Sunday, May 7, 2023 AM
RETURN TO HOLINESS: The Gospel and Sin
Mike Teel, Pastor
FOCAL PASSAGE:
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. —I Timothy 1:12-15
SIN
US
1.
LIFE STORY
2. THE
STORY
3.
WHERE WE CAME FROM
OURSELVES
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. —I Timothy 1:15
–The most difficult thing in dealing with past sins is learning to forgive ourselves.
–Notice that both John Newton and the apostle Paul thought of themselves as sinners in the present tense.
–We can be sure that over the years from their conversion to their death, both Newton and Paul grew in Christlike character.
–And so, John Newton could have easily said, “I was and still am a great sinner, but I have a great Savior.”
–And if you and I are to make any progress in dealing with the acceptable sins in our lives, we must say the same.
THE
FOR SIN
22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! —Romans 7:22-25
1. THE GOSPEL IN ITS
–The remedy for our sin, whether scandalous or acceptable, is the gospel in the widest scope.
–The gospel is actually a message; here I am using the gospel as a shorthand expression for the entire full redeeming work of Christ in His historic life, death, and resurrection for us, and His present work in us through His Holy Spirit.
2. THE GOSPEL’S
AND FORGIVENESS
–There are several reasons we need to understand how the Gospel provides daily forgiveness for us.
a. THE GOSPEL IS
FOR SINNERS
–Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. —I Timothy 1:15
–Most Christians tend to think of the gospel as applicable only to unbelievers who need to be “saved.”
–Although we truly are saints in the sense of being separated unto God, all of us are still practicing sinners.
–There are two types of sinners: Saved sinners and lost sinners.
–Paul reminds us in II Timothy 3:16 the Gospel of the Word is used to is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
–I must be willing to step forward to accept my place as a sinner in need of the forgiveness of the Gospel. – Accountability.
b. GOSPEL HELPS ME
MY SIN
–Facing our sin causes us to feel guilty, because we are guilty!
–If I believe, consciously or unconsciously, that God still counts my sin against me, my instinctive sense of self-protection forbids me to acknowledge my sin or at least to minimize it
–We cannot begin to deal with a particular sin such as anger or self-pity, until we first openly agree with God (I John 1:9) it is present and active in our lives.
–The more I am able to grasp the depth of God’s forgiveness the more I am able to humbly and transparently accept my sin and deal with it.
c. GOSPEL
ME TO DEAL WITH MY SIN
–It is not enough to admit or honestly face our sin, to grow in Christlike character we must face our sin.
–We must as Scripture challenges us “put it to death.”
13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. —Romans 8:13
–When sin is dead, it no longer can influence us.
–Now I have a strong sense of Gratitude for what He has done and is presently doing for me through Christ.
–It is our duty to put sin to death but remember “Duty without desire produces drudgery!”
LIVE IT OUT
–What besetting sin do you need to take ownership of today?
–Have you accepted the forgiveness of the eternal consequences of your sin?
–What steps will you take today to begin to declare sin dead in your life?