When Believers Sin, Do They Have To Be Saved All Over Again? Series

When Believers Sin, Do They Have to be Saved All Over Again?

Gal. 3:22July 17, 2005 FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, Pastor

Introduction:

A In the early 1930’s the US had a problem. Crime had run amok. The prohibition of alcohol in the 1920’s had given rise to pervasive organized crime. A frightened public demanded a response, and the government wanted to send a message to criminals. Their message was named Alcatraz. A tiny island in San Francisco which had previously been used as a military prison. From 1934 to 1962 Alcatraz housed some of our nation’s most notorious outlaws including Al Capone.

Thirty-six prisoners were involved in escape attempts: 7 shot and killed, 2 drowned, 5 unaccounted for, the rest recaptured. 2 prisoners made it off the island but were returned, As for the June 1962 escape, Morris and the Anglin brothers were successful in escaping both the institution and the island, but survival is very questionable.

The rock was one of the most successful examples ever of an escape-proof prison. But there is one prison even more inescapable and it is the one referred to in the Scripture we just read in Galatians: The bondage of sin.

But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Gal 3:22 (NASB)

B ETS: Paul explained the key that opened sin’s prison that had trapped all humankind.

1 ESS: Once we’ve been set free from sin’s prison we’re eternally pardoned.

2 OBJ: I want my listener to know how to break free from sin’s prison.

3 PQ: How does humankind break free from sin?

4 TS: Let’s look at two facts that can help us break free from sin’s prison.

5 Pray

I The law convicts

A Paul told the believers at Galatia that the law of the Scriptures had shut them in on all sides.

1 "Shut in" meant on all sides (no way out)

a (IL) Like a school of fish caught in a net

b They were locked in prison because they broke the law.

2 Their sentence was a trip to the executioner’s galley

a For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NASB)

b Nothing they did could break the bars of sin’s prison (law, circumcision, ceremonial rituals).

c The Law allowed them to see how dirty, broken, filthy they truly were.

B The laws in Scripture show us how dirty our hearts are.

1 We see the ugly, rotten, calloused things in our hearts.

a Lust, greed, unforgiveness, selfishness, pride, etc.

b Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:17 (NASB) Sins of omission.

2 as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Romans 3:10,23 (NASB)

If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:8, 10 (NASB)

a All of humankind is under sin (all guilty)

b We can’t get out on good behavior, parole, the law says, "You gotta die!"

c The law does not save us (never did), it convicts us!

C We’ve missed the mark.

1 God’s standard is not "good", His standard is perfect.

2 "I’m going to heaven because I’m a pretty good person." NO! Good people are in sin’s prison.

II Grace sets us free

A Paul told the believers at Galatia that faith in Jesus would unlock the prison doors of sin.

1 The Law allowed them to realize that they were helpless on their own to break free.

a Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. Gal 3:24 (NASB) Pointed them to Jesus!

b Just as all men were (are) under sin...all men are also saved by grace.

2 Once they were released, they became children of God.

a The Law is a mirror that allowed them to see their dirty faces: you can’t wash a face without a mirror!

b It was God’s grace that provided cleansing through the blood of Jesus.

B The moment we really believe (saving faith) we too are set free from sin’s prison (two natures: old nature because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so Romans 8:7 (NASB) vs. new nature knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin. Romans 6:6-7 (NASB)).