After looking at the origin of sin last week, this week we consider the ultimate consequences for sin. (based on ch 18 of 'The Ology' by Marty Machowski)
Separation from God
Discussion starter
Can you think of a time when you got in trouble?
What did you get into trouble for? (could be at home or at school)
How did you feel?
What was the punishment?
When we do things wrong we can expect to be found out and can expect to suffer consequences.
Last week we looked at how sin entered the world. Adam and Eve chose to listen to the serpent.
God punished the Adam, Eve and the snake.
But their rebellion also meant something serious for them and us.
The greatest punishment for sin
“So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.” (Gen 3:23-24)
What could Adam and Eve no longer do with God?
They couldn’t be near to God.
Why couldn’t they do this?
Because of their sin.
Because God is perfect (Holy).
We were created by God and to be in relationship with Him. Sin means we can no longer come near to God because of our sin. That is an awful punishment for us…never being able to be with God.
Jesus allows us to draw near to God again
“And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” (Matt 27:51-52)
What happens when Jesus dies?
The temple curtain splits.
In the temple there was a curtain stopping people going into a special room. This room was the place where the ark of the covenant was placed and only priests could go in after they had washed and made sacrifices.
What does this mean for us?
When the curtain was torn it was a sign of what Jesus had done for us.
Jesus’ dying for us means that we can now come to God again. The way we can do that is to say sorry to Jesus for our sins.
The Future
The Bible ends with a promise.
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” (Rev 21:3)
What will happen one day?
God will be able to dwell with us like he did with Adam and Eve in the garden. We can look forward to this because of what Jesus has done for us.
Pray
Thank God for sending Jesus so that we can know him in our lives now and look forward to being with him in the future.
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