Confronting Sin: Hope and Redemption in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: The Reality of Evil Challenges Relativism

The events of September 11th served as a stark reminder of the presence of evil in the world, challenging the relativistic view that good and evil are merely cultural constructs. This realization forces us to confront the question of how evil entered humanity and what can be done about it. The undeniable reality of evil compels us to seek answers beyond cultural explanations, prompting a deeper exploration of the origins and nature of sin. As we reflect on this, we are reminded of the need for a moral framework that acknowledges the existence of evil and seeks to address it through divine intervention. [02:30]

Jeremiah 17:9-10 (ESV): "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.'"

Reflection: Consider a situation where you have witnessed or experienced evil. How did it challenge your understanding of good and evil, and how can you seek God's guidance in addressing it today?

Day 2: Humanity's Dual Nature

Genesis reveals the dual nature of humanity: we are made in the image of God, yet born in the likeness of Adam. This duality gives us dignity and worth but also a sinful nature, highlighting the need for self-awareness and understanding of our true condition. Recognizing this dual nature is crucial for understanding ourselves and the world around us. It calls us to embrace the dignity bestowed upon us by God while acknowledging the sinful tendencies we inherit. This understanding prompts us to seek transformation and renewal through God's grace. [10:36]

Romans 7:18-19 (ESV): "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent struggle between your desires and actions. How can acknowledging your dual nature help you seek God's strength to overcome it?

Day 3: Sin as a Living Power

Sin is not merely a list of wrongdoings; it is a living power, a vicious enemy that desires to destroy us. It is present within us by nature and actively at work, requiring vigilance and intervention to prevent its destructive influence. Like mold that spreads and destroys if not addressed, sin can permeate our lives and relationships if left unchecked. This understanding calls us to be vigilant in recognizing sin's presence and to seek God's intervention to combat its influence. [24:46]

James 1:14-15 (ESV): "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where sin has taken root. What steps can you take today to seek God's help in addressing it?

Day 4: The Need for Divine Intervention

The presence of sin necessitates an intervention from God. As sin's destructive power became evident, people began to call on the name of the Lord, seeking divine help. Our ultimate hope lies in the redemption offered through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This divine intervention is not just about restraining sin but about transforming our hearts and lives through the power of Christ's redemption. It invites us to rely on God's grace and mercy as we navigate a world marred by sin. [32:59]

Titus 3:4-6 (ESV): "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively seek God's intervention in your life today, trusting in His mercy and redemption?

Day 5: Living Prepared for the Next World

In a world that is not safe, we must learn to live in a way that prepares us for the next. Our hope is in Christ, who offers mercy and deliverance from sin. As we acknowledge the presence and power of sin, we also embrace the Redeemer, trusting in His grace and salvation. This perspective encourages us to live with an eternal mindset, focusing on the hope and promise of a future with Christ. It challenges us to align our lives with His purposes, living in a way that reflects His love and grace to the world. [42:28]

2 Peter 3:11-13 (ESV): "Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."

Reflection: How can you live today with an eternal perspective, focusing on the hope and promise of a future with Christ? What changes can you make to align your life with His purposes?

Sermon Summary

On this significant weekend, as we mark the 10th anniversary of September 11th, we reflect on the profound impact of that day. It was a day that shook not only the physical foundations of the Twin Towers but also the philosophical foundations of relativism and postmodernism. Many who once believed that evil was merely a cultural construct were confronted with its undeniable reality. This series, "The Inside Story," delves into the origins and development of sin, as depicted in the Book of Genesis.

Genesis tells us about the first family, Adam and Eve, and their sons, Cain and Abel. Cain's murder of Abel was an early sign of the devastation sin would bring to humanity. As sin grew, it became pervasive, as seen in Genesis 6:5, where every inclination of human hearts was only evil all the time. This narrative raises questions about the nature of humanity and the presence of evil within us.

We are made in the image of God, which gives us dignity and worth, but we are also born in the likeness of Adam, inheriting a sinful nature. This duality is crucial for understanding ourselves and the world. Sin is not just a list of wrongdoings; it is a living power, a vicious enemy that desires to destroy us. It is present within us by nature and is actively at work, much like mold that spreads and destroys if not addressed.

The presence of sin necessitates an intervention from God. As sin's destructive power became evident, people began to call on the name of the Lord, seeking divine help. God, in His mercy, restrains sin through law, conscience, common grace, and judgment. However, our ultimate hope lies not in these restraints but in the redemption offered through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

In a world that is not safe, we must learn to live in a way that prepares us for the next. Our hope is in Christ, who offers mercy and deliverance from sin. As we acknowledge the presence and power of sin, we also embrace the Redeemer, trusting in His grace and salvation.

