WHAT SIN STEALS FROM THE BELIEVER
By Michael D. O’Neal
Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church
Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Jer. 5:20-31
Text: Jer. 5:25
Jeremiah 5:25 Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.
Introduction: Sin is a thief. It robs a man of everything that is most precious in life.
Thank God, the sin question has been solved through the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for our sins according to the scriptures, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the scriptures. If a man believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, he will not suffer the eternal penalty for sin, the second death in the lake of fire. He has a home in heaven, and his eternal destiny is settled. Praise God!
However, there ARE consequences of sin in a believer’s life. If you sin after you are a child of God, you will find that sin is still a robber.
It can NOT steal
Your SONSHIP – although you will not feel worthy to be called a son of God.
Your SALVATION – although you may have doubts about your salvation.
I want to warn you about this thief called sin this morning. Believer, you don’t need to let sin into your home, heart, and life. Sin will take good things from you.
This morning’s message is titled,
WHAT SIN STEALS FROM THE BELIEVER
I. SIN STEALS A GOOD CONSCIENCE
John 8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
1 Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
1 Timothy 4:1-2 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Sin removes your
A. Purity of thought and heart
B. Perception about right and wrong
II. SIN STEALS GOOD CALMNESS
Isaiah 48:22 There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.
A. Making you anxious over things
B. Making you angry quickly
III. SIN STEALS A GOOD COUNTENANCE
First occurrence of “countenance” in scripture:
Genesis 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
Isaiah 3:9 The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.
Giving you
A. An overly sad countenance
B. An overly stern countenance
C. An overly scarred countenance
1. Heavily lined ahead of time – not caused by hard work or by sickness
IV. SIN STEALS GOOD CHARACTER
Reputation is what people think you are. Character is what you ARE.
Sow a thought, reap a word. Sow a word, reap a deed. Sow a deed, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow character, reap a life.
We might refer to it as your “manner of life”:
2 Timothy 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
A. It corrupts your heart, inside, then
B. It corrupts your habits, outside
V. SIN STEALS GOOD CHEER
Psalms 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy … (you can’t be filled with sin and be filled with the Spirit at the same time)
You won’t enjoy
A. The people of God’s family
1. You will find it very easy to have excuses for missing church
B. The preaching of God’s book, the Bible
VI. SIN STEALS GOOD COMMUNION
Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
You will become
A. Ignorant of God’s affection
1. He still loves you, but you won’t feel loved
B. Ignorant of God’s actions – what He is doing
VII. SIN STEALS A GOOD CROWN
Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Salvation is a GIFT (Rom. 6:23) that no man can take from you. Crowns, on the other hand, have to do with
A. A reward
1. 2 John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
B. A reign
1. 2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
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Michael D. O’Neal (Proverbs 11:30), Pastor, |