Sermons on Sin
Romans 3:9-20
Sinnerama, or I’m not OK, You’re not OK Introduction: Let’s begin this morning by reading our Scripture text, Romans 3:9-20: “What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. {10} As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; {11} there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. {12} All have turned away, they have together become…
Romans 5:12-21
Ruin and Rescue Introduction: We come this morning to a very profound and difficult portion of Romans. That’s one of the reasons I enjoyed so much last week’s passage. The theme was so clear, the concept so simple—all we had to do was to drink in the truths that … God’s love is without cause. God’s love is without measure. God’s love is without end. Today we are faced with a very different kind of text. Its theme is difficult to understand and perhaps…
Romans 7:7-14
A Spiritual Autobiography, Pt. 1: The Paradox of the Law Introduction: When you hear Christians share their testimonies, one of the most common features is an affirmation to the effect that they are so much happier since receiving Christ, so much more at peace with themselves, so much less troubled by guilt and shame than they used to be. I suspect that is true in most cases. But I wonder what we would do if a person got up and shared a testimony like…
1 Peter 4:1-6
ARM YOURSELF! Concealed carry has been a very controversial issue in our country over the past two decades. I personally don’t like guns, but in view of the domestic terrorism that has occurred in our country recently, I am frankly rather pleased that we have a dozen or so members of our church packing heat on any given Sunday. I recall back in Missouri in 1998 there was a ballot issue called Proposition B, a measure that would have made it legal…
1 John 1:1-10
Walking in the Light Introduction: When I first took Greek in college in preparation for ministry, I remember how good it felt to be able to read the book of I John just six weeks into the course. I was so proud I was sure I was destined to be a great Greek scholar. It didn’t take me long, however, to realize that my ability to read 1 John had a lot more to do with John’s writing style than with my own…
1 John 3:1-10
Like Father, Like Son Introduction: I recently read that insanity is hereditary: parents get it from their children. Well, there’s perhaps a measure of truth to that—I’ve been on the brink a few times myself lately—but it’s also true that our children inherit a lot from us. Sometimes that’s very positive. I think of the Steimel family, for example. You can tell a Steimel child a mile away—thoughtful, intelligent, respectful, gentle, and able to sit through church without a peep. Why? Because Norm and Libby are thoughtful, intelligent,…
Acts 4:36-5:11
Opposition from Within Introduction: On September 10, 1813, Naval Commander Oliver Hazard Perry dispatched a message to General William Henry Harrison, announcing his victory at the battle of Lake Erie. The message was short: “We have met the enemy, and they are ours.” Some 150 years later Pogo paraphrased Perry, saying, “We have met the enemy and they are us.” Perry’s original version is applicable to chapter 4 of Acts, where we saw last week that the Apostles faced the opposition of the Jewish…
Galatians 3:1-5
THE SIN RELIGIOUS PEOPLE ARE PROUD OF Most people are not proud of sin in their lives. Oh, a star athlete may brag about the number of women he has conquered, and it’s not too difficult to find a fraternity brother who boasts of how often he gets drunk. But the average person doesn’t hang his or her dirty laundry out for everyone to see. Christians, I think, are especially reluctant to have their sin exposed–partly because they are embarrassed to have let…
Galatians 5:19-21
Sinnerama! Turn with me please to one of the most discouraging passages in the entire Bible, but also one of the most realistic and relevant, Galatians 5:19-21: The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; {20} idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions {21} and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom…
James 4:1-10
Conflict in the Church Note: This sermon was preached in 1991. James 3:13-18 was covered by Associate Pastor Brad Harper, but the manuscript is not available. Introduction: A father heard a commotion in his yard and looked outside to see his daughter and several playmates in a heated quarrel. When he reprimanded her his daughter explained, “We’re just playing church!” Actually, that’s not too hard a scenario to believe. One of my favorite books is entitled Great Church Fights. It was written by a Conservative Baptist pastor named…
James 5:13-20
Handle With Prayer Today we will conclude our study of the Book of James as we turn our attention to chapter 5:13-20. Good, decent, and godly scholars differ greatly in their interpretation of these verses, and that always makes it a bit disconcerting when one tries to deliver a clear and unambiguous message from God. But let’s study it together and see what we can learn. Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing…