Identifying & Defeating Sin As An Enemy

2. The Great Battle For The Soul The Great Battle For The Soul The Great Battle For The Soul Identifying & Defeating Sin As An Enemy

3. The Great Battle For The Soul The Great Battle For The Soul The Great Battle For The Soul Lesson #7 Ù Eternal Life… Sin’s Ultimate Defeat

4. On Earth – Sin Is Deadly Rom 6:20-23 • Whatever kind of life one lives, it “bears fruit” vv. 21-22 • Living in or for sin “bears fruit” unto death • That’s why such conduct should bring shame • Set free from sin…living for God “bears fruit” unto holiness, results in everlasting life

5. In Heaven – Sin Is Defeated Rom 2:5-11 • “Eternal Life” is more than eternal existence • Both the righteous & unrighteous will exist eternally somewhere Mk 9:43-44 Lk 16:23ff • Sin produces hard, impenitent hearts v. 5 • Such a life “stores up” God’s wrath • A banking term Ù depositing cp. Mt 6:19

6. In Heaven – Sin Is Defeated Rom 2:5-11 • Sin produces hard, impenitent hearts v. 5 • Such ones will suffer indignation, wrath, tribulation and anguish v. 9 • What they “store up” will be suffered for all eternity cp. Mt 10:28 • A terrifying thought…it is meant to be!! cp. Heb 10:30-31

7. In Heaven – Sin Is Defeated Rom 2:5-11 • By contrast, those who have “patiently continued in doing good” will get to enjoy eternal life v. 7 • Faithfulness, steadfastness is emphasized • Contrasted with those who are “self-seekers” v. 8

8. In Heaven – Sin Is Defeated Rom 2:5-11 • By contrast, those who have “patiently continued in doing good” will get to enjoy eternal life v. 7 • Four aspects of eternal life that illustrate sin’s ultimate defeat vv. 7, 10

9. In Heaven – Sin Is Defeated Rom 2:5-11 • Four aspects of eternal life that illustrate sin’s ultimate defeat vv. 7, 10 • GLORY • Praiseworthiness, something of excellence • The exalting from God because of faithfulness cp. 2 Pet 1:17

10. In Heaven – Sin Is Defeated Rom 2:5-11 • Four aspects of eternal life that illustrate sin’s ultimate defeat vv. 7, 10 • GLORY • “Glory” is ours if we persevere 2 Cor 4:16-18 • On earth, glory is not found…man’s “glory” is at best a cheap imitation Ù he has to invent ways to be “glorified” Mt 6:2, 5, 7, 16

11. In Heaven – Sin Is Defeated Rom 2:5-11 • Four aspects of eternal life that illustrate sin’s ultimate defeat vv. 7, 10 • HONOR • High esteem, high regard (e.g. Honor Roll) • Not self-honor, but from God cp. Jn 8:54 • The “honor” of being confessed by Christ if we are faithful Mt 10:32

12. In Heaven – Sin Is Defeated Rom 2:5-11 • Four aspects of eternal life that illustrate sin’s ultimate defeat vv. 7, 10 • HONOR • On earth, we will not find any honor • All we receive for trying to live faithful to God is reproach & slander 1 Pet 4:4 2 Tim 3:12

13. In Heaven – Sin Is Defeated Rom 2:5-11 • Four aspects of eternal life that illustrate sin’s ultimate defeat vv. 7, 10 • IMMORTALITY • Eternal living; incorruptibility of the faithful • Made possible only because of Christ’s death and resurrection 1 Cor 15:51-58

14. In Heaven – Sin Is Defeated Rom 2:5-11 • Four aspects of eternal life that illustrate sin’s ultimate defeat vv. 7, 10 • IMMORTALITY • On earth, we are always being reminded of our mortality • Mortality and eventual decay brought about by sin Gen 3:19 2 Cor 4:16

15. In Heaven – Sin Is Defeated Rom 2:5-11 • Four aspects of eternal life that illustrate sin’s ultimate defeat vv. 7, 10 • PEACE • Tranquility, calmness, serenity • Life is indeed wearisome…as we get older, we long for quiet, tranquil moments

16. In Heaven – Sin Is Defeated Rom 2:5-11 • Four aspects of eternal life that illustrate sin’s ultimate defeat vv. 7, 10 • PEACE • Life’s wearisome pace makes it hard to find, enjoy peace • If people hate you, they drive you crazy • If people like you, they drive you crazy

17. In Heaven – Sin Is Defeated Rom 2:5-11 • Four aspects of eternal life that illustrate sin’s ultimate defeat vv. 7, 10 • PEACE • God’s “peace” surpasses all understanding Phil 4:7 • The Lord desires His people to be at peace Jn 14:27 16:33

18. In Heaven – Sin Is Defeated Rom 2:5-11 • Four aspects of eternal life that illustrate sin’s ultimate defeat vv. 7, 10 • PEACE • On earth, we won’t have peace…we have constant friction with those who choose not to live by God’s word Rom 8:6 • Especially true re: family Mt 10:34-39

19. Conclusion • Remember…God will “render to each one according to his deeds” Rom 2:7 • Some will receive eternal life • Not because they have earned it • Only because He is gracious to those “…who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality”

20. Conclusion • Remember…God will “render to each one according to his deeds” Rom 2:7 • Some will receive eternal indignation & wrath • Not because God never liked them anyway • He always loved them Jn 3:16 • But because they were “…selfishly ambitious and did not obey the truth”

21. Conclusion • Remember…God will “render to each one according to his deeds” Rom 2:7 • Some will receive eternal indignation & wrath • God was forced to “give them up” to their sinful choices Rom 1:24, 26, 28

22. Conclusion • We want to go to that place where we’ll never again be bothered by sin • To get there, we must fight here • Once we get there, sin will have been ultimately, finally, & definitely defeated

23. Conclusion • Don’t you want to go there, forever knowing that you defeated sin? • Wouldn’t you prefer this to the place where you’ll be painfully reminded forever that you failed? Lk 16:28 • Eternal Life is sin’s ultimate defeat