The Dark Night of Sin
Summary of the Message
Sin is a subject that we often want to avoid. Ignoring it may be just as big of a problem as committing it. There is great danger in ignoring sin in our lives but there is unsurpassed joy to be found in repentance.
Sin is a subject that we often want to avoid. Ignoring it may be just as big of a problem as committing it. There is great danger in ignoring sin in our lives but there is unsurpassed joy to be found in repentance.
Key Sermon Points
1. Our natural/fleshly response to sin has always been to attempt to cover it up which results in hiding from God's presence (Gen. 3:7-8)
2. We deceive ourselves by thinking that we will be better off by hiding, ignoring, and secretly managing our sin. Ignoring sin makes us miserable - it damages our horizontal relationships with others in this world and it distances our vertical relationship with our heavenly Father (Psalm 32:3-4)
3. Because God loves us, he wants good for us and he provides us with a better way of dealing with our sin. In Psalm 51, God shows us this better way through King David's prayer of repentance which demonstrates the following three-part penitential prayer:
- Lord, forgive me
- Lord, change me
- Lord, use me
1. Our natural/fleshly response to sin has always been to attempt to cover it up which results in hiding from God's presence (Gen. 3:7-8)
2. We deceive ourselves by thinking that we will be better off by hiding, ignoring, and secretly managing our sin. Ignoring sin makes us miserable - it damages our horizontal relationships with others in this world and it distances our vertical relationship with our heavenly Father (Psalm 32:3-4)
3. Because God loves us, he wants good for us and he provides us with a better way of dealing with our sin. In Psalm 51, God shows us this better way through King David's prayer of repentance which demonstrates the following three-part penitential prayer:
- Lord, forgive me
- Lord, change me
- Lord, use me
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think it is such a temptation at times to try to hide, deny or rationalize our sinful behavior? What truths would be helpful to say to ourselves when we are tempted to hide sin?
- David's turning point came when he was confronted by the prophet Nathan. How do you usually respond to the Nathans in your life and how can you do better in responding to the Nathans in your life?
- Sometimes we can be affected by the culture around us in a way that causes us to admire certain behaviors/attitudes without realizing that they are actually sinful. What current behaviors/attitudes might fall into that category?
Posted in Grow & Discern
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