Fall - God Judges.

Steve Gentry

[0:00] Welcome to the village you are here smack dab in the middle on week four of a series called doctrine [0:06] What Christians should believe and what we’re really discussing through this series is [0:11] More or less what we believe as a church and over the past few weeks [0:16] We started with talking about God and who he is in his Trinitarian nature and that that the scripture [0:23] Proclaims this God who is three yet also one God and then last excuse me [0:29] We after that we talked about the scriptures that this is the word of God that this is authoritative. This is an errant

[0:34] This is what we follow as our authority as a church [0:39] and then last week we talked about the creation of God and the fact that he created man in his image and that what he [0:47] created was good and that he created us to worship him and [0:53] This week what we’re going to be discussing is [0:56] What is called theologically and sometimes referred to that with scholars, but it’s called the fall and [1:04] We’re entering into that season

[1:05] But what the fall is is really the reality of sin in the world that we live in as we kind of discussed [1:13] the creation [1:14] Last week what I hope you saw was the beauty of God and the reflection of him in his creation [1:21] What we saw was something that was absolutely good absolutely beautiful [1:25] And then what we saw in man is people that actually follow him people that live to worship him people that follow him [1:33] Obediently, but I’ll tell you if you look at the world as we live in it

[1:38] It is obvious that [1:41] Things are not as they were things are not as they were described in the first two chapters of the book of Genesis [1:48] We read in Genesis chapter 2 [1:51] Starting in verse 16 and you don’t have to turn there [1:54] It’ll be up on the screen [1:55] But in the Lord God commanded the man saying you said you may surely eat of every tree of the garden

[2:02] But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat for in the day that you eat of it [2:07] You shall surely die and then in verse 25

[2:13] We read and [2:15] I don’t know if this is gonna be in there and [2:16] The man and his wife I did make it we’re both naked and we’re not ashamed [2:25] So we see first God gives a command [2:29] And what we understand is that man as we were created we obeyed God and everything that he said [2:35] He first tells man to be fruitful and multiply

[2:37] He then tells man like we talked about last week to have dominion over all of the earth to be his [2:43] Representatives of himself in creation, but then we see another type of command [2:48] One that’s somewhat negative something they should not do [2:52] But then we see the reality in verse 25 that man and woman were both naked and were completely

[3:01] unashamed [3:02] Now I don’t know about you, but if I were to find myself in public in front of other people [3:10] Completely naked I don’t think I would be unashamed. I think I would quickly cover up [3:16] I think I might run for cover [3:17] I think my wife maybe be a little upset with me and a little confused as to how that even happened [3:22] There may be a breathalyzer test a blood test the police may want to ask me a few questions

[3:27] So it’s clear through verse 25 that we see that when Adam and Eve are first in the garden at that point [3:33] All we know of them really is that they’re man and woman. They’re in the garden. They’re created by God [3:38] They’re created for God they’re following after God and then it tells us this interesting thing and the question is that [3:45] You kind of try to figure it out and you just kind of pass over it [3:49] But why does scripture find it necessary? [3:52] Why does God find it necessary to inspire Moses to write and point out that Adam and Eve when they were first in the garden?

[4:01] They were naked but more than that [4:04] They were not ashamed and we could point to the reality of marriage and the purity of what takes place in marriage and surely [4:11] That is involved here, but I want to say there’s something else [4:16] Because as we’re gonna see a little bit later in the next chapter [4:21] That even as it’s just the two of them in the garden. It doesn’t stay that way [4:28] That they feel the need to cover themselves they feel the need to cover up because no longer

[4:36] Do we find it?

[4:40] Unashameable to to coin a word [4:44] To be naked [4:46] Completely free in the presence of others [4:50] So I want you to turn your Bibles to Genesis chapter 3

[4:55] Genesis 3 has been referred to by many scholars as one of the most important chapters in [5:01] all of scripture because in it we find the source as [5:07] well as the solution for sin [5:10] Ultimately the reason that shame entered into the world and the reason that you have [5:17] Probably at some point in your life possibly right now this morning have felt [5:23] Shame is because

[5:27] man did not follow after God as he was designed to [5:32] In Genesis 3 we start and we see very quickly now the serpent was more crafty [5:39] Than any other beast of the field that the Lord God [5:43] had made [5:45] To give you a little background on this if you that confuses you as to why scripture [5:50] Would find it necessary to point out the craftiness of a serpent we have to understand

[5:56] I’m just gonna pass over this because we don’t have time to [6:00] Really get into the nature of it, but what this is we’re seeing right here is the work of Satan immediately in creation

[6:08] so before [6:09] man sinned against God we see in Scripture if you look in the book of Isaiah in the book of Ezekiel that [6:17] Satan [6:18] Who was created as an angel has also rebelled against God before [6:24] Adam and Eve have and Satan is thrown out of heaven [6:29] He goes out of the kingdom of God and we see that at this point

[6:33] God has allowed him to enter into part of his creation [6:39] And we see that he speaks [6:41] To the woman the spoken word like we talked about when we talked about creation [6:46] Seen as so important so significant the way that we communicate and the way that [6:51] Communication in the presence of sin can be turned to something very deceptive [6:57] It can be turned to what we originally saw in Cree in the creation narrative that it’s something beautiful as God speaks

[7:04] Creation into existence then we see it’s also something beautiful as God speaks to man and woman when he gives [7:10] Commands when he tells them what to do when he shows their dependence [7:14] But here we see communication turned into temptation [7:19] He said to the woman [7:22] Did God actually say? [7:25] you shall not eat of any tree in the garden and

[7:29] The woman said to the serpent we may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden [7:33] But God said you shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden [7:37] Neither shall you touch it which God hadn’t said [7:41] Lest you die [7:44] But the serpent said to the woman you will not surely die [7:48] For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God

[7:53] knowing good and evil [7:56] so when the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was a delight to the eyes and [8:02] The tree was to be desired to make one wise [8:06] She took of its fruit and ate and she also gave some to her husband who was with her [8:13] and [8:14] He ate

[8:15] Now I want to talk about that last phrase and then I want to back up [8:20] Who was with her?

[8:25] You see it’s very easy for us men to say see if God hadn’t given us woman ah

[8:32] We’d still be in the garden no [8:35] Scripture seems to indicate that Adam was standing right there the entire [8:43] time [8:44] And he just didn’t lead he didn’t smack it out of her hand and say what are you doing? [8:50] No, he was right there [8:52] So we see man and woman who have been commanded by God

[8:57] That they can eat they they can number one have dominion over the face of the earth over the the [9:03] Animals over the trees they’re to work the world

[9:07] They’re to tend the garden they’re to represent God to all of creation [9:13] And then God says there’s one thing you cannot do God immediately puts [9:18] limitations on [9:20] Man, why did God do this God does this to show number one the dependence of man on him and number two? [9:28] the difference [9:30] between

[9:31] Man and him [9:32] See we represent God we’re made in the image of God [9:36] But here I you have to understand we are not God

[9:43] And the reason [9:46] That we could not eat of that tree [9:49] So that God could show the vast difference between us and the limitations that we have as human beings [9:55] But satan has come in and he has tempted eve. He has not really tempted eve [10:02] With how great that fruit looks [10:05] It’s she sees that it’s pleasing to the eye and I don’t know what type of fruit it was

[10:09] But that’s not even what she was tempted with [10:13] What she was tempted with [10:15] Was really two things the first thing she was tempted with is to question. What is true? [10:22] And we to this day are tempted with that very thing [10:26] What is true? [10:29] Is God’s word true?

[10:31] Which is what they had heard which is what they had been told or [10:36] Is human judgment true? [10:40] Because that is what satan is tempting her with do you listen to God or do you listen to yourself? [10:47] Do you follow him or do you follow that which you think is wise? [10:52] And to this day that is what we struggle with in our relationship with God even as followers of Jesus Christ

[11:02] I know scripture says this [11:06] But then there’s this question has God really meant that much

[11:12] Or can I just do a little bit

[11:16] And the rest is based on what I think is the most wise

[11:24] The second thing she was tempted with was what is right

[11:30] Is because when we see the difference between right and wrong ultimately [11:35] It is based on what truth we believe satan does not immediately go into and say hey eve. It’s right [11:45] To eat of that tree [11:48] No [11:49] He attacks her foundation of what she believes to be true [11:54] Your greatest temptation in your life that will determine the direction of your life

[11:59] Is not what is right and wrong? [12:03] Morally that will not be the first place that you fall that will not be the first thing [12:08] That causes you to question what God has said what will be attacked and where temptation begins [12:15] Is always in your belief system. What do you believe to be true? [12:21] Who?

[12:24] Your experience [12:26] Or God’s word and then he attacks when he asks what is right first is God’s command right or is your experience right?

