Sermon:Sin

WHAT IS SIN? 

•It is disobedience to God's instructions or transgression against God.
•Sin is an immoral act that violates the laws of God.
•Any action,thought, or behavior that goes against God's will and moral law.
•Sin is an act that transgresses divine law, primarily characterized by disobedience to God's commandments. 

WHO IS A SINNER?
•A sinner is anyone who indulges in the works of the flesh.The works of the flesh are; adultery,fornication,uncleanness,lewdness, idolatry, sorcery,hatred,contentions, Jealousy,outbursts of wrath,selfish ambitions,dissensions,heresies,envy,  murders,and drunkenness.(Galatians 5:19-21)

•Anyone who is deliberately living in disobedience to any of God's commandments stated in Exodus 20:1-17.

•Anyone who is sexually immoral,covetous ,an idolater,a reviler,a drunkard,or an extortioner.(1 Corinthians 5:11)
•Anyone who falls short of God's standards and moral law. This includes all humanity,as stated in Romans 3:23.

-Romans 3:23,"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
•Anyone who is a fornicator, idolater, adulterer,homosexual,a thief,covetous,a drunkard,a reviler or an extortioner(1 Corinthians 6:10)
•Anyone who indulges in any of the acts stated in 2 Timothy 3:2-4.

-2 Timothy 3:2-4,"For men will be lovers of themselves,lovers of money,boasters, proud, blasphemers,disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving,slanderers, without self-control, brutal, desires of good, traitors, head strong, haughty,lovers of pleasure..."

•Anyone who partakes in acts such as fornication,uncleanness, passion, evil desire,and covetousness;which attracts God's wrath(Colossians 3:5-6)

•Anyone who partakes of all evil things that defile him(Mark 7:21-22)

- Mark 7:21-22,"For within out of the heart of men,proceed evil thoughts,adulteries, fornications,murders,thefts,covetousness,wickedness,deceit,lewdness,an evil eye, blasphemy,pride and foolishness.All these evil things come within and defile a man." 

•Anyone who partakes in acts such as fornication,uncleanness,covetousness, filthiness,foolish talking,and coarse jesting. (Ephesians 5:3-4)

•Anyone who do things which are not fitting such as being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness,maliciousness,full of envy, murder,strife,deceit,evil- mindedness, whisperers,backbitters,haters of God, violent,proud,boasters, inventors of evil things,disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy,unloving,unforgiving,unmerciful(Romans 1:28-31)

TYPES OF SINS
▪︎Deliberate sin: A willful disobedience to God. You are fully aware of the sin and you decide to do it. A conscious rejection of God's grace.

-Hebrews 10:26,"For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth,there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins."
▪︎Habitual sin:A sin you do constantly and is  difficult to stop. It is a sin you have no control over; you do it even if you don't want to.There's a conflict between the desire to do good and the sinful nature.

-Romans 7:20,"Now if I do what I will not to do,it is no longer I who do it,but sin that dwells in me."
▪︎Unintentional sin: Any sin committed by a person which He does not know of. He sins accidentally.

-Leviticus 5:17,"If a person sins,and commits any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the Lord,though he does not know it,yet he is guilty and shall bear his iniquity."
▪︎Generational sin:Sins that are passed on from one generation to another up to the third and fourth generation.

 -Exodus 34:7,"....By no means clearing the guilty,visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation. "
▪︎Sin that  does not lead to death.

-1 John 5:16-17,"If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death,he will ask,and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death.."

▪︎Sins of omission; Failure to do good when one knows they should do it.

-James 4:17,"Therefore,to him who knows to do good and does not do it,to him it is sin."
▪︎Personal sins committed such as lying to one another(Colossians 3:9)or stealing (Ephesians 4:28).

-Colossians 3:9,"Do not lie to one another."

-Ephesians 4:28,"Let Him who stole steal no longer."
▪︎Original sin:The sinfulness from Adam and Eve's disobedience.

-Romans 5:12,"Therefore,just as through one man sin entered the world,and death through sin,and thus death spread to all men-because all sinned."

▪︎Presumptous sin:These are sins done with arrogance,where a person knowingly chooses to disobey God's commands, often disregarding the consequences.

-Psalm 19:13,"Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;let them not have have dominion over me."

FACTS ABOUT SIN FROM THE BIBLE

▪︎Acts 10:43,"Whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.

▪︎The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin,guiding believers toward righteousness. 

-John 16:8,"The Holy spirit will convict the world of sin,of righteousness and of judgement of sin.

▪︎Romans 5:20,"But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.

▪︎The sacrificial death of Christ is central to God's plan for redemption. 

