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"THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND THE PROBLEM OF SIN" - By Mark A. Copeland

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                         THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST
                                 AND
                          THE PROBLEM OF SIN

                              CONTENTS

              How The Gospel Addresses The Problem Of Sin
              The Gospel's Answer To The "Love" Of Sin
              The Gospel's Answer To The "Practice" Of Sin
              The Gospel's Answer To The "State" Of Sin
              The Gospel's Answer To The "Guilt" Of Sin
              The Gospel's Answer To The "Power" Of Sin
              The Gospel's Answer To The "Result" Of Sin

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              "THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND THE PROBLEM OF SIN"

               How The Gospel Addresses The Problem Of Sin

INTRODUCTION

1. A number of years ago a book came out with the title: "Whatever
   Happened To Sin?"

2. This is a relevant question, for today "sin" is often taken too
   lightly...
   a. By the world
   b. Even by the church

3. Exactly what is sin?  The Bible speaks definitively, describing sin
   as:
   a. A transgression of the law of God - 1 Jn 3:4
   b. A failure to do what you know to be right - Ja 4:17
   c. Doing that which violates your conscience, even if the act is right
      within itself - Ro 14:23

4. The Bible also reveals the seriousness of sin, which is seen...
   a. In its UNIVERSALITY - "all have sinned... (Ro 3:23)
   b. In its CONSEQUENCES - "The wages of sin is death..." (Ro 6:23)

5. Even so, I am not sure that many people, even some Christians, truly
   appreciate...
   a. The problem of sin
   b. How the gospel of Christ really and effectively addresses this
      problem!

[The goal of this lesson is to introduce some thoughts that should 
increase our understanding and appreciation of how the gospel of Christ
addresses the problem of sin.

We begin by first noticing...]

I. THE PROBLEM OF SIN

   A. THERE IS THE "LOVE" OF SIN
      1. Sin does have its pleasurable nature - He 11:24-25
      2. It is this pleasurable side that makes it easy for men to love
         sin, which in turn can then blind them to the truth - Jn 3:19

   B. THERE IS THE "PRACTICE" OF SIN
      1. The seriousness of this aspect of sin is seen in that ALL have
         sinned! - Ro 3:23
      2. Even Christians continue to practice sin at times - 1 Jn 1:8-10

   C. THERE IS THE "STATE" OF SIN
      1. Those who both love and practice sin are said to be DEAD "IN"
         SIN - Ep 2:1
      2. This pertains to our relationship to God; as far as He is
         concerned, our practice of sin places us in a STATE in which
         we are DEAD "TO" HIM!

   D. THERE IS THE "GUILT" OF SIN
      1. In the Scriptures, this refers primarily to "LEGAL" guilt, but
         it often includes as well "EMOTIONAL" guilt
      2. We may try to deny or suppress this truth, but a HOLY GOD still
         recognizes our guilt before Him - Ro 3:19

   E. THERE IS THE "POWER" OF SIN
      1. Sin is so powerful, that even when a person wants to do good,
         outside of Christ they are unable to do so consistently
      2. As an illustration of this, notice Ro 7:14-21

   F. FINALLY, THERE IS THE "RESULT" OF SIN
      1. "The wages of sin is death" (Ro 3:23)
      2. In the Scriptures, death includes the idea of separation (e.g.,
         physical death is the separation of body and spirit - Ja 2:26)
         a. The result of sin is "spiritual death," or separation from
            God
         b. Such separation exists in this life, but even more so in
            the life to come! - Re 21:8

[Such is the problem of sin...do we appreciate what a serious problem it
really is?

How does the GOSPEL OF CHRIST address this problem?  Bear in mind that 
the gospel consists of:
                        - FACTS to believe
                        - COMMANDS to obey
                        - PROMISES to receive

The FACTS to believe are concisely stated in 1 Co 15:1-4, which reveal
things that God has done in Christ.  These things which God has done
make it possible for the COMMANDS and PROMISES of the gospel to really
address the problem of sin!

To briefly see what I mean, consider...]

II. HOW THE GOSPEL ADDRESSES THE PROBLEM OF SIN

   [First, the "COMMANDS" of the gospel...]

   A. THE "COMMAND" TO "BELIEVE IN CHRIST" ADDRESSES THE "LOVE" OF SIN
      1. That it is necessary to believe is evident from Mk 16:15-16
      2. When a person really believes in Christ and the FACTS the
         gospel tells about Him...
         a. They will come to HATE sin for what it cost God and Christ
         b. They will have the attitude expressed by the Psalmist in
            Ps 119:104
      3. The point is, true faith will help to eliminate our love for sin

   B. THE "COMMAND" TO "REPENT OF OUR SINS" ADDRESSES THE "PRACTICE"
      OF SIN
      1. The gospel clearly calls mankind to repent - Ac 2:38; 17:30-31
      2. When a person truly repents (a decision of the mind that leads
         to a change of action), they will cease living a life devoted
         to the practice of sin

   C. THE "COMMAND" TO BE "BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST" ADDRESSES THE "STATE"
      OF SIN
      1. Remember, outside of Christ our state is "dead in sin"
      2. We notice that the gospel includes the call to be baptized -
         Mk 16:15-16; Mt 28:18-20
      3. When we are baptized, our "state" changes
         a. For baptism puts us in Christ - Ga 3:27
         b. In Christ, we are now "dead TO sin", no longer "dead IN sin"
            - Ro 6:1-7

   [And now for the "PROMISES" of the gospel...]

   D. THE "PROMISE" OF "REMISSION OF SINS" ADDRESSES THE "GUILT" OF SIN
      1. Remission of sins is promised to those who repent and are
         baptized - Ac 2:38
      2. When sin has been remitted, there is no longer any guilt!

   E. THE "PROMISE" OF THE "GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT" ADDRESSES THE
      "POWER OF" SIN
      1. The gift of the Holy Spirit is likewise promised to those who
         repent and are baptized - Ac 2:38
      2. With the help of God's Spirit, we are no longer under the power
         of sin - Ro 8:12,13; Ep 3:16,20

   F. THE "PROMISE" OF "ETERNAL LIFE" ADDRESSES THE "RESULT" OF SIN
      1. Instead of spiritual death and eternal separation from God,
         we can have spiritual life and eternal communion with Him!
      2. As Paul put it so succinctly:

         "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is
         eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
                                                 (Ro 6:23)

CONCLUSION

1. In succeeding lessons we will examine these COMMANDS and PROMISES
   more carefully

2. But I hope we can see how wonderfully the GOSPEL OF CHRIST addresses
   THE PROBLEM OF SIN!

Have you let the gospel address YOUR problem of sin?  By...

                  - Believing the facts?
                  - Obeying the commands?
                  - Receiving the promises?

Do so, and in Jesus Christ you can overcome the problem of sin!


