Sermon Outlines

By Frederick F. Schwindt, Evangelist

THE MADNESS OF SIN

1. How graphic and touching are the Bible descriptions of the fallen and miserable state of human nature:
   1. It is a state of blindness - 2 Cor. 3:14; 4:4
   2. A state of wretchedness - Rom. 7:24; Rev. 3:17
   3. A state of poverty - Luke 15:14-16
   4. It is a state of insanity - Acts 7:57; Luke 15:17
2. We could enlarge the catalogue of miseries caused by sin: Matt. 15:19, 20; 23:27

1. Madness is the derangement of the mental as well as the physical powers of man:
   1. When sin strikes man it seeks to destroy his powers of reason. That is the first objective of Satan - EXAMPLES -
      1. Demon possessed persons - Mark 5:15
      2. King Saul - 1 Sam. 17:9
      3. The prodigal son - Luke 15:17
   2. In madness, passion rules instead of reason. The sinner acts by impulse - EXAMPLES -
      1. The Jews that stoned Stephen - Acts 7:57
      2. The people that saw Paul in the temple - Acts 21:30, 31
2. Madness can be seen:
   1. By the object of choice. A madman has no true perception of right or wrong.
   2. His inclination is criminal all the way - Jer. 7:9; Matt. 5:21-23; Rom. 1:29
   3. It is caused by Satan the murderer - John 8:44; 1 Tim. 2:26; Rom. 6:16
3. Madness will manifest itself:
   1. In the conversation - 2 Pet. 2:10-18; Jude 10
   2. By the counsel of sinners - Isa. 7:5; Ps. 1:1-6
   3. Mad persons think that they are sane and that all others are insane.
   4. They are dangerous to others.
   5. Madness is often fatal to its victims.

1. Christ Jesus and He alone has a cure for the sin of madness:
   1. He has power over the demons that cause madness - Matt. 8:16; 9:33; Mark 5:1-13
   2. He alone can bring complete freedom to enslaved persons - John 8:32, 36
2. But sinners must cooperate with him:
   1. Sinners must come to the Saviour - Matt. 11:28-30; John 5:40
   2. Sinners must keep away from influences that brought the madness of sin into their life - John 5:14; 8:11; Ps. 1:1-6
   3. The divine rule of safety is plainly stated by our Lord -
      1. "Abide in me" - John 15:4
      2. Abide in the sheepfold - John 10:15, 16
3. The madness of sin:
   1. How deadly it is! The victims of this deviltry are so many that it would be utterly impossible to begin to count them - Matt. 7:13, 14
   2. How helpless man is against it without Christ!
   3. And yet, our God has provided a remedy against the malady.
   4. There is a balm and a physician in Gilead who is ever ready and willing to apply God's remedy to the suffering souls - Jer. 8:22
   5. Thank God for this mercy!