The Problem of Sin But the Beauty of Grace

Study #1

What do the following verses say about sin?

Romans 14:23

But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because it isn’t of faith; and whatever is not of faith is sin.

Isaiah 14:12-15

How you have fallen from heaven, shining one, son of the dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, “I will ascend into heaven! I will exalt my throne above the stars of God! I will sit on the mountain of assembly, in the far north! I will ascend above the heights of the clouds! I will make myself like the Most High!” Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the depths of the pit.

Matthew 5:21-22

“You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’ and ‘Whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment. Whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ will be in danger of the council. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.

Sin is...

1. Believing the lie that we can direct and control our lives instead of recognizing who God truly is. (Rom. 14:23)
2. Not placing faith in God to provide for all of our needs, rejecting that He has our best interests in mind, and trying to make ourselves equal with God. (Isa. 14:12-16)
3. Not only committed through our actions but also through our thoughts, attitudes, and words. (Matt. 5:21-22)

Discussion #1

1. How often are we guilty of sin/not living by faith?
2. What is God’s just punishment for sin? And who is deserving of the punishment?
3. Without Jesus, are we any better than the worst sinner on the face of the earth?

The Beauty of Grace So by this we know that we all deserve the consequence of sin, but the good news, THE GOSPEL, is that we all are given grace and that if we accept it, all our sin and rebellion is forgiven.

Study #2

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.

• What is grace?
• Why can grace be given to those who deserve the consequences of sin?
• Who is grace given to?
• How can we receive this grace?

Grace is...

1. Unmerited favor, or getting something that you don’t deserve
2. Given by God to us because Jesus died a physical death, took on the full wrath or punishment of God, and rose again to life defeating sin and death.
3. Given to everyone, but we have to receive the grace and accept it through faith/trust in who God is, His promises, who He says we are. (i.e. sinners saved by grace)

Discussion #2

1. Why is it good news then that we can’t earn our way to being forgiven by God?
2. Why should we turn from sin if it is all forgiven? Does it still matter?
3. How does this conversation change your attitude towards sin, yourself, God, and others?

Final Thoughts

Ask for God's grace to reflect the following attitudes:

• Towards sin—We are all sinful and the consequence of sin is very real and is so much more than just actions but a heart that is constantly seeking to proclaim itself as lord.
• Towards ourselves—We deserve the consequence of sin, so we are no better than any other person who does or doesn’t have faith. Our desire should be to never live in a state of unrepentant sin because we see its consequences and its price.
• Towards God—We should desire to live by faith giving thanks to God for His glorious freely given grace. We have been forgiven an immeasurable amount.
• Towards Others—We should then give grace freely to others, because we have been forgiven much so much more. We are not better than anyone else.