               "THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND THE PROBLEM OF SIN"

                 The Gospel's Answer To The "Love" Of Sin
                           (Faith In Jesus Christ)

INTRODUCTION

1. In the previous lesson, we introduced "How The Gospel Addresses The
   PROBLEM Of Sin"

2. In this lesson we will focus our attention to that part of the problem
   which is the "LOVE" of sin...
   a. We saw that sin does have its pleasurable side - He 11:24-25
   b. This pleasure makes it easy for men to love sin...
      1) Such love often blinds men to the truth - Jn 3:19
      2) Such love definitely alienates one from the love of the Father
         - 1 Jn 2:15

3. The gospel of Jesus Christ answers the problem of the "LOVE" of sin
   by commanding us to have "FAITH," or to "BELIEVE"
   a. E.g., notice Mk 16:15-16
   b. Faith can be defined as "a strong convinction, assurance"
   c. When we come to have the RIGHT KIND OF FAITH, we will come to no
      longer LOVE sin, but even to HATE it!
   d. As the Psalmist expressed in Ps 119:104

4. In this study, I want to do two things:
   a. Define exactly what KIND OF FAITH we need to really hate sin
   b. Consider briefly the EVIDENCE that ought to create that kind of
      faith

I. THE KIND OF FAITH NECESSARY TO HATE SIN

   A. ONE THAT BELIEVES THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD
      1. That the gospel requires such faith is clear from passages 
         like:
         a. Jn 20:30-31
         b. 1 Jn 5:13
      2. I.e., a strong conviction that Jesus of Nazareth, son of Mary,
         was indeed:
         a. The Messiah foretold by the Jewish prophets - Ac 2:36
         b. More than just a good man, but the only begotten Son of God
            - Jn 1:14

   B. ONE THAT BELIEVES THAT THIS JESUS DIED FOR OUR SINS BECAUSE GOD
      LOVED US
      1. Believing that Jesus died for our sins is a necessary part of
         the gospel - 1 Co 15:1-3
      2. Understand...Jesus died for OUR sins!
         a. Just as the Scriptures foretold He would - Is 53:4-6
         b. Why, because God loves us! - Jn 3:16; Ro 5:8

   C. ONE THAT BELIEVES THAT GOD THEN RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD
      1. This fact is also an important part of the gospel
      2. Consider 1 Co 15:3-4; Ro 10:9

   D. HOW DOES BELIEVING IN THESE THINGS CAUSE US TO HATE SIN?
      1. IF WE ARE STRONGLY CONVICTED...
         a. That Jesus was truly the beloved Son of God
         b. That He was really the Christ, the promised Messiah
         c. That God loved us so much (and hated sin so much) that He
            sent His Son to die for us
         d. That God raised Him from the dead to prove to us that His
            death was an acceptable sacrifice for sin
      2. ...THEN HOW CAN WE "NOT" HATE SIN?
         a. Sin is responsible for making the death of Christ necessary
            in the first place!
         b. Sin is responsible for the anguish God must have felt when
            He:
            1) Saw the separation between Him and us!
            2) Deemed it necessary to have His Son die for us!
         c. Sin is responsible for the pain and agony suffered by Jesus!
            1) In the garden of Gethsemane - Mt 26:39
            2) On the cross of Calvary - Mt 27:46

[When we understand and really BELIEVE these things, then we will say 
with the Psalmist:

      "Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I HATE
      every false way."
                                                 (Ps 119:104)

This is the kind of faith called for in obedience to the gospel, and 
the kind of faith which effectively deals with the LOVE of sin!

But how does one gain this kind of faith?  Ro 10:17 tells us that 
faith comes from the Word of God.  Upon closer examination, that Word 
reveals that the apostles of Christ tried to create faith in the hearts 
of their listeners by providing two primary lines of evidence...]

II. EVIDENCE THAT CREATES THE KIND OF FAITH WHICH HATES SIN

   A. EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY CONCERNING THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS
      1. THIS WAS AN IMPORTANT FOUNDATION UPON WHICH FAITH IN NEW 
         TESTAMENT TIMES WAS CREATED!
         a. Jesus knew this was how people would come to believe on Him
            - cf. Jn 17:20
         b. Therefore, in their preaching and teaching, the apostles
            appealed to this line evidence...
            1) Peter - Ac 2:32; 3:14-15; 4:33; 10:39-41
            2) John - Jn 20:30-31; 1 Jn 1:1-3
            3) Paul - 1 Co 15:3-8
      2. HOW STRONG IS THIS EVIDENCE?
         a. Consider the number of witnesses
            1) This affects the strength or weakness of any testimony
            2) E.g., the OT required at least two or three - Deu 17:6
            3) In this regard, the strength is very strong - 1 Co 15:
               5-8 (over 500 people!)
         b. Consider the character of these witnesses (they were
            certainly not gullible)
            1) Some had not believed in Christ prior to His resurrection
               a) Like His brothers in the flesh - Jn 7:3-5; Mk 3:21
               b) But after the resurrection, they too became disciples!
                  - Ac 1:14
            2) Some were disciples who had been skeptical after His death
               a) E.g., Thomas - Jn 20:24-25
               b) Only after hard, empirical evidence did he believe
                  - Jn 20:26-28
            3) Some were former enemies who had violently opposed Christ
               (e.g., the apostle Paul)
         c. Consider the nature of their testimony
            1) Hard, empirical evidence - Jn 20:25; Ac 10:40-41; 1 Jn
               1:1
            2) Objective, not subjective evidence that could possibly be
               attributed to hallucinations, dreams, etc.
         d. Consider the transformation which took place
            1) Prior to the resurrection, they were cowards who had lost
               hope!
               a) They fled at His arrest - Mk 14:50
               b) Peter denied Him
               c) They hid for fear of the Jews - Jn 20:19
            2) Yet, after the resurrection, they were praising God and
               proclaiming Christ boldly as having been raised from the
               dead!
               a) Praising God in the temple - Lk 24:52-53
               b) Proclaiming Christ, despite persecution - Ac 5:28-32;
                  41-42
            3) Even an honest Orthodox Jew admits that the transformation
               in their lives is strong evidence for their testimony:
               a) "If the disciples were totally disappointed and on the
                  verge of desperate flight because of the very real
                  reason of the crucifixion, it took another very real
                  reason in order to transform them from a band of 
                  disheartened and dejected Jews into the most self-
                  confident missionary society in world history."
                  (PINCHAS LAPIDE, former chairman of the Applied 
                  Linguistics Department at Israel's Bar-Iland 
                  University)
               b) LAPIDE concluded that a bodily resurrection could have
                  possibly been that reason! (TIME, May 7, 1979)
         e. Consider the high moral standard they taught and lived
            1) Exhorted the disciples to live holy lives - 1 Th 4:1-7
            2) Lived their own lives in an unimpeachable way - 1 Th 2:
               10-12
            -- Does this sound like people who would propagate a lie if
               they knew better?
         f. Consider the sacrifices they paid in life and death
            1) They endured much hardship because of their testimony
               - 1 Co 4:9-13
            2) All but one of the apostles died violent deaths because
               of their testimony of the resurrection
            3) Even James, Jesus' brother, was thrown off the temple and
               clubbed to death for his refusal to recant his eyewitness
               testimony of the resurrection of Jesus!
      3. TO DENY THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS IS TO IMPUGN THE HONESTY AND
         INTEGRITY OF THESE WITNESSES!
         a. Every single one of them would have had to been rank liars
            and frauds, out to deceive the world!
         b. Yet, these are the very ones...
            1) Who tell us what we know of Jesus, whose life and
               teachings has transformed the history of the world and
               the lives of millions!
            2) Who gave us the NEW TESTAMENT, which contains the highest
               standard of morality the world has every known!
         -- DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO CALL SUCH MEN "LIARS AND FRAUDS"?

   [To accept their testimony and the fact of the resurrection is not 
   only rational, it is the beginning of the kind of faith which will
   come to hate sin!

   But there is even more evidence which creates this kind of faith...]

