Lesson 1 Introduction The Problem of Sin Lesson

Lesson 1: Introduction & The Problem of Sin Lesson 2: The Price of Sin

The Problem of Sin • The meaning of sin (1: 5 -6; 3: 4; 5: 17) – Sin is “walk[ing] in darkness” (1: 5 -6) – Sin is “commit[ing] lawlessness” (3: 4) – Sin is “all unrighteousness” (5: 17; cf. 2: 4)

The Problem of Sin • The prevalence of sin (1: 8 -10; 2: 1 -2; 5: 17 -19) – Sin is a universal problem of humanity (5: 19; 2: 2) – Even Christians perpetually struggle with sin (1: 810; his readers were Christians, 2: 12) – Sin is prevalent because sin is deceptive (1: 8; 3: 7 -8)

The Problem of Sin • The consequences of sin (1: 5 -10; 3: 4 -9; 5: 16 -17) – We find ourselves separated from God (1: 5 -7; 3: 6) • Barrier to fellowship with God (1: 6; cf. 2: 9 -11) • Light (God) & darkness (sin) cannot have fellowship (1: 5, 7 -8; 3: 6 -8) – We neither possess nor practice the truth (1: 6, 8, 10; 2: 4) • Truth (God’s Word [Jn. 17: 17] & that which sets us free from sin [Jn. 8: 32 -34]) exercises the totality of our being (not just the intellect) and is expressed through our daily actions, attitudes & behaviors

The Problem of Sin • The consequences of sin (1: 5 -10; 3: 4 -9; 5: 16 -17) – We find ourselves separated from God – We neither possess nor practice the truth – We are guilty of self-deception (1: 8) • Sin will blind us to sin • One who is “deceived” is led away from right/truth • Sin leads us astray from God’s truth to embrace the lies of the devil (3: 7 -8) – We may eventually commit “the sin leading to death” (5: 16 -17) – cf. 1: 9 • A Christian with an impenitent heart & an unwillingness to confess his sins has shut the door to forgiveness

The Problem of Sin • The proper response to sin (1: 6 -10) – Willingly & humbly confess our sins to God (1: 7, 9) • “Confess” = “agree, speak the same thing” • Confession – agreement with God we are guilty of sin • Our confession must include: – An admission of our guilt, from a broken heart (1: 9) – An admission of our personal responsibility (1: 8 -9) – Penitently pray & ask for God’s forgiveness (1: 9)

The Problem of Sin • The proper response to sin (1: 6 -10) – Willingly & humbly confess our sins to God (1: 7, 9) – Penitently pray & ask for God’s forgiveness (1: 9) – Must never deny our sins or that we are sinners (1: 6 -10) • By denying that sin has an effect on our relationship with God (1: 6) • By denying that sin exists in our lives (1: 8) • By denying that we have ever sinned (1: 10)

Lesson 2: The Price of Sin

The Price of Sin • Jesus paid the price for our sin – Because of our sins, “God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him” (1 John 4: 9). – Only Jesus was qualified to be our sacrificial lamb, because “in Him there is [was] no sin” (3: 5). – Jesus’ atoning work was done voluntarily – “He laid down His life for us” (3: 16).

The Price of Sin • Jesus paid the price for our sin • The purposes of Jesus’ death are outlined – To “take away our sins” (3: 5) – lifting that burden/load from us so as not to be crushed – To “destroy” the works of the devil” (3: 8) – abolishing/nullifying the free activities of the devil & the fruits/consequences of his efforts (including pain, sorrow, misery, death— 1 Cor. 15: 54 -55, 2 Tim. 1: 10, Rev. 21: 4)

The Price of Sin • • • Jesus paid the price for our sin The purposes of Jesus’ death are outlined All of this was prompted by & motivated by God’s unconditional & undying love (4: 7 -11) – For the propitiation for our sins (2: 1 -2; 4: 8 -10) • Appeasing God’s holy character – Is. 59: 1 -2; Ep. 2: 1 -10 • Propitiation is a work of God Himself (not man) to appease His character and satisfy His justice (4: 8 -10). • Propitiation was made possible by and only by the redeeming blood of Jesus (4: 8 -10). • The propitiatory work of Jesus reveals to all of humanity the righteousness of God (1: 9).

The Price of Sin • • • Jesus paid the price for our sin The purposes of Jesus’ death are outlined All of this was prompted by & motivated by God’s unconditional & undying love (4: 7 -11) – For the propitiation for our sins (2: 1 -2; 4: 8 -10) – For the advocacy of Jesus Christ (2: 1 -2) • Jesus has been “called to one’s side to assist or plead his cause or serve as his intercessor” • Jesus represents us, the sinner, before God. Jesus has a unique relationship with God & with man. • He acknowledges our sins & guilt before God, then presents His vicarious death as grounds for acquittal

The Price of Sin • Some blessings Christians enjoy as result of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice – Permanent removal of the guilt/burden of our past sins (3: 5 -6) – Perpetual cleansing/forgiveness from all our sins, present & future (1: 7 -9; 3: 1 -2) • If we continue walking in the light (1: 7) • If we willingly confess the sins we commit (1: 9) • Assurance based on faithfulness & justice of God (1: 9)

The Price of Sin • Some blessings Christians enjoy as result of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice – Cessation from sin (3: 5 -9) • Sin will not be the ruling principle of our lives (3: 4) because we “abide” in Jesus (3: 6 -8) • “Abide” means to “settle down, ” conveying the idea of an intimate relationship with Jesus (Phil. 3: 7 -14, Gal. 2: 20). • The consequence of our intimacy with Jesus is (1) the cessation of a habitual lifestyle sin & (2) the decision to adopt a lifestyle that practices righteousness. • Serving both Jesus & the devil, walking both in light & darkness, abiding in Christ & practicing sin=impossible

The Price of Sin • Some blessings Christians enjoy as result of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice – Fellowship with other Christians (1: 7) • “Sharing and having something in common” • Perpetual & continual fellowship – Anticipation of eternal life (4: 9; 5: 11 -13) • Found in Jesus Christ (5: 11; 4: 9) • We can know we have eternal life when we: – Obey the commands of God (2: 3, 5) – Love our Christian brethren (3: 14, 18 -19) – Refuse to be controlled by sin (5: 18) – Believe in Jesus as the Son of God (5: 13)