1. Whatever Happened to Sin?
(Romans 6:15-23)

2. Introduction Colonial America
Missing services (2 hrs. daily/5 hrs. Sunday)
Loss of food (1 day)
Public whipping
Six months in stocks
No record of missing third time!

3. Introduction Things have changed Strict punishment seldom meted out
Whatever Became of Sin by Karl Menninger

4. What Happened to Sin? The very word has vanished The truth about sin
Not used in media, conversation, etc.
Believed in anymore? (1 John 3:4; Romans 3:23)
The truth about sin
Souls at stake (Romans 6:23)
Be grateful for forgiveness (John 3:16)
Sin

5. What Happened to Sin? The cost of forgiveness (1 Peter 1:18, 19)
Free from sin (Romans 6:16-18)

6. Minimizing Sin by…
… ignoring God’s warning (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-5, 14-19)
… becoming too familiar with it (Jeremiah 6:15)
… using euphemisms

7. Euphemisms Adultery-love affair
Fornication- living together, sexual chemistry
Profanity- adult language
Homosexuality- alternate lifestyle
Abortion- woman’s right to choose

8. Euphemisms Pornography- adult entertainment Drinking- being sociable
Lying- disinformation
Pedophilia- intergenerational intimacy
Juvenile delinquent- justice involved youth

9. Minimizing Sin by… … using euphemisms
Works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21)
Keep one from heaven (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
Lying still a sin (Ephesians 4:29)
Drinking still a sin (1 Peter 4:3)

10. Minimizing Sin… … with humor (Proverbs 17:22)
… through popular psychology (Genesis 39:9)

11. Reasons? “Overindulged by my Father” “Hated by my brothers”
“Lost my Mother early on in life”
“Only a slave”
“Low self esteem”
“Alone in a foreign land”

12. Minimizing Sin… … with humor (Proverbs 17:22)
… through popular psychology (Genesis 39:9)
… through false doctrine (Ezekiel 18:20; 1 John 3:4)
… by comparing sins (2 Corinthians 10:12)

13. True Nature Seen in The Cross
The sinless Son of God was tortured
Sin never looked more hideous
There the price for sin was paid (2 Corinthians 5:20, 21)

14. True Nature Seen in The Cross
The cross assures us of God’s verdict
Ultimate result of sin is death (James 1:12-15)
Cannot hide behind “minor” sins

15. The Peacemaker (Ken Sande)
“Ideally, repentance should precede forgiveness. (Luke 17:3) As we saw in chapter 4, however, minor offenses should be overlooked and put away even if the offender has not expressly repented. Your spontaneous forgiveness in these cases can put the matter behind you and save you and the other person from needless controversy.” (p. 210)

16. True Nature Seen in The Cross
The cross assures us of God’s verdict
Ultimate result of sin is death (James 1:12-15)
Cannot hide behind “minor” sins
“Minor” sins sent Jesus to the cross (Romans 1:29-32)

17. “Minor Sins” Envy of Jewish leaders Greed of Judas
Gossiping of the citizens
Lies of false witnesses
Indifference of the crowd
Cowardice of Pilate
Egotism of Caiphas

18. Conclusion Enormous price tag on sin No “minor” sins
Do you take it seriously?