[12:35] Causes her to question truth [12:38] And only then does she say maybe what God has said isn’t the only way I can live my life [12:45] And then if you know what she does is she looks at the tree and says well i’ve walked [12:50] You know i’m just kind of creating this narrative. It’s on the scripture [12:53] But I just imagine that at that point she kind of says and maybe she looks at adam and says you know [12:58] I’ve walked by that tree

[13:00] A hundred times because we have no idea how long creation existed in a non-fallen state [13:07] She may have said, you know, the tree looks pretty good

[13:12] It says right there it’s pleasing to the eye

[13:18] And then she says you know what [13:22] If it looks good and it feels good [13:25] Probably is good. So then she grabs the fruit and eats it [13:33] See the thing that she did not grasp the thing that eve did not understand in that moment [13:39] Is that God is our source of life in our vast dependency [13:44] On God

[13:47] We struggle to understand that we were not created to exist as [13:54] individuals on our own journey depending on our own wisdom [13:59] Depending on our own understanding but rather we were created as people completely dependent on God [14:06] Created to follow him created to obey him and created to depend on his wisdom [14:14] rather than ours [14:18] Because I know for myself when I am left to my own devices when I am left to my own understanding when I am left

[14:26] To my own wisdom. It is in no way comparable to the wisdom that God can give me [14:32] And the greatest trouble that I have gotten myself into in life [14:38] Is when I did not consult the wisdom of God [14:41] But rather did that which was right in my own eyes

[14:46] And immediately what we see in the garden of Eden is that is what happens to Adam and eve [14:52] We see that immediately as eve eats the fruit adam takes it and he eats it, too [14:59] And there’s a hundred possible jokes there, but i’m just gonna pass right on by every one of them [15:05] But man adam the ultimate representative of God [15:11] The man who was made first and eve is created out of adam [15:17] He in no way leads his wife down a path of wisdom

[15:21] But sits idly by and does not lead and in that is his great sin [15:28] And then he follows her into sin

[15:34] And we see that as God is our source of life isaiah 26 four puts it this way [15:40] Trust in the Lord forever for the Lord God is an ever lasting [15:45] Rock we see in that the great truth that we see in the book of hebrews that he’s [15:50] Unchanging that his wisdom is eternal that he can be trusted [15:54] But here’s the key this morning most of the troubles in your life come from the fact that you [16:01] Cannot be trusted in the same way that God can be trusted

[16:06] And you are going through life depending on your wisdom [16:11] Above God’s wisdom and when you see God’s wisdom when it’s presented to you when you see his revelation [16:18] When you understand the authority of his revelation rather than simply submitting to it [16:23] Our first response is to try to explain it away so that it can fit in our lives [16:31] Rather than understanding the immediate importance that God’s wisdom doesn’t change [16:35] He’s the everlasting rock that if my wisdom does not coincide with his wisdom then guess what?

[16:43] I need to change I need to submit

[16:49] And adam and eve do not do that

[16:56] I [16:56] We see in Ecclesiastes 7 29 this beautiful truth that solomon who’s understood to be the wisest man that ever existed [17:05] He says that man was made [17:08] upright

[17:11] But our problem is [17:14] Is that being upright is being connected to God [17:19] He says that man follows his own schemes [17:23] Attempting to fulfill himself attempting to find satisfaction looking everywhere we can [17:30] accept [17:32] The place where ultimate fulfillment is the place where ultimate satisfaction is and that is in the presence of God

[17:42] And that when we follow our own schemes as we see [17:48] That adam and eve do [17:51] We see that sin brings about separation from God

[17:56] In verse 10 excuse me in verse 7

[18:02] Then the eyes of both were opened and they knew

[18:08] That they were naked and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin cloths

[18:16] And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day [18:22] And the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden [18:29] But the Lord God called to man and said to him where are you?

[18:37] And he said I heard the sound of you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked and I hid myself [18:44] We see this great story

[18:50] And we see the tragedy [18:51] Involved we see creation as pure and then in one great act [18:57] Of disobedience and one great act of rebellion. We see everything that God has created to work [19:06] in a certain rhythm we see it [19:09] Immediately fall apart and the first thing that we see [19:13] Is the separation between man and woman because at first in their purity they stood completely unashamed

[19:25] They were not ashamed of the way that God made them they did not see the need [19:30] To cover themselves even as we do to this day [19:33] But rather they just knew that they were God’s people and that they were man and woman and that they were basically husband and wife [19:41] And they came together with absolute purity with absolutely zero conviction with no guilt with no shame [19:48] With no baggage and then immediately when they question God and they want to be equal to God rather than follow him [19:57] When they want to follow their own schemes rather than to follow the design of God

[20:01] They immediately look and they feel shame and there is now a barrier between the two of them [20:07] And they have to hide from one another [20:12] Anytime you experience conflict with another human being [20:18] This is why

[20:22] Because both of you are sinful [20:26] And much of the conflict in your life would probably be better understood under that lens [20:32] And you would probably understand that [20:35] That other person that has offended you so much. They’re not the only sinful person involved in the situation

[20:42] You’re sinful as well and i’m not saying both people even have to do wrong [20:46] But you may be quicker to forgive if you understand that [20:51] But then secondly we see [20:54] The separation between God and man [20:58] See man has decided to be an individual who is self-dependent rather than someone that’s dependent on God and we see adam and eve run [21:06] from the face of God

