The Story of God’s Explosive Grace

Man’s threefold purpose of

What is the greatest obstacle to my personal sanctification? Hint: According to modern culture, it is an old fashion, out of date word used by nutty religious people.

The lie of sin is that sin itself is the pathway to happiness, satisfaction, and all that you really want, and it alone will truly satisfy you and bring contentment. The reality is that sin brings destruction, misery, death and eats away to which all people really long to have.

Yes really! And this stinkin’ thinking goes back to the beginning. Remember this dialogue? 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; 3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’ ”

4 The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! 5 “For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. Genesis 3

 Sin 752  Evil 513  Wicked 340  Iniquity 256  Transgression 140  Immoral 31  Unrighteousness 30  Offense 19  Trespass 6  Ungodliness 20

Here are six things God hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion: 1. Eyes that are arrogant, 2. A tongue that lies, 3. Hands that murder the innocent, 4. A heart that hatches evil plots, 5. Feet that race down a wicked track, 6. A mouth that lies under oath, 7. A troublemaker in the family.

 Selfishness (pride)  Bitterness  Sins of omission) not of what you did, but what you didn’t do)  Sexual impurity  Living like God doesn’t exist  Lying  Unforgiveness  Materialism  Gossip  Hypocrisy  Ingratitude

Take a moment and Imagine a world without sin…

What would your life be like if you got a handle on sin?  Closeness and intimacy to God  Joy and happiness  Without guilt or shame  Contentment  Peace

I was just wondering if we should take a queue from our Jewish brothers. Every time they would say the name “Haman,” the one who attempted to wipe out all the Jews at the time of Esther, they would spit on the ground. Maybe we should spit every time we hear the word sin. Just sayin’

I would like you to pray this prayer. “Dear Lord, as we engage on this study of sin, I pray that you would open my eyes to whatever sin is the most destructive in my life. And that you would empower me through Your Spirit to annihilate this demon.

Twelve Steps to Stop Sinning

1. Fear God

2. Choose to stop sinning

Choose to stop sinning. That is, an act of the will to change one’s behavior. The Bible has this as a must to get a handle on that which is so destructive in our lives. 1. Stop sinning – I Corinthians Tremble, and do not sin – Psalm 4.4

3. Spend time in God’s Word Meditate on it. Like a cow which chews its food over and over and over.

11 Your word [the Bible] I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You. Psalm

4. Consider the consequences

Sin will take you further than you ever wanted to go, keep you longer than you ever wanted to stay, and cost you more than you ever wanted to pay.

5. Understand the line you cross where something that isn’t sin becomes sin

6. Accountability

1. Have you been a testimony this week to the greatness of Jesus Christ with both your words and actions? 2. Have you been exposed to sexually alluring material or allowed your mind to entertain inappropriate thoughts about someone who is not your spouse this week? 3. Have you lacked any integrity in your financial dealings this week, or coveted something that does not belong to you? 4. Have you been honoring, understanding and generous in your important relationships this past week?

5. Have you damaged another person by your words, either behind their back or face-to-face? 6. Have you given in to an addictive behavior this week? Explain. 7. Have you continued to remain angry toward another? 8. Have you secretly wished for another’s misfortune so that you might excel? 9. Did you finish your reading this week and hear from the Lord? What are you going to do about it? 10. Have you been completely honest with me?