3.6. When I Sin – Grace – Deep Convictions

“Mistakes are always forgivable , if one has the courage to admit them – Bruce Lee

1. The movie: Paul, Apostle of Christ

In the move, “Paul, Apostle of Christ” with Jim Caviezel, James Faulkner and Olivier Martinez. Risking his life, Luke ventures to Rome to visit Paul — the apostle who’s bound in chains and held captive in Nero’s darkest and bleakest prison cell. Haunted by the shadows of his past misdeeds, Paul wonders if he’s been forgotten as he awaits his grisly execution. Before Paul’s death, Luke resolves to write another book that details the birth of what will come to be known as the church. Let’s look at some quote about the movie. – IMDb

2. Quotes from the Movie: Paul, Apostle of Christ

“There is a terrible evil in the world, darkness is spreading” (Luke looking at someone being crusified)

“I know you are suffering persecution, faith are being tested.”

“To bring hope, to bring light in this present darkness”

“And to remind us all how God changed the hateful man and will change the history of the world.”

“People are desperate, we are the only light left in the city.”

“You can inspire their faith.”

“There are many women and children that will never meet you. There must be a handwritten account of your acts.”

“They have gathered men to overthrown Rome. To what end. Justice.”

“They want revenge. No!!! Why not? Love is the only way.”

“This world does not know anything about love.”

“Where sin abounds, grace abounds more.”

Wow, that was powerful!

To think that a guy who was a christian murdered who became the apostle who worked harder than all the apostles. That truly is grace.

By today Hans you have probably realized that you are not doing all for Jesus Christ that you determined to do almost three weeks ago.

Hans you want to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. But you have failed in some specific areas. What would that be…?

What you will study today will be very important in dealing with this for the rest of your life.

3. The Bible: God is Light.

5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[a] sin.8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us - 1 Jn 1:5-10

Think of the difference in light and darkness.

Think of the difference between a bright open room with lost of windows and a totally dark basement area.

In one, things are out in the open. You can see them as they really are. In the other, things are hidden and covered by the darkness.

3.1. What does he mean when he calls us to “walk in the light” Hans?

• Well to “walk in the light is to be open with our lives and confess our sin so we can have a clear conscience before God’ Francois.
• Paul even said: “My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.” – 1 Cor 4:4
• I was just packing the diswasher and washed the dishes in the zink. Are we not just like them we get dirty and needs a wash now and again?

3.2. Do you see how this fits with v.9 and the call to confess sins?

• We all – from the oldest to the youngest in Christ – sin.
• If we claim that we don’t, we lie v.10.
• It is like the kitchen fills up with dishes, everybody else can see it even if we want to ignore it.

3.3. How, then, are we to handle all of this?

• Well I think Francois it starts with being honest with ourselves.
• Or is it like that saying: “Lord give me coffee to change the things I can, and wine to accept the the things I can’t”
• It is like Paul said:

“Do you think I speak this strongly in order to manipulate crowds? Or curry favor with God? Or get popular applause? If my goal was popularity, I wouldn’t bother being Christ’s slave. Know this—I am most emphatic here, friends—this great Message I delivered to you is not mere human optimism. I didn’t receive it through the traditions, and I wasn’t taught it in some school. I got it straight from God, received the Message directly from Jesus Christ.” –

Gal 1:10-12

• I think it is a matter of either wanting to look good before men (win the popularity test) and our worst before God rather than look bad before men (loose the popularity test) and look good before God.

3.4. Why do we cover and hide our sins?

• We pretend everything is fine. “How are you brother?”. “Fine.” Meanwhile his wife wants to devorce him and they sleep in seperate beds.
• We have an unrealistic image about ourselves, that sin (excuse me) should not tarnish.
• “Big boys don’t cry”. We are taught by our fathers to be strong and don’t let anybody put your down. But deep inside we are alone and hurting and thinking about suicide.
• If you were to confess your sin, you acknowledge guilt. Who wants to feel guilty? We rather stuff things under the carpet and pretend nothing happened like an ostrich.
• If the guy you are open to does not value confidentiality or has the conviction that he also needs to confess your sin, you will be branded as a weirdo.

3.5. Do we bring our sin out into the open through confession?

• Francois I think we think we are the only ones going through this sin and temptation.

^” No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it – 1 Cor 10:13

• We are a real special case and that would attract attention.
• I am just thinking Francois when is the last time I just got gut level open and just get everything out what is bothering me. My purity, my anger, my racism, my deceit in upholding a front.

3.6. Write down the two results of walking out into the light as decribed in v.7?

• The blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin.
• We are in the light as God is.

3.7. Why is this passage comforting?

• God wants us to walk with Him in the light.
• We have fellowship with one another. We can relate with the troubles, temptations and sin that we go through.

3.8. What does it teach you about your relationship in Christ?

• Francois I think I need to remember that: Satan’s only ground is darkness.
• When I confess my sins and bring them out into the light, I take away from him his only base of operation, and I enjoy the power of God’s grace.

Close: When I sin

Wow that is awesome Hans and so refreshing.

I am just thinking of these verses:

⁴ Day and night

    you punished me.

My strength was gone

    as in the summer heat. Selah

⁵ Then I confessed my sins to you.

    I didn’t hide my guilt.

I said, “I will confess my sins to the Lord.”

    And you forgave my guilt. Selah

I am just thinking if I want to be forgiven of my guilt? Oh, Yesssss!!!

Hans, why don’t you pray for us.

• Dear Lord.
• I am really convicted by Luke’s perseverance and guts in writing down his life’s story that encourages us daily.
• Lord revenge were never sweet, love is the way.
• Grace was truly felt by Paul (the murderer of Christians” otherwise he would never have lived the life he did for God.
• Lord it is amazing how he dealt with the sin in his life and moved on!
• I pray Lord that I will not try to win the popularity test but the clear conscience test without guilt.
• Thanks you Lord for forgiving the guilt of my sin.
• Amen.

Tomorrow we will be looking at: Not Without Effect