Recognizing Against Whom We Sin

Lent: Recognizing Against Whom We Sin

  1. All sins are acts of _____________________ against _______.

 The opinio legis is a result of _________________ sin. It is the notion or opinion that we are all basically ___________ (or at the very least, I am basically ___________!) and that it is only corrupt or evil influences and surrounding that make people _______.

The opinio legis, to the extent that it considers God, holds that this supposed basic goodness in human nature is _____________________ for man at least in part to _________ God’s favor and to _______________ heaven, if not by _______________ works, then at least by a __________________ to believe.

For the wages of sin is death. (Ro 6:23a)
So then, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Mt 5:48)
3 For I admit my rebellious acts. My sin is always in front of me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned, and I have done this evil in your eyes. (Ps 51:3–4a)

Mortal Sin:

  1. You must _________ what you are doing is a _______.

  2. You commit the _______ with ___________________________.

  3. You do not ________________ against ____________________.

  4. You take ________________ in the sin and would _____ it again (no repentance).

Teacher, which is the greatest commandment of the Law? (Mt 22:36)
37 “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.” (Mt 22:37–40)
Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Mt 10:28)

  1. God _____________ justly.

3b God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Ti 2:3b–4)
[Jesus said] 18 The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, 19 and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Lk 4:18–19)
4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son to be born of a woman, so that he would be born under the law, 5 in order to redeem those under the law, so that we would be adopted as sons. (Ga 4:4–5)
So then, just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, so also death spread to all people because all sinned. (Ro 5:12)
He did not commit a sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. (1 Pe 2:22)
God made him, who did not know sin, to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him. (2 Co 5:21)
About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mt 27:46)
Though he was by nature God, he did not consider equality with God as a prize to be displayed, (Php 2:6)
7 But no one can by any means redeem himself. He cannot give God a ransom for himself— 8 (Yes, the ransom for their souls is costly. Any payment would fall short.) (Ps 49:7–8)
He was handed over to death because of our trespasses and was raised to life because of our justification. (Ro 4:25)
If we confess our sins, he [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 Jn 1:9)

Points to Ponder

  1. What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?
  2. Before today, were you familiar with the term mortal sin? Can you explain a mortal sin to someone? Give an example of a mortal sin to help explain it to another person.
  3. In verse 3, David says, "For I admit my rebellious acts. My sin is always in front of me." Have you ever experienced a time when your sin felt inescapable? How did you respond?
  4. Why do you think David acknowledges that his sin is ultimately "against [God] only" (v. 4), even though his actions hurt others?
  5. How does acknowledging our sin before God change our relationship with Him?
  6. How does confessing sin and seeking forgiveness bring freedom instead of shame?
  7. How can we cultivate a heart that is quick to confess and repent before God?

Homework: Psalm 51