Sin is independence from God.
REVIEW: Independence darkens a person’s mind.
- READ: Romans 1:21 “Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.”
- DISCUSS: How does worship affect the way you think about things?
REVIEW: Independence leads us to use and take advantage of people.
- READ: Galatians 5:19-21 “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”
- DISCUSS: How has becoming closer with God affected the way you relate to others?
REVIEW: Independence destroys our relationships and culture.
- READ: Romans 1:28-31 “Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy.”
- DISCUSS: What kind of attitudes and behaviors has the Holy Spirit been changing in you lately?
ASK:
What else did you get from this week's sermon? What actions or next steps can you take to apply it to your life?
PRAY:
For a renewed sense of hope in the salvation Jesus offers, and for the Holy Spirit to continually purify our hearts.