[21:09] We understand that God is holy and will not accept sin through the rest of scripture [21:15] But in this moment we see a picture not so much of God not accepting them [21:21] But more so that in their sin they will not accept God [21:27] And ultimately there comes this fear of God [21:30] And not a reverent fear but a terror at God that had not existed before because of the way the text reads [21:37] I come to an understanding that God had come down and been in their presence before

[21:42] And in this moment, they know that in the cool of the day God is going to come

[21:48] And rather than wait with expectancy

[21:52] Rather than wait with the desire to worship [21:56] Rather than coming with an attitude that says yes [22:00] I desire to be in the presence of the Lord above everything else rather [22:08] They cover themselves and then hide themselves and who do you see pursuing? [22:15] You see God pursuing them

[22:21] And that pursuit has never stopped to this day

[22:31] Ultimately, there is a gap between us and God but it is not because God put it there no matter what you may have heard [22:38] No matter what you may think it is because you [22:41] Put it there [22:44] We see in first john [22:47] chapter 1 verse 5 [22:49] This is the message we have heard from him and proclaimed to you that God is light and in him

[22:56] There is no darkness at all [22:59] So where does the darkness come from? Well, it comes from us [23:04] It came immediately from adam and eve and the reason that the picture gets so dark in the garden of eden [23:11] Is because of them [23:15] You see God in his all-powerful [23:18] Holy nature does not have sin. It is not something that he is defined by

[23:23] It is not something that is in his presence [23:25] But rather all we see in the person and nature of God is absolute holiness [23:31] absolute perfection [23:33] absolute righteousness [23:35] absolute [23:37] Everything that is good and what we see coming out of us and the reason that adam and eve felt the need to flee

[23:43] Is that when sin is the present reality of your life the presence of holiness is something that you cannot [23:52] bear

[23:55] And you do not want it you do not desire it [23:59] You desire to be away from it [24:03] Because sin is something that as we see in adam and eve that has just overcome them in their being and instead of being [24:11] Defined by the way that God made them in his image in this moment [24:15] We see that now the greatest definition that they find of themselves is that they’re defining themselves by sinful views [24:24] Their identity is now an identity that is covered over by sin

[24:29] We see purity has gone [24:31] They have covered themselves over and now the reality that they are living in is the reality of this world and it is [24:37] a reality of absolute darkness

[24:41] And when you live in darkness

[24:45] When the light comes towards you it hurts

[24:53] Not because of the one bearing the light but because of the darkness that you are living in

[25:01] So we were created to live in the light of God

[25:07] But adam and eve chose a path [25:12] of sin and you say but I didn’t do that [25:15] in romans chapter 5 [25:19] Really starting in verse 12 [25:22] You see paul beginning to flesh out and he says [25:26] Therefore just as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin and so death spread to all

[25:34] men because all [25:37] Sinned and you say wait because of adam I [25:41] Am the way that I am yes [25:44] You say how is that fair? [25:47] well [25:48] Ultimately because god began with one man and one woman and that everyone born to them

[25:55] Which ultimately all of us if we had a really good family tree we could really trace it all the way back to adam and eve

[26:04] Everyone born to them [26:06] Was born in sin I didn’t have [26:11] To choose sin to be sinful. I chose sin because I am sinful [26:16] I have a child’s almost two years old [26:20] And I am not teaching him a great deal of the sin that he is exhibiting

[26:25] He’s just doing it [26:29] And if you if you’re a parent in here you laugh because you’ve had that experience [26:34] So where did you learn to be filled with so much rage [26:39] You know you try to protect them no no no don’t jump up onto that ledge and jump to your short death

[26:49] That’s what my son does and that’s from me I guess but [26:54] I do that sometimes I guess but he just he curls up his fists and [26:58] His teeth and it’s like I am keeping him from the greatest thing in the world [27:05] But guess what he’s been doing it for a while I didn’t teach him that

[27:12] See my son was born in a condition

[27:16] Because [27:17] We are rebellious people. We are a people that do not naturally [27:21] Run after god but rather we run after that which we think is wise even if it will ultimately lead to our downfall [27:31] If I leave my son to his own devices, I will come home to at least a need for stitches

[27:38] He’s already pulled a high chair down on his face I thought he was dead

[27:44] But we do not follow after the wisdom of god and it’s obvious [27:50] There is not a person in this room that has been untouched by sin [27:54] You’ve number one seen the effects of it in someone else’s life. Maybe it’s caused something bad in you for you at least [28:01] But number two you’ve not escaped the reality of sin in your life. It’s something that you live with every [28:08] single day the reason your relationships ultimately are struggling [28:13] Is because there’s sin in your life

[28:15] And i’m not saying there’s necessarily a place of absolute disobedience [28:19] But it’s because of the conflict of sin that man lives with [28:23] Constantly that we struggle with any obedience and any continuity [28:28] Any type of community at all? It’s because of sin [28:33] You are sinful sin [28:39] affects

[28:40] everyone [28:42] None of us have escaped its grasp [28:46] In psalm chapter 14 verse 3 [28:51] Scripture says they have all turned aside together. They have become corrupt. There is none that does good not even [29:00] one [29:00] Romans 3 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of god

[29:06] 1st john 1 8 if we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth [29:12] Is not in us titus 1 15 to the pure all things are pure but to the defiled and [29:20] Unbelieving nothing is pure, but both their minds and their consciences are defiled [29:28] Roman 7 18 paul writes for I know that nothing good dwells in me that is in my flesh [29:33] For I have the desire to do what is right but not the ability to carry it out [29:38] Isaiah 64 6 we have all become like one who is unclean and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment

[29:47] We have we all fade like a leaf and our iniquities like the wind take us [29:53] away

[29:55] Do you see the inclusive language of all of these verses

[30:03] Do you see what scripture? [30:06] Unfolds about each and every one of us and you might be sitting there and you might say [30:12] But there’s someone that has done worse than I have [30:15] There is someone who has done something that I would not even be tempted to do [30:20] I am not as sinful as other people and I tell you this morning that while you may not have done something that [30:28] appears as immoral as someone else in the

[30:32] wisdom and in the nature and in the view of a god who is [30:37] Absolutely holy and of a god that we looked at in the first week who is absolutely righteous who is absolutely perfect [30:45] Who is never tempted to lie who has never tempted to do something selfish who has never tempted to do something that may hurt [30:51] Someone else who has never tempted to sin whatsoever [30:55] I have to tell you I have to get in your face because I love you and tell you that you are [31:01] As sinful to god as the worst type of sinner that you can imagine

[31:08] As jonathan edwards said it we are all [31:11] sinners in the hands of an angry god and his anger is just and his anger [31:19] Is swift and his anger is righteous because he is god and he has designed us to live a certain way [31:27] To live with dependence on him to live in obedience to him and when we do not do that

[31:36] He has the right as the creator to say no

[31:46] You see we see the reality of sin

[31:50] In many ways in our lives [31:54] But first I want to take a look at how it affected the garden and then I want to take a look at just [31:58] A few ways that it affects us

[32:03] Skip down to verse 14

[32:08] God immediately judges [32:12] That sin

[32:14] The lord god said to the serpent because you have done this curse that are you above all livestock and above all beasts of [32:21] Field on your belly you shall go and dust you shall eat all the days of your life [32:26] I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring [32:30] He shall bruise your head and you shall bruise his heel [32:33] To the woman he said I will surely multiply your pain and childbearing. I’ve seen that it’s terrible in pain [32:40] You shall bring forth children your desire shall be for your husband and he shall rule over you

[32:46] Struggling in your marriage [32:48] That’s because of sin

[32:51] And to adam he said because you have listened to the voice of your wife [32:56] Okay, not that we shouldn’t listen to our wives talk. I have to explain maybe maybe I don’t want to pass over that [33:02] But I didn’t write this in my notes, but i’m thinking there’s a man right here. Wait a second [33:06] I don’t even have to listen to her voice [33:09] Yeah [33:11] It’s biblical honey, leave me alone during the game today. It’s biblical

[33:17] No [33:17] No, what that means is is rather than leading he was led [33:22] That’s what that means [33:24] Rather than taking the god-given

[33:28] Responsibility to lead his wife into purity into grace and into truth. He followed her into sin and did not stop her

[33:38] Okay now that we got that cleared up [33:41] And have eaten up the tree of which I commanded you you shall not eat of it [33:46] Curse it is the ground because of you in pain [33:49] You shall eat of it all the days of your life thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you [33:55] And you shall eat the plants of the field by the sweat of your face [34:00] You shall eat bread till you return to the ground for out of it. You were taken

[34:05] For you are dust and to dust you shall return [34:09] Here’s a few things we see first the serpent is cursed it’s why I hate snakes

[34:17] Second childbearing is now painful [34:20] Third the wife desires to lead the husband who rules over the wife [34:25] You see the roles haven’t changed but what has changed is what goes on in the relationship [34:31] All that conflict if you’re married you have fought, okay [34:35] And you probably did this week if you if you’re if you have a good marriage there’s conflict you’re like what [34:42] It should be perfect. No quite frankly if you’re really talking to each other and being honest