   B. FULFILLED MESSIANIC PROPHECY
      1. THIS ALSO WAS AN IMPORTANT FOUNDATION UPON WHICH FAITH IN NEW
         TESTAMENT TIMES WAS CREATED
         a. Jesus used this to strengthen the faith of His disciples
            1) The two disciples on the road to Emmaus - Lk 24:25-27
            2) The apostles - Lk 24:44-47
         b. Therefore, in their own teaching and preaching, the apostles
            appealed to this line of evidence...
            1) Peter - Ac 2:29-31; 3:18,24
            2) Philip - Ac 8:35
            3) Paul - Ac 17:2,3
      2. HOW STRONG IS THIS EVIDENCE?
         a. It has been calculated that there are at least 330 prophecies
            in the OT that were fulfilled in Jesus Christ!
            1) Twenty-nine (29) were fulfilled in one day!
            2) Such prophecies were spoken at various times by many
               different people during the ten centuries from 1500 B.C.
               to 500 B.C.
         b. The SCIENCE OF PROBABILITIES has been used to show that it is
            nigh to impossible that Jesus fulfilled these prophecies out
            of coincidence
            1) In one study (by Peter Stoner), eight (8) prophecies were
               considered:
               a) The likelihood of anyone fulfilling just these eight by
                  CHANCE was calculated to be 1 in 10 to the 17th power
               b) This would be like finding on the first try, while
                  blindfolded, a marked silver dollar in a pile of silver
                  dollars two-feet high covering the entire state of
                  Texas!
            2) In another study (also by Peter Stoner), forty-eight (48)
               prophecies were considered:
               a) The likelihood of a coincidence was 1 in 10 to the
                  157th power!
               b) How big a number is 10 to the 157th power?
                  1] Counting at the rate of 250 a minute...
                  2] It would take you 19 million times 19 million times
                     19 million YEARS to count such a number!
               c) Remember, that is just calculating the chance of any
                  one man coincidentally fulfilling 48 prophecies - Jesus
                  fulfilled 330!
         c. Look at it another way...
            1) Your chances of surviving a fall from 10,000 feet without
               a parachute is 1 in 10 million
            2) Would you "willingly" jump and take such a chance?
            3) Yet to reject JESUS because because you think His 
               fulfilling 330 prophecies was coincidental is INFINITELY
               MORE RISKY than jumping out of an airplane at 10,000 feet
               without a parachute!
               a) We would say that anyone who jumped out of an airplane
                  with such odds against survival is either stupid, crazy
                  or ignorant of the risks
               b) What about someone who takes the chance of rejecting
                  Christ in view of the overwhelming odds he is wrong
                  about Christ???

CONCLUSION

1. This is kind of evidence found in the Word of God to create faith in
   Jesus as the Son of God:
   a. EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS by numerous,
      reliable witnesses
   b. FULFILLED MESSIANIC PROPHECY that overwhelmingly convinces any
      informed, rational and objective person!
   -- Yes, "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."
      (Ro 10:17)

2. What kind of FAITH?
   a. One that HATES sin...
      1) For what it did (separated us from God)
      2) For what it cost (the death of God's only begotten Son)
      3) For what it can do when engaged in by the unrepentant Christian
         (crucify again the Son afresh - He 6:4-6)
   b. One that LOVES God...
      1) For what He has done
      2) For what He is doing
      3) For what He will do
   c. One that will...
      1) Do whatever God desires me to do, to rid my life of the guilt
         of sin (e.g., faith, repentance, and baptism)
      2) Utilize whatever blessing God offers to overcome the problem
         of sin (e.g., remission of sins, gift of the Holy Spirit, the
         promise of eternal life)

3. Do you have that kind of faith which the gospel both gives and
   requires...a loving and obedient faith?

           "If you love Me, keep My commandments."  (Jn 14:15)


               "THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND THE PROBLEM OF SIN"

               The Gospel's Answer To The "Practice" Of Sin
                          (Repentance Toward God)

INTRODUCTION

1. Paul declared that he was not ashamed of the gospel because it was
   God's power to save those who believe - Ro 1:16-17
   a. We have seen in general terms that the gospel saves us from the
      PROBLEM of sin (first lesson)
   b. Our previous lesson dealt more closely with FAITH as the gospel's
      answer to the LOVE of sin
   c. In this lesson, we shall focus on REPENTANCE as the gospel's
      answer to the PRACTICE of sin

2. That the PRACTICE of sin is a serious problem is seen in that...
   a. ALL have sinned - Ro 3:23
   b. And EVEN CHRISTIANS continue to sin at times - 1 Jn 1:8-10

3. The gospel of Jesus Christ answers the problem of the PRACTICE of sin
   by commanding us to "REPENT"
   a. E.g., notice Lk 24:45-47; Ac 2:38; 3:19; 17:30-31; 26:19-20
   b. When a person TRULY repents, they will cease the PRACTICE of sin!

4. Unfortunately, the call to repent is often neglected in preaching the
   gospel today...
   a. By those who preach "faith only"
   b. By some who react to "faith only" by emphasizing "baptism"

5. But as the passages listed above clearly reveal, one cannot truly
   preach the gospel of Christ without the call to repentance
   a. But what is "repentance"?
   b. What are "indications" that repentance has occurred?
   c. What leads one to true repentance?

6. 2 Co 7:9-11 is the most elaborate discussion on "repentance" found
   in the Scriptures, and will serve as the basis for much of our study

      9  Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye
      sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly
      manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10  For
      godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented
      of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 11  For behold
      this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what
      carefulness it wrought in you, yea, [what] clearing of
      yourselves, yea, [what] indignation, yea, [what] fear, yea,
      [what] vehement desire, yea, [what] zeal, yea, [what] revenge! In
      all [things] ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this
      matter. (2 Corinthians 7)

[Based upon this passage, let's begin by...]

I. DEFINING "REPENTANCE"

   A. FIRST, SOME MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT REPENTANCE...
      1. THAT REPENTANCE IS "SORROW"
         a. But 2 Co 7:9-10 shows that repentance is an OUTCOME of
            sorrow
         b. Not the sorrow itself
      2. THAT REPENTANCE IS "A CHANGED LIFE"
         a. Or a converted life
         b. But Ac 3:19 shows that repentance and conversion are two
            separate things
            1) Peter says to "repent" and "be converted"
            2) Peter is not being redundant, the one leads to the other
      3. As we shall see, the order is actually this:
         a. First, there is SORROW
         b. Then, REPENTANCE
         c. And finally, A CHANGED LIFE (CONVERSION)

   B. A PROPER DEFINITION OF REPENTANCE...
      1. The Greek word is metanoeo (meta=change, noeo=thought or mind)
      2. W. E. Vine's definition:
         a. "a change of mind"
         b. "signifies to change one's mind or purpose
         c. "this change of mind involves both a turning from sin and
            a turning to God"
      3. So we can think of repentance as a "A CHANGE OF MIND" in which
         we DECIDE to "turn from sin and turn to God"; a DECISION...
         a. Which is PRECEDED by sorrow
         b. And is FOLLOWED by a changed life

[Having defined repentance, here are some...]

II. INDICATIONS "REPENTANCE" HAS OCCURRED

   A. 2 CO 7:11 MENTIONS SEVERAL...
      1. diligence (KJV, carefulness)
         a. This can be defined as "earnestness, zeal, sometimes with
            haste accompanying it"
         b. I.e., being quick to do what is right!
         c. The examples of conversion in the book of ACTS demonstrate
            this diligence by the fact every conversion described in
            detail shows people obeying the gospel after one lesson!
      2. clearing of yourselves
         a. To clear one's self of blame
         b. E.g., to quickly stop doing what is wrong, if such is the
            case; or to quickly respond to the offer of forgiveness if
            one realizes they are guilty of sin
      3. indignation
         a. This involves a sort of anger, hatred
         b. I.e., toward the SIN which required the repentance
      4. fear
         a. Lest the sin be repeated
         b. Lest the sin should not be quickly removed
      5. vehement desire
         a. I.e., a "fervent wish"
         b. Especially to be right in God's eyes
      6. zeal
         a. "eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something"
         b. In this case, to turn from sin and turn to God
      7. vindication (KJV, revenge)
         a. As the NIV puts it "what readiness to see justice done"
         b. To do the right thing!

