Light and Darkness

Introduction: 1 Peter 2:9-10

Every person is either in the darkness or the light. There is no twilight zone.

Where are you?

Darkness

Isaiah 59:1-2

Sin separates us from God.

WALL OF SIN

• In order for a man to have a relationship with God the wall must be broken down-sin must be forgiven. Simply stopping sin won’t take the wall down that has already been put up between us and God.
• The point in time sin is forgiven is the point in time a person is saved.

Romans 3:23-25

• Who has sinned? Everyone!

• Who is further away from God, a person who sins a little or a person who sins a lot? All are equal, all lost. Therefore a good moral life does not save you. You cannot earn your salvation by your good deeds.
• Faith in the blood of Jesus saves you. (v. 25)

• What is Sin?

  1. Sin is Lawlessness.
     “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.”*
     – **Relevance**: This verse defines lawlessness as sin, underscoring that living without regard for God’s commands is rebellion against Him. In today’s culture, the rejection of moral absolutes can lead to this kind of lawlessness.
     1. Lawlessness is the opposite of righteousness.
     2. Deeds that are rebellion against God
        1. 2 Peter 3:16-17
        2. Matt 7:21-23
           ²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ ²³ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
           – **Relevance**: Jesus condemns those who practice lawlessness, stressing that obedience to God is essential for a genuine relationship with Him.
  2. Galatians 5:19-21 (sins of commission)
  3. 2 Timothy 3:1-5  (sins of commission)
  4. James 4:17 (sins of omission)

4. What is the eternal consequence of sin? Romans 6:23 “²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Light

1. John 3:1-7 Born again (v. 3), born of water and spirit (v. 5), born again. (v. 7)
2. Personal decision as an adult
3. What message must one believe to be in the light (to be saved?). Acts 2:22-24
   1. Jesus is from God. (v. 22)
   2. Jesus raised physically from the dead. (v. 24)

3.  Everyone is responsible for the crucifixion of Christ. (v. 23) All have sinned. (Romans 3:23)

4. Response of people Acts 2:37
   1. Cut to the heart

2.   What shall we do?

5. Once the people believed, what did they do? Acts 2:38-42
   1. Repent (Greek = to turn)

2. Be baptized (Greek = to be immersed).
   1. Sin forgiven. Therefore this is the point in time a person is saved.

b.  Holy Spirit given to each who responded-power to live as God commands.

6. Baptism Romans 6:1-4

Baptism is the sharing (a participation) in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. (More than just a symbol.)

FE”

FIRST   PRINCIPLE Light and Darkness

3. Traditions/False Doctrines – Matthew 15:6-9

1. Infant Baptism
   1. Personal faith is needed. (Colossians 2:12)
   2. Began approximately third century A.D.
   3. Original sin
      1. Ezekiel 18:20

b.  Became “church doctrine” in 549 A.D.

2. Praying Jesus into your heart

1. Revelation 3:20 – taken out of context. This verse is addressed to Christians.
2. Began in the early 1800s in America.

4. Sinful nature

Suggestion: write out and be specific about various sins committed during their life.. This is confidential.