SINS TO AVOID #1

By David J. Riggs

                        
Intro.
   A. In this lesson we begin a three-part series on "Sins to Avoid."
      1. We start with sins that are especially prevalent among young
         Christians. (We refer here to the pre-teen and early teen
         years).
      2. Some of these sins are prevalent among older folks as well.
   B. I want to follow with two other lessons: "Sins teenage         
      Christians should avoid," and "Sins older Christians should    
      avoid."
   C. Hopefully, these lessons will be profitable for all. A lesson  
      for older Christians can be profitable for the younger and     
      vice-versa.

I. CHEATING.
   A. "Cheat" is defined by Webster, "suggests tricks which escape or
      intended to escape observation."
      1. When I was in school a questionnaire was given to all the
         students. No one had to sign their name to it. One question
         was, "Have you ever, or do you ever, cheat on tests?"
         a. The officials were shocked to learn that over 90%
            answered "yes" to this question.
      2. Cheating is prevalent in almost all walks of life. Attached 
         (at the end of this sermon) is a good bulletin article      
         entitled, "It's OK Son, everybody does it."
         a. What was "everybody" doing when Noah built the ark?
         b. What was "everybody" doing in the cities of Sodom and
            Gomorrah? (Gen. 18:32)
      3. If we learn to cheat when we are younger, we will when we
         are older--unless correction is made.
         a. Let us establish principles of honesty. Isa. 33:15-16;
            Rom. 12:17; 2 Cor. 8:21

II. LYING.
   A. Lying is something very young children learn to do.
      1. They will do it to avoid punishment.
   B. Lying is something the young Christian needs to put away early.
      Put off the old man and put on the new. Eph. 4:23-25
   C. Lying is of the devil. John 8:44
      1. Lying was the first sin recorded among members of the
         church. Acts 5:1-5
      2. God hates lying. Prov. 6:17-19; 12:22; 13:5
      3. Lying keeps company with many other grievous sins. Hosea
         4:1-2
   D. Lying can easily become a habit. Once formed, it is hard to    
      break.
      1. Only by a strong desire to obey God, we can overcome it.
         Col 3:9-10
      2. Remember, all liars will end up in hell. Rev. 21:8

III. STEALING.
   A. Stealing is a prevalent sin among young people today.
      1. Statistics show that the greatest percentage of shoplifters 
         are in their early teens and younger. It has been shown when
         these young people are caught, they have enough money on
         them to buy what they have just stolen.
      2. Like lying, stealing can become a habit, even an adventure.
   B. Stealing is sometimes encouraged by older people. I once heard 
      a father explain how he managed to steal an expensive chain    
      hoist from the company where he worked. He said he wrapped the
      hoist in burlap to give an appearance of a root ball of a small
      tree. He then cut a small tree and extended it from the ball he
      had made. He was then able to walk past the gate guard who was
      thinking he was only carrying out a small tree that he had     
      bought or someone had given him. Question: "What would this do 
      to the children who listen to such stories?" Answer: "Always be
      clever enough to never get caught."
   C. One of the ten commandments. Ex. 20:15
      1. It was reinstated in the N.T. Eph. 4:28
      2. Remember the Bible examples of what happened to thieves.
         a. Achan.
         b. Gehazi.
         c. Judas. John 12:6
            (1) This basic flaw in Judas' character contributed to
                his destruction.

IV. SELFISHNESS.
    A. Do not live for self. Luke 9:23
       1. Some are totally wrapped up in self. They think, "If
          people loved me, they would try to please me."
    B. Be a helper. Lam. 3:27 (You will be appreciated by all).
       1. Diligence is a great virtue for young people. Prov. 13:4;
          15:19; 22:29
    C. Obey your parents--Eph. 6:1-3 As Jesus did. Luke 2:51
       1. It is significant that "lovers of themselves" and
          "disobedient to parents" are together in the save verse. 2
          Tim. 3:2
          a. One who is self-willed, self-centered, will not be
             interested in pleasing his parents.
       2. Remember God's attitude toward stubborn and disobedient    
          children. Deut. 21:18-21
       3. Prov. 30:17 - There are a lot of beautiful picturesque
          expressions in the Bible, but this in not one of them.