   B. SUCH ARE THE "SIGNS" OF TRUE REPENTANCE...
      1. Not apathy
      2. Not half-hearted service
      3. But a desire to do "works befitting repentance" - Ac 26:20

[Now that we may have a better idea as to what repentance is and what 
indications are that it has occurred, let's consider what is involved 
in...]

III. PRODUCING "REPENTANCE"

   A. 2 CO 7:9-10 REVEALS THAT "GODLY SORROW" PRODUCES REPENTANCE...
      1. NOTICE...
         a. Not simply "sorrow", but one that is "godly"
         b. For there is such a thing as "sorrow of the world"
      2. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "GODLY SORROW" AND "WORLDLY SORROW"
         a. "WORLDLY SORROW" is a SELFISH kind of sorrow
            1) E.g., when one is sorry because HE got caught
            2) E.g., when one is sorry because what one did made HIMSELF
               look bad
            3) In "worldly sorrow", one is concerned about one's self!
         b. "GODLY SORROW" is sorrow directed toward GOD ("godly" is
            literally "according to God")
            1) I.e., one is sorry because their actions are sins against
               a Holy God - cf. the attitude of David in Ps 51:4
            2) Also, one is sorry because of the price GOD must pay to
               have our sins removed
         c. Some more differences...
            1) "worldly sorrow" produces regret
            2) "godly sorrow" suffers loss in nothing
            3) "worldly sorrow" produces death
            4) "godly sorrow" produces repentance leading to salvation

   B. DESIRING SUCH REPENTANCE IN OURSELVES AND OTHERS, HOW CAN WE
      HOPEFULLY PRODUCE THE "GODLY SORROW" WHICH WILL LEAD TO IT?
      1. Nathan's rebuke to David provides some insight - 2 Sa 12:7-12
         a. Make an appeal to God's love - 7-8
         b. Reveal the sin - 9
         c. Warn of the consequences - 10-12
      2. The GOSPEL OF CHRIST, when properly taught, is designed to
         produce "godly sorrow" in the same way, and in turn, repentance
         a. It appeals to God's love as a basis for repentance - Ro 2:4
         b. It reveals our sin - Ro 3:23
         c. It warns of the consequences - Ro 2:5-11

CONCLUSION

1. The gospel of Jesus Christ, properly presented and understood, can
   help produce the kind of REPENTANCE that will effectively deal with
   the PRACTICE of sin!

2. HAVE YOU TRULY REPENTED?
   a. Can you look at your life and see indications that you have really
      had a "change of mind"?
   b. That you IN FACT made "a decision to turn from sin and to turn to
      God"?
      1) If you have not yet obeyed the gospel...you have not repented!
      2) If you have become slack in your service to God...you are in
         need of repentance!

3. If such is the case, then you are in need of a healthy dose of "godly
   sorrow", brought about only by realizing...
   a. God's love for you
   b. The fact you are still in your sins
   c. And the consequences if you do not repent

4. If you BELIEVE the good news of God's love for you, and "godly sorrow"
   has prompted you to have a "change of mind", why not do those "works
   befitting repentance"...?
   a. Confess your faith in Christ and be baptized into Christ for the
      remission of your sins (if that is your need)
   b. Confess your sins and ask for the prayers of the brethren (if such
      is your need)


              "THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND THE PROBLEM OF SIN"

                The Gospel's Answer To The "State" Of Sin
                       (Baptism Into Jesus Christ)

INTRODUCTION

1. We have been examining how the gospel addresses the PROBLEM of sin in
   this series of lessons
   a. Our first lesson dealt with this subject IN GENERAL TERMS
   b. Then we looked more closely at:
      1) The command to BELIEVE as the gospel's answer to the LOVE of
         sin
      2) The command to REPENT as the gospel's answer to the PRACTICE of
         sin

2. In this lesson, we shall examine how the command to be BAPTIZED is
   the gospel's answer to the STATE of sin...

3. Beginning with the "Great Commission", an important part of preaching
   the gospel was including the command to be baptized:

   15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the
   gospel to every creature. 16  He that believeth and is baptized
   shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16)

4. As the apostle and others went out preaching Christ, they taught the
   NECESSITY of baptism:

   Peter on the day of Pentecost...

   36  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God
   hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and
   Christ. 37  Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their
   heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men
   [and] brethren, what shall we do? 38  Then Peter said unto them,
   Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
   for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy
   Ghost. (Acts 2)

   Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch...

   35  Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture,
   and preached unto him Jesus. 36  And as they went on [their] way,
   they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, [here is]
   water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37  And Philip said, If
   thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered
   and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38  And he
   commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into
   the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39  And
   when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord
   caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on
   his way rejoicing. (Acts 8)

   Peter and the household of Cornelius...

   And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then
   prayed they him to tarry certain days. (Acts 10:48)

   As Ananias told Paul (and related by Paul himself)...

   And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away
   thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. (Acts 22:16)

[Why this emphasis on baptism?  It helps us to appreciate its importance
when we see how baptism changes the "STATE" of sin...]

I. BEFORE BAPTISM INTO CHRIST, ONE IS "DEAD IN SIN"

   A. CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE:
      1  And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and
      sins; 2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course
      of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air,
      the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3
      Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the
      lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of
      the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as
      others. (Ephesians 2)
      1. Such is the STATE or CONDITION one finds himself in regards
         to sin
      2. They are "DEAD IN SIN", and as a result are "DEAD TO GOD"
      3. As for as having a relationship with GOD, there is none!

   B. BUT NOW READ ON...
      4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he
      loved us, 5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us
      together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6  And hath raised
      [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places]
      in Christ Jesus: 7  That in the ages to come he might shew the
      exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through
      Christ Jesus. 8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and
      that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 9  Not of works,
      lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2)
      1. By the mercy, love and grace of God (and not through any 
         meritorious works of our own)...
      2. Those who were "DEAD IN TRESPASSES" (dead in sin) were MADE
         ALIVE TOGETHER WITH CHRIST!
      3. Those who were dead in sin were RAISED TOGETHER WITH HIM!

[A most important question to answer properly:  "HOW" AND "WHEN" DOES A
PERSON WHO IS "DEAD IN SIN" BECOME "ALIVE WITH CHRIST" AND THEN IS 
"RAISED TOGETHER WITH HIM"???]