-Hebrews 9:22,"Without shedding of blood there is no remission of sins.

-1 Corinthians 15:3,"Christ died for our sins.

▪︎Micah 7:19,"The Lord will subdue our iniquities and cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

▪︎Love is portrayed as a covering for sins.

-1 Peter 4:8,"Love covers a multitude of sins.

▪︎1 Peter 2:24,"Christ bore our sins in His body on the cross. He paid the sacrifice for sin,that through His suffering we might die to sin and live for righteousness. 

▪︎The consequences of sin is inability to prosper.

-Proverbs 28:13,"Whoever covers his sins will not prosper,but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

▪︎Hebrews 9:28,"Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.

▪︎Romans 3:20,"For by the law is the knowledge of sin.

▪︎Confession of sin is an essential step toward receiving God's mercy and forgiveness. 

-1 John 1;9,"If we confess our sins,God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

▪︎No one is exempt from sins reach.

-Romans 3:23,"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

▪︎Living under grace should lead the believer to live a life of holiness rather than a license to sin.

-Romans 6:15,"Shall we sin because we are  not under law but under grace?Certainly not!

▪︎Grace empowers believers to overcome sin.

-Romans 6:22,"Having being set free from sin,believers become slaves to God,leading to holiness and eternal life.

▪︎The consequences of sin is spiritual death.

-Romans 6:23,"The wages of sin is death.

▪︎Psalm 32:1,"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,whose sin is covered.

▪︎Repentance is an essential step toward receiving God's mercy and forgiveness. 

-Acts 3:19,"Repent and be converted,so that your sins may be blotted out.

▪︎1 Corinthians 15:56,"The sting of death is sin,and the strength of sin is the law.

▪︎Believers are not under the law but under grace.

-Romans 6:14,"Sin shall not have dominion over you,for you are not under law but under grace.

▪︎1 John 3:8,"He who sins is of the devil.

▪︎Sin is lawlessness. 

-1 John 3:4,"Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness,and sin is lawlessness.

▪︎1 John 4:10,"Jesus Christ is the propitiation for our sins.

▪︎1 John 3:9,"Whoever has been born of God does not sin and cannot sin.

▪︎Jesus serves as an advocate for believers when they sin.

-1 John 2:2,"And if anyone sins,we have an advocate with the Father,Jesus Christ the righteous.

▪︎Proverbs 10:19,"In the multitude of words, sin is not lacking.

▪︎Leviticus 5:17,"If anyone sins by disobeying the commandments without his knowledge, he is guilty of sin and shall bear his iniquity.

▪︎2 Corinthians 5:21,"Jesus became sin for us,that we might become the righteousness of God.

▪︎Proverbs 14:34,"Sin is a reproach to any people.

▪︎1 Corinthians 15:34,"Awake to righteousness,and do not sin.

▪︎Psalm 32:5,"I acknowledge my sin to you and my iniquity I have not hidden.

▪︎Sin separates humanity from God and leads to spiritual death.

-Ezekiel 18:21,"The soul that sins shall die.

▪︎Hebrews 12:1,"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us.

▪︎Through Christ's sacrifice,believers receive forgiveness and remission of sins.

-Ephesians 1:7,"In him we have redemption through his blood,the forgiveness of sins.

▪︎Sin is a disobedience to God's commandments. 

-Romans 7:7,"I would not have known sin except through the law.

▪︎Hebrews 4:15,"Jesus,our high priest was tempted as we are,yet he is without sin.

▪︎Sin brings judgment and condemnation. 

-Romans 2:12,"For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law,and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law.

▪︎Hebrews 1:3,"He himself purged our sins.

DOES GOD FORGIVE ALL SINS?
 No, God doesn't forgive all sins.
•Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is unforgivable;some sins are beyond forgiveness.

-Blasphemy against the spirit will not be forgiven unto men.(Matthew 12:31)
-Whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him(Matthew 12:32)
•There is a need for repentance for sins; forgiveness requires a sincere return to God.

-Acts 8:22, "Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the
thought of your heart may be forgiven you."
•Forgiveness and mercy is ultimately at God's discretion.

-Romans 9:15, "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion." 

•Shedding of innocent blood cannot be forgiven by the Lord.

-2 Kings 24:4,"And also because of the innocent blood that he had shed;for he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood,which the Lord would not pardon."

HOW TO LIVE A SINLESS LIFE

▪︎Prayer:Regularly seek guidance and strength through prayer.

-Philippians 4:6,"Be anxious for nothing,but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving,let your requests be made known to God."

▪︎Study the scripture:Immerse yourself in the Bible so that you will not sin against God.

