
1) WHAT IS SIN?
The OT has ONE MAIN WORD that describes sin: ‘KHATA’ (hata) = “to
The NT has ONE MAIN WORD that describes sin: ‘HAMARTIA’ (hamartee) = “
The Old Testament PICTURE = “A wild beast that wants to
Genesis 4:1-7
“… 2 When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. 3 When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, 5 but did not accept Cain’s gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. 6 “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? 7 You’ll be accepted if you do what’s right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin (‘Khata’) is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”
The New Testament PICTURE = “A force/power that lives in and has
Romans 7:14-19
“14 …The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin (‘Hamartia’). 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate… 18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.”
God’s definition of Sin is: BOTH what WE FAIL TO
WHAT IS THE STANDARD?
Matthew 22:37-39
“37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”
2. WHY DOES SIN MATTER?
A. EVERYONE IS
Romans 3:23
“23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”
B. SIN
Isaiah 59:1-3
“Look! Listen! God’s arm is not amputated—he can still save. God’s ears are not stopped up—he can still hear. There’s nothing wrong with God; the wrong is in you. Your sins have caused the split between you and God.”
C. SIN IS THE
John 1:29
“…John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God (Jesus) who takes away the sin of the world!”
3. WHAT IS GOD’S ANSWER TO SIN?
A. GOD
1 John 1:9
“…if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness (sin).”
B. GOD
1 John 2:1-2
“…I’m writing to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones (covers/forgives) for our sins (on the cross)…”
C. GOD WANTS TO
Ephesians 3:12-19
“12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence… 14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong… may you have the power to understand… how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”