II. IN BAPTISM, ONE "DIES TO SIN", AND BECOMES "ALIVE TO GOD"!

   A. PLEASE NOTICE CAREFULLY THE FOLLOWING TEXT:
      1  What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace
      may abound? 2  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin,
      live any longer therein? 3  Know ye not, that so many of us as
      were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4
      Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that
      like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the
      Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5  For
      if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death,
      we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection: 6
      Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the
      body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not
      serve sin. 7  For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8  Now if
      we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with
      him: (Romans 6)

      Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin,
      but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.   (Romans
      6:11)

   B. PLEASE NOTICE THAT PAUL IS "NOT" SAYING...
      1. That baptism is a SYMBOLIC demonstration of the death, burial
         and resurrection of Christ engaged in by those who have ALREADY
         died to sin (as taught by many denominations, though baptism is
         never described in these words in the Bible)
      2. That baptism is to be a PUBLIC profession of one's faith in the
         death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (likewise taught by
         many, despite several examples in the New Testament of baptism
         in private - Ac 8:35-38; Ac 16:30-34)
      3. Nor that one "dies to sin" in REPENTANCE and then is buried with
         Christ in baptism (as many of my own brethren teach)

   C. PAUL IS REMINDING HIS READERS "WHEN" AND "HOW" THEY DIED TO SIN!
      1. It happened when they were baptized into Christ, which was a
         baptism into His death - Ro 6:3-4
      2. It is IN BAPTISM that one is "CRUCIFIED WITH HIM (CHRIST)"
         - Ro 6:6
      3. It is IN BAPTISM that we DIE TO SIN, and then are "FREED FROM
         SIN" (it's guilt, consequence, and power) - Ro 6:7
      4. The following illustration might be helpful:

                  HOW BAPTISM CHANGES THE "STATE" OF SIN
____________________________________________________________________________
BEFORE BAPTISM|               IN BAPTISM                  | AFTER BAPTISM
              |                                           |
We are...     | We are...              We are...          | We are...
DEAD "IN" SIN | BURIED WITH CHRIST     RAISED WITH CHRIST | DEAD "TO" SIN
DEAD "TO" GOD | BY BAPTISM INTO           Co 2:12         | ALIVE "TO" GOD
   Ep 2:1     |   HIS DEATH            TO NEWNESS OF LIFE |    Ro 6:11
              |  Ro 6:3-4                 Ro 6:4-5        |  Ga 3:26-27
              |         \                    /            |
              | ~~~~~~~~~~\~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
              | ~~~~~~~~~~~~\~~~~~~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
              | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\CHRIST'S/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
              | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~DEATH/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
              | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
              | ~~~~~~~~~~ United in a likeness~~~~~~~~~~ |
              | ~~~~~~~~~~ of His death, we are...~~~~~~~ |
              | ~~~~~~~~~~ CRUCIFIED WITH HIM ~~~~~~~~~~~ |
              | ~~~~~~~~~~ Thus, we... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
              | ~~~~~~~~~~ DIE TO SIN  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
              | ~~~~~~~~~~ And we are... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
              | ~~~~~~~~~~ FREED FROM SIN ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
              | ~~~~~~~~~~~~  Ro 6:6-7  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
______________|___________________________________________|________________

      5. Notice that our STATE in regards to SIN has changed (and also
         our state in regard to God, as well!) - Ro 6:11
         a. Before baptism into Christ, we were dead IN sin
         b. But after baptism into Christ, we are dead TO sin, and ALIVE
            TO GOD!

[How can such a simple act of immersion in water bring out about such a
significant change?]

III. THIS CHANGE TAKES PLACE IN BAPTISM THROUGH FAITH IN THE WORKING
   OF GOD!

   A. NOTICE CAREFULLY THESE WORDS...
      11  In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made
      without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the
      flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12  Buried with him in
      baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the
      faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the
      dead. 13  And you, being dead in your sins and the
      uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with
      him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (Colossians 2)

   B. USING THE FIGURE OF "CIRCUMCISION", PAUL STATES "HOW" AND "WHEN"
      OUR SINS WERE "CUT AWAY"
      1. It was WHEN we were buried with Christ in baptism!
      2. Though "dead in trespasses" we were made alive! (remember
         Ep 2:4-9?)
      3. HOW?  We were raised...
         a. Through FAITH (this is man's part, expressed by submitting
            to the command of baptism)
         b. In the WORKING OF GOD (this is God's part, who through His
            grace cleanses us by the blood of Christ and by His Spirit
            causes us to be "born again" - cf. Jn 3:5; Titus 3:5)
         c. Yes, baptism is a "working of God" by which He imparts 
            wonderful blessings to those submit to it, NOT a "work of
            man" by which one tries to earn or merit salvation!)

   C. SO WHEN A PERSON IS BAPTIZED AS A PENITENT BELIEVER (one who
      believes in Christ and has repented of their sins)...
      1. God performs a "spiritual operation" (the "circumcison of
         Christ")!
         a. He who was dead in sins has his sins removed (through the
            blood of Christ shed in His death)
         b. And thus he is made alive!
      2. Coming forth from the watery grave, he is being raised together
         with Christ (Co 2:12), having in baptism "put on" Christ...
         For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put
         on Christ. (Galatians 3:27)
      3. This is how one REALLY receives Jesus Christ into their life;
         not by saying "the sinner's prayer", but by submitting to the
         command of Christ to be baptized into His death for the
         remission of sins!

CONCLUSION

1. No longer DEAD "IN SIN, but DEAD "TO" SIN, God's work on us in
   baptism can truly change the STATE of sin!

2. This explains why in the preaching of the gospel of Christ, the
   command to be baptized naturally follows the commands to believe and
   repent:

   15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the
   gospel to every creature. 16  He that believeth and is baptized
   shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16)

   36  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God
   hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and
   Christ. 37  Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their
   heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men
   [and] brethren, what shall we do? 38  Then Peter said unto them,
   Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
   for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy
   Ghost. (Acts 2)

3. Are YOU really "DEAD TO SIN" and "ALIVE TO GOD"?
   a. Only if you have been scripturally baptized (immersed in water
      by the authority of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins
      - Mt 28:18-19; Ac 2:38) can you be CERTAIN that through the
      "working of God" your sins are forgiven and you have been raised
      together with Christ!
   b. For a more detailed study on the subject of baptism, please see
      another "Executable Outlines" program entitled "BAPTISM" - A
      Special Study


              "THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND THE PROBLEM OF SIN"

                The Gospel's Answer To The "Guilt" Of Sin
                         (The Remission Of Sins)

INTRODUCTION

1. We have been examining how the gospel saves us from the PROBLEM of
   sin in this series of lessons

2. Our last three lessons dealt with COMMANDS found in the gospel which,
   when obeyed, effectively answer some of the specific problems of sin
   a. The command to BELIEVE, when obeyed, solves the problem of the
      LOVE of sin
   b. The command to REPENT, when obeyed, solves the problem of the
      PRACTICE of sin
   c. The command to BE BAPTIZED, when obeyed, solves the problem of
      the STATE of sin

3. In this lesson and the two to follow, we shall concentrate our
   attention on the PROMISES of the gospel...
   a. Again, bear in mind that the gospel of Jesus Christ contains:
      1) FACTS (or good news) to be believed
      2) COMMANDS to be obeyed
      3) PROMISES to be received
   b. We have seen how keeping the COMMANDS of the gospel deals with the
      problem of sin
   c. Now we want to be sure to appreciate how the PROMISES we receive
      upon obeying the gospel are also effective in dealing with sin...

[In the first lesson, in this series, we touched briefly upon the "GUILT"
of sin.  Let us first elaborate on this point...]

