The Consequences of Sin

I. Introduction
   A. In the Bible, sin is not presented favorably
   B. Sin is considered the author of no end of suffering, pain, 
      and death
   C. Romans 12:9
   D. Why is it that we should abhor sin?
   E. We may understand why we should hate and avoid sin by 
      considering the consequences that come from sin!

II. Sin and Death
   A. When God created the heavens and the earth, they were "very 
      good" (Genesis 1:31)
   B. Yet when John speaks of "the world," it is something that we 
      are not to love (1 John 2:15-17)
   C. The difference?  Sin!
   D. Genesis 3
      1. Adam and Eve transgress God's will and thus sin (vv. 1-8)
      2. Consequences of the sin included pain in childbirth, 
         working of the earth, and entrance of death into the 
         world (vv. 9-19)
   E. Romans 5:12-19
      1. An oft misunderstood passage
      2. Paul demonstrates in this passage that because of Adam's 
         transgression, sin and therefore death enters the world
      3. The consequences of sin even impact those who have yet 
         to sin!
   F. The reason, therefore, that people suffer and die is sin
      1. This is even true of infants and others who have never 
         sinned!
      2. Such represent "collateral damage" on account of sin 
         being in the world
      3. If it were not for sin, we would not die, and we would 
         not suffer
      4. Romans 8:19-23: sin subjected the world to corruption
      5. Revelation 7:15-17, 21:3-4: end of such things at the 
         Lord's return
   G. Sin also responsible for the "second death"
      1. John 5:28-29
      2. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9
      3. Eternity of hell for those who are found in sin! 
   H. 1 Corinthians 15:24-28, 53-58: Jesus represents the victory 
      over sin and death-- we can only avoid sin's eternal 
      consequences through Him (cf. Romans 6:23)!

III. Sin and Separation From God
   A. Sin leads to death because sin separates a man from his God
   B. Isaiah 59:1-2
      1. God does not hear many times because people are separated 
         from God on account of their sin!
      2. It is not that God is unable to do so-- the people's sin 
         is the hindrance!
   C. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Ephesians 2:11-12: demonstration of 
      previous separation from God
   D. No matter how much we may try, we cannot bridge that gap 
      ourselves!
      1. Hence Paul's discussion in Romans 1-5 about the inability 
         to be saved through law keeping
      2. All of us fall short (Romans 3:23), and are liable to 
         condemnation (James 2:10-11)
      3. We can do all the good we want to do-- it can never make 
         up for our sin
   E. It is only through Christ that we can be delivered from sin
      1. Titus 3:3-8
      2. We can only be saved through His mercy in His blood
      3. Then we may be able to become obedient servants, seeking 
         His will!
   F. It is sin, therefore, that hinders man from association 
      with God!

IV. Sin and Pain
   A. Sin is the author of much pain in life
   B. Consider Galatians 5:17-24
      1. What is the source of trouble?
      2. Is anyone offended or deeply hurt by love, joy, patience, 
         goodness, or kindness?
      3. Or is the source of all kinds of trouble found in the 
         works of the flesh?
   C. Pain is here because sin is here, and sin has consequences!
      1. Adulterers, alcoholics, and gamblers suffer the loss of 
         family and money to feed their sin
      2. How many languish in prisons because they sinned?
      3. People even follow after and pursue sin, seeking to find 
         satisfaction, yet wasting their lives in that pursuit 
         which will never accomplish its end (Matthew 6:24-34, 
         1 Timothy 6:6-11)!
   D. Pain comes because of the sins of others, or sin itself!
      1. Some find themselves in the position of Job, suffering 
         even though they may not be in the wrong (Job 1-2)
      2. Most often this is because of the sins of others-- losing 
         a child to an accident with a drunk driver, an innocent 
         bystander who dies, people who lost everything because 
         of the ravages of war
      3. Sometimes it is just because sin exists in the world, 
         and the world is subjected to corruption-- natural 
         disasters causing great loss of life and property, 
         disease taking the lives even of little children
   E. Many times people blame God when such things happen
      1. Too many ask, "why did God allow this to happen?"
      2. While some may think it justifiable to be angry at God, 
         all such passion is entirely misdirected!
      3. The Bible makes it clear that we suffer not because it 
         is God's will but because the world has been subjected 
         to corruption and futility because of sin (Romans 5:12-19, 
         8:19-23)!
     4. When misfortune befalls us, let us blame the true culprit: 
        Satan and sin, not God in Christ!
  F. Great pain and difficulty, therefore, are consequences of sin

V. Sin and People
   A. Consider also what happened on account of sin in the Bible
   B. The vast majority of people and animals died in the Flood 
      because of sin (Genesis 6-9)
   C. Humans could no longer speak the same language because of 
      sin (Genesis 11:1-9)
   D. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of the sins of 
      their residents (Genesis 19)
   E. Egypt suffered plagues at God's hand because of Pharaoh's 
      sins (Exodus 3-14)
   F. The Israelites died in the wilderness for their sin 
      (1 Corinthians 10:1-9)
   G. The Israelites were enslaved to other powers for their sin 
      (Judges 2-17)
   H. The Kingdom of Israel was destroyed and its citizens exiled 
      to Assyria for their sin, most never returning (2 Kings 17)
   I. The Kingdom of Judah was also destroyed and its citizens 
      exiled to Babylon for their sin (2 Chronicles 36)
   J. The prophets suffered greatly at the hands of sinful Israel 
      (cf. Hebrews 11:32-38)
   K. Jesus died on a cross for the sins of mankind 
      (Romans 5:6-11)
   L. The Apostles suffered terribly on account of the sins of 
      Jews and Greeks (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:23-27)
   M. All those who will be condemned to hellfire will go there 
      because of their sin (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9)!
   N. As can be seen, sin has never made life really easier for 
      people!

VI. Conclusion
   A. As we can see, sin has terrible consequences
      1. Death
      2. Separation from God
      3. Pain
      4. Continual difficulties for people
      5. Condemnation and hellfire!
   B. It should be evident, therefore, why we should abhor sin
      1. It can never really help us
      2. It paralyzes us, cripples us, separates us from the 
         Source of life, kills us, and condemns us
      3. Why, therefore, would we want anything to do with it?
   C. Let us gravely consider the consequences of sin, and not 
      be deceived by its deceptiveness (Hebrews 3:13)!
   D. Invitation/songbook