Scripture Reading Galatians 5: 19-23

The Lord’s Supper

Steps for Sin Prevention

Cancer prevention In our current days cancer is something that every human being deals with directly or indirectly through family member & loved ones Canadian Cancer Statistics, 2018 1 in 2 Canadians is expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. 1 in 4 Canadians are expected to die from cancer. Today we will use the example of cancer and cancer prevention as a comparison to sin and sin prevention. We will find that there are many similarities between them!!!

Cancer vs Sin Dangerous disease to the physical body Physically cruel Cancer diagnosis can be life changing Once a person is diagnosed, cancer can spread Can lead to physical death Some can be prevented Dangerous condition to the spiritual body Spiritually cruel Consequences of sin can be life changing Sin can spread through your life Can lead to spiritual death Can be prevented

SIN PREVENTION 1) Sin Education 2) Sin Prevention Strategies 3) Lifestyle Change

1) Sin Education

Education i) Sin can happen to anyone 1 John 1:8 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ii) Know what sin is Galatians 5:19-21 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God

Education Separation from God Sin leads to death= spiritual death iii) Know what the consequences of sin are Separation from God Sin leads to death= spiritual death Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear. Romans 6:23 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2) Sin prevention Strategies

A) Healthy food/Spiritual Food i) Jesus refers to himself as spiritual food Jesus/ The Word is the true source of life He is our spiritual nourishment John 6:35 35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.   John 4:13-14 13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. John 7: 37-38 37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

A) Healthy food/spiritual Food ii) The apostles use spiritual food as a metaphor We need to make sure we have the spiritual food necessary to grow in our spiritual lives. Galatians 5:22-23 Hebrews 5: 12-14 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

B) Physical Activity/Exercise your spiritual life We are all running a spiritual race We need to run with endurance and a purpose Hebrews 12:1 12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may [i]obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize [j]is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified

B) Physical Activity/Exercise your spiritual life When we run in his commandments our hearts will grow stronger Psalms 119: 32 I will run the course of Your commandments, For You shall enlarge my heart.

c) Screening practices/bible screening The Word is our screening tool. Always use the Word to examine yourself Allow the word to scan your life in order to detect whether you are living a true Christian life Hebrews 4:12 2 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

D) Avoid unhealthy practices/Avoid evil Avoid all types of evil. The warning is clear in the Bible! 1 Thessalonians 5: 22 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Corinthians 15: 33 33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 2 Timothy 2:22 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 

3) Lifestyle Change

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Continual practice We are not only doing what is good once Continually engage in what is good and noble Use the Word as your guideline and policy maker in your life Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Philippians 4:8 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.  1 Peter 5:8 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Continual practice The only way we will get our reward is if we are consistent in our sin prevention practices in order to avoid sin and be faithful!!! Revelations 2:10 (last part) Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Review Education Prevention practices Spiritual food Exercise your spiritual life Allow the Bible to be your screen Avoid evil Lifestyle change

There is also another big difference between Cancer and Sin Conclusion Sin is a far worse condition because it could lead to spiritual death for all eternity There is also another big difference between Cancer and Sin Sin is 100% preventable!!!!!!! AND if we do fall into sin we have a cure and that is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ BUT

Step of Salvation

Thank you!