Hope for Shepherds and Sinners

Luke 2:8-14

What is the big deal about Christmas?  How can we justify stopping the course of our lives to celebrate?  Why all the joy and praise at Christmas?  Have we forgotten the real why?  Only sinners can understand the reason for the season.

We need saving from the gripof sin on our lives today as well as the consequencesof sin.

I. Are We Sinners or Mistakers?  Romans 3:23; 6:23

“Sin” makes me think of something related to Godand judgment.

Webster says “Sin” is: a. a transgression of the lawof God and
b: a vitiated (defective) state of human nature in which the self is estrangedfrom God.

Webster says “MISTAKE” is: a wrong judgmentor misunderstanding.  

The big difference between mistake and sin is that a mistake can be settled with, “I’msorry”, but a sin must be paid for with blood sacrifice.

If all I am is a “mistaker” and not a sinner, then I don’t need a Savior.

“Sin” and Intentionality

Just because we can explain whywe did wrongdoes not erase the wrongof what we did.

II. “Sin” and PrivateThoughts  Mark 7:21-23

TheSevenDeadlySins are mostly private sins: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth.  

III. JesusBroadensthe Scopeof “Sin” Matthew 5:17-19

God’sLawis Still the Standardfor Judgment.

The law is not to punishus, but to protectus from the damage of sin.

IV. Every Man’s ConditionMatthew 5:21-43

Until you embrace the fact that you’re a sinner, you’re not open to embracing the fact that God sent you a Savior.

V. Every Man’s HopeRomans 3:24

As a sinner, I realize that I can’t do better and satisfythe lawof God.  I need a Savior.