Genesis 3 and Sin

Below you will find the rough draft notes for the SUnday morning sermon of August 11, 2013.  I hope that these will help you to review the sermon in your study of God's word throughout the week.

Genesis 3 and Sin

We learn in James 1 that sin is not from God, but each one by their own sinful nature struggles and is tempted by their own desires.

We also learn in Job, 1 Peter, and 1 Thessalonians that Satan is a tempter.

Thus, we are tempted internally, “each one is tempted by their own desires” and externally, just as Satan enticed Eve we too are tempted. (Colossians)

And we praise God for 1 Corinthians 10:13 that tells us where to turn to overcome temptation.

In order to deal with sin, we turn today to Genesis 3 to study the fall of man.

Read Genesis 3:1-13

Romans 6:23 states the wages of sin is death.

            We read that Satan is crafty.

            He talks to Eve.

            Satan tempts us in two ways, (he is known as the tempter, the father of lies)

·         He tempts us to doubt God’s word

·         He tempts us to doubt God’s goodness/character.

Thus, an attack on our faith and our love for God.

God is concerned for His word, for it is the revelation of who He is.  This is why Jesus is called The Word.

God is concerned for His Name, for it too is the essence of who He is. Holiness, Love, Wrath, Judge, Giver of Mercy and Grace, just to name a few.

An attack on God’s Word.

            (1) “Did God actually say…not eat any tree?)

·         he calls into question whether or not this was clearly defined.  He tries to blur the lines and question intent.

·         He uses leading questions to confuse and arouse doubt.

Eve responds, but does not utilize God’s actual words.

In clearly defined commands it is obedience, not legalism to adhere to the directives of God.

      Ie you shall not commit adultery, you shall worship God only.

An example of a not clearly defined command would be the ownership of family photos and music, some offshoots of Christianity forbid music, photos, and such things from homes or churches.

            In the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, Matthew 4, we see the same techniques, doubt God’s word, doubt His goodness.

            Satan tempts Jesus with a question of God’s word and taking the easy way out.  Satan propositions interpretations of God’s design that offer shortcuts and “improvements” to the mission.

            A helpful question is not “What is wrong with it, but does it glorify God?”

So Satan begin his attack on the nature of God

(4) “you will not die” satan calls her to doubt the motives and thus character of God..

            Satan mixes truth with lies.

            Truth-your eyes will be opened. (Highlights the benefits)

            Lie- you shall not die. (Diminishes the consequences)

(6) Eve toys with the idea presented to her.

God gives us tools to overcome temptation

Scripture is given to us to help.

Prayer and our relationship guard us from questioning God’s word and intents.

Worship is to turn our hearts toward God.

Do not fault Eve, unless you have never sinned.  She walked closer to God than any of us have, and she sinned.  Take this as a warning as to how crafty satan is and how corrupt sin works its power.

Eve looks beyond the deception as she plays with temptation.

·         “Saw it was good for food.”  Yes, but there were God ordained alternatives.

·         “Delight to the eyes.”  Not all beauty is to be shared.

·         “Make one wise.” But at what cost would this knowledge come?  How would it forever corrupt her worldview?

Again, Eve began asking “What is wrong with it”, rather than “Does this glorify God?”

Eve took, ate, and gave to Adam.

She pondered, believed, and acted

She received, consumed, and responded

She embraced, used, and affected.

She touched, tasted, shared.

She thought, dabbled, accepted.

All these words could be used to describe how litely we take sin.  Yes, it was just an apple, rather a piece of fruit.  However, much more was at stake, it was her relationship to God.  The trust, faith, and love of God was challenged.

Mind you, Adam is there.  He does not love her by protecting her from spiritual falsehood.  They are not protecting one another.

We do not read of Adam’s temptation, he simply gave into what was going on. He followed the crowd.

Their eyes were opened- they knew nakedness (shame/humiliation)- they desired to cover up.  We sin and have guilt, guilt is the spiritual nervous system that something is wrong.  Most people choose to deal with it by hiding guilt (they self-medicate, shift blame, ignore, accept false theologies, and pursue interests that will keep them from having to deal with the reality of sin)

The intimacy with God was destroyed, both with each other and with God.

(9) and they heard the sound of God in the garden.

            So they hid

            There are many ways to hide

·         Self Medicate- alcohol, drugs, anger, depression, solitude,

·         Blame shift- anger, pride, accuse,

·         Ignore- Atheism, Entertainment, Live in a fantasy, harden their heart.

·         False doctrines-“I  am a good person”, “It isn’t that bad”, “Everyone does it”, atheism, penance, attempt to make deals with God.

·         Pursue mind occupying interests-Entertainment, movies, TV, Sports, Music, Vacations, Move from place to place,

            Adam and Eve physically hid with fig leaves and behind bushes.

But ultimately there is judgment.

God is a just God, and a graceful God.  He confronted Adam, Eve, and Satan.

(9) “Where are you?”

Adam responds, “I was naked.” (Aware of guilt) (Plays the victim)

“That woman You gave me.” (Blameshifting)

She did this, 1,2,&3. “I ate because of her.”

But Adam is guilty- We are not responsible for what happens to us, we are responsible for our response.

God’s holiness is offended.  This leads to judgment, which leads to the only right and just thing to do, bring forth wrath.  Yet it is the grace of God that is our only hope.  Because God does love, He shows His glory by forgiving those who would repent.  He does not act unjustly by ignoring the sin, but rather, He illustrates His holiness by wrathfully avenging His name against sin, by sending Christ to take the full penalty against sin upon the cross.  Anything less than this would make God unjust, and that is not in His word or character.  The cross is the great demonstration of revelation of who God really is.  Holy, just, loving, graceful, and a myriad of other attributes make Him the only one worthy of worship.

The rest of the chapter sets the stage for the rest of the Bible.  Satan is cursed for destruction, and Man is given an opportunity to be redeemed.

My question this morning is the same as God’s “Where are you?”  Where are you in relationship with God?  Are you guilty?  Have you some sin separating you from God, the one who allowed His Son to pay for your sins?  How are you dealing with sins past, present, and future?  According to the scriptures there is only one way to deal with our guilt, to come by faith to Jesus and accept Him as your Savior, Lord, and Love.

Savior- you need your sins dealt with and only He can do so. You must repent.

Lord- You need in repentance to follow Christ, deny self, take up your cross daily and follow Him.  It is not a “Try harder” religion, but a relationship of abiding in Hid Lordship.

Love- to be a Christian is to love God, it is a love that is not Jesus and the world, but a hatred of the world.  IT is worldliness that has corrupted your life, it is Christ who saves.  You cannot love God and the world.  You must choose to love God.