AM Scripture Reading: Romans 7.7-12

This Morning’s Sermon:

Brent T. Willey

THE EMERGENCE OF SIN

Introduction:

1. Most people do not think about “sin.” This is a mistake!
2. Just how long has sin existed? When did it emerge? What is sin and how and why is it committed? When does sin become an issue in our lives personally?
3. These are important questions and sadly the majority of the world does not understand how serious the “sin issue” is, but God’s Word informs us of everything we need to know about it.

THE EMERGENCE OF SIN IN THE BEGINNING

1. Sin is the transgression of God’s law. (1 John 3.4)
   1. God’s law: written or verbal (1 Sam. 15.24 & Dan. 9.11)
   2. It’s only by “law” that we can understand sin. (Rom. 7.7; cf., Rom. 3.20; 5.13; 7.9) This refutes “original sin”!
2. Sin existed long before the Law of Moses, for Paul noted, “death reigned from Adam to Moses” (Rom. 5.14). How?
   1. Adam & Eve sinned (Gen. 3.1-6; cf., 2 Cor. 11.3)
   2. Cain & Abel sinned (Gen. 4.1-8; esp. v. 7)
   3. Sodom & Gomorrah sinned. (Gen. 18.20)
   4. The whole world sinned! (Gen 6.5)
   5. Early on, humanity knew what sin was by virtue of moral law! (E.g., Abimelech: Gen. 20.1-9; Joseph: Gen. 39.9)
   6. The “devil has sinned from the beginning” (1 John 3.8).

THE EMERGENCE OF SIN PERSONALLY

1. How does sin come into my life, personally? (Rom. 7.7-9)
   1. By transgressing God’s law. (1 John 3.4; 5.17)
   2. By being drawn away by lust. (James 1.12-16)
   3. By failing to do the good God requires of me. (James 4.17)
   4. By violating my own conscience. (Rom. 14.20-23)
2. The emergence of sin is an emergency situation!
   1. Its universal nature. (Rom. 3.23)
   2. Its consequences. (Ezek. 18.20; Rom. 6.23; James 1.15)
   3. It took a perfect Savior to save us! (2 Cor. 5.21; Heb. 4.15)

Conclusion: Sin is a very personal matter, but so is salvation from it!