Sin

This is just a beginning and since I didn't have a lot of time to come up with something as an opening, I thought I would just use something that I have said before. I used this illustration during my lesson a couple of Wednesday nights ago and thought it would be appropriate as a starting point. I know a few of you really liked this and there were some of you who were not there so here it goes.

"Do you guys know how much it costs to go to a lot of these theme parks? They are not cheap. I looked up a couple. Cedar Point in Ohio for one day is $42.95. Six Flags for one day is $47.00. Silver Dollar City for one day is $48.00. Disney World for one day is $71.00. Then when you get there, when it is busy what do you do? Stand in long lines. I have heard of lines being an hour, two hours, or more. So it costs a lot in money and time. You stand in line for 60min or longer and then what do you get? You definitely get a thrill. You get enjoyment. You have a lot of fun. But how long does it last? A short time, right. The ride lasts 2 ½ minutes. Some even less. Isn’t this just like sin. We have fun and enjoyment for a little while. We get a quick thrill. But the cost is high.

Satan always seeks to sell us on sin in a way that makes a crooked used car salesman weep with envy. Satan always seeks to maximize our estimation of the benefits of sin, and just as busily engages in attempting to convince us that the price of sin is minimal. In the Garden of Eden, Satan deceived Eve into believing that she could actually become like God, and that partaking of the forbidden fruit would not really result in death. When we choose sin, we do so believing Satan’s lie. We think we can “use” sin, while retaining full control over it. The reality is that sin quickly gains control over us, and we become its slaves. Whenever we are tempted and contemplate choosing the path of sin, let us remember what the Bible teaches us about the economics of sin: the price is too high, and the ride is all too short. Sin does not pay.

In the Service of Christ,

Chris