THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN
Isaiah 64:1-12
Introduction: Most people live their lives as if nothing that
they do has any consequences. The reason that they have this view is that they
do not see the consequences right away. While some of the consequences of sin
are immediate, the most devastating consequence is that which is Spiritual.
Consequences that are immediate and men are able to see and experience, most
people do not figure out that they have a direct bearing upon sin.
A.
This lesson will consider some consequences of sin
1.
Separation from God
2.
Physical death
3.
Earth in chaos
4.
Mankind against itself
I.
Separation from God (Gen. 3:24; Isa. 59:1-2)
A.
Sin disrupted the fellowship that man enjoyed with
God (1 John 1:5)
1.
Sin brought darkness (John
2.
The hearts of men were darkened (Rom.
3.
Darkness resulted in alienation (Eph.
4.
Men do not have to be eternally separated from God
(2 The. 1:9)
B.
Jesus is the remedy to the Separation between man
and God
1.
Jesus provides light to men (John
2.
Jesus death brought access to God (Eph.
3.
Jesus shed blood is the solution to the problem of
sin (Eph. 1:7)
4.
Now man can enjoy fellowship with God through
Christ (1 John 1:7)
II.
Physical Death (Gen. 5:3-31; Rom.
A.
All men die physically (Heb.
1.
The human experience is a witness to this truth
(Gen. 5:3-31)
2.
No one is immune (young, old, rich, poor)
B.
Jesus is the solution to this consequence of sin
(John
1.
Though man may die, in Christ he is made alive (1
Cor.
2.
As long as we are in Christ and identify with Him,
we can escape this dreaded consequence (Heb.
III.
Earth in chaos (Gen. 3:17-30)
A.
Earth was subject to vanity because of sin (Rom.
1.
Imperfect, sinful man could not dwell in a perfect
earth
2.
Every natural disaster is a reminder of the
sinfulness of man (The flood)
3.
Earth’s salvation is in it’s destruction (2 Pet.
a.
Explains why the body decays, it is of the earth
(Gen. 2:7;
b.
No matter how extreme environmentalists become,
such won’t save the planet
B.
Jesus bore the curse placed upon the earth
(explain crown of thorns)
1.
This He did to bring man to a place that is not
cursed (Rev. 22:1-5)
2.
The environment there will be wholesome
a.
Pure water
b.
Free of contaminants (Rev. 21:27)
c.
No threat of harmful rays or a thinning ozone
(Rev. 21:23-25)
d.
There will be endless comfort (Rev. 21:4)
C.
Only he who overcomes sin in this life can enter
such a place (Rev. 21:7-8)
IV. Mankind
against itself (Gen. 4:1-8)
A.
Sin destroys the brotherhood of man (Acts
1.
Cain killed his brother
2.
After that mankind took a nose dive (Gen. 6:11-12)
a.
Corruption – mankind was destroying itself
b.
Violence – human cruelty and injustice
B.
Jesus is the ultimate solution to this consequence
of sin (Eph.
1.
Not only brings peace between man and God, but man
and man
2.
Comes when mean hear and obey the gospel (Rom.
a.
It is the gospel of peace (Eph.
b.
It is carried to others by those who have obeyed
it
c.
Such makes them true peace-makers (Matt. 5:9)
Conclusion: Certainly there are others
consequences of sin. However, these establish well the fact that we need Jesus,
if we are to escape the consequences of these. Jesus took upon himself in every
instance, sin’s consequences. He endured a loss of fellowship (Matt. 27:45-46).
He suffered physical death (John 19:30). He bore the earth’s curse (John 19:2).
He suffered hostility from men (Hebrews 12:1-3). This He did so that we do not
have to deal with the eternal consequences. Will you accept what Jesus did for
you by obeying the gospel. If you refuse, you must suffer the consequences for
yourself.