Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.  Romans 7:13

A. God’s Law and Its Relationship to sin

1. God’s law defines sin – Rom 7:7

2. God’s law aroused sin in the fallen flesh – Rom. 7:8

3. God’s law condemns the sinner – Rom. 7:9-11

4. God’s law is holy, righteous, and good – Rom. 7:12

B. The Exceeding Sinfulness of Sin

1. Defining Sin: The total depravity of humanity Ps. 51:1-2, Psalm 32:1-2

a. Transgressions – Eph. 2:1-2

b. Iniquity – Psalm 51:5

c. Sin – Rom. 3:23, 2 Cor. 3:18

2. What sin does: Its catastrophic consequences

a. Vertically: to God

– Offends His Nature and Person: Rev. 4:8, Habakkuk 1:13

– Refuses his truth and authority: Rom. 1:18

– Desecrates His worship: Matt. 15:8-9

b. Horizontally: to humanity

– Severs man’s most important relationship: Eph. 2:11-12

– Removes man’s means of happiness, contentment, purpose. Eccl. 2:19-11

– Enslaves man to the bondage of self-love: Gen. 3:1-6, 2 Tim. 3:1-5, 1 John 2:15-17