Scriptural Background
We saw the effects of sin begin to ravage the world in the children of Adam and Eve. The first murder occurred when Cain killed his brother Abel most likely out of jealousy, selfishness, and hatred. The Bible tells us that evil company corrupts good
habits (1 Corinthians 15:33), and it appears Cain was quick to influence those around him.
The Bible tells us of Lamech—the fifth generation from Cain. We know that he took two wives (Genesis 4:19) in rebellion to God’s ordinance of marriage (Genesis 2:24). We read how he spoke with seeming pride of another murder—one he committed (Genesis 4:23). As the moral fiber decayed from generation to generation, we can only imagine what the Lord
saw as he looked upon the earth. For he was grieved in his heart that he had made people and knew that he must destroy them (Genesis 6:5–7).
And what does the Lord see today? More sin, evil, and corruption. Since Adam and Eve were sent from the garden, the sin nature that provoked them to disobey God has been passed on to all humans. The Bible states that death spread to all men through the sin of Adam (Romans 5:12).
We have all inherited a sin nature. David knew that he was conceived in sin—an inheritance from Adam (Psalm 51:5). And Jeremiah reminds us that the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick (Jeremiah 17:9). Our sin demands judgment by a holy God. Jesus tells us that judgment is coming. Speaking of the final judgment, he warns that just like it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man (Luke 17:26). He is coming to judge the world in righteousness and faithfulness (Psalm 96:13).
So what are we to do? We know that our holy, jealous God is a consuming fire who will not tolerate our loyalty, love, honor, and respect being placed anywhere else (Deuteronomy 4:23–24). He is intolerant of sin, and we are all sinners (Romans 3:23).
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57)! For God had always known that he would send his Son so that whoever believes in him would not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Through Christ alone we are brought from darkness into light and from the power of Satan to God. Through Jesus our Savior we receive forgiveness of our sins and a place in eternity with him (Acts 26:18).
Historical/Apologetics Background
It is not surprising that just 1,600 years after Adam and Eve were sent from the presence of God, he once again had to judge the sin of the world. This time, it was a worldwide flood that would destroy all but Noah and his family (Genesis 6:13, 6:18). Sin continued to pervade the lives of the people.
It was just over 100 years after God destroyed the world that his judgment fell at Babel. The people were disobedient to God’s direct commands and desired to build themselves a city and a tower to the heavens. They longed to make a great name for themselves (Genesis 11:4). These plans angered the holy God, and he judged them by confusing their language and scattering the people across the face of the earth (Genesis 11:7–8).
And man continues to sin. God is now withholding his judgment on the unjust—but it will come (2 Peter 2:9–11). He is coming to judge the earth in righteousness (Psalm 98:9). His judgment is realeternal, and will come by fire. He tells us as much:
“But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly” (2 Peter 3:7). But thanks be to God that we can escape God’s wrath and judgment through faith in Christ (Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9).
Man has always suffered from a self-centered arrogance that bristles at the very thought of being sinful at heart. Many truly believe that humans are inherently good and that it is unthinkable that we are born into sin. Couple this thinking with the self-esteem-building rhetoric that maintains that we are great, and we can see that we are raising a generation that can’t fathom that they are deceitful, wicked, and rebellious against God (Jeremiah 17:9).
Children are told to follow their hearts. Whatever they imagine they can do, they can do. Their dreams are theirs if they only wish for them. Whatever they, feel in their heart is okay—and they must pursue their heart’s desire. However, this is not what God’s Word tells us. We are leading our children astray with this type of teaching. Our feelings cannot lead our decisions. Our hearts are fickle and wicked. Our lives should be directed by Scripture alone. The Word of God will direct us in all righteousness. The righteousness of his testimonies is everlasting—with understanding in these, we shall live (Psalm 119:144).
Without a proper understanding of the depth of the sin in our hearts, how can we properly rejoice at the forgiveness that is ours through Christ? If our sin is minor or inconsequential in our eyes, what would make us turn from it and accept the free gift of forgiveness and salvation from God? If we long for the pleasures of our heart and pursue those desires without considering God’s Word, how would we make him the Lord of our lives? With our own needs and comforts so much in view, how would we ever be able to properly humble ourselves before God to plead his mercy and forgiveness? Do you see? The very gospel is at stake when we consider the self-esteem-building philosophy so many are accepting.
The Apostle Paul sums it up well this way: “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out” (Romans 7:18). We are sinners. Our righteousness is like a polluted garment before the Lord (Isaiah 64:6). And it is only through humble repentance and belief in the gospel of Jesus
Christ (Mark 1:15) that we will escape the judgment and condemnation of our sins.
