, revenge Love even our enemies – Rom. 12:17-21 Love even our enemies – Rom. 12:17-21

Honoring Father/Mother Commanded to: Eph. 6:2 Commanded to: Eph. 6:2 Victim – Parents and self Victim – Parents and self Consequences – Authority is disregarded, more evil follows Consequences – Authority is disregarded, more evil follows I Sam. 3:13 – Teach by restraint I Sam. 3:13 – Teach by restraint

Worship God Commanded to: Luke 4:8, Acts 20:7, Heb. 10:25 Commanded to: Luke 4:8, Acts 20:7, Heb. 10:25 Victim – God, family and self Victim – God, family and self Consequences – Mercy held back, God is dishonored. Others may fail to do so because of our example. Consequences – Mercy held back, God is dishonored. Others may fail to do so because of our example. Prov. 3:9 Honor God with our first fruits Prov. 3:9 Honor God with our first fruits

Drinking Alcohol Commanded not to: I Pet. 4:2-3 Commanded not to: I Pet. 4:2-3 Victim – Family, others and self Victim – Family, others and self Consequences – loss of time and service to God, family and others Consequences – loss of time and service to God, family and others Be sober minded – Tit. 2:6 Be sober minded – Tit. 2:6

Swindlers Commanded not to: I Cor. 6:10 Commanded not to: I Cor. 6:10 Victim – Others Victim – Others Consequences – Others lose time/money Consequences – Others lose time/money Temptation to sin – Vengeance, envy, jealousy, hatred, gossip, murder Temptation to sin – Vengeance, envy, jealousy, hatred, gossip, murder

Despiteful Commanded not to: Rom. 1:30 Commanded not to: Rom. 1:30 Like hatred or malice but finds expression Like hatred or malice but finds expression Victim – Others Victim – Others Consequences – Others are made to suffer unjustly Consequences – Others are made to suffer unjustly Temptation to give up – Grow weary Gal. 6:9 Temptation to give up – Grow weary Gal. 6:9

O.T. Examples Joseph – Refused Potiphar’s wife, she lied Joseph – Refused Potiphar’s wife, she lied Gen. 39:7-20 Gen. 39:7-20 David – Adultery with Bathsheba, murder II Sam. 11:1-27 David – Adultery with Bathsheba, murder II Sam. 11:1-27 Abraham – Lied to protect himself Gen. 12:11- 20; Gen 20:1-18 Abraham – Lied to protect himself Gen. 12:11- 20; Gen 20:1-18

O.T. Examples Achan – Stole from God – death of others Josh. 7:11-25 Achan – Stole from God – death of others Josh. 7:11-25 Joab – Killed Abner, Amasa – Later Killed II Sam. 3:24-27; II Sam. 20:9-12 Joab – Killed Abner, Amasa – Later Killed II Sam. 3:24-27; II Sam. 20:9-12 Absalom – Killed Amnon for his treatment of Tamar - II Sam. 13:1-32 Absalom – Killed Amnon for his treatment of Tamar - II Sam. 13:1-32 Elisha and children – Disrespect for God’s servant swiftly punished II Kings 2:22-24 Elisha and children – Disrespect for God’s servant swiftly punished II Kings 2:22-24

Conclusion Consider God’s view of sin Consider God’s view of sin Consider the effect of our sin on others Consider the effect of our sin on others Ask the question – Have I ever been a victim of the sin I am considering? How did it feel? Ask the question – Have I ever been a victim of the sin I am considering? How did it feel? Can I see how others may react by considering the examples in scripture? Can I see how others may react by considering the examples in scripture? Can I forgive those who have sinned against me just like I would want them to do for me? Can I forgive those who have sinned against me just like I would want them to do for me?

Salvation God will forgive us if we follow His plan; part of the plan is to stop sinning God will forgive us if we follow His plan; part of the plan is to stop sinning Hear the gospel, believe, repent, confess Jesus as Lord, be buried in baptism Hear the gospel, believe, repent, confess Jesus as Lord, be buried in baptism After following the plan we will still sin After following the plan we will still sin To have forgiveness as a Christian we must confess those sins and pray for forgiveness To have forgiveness as a Christian we must confess those sins and pray for forgiveness