PREACHING PREPARED FOR THE FIRST REVIVAL MEETING:

HELD AT: CHURCH OF CHRIST, OPP. NO.3 CREEK ROAD PORT HARCOURT:

DATE: 4TH-6TH MAY , 2011.

TIME: 5PM-7PM , DAILY.

THEME: REKINDLING THE FIRE OF YOUR SPIRIT:

TOPIC: BREAKING THE BARRIER OF SIN:

TEXT: IS.6:7

REASONS FOR THIS TOPIC: EZEK.3: 20-21; 33:12

DEFINITIONS:

1. BREAKING: Separate or cause to separate into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or

strain: "the rope broke with a loud snap" . To destroy the completeness of (a group of
related items) . To vary or disrupt the uniformity or continuity of: To force one's way out
of; escape from:

2 2. The expectation they had of his favour: "He that has torn will heal us, he that has smitten
will bind us up,’’ as the skilful surgeon with a tender hand binds up the broken bone or bleeding
wound. Note, The same providence of God that afflicts his people relieves them, and the same Spirit of
God that convinces the saints comforts them; that which is first a Spirit of bondage is afterwards a
Spirit of adoption. This is an acknowledgement of the power of God (he can heal though we be ever so
ill torn), and of his mercy (he will do it); nay, therefore he has torn that he may heal. Some think this
points particularly to the return of the Jews out of Babylon, when they sought the Lord, and joined
themselves to him, in the prospect of his gracious return to them in a way of mercy. Note, It will be of
great use to us, both for our support under our afflictions and for our encouragement in our
repentance, to keep up good thoughts of God and of his purposes and designs concerning us.
BARRIER:
1. A structure, such as a fence, built to bar passage.

2. Something immaterial that obstructs or impedes: Intolerance is a barrier to

understanding. See Synonyms at obstacle.
3. Physiology A membrane, tissue, or mechanism that blocks the passage of certain
substances.
4. Ecology A physical or biological factor that limits the migration, interbreeding, or free
movement of individuals or populations.
5. A boundary or limit.
6. Something that separates or holds apart.
7. A movable gate that keeps racehorses in line before the start of a race.
8. The palisades or fences enclosing the lists of a medieval tournament. Often used in the
plural.
9. Geology An ice barrier
barrier - any condition that makes it difficult to make progress or to achieve an objective;
"intolerance is a barrier to understanding . barrier - anything serving to maintain separation by
obstructing vision or access

2. SIN: Is "any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God" (1 John 3:4; Romans
4:15), in the inward state and habit of the soul, as well as in the outward conduct of the life,
whether by omission or commission (Romans 6:12-17; 7:5-24). It is "not a mere violation of the
law of our constitution, nor of the system of things, but an offence against a personal lawgiver
and moral governor who vindicates his law with penalties. The soul that sins is always conscious
that his sin is (1) intrinsically vile and polluting, and (2) that it justly deserves punishment, and
calls down the righteous wrath of God. Hence sin carries with it two inalienable characters, (1)
ill-desert, guilt (reatus); and (2) pollution (macula).", Hodge's Outlines.
3. Sin is the lamp of the wicked. Prv.21:4; 24:9.

INTRODUCTION:

The moral character of a man's actions is determined by the moral state of his heart. The disposition to
sin, or the habit of the soul that leads to the sinful act, is itself also sin ( Romans 6:12-17; Galatians
5:17; James 1:14,15).

Adam's sin (Genesis 3:1-6) consisted in his yielding to the assaults of temptation and eating the
forbidden fruit. It involved in it, (1) the sin of unbelief, virtually making God a liar; and (2) the guilt of
disobedience to a positive command. By this sin he became an apostate from God, a rebel in arms
against his Creator. He lost the favor of God and communion with him; his whole nature became
depraved, and he incurred the penalty involved in the covenant of works.

DISCUSSION:

Sin is a universal reality that every man involves in.  (1 Kings 8:46; Isaiah 53:6; Psalms 130:3;Romans
3:19,22,23; Galatians 3:22) . this universal moral corruption that is passed from Adam to all men
resulted to the Loss of1. Original righteousness, and (2) the presence of a constant proneness to evil,
which is the root and oexposerigin of all actual sin. It is called "sin" (Romans 6:12,14,17; 7:5-17), the
"flesh" (Galatians 5:17,24), "lust" (James 1:14,15), the "body of sin" (Romans 6:6), "ignorance,"
"blindness of heart," "alienation from the life of God" (Ephesians 4:18,19). It influences and depraves
the whole man, and its tendency is still From the downward to deeper and deeper corruption, there
remaining no recuperative element in the soul. Romans 3:10-23; 5:12-21; 8:7.

