School teacher by day …

2. School teacher by day … … itinerant Baptist minister by night … (and in holidays)

3. www.mikefuller.org.uk

4. £9.99

6. £7.99

7. How much can I sin without losing my salvation?

8. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? AtonementWhy Jesus died JudgementWhat happens when we die IncarnationGod in human form Sin Scripture What sort of authority? “Original sin”inevitable SanctificationBecoming like Jesus

9. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? Where would you put the limit on a scale between impure thoughts and murder?

10. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? • The full horror of the human predicamentsin in the Old Testament and the New Testament • The answer to sin in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament • Do Christians sin? • Is it possible for a Christian to lose their salvation?“Once saved, always saved”? • How much can I sin without losing my salvation? Where we’re going

11. How much can I sin without losing my salvation?

12. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? What the Bible says about sin The full horror of the human predicament

13. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? • the Bible is a book about sin … • … 840 references to “sin” • … from beginning to end, the Bible seeks to explain the problem of sin, and offer God’s answer The full horror of the human predicament

14. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? • to miss, fail, fall short • to revolt or rebel • to overstep or transgress • to refuse to obey • to be godless • to act wrongly • to be bad • to be wicked • to sin inadvertently or through ignorance Old Testament The full horror of the human predicament

15. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? • to miss, fail, fall short • to be guilty • to trespass • to be lawless • to be wicked • to be disobedient • to be ungodly • to be morally evil • to be unrighteous • to owe a debt New Testament The full horror of the human predicament

16. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? • many other words and phrases describe specific areas of failing or weakness … • … but the root of biblical thinking is deeper than acts of sin … • the Bible concern is that sin is estrangement from God • estrangement leads to transgression The full horror of the human predicament

17. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? In old English, a “sinner” was an arrow that not only missed the bulls-eye, but fell short of the target The full horror of the human predicament

18. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? • the Old Testament does not reflect much on the origin of evil, except for telling the story of the “Fall” Genesis 3 … • it simply marks the iniquity of the human heart, and asserts that there is no righteous man on earth Isaiah 29 13, Ecclesiastes7 20 • all sin is against GodPsalm 51 4 • the devil as adversary appears rarely Job The full horror of the human predicament

19. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? • in the New Testament, Jesus focuses on the situation of the sinner, rather than on sin … Matthew 9 12 • … but He talks about sin as even darker than the Pharisees could perceive Matthew 15 19; Matthew 6 • Jesus experiences temptation to sin from the devil Matthew 4 The full horror of the human predicament

20. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? • in the letters, the devil and demonic forces play their part in seeking to oppose God’s people Ephesians 6 10ff; 1 Peter 5 8 • in his explanation of how the death and resurrection of Jesus reach all, Paul develops a “counterpoint” of the sin of AdamRomans 5 12-21 The full horror of the human predicament

21. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? • the universality of human failing is underscored: “… all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God …” Romans 3 23 • “… (we have) proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us”. The full horror of the human predicament

22. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? What is sin? The full horror of the human predicament

23. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? Theologically: Personal alienation from God, experienced by all, rooted in human rebellion, and leading to wrong living The full horror of the human predicament

24. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? Philosophically: Stranded between the ontological polarities of facticity and potentiality (Fed up that we’re not what we could be) The full horror of the human predicament

25. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? The full horror of the human predicament

26. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? • In the Old Testament: • there is provision for forgiveness in the rituals prescribed in the Law Leviticus 1-7 The answer to sin

27. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? • In the Old Testament: • alongside this, it is possible to appeal to God for mercyPsalm 51 • later Jewish thought develops the idea obedience to the Torah to be in right relationship with God c.f. Paul, Philippians 3 6 The answer to sin

28. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? • In the New Testament: • Jesus is heralded as “… the lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world” John 1 29 • Jesus anticipates that his death will be a ransom for manyMark 10 45 • the death of Jesus becomes the true and final sacrifice Romans 3 25, Hebrews 10 • it is seen as the defeat of sin and death 1 Corinthians 15 55-57 The answer to sin

29. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? • In the New Testament: • “… everyone who believes in (Jesus) receives forgiveness of sins through his name” Acts 10 43 The answer to sin

30. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? A summary so far: In the Old Testament the starting point is the need for an answer to the problems of human sin and guilt. The answer is through ritual sacrifice, appeals to God’s mercy, and obedience to the Torah. The answer to sin

31. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? A summary so far: In the New Testament, the starting point is God’s definitive answer to the problem of sin and guilt in the death and resurrection of Jesus. The focal question then becomes, how to go on living in a right relationship with God in Jesus The answer to sin

32. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? Do Christians sin?

33. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? Why ask the question? • there are some New Testament verses which – taken on their own – might appear to suggest that Christians do not sin • “We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin …” 1 John 5 18 • “…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5 17 Do Christians sin?

34. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? HOWEVER … • Jesus taught about how to deal with a “brother” who sins against you Matthew 18 • Paul talks about his own wretched compulsion to do what he does not want to do Romans 7 15ff • he also gives advice on how to deal with a Christian who has sinned Galatians 6 1 Do Christians sin?

35. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? HOWEVER … • Paul repeatedly points to contrasts or tensions which suggest an ongoing battle with sin: being “dead” to sin and alive in Christ Romans 6; livingaccording to the promptings of human nature, or living according to the SpiritRomans 8 Do Christians sin?

36. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? HOWEVER … • in 1 John, other verses describe Christians sinning: • “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is no in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us …” 1 John 8,9 Do Christians sin?

37. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? What is the Bible teaching? In the death and resurrection of Jesus, the power of sin and death is broken for all time. In principal, we are no longer ruled by sin. “We have died to sin”Romans 6 1; also Galatians 5 24 In practice, an ongoing battle continues. We should not give in! Romans 6 15 ff Do Christians sin?

38. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? What is the Bible teaching? “You … have two natures in conflict, and each one is striving for dominance” Martyn Lloyd-Jones “… this transformation takes … a lifetime to complete” Billy Graham Do Christians sin?

39. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? What is the Bible teaching? “This sanctification is throughout the whole man, yet imperfect in this life; there abideth still some remnant of corruption in every part … a continual and irreconcilable war” The Westminster Confession Do Christians sin?

40. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? Why is this an issue? • some Bible verses suggest it is a possibility: • “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened … if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance …” Hebrews 6 4-6 • “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left …” Hebrews 10 26 Is it possible for a Christian to lose their salvation?

41. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? Why is this an issue? • in the parable of the sower, Jesus appears to suggest that some “conversions” will be short-livedMark 4 1-20 • Jesus also warns of some at the day of judgement who will be found mistaken in their belief that they knew Jesus, and will be thrown into eternal fire Matthew 25 31-40 • Jesus also teaches about an unforgivable sin, blasphemy against the Spirit Matthew 12 31 Is it possible for a Christian to lose their salvation?

42. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? HOWEVER … • the promise of eternal life to a believer is not conditionalJohn 3 16 • Jesus teaches that someone who has heard Him and believed has “crossed over” from death to life John 5 24 • Paul’s teaching on the “heir” does not suggest reversability! Romans 8 17, Galatians 4 7 Is it possible for a Christian to lose their salvation?

43. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? A conclusion … Where the Bible appears to suggest that salvation might be lost, this is only in the case of a total and deliberaterejection of what we have been offered in Christ Many Christians would argue that the grace of God is so great that He would never reject His own child Is it possible for a Christian to lose their salvation?

44. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? How much can I sin without losing my salvation?

45. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? Remember that Jesus was concerned not simply with wrong done, but also with the issue of motivation What damage is this compulsion doing to my relationship with God? How much sin can I get away with? How much can I sin without losing my salvation?

46. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? Remember that Jesus was concerned not simply with wrong done, but also with the issue of motivation • where is the evidence of relationship? • is there any desire to please God? How much sin can I get away with? How much can I sin without losing my salvation?

47. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? Remember that Jesus was concerned not simply with wrong done, but also with the issue of motivation What damage is this compulsion doing to my relationship with God? • join the club! • you’re normal! • how can the Body of Christhelp you in your battle? How much can I sin without losing my salvation?

48. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? Within authentic relationship with God in Jesus, all can be forgiven. Ask forgiveness, strive to change with God’s help, seek help from the Body of Christ What damage is this compulsion doing to my relationship with God? How much can I sin without losing my salvation?

49. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? Outside authentic relationship with God in Jesus, you are outside of the promise of salvation. Hear the Good News of His offer of free forgiveness! How much sin can I get away with? How much can I sin without losing my salvation?

50. How much can I sin without losing my salvation? Five ways to keep on dying to sin • don’t focus on the sin – focus on building relationship • establish (safe) accountability • recognise that your Father is for you, not against you • plan strategies to resist in areas of habitual vulnerability • don’t give up!