Scripture Reference: 1 John 3:4-10
Sermon in a Sentence
Because of the nature and origin of sin, the nature and work of Christ, and the nature and lineage of the Christian, whoever willfully allows and accepts sin as a practice of their lives must honestly examine themselves to see if they truly are a child of God and have been born again.
Sermon Outline
| Outline of the Passage*: | Verses 4-7 | Verses 8-10 |
| Introduction | “Whoever commits sin…” (v.4) | “He who sins… (v.8) |
| The nature and origin of sin | Sin = “lawlessness” (v.4) | Sin is of the devil (v.8) |
| The nature and work of Christ | “…He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.” (v.5) | “…the Son of God was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (v.9) |
| The nature and lineage of a Christian | Abiding in Christ = not sinning“Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.” (v.6) | “Whoever has been born of God does not sin…and cannot sin…” (v.9) |
| Conclusion | “He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.” (v.7) | “Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God.” (v.10) |
1. Since by its very nature sin is rebellion against the authority of God that originates from the devil, then its allowance and acceptance is utterly incompatible with one who claims to be a child of God.
2. Since by His very nature Christ is sinless, and since He came to take away sins and destroy the works of the devil, then to allow and accept sin is utterly incompatible with one who claims to be a child of God.
3. Since a Christian, by his or her very nature, is one who has entered into a relationship with God through Christ and has been born of God, then to allow and accept sin is utterly incompatible with one who claims to be a child of God.
*This outline is adapted from John R.W. Stott, The Epistles of John, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (London: Tyndale Press, 1964), 121.