09.27.10 - Sin

Isa 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. KJV

Sin 

Monday, September 27, 2010

4:51 PM

1. 1. Sin Separates

1. a. Isaiah notes that we are separated from God by our iniquities, our sin

1. b. Ps 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: KJV

1. i. What are your thoughts on these Scriptures?

1. ii. Had you ever given thought to the fact that when we sin we are in essence stepping away from God as He is calling us nearer to Him?

1. c. Adam & Even were created for communion with God, because of sin, they were forced to leave the Garden of Eden

1. i. Have you ever found yourself “distant” from God, feeling that He is very far away?

1. ii. Could the reason you felt this way be due to sin?

1. 2. Sin Binds

1. a. Jesus spoke of sin as a master

1. i. John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed . KJV

1. 1. When we are in sin, bound it, serving it, only Jesus can set us free.

1. 2. Describe ways that we “serve” sin. (spending time and money on that which is wrong, living a life to cover up our sin)

1. ii. Are you free indeed?

1. iii. How do you KNOW you are free

1. iv. How did you get free?  Share openly testimony of deliverance.

1. 3. Sin Kills

1. a. Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death;  KJV

1. i. Sin kills relationship – no longer living in Eden

1. ii. Sin kills trust (and can destroy families) – Jacob and Esau

1. iii. Sin kills peace of heart – if we continue in sin we have shame and guilt

1. 1. Describe the difference of one bound to sin and one set free from sin

1. 2. Discuss the effects of sin that  you have seen personally

09.20.10 - The Carnal Life

1 Cor 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? KJV

The Carnal Life

Monday, September 20, 2010

9:31 AM

1. 1. If It Quacks Like A Duck

1. a. 2 Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you KJV

1. i. As Christians we are called to act, live, think and BE different from the world.  All too often we assume the title (of Christian), accept the grace, enjoy the mercy . . .and yet act just like the rest of the world around us.

1. ii. Biblically speaking, what changes can we expect from a life turned wholly to Christ?

1. 1. Don’t get caught up in religion here, use biblical reference points not man made laws!

1. 2. Look at:

1. a. Psalm 1:1-3

1. b. 2 Corinthians 7:1

1. c. Revelation 18:4

1. d. John 8:11

1. iii. The common thread running through the life of every Christian SHOULD be a changed heart

1. 1. What is the standard of right and wrong? Where did that standard come from?

1. 2. Do we, look inwardly, honestly, seek more to please man or God?

1. iv. In looking at our OWN lives, can we see areas that those outside the church could "question?"

1. 1. What are we doing to

1. a. Come out from among them?

1. b. Be separate?

1. c. Touch not the unclean thing?

1. 2. Dependent Babies, Rebellious Teens or Cranky Old Folks?

1. a. Paul, in 1 Cor 3:1 speaks to a people who should be growing in the Lord, in His grace and mercy, but they are not. It seems that no matter what age bracket, kids, teens, young adults or seniors, we can see those who have somehow NOT grown in the Lord but have become "stumped" in their spiritual maturity.  

1. b. It is easy to spot them in the church, those who act as if the world revolves around them only.  It is easy to see fault in others, but that does us no good at all other than allow sin to creep in.  

1. c. Read

1. i. Psalm 26:2

1. ii. 1 Corinthians 11:28

1. iii. 2 Corinthians 13:5 

1. 1. Are there areas in our OWN lives where we act like children, teens, young adults or seniors, in a negative aspect? Anyone like to share?

1. 3. Getting To The Point

1. a. Paul was saying that there were things he wanted the Corinthians to learn, but that their spirit man was being over-run by their carnal man, and that carnal things were the only things they understood.

1. b. Think about this:

1. i. If there is unrepented sin in our lives will we be able to read and understand our Bible?

1. ii. How does sin affect our prayer life? (Ps 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me KJV)

1. iii. How does walking carnally affect our walk with God?

1. iv. Paul lists some of the carnal activities the Corinthians were engaged in, envy, strife, divisions-do those activities have any hold on our own lives?

1. 4. Taking Out The Trash

1. a. The truth is is that we ALL need to grow up, in one area or another.  We need to pursue Christ and in doing so grow in Christian maturity

1. b. To affect the change, the "want to" must be there.  Please don’t ever be satisfied with your walk with Christ to the point you stop growing.  

1. c. Repentance will get us from point A to point B, close to the King and allow our hearts to be pliable by His Spirit.

1. i. PRAYER: Lord, as I look at my life I see areas that I have acted like a spoiled child, I have acted like a rebellious teen or a cranky senior, I repent right now and ask that my heart be always humble before you, that there be a change in my life, a Christian maturing, for Your Glory.  When others look on me and see my imperfections, let them see me working on those weaknesses to overcome them for Your Glory.  Cause me to be who You destined me to be, in Jesus Name, Amen.