I John 1:7-2:10, The Greatest Mistake We Can Make

The Greatest Mistake We Can Make,

I.

A. Mistake--noun

an action or judgment that is misguided or wrong.

"Coming here was a mistake."

Verb--be wrong about.

“The General made a mistake about the strength of the opposing forces.”

B. Everyone Sins

1. Some serious: life and death

2. Some not serious: causing laughter

C. The Greatest Mistake

1. Thinking we can get away with sin

2. Numbers 32:23, But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

3. We cannot sin and win

4. What is sin?

a. Sin (266) (hamartia) literally conveys the idea of missing the mark as when hunting with a bow and arrow (in Homer some hundred times of a warrior hurling his spear but missing his foe). Later hamartia came to mean missing or falling short of any goal, standard, or purpose. Hamartia in the Bible signifies a departure from God's holy, perfect standard of what is right in word or deed (righteous). It pictures the idea of missing His appointed goal (His will) which results in a deviation from what is pleasing to Him. In short, sin is conceived as a missing the true end and scope of our lives, which is the Triune God Himself. As Martin Luther put it, "Sin is essentially a departure from God."

II.

A. Sin Will Affect Our Fellowship With God (1 John 1:7-9)

1. Sin affects the children of God (believer)

2. The moment a child of God sins there are things that immediately occur.

a. Broken fellowship (1 John 1:3, 6-7)

b. Walk in darkness (1 John 1:6; 2:10)

c. Brings anxiety, lack of assurance (Psalm 32:3-4)

d. Robs us of joy of the Lord (Psalm 51:8-12)

e. Keeps our prayers from being answered (Psalm 66:18)

f. Hinders the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19; Ephesians 4:30)

g. Hinders spiritual growth (1 Peter 2:1-2)

3. Sin is Serious

B. Sin Will Affect the Family (Romans 14:7)

1. We never reap the consequences of sin alone

2. Our loved ones suffer because of our sin

a. The sins of Adam and Eve affected all their descendants (Romans 5:12-19)

b. David’s sin caused his child’s death (2 Samuel 12:14)

3. Children affected by sins of their parents

4. Parents affected by the sins of their children

5. Husband and wives affected by sins of spouses

C. Sin May Affect You Physically (1 Corinthians 11:30)

1. Some at Corinth sick and some died

a. Communion the context but sin is the issue

b. Sin brings chastening (Hebrews 12:5-12)

2. Many acts of sin carry their own judgement

3. What we sow we reap in the flesh (Galatians 6:7-8)

1. Sin will Affect You Forever (Romans 6:23) Unbelievers must face their sins in judgement (Hebrews 9:27)

2. The unbeliever who dies without forgiveness of their sins must suffer eternal torment in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15)

3. Sin affects service and cost Christians rewards (Revelation 3:11)

III.

A. Good News: Sins Can Be Forgiven

1. Christ died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

2. The Blood of Christ cleanses from sin (1 John 1:7-9)

3. In receiving Christ by faith, we are justified (Romans 5:1)

B. More Good News: Believers Can Live Victoriously

1. Abundant living (John 10:10)

2. Daily victory (1 Corinthians 15:57-58)