[34:46] There’s going to be conflict, right honey [34:48] Love you, baby [34:51] I mean there’s conflict [34:53] But the source of that conflict is sin [34:56] The way to resolve the conflict is the way that god’s going to respond and we’ll see that in a minute [35:01] The ground is no longer naturally fruitful

[35:05] Work is laborious [35:08] but necessary [35:10] See, it’s not that work like we saw last week work kids is not sinful [35:18] It’s hard because of sin [35:21] And the body will wither

[35:25] You see immediately into this day we see the effects of sin, but sin has compounded

[35:32] Since then and I want to look at a couple of places the realities that sin brings in our lives in roman 6 17 [35:40] We see and millard erickson writes about these in his great work christian theology that there are present realities revealing the curse of sin [35:47] In roman 6 17 we see that man is enslaved [35:51] To sin in genesis 3 we see that there’s a denial of sin you see in verses 11 and 12 of genesis 3 [35:59] That man and woman immediately denied it and played the blame game. Do you know why you deny your sin? [36:05] Do you know why when you’re caught at work not doing the right thing your first thing is to say no I did it

[36:10] Yeah [36:11] Well, that’s because of sin [36:14] Self-deceit matthew 7 3 and jeremiah 7 [36:18] 17 9 point out that we are self-deceiving people

[36:26] First corinthians 2 13 shows that we struggle with an insensitivity to god’s word [36:32] Have you ever wondered why you can read the same verse over and over again and not be completely obedient to it [36:40] Why many of you have been in church for 30 some years why you read the same scriptures yet you still do foolish things [36:47] It’s because of the sin in our lives that we have an insensitivity self-centeredness [36:52] You ever known a self-centered person [36:55] You ever been a self-centered person and all of us have done and been and seen both

[37:04] Romans 8 22 reveals that our restlessness is because of sin [37:09] Have you ever looked at your life? You know, I just need a change. I think women do this a lot [37:13] You know you want something like sex in the city. We just need a change [37:17] You know, you know why you’re so restless why you can’t find contentment? [37:22] Maybe you’re struggling with that right now. You’re just so [37:26] Just discontented with everything in your life

[37:29] And you think the answer is to change your job or to change where you live or to change the relationships that you’re in [37:35] Ultimately, none of those things will bring you the contentment you seek because the reason you’re so restless is because of sin [37:42] James 4 1 and 2 reveals that competition

[37:47] The reason that this is such a cutthroat world and it’s so dog eat dog [37:53] Because of sin the reason that we want to get over top of someone else rather than help them because of sin

[38:02] Philippians 2 3 through 5 shows that we have an inability to empathize [38:07] You ever struggle to understand what someone else is going through [38:10] Do you ever struggle to not care what? [38:14] To struggle with the fact that you don’t care what they’re going through

[38:18] It’s because you’re a sinner

[38:22] Colossians 2 9 through 10 reveals the absolute authority of jesus christ [38:26] And the romans 13 reveals that he has set up authority over us and proverbs tells us that he has appointed the kings of [38:34] Of the rulers of the world. You ever had a problem with authority? [38:38] I know I have

[38:42] And then ultimately it all leads to an inability to love [38:45] Love

[38:48] You look out in pop culture [38:49] You’ll see hundreds of definitions of love that ultimately fall short of the love that god reveals in scripture [38:58] But what we see in this list is that we [39:01] struggle with sin each and every one of us we do not follow [39:10] God as we were created to [39:13] Be sinned

[39:14] You are a sinner

[39:19] But sin demands a response

[39:27] Proverbs 6 verses 16 through 19 revealed that there’s an ever-present reality that god hates sin

[39:37] He does

[39:42] Not [39:42] Because he is god because he is just because he is righteous

[39:50] He must respond [39:53] But secondly you have to understand [39:55] That we must respond [39:59] You see we’ve seen all the things that sin brings. We see the isolation. We see the disunity [40:04] We see the individualism we see the lack of wisdom [40:07] We see all the things on this list. We see the pain that sin causes

[40:12] I see the pain quite frankly often that other people’s sin have caused you

[40:20] So is it all over [40:21] Is it all pointless? [40:23] Are we all doomed and I want to tell you a reality this morning that god has [40:28] Responded to sin and his response is more important than your response [40:33] The psalmist says that all sin [40:36] Ultimately is more offensive to god than even you find it offensive

[40:42] If someone sins against you understand that first they were responsible to god [40:47] So before you can be offended by someone doing something to you understand that god is more offended and that he must respond and he has [40:55] Responded but here this morning you have to understand that your response to sin [41:00] Ultimately hinges on god’s response to sin [41:06] You do not get first dibs on a response to sin god does