I. THE "GUILT" OF SIN

   A. THE BIBLE DECLARES THAT ALL ARE "GUILTY" BEFORE GOD IN REGARDS
      TO SIN
      1. This was Paul's first major point in writing the epistle to
         the Romans:
         9  What then? are we better [than they]? No, in no wise: for
         we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are
         all under sin; 10  As it is written, There is none righteous,
         no, not one: 11  There is none that understandeth, there is
         none that seeketh after God. (Romans 3)
      2. Even if a person breaks only one commandment!  As James says:
         10  For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in
         one [point], he is guilty of all. 11  For he that said, Do not
         commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no
         adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of
         the law. (James 2)

   B. THIS "GUILT" REFERS PRIMARILY TO "LEGAL" GUILT
      1. In the sense of having violated the LAW of God
         a. In this way, EVERYONE has sinned: For all have sinned, and
            come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)
         b. This makes them "transgressors" of the law; as the apostle
            John wrote:  Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also
            the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. (1 Jn 3:4)
         c. Other synonyms are used in the Bible to describe those who
            have violated God's law:
            1) "lawless"
            2) "disobedient"
            3) "workers of iniquity"
            4) "ungodly"
      2. This "legal guilt" is real, whether or not a person...
         a. Is aware of their actual "guilt" (IGNORANCE does not excuse
            one of guilt before God)
         b. Feels any sense of "emotional guilt" (more on this shortly)
         -- They are still held accountable before God as "guilty" of
            sin:  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of
            Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in
            [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be]
            good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

   C. FOR THOSE WHO KNOW GOD'S LAW, AND HAVE A SENSITIVE CONSCIENCE,
      THERE IS ALSO THE "EMOTIONAL GUILT"
      1. But this really only a SIDE EFFECT of the "legal" guilt of sin
         a. Though it does include some terrible consequences:  ANXIETY,
            DEPRESSION, FEAR, DOUBT
         b. As it is written:   [There is] no peace, saith the LORD,
            unto the wicked. (Isaiah 48:22)
      2. There may be some who don't experience the emotional consequence
         of "legal" guilt...
         a. If so, it is because they have "rejected" their conscience
            to the point of it being "seared"
         b. Even as Paul spoke of several in this condition:
            1) 19  Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some
               having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
               20  Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have
               delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to
               blaspheme. (1 Timothy 1)
            2) 1  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter
               times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to
               seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2  Speaking
               lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with
               a hot iron; (1 Timothy 4)
         c. But such people are guilty of "legal guilt", nonetheless!

[But the gospel of Christ declares that when we obey the COMMANDS of the
gospel, then one of the PROMISES we receive is the REMISSION OF SINS,
which can effectively deal with the GUILT of sin...]

II. THE "REMISSION" OF SINS

   A. CONSIDER THE PROMINENT PLACE "REMISSION OF SINS" HAS IN THE GOSPEL
      1. The blood of Jesus was to be shed for the remission of our
         sins - Mt 26:28
      2. Remission of sins was to preached in the name of Jesus to all
         nations - Lk 24:45-47
      3. Peter told people they could receive remission of sins in the
         name of Jesus...
         a. By BELIEVING in Jesus:  42  And he commanded us to preach
            unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was
            ordained of God [to be] the Judge of quick and dead. 43  To
            him give all the prophets witness, that through his name
            whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
            (Acts 10)
         b. By REPENTING and BEING BAPTIZED in His name:  Then Peter
            said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in
            the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye
            shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)

   B. WHAT DOES THIS "REMISSION OF SINS" INVOLVE?
      1. The word remission means "to remit", and involves a dismissal,
         release
      2. A key synonym often used in some translations is the word
         "forgiveness"
      3. Other terms and metaphors found in the Bible to describe the
         "remission" of sins:
         a. "taken away" - Jn 1:29; Ro 11:27
         b. "blotted out" - Ac 3:19
         c. "washed away" - Ac 22:16
         d. "covered" - Ro 4:7
         e. "not imputed" - Ro 4:8
         f. "set free" - Ro 6:17-18
         g. "purged" - He 1:3; 2 Pe 1:9
         h. "remembered no more" - He 8:12
      4. All of these signifying the REMOVAL of the GUILT of sin from
         the sinner!
         a. A legal term used to describe a sinner whose sins have been
            so forgiven is the word "JUSTIFIED",
         b. Which means "NOT GUILTY" - cf. 1 Co 6:11

   C. "REMISSION OF SINS" INCLUDES NOT JUST REMOVAL OF "LEGAL GUILT",
      BUT "EMOTIONAL GUILT" ALSO!
      1. We can now have a PERFECT conscience
         a. Something the OLD LAW could not do! - cf. He 9:8-10; 10:1-4
         b. But by the BLOOD OF CHRIST, it is possible to have this
            "perfect" conscience - cf. He 9:14; 10:22
      2. A PERFECT conscience in the sense that we have real reasons to
         not feel guilty for our sins:  they are TOTALLY forgiven by the
         blood of Christ!
         a. Therefore, there is no need to have FEAR, DOUBT, ANXIETY, or
            DEPRESSION over our spiritual condition
         b. Instead, we have PEACE and JOY through the justification 
            that comes by grace:  1  Therefore being justified by faith,
            we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2  By
            whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we
            stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5)

CONCLUSION

1. This is the PROMISE given to those who obey the GOSPEL that 
   effectively deals with the problem of the GUILT of sin!
   a. Your sins are remitted!
   b. You are released from the guilt of your sins!
      1) Both your LEGAL GUILT for breaking God's law...
      2) And your EMOTIONAL GUILT brought on by a sensitive conscience

2. Again, how does one receive this PROMISE of "remission of sins"?
   a. By obeying the COMMANDS of the gospel...
      1) Believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, who died for
         your sins!
      2) Repent of your sins, deciding in your mind to turn from sin
         and turn to God
      3) Be baptized into Jesus Christ, by the simple act of immersion
         in water in which by God's grace you are raised to walk in
         newness of life!
   b. Please note how the last command (baptism) in particular answers
      the problem of guilt...
      1) First, the LEGAL guilt:
         
         Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one
         of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,
         and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)

         And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash
         away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. (Acts 22:16)

      2) But also EMOTIONAL guilt:

         The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us
         (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the
         answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection
         of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 3:21)
         (The "answer of a good conscience", or as the NASV puts it, "an
         appeal to God for a good conscience")

3. Have you accepted the gospel's PROMISE to deal with the GUILT of your
   sins, by submitting to the COMMANDS of the gospel...?


              "THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND THE PROBLEM OF SIN"

                The Gospel's Answer To The "Power" Of Sin
                      (The Gift Of The Holy Spirit)

INTRODUCTION

1. We are continuing to examine how the gospel saves us from the PROBLEM
   of sin in this series of lessons...

2. We have seen how the COMMANDS found in the gospel effectively deal
   with specific aspects of sin:
   a. The command to BELIEVE when it is obeyed solves the problem of the
      LOVE of sin
   b. The command to REPENT when it is obeyed solves the problem of the
      PRACTICE of sin
   c. The command to BE BAPTIZED when it is obeyed solves the problem of
      the STATE of sin

3. And we have also begun to notice that the PROMISES found in the gospel
   relate to different aspects of sin's problem; e.g., the promise of the
   REMISSION OF SINS takes care of the GUILT of sin

4. In this lesson, we shall examine another PROMISE given to those who
   obey the gospel of Christ:  THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

[Before we can really appreciate the part the Holy Spirit plays in the
life of the Christian, we need to understand...]

I. THE POWER OF SIN

   A. SIN'S POWER IS VIVIDLY DESCRIBED IN ROMANS 7
      14  For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal,
      sold under sin. 15  For that which I do I allow not: for what I
      would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16  If then I
      do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that [it is]
      good. 17  Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that
      dwelleth in me. 18  For I know that in me (that is, in my
      flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me;
      but [how] to perform that which is good I find not. 19  For the
      good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not,
      that I do. 20  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I
      that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21  I find then a law,
      that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22  For I
      delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23  But I see
      another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind,
      and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my
      members. 24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me
      from the body of this death? 25  I thank God through Jesus
      Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law
      of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (Romans 7)
      1. Paul describes the condition of one under the power of sin
         a. I understand Paul to be describing the dilemma of one
            outside of Christ; though he speaks in the first person, from
            the context I believe he is demonstrating how the Law of
            Moses was inadequate to deal with the sin problem (cf. Ro
            7:7-14 and Ro 8:1-4)
         b. Others feel that he is describing the inner warfare that
            goes on inside of everyone, including Christians (which is
            certainly taught in Ga 5:16-17)
         c. But the reason I take the view that I do is seen as we
            continue on...
      2. Notice that the person in this text is described as:
         a. "sold under sin" (14)
         b. having "sin that dwelleth in me" (17,20)
         c. in "captivity to the law of sin which is in my members" (23)
         d. "wretched man that I am" (24)
         e. in a "body of death" (24)
         -- (is this the condition of one in Christ?  Not in light of
            what Paul goes on to say in chapter eight...)
      3. This is the power of sin and the condition of all who do not
         have the help of God!

