Dealing With Sin
I. Introduction
A. Funny but Unclear
1. Quotes from Yogi Berra
a) “Baseball is 90% mental and the other half is physical.”
b) “Nobody goes there anymore, it’s too crowded.”
c) “You got to be careful if you don’t know where you are going, because you might not get there.”
d) “You should always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they won’t come to yours.”
e) “When there is a fork in the road, take it.”
2. Some things that we see, hear, and read are rather confusing.
a) There may be a lack of communication skills that causes the trouble.
b) There may be a lack of knowledge to comprehend things.
c) There may be an unwillingness to want to understand.
B. God’s For Sure Book
1. The Book of 1 John is a book of clarity and understanding.
a) We can know God – 1 John 2:3-4
b) We can know righteousness – 1 John 2:29
c) We can know that Jesus came to take away our sins – 1 John 3:5
d) We can know love through the sacrifice of Jesus – 1 John 3:16
e) We can know truth – 1 John 3:19
f) We can know of eternal life – 1 John 5:13
2. We can Know How to Deal With Sin
a) In the last eight verse of the book, John teaches us how we can effectively deal with sin.
b) In doing so, we can maintain full assurance of salvation.
c) Tonight 4 principles for dealing with sin.
II. Dealing With Sin
A. Prayer Filled Life (14-15) – Three Keys
1. Confidence
a) “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him…”
b) Confidence in God’s willingness to hear – 1 Peter 3:12
c) Confidence in God’s willingness to help – Hebrews 4:16
d) Confidence in God’s ability to make a difference – Philippians 4:6-7
2. Conditions
a) “…if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
b) In all that we do we are to seek the Lord’s will – James 4:15
c) Our prayer life is to be property motivated – James 4:3
d) Our prayer life is an extension of our life – James 5:16
e) Acceptable prayer come from holy prayers – 1 Timothy 2:8
3. Consistency
a) Luke 18:1- “Pray and do not lose heart.”
b) 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing.”
B. Compassion Filled Life (16-17)
1. Compassion for Sinners (Those that continue in sin)
a) Recognize that we are have all been in the category – 1 Timothy 1:15
b) Realize that anyone can be overtaken – Galatians 6:1-2
c) Rescue them from the consequences – Hebrews 10:26-27
2. Characteristics of the Compassionate
a) From Galatians 6:1 – Spiritual, Gentle, Reflective
b) From 2 Timothy 2:24-26 – Gentle, able to teach, patient, humble, knowledgeable,
c) From James 5:19-20 – Aware, courageous, concerned
C. Purity Filled Life (18)
1. The Master of Purity
a) Jesus knew no sin – 2 Corinthians 5:21
b) Jesus can make sin go away – Isaiah 1:18
c) Jesus can help when facing trouble – Hebrews 2:18
2. Mastering Purity
a) Keeping the heart and mind pure – Proverbs 4:23, 23:7
b) Keeping good companions – Exodus 23:2
c) Keeping alert and aware – Proverbs 7:12
d) Involve family and friends – Song of Songs 2:7, 8:8-9
e) Growth in the Lord – 2 Peter 3:18
D. Truth Filled Life (19-21)
1. Knowing Who You Are
a) Children of God – 1 John 3:1
b) Ambassadors of the King – 2 Corinthians 5:20
c) Redeemed of God – 1 Peter 1:18-19
2. Knowing Whose You Are
a) We belong to God – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
b) We serve the Lord – Joshua 24:15
c) We seek the Lord – Hebrews 11:6, Psalm 63:1-2
d) We submit to the Lord – James 4:7
3. Knowing What Guides You
a) Jesus is the truth – John 14:6
b) The truth frees us – John 8:36
c) The truth leads us – Psalm 119:105
d) The truth sets us apart from the world – John 17:17
e) The protects us from sin – Psalm 119:9-11
III. Conclusion
A. Sin Should Not Destroy Us or Overtake Us
B. Jesus teaches we can know how to deal with sin.
C. Invitation
