PREACHED: OL,
“LESSONS FROM THE GARDEN OF EDEN”
INTRODUCTION:
I. The
misinterpretation of many scriptures has given rise to a
number false doctrines.
A. One
of these is hereditary total depravity, one of the basic tenets of a dominant
denominational doctrinal system known as CALVINISM.
1. It
states that all of us inherit the sin of Adam and thus are condemned from
birth.
a. One Calvinist leader stated:
1) “We believe that through the disobedience of
Adam, sin is extended to all mankind which is a corruption of the whole nature
and is a hereditary disease, wherewith, even infants in their mother’s womb are
infected…and therefore, is so vile in the sight of God that it is sufficient to
condemn all mankind.”
B. Brother
C. A. Feenstra, Calvinism in the Light of God’s
Word stated, “When Calvinist’s speak
of a man being totally depraved, they mean that man’s nature is corrupt and
perverse and sinful throughout.”
1. Feenstra was a Calvinist for many years, was converted and
wrote this book as a paper, while a student at Sunset International Biblical
Institute, and later published it in book form.
a. It
has become a standard in the study of Calvinism.
C. Nearly
all evangelical denominations base much of their doctrine, either wholly or
partially, on the tenets of Calvinism.
D. Total depravity is based on statements of
Paul:
1. Rom
2. This
passage does not say that man inherits the sin of Adam, but rather since the
days of Adam all men have sinned…
a. Sin
is always described in the scriptures as something we do, not something we inherit!!
1) Ezek 18:20. “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity
of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity
of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself,
and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself…”
III. But there ARE wonderful FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS, that relate to
our salvation, revealed in the events in the Garden of Eden.
A. What are these truths?
DISCUSSION:
I. THE
STATE OF
A. It
is vital that we understand the state of man before the first temptation -
1. Complete innocence and purity
a. Gen 2:25. “And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed…”
b. Children reflect that same innocence!
1) Matt 18:3. “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn (are converted) and become like
children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven…” V 10. “See that you do not despise one of these
little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels
always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.”
2. It
is not uncommon for children to disrobe in public without a twinge of guilt or
embarrassment.
II. THE
CAUSES OF SIN
A. Three
approaches or appeals are used by the devil in temptation:
1. Gen
3:1-7
Matt 4:1-11
James 1:13-15
James
4:1-4
1 John 2:15-17
B. But we don’t have to give in to the
temptations!!!
1. Jesus resisted with scripture, and we can
too!
2. James
4:7. “Submit…resist…”
3. 1 Pet 5:8, 9. “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around
like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your
faith…”
III. PARADOX
OF REDEMPTION
A. The
same elements that resulted in
À A
MESSAGE
a. The
message of the devil to Eve was one of rebellion, and condemnation—BAD NEWS!
1) Gen 3:4, 5. “You will not surely die. For God knows
that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God,
knowing good and evil.”
a) The
Devil’s message was deceptive, contradicted truth and tried to drive a wedge
between man and God!
à Sound familiar??!!
b. But,
paradoxically, paradise regained begins with a message!!
1) Rom
Á SAME
STEPS
a. HEARING
–
1) Eve
heard a lie, but we must hear the truth of the gospel!
a) Acts
b. BELIEVING
–
1) Eve
believed the devil’s lie, but we must believe the truth!
a) Rom 10:13-15a. “For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the
Lord will be saved.’ But how
are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to
believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without
someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is
written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who
preach the good news (gospel)!’”
c. REPENTANCE
1) Repentance
means a change of mind leading to a change of direction or life.
2) Eve
changed her mind about God’s command, and it led to her sinful action!
3) We
change our minds about our sinful actions, and turn to God’s commands!!
a) Acts
d. OBEDIENCE
-
1) By
faith in the devil, Eve obeyed and lost paradise!
2) By
faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and our Savior, we obey God’s commands,
and regain paradise!
a) Acts 2:41; 47
B. The
same blessings they lost in sin, we regain in obedience!!
1. They lost fellowship with God, we regain
it!
2. They lost righteousness, we regain it!
3. They lost all spiritual blessings, we
regain them!
5.
They lost godly
purpose in life, we regain it!
6. They
lost the tree of life, we regain it!
a. Rev 2:7. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the
tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”
CONCLUSION:
I. WHO
BEST DESCRIBES YOU THIS MORNING?
A. Are you listening to the Devil or to God?
B. Is your mind set on the way world or the
will of God?
C. Are
you obeying the lying delusions of the devil or the loving commands of Jesus?