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Contrasting Lostness and Salvation
Rom 6:23
for the Wages of Sin Is Death, but the Gift of God Is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus Our Lord. NKJV

Introduction
In Deuteronomy 27 and 28. Moses Painted a Vision of the People Standing upon Two Mountains. One Was a Mountain of Blessing and One a Mountain of Cursing. In the valley the people stood and Moses commanded them to make a choice.

The Text for the Sermon this Morning Divides into Blessing and Curses. Notice in Your Copy of the Scripture.

Cursings -- Wages Sin Death

Blessings ---- Gifts God Eternal Life

Notice as The Contrast Are Developed.

1. Lostness Includes . . Wages. 6:23a.
23 for the Wages of Sin Is Death, but the Gift of God Is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus Our Lord.

A. Wages . . Defined..

Wages Refer to the Pay a Person Receives for the Work Or Service They Render.

1. The Greek Word Here Translated Wages, in Other Places of the New Testament Is Translated "Charges" in KJV or in the NAS "Expenses".

2. Listen As I Read it with These Words.
"The Charges of Sin Are Death," or, "The Expenses of Sin Are Death."

However, One Translates this Word it Is Saying the Devil Pays His Workers.

One Commentator Notes:

Divine justice is under obligation to give sinners their wages or be in debt to them forever. Rev 20:12

Rev 20:12-13 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. NKJV

Illustration
Dr. R. G. Lee Told a Story about a Young Man Who Called Himself the "Kangaroo Kid." Dr Lee Preached Daily over the Radio and this Person Would Call or Write to Express All Kinds of Criticism and Insults. He Always Said or Signed He Was The, "The Kangaroo Kid."

One Night Dr. Lee Received a Call from the Baptist Hospital. The Nurse Said, "There Is a Youth Here in the Isolation Ward Who Is Asking for You. He May Not Live Through the Night. Dr. Lee Said, "Who Is He?" and the Nurse Said, "He Told Me to Tell You He's the Kangaroo Kid."

Dr. Lee Went and this Young Man Raised up in Bed and Told Dr. Lee, "Tell All the Youth You Can That the Devil Pays in Counterfeit Money."

Application

This Verse Tells Us Satan Has His Wages. There Is a Charge or an Expense to Be Paid Because of Sin. Do You Want the Curse of Satan's Wages?

2. Lostness Includes . . Sin. 6:23b
23 for the Wages of Sin Is Death, but the Free Gift of God Is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus Our Lord.

A. This Speaks of The . . Lapse Into Sin.

1. Just One Sin Makes Us Sinners.

Illustration
Anyone here perfect? (Man stood and said, "evidently my wife's first husband was!)

Seriously; Any one here just sin one time? Do you think a person could be condemned because of one sin? Adam was!

Ro 5:18a & 19a 18 Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, . . . 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, . . ." NKJV

(Life Application Notes) We were all born into Adam's physical family--the family line that
leads to certain death. All of us have reaped the results of Adam's sin. We have
inherited his guilt, a sinful nature (the tendency to sin), and God's punishment.

B. This Speaks of The . . Lifestyle Of Sin.

Sin Is a Curse of Lostness.

A Person Whose Life Style Is Characterized as One of Sin must Be a Lost Person. They Are Spiritually Lost. Sin Is Their Way of Life.

It May Be the Sin of Pride as They Think They Can Handles Any Situation and Don't Need God. In Fact, Their Pride Makes Them God.

It May Be Adultery, Lying or Drunkenness,. Whatever the Sin, They Are Powerless to Break its Strong Hold.

Illustration
On One Occasion I Went to Visit a Person Who Had Visited the Church I Was Then Pastoring. As I Started up the Stairs a Man Came Out. I Asked Him If Mrs. Blank Lived There and He Said, "Yes, but You Don't Want to Talk to Her; She Is a Crazy Woman; Follow Me." I Went out by this Man's Car and He Took out a Bottle and Said, "Let's Have a Drink." When I Related That I Was a Christian and Didn't Drink, He Told Me Many Things, but Finally Said, "I'd like to Quit Drinking, and Many Times I Have Taken My Bottle and Tried to Throw it in the Sewer but it Won't Come out of My Hand."

Application

The Man Had the Curse of Sin upon Him/ I Tried to Witness but He Wouldn't Listen. Today If You Have Not Accepted Christ as Your Savior, the Curse of Sin Has the Power to Enslave You. You Need to Turn from Sin and to the Savior.

Now notice the Third Curse Of Lostness.

3. Lostness Includes . . Death. 6:23c
23 for the Wages of Sin Is Death, but the Free Gift of God Is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus Our Lord.

Death Refers to a Spiritual Condition.

The People Without Christ Don't have spiritual hearing.

They Can't Communicate Spiritually;

They Can't Produce Anything Spiritually. Death Is the Consequence and Punishment of Sin.

It Speaks of a Process and an Ultimate End. Sin Causes Spiritual Death That Rules Life and Robs it of Ifs Best Qualities.

One Could Explain this Concept with the Words 'Decaying' and 'Decayed'. This Process of Day by Day Death Climaxes When Someone Dies Without Christ and Is Eternally Separated from Him. Death Is Ultimately Final in its Separation.

Rom 5:16-17 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) NKJV

Illustration
When I Was 20 Years of Age, Several Friends Were Killed in a Car Wreck. To My Knowledge None of Them Were Christians. If They Were Lost, They Were Dead in Trespasses and Sins Before That Fatal Car Wreck.

Application

We Who Are Christians Need to Realize Folks Are Lost and Dead in Sin Even When They Are Seemingly Alive and Well. You Who Have Not Claimed Christ as Your Savior Need to Realize You're Lost and Already Experiencing Spiritual Death.

In Contrast Notice The Blessings Of Salvation.

4. Salvation Includes The . . Gift. 6:23d
23 for the Wages of Sin Is Death, but the Gift of God Is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus Our Lord. (NKJV)

In New Testament Times You Could Say Our Word Gift by Using One of Several Greek Words. The Word Doron, Dorea, Doma or Charisma, Could Be Used.

The Significance of this Word Is That it Definitely Involves Grace. The Gift Can in No Way Be Earned or Deserved. It Is a Free Gift to the Undeserving Sinner or a Free Gift to an Undeserving Believer.

Satan Gives Wages Which Are Deserved, God Has a Gift That Is Not Deserved.

A. This is A . . Grace Gift.

Grace is not deserved.

Rev 20:11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.

Contrast John 14:2b-3a ". . . I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself;. . ." NKJV

Glory to God I kinow I have a place because Jesus prepared It.

True Christians will not get what they deserve, They will receive GRACE. In grace there is a Prepared Place

5. Salvation Blessing Includes . . God. 6:23e
23 for the Wages of Sin Is Death, but the Free Gift of God Is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus Our Lord.

God Is in Contrast to Sin. One Could Define the Name God as One Altogether Good or One in Whom There Is No Sin.

You Can Have Sin or God. Jesus Said, "No Man Can Serve Two Masters" (Mt. 6:24).

The Great Commandment Is "You Shall Love the Lord Your God with All Your Heart and with All Your Soul and with All Your Strength. (Mt. 12:30).

One Cannot Obey That Commandment and Have a Lifestyle Characterized by Sin. God Makes a Person Godly.

There Is a Great Need in Our Day for Persons Who Stand out as Godly Men and Godly Women. They Are Blessings of Salvation.

6. Salvation Includes . . Eternal Life.. 6:23e
23 for the Wages of Sin Is Death, but the Free Gift of God Is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus Our Lord.

Life Refers to a Spiritual Condition. The Person Who Has Accepted Christ's Salvation Has Received Life.

They Can Hear, See and Communicate Spiritual Truth. They Are Alive in Christ.

Jesus Said, "I Came That They Might Have Life, and Might Have it Abundantly." (John 10:10). What a Contrast Between Life and Death.

A. Eternal Life Now. John 3:16 "have eternal life"
1. Christianity Is New Life Now. 2 Cor. 5:17
        Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed
        away; behold, all things have become new. NKJV

          a. Ps 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. NKJV
                   b. Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God
                 prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. NKJV

Illustration
I heard June Hunt a Bible Teacher on the radio just the other day share this experience. It seems a couple moved in her apartment complex who were not married. June just began showing kindnesses to this couple. Then on night at mid-night the young lady knocked on the door and asked if she could borrow 2 eggs. About an hour later June led this lady to the Lord. A few weeks later the young lady knocked on the door and asked if she had time to just talk. In the course of the conversation the young lady asked June, "should I be living with a man to whom I am not married?" Jane asked, "who said anything about that to you." She said no one but somehow I just don't feel right about it anymore." Jane then told her, "when you got saved the Holy Spirit of God came into your life and It Is God Who Is talking to you."

Illustration W. B. Hinson
Thinking of the fullness and duration of this wonderful life, W. B. Hinson, a great preacher of a past generation, spoke from his own experience just before he died. He said, "I remember a year ago when a doctor told me, 'You have an illness from which you won't recover.' I walked out to where I live 5 miles from Portland, Oregon, and I looked across at that mountain that I love. I looked at the river in which I rejoice, and I looked at the stately trees that are always God's own poetry to my soul. Then in the evening I looked up into the great sky where God was lighting His lamps, and I said, ' I may not see you many more times, but Mountain, I shall be alive when you are gone; and River, I shall be alive when you cease running toward the sea; and Stars, I shall be alive when you have fallen from your sockets

Application

Today Are You Enjoying the Blessing of God's Undeserved Gift or Are You Receiving the Curse of Satan's Wages. The Choice Is Yours to Make. Notice the Next Blessing Of Salvation.

Conclusion
A Story from Scotland Tells of a Mother's Dramatic Rescue of Her Child. Workmen Were Blasting Rock in a Quarry. One Day after They Had Attached the Fuse and Retired to a Safe Place and Gave the Alarm They Saw a Three Year Old Child Wandering Across the Open Space Where Danger Threatened. Every Passing Second Meant Death Was Closing in on the Child.

The Workmen Called to the Child and Waved Their Arms, but He Only Looked on Their Strange Antics with Amusement. No Man Dared Run Forward Knowing the Explosion Was Only Seconds Away. The Child Most Certainly Would Have Been Killed, Had Not His Mother Appeared at this Moment of Crisis.

Taking in the Situation at a Glance She Did What Her Mother's Heart Dictated. She Did Not Run Toward Her Son or Yell to Frighten Him. Instead, She Knelt Down, Opened Wide Her Arms and Smiled for Him to Come. Instantly the Child Ran Towards Her. Shortly Later the Area Shook with the Force of the Explosion, Yet the Child Was Safe in His Mother's Arms.

What a Picture of the Grace of God and of the Cross. With Outstretched Arms on the Cross Jesus Gives His Gracious Invitation to the World. Indicating We Are to Come to Him for Eternal Safety. Will You Come to Jesus? - Pulpit Helps

If you'll take one step toward the Saviour my friend you'll find His arms open wide.