All have sinned
Ken Mckuhen
June 8th 2011
We’re going to talk about SIN.
What is SIN
Who is guilty of SIN
What can be done about it?
The word SIN is found in the Canon of scripture we know as the bible in 394 verses starting in Genesis and spreads on from there.
Today to start, we’re going to be in the book of Romans.
(Turn in your bible to ROMANS 3:23) The text says: for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the word sin here lately. Today’s society has completely down played sin. Let’s take a look at:
What is SIN?
Here’s the definition of sin from a few different resources:
1. Any thought, word, desire, action, or omission of action, contrary to the law of God, or defective when compared with it.
2."Any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God"
I best describe sin as a failure to conform to the moral standard set by God. Whether in act, attitude, or nature.
Who is guilty of Sin?
Just recently Marianne and I with a few other couples were at Ruby Tuesday’s eating dinner. When the checks came to our table, ours appeared to be incorrect. We passed it back and forth and discussed where the error could have been. Once the waitress came back to the table, I elected to tell her I thought that it was incorrect. Had I have not said anything.... Would that have been stealing? Would it have been a sin to pay the cheaper check total? We could get legalistic and technical. Instead let us examine our own actions deeper. There are things that we do every day that can be constituted as sin.
• Have you ever made a joke at someone else’s expense Excusing it as “good clean fun”?
• Drove over the speed limit?
• Told someone you couldn't do something because you “have plans”?
• Called in sick to work when you were fine?
• Took office supplies from work?
• Spent money you knew you didn’t have?
• Told a “little white” lie?
• Lashed out at someone, maybe your spouse, kids?
• Looked another person’s life or situation and wished it for you?
What constitutes what is and what isn’t sin? Is it the Ten Commandments? Must we keep these commandments to enter Heaven? Let’s compare the BIG TEN against our daily lives. We see that the 10 Commandments not only prohibit sinful actions, but also wrong attitudes.
(Turn in your Bibles to Deuteronomy 5:1)
1. You shall have no other Gods before Me - Do you think when we focus all of our efforts something; whether it is our jobs, our hobbies, our homes, our cars, or anything else. Are we guilty of this?
2. Make no engraved images – I have a few thoughts on this one but that’s for another time.
3. Taking the Lords Name in Vain - How many times a day in public do you hear the phrase: “Oh my God”. It really tears me up when I hear someone say it. Oh and if it is a child….watch out.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, keep it Holy - This is a commandment telling us to take a day off. We are so busy in our live these days; we can’t afford to take time to rest. I mean, this is a commandment to take a break and we are too stubborn to even do that.
5. Honor thy Father and Mother – Children, disobeying your parents, watch out.
6. Thou shall not Murder - I’ve debated this many times, skeptics like to hold to the “Thou shall not KILL version. The Bible states thou shall not MURDER. This one commandment could yield an entire sermon of its own. For now let me say All Murder is Killing, Not all killing is Murder.
7. Thou shall not commit adultery. Jesus taught us to look at a woman with lustful eyes was to commit adultery in our hearts. Just think for a minute about how common has it become to see and hear seductive and suggestive posters, advertisements, billboards, television and even radio ads. Human beings are visual creatures, especially men. I feel that this sin is one of the toughest for society and men. Sexual sin will consume a good person if they let it.
8. Thou shall not steal. – Is taking
9. Thou shall not bear false witness (Lying) -
10. Thou shall not covet. - I believe this is another sin that has become prevalent in our culture. The old “Keeping up with the Joneses” It may seem harmless to see someone else’s good fortune and wish it for your own. But does it stop there?
Just remember one thing about the BIG TEN.
The world is full of “good” people who have tried to keep the Law. Everybody has tried, and nobody has made it. We’re just not that good. People who try to keep the law do well, but at the end of the day there are no good people. Besides that, God did not give the Law to provide a way to get to heaven. Of all of the books with any of the 10 commandments, “Heaven” isn’t mentioned. There is no relationship between the law and your eternity.
Back on the topic of Sin.
Sin today is not a mere violation of the law of our constitution, nor of the system of things, but an offence against a personal lawgiver. Against a moral governor who vindicates his law with penalties. The soul that sins is always conscious that his sin is (1) intrinsically vile and polluting, and (2) that it justly deserves punishment, and calls down the righteous wrath of God. Hence sin carries with it two inalienable characters, (1) guilt (reatus); and (2) pollution (macula).
All people all are equally guilty before God. When Christians sin, our legal standing before God is unchanged but our fellowship with God is disrupted and our Christian Life is damaged.
Insert here: Famous three letter word - But,
We’re Christians and we walk with Christ. Besides that, we live pretty good lives. Right? Well guess what, we’re sinners. We all are guilty of sin. As you were waking up this morning, just as you opened your eyes and before your feet even hit the floor. You were a sinner. Five minutes before that, you were a sleeping sinner.
Again, the scripture Romans 3:23 tell us that: All have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;
The word ALL in the original Greek is translated as the word “Pas”. It literally means ALL. It can be also be translated into all the forms of declension; it’s a primary word with many meanings not limited to; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), always, daily, every (one, way), as many as, thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
So far we've determined that....... “For all” (meaning everyone) have sinned (Failed to conform to the moral standard set by God)
Just to double check the Word of God, it also says in Ecclesiastes 7:20: For there is not a just man upon earth, which does good, and doesn’t Sin.
Another similar passage Romans 3, Look at verse 10: As it is written, there is none
righteous, no, not one.
But, I know people that are right with God. They're righteous and full of faith...........
.
The word none in the Original Greek is the word OU and is pronounced “oo”
It is a primary word; an absolute negative. None means NONE.
It is our goal daily to try not sinning. It is our human nature though. We must strive to grow closer to Christ daily. It’s like a game of tag, running behind him, chasing after him. Each time you feel you could reach out and touch him. Bam! He’s 20 feet ahead of you again!
You see, we’re human beings, born of the flesh with inherited sin; we cannot “not sin”. To be without sin is to be equal to Christ. I do not know one person that is equal to Christ. No not one. You don’t either. I heard it once said -” If someone says they are without sin, you can know for sure it is not them, because they’re lying.
There has been one man who has lived without sin. Jesus Christ was born of a virgin. Therefore, he was born pure. During his life he was tempted in all ways just as man. Remember in the book of Mathew we are taught that while Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights Satan tempted him repeatedly. Jesus never waivers and absorbed the wrath of God for OUR sins. Remember in the Old Testament, you were required to sacrifice your best livestock. Not the weak or small. Only the best of what you had.
Jesus Christ was the BEST Sacrifice for our sins. He lived, He died He said in three days he would rise. He did. Today he sits at the right hand of God. Amen?
So, what can be done about sin?
This is the right time and question. Are you tired? Weary? Do you feel ready to give up? Maybe you want something more, something whole, and something that just feels right. Maybe you’ve never let go and cried out to Jesus.
Now is the time. It is clear in the word that if you confess your sins God and turn to him - He’ll move your sins as far as the east is from the west! If you know anything about the different poles of the earth then you know that is significant! The east never meets the west. If you’re going west…… you’ll always be going west. Same goes for going east. Should you decide to go north; at some point you’ll peak then be heading south…. As far as the east is from the west. You will be found blameless! God will choose to not even remember the sins you’ve committed prior to salvation. AMEN?
If you’re ready to make that decision. If your life is broken, The Lord will not begin to fix it until you give it to him. If you’ve not been as faithful as you know you should, if there are “skeletons” in your closet, if you just want to bring some things to the Lord. Let me know I’d love to pray with you.
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