1 John 1:6 – 2:2
DATE: 4 Feb, 2001
AM
PLACE: BBC Blarney
DATE: 18 Feb, 2001
PLACE: BBC Mallow
I.
Introduction (1 John 1:6 – 2:2)
A.
It is a fact - Christians sin.
B.
But do we realise just what happens when we do sin?
C.
So many believers become dominated, discouraged, and defeated by sin in
their lives. Sometimes they are so ashamed they no longer profess to be saved
(they can’t bear being the hypocrites they know they have become). Sometimes
they are so confused they no longer even KNOW if they are saved.
D.
Oh that we all wanted to be free from sin’s dominance
E.
Let us consider this morning, what happens when Christians sin. I believe
it will help us immensely as we learn to battle its presence in our lives.
II.
Message - What
Happens When Christians Sin? (1
John 1:6 – 2:2)
A.
What Does Not Happen
1.
You are
never disowned (2Tim 2:13). Oh blessed truth!
a.
When a
person is saved, they becomes a child of God (Jn. 1:12) by a supernatural birth
(1 Pet. 1:23) on the inside.
b.
And since
nothing can change the fact that a child was born into my PHYSICAL family,
nothing changes the fact that you are God's child if you have been spiritually
born again. You have eternal life and you are secured for heaven. That is
settled. According to God (Heb 13:5)!
2.
You are
not damned (John 5:24). God has written FORGIVEN all over every act and
thought you ever committed, or ever will commit!
3.
HOWEVER
... even though a believer's sins have been paid for, the sins he commits in his
daily life after he is saved DO have consequences. This is why we need to fear
God, and change our attitude towards sin.
B.
What Does Happen?
1.
Closeness
to God suffers (1John 1:6) – Oh learn this folks!
a.
Although
my child is still my child, we don't get along when they are disobedient. So is
fellowship with God hindered when a believer sins.
b.
Sweet
fellowship can almost become nonexistent, which can make the person feel that he
is not even part of God's family.
c.
Not only
do you feel it. But God is grieved, as well (Eph. 4:30).
d.
Our
closeness to God is connected with how much sin we hold on to. Hey! No longer is
sin holding onto us! Sin’s power has died!
e.
That’s
why God’s word loses its attraction – the small voice can’t be heard from
a distance – you have to be close to the heart of God!
2.
Calmness
of spirit is hindered (Isa 57:21). Restlessness is often a result of spiritual
rebellion. A Christian who doesn't live for God will not have the same peace of
mind as does an obedient believer.
a.
Maybe
people don’t understand just what a Christian is – a new person. Different
than before. Hey. Different than last year
b.
A
follower of Jesus Christ yearns to be obedient to God’s word
c.
A
Christian loves the calmness of God’s presence and grace in his or her life.
When we only have anger, and restlessness, we have sinned.
3.
Cheerfulness
in Jesus fades (Ps 51:12) When a believer sins, he will begin losing the joy of
church going, Bible reading, soul-winning, praying, and other Christian
activities. He may finally lose the joy of living. Sad!
a.
People in
this room are backslidden
b.
Used to
go soul-winning
c.
Used to
come to prayer meeting on Saturday night
d.
Used to
come to Wed night Bible Study
e.
Used to
love church
f.
Folks –
none of those things have changed
g.
The
problem is SIN has crept between you and God! And it shows on your face!
4.
Capability
of witnessing suffers (Matt 5:16) No Christian is perfect, but a disobedient
Christian is not likely to be very convincing when he tries to tell someone how
to be saved. It is a spiritual law:
a.
A sinning
Christian is 100% powerless to bear fruit
5.
Confidence
in prayer departs (Ps 66:18) When fellowship is broken between you and God, you
lose the confidence and the willingness to talk to Him. Likewise, He loses the
desire to hear from you, unless you repent.
6.
Companions
in the Church body know it (1Cor 12:26; Gal 2:9-14). Because no one of us lives
alone – we affect others. Oh that we would be burdened to affect each other
for Good (Heb 10:24,25)!
