Welcome!Sunday

Bible Classes 9:30 AM

Worship 10:30 AM

5:30 PM

WednesdayBible Classes 7:00 PM

Bibles and copies of sermons are

available

Please silence your cell phones

www.SunsetchurchofChrist.net

Romans 3The value of the law

Law is NOT condemnation

I Timothy 3:16

Romans 3Does every man sin vs. do all sin?

The nature of Sin

Romans 1-3The totality of sin

The need for justification apart from law

Welcome!Sunday

Bible Classes 9:30 AM

Worship 10:30 AM

5:30 PM

WednesdayBible Classes 7:00 PM

Bibles and copies of sermons are

available

Please silence your cell phones

www.SunsetchurchofChrist.net

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

Psalm 104:33

Songs

VictimizedChristians?

Trial of the Century:Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb

Trial of the Century:Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb

Trial of the Century:Leopold and Loeb

“Darrow appealed to the belief among evolutionists, reinforced by the then-popular psychiatric theories of Sigmund Freud, that a

man's character is derived from many external influences. As the man cannot control those

influences — most especially his genetic makeup — the man cannot be held

responsible for his actions.”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopold_and_Loeb

Trial of the Century:Leopold and Loeb

“Is any blame attached because somebody took Nietzsche's philosophy

seriously and fashioned his life upon it? … it is hardly fair to

hang a 19-year-old boy for the philosophy that was taught

him at the university.“Clarence Darrow

Victimization

Victimization: Attachment of the status of victim

7 out of 10 people are self-identified as victims

One study determined 109% of population are victims of some sort

Great “Victims” of the BibleAdam:

Then the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.“

Genesis 3:12

She made me do it!

Great “Victims” of the BibleAaron:

So Aaron said, "Do not let the anger of my lord become hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil.”

Exodus 32:22

The people made me do it!

Great “Victims” of the BibleSaul:

And Saul said, "When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash………I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering."

1 Samuel 13:11-12 You and the people made me do it!

Great “Victims” of the BibleSaul:

Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.”

1 Samuel 15:24

The people made me do it!

Great “Victims” of the BibleThe One Talent Man:

"Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.

Matthew 25:24 You (God) made me do it!

Victimized Christians:Acknowledgment of sin

No acknowledgment of guilt

Not real repentance

Victimized Christians:My parents, children or family

My emotional condition

My experiences

My husband or wife

My church or religious experiences

Does God Excuse “Victims”Adam?Aaron?Saul?One talent man?

Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires

God’s Judgment CriteriaEzekiel 18:3-24

Christians CANNOT Be Victims!

So the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.“

Genesis 4:6-7

Christians CANNOT Be Victims!

How can we:repent if it is not our fault?grow if we are not weak?“sin no more” if it’s uncontrollable?

“Victims” can’t be forgiven!

Christians CANNOT Be Victims!So David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." And Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die.”

2 Samuel 12:13

Christians CANNOT Be Victims!And David said to God, "Was it not I who commanded the people to be numbered? I am the one who has sinned and done evil indeed; but these sheep, what have they done? Let Your hand, I pray, O LORD my God, be against me and my father's house, but not against Your people that they should be plagued.“ 1 Chronicles 21:17

Christians CANNOT Be Victims!Abraham: pagan heritageRuth: a MoabiteDavid: faithless childrenJosiah: a wicked father

James and John: sons of thunderPeter: predisposed to rashnessTimothy: an unfaithful father

Taking Responsibility:1 Kings 21:25-29

“Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the

calamity in his days”

Taking Responsibility:

I am spiritually weak because……I am morally weak because…..I have not stopped sinning because…..My family life suffers because…..My finances suffer because……

Taking Responsibility:

I have not yet obeyed the Gospel because

And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.‘

Acts 22:16