[41:13] Because he’s the creator of all [41:16] We see that in genesis 2 17. We see that physical death [41:20] Is a punishment for sin [41:24] You will die

[41:31] Over the past year

[41:35] I’ve known one and read about two young people teenagers

[41:42] Whose lives were cut short by death

[41:47] Whether it be irresponsible decisions [41:50] No matter what [41:52] We cannot escape the reality of death

[41:58] And it is the judgment of god for our sin

[42:06] A long time ago, I used to question why people die

[42:12] But as i’ve gotten more accustomed to god’s word, I haven’t gotten more comfortable with death, but I no longer ask why

[42:21] Because I know why [42:23] It has nothing to do most and oftentimes because of someone’s personal choices [42:29] Ultimately death simply happens because we are born into a world that is fallen [42:37] We are born into a world that is sinful and we oftentimes [42:42] Only get that wake-up call that we are sinners in need of something from god [42:49] When death happens

[42:53] Death happens because you’re a sinner [42:57] Sickness happens because you’re a sinner [43:00] suffering happens because [43:02] You are a sinner and I in no way mean [43:07] Necessarily because of your personal sin though. That does happen

[43:13] A couple of years ago, I lost my gallbladder. You want to know why gluttony?

[43:18] I could point you to the buffet [43:21] And that was why I suffered [43:25] But sometimes people that [43:28] Haven’t necessarily done one particular sin or necessarily did something worse than anything else [43:35] They suffer [43:37] While it may not be because of their personal sin it is because of sin

[43:42] We live in a fallen world [43:45] In [43:45] Matthew 25 we see this great story of jesus that he will return [43:51] He came and he will return but what we see in that is ultimately [43:55] That there is the reality that god has judged sin with eternal separation from himself [44:01] See all of us are born with that reality. We’re all sons of adam born into sin

[44:08] And if nothing is done in order to undo that sin we will live forever in that state eternally separated from god [44:16] And in revelation 20 we see the great reality of what the ultimate destination of sin is [44:23] And that is the lake of fire where the wrath of god will be poured out on us [44:28] Excuse me on you. If you do not repent of your sin if you do not come to god in some way [44:33] Reality

[44:35] Then the ultimate lake of fire will be your reality like I said in revelation chapter 20 we read [44:43] Starting in verse 6 blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection [44:47] And we’ll talk about that in just a second over such the second death has no power [44:51] But they will be priests of god and of christ and they will reign with him for a thousand years then in revelation [44:56] 20 verse 13 it says and the sea gave up the dead who were in it death and hades gave up the dead [45:02] Who were in them and they were judged each one of them according to what they had done then death and hades were thrown

[45:08] In the lake of fire. This is the second death the lake of fire

[45:17] See I cannot talk about sin without talking about this great reality this morning that should cause all of us in some way shape [45:24] Or form to shudder [45:26] But we’re completely immune to it and we do not treat it as a reality [45:30] We’ll walk through our lives and our sin completely oblivious oftentimes that hell is real

[45:37] But hell is not as bad as it will get [45:41] Because it says in the scripture that someday death and hell will be taken by god and thrown somewhere worse [45:49] And that is an eternal lake of fire in which the just [45:54] Wrath of god will for an eternity be poured out on those who have sinned against god [46:02] And what would have been just and what would have been right is the god who created all that exists [46:08] It would have even been loving in his holy nature if he would have made the decision to

[46:16] immediately take each and every one of us and said I condemn you for an [46:23] Eternity to endure my wrath in the lake of fire ladies and gentlemen you [46:29] deserve the unending [46:31] torment of god for an eternity and

[46:37] So do I [46:39] Because of my sin

[46:43] Romans 2 6 says that god will deal and judge with each person according to his actions [46:50] And I don’t know you as well as I know myself, but I know what my actions deserve

[46:59] Because my actions have been sinful

[47:04] And I deserve hell

[47:12] You are believing the lie of satan this morning if you do not [47:19] Believe that you deserve hell

[47:25] Remember what did satan tempt eve with what is truth and what is right?

[47:34] There’s someone sitting in this room right now [47:38] He’s saying I don’t deserve it now god can’t do that

[47:44] You’re believing a lie

[47:50] I [47:51] Thankfully god did not ultimately choose to simply respond with hell

[47:58] Roman 6 23 informs us this morning

[48:03] That the wages of sin is death [48:08] But the free [48:10] Gift of god is eternal life in christ. Jesus our lord [48:18] I want to explain something for you this morning that [48:21] God while he could have justly sent each and every one of us to a sinners at hell god chose to have [48:30] Mercy god is a merciful god. God is a gracious god and he rather than condemning us to hell

