MESSAGE DELIVERED BY PASTOR CHARLES OJEI

Text Scripture - John 8:1-11

Understanding Grace, Sin, and Judgment

What is an Echo?

An echo is when something is repeated to make it stand out. In the same way, God sometimes repeats important lessons so that we don’t forget them.

What is Grace?

Grace is God’s free gift of love and power. It is big enough to cover every mistake we make. But grace does not mean we should keep sinning. There’s a line God doesn’t want us to cross just because grace is available.

The Two Kinds of Sin (Romans 5:12–21)

1. The Sin of Adam

Adam sinned, and because of him, death and condemnation came to every human being.

His sin put us all in bondage (like being chained).

2. The Gift of Jesus

Jesus came and shed His blood to wipe away Adam’s sin.

Now anyone who calls Him Lord is free from condemnation.

Once we accept Jesus as Savior, no one, not even the devil, can condemn us.

We become God’s sons and daughters forever.

Salvation and the Flesh

Salvation kills the power of Adam’s sin, but it doesn’t kill the desire of our flesh to sin.

We must fight against our flesh and choose not to sin.

If we keep feeding our flesh with sin, it can harm or even destroy us.

God does not punish fleshly sins immediately, but they will be judged on the last day.

Why Discipline is Important

Conquering sin requires self-discipline. God will not force us.

We must tell our bodies, “No, I will not do this sinful thing.”

If we don’t, our sins will affect our relationship with God.

Sin makes it harder to enjoy God’s blessings.

1 Corinthians 9:27 reminds us that we must control our bodies so we can remain righteous.

The Seriousness of Grace

Grace is costly because it came through the blood of Jesus.

So:

We should never play with sin.

We can stretch grace, but we cannot stop the judgment that comes from sin.

Consequences of Sin

Proverbs 14:34 – Sin brings shame to people.

Romans 6:16 – When you choose sin, you become a slave to it, and it leads to death.

2 Corinthians 5:10 – Every believer will one day stand before Christ and be judged for what they did in the body.

Forgiveness and Judgment

When we confess our sins, God forgives us (1 John 1:9).

But those sins are still recorded and will be judged.

Continuing in sin insults the blood of Jesus and frustrates the grace of God.

What to Do

1. Hate sin – Hebrews 1:9

2. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you fight sin.

3. Avoid situations that bring you close to sin.

4. Tell yourself the truth – you know what you are doing wrong, stop it.

5. Fight your weaknesses instead of feeding them.

6. Live like a believer – show by your actions that you belong to Christ.

7. Always go back to God for forgiveness, but never think forgiveness means He approves of your sin.

8. Remember judgment day – every person will face it after this life.

Final Word

When we receive Jesus, we are called to live a new life.

That means change. That means self-control. That means leaning on the Holy Spirit.

Grace forgives us, but grace is not permission to sin.

Choose life, choose holiness, and walk with God daily.