Introduction: What is sin?

1. 
   Is it relative to the person, time, and culture?
   
2. 
   Are some sins worse than others?
   
3. 
   Are there consequences for sin?
   
4. 
   Should we be judged, and who should do the judging?
   
5. 
   Are we guilty of sin?
   

I. The Nature and Purpose of Man (Genesis 2)

1. 
   The nature of Genesis 1 vs Genesis 2
   

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  Some say they are 2 different creation accounts.
  
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  Dan’s take: Genesis 1 is the summary, Genesis 2 gives details.
  
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  Genesis 1:27: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
  
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  Genesis 2:4ff tells us how that happened.
  

2. 
   An order to the creation of mankind – male created before female.
   

1. 
   Step 1: Man was formed from dust of the ground (v 2:7)
   

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  Made of same “stuff” as the rest of creation.
  
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  No intrinsic value or significance.
  
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  God can wipe us all out and start over, and He’d still be righteous!
  
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  The creation must answer to the Creator!
  

2. 
   Step 2: God breathed the breath of life into man (v 2:7)
   

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  “suscitated” while looking into the face of God.
  
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  Though we’re made of the same “stuff” as the rest of creation, we are considerably different due to our position before God.
  

1. 
   Built to have a relationship with Him.
   
2. 
   Made in the “image” of God - We have some of His attributes. (1:27)
   

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  This gives us infinite value!
  
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  We are God’s “selfie!” We were created to bring glory to God!
  
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  Matthew 5:16: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
  
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  In humanity, the attributes of God are to be on display.
  

3. 
   Most of us are intended to reflect God’s glory with someone of the opposite sex within the institution of marriage.
   

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  Genesis 2:18
  
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    “helper & “fit”
    
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      Speaks NOT of a servant.
      
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      “a help as opposite” or “a help corresponding.”
      
  • 
    Speaks not of an inferior, subservient being…
    
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    But of a similar being who is different enough to have the qualities the first one lacks.
    
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  An animal can’t do that!
  
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  So woman is created: similar to the man, yet different enough to bring to the relationship what man doesn’t have.
  
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  We are to “complement” each other in marriage in order to help each other bring glory to God in a way we couldn’t do on our own.
  

4. 
   However, some are called to be single
   

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  Paul calls this a blessing (1 Cor. 7:7-8)
  
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  They don’t need a spouse to be “complete.”
  
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  Most of us aren’t given this gift.
  

5. 
   The Profound purpose of marriage
   

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  Not to make us happy.
  
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  But to make us the most accurate reflection of our Creator that we can be!
  

6. 
   Man is accountable to God for the spiritual well-being of his family.
   

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  Man is given the mission (2:8-9, 15)
  
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  Man is given spiritual instruction (2:16-17)
  
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  Assigns names to animals, implying authority (2:19-20)
  
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  Gives name to the woman, implying authority (2:23)
  
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    Not in a dominant, abusive sense.
    
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    But in the sense that he is accountable before God for the way the marriage does or does not reflect God’s glory!
    
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  Men are the spiritual leaders. The only question is, how are we leading?
  

7. 
   We were made to reflect God’s glory to the world around us
   

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  God’s “selfie.”
  
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  Dominion over creation
  
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  Genesis 1:28:“And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
  
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  Childbirth – part of God’s creative process.
  
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  Rule the earth as God’s stewards – God’s representatives.
  

8. 
   Point: Though there IS one commandment at this point, mankind is made for a far greater role – bringing God’s glory to the world!
   

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  When we fail to do so in the way we live and talk and act and think, we sin!
  
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  The one command was intended to show the first man and woman where glorification ceases and defilement begins.
  

II. THE FALL OF MAN (Genesis 31:12)

1. 
   The serpent
   

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  Not an ordinary snake
  
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  Rev. 12:9 – This is Satan!
  
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  Though he’s more powerful, doesn’t force man to choose evil over good.
  
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  Temptation comes from an inferior being to humanity – a serpent he can drive away. It’s not an overpowering force.
  

2. 
   Temptation (v. 1)
   

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  Not an overpowering force.
  

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  Sin is a choice to pursue our glory rather than the glory of God.
  
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  It is our responsibility to make the choice.
  
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  Enters in the form of a simple question (3:1b)
  
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    Question calls us to make a judgment.
    
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    Disturbing – questions our source of right and wrong.
    
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    Flattering – implies that WE are the ultimate source of what is right and what is wrong.
    
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    Calls us to judge God Himself!
    

3. 
   Shift from God-centered to self-centered
   

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  Answers Satan’s question in v2: God didn’t say that – He’s not that strict.
  
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  But in v3 she misquotes God: “but He IS strict!”
  
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  Stepping into the role of judge.
  
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  V4 – the serpent lies and denies the judgment of God – because then it’s safe for us to rebel.
  
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  V 5 - Serpent lies again.
  

4. 
   The nature of sin (v 6)
   

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  Not a matter of disobeying many rules.
  
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  Arrogance
  
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  Refusing to have faith in God and instead, having faith in ourselves.
  
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  Believing that we’re here for OUR glory instead of God’s glory.
  
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  Occurred when “the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise.”
  
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  AND when the man refused to do anything about it!
  

5. 
   Answers to opening questions:
   

1. 
   Sin is NOT relative to the culture or the person.
   

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  It’s based on the nature and holiness of God.
  
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  It’s doing things for our glory rather than His glory.
  
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  We don’t determine what does or does not bring glory to God; He does!
  
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  We need to be familiar with the Bible.
  

2. 
   While earthly consequences of some sins might be greater than others, all sin is equally rebellion against God.
   
3. 
   Sin must be judged by God.
   
4. 
   God is to do the judging.
   

III. The Consequences of sin.

1. 
   Gaining a knowledge of evil by becoming evil (v7)
   
2. 
   Lose fellowship with God that we were made to have (v8)
   
3. 
   Lose fellowship with each other (v 12)
   
4. 
   Banished from the presence of God (v 23)
   

Conclusion:

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  They’re story is our story!
  
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  Their guilt, and their propensity to sin has been passed down to us.
  
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  We are guilty of rebellion against God!
  
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  He must come to us.
  
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  We have a merciful God who loves us so much that He’s provided a way to come to Him and be forgiven through Jesus Christ.
  
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  To be continued…