Way of The Transgressor Is Hard

Hebrews 11:23-29

Being Faithful

• Difficult– Strait and narrow (Matthew 7:13, 14)

– Persecution (2 Timothy 3:12)

– Yet, “yoke is easy” (Matthew 11:30)

Sin

• Is it better?– World thinks so (Hebrews 11:25)

– Envy sinners? (Proverbs 23:17)

– No! (Proverbs 13:15)

Obedience Is Best

• True– In our homes (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

– At school

– On the job

Obedience Is Best

• Not just in view of eternity– Won’t be envious of others

(Proverbs 23:17)

– Duty becomes a privilege (1 John 4:18)

Obedience Is Best

• Law for mankind’s good– “Fear the Lord for our good”

(Deuteronomy 6:24)

– Not a careless lifestyle (Proverbs 19:16)

– Godliness profitable now and eternity (1 Timothy 4:8)

Sin Has Consequences

• Earthly or temporal– Problems (Proverbs 11:3, 5)

– Harm and destruction (Proverbs 11:17; 13:13)

Sin Has Consequences

• Depend on circumstances– Civil punishment (Romans 13:1-3)

– Lower life expectancy (Proverbs 10:27)

– Enslaving habits (Proverbs 5:22; 1 Corinthians 9:27)

Sin Has Consequences

• The prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32)– Earthly pleasures ended

(vv. 11-15; Proverbs 21:17)

– “Friends” abandoned him, a foreigner

– Broke and hungry (v. 16)

Sexual Immorality

• Rampant– Work of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21)

– Search for freedom (2 Peter 2:19)

– Tragic consequences (Romans 1:28-32)

Results

• Not what was expected– Diseases such as AIDS

– Unstable family life

– Emotional problems

– Abortion

– Death

• The way of the transgressor is hard

Alcohol and Drugs

• Destructive– Portrayed as means to popularity, a

good time, relaxation

– Results are not as guaranteed (Proverbs 23:29-36; 1 Corinthians 6:19)

Results

• Not pleasant– Addiction

– Death on the highways

– Loss of family, job

– Poverty

– Physical problems

• The way of the transgressor is hard

Greed

• Deceptive– Supposed to bring happiness

(Proverbs 15:27; Luke 12:15)

– Satan lies (1 Timothy 6:6-10)

– God first (Matthew 6:33; Hebrews 13:5)

Results

• Not what was promised– Things mean more than people

– Marriages ruined

– Troubled children

• The way of the transgressor is hard

Sins of The Tongue

• Deceptive– Told that lying, gossip, flattery are a

means to an end

– Opposite takes place (Ecclesiastes 10:20; Ephesians 4:25-29)

Results

• Harmful– Lose friends

– No confidence in us

– Isolation

– Loneliness

• The way of the transgressor is hard

All About Choices

• What kind have you made?

• Like are the consequences?

• Why not change?