God and the Problem of Sin

Text: Titus 2:11-15

 

I.         God’s Nature

            A.        God is Holy - Isaiah 6:3

                        1.         There is not even a hint of sin in God - I John 1:5

                        2.         Evil is not a part of His nature, nor does He accept evil in others - Psalms 5:4

                        3.         If we are to have fellowship with God, then we must be like Him - I John 1:6-7

            B.        God loves righteousness and justice - Psalms 33:5

                        1.         They are the foundation of God’s rule - Psalms 89:14

                        2.         Justice means God never treats His creation unfairly - Deuteronomy 32:4

            C.        God is truth

                        1.         He states only what is true - John 17:17

                        2.         He keeps His word - Isaiah 46:8-11

            D.        God is love - I John 4:8

                        1.         When God pronounces judgment on a matter, it is because it is what is best for His people - Deuteronomy 10:12-13

                        2.         That is why keeping God’s commands is an expression of love - I John 5:3

II.        The Problem of Sin

            A.        God didn’t create sin. Sin is the label for breaking the laws of God that were made for our good - I John 3: 4

            B.        Sin separates us from God - Isaiah 59:1-2

                        1.         Sin is contrary to God’s nature - Habakkuk 1:13

                        2.         It causes the sinner to die spiritually - Ephesians 2:5; Colossians 2:13

                        3.         Physically we continue to live, spiritually we are disconnected from our source of life - I Timothy 5:6

            C.        Death exists because of sin - Romans 5:12-14

                        1.         Physical death is included as a consequence - Genesis 3:19

III.       The Price of Sin

            A.        The cost of sin is death - Genesis 2:16-17; Romans 6:23

                        1.         The steps to death is through sin - James 1:13-16

            B.        The responsibility for sin lies with the individual - Ezekiel 18:20

            C.        Life is the price for sin

                        1.         One aspect of God’s love is that we are not struck dead immediately when we sin

                        2.         God has no pleasure in the death of sinners - Ezekiel 18:23, 30-32; 33:11

                        3.         But God’s justice will deliver that sentence if we leave Him no other choice.

IV.      The Dilemma

            A.        We all sin - Romans 3:23

            B.        To claim otherwise is to lie or call God a liar - I John 1:8, 10

            C.        Thus each of have broken the laws of God

                        1.         The penalty is death. Death is required to pay for our sin

                        2.         If we die in this state, we remain separated from our God for all eternity

                        3.         If I could, somehow, give my life to pay for my sin. I would still be dead and unable to benefit from my payment.

                        4.         No one else can pay for my sins because they are responsible for their own sins

            D.        A wretched state - Romans 7:23-24

V.        But this is where God stepped in - Romans 7:25

            A.        God offered a payment for each of our sins - Romans 5:8-9

            B.        Not because we earned His intervention, but because of His mercy on us - Titus 3:3-7