The Seriousness of Sin

Mark 9:42-50

Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell,‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.

Because Sin Is Serious, It’s Time To Get Serious About Fighting It

1) The Effect Of Our Sin On Others

a) Causing Others To Sin Or Stumble

Mark 9:42
Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.

b) Losing Our Purpose Due To Sin

Mark 9:49-50
For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.

2) The Effects Of Our Sin On Ourselves

Mark 9:43-48
And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’

Romans 8:13
For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live

Colossians 3:5
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Galatians 5:24
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

How To Get Away With Murder…ing Your Sin

1) Call A Spade A Spade (Or Call A Sin A Sin)

2) Confess Your Sin To God

1 John 1:9-10
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

3) Fight Sin Right Away

4) Starve Your Sin

5) Fight Sin At Both The Root And The Fruit Level

James 1:14-15
But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death

6) Put Off And Put On

Ephesians 4:22,24
to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires… and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness

7) The Goal Is Progress, Not Perfection

8) Fight Sin Through Delight In Jesus
The best way to overcome the world is not with morality or self-discipline. Christians overcome the world by seeing the beauty and excellence of Christ. They overcome the world by seeing something more attractive than the world: Christ.” Thomas Chalmers

9) Fight From A Position Of Acceptance Not As A Payment To Earn Acceptance

10) Know Both The Toughness And Tenderness Of Jesus Toward Sinners

For the sermon application guide:
https://files.snappages.site/QG8D8X/assets/files/Mark9_42_50.docx