Theoretically – we would all admit we are sinners But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood

Theoretically – we would all admit we are sinners

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. (1 John 1:7-10 NIV)

But do we openly admit specific sins to others

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (James 5:16 NIV)

Also – we readily admit we worship with sinful people

“Yes, We’re not perfect people down at the church but we are really trying – we are basically good people”

While we admit we are all sinners – when sin actually

occurs we often don’t deal with it very well

Often, our wrong reactions to sin leads to more sinGreater harm comes to the body due to the wrong reaction than the first sin by itself

The problem is not SIN in the church

On this earth, there will always be sin in the church and family

The problem is – how will we react to the sin in our life and the lives of others

The problem is not SIN in the family

Sometimes we are hypocritesThe teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

Sometimes we are hypocrites

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.

Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." (John 8:3-11)

Sometimes we are hypocrites But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:28)

"It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery. (Matthew 5:31-32 NIV)

Sometimes we are faultfinding (speck

finding) "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. (Matthew 7:1-5 NIV)

If we admit in a general way thatwe have sin – how about

remembering a few of our own sins when we find sin in others?

Sometimes we are faultfinding (speck finding)

Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good

and who never sins. Also, do not take seriously all words which are spoken,

lest you hear your servant cursing you. For you also have realized that you likewise have many times cursed others. (Ecclesiastes 7:20-22 NASB)

Sometimes we are self-righteous and deluded

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men-- robbers, evildoers, adulterers-- or even like this tax collector.

I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 18:9-14)

Sometimes we want more mercy than we are willing to give

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. (Matthew 18:21-25 NIV)

Sometimes we want more mercy than we give

"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. (Matthew 18:26-27 NIV)

Sometimes we want more mercy than we give

"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded. "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' "But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." (Matthew 18:28-35 NIV)

Sometimes we only think of justice when we think of the sin of others

And it came about, when the days were approaching for His ascension, that He resolutely set His face to go to Jerusalem; and He sent messengers on ahead of Him. And they went, and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make arrangements for Him. And they did not receive Him, because He was journeying with His face toward Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" But He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. "And they went on to another village. (Luke 9:51-56 NASB)

Notice the attitude of James and John

They had just seen Jesus transfigured (Luke 9:28-36)Their attitude showed great zeal for truth and right – they were insulted and would stand up for themselves & JesusThey showed great faith – they thought they could control natureThey were the watchdogs, the defenders of truth, and ready to destroy anyone who questioned the authority of their master

James and John were like some today

When another preacher or member disagrees – they want to destroy them

Fire comes from their tongue and pen to destroy the character and influence of the other – all is done in the name of Jesus

We see many in society lost in sin and we have “only” a sense of anger

You do not know of what spirit you are of….. Luke 9:55

Yes, Jesus did judge, … yes, we are to be angry over sin, even rejoicing when God avenges his enemies …… but

But He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. " (Luke 9:55-56 NASB)

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. (John 3:16-17 NASB)

The Spirit of Christ would rather have

Reformation than extinctionThe conferring of the undeserved gift of life over the conferring of death which is deservedpatient pity than exacting vengeance An open hand to help rather than a closed fist

I have known of some preachers who would

Rather purge the “brotherhood” than save a brother right in their midst from sin

My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth, and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins. (James 5:19-20 NASB)


Rather write for the ‘Pharisee Times’ than wash the feet of local brethren

Live in peace with one another. And we urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men. (1 Thessalonians 5:13-15 NASB)


Write off everyone who is outside their immediate fellowship (denomination)

"Teacher," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us." "Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. (Mark 9:38-40 NIV)

The Wrong Attitude toward Sin in Others


Sometimes we are faultfinders



Sometimes we only think of justice – not mercy

Sometimes we think we are too righteous to associate with sinners


And it happened that as He was reclining at the table in the house, behold many tax-gatherers and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, "Why is your Teacher eating with the tax-gatherers and sinners?" But when He heard this, He said, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. "But go and learn what this means, 'I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,' for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Matthew 9:10-13 NASB)

The “Righteous Pharisee” emphasized

Sacrifice

Assemblies

Ritual

Correct Dress

Bible Knowledge

Public Prayers

Giving Money

The Pharisees were doctors who could diagnose a disease -- but had no intention of helping someone be heal


Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him. And He entered the Pharisee's house, and reclined at the table. And behold, there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster vial of

perfume, and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet, and anointing them with the perfume. (Luke 7:36-38)


Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner." And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he replied, "Say it, Teacher.“


"A certain moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. "When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him more?" Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more." And He said to him, "You have judged correctly." And turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair. "You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. "You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. "For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." (Luke 7:41-47)


Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. And he spake this parable unto them, saying, (Luke 15:1-3 KJV)

The parable of the older brother (Luke 15:11-32)








Sometimes we are too busy with church work to leave the 99 and seek the lost


"For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. "What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying? "And if it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. "Thus it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish. (Matthew 18:11-14 NASB)









Sometimes (if our brother sins) – we run and tell the preacher and everyone else

Sometimes (if our brother sins) – we run and tell the preacher and everyone else

"And if your brother sins, go and reprove him in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. "But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. "And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax-gatherer. (Matthew 18:15-17 NASB)


Sometimes we are hypocritesSometimes we are faultfindersSometimes we are self-righteous and deludedSometimes we want more mercy than we are willing to giveSometimes we only think of justice – not mercySometimes we think we are too righteous to associate with sinners

Sometimes we are too busy with church work to leave the 99 and seek the lostSometimes (if our brother sins) – we run and tell the preacher and everyone else

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Theoretically – we would all admit we are sinners But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood