We’ve recently run two men’s conference events at St Faith’s. It was encouraging to gather together with a bunch of men from across our different congregations. Ben Molyneux spoke on Men and Marriage in week 1; I spoke on Men Fighting Sin in week 2.
The basic structure of my talk came from Jonathan Dodson’s forthcoming book, Gospel-Centered Discipleship. As well as reflecting on a number of Bible passages, I used a number of John Owen quotes as a sparring partner in the challenge to fight against sin.
MEN FIGHTING SIN – Dave Miers – Sermon MP3
See below for Structure and John Owen Quotes:
//MEN FIGHTING SIN
The failure of men’s accountability groups
[1] Know your sin
[2] Fight your sin
[3] Trust your Saviour
Join a fight-club!
“Sin aims always at the utmost; every time it rises up to tempt or entice, if it has its own way it will go out to the utmost sin in that kind. Every unclean thought or glance would be adultery if it could, every thought of unbelief would be atheism if allowed to develop. Every rise of lust, if it has its way reaches the height of villainy; it is like the grave that is never satisfied. The deceitfulness of sin is seen in that it is modest in its first proposals but when it prevails it hardens men’s hearts, and brings them to ruin.” (JOHN OWEN)
“Do you mortify? Do you make it your daily work? always at it whilst you live; cease not a day from this work; be killing sin or it will be killing you.” (JOHN OWEN)
“Let no man think to kill sin with few, easy, or gentle strokes. He who hath once smitten a serpent, if he follow not on his blow until it be slain, may repent that ever he began the quarrel. And so he who undertakes to deal with sin, and pursues it not constantly to the death.” (JOHN OWEN)
“Let our hearts admit, “I am poor and weak. Satan is too subtle, too cunning, too powerful; he watches constantly for advantages over my soul. The world presses in upon me with all sorts of pressures, pleas, and pretences. My own corruption is violent, tumultuous, enticing, and entangling. As it conceives sin, it wars within me and against me. Occasions and opportunities for temptation are innumerable. No wonder I do not know how deeply involved I have been with sin. Therefore, on God alone will I rely for my keeping. I will continually look to Him.” (JOHN OWEN)