   B. INDEED, SIN AFFECTS EVERYONE!
      1. "ALL" have sinned - Ro 3:23
      2. Even Christians must confess they often sin - 1 Jn 1:8,10
      3. For it continues to play a strong role in our lives...
         a. It prompts the flesh to wage war against the soul - 1 Pe
            2:11
         b. It tries to take advantage of our desires, and if it does,
            can lead to spiritual death - Ja 1:13-15

[But the gospel of Christ offers to all who obey its commands a
wonderful promise to deal with the power of sin in our lives...]

II. THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

   A. THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS PROMISED TO THOSE WHO:
      1. Believe in Jesus - Jn 7:38-39
      2. Repent and are baptized - Ac 2:38-39
      3. Obey God - Ac 5:32

   B. THOSE WHO HAVE SO OBEYED GOD AND RECEIVED THIS PROMISE ARE SAID
      TO:
      1. Be the "temple of God" (collectively, as the church) - 1 Co
         3:16-17
      2. Be the "temple of the Holy Spirit" (individually, in our
         physical bodies - 1 Co 6:19
      3. Have the "Spirit of God (who) dwells in you" - Ro 8:9-11

   C. WITH THE HELP OF GOD'S SPIRIT DWELLING IN CHRISTIANS, THEY NO
      LONGER NEED TO BE DOMINATED BY THE "POWER" OF SIN!
      1. As Paul wrote:  "12  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not
         to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13  For if ye live after
         the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do
         mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." (Romans 8)
         a. Christians are to "put to death the deeds of the body" - cf.
            Co 3:5-11
         b. The Holy Spirit through His indwelling helps us to do this!
            1) "The Holy Spirit by its indwelling strengthens the human
               spirit to enable it to control the flesh." (DAVID
               LIPSCOMB)
            2) "The Christian's being successfully under the control of
               his own spirit is conditional, the condition being that
               the Holy Spirit shall dwell in him and help him."
               (MOSES LARD)
            3) "To them (i.e., Christians) the Spirit is given as a
               helper of their weakness...and by its aid they overcome
               the flesh." (B.W. JOHNSON)
            4) "Internally, the Spirit aids by ministering strength and
               comfort to the disciple in his effort to conform to the
               revealed truth and will of God." (J.W. MCGARVEY)
      2. Compare this with the condition we saw described in Romans 7...
         a. In chapter 7, the man was described as in "captivity" to
            the law of sin which is in his members - Ro 7:23
         b. But according to chapter 8...
            1) In Christ, one is "set free" from this law of sin and
               death - Ro 8:2
            2) By the help of the Spirit, one is no longer a "debtor"
               - Ro 8:12-13

   D. SO THE CHRISTIAN HAS REAL "POWER" TO DEAL WITH THE POWER OF SIN!
      1. Paul wanted the Ephesians to appreciate this "power" - Ep
         1:19-20
         a. Notice:  it is according to the same power that raised Jesus
            from the dead
         b. By what power was Jesus' resurrection accomplished?
            1) "And declared [to be] the Son of God with power,
               according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection
               from the dead:" (Romans 1:4)
            2) "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the
               dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead
               shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that
               dwelleth in you." (Romans 8:11)
            -- I.e., by the power of the Spirit of God!
      2. Paul prayed that the Ephesians would be strengthened inwardly
         through this "power" or "might" (i.e., the Spirit of God) -
         Ep 3:16
      3. How great is this "might" or "power"?  Note carefully Ep 3:20
         where it is stated that God is:
         a. "able to do"
         b. "exceedingly"
         c. "abundantly"
         d. "above all that we ask or think"
         -- "according to the power that works in us"!
      4. This should make us appreciate more the statement of Paul later
         in his letter to the Ephesians:  Finally, my brethren, be
         strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." (Ep 6:10)

[The source of that strength and mighty power the Lord provides is the
indwelling Spirit in the lives of Christians!  Consider, therefore...]

III. THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS GIFT

   A. FOR THE CHRISTIAN...
      1. This wonderful promise should serve as a MOTIVATION not to sin
         a. For you are a "TEMPLE" of the Holy Spirit - 1 Co 6:18-20
         b. When you sin, you deeply offend the Spirit! - Ep 4:30;
            He 10:26-29
      2. This wonderful promise should ENCOURAGE YOU IN YOUR FIGHT
         against sin
         a. You are not alone in your efforts! - Ph 2:12-13
         b. You have whatever power you need to overcome the sins you
            face! - 1 Jn 4:4; 1 Co 10:13
            1) This does mean that we can become "sinless" - 1 Jn 1:8
            2) For we do not have perfect knoweldge of God's will, and
               can therefore be guilty of "sins of ignorance"
            3) But it does mean we can overcome those sins of which we
               are aware!

   B. FOR THE NON-CHRISTIAN...
      1. Don't put off obeying the gospel until you have "reformed
         yourself"
         a. Many people mistakenly think that they cannot become a
            Christian until they overcome all their bad "habits"
         b. Yet Romans 7 demonstrates the futility of trying to do
            this without Christ!
      2. God will take you "as you are"...
         a. Provided you will:
            1) Believe (trust) in His Son Jesus (that he died for your
               sins - 1 Co 15:1-3)
            2) Repent of your sins (i.e., have a change of mind in which
               you decide to turn from your sins and start living for
               God - Ac 17:30-31)
            3) Be baptized into Christ for the remission of your sins
               (an immersion in water as commanded by Christ and His
               apostles - Mt 28:19-20; Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:38; 10:48)
         b. Then God by His grace will:
            1) Forgive you of your sins
            2) Give you the gift of the Holy Spirit Who through His
               indwelling will help you to "reform" as you heed the
               Word of God!

CONCLUSION

1. Don't you desire these wonderful "PROMISES"?

2. By the grace of God, when you OBEY the gospel you receive...
   a. Not only the "remission of sins" TO DEAL WITH YOUR PAST
   b. But the "gift of the Holy Spirit" TO HELP WITH YOUR FUTURE!

3. To those who would accept these gracious provisions of God, I can
   only tell you the same thing the apostle Peter said to those people
   of his day:

   38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of
   you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye
   shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39  For the promise is
   unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even]
   as many as the Lord our God shall call. (Acts 2)

           
              "THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND THE PROBLEM OF SIN"

                The Gospel's Answer To The "Result" Of Sin
                        (The Gift Of Eternal Life)

INTRODUCTION

1. The purpose in this series of lessons has been to help us understand
   and appreciate how the gospel of Christ is indeed God's power to
   save us - Ro 1:16-17

2. We have examined various aspects of the PROBLEM OF SIN, and then how
   the GOSPEL OF CHRIST with its COMMANDS and PROMISES effectively
   addresses the problem of sin.  To summarize thus far:
   a. When the command to BELIEVE is obeyed, the LOVE of sin is addressed
   b. When the command to REPENT is obeyed, the PRACTICE of sin is dealt
      with
   c. When the command to BE BAPTIZED is submitted to, the STATE of sin
      is changed
   d. When we have obeyed these commands, we receive wonderful 
      PROMISES...
      1) REMISSION OF SINS, which removes the GUILT of sin
      2) The GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, which enables us to deal with the
         POWER of sin

3. In this final lesson, we shall examine another PROMISE which deals
   with the RESULT of sin:  the promise of ETERNAL LIFE - Ro 6:23

[In the first lesson, we touched briefly on the RESULT of sin; we shall 
now examine it more carefully...]