Key Takeaways

1. The events of September 11th challenged the relativistic view of good and evil, revealing the undeniable presence of evil in the world. This realization prompts us to question how evil entered humanity and what can be done about it. [02:30]
2. Genesis reveals the dual nature of humanity: made in the image of God, yet born in the likeness of Adam. This duality gives us dignity and worth but also a sinful nature, highlighting the need for self-awareness and understanding of our true condition. [10:36]
3. Sin is not merely a list of wrongdoings; it is a living power, a vicious enemy that desires to destroy us. It is present within us by nature and actively at work, requiring vigilance and intervention to prevent its destructive influence. [24:46]
4. The presence of sin necessitates an intervention from God. As sin's destructive power became evident, people began to call on the name of the Lord, seeking divine help. Our ultimate hope lies in the redemption offered through Jesus Christ. [32:59]
5. In a world that is not safe, we must learn to live in a way that prepares us for the next. Our hope is in Christ, who offers mercy and deliverance from sin. As we acknowledge the presence and power of sin, we also embrace the Redeemer, trusting in His grace and salvation. [42:28]
** [42:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:17] - Reflecting on September 11th
[00:36] - The Reality of Evil
[01:23] - Shaking the Foundations of Relativism
[02:45] - The Inside Story of Human Life
[03:16] - The First Family and Fratricide
[04:23] - The Growth of Sin
[06:32] - The Double Image: God's Image and Adam's Likeness
[10:15] - The Enigma of the Double Image
[12:12] - The Importance of Understanding Sin
[14:05] - Sin in Us by Nature
[24:33] - Sin as a Vicious Enemy
[32:28] - The Need for Divine Intervention
[34:18] - God's Restraint of Sin
[39:10] - The Hope of Redemption in Christ
[42:28] - Living Prepared for the Next World

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What significant event does the sermon use to illustrate the undeniable presence of evil in the world? [00:17]
How does Genesis 6:5 describe the state of humanity's heart during the time of Noah? [04:23]
What is the significance of the "double image" mentioned in Genesis 1:26 and Genesis 5:3? [10:15]
According to the sermon, what was the first recorded instance of prayer in the Bible, and what prompted it? [32:46]

Interpretation Questions

How does the sermon suggest the events of September 11th challenge the relativistic view of good and evil? [01:23]
In what ways does the "double image" of being made in God's image yet born in Adam's likeness affect our understanding of human nature? [10:36]
How does the sermon describe sin as a "vicious enemy," and what implications does this have for our daily lives? [24:46]
What role does divine intervention play in addressing the presence and power of sin, according to the sermon? [32:59]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you witnessed or experienced an event that challenged your understanding of good and evil. How did it affect your beliefs or actions? [01:23]
How can acknowledging the "double image" within us help us in our personal growth and relationships with others? [10:36]
In what ways can you actively combat the "vicious enemy" of sin in your life? Are there specific areas where you feel sin is "crouching at your door"? [24:46]
How can you incorporate calling on the name of the Lord into your daily routine, especially when facing challenges or recognizing sin's influence? [32:59]
What practical steps can you take to prepare yourself and your family for living in a world that is not safe, as suggested by the sermon? [42:28]
How does the hope of redemption through Jesus Christ influence your perspective on the presence of sin in the world and in your life? [39:10]
Identify one area in your life where you need God's intervention. How can you seek His help and guidance in that area this week? [33:59]

Sermon Clips

"Genesis tells us the story not only of sin's origin but also of its development. After Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden Paradise of God, sin grew in the world. If you open at Genesis in chapter 4, you will find you can read it later that the story that is recorded there is the sad story of how the first family fractured through fratricide." [00:02:49]

"Genesis 6 and verse 5, the Lord saw how great men's wickedness on Earth had become. So this is about development, the growth, the progress of sin and how every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only Evil all the time. Is that not an extraordinary statement? Every inclination of the thoughts of his heart only Evil all the time." [00:04:34]

"Adam is created in the image of God, but Adam's son Seth bears the image of his father, who is a sinner. God made Adam upright, but men have gone in search of many schemes. That is what we learned last time. Adam became a sinner, and the son of Adam is born in the father's likeness." [00:08:56]

"You are made in the image of God, and that gives your life today meaning, significance, value, dignity, and worth. That's why it's worth living because you are made in the image of God. But you are also born in the likeness of Adam, which means that you are a sinner by Nature. We are all born that way." [00:10:48]

"Sin is crouching at your door. What a picture. The image here is as if sin was a predator, like a wild animal, a lion, and it's crouching at the door. And God says it desires to have you, to destroy you, to take you, but you must master it. So I want you to see not only is sin present within every one of us by birth, by nature, but sin is an active and a destructive power." [00:24:46]

"Sin is not like crayon; sin is like mold. The crayon is static; the mold is on the move. Sin is crouching at your door; it's a living thing, and it desires to have you. It needs to be cut out, or it's going to destroy your house. So please understand this: sin is much more than a list of things that you may have done wrong." [00:28:46]

"When you really see that this vicious power is present within you, when you really see what it means to be born in the likeness of Adam as well as made in the image of God, you will begin to see that every person needs the intervention of God. That is our need in every human life." [00:32:59]

"At that time, men began to call on the name of the Lord. By the way, that's the first mention of prayer, the first reference to prayer in the entire Bible. This is the first time we read that men began to call on the name of the Lord. That's what prayer is, and it happened at that time." [00:33:59]

"God restrains sin through the law. Thank God for law in our country. Thank God for law in the Bible. Law is a gift from God. If you see a policeman this weekend, thank him. Tell him that he is a gift of God or tell her that she is a gift of God in a fallen world. Without the law, our streets would not be safe, and it is a gift of God that restrains sin in our world." [00:35:09]

"Sin is like a massive weed, a massive weed that would take over and destroy the whole world except that God keeps cutting it back. He doesn't cut it out, but he cuts it back. That is what happened in the flood, and it has happened in other less dramatic ways throughout history." [00:37:12]

"Our hope lies in God redeeming sinners in the day when God will take the wheat up by the root and cast the whole thing into the fire, and sin shall be no more. Then there will be, the Bible says, a new Heaven and there will be a new Earth, and that will be the home of righteousness." [00:39:25]

"Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Our hope is in him. Our hope is in him. That is true for every person, every culture, every nation, every generation, only in him." [00:40:33]

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