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The Seriousness of Sin (12/28/03)

Last Monday was "World Aids Day." A total of 40 million people around the world are living with Aids.
The epidemic is the result of what the Bible calls sin.

We could stop Aids if we followed 3 Biblical rules:

1.	Avoid Sexual Immortality (I Thessalonians. 4:3)

2.	Do not commit adultery (Mark 10:19)

3.	Do not lust. (Matthew 5:28)

I.	The Definition of Sin

A.	The literal meaning

1.	Greek= hamartia and means "to miss the mark" (like an arrow missing the target)

2.	Sin is failing to hit the mark/goal intended by God. (Romans 3:23)

B.	The Definition according to John

1.	Sin is lawlessness

2.	Sin occurs when you do what is forbidden (Sin of commission)

C.	The Definition according to James (James 4:17). Sin occurs when you fail to do what is good or commanded (Sin of omission)

II.	The Origin of Sin

A.	I John 3:8

B.	John 8:44 Those who practice sin are the Devil’s children ( I John 3:8-10 )

III.	Christ Came to Defeat Sin

A.	I John 3:5a

B.	I John 3:8b

John 1:29

D.	Consider the cost:

1.	I Corinthians 15:3

2.	Acts 20:28

3.	I Peter 1:18-19

Conclusion: