Freedom From Constant Sin

Freedom from Constant Sin

1st John 5: 16 – 21

Jeff Hughes

I. Introduction

a. As humans, it is part of our nature to fall into sin. Our flesh is constantly desiring to fall into sin. We have been like this from the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve decided to eat the forbidden fruit. But, as born again believers, we can rest in the assurance that Jesus paid the price for all our sins at Calvary. He has given us the Holy Spirit to enable us to break the bondage of habitual or besetting sin, but it is up to each one of us individually to decide if we will lay hold of that victory or not.

b. Tonight, we are going to look at three safeguards the Lord has given us to help us in getting free from sin. First, we will look at prayer from the bretheren, next, we will look at knowing who we are in Christ, and who our enemy is, and last, we will look at abiding in Christ.

c. Follow along with me starting in verse 16.

d. 16 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. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. 18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

e. Tonight, we will look at these three topics in-depth as we study God’s Word.

II. PRAYER

III. Illustration

a. In the 1960s, drug companies were presenting nearly 700 applications a year to the Food & Drug Administration for new medicines. The stressed New Drug Section only had sixty days to review each drug before giving approval or requesting more data.

b. A few months after Dr. Frances Kelsey joined the FDA, an established pharmaceutical firm in Ohio applied for a license to market a new drug, Kevadon. In liquid form, the drug seemed to relieve nausea in early pregnancy. It was given to millions of expectant women, mostly in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Although scientific studies revealed harmful side effects, the pharmaceutical firm printed 66,957 leaflets declaring its safety. The company exerted great pressure on Dr. Kelsey to give permission for labels to be printed, in anticipation of the drug’s approval.

c. Dr. Kelsey reviewed the data and said no. Through several rounds of applications, she continued to find the data "unsatisfactory." After a fourteen-month struggle, the company humbly withdrew its application. "Kevadon" was thalidomide, and by that time, the horror of thalidomide deformities was becoming well publicized! One firm "no" decision by Dr. Kelsey spared untold agony in the United States.

d. Sometimes standing your ground on something may not seem that important but in time you may see the "big" picture.

e. God tells us to stay away from sin because He knows how harmful it is to our physical and spiritual well being. Although the world is pressing us to say yes to sin, we must have the courage to stand up and say "NO". It may not be the most popular decision, but it will be the wisest decision.

IV. Study

a. Freedom from sin

i. God wants us to walk free from sin. His Word gives us much instruction as to how we should avoid sin in our lives. He gives us many tools and helps along the way as well, and that is what we are going to look at tonight. Follow along with me starting in verse 16

b. Prayer from the bretheren – 5:16-17

i. 16 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. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.

ii. Well, before we delve into just what John meant here, I think it is essential for us to note what is most important here. That is simply if we see another brother, another believer in Christ walking in sin, we should pray for them first. All too often, prayer is the last thing we do for someone caught up in sin.