SEVEN SINS SNEAKING INTO THE SANCTUARY
Romans 12:1-2
I. Social Acceptances
Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Just because the world says it is OK...Clothing...Movies
***Illustration: Drivers license—if you can’t control the car you don’t need the license. If you can’t control your TV you do not need it.
Gambling
Drinking
II. Synthetic Salvation (manmade)
John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
2 Timothy 3:5 “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
III. Sacred Cows
Exodus 32:8 “They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.”
Something that takes priority over God, His church, and the purpose of His church.
Examples: opinions, objects, traditions, money
Illustration: If you gave something to the church and there are still strings attached, back your vehicle up and we will load it up and you can take it back home because you have never given it to the Lord.
IV. Selfishness
1 Peter 1:22 “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:”
Examples: My way or else, Bad attitudes, Vindictive Spirits, Over-sensitivity
V. Sexual Deviations
Several deviations of sexual behavior are condemned in the biblical teachings: homosexuality, bestiality, incest, rape, adultery, prostitution, and fornication.
Homosexuality (Lev. 18:22 “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination” (Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-10)
Adultery (sex between a married person and someone other than spouse)
Matthew 5:27-28 “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
Fornication (Sex between two people not married)
I Thes 4:3 “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication”
In unmarried couples, the wide span of intimate possibilities that lies between kissing and intercourse is still a deviation from what the Bible teaches and God intended – it is sin.
VI. Slothfulness
Define: disinclination to action or labor. Spiritual apathy and inactivity
Found in: Prayer, Bible, Evangelism, Worship
Proverbs 19:15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Proverbs 15:19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
Hebrews 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
VII. Subtle Deceptions
Satan deceives church members to think nothing is wrong.
Gen 3:1 “Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made.”
1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
James 4:7-10 “7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