7.
Crowns
are lost (Rev 3:11; Heb 11:24-ff) Salvation is a gift. However, the Bible
teaches that in heaven REWARDS, or crowns, are given out, which are based on
SERVICE, and our efforts for the Lord. God's gift of eternal life cannot be
lost, but rewards CAN be lost, to the shame of the believer who sacrificed
heavenly praise and privileges for earthly pleasure.
8.
Chastisement
is experienced (Heb 12:5). God slaps His disobedient children, every one of
them. No believer who does wrong "gets by" with it. If he does, he is
not saved. And, let me tell you, GOD knows how to give a spanking! Maybe some of
YOUR troubles are the chastisement of God!
C.
What To Do. Are you a Christian who has gotten away from God? Are you out of
fellowship with God due to your sin?
1.
Here's
what people normally do:
a.
They get
mad – at the preacher, their husband, their wife, kids, boss – everything
except themselves
b.
They get
out – decide it is better not to deal with sin in their own life and just
blame the sins in everyone else’s life
c.
They just
get harder and harder until they finally crumble.
2.
Here is
what you should do:
a.
Confront
it (Pr 28:13) Don't try to cover it up. Don't try to deny it. Realize you have a
problem: a SIN problem. And it is only in your heart – most painful place to
work on! If you don’t sense sinful desires, and thoughts, then there are only
two possibilities
1)
Either
they aren’t there – which I doubt
2)
Or you
are blind to them – hardened towards them. It is time to pray Psalm 139:23,24,
and then “batten down the hatches!”
b.
Confess
it (1Jn 1:9) To confess your sin means you recognize that what you have done is
rebellion against God. To confess is NOT to tell God that you want to get right
IF you have sinned. It means that you name what you have done wrong, and accept
responsibility for it.
1)
When was
the last time you NAMED some sin in your life?
2)
When did
you see a wicked WAY (habit) and realise just how filthy that habit must be to
God’s sight?
3)
Today is
a good day to do some heart searching, and pouring out of our hearts the sorrow
for the sins in there!
c.
Consecrate
(Pr 28:13; Ps 51:12,13)
1)
Confess
your sin, forsake it, and begin immediately working to do right. Replace the
sin! If you're saved, that means such things as: get baptized; join the church;
attend it every service; tithe; read your Bible; pray; go soul-winning; and
other such activities.
2)
If you
stumble, go through the above steps again. Don't ever stay down. Keep getting
up! Consecration is Godly determination!
III.
Conclusion
A.
What Does Not Happen When a Christian Sins.
Never disowned or damned
B.
What Does Happen?
1.
Closeness
to God suffers (1John 1:6)
2.
Calmness
of spirit is hindered (Isa 57:21).
3.
Cheerfulness
in Jesus fades (Ps 51:12)
4.
Capability
of witnessing suffers (Matt 5:16)
5.
Confidence
in prayer departs (Ps 66:18)
6.
Companions
in church know it – no good trying to hide it
7.
Crowns
are lost (Rev 3:11)
8.
Chastisement
is experienced (Heb 12:5)
C.
What To Do. Are you a Christian who has gotten away from God? Are you out of
fellowship with God due to your sin? Here's what to do:
1.
You must
Confront it!
2.
You must
Confess it
3.
You must
Consecrate your life – make it stay on the strait and narrow! Otherwise you
will constantly be discouraged – never full of the joy that is intended for
the life and heart of the Christian!
D.
If you are not saved, then none of these great truths are for you!
Oh, don’t walk away from this meeting still lost – still damned.
1.
You must
heed the command, to be born again!
2.
You MUST
see your goodnesses as nothing compared to the perfection of the life of Christ!
Religion has blinded most people into worrying only about bad sins. God says you
better worry about your good sins as well!
3.
You must
repent of those good acts just as much as you might repent of sinful acts
4.
You must
ask to be saved – ask and ye shall receive thank God!