Dr Tom Hover
November 13, 2022
I John 5:16–17 /
What Happens To A Child Of God Who Sins? / Jesus A Friend To Sinners! Part 2
What Happens To A Child Of God Who Sins?
AUTHENTIC CHRISTIANITY Sermon Series from I John
Text: I John 5:16–17
Introduction: I know that out text deals only with “The Sin Unto Death”. However, I feel compelled in my heart to include the lessor consequence of sin and that is Discipline.
One of two things happen when a Child of God Sins:
I. Discipline 2. Death Let’s look at the first thing Sin brings:
I. THE SIN THAT BRINGS DISCIPLINE Heb. 12:5–8
A.) DISCIPLINE IS EXPERIENCED BY ALL THE TRUE CHILDREN OF GOD. Hebrews 12:8 “But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers...” Every Christian must sooner or later experience the Lord ’s chastening in his or her life, and the classic New Testament passage which deals with this subject is Hebrews 12:5-13. We must expect chastening for two reasons:
(1) Because God is our Father and chastening is an evidence of His love
Hebrews 12:6
(2) Because we are His sons, and chastening is a mark of sonship Hebrews 12:6
If we never experience Love ’s discipline, then He is not our Father and we are not His children at all!
B.) WHAT WE SHOULD NOT DO WHEN GOD DISCIPLINES US!
(1) We are not to FORGET God’s “exhortation” Concerning the “chastisement”/ Discipline.
(2) We are not to DESPISE His Discipline Hebrews 12:5
(3) We are not to FAINT under it. Hebrews 12:5
(4) We are not expected to ENJOY chastening. Hebrews 12:11
Notice the four words used in this portion of scripture to convey to us the different aspects of God’ s chastening:
1. Rebuke (vs 5) 2. Punishment (vs 6) 3. Discipline (vs 8) 4. Correction (vs 9)
(5) We are not to FORGET that God’ s Discipline is always PROFITABLE.
Hebrews 12:9–11
C.) GOD’S DISCIPLINE BRINGS EARTHLY CHASTENING BUT NOT ETERNAL DAMNATION! Psalm 89:30–34
II. THE SIN THAT BRINGS DEATH! I John 5:16–17
Just as there is a boundary line for the unsaved when they can go too far in their resistance to the grace of God, there is also a boundary line for believers when God brings conviction in their life. Can God's chastisement reach a level of severity where God will actually take a believer from this earth prematurely.
A. THE EXPLANATION OF THE SIN UNTO DEATH I John 5:16 and 17
1. Who commits the sin unto death?
I John 5:16 “If any man see his brother sin...”
2. What kind of death is it?
(1) Physical death (2) Premature death (3) Death before your appointed time
3. How do you commit this sin and what type of sin is it?
(1) This is not just ordinary sin or a particular sin
(2) It is the sin of contending with God
(3) It is the sin of resisting God's conviction - Striving with God or rebelling against His moving in your life!
4. When do you commit this sin?
(1) You may have been involved in the sin for a long time but now God sets the stage to deliver you.
(2) He's given you light and is convicting you but you've refused to cooperate with Him.
(3) You rationalize your sin and procrastinate on repentance.
(4) It is a stubbornness that will not accept His grace or submit to His will.
5. The course of this sin!
(1) First God deals in chastisement. (2) Then God deals in scourging.
(3) Then God gives a believer up. I Corinthians 5:5,3:15, John 5:166. How do you know when you have committed this sin?
(1) God gives a warning first - He moves strongly in your life in conviction!
(2) God sends someone to you! It may be a Friend, Relative, Teacher, Pastor, or someone you never met before- coming to rebuke you!
B. THE EXAMPLES THAT WE HAVE OF THE SIN UNTO DEATH
1. ADAM Genesis 2:17 2. ACHAN Joshua 7:1, 20-26
3. NADAD AND ABIHU Nadab Leviticus 10:1-2
4. UZZAH II Samuel 6:1-11, I Chronicles 13:1-14
5. TEN SPIES Ten Spies Numbers 13:1-33,14:6-40, Deut. 1:8
6. ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA Acts 5:1-10
7. MANY IN THE CHURCH AT CORINTHM! 1 Corinthians11:28-30,
8. EXAMPLES People today who committed the Sin unto Death.
1. Man in south LA tried to fight and hit a pastor fell dead before the Pastor and church members.
2. Pastors and Music Directors who died a Premature Death!
3. Many Drug Addicts who died who claim to be a child of God.
4. A man and a lady in my home town died within a closed gas station on a cold winner night.
Conclusion: Michelle and I visited a few months ago The Replica of the ARK in Kentucky it was amazing! God says in His Book He shut the door; He shut the door [Genesis 7:16]. “My Spirit shall not always strive with man” [Genesis 6:3].
There is a time, I know not when, A place, I know not where,
That marks the destiny of men, To glory or despair
There is a line by us unseen, that crosses every path;
The hidden boundary between God’s mercy and God’s wrath
[“The Hidden Line,” Joseph Addison Alexander]
God shut that door. “My Spirit shall not always strive with man” [Genesis 6:3].
This is one of most foreboding and awful words I know of from the lips of our Lord!
PM
Part Two: Jesus A Friend To Sinners!