But the good news is that God promises a new heart for those who trust in Christ and thereby become partakers of the new covenant (Jeremiah 31:33–34; Hebrews 8:6–12). We become new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) and can walk
in newness of life, no longer living as slaves to sin (Romans 6:1–7).
Studying God’s Word
Introduction
Last week we looked at the first murder in the world. Cain murdered his brother Abel most likely out of jealousy and despite a direct warning from God to master his sin.
? What did we learn about the sacrifices of Cain and Abel and how that
applies to our lives?
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All People Have a Sin Nature
In this lesson, we will be turning the focus to mankind in general, and
then we’ll take a closer look at how sin impacts each one of us.
Romans 5:12–21
? What type of literature is the book of Romans?
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? Who is the one man referred to in verse 12?
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? What was the result of his actions?
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? Who is Adam contrasted with in this passage?
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? What common idea is found in verses 12, 15, 17, 18, and 19?
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? How many people face the consequence of Adam’s sin?
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Romans 3:23
? How does Romans 3:23 relate to this idea?
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Genesis 6:5
? What does Genesis 6:5 tell us about mankind?
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? Is this description before or after Adam sinned?
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? When the Bible speaks of the heart, what is it referring to?
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Genesis 8:21
? After the flood, God speaks of the nature of man. What do we learn
about the heart of man from Genesis 8:21?
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Psalm 51:5
? After David committed adultery and murder, he penned a psalm of
confession. In Psalm 51:5 what does David reveal about the origin of his
sinful nature?
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Jeremiah 17:9
? How does the prophet Jeremiah describe man’s heart in Jeremiah 17:9?
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? How could we summarize the teaching of the origin and extent of sin
according to what we have just read?
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Discover the Truth
All of this is the basis for the inherited sin nature that we refer to as original sin. Some people misunderstand that term to refer to Adam’s first sin, but original sin actually means that every person is born with a sin nature that causes us to rebel against God—even from birth.
Some people try to object to this idea and claim that it is unfair because we shouldn’t be blamed for what Adam did. There are a lot of theological nuances to this discussion that we are not going to take time to explore today, but there is one very important idea to consider. If it is unfair that Adam’s sin is accounted to each person, then it is also unfair that Christ’s righteousness and payment for sin should be accounted to anyone else.
To be consistent, and to make sure we are conforming our thinking to what we just read in Romans 5, we must accept the teaching that our sinful nature came from Adam as our representative head. This actually should give us great hope, knowing that just as we have all sinned in Adam, we can all be made righteous through Christ. If we are going to deny that Adam made us sinful then, to be consistent, we should deny that we can be made righteous in Christ.
However, this concept of original sin is very contrary to what the world teaches. Popular psychology and the media try to teach people that they are basically good or that they are born as blank slates and that if they just follow their hearts, all their dreams can come true.
Pop Culture vs. Scripture Activity
? How many of you allow your children to watch movies produced by Disney or have watched them yourself? Most should raise their hands. Disney, Pixar, and countless other production companies produce movies that reflect a worldview. In most cases, that worldview is directly opposite of Scripture, and the messages they communicate need to be weighed carefully against what Scripture teaches. Pass out the worksheets.
On this worksheet, there are two different excerpts from movies. Take a few minutes to think about the messages that are being communicated and how they compare to Scripture. Keep in mind what we have just learned about original sin.
Pop Culture vs. Scripture
The messages that we receive from the culture are very influential. Advertisers and movie and
television producers are promoting an agenda. If we think they are just trying to tell us nice stories, we
are deceived. One of the most prominent messages in media that might be labeled “inspirational” is the
notion of following your heart or your dreams. According to pop culture and pop psychology, this is the
ultimate aim in a fulfilled life.
Part 1
The following lyrics come from a song called “Follow Your Heart” from Cinderella 2. For each verse,
describe how the ideas presented line up with Scripture, and identify any passages that would provide
support for your description.
Who’s to say the rules
Must stay the same forevermore?
Whoever made them had to change
The rules that came before
So make your own way
Show the beauty within
When you follow your heart
There’s no heart you can’t win
So reach for the sky
It’s not high as it seems
Just follow your heart
Go as far as your dreams
Dare if you want to
Don’t fear you’ll fall
Take a chance ‘cause it’s better
Than never to chance it at all
There’s a world for the changing
And you’ve just begun
Don’t let them tell you
It’s simply not done
When you follow your heart
You’ll shine bright as the sun
Part 2
The following is an excerpt from the movie Fireproof. Answer the questions after the dialogue.
Caleb: What? You were married to someone before Tina?
Michael: For one whole year. I got married for the wrong reasons, then I turned around and
got a divorce for the wrong reasons. Man, I thought I was just following my heart.
Caleb: Michael, I have worked with you for 5 years. You’ve never told me that.