I. THE "RESULT" OF SIN

   A. ONE RESULT OF SIN IS "SPIRITUAL" DEATH
      1. This is likely the death referred to by God when He warned
         Adam & Eve - Gen 2:15-17
         a. Note:  "...for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou
            shalt surely die."
         b. They did not die "physically" in the day they ate of the
            forbidden fruit, but they did die "spiritually" in that day
      2. "Spiritual" death is "separation from God"
         a. Death of any sort involves the idea of "separation"
         b. Just as physical death is the separation of body and spirit
            - Ja 2:26
      3. "Spiritual" death is what occurs when all sin - Ro 5:12
         a. It occurs when we reach that "age of accountability" where
            we know the difference between right and wrong, and then
            violate God's law - cf. Ro 7:9
         b. This is the "death" referred to in Ep 2:1-3
            1) All who are outside of Christ are "dead in sin"
            2) Those who are "dead in sin" are separated from God and all
               the blessings that would otherwise come from union with
               Him - cf. Is 59:1-2

   B. ANOTHER RESULT OF SIN IS "PHYSICAL" DEATH
      1. Because of their sin, Adam and Even lost access to the "tree of
         life" - Gen 3:22-24
      2. Because access to the "tree of life" was lost, all mankind is
         subject to "physical" death - "in Adam all die" (1 Co 15:22a)

   C. THE FINAL RESULT OF SIN IS THE "SECOND" DEATH
      1. This death is referred to in Re 21:8
      2. This "death" involves ETERNAL separation from God!
      3. This "death" Jesus often spoke of and warned about - Mt 10:28;
         25:41-46

[Truly, in more than sense, "the wages of sin is death" (Ro 6:23); but
the same can be said about "the gift of eternal life"!

No matter what the RESULT of sin, the PROMISE and GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE
more than makes up for it!]

II. THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE

   A. IN ANSWER TO SIN RESULTING IN "SPIRITUAL" DEATH, THE GOPEL
      PROVIDES IN ONE SENSE "ETERNAL LIFE" EVEN NOW!
      1. John speaks of this "life" in 1 Jn 5:11-13
      2. This is "eternal life" in the sense of knowing God and Jesus in
         a special way, having fellowship with them - cf. Jn 17:3;
         1 Jn 5:20
      3. With this type of "eternal life"...
         a. One is no longer "dead in sin"
         b. One is no longer "separated from God"
         c. The emphasis in this use of the expression (eternal life) is
            the QUALITY of life, not quantity - cf. Jn 10:10
      4. "Eternal life" in this sense begins when we rise from the
         watery grave of baptism in "newness of life"...
         a. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that
            like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of
            the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
            (Romans 6:4)
         b. This is because in baptism...
            1) Our sins are forgiven, washed away by the blood of Christ
               - cf. Ac 2:38; 22:16
            2) We enter into a new relationship with God as our Father,
               having put on the Lord Jesus Christ - Ga 3:26-27
      5. In this way, we who were once dead "spiritually", are now "made
         alive" in Christ! - cf. Ep 2:1, 4-9

   B. IN ANSWER TO SIN RESULTING IN "PHYSICAL" DEATH, THE GOSPEL
      PROMISES THE "HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION"
      1. Jesus spoke of this "hope" in Jn 5:28-29
      2. Paul wrote of this wonderful "hope" in 1 Co 15:20-23, 50-58
      3. This hope of the resurrection we have is based upon our
         conviction that Jesus Himself was raised from the dead 
         - 1 Pe 1:3
      4. With such hope, "physical" death has lost much of its sting
         - 1 Th 4:13-18

   C. FINALLY, IN ANSWER TO SIN RESULTING IN THE "SECOND" DEATH, THE
      GOSPEL PROMISES, IN YET ANOTHER SENSE, THE "HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE"
      1. In this sense, "eternal life" is still a future promise...
         a. Jesus spoke of "eternal life" in this sense, in Mt 25:46;
            Mk 10:29-30
         b. Paul also spoke of "eternal life" as a future hope, and not
            a present possession, in 2 Ti 1:1; Ti 1:2
      2. This "eternal life", which is yet to be realized by those who
         are in Christ...
         a. Comes AFTER one has:
            1) Been set free from sin (which occurs in baptism - Ro
               6:3-7)
            2) Become a slave to God (which occurs when we present our
               selves as servants of righteousness - Ro 6:17-19)
            3) Produced the fruit of holiness - Ro 6:22
            -- Please notice carefully what Pauls says: But now being
               made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have
               your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
               (Romans 6:22)  Did you notice?  Everlasting life comes
               at "the end" of a life that has borne fruit unto holiness!
               It is a gift, yes (Ro 6:23), but in the text Paul is
               speaking about a gift that one receives as "the end" of
               the Christian's faithful life!
         b. Comes AFTER the resurrection and judgment - Mt 25:31-34, 46
         c. Comes to those who patiently DO the will of God! - Ro 2:4-7
         d. Offers honor, peace and glory to those who receive it - Ro
            2:8-11
         e. Is beautifully described by the apostle John in Re 21:1-7;
            22:1-5

CONCLUSION

1. This is how the gospel addresses the "RESULT" of sin:
   a. In every sense that that sin results in death...
      1) "spiritual death" (where our sins separate us from God)
      2) "physical death"
      3) "second death" (eternal separation from God)
   b. ...the gospel of Christ offers the PROMISE of life!
      1) "eternal life" (in the sense of knowing the Lord, which begins
          at one's conversion)
      2) "the resurrection from the dead" (which occurs at the coming
         of Christ
      3) "eternal life" (in the sense of eternity with God and Christ,
         which begins after the Judgment)

2. I hope that we better understnd the wonderful grace of Christ; and
   why Paul calls it "the gospel of the grace of God" (Ac 20:24)...
   a. Even the COMMANDS to be obeyed involve God's grace:
      1) We must BELIEVE IN CHRIST, if we are to stop the LOVE of sin;
         yet BY GRACE God's Word produces such faith! - Ro 10:17
      2) We must REPENT, if we are to end the PRACTICE of sin; yet it is
         God's goodness (i.e., BY GRACE) which leads us to repentance
         - Ro 2:4
      3) We must BE BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST, if we are to change the STATE
         of sin; yet, even in this, it is BY GRACE (for God is the one
         who is at work in cleansing our sins and regenerating us anew)
         - Co 2:12
   b. HOW MUCH MORE are the PROMISES of the gospel indicative of God's
      marvelous grace!
      1) The REMISSION OF SINS removes the GUILT of sin
      2) The GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT helps us to overcome the POWER of
         sin
      3) ETERNAL LIFE is God's gracious gift in response to the RESULT
         of sin

Have you accepted the grace of God by obeying the gospel of Christ?  If
not, may the words of Paul encourage you do so TODAY...

1  We then, [as] workers together [with him], beseech [you] also that
ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2  (For he saith, I have heard
thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured
thee: behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of
salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6)

If I can be of any assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me at 
any one of addresses given in the section "About This Program".  May God
be with you.

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