Stone 1
SIN and SALVATION
Opening Scripture:
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
John 1:3
All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
Colossians 1:16
For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. God’s Narrative Everything on earth had a beginning. God declared each phase of creation “GOOD,” until the first man Adam, and then God said that it was “NOT GOOD” for Adam to be alone.
Eve, the first woman, was created, and the first couple was given everything to enjoy. They were only forbidden to eat the fruit of one tree: the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” One fatal decision followed, and its tragic results have affected all of humanity since that time. Humanity would pass down this fatal flaw, this inner corruption. The power of evil and wickedness would have prevailed, BUT GOD intervened. His plan of salvation and deliverance began to unfold in that very Garden of Eden. This is GOD’S narrative throughout the entire Bible.
1) Creation
Genesis 1:1-25
2) Lord God
Genesis 2:4
3) God’s commandment to Adam and Eve
Genesis 2:16-17
4) Adam and Eve’s response to temptation (disobedience)
Genesis 3:1-13
5) Adam and Eve’s response to being naked (Humanity covered up and hid from God)
Genesis 3:7-10
6) God’s response to Adam and Eve’s sin (God sought out humanity)
Genesis 3:8-9
Sin
The act of disobeying God is called sin. The scripture has a couple of ways of expressing this idea. Sin is sometimes described as (1) trespass – something that involves crossing forbidden lines or boundaries that God sets up for our protection (2) iniquity- which is sin’s most troubling and destructive vice to twist and pervert our inner nature to be opposite of God’s Holy nature.
1) Description of SIN
Ephesians 2:1-3
2) The seriousness of sin and iniquity
Leviticus 11:44 and Isaiah 59:1-13
3) Man and sin
Romans 3:9-20, 23, and Jeremiah 17:9
4) Sin, death, and judgment
Romans 6:23, Hebrews 9:27, Matthew 25:41, Revelation 20:11-15 and Revelation 21:8 “Jesus”- God’s Solution
The penalty of sin is death. God’s solution for sin was foreshadowed in the garden. After Adam and Eve sinned, they tried to hide themselves with their own covering. Humanity has been hiding from God ever since that time. God provided the real covering by spilling the blood of an innocent animal. The concept of sacrifice is seen throughout the Bible.
1) The necessity for the forgiveness of sin
Hebrews 9:22
2) God covers Adam and Eve
Genesis 3:21
3) Unclean made Clean
Hebrews 9:22
4) Isaiah’s prophecy of the Savior
Isaiah 53:1-12
5) John introduces the Savior
John 1:29
6) Jesus’ sacrificial death
Romans 5:9, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:13, 1 John 1:7 and Revelation 1:5
7) Jesus and The Cross
1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 3:13-14 and 1 Peter 2:24
8) Jesus and Resurrection power
1 Corinthians 15:14-22
A New Heart
As a result of receiving God’s sacrifice, “Jesus Christ,” as a payment for our sins, we not only experience forgiveness from the past, but we are given a new heart and a new life as God’s children.
1) God’s promise to His people
Ezekiel 36:26
2) God rescues us from spiritual death
Ephesians 2:4-6
3) Receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior
John 1:12-13
4) Born again, to see again
John 3:3-7, John 1:12-13, 1 Peter 1:23, 1 John 3:9 and 1 John 4:7
5) New Creation
2 Corinthians 5:17
Grace Through Faith
It is critical to understand that we cannot save ourselves. The foundation of our faith is Jesus’ death and resurrection. That’s what paid the penalty for our sins.
1) Salvation not by good works (Justification)
Ephesians 2:8-9 and Titus 3:4-5
2) God’s grace
Titus 2:11-12, John 1:14-17, Romans 6:15
3) Faith that is alive
James 2:14-17
4) Sanctification (vivification and mortification)
Colossians 3:1-10, John 17:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Galatians 2:20, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Corinthians 1:2, Romans 6:6 and John 17:19
5) New Life
Ephesians 2:10, Romans 12:1-2 and Matthew 16:24
STUDY NOTES
1) What does Paul call himself?
Romans 7:24
2) Can the blood of animals ultimately take away sins?
Hebrews 10:4
3) According to the Bible, what can Jesus do for us?
John 1:18, Colossians 1:15-20 and Hebrews 4:15
4) What is the purpose of those who are born of God?
1 John 5:4