V. SPIRITUAL NEGLECT.
   A. James 4:17
      1. Here are some good habits young Christians need to
         establish early in their lives.
         a. Bible study. 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:15 (Seek to enjoy it).
         b. Enjoy worship. Psalm 122:1
            (1) Lord's Supper - 1 Cor. 11:23-26 (To discern what
                the emblems represent is very important - 1 Cor.
                11:27-29)
            (2) Giving - 1 Cor. 16:2 (Example: give part of your
                allowance)
            (3) Singing - Eph. 5:19 (Try to sing out; pay attention
                to the words)
            (4) Praying - 1 Cor. 14:14-16 (Try your best to listen
                to public prayers)
            (5) Listening to the Word - Acts 20:7 (It is important
                that you listen carefully so you can gain as much
                good as possible)
         c. Private prayer - 1 Thess. 5:17 (Learn to pray about
            everything)
         d. Teach your friends - 2 Tim. 2:2 (Your friends are at an
            age when they will listen and you can guide them in the
            way of eternal life).
         e. Have awesome respect for God in all these things. Eccl.
            12:1, 13-14
   B. Young people, be diligent to avoid hell at all cost.
      1. One of the saddest notes ever left by a person committing
         suicide was, "Tell my friends I'll meet them in hell."
      2. For over 20 years a fire has been burning deep within the
         earth of Centralia, a small community of 1,200 residents in
         the heart of Pennsylvania's coal fields. Fifteen different
         federal, state, and local agencies have spent more than $3.5
         million to extinguish the fire without success. Persons can
         touch the earth and feel the heat. Deep holes and crevices
         vent hot, smoky air and noxious gases. One citizen said:
         "Standing by a hole, you can hear the fires roaring. It's an
         eerie sound, like the beating of a thousand wings." 
         a. Government officials have indicated that they are no
            longer willing to attempt to put out the fire; it is a   
            futile task. As flames continue to burn without          
            restraint, townspeople plead for someone to save their
            community. 
         b. Jesus warns us of an even greater fire that burns        
            forever. Mark 9:43; Luke 12:3-4
            (1) We need to avoid hell at all costs.

Concl.
   A. We have listed sins that are sometimes prevalent among young
      people.
      1. However, they are sins that all of us need to avoid.
   B. When we are guilty of such sins, we need to repent. Repentance
      is a wonderful blessing under the gospel system.
      1. With true godly sorrow in our hearts, let us turn from these
         sins to practice them no more.
      2. God will forgive us. 1 John 1:9; Heb. 8:12
   C. Let us keep ourselves pure unto the day of the coming of the   
      Son of God. 1 John 3:2-3; 2 Pet. 3:14

"It's O.K., Son. Everybody Does It."
By Jack Griffin
   
When Johnny was six years old, he was with his father when they were
caught speeding. His father handed the officer a five dollar bill
with his driver's license. "It's O.K., son," his father said as he
drove off, "Everybody does it."

When he was eight, he was permitted at a family council, presided
over by Uncle George, on the surest means to shave points off the
income tax return. "It's O.K., kid," his uncle said, "Everybody does
it."

When he was nine, his mother took him to his first theater
production. The box office man couldn't find any seats until his
mother discovered an extra two dollars in her purse. "It's O.K. son,"
she said, "Everybody does it."

When he was twelve, he broke his glasses on the way to school. His
Aunt Francine persuaded the insurance company that they had been
stolen and they collected $27. "It's O.K., kid," she said, "Everybody
does it."

When he was fifteen, he made right guard on the high school football
team. His coach showed him how to block and at the same time grab the
opposing end by the shirt so the official could's see it. "It's O.K.,
kid," the coach said, "Everybody does it."

When he was sixteen, he took his first summer job at the market. His
assignment was to put overripe tomatoes in the bottom of the boxes
and good ones on top where they would show. "It's O.K., kid," the
manager said, "Everybody does it."

When he was eighteen, Johnny and a neighbor applied for a college
scholarship. Johnny was a marginal student. His neighbor was in the
upper three percent of his class, but he couldn't play right guard.
Johnny got the assignment. "It's O.K., kid," he said, "Everybody does
it."

When he was nineteen, he was approached by an upper classman who
offered the test answers for three dollars. "It's O.K., kid," he
said, "Everybody does it."

Johnny was caught and sent home in disgrace. "How could you do this
to your mother and me?" his father asked. "Your never learned
anything like this at home." His aunt and uncle also were shocked. If
there's anything the adult world can't stand, it's a kid who cheats!

Chart:
SINS TO AVOID #1
                        
Cheating
                        
Lying
                        
Stealing
                        
Selfishness
                        
Spiritual Neglect