-Psalm 119:11,"Your word is have hidden in my heart,that I might not sin against you."

▪︎Holy Spirit guidance:Rely on the holy spirit for help in making righteous choices. 

-Galatians 5:16,"Walk in the spirit,and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."

▪︎Confession and repentance:Acknowledge your sins and turn away from them when you fall short.

-1 John 1:9,"If we confess our sins,He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. "

▪︎Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.

-Ephesians 5:11,"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness,but rather expose them."

▪︎Surround yourself with supportive believers who encourage you in faith.

-Hebrews 10:24-25,"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and food works,not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.....but exhorting one another."

CAN SIN HINDER ANSWERS TO PRAYER?

Yes,sin can hinder answers to prayer. The Bible teaches that unconfessed sin or a lifestyle contrary to God's will can create barriers in our relationship with Him.

- Psalm 66:18,"If I regard sin in my heart,The Lord will not hear"

 -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.

THE LOVE OF CHRIST FOR SINNERS

▪︎God has no pleasure in the death of a sinner,but wants them to change and live.

-Ezekiel 18:32,"For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,"says the Lord God."Therefore turn and live!"

▪︎ Christ bore our sins in His body on the cross, demonstrating His sacrificial love. He took upon Himself the penalty for our sins,offering us redemption through His suffering.

-1 Peter 2:24,"Who himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree,that we,having died to sins,might live for righteousness."

▪︎Christ died for us while we were still sinners. This unconditional love shows that He chose to love and save us, not based on our worthiness but out of His grace.

-Romans 5:8,"But God demonstrated His own love toward us,in that while we were still sinners,Christ died for us."

▪︎If righteousness could be gained through the law, then Christ died for nothing. This underscores that Christ's love is a gift, given freely to those who believe, showcasing His desire for a relationship with us despite our failures.

-Galatians 2:21,"I do not set aside the grace of God;for if righteousness comes through the law,then Christ died in vain."

▪︎God's love is inclusive,extending to all humanity and offering the gift of eternal life.

-John 3:16,"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. It highlights that His love is inclusive, extending to all humanity and offering the gift of eternal life.

▪︎Christ's love is enduring love, and sustains us through trials and difficulties.

-Psalm 73:26,"My flesh and my heart fail;But God is the strength of my heart ans my portion forever."

▪︎Jesus speaks of preparing a place for us in His Father’s house. It indicates His desire for us to be with Him eternally, showing that His love extends beyond this life.

-John 14:2,"In my father's house are many mansions,......I go to prepare a place for you."

▪︎What God has prepared for those who love Him is beyond our understanding. Christ’s love has eternal implications, promising blessings that we cannot even imagine.

-1 Corinthians 2:9,"Eye has not seen,nor ear heard,nor have entered into the heart of man the things God has prepared for those who love Him."

PRAYER OF REPENTANCE 
"Romans 5:8,"God demonstrates His own love toward us,in that while we were still sinners,Christ died for us."
Lord Jesus, I confess my sins.....(mention them), I repent of them and believe in my heart that Jesus Christ died to set me free from sin. Today, I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, in Jesus' name. Amen

PRAYER

1.God,be merciful to me a sinner,in Jesus name.

2.Father,keep me away from evil practises that will lead me to hell,in Jesus name

3.O Lord,purify me with the blood of Jesus,in Jesus name.

4.God,destroy every evil work done against me,in Jesus name.

5.Blood of Jesus,cleanse my conscience from dead works,in Jesus name.

6.Father,subdue our iniquities and cast our sins away,in Jesus name.

7.Lord,do not remember the sins of my youth,nor my transgressions,in Jesus name.

8.O God,direct my steps and let no iniquity have dominion over me,in Jesus name.

9.Heavenly Father,wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin,in Jesus name.

10.Lord Jesus,be merciful to me,forgive my sins and remember them no more,in Jesus name.

11.Father,hide your word in my heart that I may not sin against you,in Jesus name.

12.Let destruction come upon the workers of iniquity among us,in Jesus name.

13.Heavenly father,blot out my transgressions and my sins,in Jesus name.

14.God,have compassion on us and subdue our iniquities,in Jesus name.

15.Father,help me to forgive those who sin against me,in Jesus name.

16.I declare that i will no longer be a slave of sin,in Jesus name.

10.Heavenly father,purify and refine me,in Jesus name.

18.Help me,O God of my salvation,for the glory of your name;And deliver me,and provide atonement for my sins,in Jesus name.

19.Father,turn away every one from their iniquities,in Jesus name.

20.Thank you Lord for forgiving the iniquity of my sin,in Jesus name

Thank you Lord for answering my prayers,in Jesus name.Amen