First Principles 06: Light & Darkness

Preached by Chris Broom, 10/17/2006
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First Principles 06: Light & Darkness - Outline

Introduction

1 Peter 2:9-10
- Every person is either in darkness or light. There’s no twilight zone.
- Where are you?

Darkness Not a people of God No Mercy	Light People of God Mercy
Lost Not a Christian Not a Disciple	Saved Christian Disciple

Part 1. Darkness

Isaiah 59:1-2
- Sin separates us from God. Wall of Sin with Darkness on one side and Light on the other
- In order for a man to have relationship with God, the wall must be broken down. Sin must be forgiven.
- The point in time sin is forgiven is the point in time a person is saved.

Romans 3:23-25
- Who has sinned? Everyone!
Three piles of sin, each of a different height
- Who is further away from God: a person who sins a little or a person who sins a lot? All are equal, all lost. Therefore a good moral life does not save you. You cannot earn salvation by your good deeds.
- Faith in the blood of Jesus saves you (v. 25).

What is sin?
- Galatians 5:19-21 (sins of commission)
- 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (sins of commission)
- James 4:17 (sins of omission)

What is the eternal consequence of sin?
- Romans 6:23

Wages of Sin	Gift of God
Death Hell Darkness	Eternal Life Heaven Light

Part 2. Light

John 3:1-7 - Born again (v. 3), born of water and spirit (v. 5), born again (v. 7).
- Personal decision as an adult.

What message must one believe to be in the light (to be saved)? Acts 2:22-24
- Jesus is from God (v. 22).
- Jesus raised physically from the dead (v. 24).
- Everyone is responsible for the crucifixion of Christ (v. 23). All have sinned (Romans 3:23).

Response of people. Acts 2:37
- Cut to the heart
- What shall we do?

Once the people believed, what did they do? Acts 2:38-42
- Repent (Greek = to turn)
- Be baptized (Greek = to be immersed)
- Sin forgiven. Therefore this is the point in time a person is saved.
- Holy Spirit given to each who responded: power to live as God commands.

Baptism. Romans 6:1-4
- Baptism is the sharing (participation) in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (more than just a symbol).
Buried with Christ diagram

DARKNESS Sin Separates Us from God	LIGHT Acts 2:38 Sin is Forgiven
Born Again Of Water and Spirit John 3:5	Acts 2:38 Water = Baptism Spirit = Received at Baptism
Romans 3:25 Faith in the Blood of Jesus Saves Us	Jesus shed his blood when he died. In baptism we share by faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Thus we contact the blood in baptism and are forgiven of our sins and SAVED!

Part 3. Traditions/False Doctrines - Matthew 15:6-9

Infant Baptism
- Personal faith is needed (Colossians 2:12).
- Began approximately third century A.D.
- Original sin
- Ezekiel 18:20
- Became “church doctrine” 549 A.D.

Praying Jesus into your heart
- Revelation 3:20 - taken out of context. This verse is addressed to Christians.
- Began in the early 1800s in America.

Part 4. Sinful nature
Suggest to the individual with whom you are studying that he or she write out and be specific about various sins they have committed during their life. This is so that they might see the gravity and magnitude of their sin. This is confidential and should only be shared with those who are studying with the person.

Sin Definitions from Galatians 5:19-21

Sexual Immorality: Fornication (Acts 15:20), any sexual union outside of marriage. Denotes ungodly sexual acts and relationships; prostitution, rape, homosexuality, petting, adultery, child abuse, bestiality.

Impurity: Any sinful thinking. Anything vulgar, wrong thoughts, lust, masturbation, wrong motives, pornography, fantasy.

Debauchery: Any misuse of the body. Usually referring to sexual excesses but, in general, refers to a readiness to indulge in any pleasure (indecency, lewd dancing, anorexia and bulimia). There is no respect for anyone else. In this state, man is at the mercy of his passions, impulses, emotions, etc. He is completely undisciplined (e.g. gives in to gluttony, laziness, smoking, cravings, masturbation, unlimited pleasure).

Idolatry: Worshipping anything other than God. Giving or devoting one’s time substance, talents to anything that keeps one from obeying and following God in every way (e.g. status symbols, investments, engrossing sports or hobbies, selfish ambitions, relationships, property, possessions, pleasure and wants, school, work, pride). Praying to anyone other than God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit.

Witchcraft: Seeking or being involved in any spiritual realm other than God’s. Includes astrology (i.e. the stars control; consequently, God does not rule), horoscopes, Satan worship, the occult, magic spells, good luck charms or pictures, praying to saints, drug use, tarot cards, palm reading, channeling, (the New Age Movement), Ouiji board etc.

Hatred: Wishing ill or harm on anyone. Looking down on anyone, bitter feelings, resentment, wanting revenge. Murder and abortion.
Discord: Anything that breaks up relationships. Stirring up trouble, an inability to get along with people, arguing, slander, gossip, malicious talk and criticalness.

Jealousy: Possessiveness, not sharing

Fits of Rage: Uncontrolled anger, losing temper. Temper tantrums, quick temper, angry shouting, cursing and profanity, fighting.

Selfish Ambition: Living to please self. Wanting one’s own way, getting what one wants at any cost, desiring to be first at any cost, overly competitive spirit. Not willing to do menial or demeaning tasks, refusing to admit being wrong, arrogance, doing things for honor or glory, wanting to look good for others, refusing to compromise, pride, selfishness and independence.

Dissension: Rebelling against the authority. Not submitting. Habitually disagreeing, arguing, causing division, starting arguments, stirring up trouble.
Factions: Feeling superior to others. Cliques, refusing to associate with anyone because they are different or for any other reason. Wanting to be with “own” kind, prejudice bigotry, and racism.

Envy: Desiring something another person has while wishing that they didn’t have it at all. (e.g. wealth, status, ability, physical features, spirituality, relationships).

Drunkenness: Anything that causes one to lose control. Intoxication, alcohol, drug abuse.

Orgies: Living without restraint. Includes “partying,” sexual parties, unrestrained sex, vandalism, carousing.

And the Like: Lying, stealing, cheating, deceit, etc.