Sermon Outlines

By Frederick F. Schwindt, Evangelist

THE RULE OF SIN OVER MAN

1. That man is no longer a free moral agent in its original sense:
   1. He has become a bond servant to sin.
   2. That is the testimony of the Bible - Compare John 8:34 with Rom. 3:23; 5:12; Gal. 3:21
2. He may think that he is free, but his life proves conclusively that he is a slave, a captive of Satan:

1. His sinful nature holds him in bondage:
   1. The Psalmist says, "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me" - Ps. 51:5
   2. Writes Paul, "I know that in me (that is in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing" - Rom. 7:18
   3. Our Lord confirms this truth in these immortal words, "Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin" - John 8:34
2. He is in bondage through the evil habits he acquired:
   1. "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey" - Rom. 6:16
   2. "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil" Jer. 13:23
3. He is in bondage by his own choice:
   1. We think of Cain - Gen. 3:7
   2. This was true of the unbelieving Jews - John 3:19, 20; 8:44
   3. Man has been fully alerted to the work of Satan - 1 Pet. 5:8
   4. In spite of God's efforts, Satan takes men captive at will - 2 Tim. 2:26
   5. God has placed man in a position to choose his Master, and most of them show by their works that they love the enslavement of sin.

1. Sin is character; sins are conduct:
   1. A deceitful heart - Jer. 17:9
   2. A fountain of impurities - Matt. 15:19; Gal. 5:19-21; Jas. 3:11, 12
2. Sin is the center; sins are the circumference:
   1. This is portrayed by the power of the evil tongue - Jas. 3:6
   2. Think of the sin of our first parents - Rom. 5:12-19
   3. Jeroboam is a vivid example of the nature of sin - 1 Ki. 13:34
3. Sin is the root; sins are the fruit:
   1. Our Lord emphasizes the truth - Matt. 7:17-20
   2. We think of the tares among the wheat - Matt. 13:24-29
4. Sin is the producer; sins are the product:
   1. Go into our penal institutions and learn the facts about sin first hand.
   2. Visit the gambling joints and see again the truth stated here.
5. Sin is the sire; sins are the offspring:
   1. These are strong but true words.
   2. Tell me who your associates are and I will know what your way of life is - Prov. 28:7, 24
6. Sin is a polluted fountain; sins are its outflow:
   1. We call attention, once more, to Jer. 17:9; Matt. 15:19
   2. That is what you see in the world and in some churches today - 2 Tim. 3:1-9
7. Sin is what we are; sins are what we do:
   1. The picture is dark but true!
   2. It is drawn not to discourage but to show the need for salvation.