[48:38] He sent his own son. Why would he do that? [48:43] I don’t necessarily comprehend it [48:45] But i’m thankful that in his love he chose to send his son to redeem us and how did he do that? [48:53] Romans chapter 3 [48:55] starting in verse 23 [48:57] Spells it up this way for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of god

[49:01] And are justified by his grace as a gift through the redemption that is in christ [49:07] Jesus whom god put forward as a propitiation by his blood to be received by faith [49:13] This was to show god’s righteousness because in his divine forbearance he had passed over since god could not be a [49:22] Just god and simply say I know you’re a sinner, but I forgive you [49:27] I will sweep it under the rug if he had done that he would no longer be a just god because even our [49:33] understanding of justice

[49:35] Demands some sort of payment for sin [49:39] When a child is murdered, what does our nature and this comes from god? [49:44] What does our nature say someone has to pay?

[49:49] When murder takes place when rape takes place something in us that someone has to pay

[49:55] And in god’s just nature he said someone has to pay

[50:05] And jesus did

[50:13] You will never comprehend as long as you live the love that god has for you

[50:23] But you may

[50:27] See it [50:29] In the cross

[50:33] God did not simply god the father did not just simply look to god the son and say son you have to go do this

[50:42] God the son came in his love for you

[50:47] Second corinthians 5 21 says

[50:52] He who knew no sin [50:56] became sin [50:57] on our [50:58] Behave so that we might become the righteousness of god

[51:06] In romans 3 we see this word propitiation what that word means is is that god [51:12] Needed in his justice to pour his judgment of sin

[51:20] On us

[51:24] But [51:26] Jesus god the son [51:28] The judge the creator the perfect one [51:34] said

[51:37] Pour it on me. I will take

[51:42] Not just their sin [51:45] But father I will take your wrath for their sin and I will live a perfect life [51:51] as a substitute for them and I will

[51:57] Impute my righteousness [51:59] On to them so it’ll be as if they never sinned [52:03] It will be as if they always obeyed you [52:05] It will be as if they never did anything and even though i’m never going to do anything to hurt you father [52:10] I will go to the cross [52:12] For them. I will not just die

[52:15] But I will die the death that they deserve and I will absorb the wrath [52:21] That you have for them and he willingly and he gladly according to the book of hebrews for the joy that was set [52:29] Before him he endured the cross [52:32] Despising the shame of sin but for the joy that was set before him and that joy is the redemption of us [52:39] So that we can be reconciled to god. He endured the cross [52:45]

[52:50] He took my sin

[52:55] So that I will never have to be condemned

[53:09] Because of god’s response this morning

[53:15] You have a response that you must make

[53:26] You can either continue in your sin

[53:32] Continue in your rebellion

[53:36] Continue in your willful rejection of god’s wisdom

[53:42] And you can take the wrath of god for an eternity

[53:49] But thanks be to god you don’t have to

[53:54] If you will turn from your sin [53:57] And you will trust jesus

[54:03] As your god as your lord and as your savior

[54:10] You [54:11] Can be reconciled to god and follow him in this life [54:19] As well as for eternity

[54:23] Under his power and by his grace not because of your good works because folks you got none

[54:32] But because of the great righteousness and grace of jesus christ [54:38] You can know him today

[54:44] But you must respond

[54:50] You must not wait

[54:53] Follow him today

[54:58] Father

[55:05] You have loved us

[55:09] With a love that is just almost incomprehensible

[55:17] Lord I ask today that as we respond to your word

[55:25] Holy spirit that you will draw us to yourself

[55:29] Our eyes are so blinded by the sin in our hearts [55:35] That we cannot follow you

[55:40] But in the face of our sin you sent your son so that we could holy spirit draw us to you

[55:53] This morning [55:55] As a church [55:58] We’ll reflect on what I just talked about the great love that jesus had for us as his body [56:03] Was broken his blood was shed on our behalf for our sin

[56:10] Because of our disobedience

[56:15] But he did that so that we can know god

[56:21] And as you reflect on the cross this morning reflecteth an understanding that jesus has overcome sin [56:27] He has overcome death and he rose from the dead proving once for all that he is god [56:33] And he calls you to himself, but he says come

[56:38] He says come

[56:42] You must choose [56:45] To repent of your sin and to trust in jesus and if you’ve done that [56:50] Then this table is open for you and you can reflect on the cross with joy because you know, he’s not on it any longer

[56:59] But if this morning [57:02] You’ve heard the gospel and you say I don’t know

[57:06] Him [57:06] I have never trusted him

[57:10] This morning

[57:13] You can know him he still says come [57:18] Is what i’m gonna ask you to do if that’s you this morning i’m gonna ask you i’ll be up front there’ll be some in [57:23] the back [57:25] And i’ll ask you if you’ll just make your way so you can trust him today