by Senior Pastor Denis Beausejour

Series: HEALTHY FAMILIES IN HECTIC TIMES

Message: Solving the Problem of Sin
Text: Romans 8:1-2

Introduction

At the beginning of this series, I mentioned that the number one issue preventing us from experiencing all the healthy things God has for us and our families is the problem of sin.

Since the beginning, we have failed to believe and trust God. We have all tried to be our own gods: self-determined, self-sufficient and self-reliant. This was true of Adam and Eve and is also true of each of us.

Today’s Goal: Understand the problem of sin and the path to freedom for you and your family.

The Bible mentions sin and its related words about 1000 times. Sin is the major focus of 2 Bible books: Leviticus in the OT and Romans in the NT.

Leviticus gives the procedures a Jew was required to follow to cleanse their sins. God’s plan for payment of sin is always death – in Leviticus via the blood of an animal. But these ways to deal with human sin are now obsolete: the Jewish Temple was destroyed in AD 70.

1. Sin 101: What it is and how it works.

• Any & all opposition to God in thought or deed
• Ungodliness, wickedness, rebellion, transgression, lawlessness, trespass, disobedience
• Active and passive missing of God’s standard
• The web of sin: secrets, lies, addictions, fears
• Our sin affects our universe
• Our sin affects our families
• How is my life like Romans 1:20-32?
• The consequences: Romans 5:12 – where am I headed?

2. The solution for the problem of the penalty of sin.

• Romans 3:21-24
• How does this solve the problem?
• Have you taken advantage of God’s solution?
• We still have one problem left ..…sin still seems to have power over most Christians

Will you stop living the way of death,
and be set free today?
3. The solution for the problem of the power of sin.

• Jesus has also destroyed the power of sin by His Crucifixion
• How?
• Romans 6:6-7
• Romans 6:22-23
• This is the secret: stop living condemned
• Romans 8:1-2
  

Just like the only way to pay for your sin is to have Jesus pay it for you ...
The only way to live the real Christian life is to have Jesus live it for you.

• Romans 8:6  

Personal Application – some possible next steps

- Learning more about the Spirit-life – let Pastor Denis know of your interest in a practical study

- Come to prayer meetings and receive prayer to live this life

- An accountability partner to walk this life with you – ask any staff or elder to get you connected!

- Read Grace Walk by Steve McVey – one of the best resources I’ve seen on the "exchanged" life.