From the fact of the universal sinfulness of men. "There is no man that sinneth not" ( 1 Kings
8:46; Isaiah 53:6; Psalms 130:3;Romans 3:19,22,23; Galatians 3:22). Hence the universality of death,
Romans 5:12-20, and the universal necessity of regeneration. John 3:3; 2 Cor. 5:17.

VARIOUS KINDS OF SIN ARE MENTIONED:

 "Presumptuous sins," or as literally rendered, "sins with an uplifted hand", i.e., defiant acts of sin, in
contrast with "errors" or "inadvertencies" (Psalms 19:13).
  "Secret", i.e., hidden sins (19:12); sins which escape the notice of the soul.
  "Sin against the Holy Ghost" (q.v.), or a "sin unto death" (Matthew 12:31,32; 1 John 5:16), which
amounts to a willful rejection of grace.

WHAT SIN CAUSES:

1. Sin puts up a strong barrier. 1king. 8:46; 12:30; 13:34; 14: 15-17 ; Is. 59:1-2.
2. Sin causes God to expose us to the ravaging hands of the enemy. 1 King. 18:9; 21:22; Ps.59:12.
3. Sin kills. Ezek. 18:24
4. It materializes the wrath of God. Ezek .30:15-16.

HOW CAN WE BREAK THIS BARRIER?.

Since all men have been proved under the weight of sin, and it denies us the ability that we need to be
able to serve God with greater zeal, deeper commitment and joy . how can we destroy its strength in our
lives.? How can we break away from its grip, its strongholds.?. we have discovered that with sin reigning
in our lives, our progress is impeded, blocked, hindered, and we can’t make Heaven at last. We therefore
need to go to the word of God which is the inbreathed word of the Spirit to find out how we can fight and
defeat this barrier to our spiritual and moral success.

1, the spirit of God breaks the barrier of sin. Jer. 31:34; 36:3.. when a person receives the spiritual
rebirth, he is blessed by the Spirit who manifests himself in the life of this person through his gifts. The
spirit supplies the ability to him to be able to overcome the world of sin and death. He after the new birth,
must begin and continue the new walk of the Spirit to be able to remain safe and secured. Romans. 8:1-
3.

The believer who is now born a new or again, is now in partnership with the Holy spirit to do those things
which are extraordinary and one of such is the Power to overcome the world {Sin}. How can he or She do
this is what we must discover.

To break the barrier of sin:

1. It involves atonement in the Old testament. Ex. 32: 10,21; Lev. 4:18.
2. It involves withdrawal from all sinful relationships. Num. 16:26, Ps. 39:1, Is.27; 9; Ex. 34:11-13;
Separation, disassociation, unfriending of such as tends to both moral and spiritual contamination
. 1 Sam.14:34.
3. By not despising the offering of the Lord. 1 Sam. 2;17. Man shall not take o himself that which
belongs to God. You must be willing to give to the Lord the portion due Him in your earning, your
bounties, your riches and all that He has blessed you with. Deut. 8.
4. Sinful barriers must be broken when the child of God lives a life of constant and dedicated prayer.
Such that is coupled with desire for instruction in the good and right way. 1 Sam.12:23, Ps. 4:4;
40: 6
5. Withdrawal from the act of rebellion and insubordination. 1 Sam. 15: 23, Neh. 4:5, Is. 30:1; 6: 13,
Job. 34:37, Eccl. 5:6, Is. 3:9, Is. 5:18
6. Avoiding sinning or humiliating or even attempting to kill those who have being beneficial to you.
1 Sam. 19:14-15; 20:1, Job. 31:30, Ps. 32:3,5; 38:18
7. Ability to confess ones sins publicly or privately to a fellow believer. 1Kings. 8:35-36. Note; before
sins can be confessed, one must accept them know them, be willing to take responsibility for
committing the sins. Ps. 51:2-3
8. Cessation from Spiritual adultery and Idolatry. 1 Kings. 12:30, 11Chr. 7:14
9. Making your dwelling in righteousness. The believer who is set for this battle, must permit or allow
the eternal spirit of God to rule the heart. Job. 1:22, Gal. 5:15-17. His character of worship must
take the like of the early Christians. Acts 2:38-47.

CONCLUSION;
The battle over Satan and sin is a difficult one, that must be fought and won if we appreciate to
the almost the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in behalf of us. When we admit that its mostly our natural
appetite that exposes us to random sins and sinful attitudes. and also accept that without a
redress, we will face eternal condemnation, then, the battle to break the barrier of Sin which
according to scriptures is evident blockage to our spiritual success, will be fought gallantly.

Look at Apostle Paul in the book of Phil.3:7-14.

May our God make you available and ready to fight and win this battle in Jesus name, Amen.