Main Idea:

A church that is rooted in the victory of Jesus over sin is a church that takes sin very seriously and lives in a way that promotes openness, purity and shines the light of Jesus in a dark world.

Outline:

1. Pride and self centeredness makes us blind to the darkness and danger of sin

i. Judgmental superiority

ii. Desensitization to sin

2. Every church member carries the responsibility to respond to sin in their own life, and the lives of the christians around them.

3. The blood of Jesus for our sins makes us completely new and gives us power to have victory over sin.

Application:

• Are you quick to point to the sin of others while being blind to your own deep brokenness?

• Are you becoming desensitized to sin? What is your relationship to entertainment? Money? Lust? Alcohol? Pride?

○ Take time and identify the main sources of sin and temptation in your life.

• Do you see the profound danger of sin in your life and the lives of others?

○ Husbands - do you ignore sin in your homes? In your lives?

○ Do you understand that there is really nothing private? Your secret sin will eventually eat away at the lives of those around you?

○ Do you avoid difficult conversations or questions even though you know theres something wrong in the life of a fellow christian?

○ Practice confession of sin in your life. Bring your struggles to God, seek restoration.

○ Don't assume about the struggles of those around you. If you there think there is something wrong, ask and seek out the truth.

○ Respect the practice of church discipline. Pray for people who are on church discipline. Pray for people in sin. Pray for people who have been put out of the church.

• Does the sacrifice of Jesus compel you to new life?

Scripture references:

• 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

• 1 Timothy 1:19-20

• Exodus 12:14-24

Key concepts:

• fighting sin

• church discipline

• purity

• passover and atonement