Michael: Because I’m not proud of it! It was before I gave my life to the Lord. Man, I was only
concerned about my rights and my needs. Man, I ruined her life. But when I gave my life to
God, I tried to find her, but she’d already remarried. So believe me when I tell you, I’ve got
a big scar. Man, God meant marriage to be for life. That’s why you gotta keep your vows
to Catherine. You gotta beg God to teach you to be a good husband. And don’t just follow
your heart, man; ‘cause your heart can be deceived. But you gotta lead your heart.
1. How had Michael’s view of his heart changed?
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2. What influenced his counsel to Caleb?
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3. Do you agree or disagree with Michael? Why?
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Connect to the Truth
? After reading over the Cinderella lyrics, what did you conclude about the
message the song presents compared to the Bible?
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? With that in mind, how does what Michael says about his heart compare
to Scripture?
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Knowing what the Bible says about our heart—in our default setting we are selfish creatures—we must be careful to make sure that our hearts are in line with God’s. We know that at conversion we are made a new creation and that we can now overcome our sinful desires (2 Corinthians 5:17). But this is only possible because we have the power of the Holy Spirit to help us in that battle. As Paul explains in Romans 6, we have been crucified with Christ that we may “no longer be slaves to sin,” and we can now obey God as “slaves of righteousness.”
It is not by following our hearts or chasing our dreams that we should be living our lives, but by seeking to follow the example of Christ in putting others before ourselves (Philippians 2) and seeking to obey God with his strength.
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Jesus Paid the Penalty for Sin
We have talked about the sinful side of human nature—the part that brings judgment. But there is a great hope for us despite our sin.
John 3:16–21
Most of you can probably quote verse 16, but a lot of other important information follows this statement. And it is important not to forget to examine the context of a familiar verse. We are jumping into the middle of a conversation between a prominent Jewish teacher and Jesus.
? Who was Jesus speaking to?
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? What caused God to send the Son?
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? What is the result of believing in Jesus?
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? Why did God send the Son into the world?
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? What brings condemnation to mankind?
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? Why do men hate the light?
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? How does this passage relate to the condition of the heart of mankind
that we talked about earlier?
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1 Corinthians 15:21–22
? We know that God the Father sent his only begotten Son, so how does
1 Corinthians 15:21–22 help us make the connection between Jesus,
Adam, and the condemnation of sin?
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Psalm 51:5–6
? Many people deny that we are born into a sinful state. What does Psalm
51:5–6 have to say about our nature at birth?
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Discover the Truth
Despite our tendency to love darkness more than light, a condition that leaves mankind condemned, Jesus was sent to pay the penalty for that condition—called sin. Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again of the Spirit of God to be free from the condemnation that came with his first birth—a birth that left him with a sinful heart.
Although we were all born in original sin, God was gracious and merciful to us in sending his Son to die on our behalf. Jesus calls everyone to believe in what he has done as the Savior of the world.
Application
Although Adam brought sin into the world through an act of rebellion, Jesus freely offers to remove that penalty for all who believe in him. Just as death spread to all men and all are born with a sinful nature because of Adam, Jesus made a way to avoid the penalty of death for all who trust in him.
The world encourages us to fulfill our selfish desires while we follow our hearts and chase our dreams. The Father calls us to serve others and be like his Son. Scripture is very clear in its description of the evil that is within the heart of every person from conception. If we examine the desires of our own hearts, we must admit that there is selfishness at our core. It is that sin that condemns us before a holy God, and he would be just to condemn us to hell for that rebellion.
But God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son to pay the penalty that we deserve. God’s love is demonstrated in this act, and those who were stained because of Adam’s sin can be washed clean in the blood of Christ. When we look to the Son in repentance and faith, we have passed from death to life—from perishing to eternal life.
? What evidence could you offer to someone who doubts that all people
are sinful from conception?
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? If a person believes that the doctrine of original sin is unfair, are they
being consistent when they look for salvation from sin through the
sacrifice of Jesus on the cross?
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? If sin is passed to all of Adam’s descendants, why is it important to
affirm that Adam and Eve were the original parents of all people?
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? What hope do you find in knowing that for assurance of your salvation
you can look to what Christ has done rather than looking to your own
works to commend you to God?
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? In what ways do you think you may have been deceived by the world’s
message of “follow your heart”? What do you need to do to repent of
that?
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? As you look at the culture we live in, how do you see the false message
of the goodness of humanity promoted? How can this be an opportunity
to share the gospel?
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? How has this lesson helped you to understand the need to share the
gospel with those around you?
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Prayer Time
• Read 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 as a prayer of thanksgiving to God.
• Ask God for compassion and boldness to share his gospel with others
who have accepted the false messages from the culture.
• Thank God for the truth of his Word that can dispel falsehoods in
the culture
Additional Request:
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