Sermon Prepared by James McCullen
Email Preach Him with Dr. Jim

WHEN A CHRISTIAN SINS (PART ONE)
1 JOHN 1:8-10

(8) If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.    {9} If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  {10} If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
 

INTRODUCTION:
Do Christians sin? John relates to this question in verse eight and nine. He relates concerning the principal and practice of sin. No one can truthfully say the nature of sin is not in their life. Neither can one say the practice of sin is not part of my life.

I like to ask someone I am witnessing to "do you have a problem believing you have sinned in your life time?" Almost everyone smiles and says "no I know I have sinned." If we Christians admit we have sinned and do sin then how can we be forgiven?

The text relates we are to confess our sin. This confession must be made to God. If we sincerely do this He says He will forgive us. Follow in your Bible as we develop this message from God's word.
 
 

             II.     WHEN A CHRISTIAN SINS THEY MUST TRUST THE LORD.

A. The MEANING of telling the Lord.

        1. To tell the Lord means we are to confess that facts concerning our sin. v 8 & 10
            a. We are sinners by nature. We can not say we do not have a sinful nature. v 8

(8) If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves,. . .
            b. We are sinners by choice. We can not say we have not chosen to sin. v 10

{10} If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, . . ."

        2. To tell the Lord means to say the same thing. The word is a combination of two Greek words. The words HOMO (same) and LEGO (word) combine with the proper ending to make the Greek word HOMOLEGOMEN .

        3. The word indicates we must say the same thing about sin that God says. We can not simply make excuses and say it really isn't so bad. Sin caused the death of Christ on the cross. When we look at the cross we see God judges sin. It is an awful thing in God's eyes and we need to say the same about our sin.
 

B. The MESSAGE of telling the Lord.

        1. The message of confession says we are sorry for our sin. It is not a frivolous act whereby we tip our hat to God and say I'm sorry and just go on about our business.

        2. The message includes repentance. There must be a desire to do better. I say this in spite of my knowledge that many have a battle gaining the victory over a particular sin. Some confess the same sin over and over again. I believe God understands this problem and wants you to keep coming to Him with a sincere desire to gain victory. Victory over sin is only possible as we continue to confess to God.

ILLUSTRATION:
I heard Dr. Carl Bates tell this story. He is a former president of the Southern Baptist Convention and now retired from a prominent pastorate.

In his childhood he and his brother fought like most boys. On one occasion his father told both boys to apologize or go up to their room. Neither one of them wanted to apologize. Then they heard the supper dishes as they were being placed on the table. The aroma of the food began to make its way upstairs. The boys called out to their dad and said "if we did anything wrong we are sorry." Their dad replied "that won't catch it boys, you must do better than that."

Finally the boys would say "dad we disobeyed and we are sorry." Their father would say "come on down and clean up for supper." You see they had to agree with their dad. That is confession.

APPLICATION:

Christian friend how long has it been since you really confessed you sin. Victory over sin comes to those who TELL THE LORD.
 
 

A. Trust the Lord to be FAITHFUL.
 

B. Trust the Lord to be FORGIVING.
 

ILLUSTRATION:
Did you ever hear someone say I believe the Lord forgives me but I can't forgive myself. What that person has said means they really have not fully accepted God forgiveness. If we fully accept God's forgiveness we know He doesn't expect us to forgive ourself.

If you search through the Bible you will not find a verse that suggest you must forgive yourself. In fact good theology teaches no one can forgive sins but God. So why does a person say I can't forgive myself? I think they are really saying I am very disappointed in my self. Anyone who really accepts God's forgiveness will also know He expects us to go one trusting Him and through that the self disappointment will subside. It all hinges on His faithfulness and forgiveness. We must trust the Lord.
 

APPLICATION:

Will God forgive you if you commit the same sin several times? Yes! Note a supporting word from the book of James. "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him" James 1:5. The phrase ". . .without reproach . . . " indicates God does not refuse the sincere person even if they have failed many times in the same area. Don't let Satan confuse you in this matter.
 
 

A. Thank the Lord for His CLEANSING. v 1 c
 

B. Thank the Lord for His COMPLETENESS. v 1 c " all unrighteousness"
 
 

ILLUSTRATION:
Did you know -- In 1842 the first bathtub was denounced as a "luxurious and democratic vanity". Boston made it unlawful to bathe, except on doctor's prescription. In 1843 Philadelphia made bathing illegal between November 1 and March 15.
 

APPLICATION:

How tragic most Christians have adopted a similar schedule of spiritual cleansing. We would rather put up with the stench of our unconfessed sins than come clean before God!
 
 

I. WHEN A CHRISTIAN SINS THEY MUST TELL THE LORD.

II. WHEN A CHRISTIAN SINS THEY MUST TRUST THE LORD.

III. WHEN A CHRISTIAN SINS THEY MUST THANK THE LORD.