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Oikos Sermons

The Nature of Sin

Phil Gons · December 6, 2015 · Spring Creek Bible Church · 1h 4m

Part 8 of The Doctrines of Man and Sin

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For families

Ages Teens · Mature

This is a serious, scholarly exploration of what sin actually is—not just rule-breaking, but a fundamental turning away from God and a failure to reflect his image. The preacher takes time to wrestle with hard questions (what happens to infants who die?) and grounds everything in Scripture. Teens ready for theological depth will find this clarifying and convicting.

Worth knowing: Extended discussion of infant mortality and damnation; references to child sacrifice in ancient texts.

Character of GodApologetics & hard questionsHoliness & obedience

Talk about it together (4 questions)
  1. The preacher says sin means ‘missing the mark’—what mark are we supposed to be hitting, and how does that change how you think about your own mistakes?
  2. He argues that sin is primarily about the heart, not just actions. Can you think of a time when you did the right thing outwardly but your heart wasn’t in it? What made the difference?
  3. The sermon claims that at the root of all sin is putting ourselves at the center instead of God. Do you see that pattern in the kinds of sin you struggle with most?
  4. Why do you think the preacher spent so much time on whether God saves infants who die? What does that question reveal about how we think of God’s justice and mercy?

Used by permission of Phil Gons — philgons.com