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Sin Enters the
World
(Genesis
3:1–8)
Introduction
Genesis 3:1–8 shows how temptation approached, doubt arose, desire
was enticed, and sin entered a world that had been wholly good. This
account reveals our enemy’s tactics and our need for God’s grace in
Christ.
The Serpent’s
Approach
The text introduces the serpent as more cunning than any beast of
the field (Genesis 3:1). Scripture identifies the tempter behind the
serpent as Satan, the adversary who seeks to corrupt minds from
simple, sincere devotion to God (2 Corinthians 11:3). He begins with
a question designed to unsettle trust: “Has God indeed said…?” His
purpose is to isolate the single prohibition in a garden of
abundance and fix the heart upon it.
Doubt,
Distortion, and Denial
The serpent first stirs doubt, then distorts God’s word, and finally
denies it: “You will not surely die… you will be like God” (Genesis
3:4–5). This is the adversary’s way—he prowls, seeking a life to
devour (1 Peter 5:8). God’s word stands; it is impossible for God to
lie (Hebrews 6:18). Where God speaks, life and truth are secure.
Desire
Enticed: The Threefold Appeal
Eve saw that the tree was good for food, pleasant to the eyes, and
desirable to make one wise (Genesis 3:6). John names this triad: the
lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1
John 2:15–17). James traces the path: desire draws and entices; when
desire conceives, it brings forth sin; and sin, when full-grown,
brings forth death (James 1:13–16). Temptation is real, yet
resistible; sin is not inevitable, yet deadly when embraced.
Adam’s
Responsibility
Eve was deceived; Adam was not (1 Timothy 2:14). He had received the
command (Genesis 2:16–17) and bore headship in that first home. He
chose to eat, and Scripture holds him responsible for bringing sin
into the world (Romans 5:12). Excuses cannot cleanse a guilty
conscience; accountability before God is personal and unavoidable.
Immediate
Consequences: Shame, Fear, Hiding
Their eyes were opened, and they knew they were naked; they sewed
fig leaves and hid among the trees (Genesis 3:7–8). Innocence had
known no shame (Genesis 2:25). Sin produced shame, fear, and
hiding—an inward rupture that still marks consciences today.
Physical death now enters history’s story, and spiritual
death—separation from God—casts its shadow.
Grace
Foreknown and Now Revealed
Human failure did not surprise heaven. God purposed redemption in
Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter
1:20). Through death, Jesus renders powerless the devil who held the
power of death (Hebrews 2:14). In a world where sin reigns unto
death, grace in Christ reigns unto life for those who trust and obey
His gospel (Romans 5:12; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16).
Obedient
Faith Today
God still calls hearts out of hiding. He invites confession,
repentance, and new life. Those who believe, repent, and are
baptized into Christ are forgiven and raised to walk in newness of
life, continuing in the light through ongoing confession and
cleansing (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3–4; 1 John 1:7–9).
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Sin Enters
the World Sermon Outline:
Text:
Genesis 3:1–8
Big Idea:
Temptation advances through doubt, distortion, and desire; sin
produces shame and separation; God calls sinners to honest
repentance and gospel obedience.
Aim:
Equip hearers to recognize the enemy’s tactics, resist
temptation with Scripture, own personal responsibility, and
respond to God through confession, repentance, and baptism into
Christ.
1) The
Cunning Tempter
(Genesis 3:1;
2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Peter 5:8)
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The
serpent is described as “more cunning.”
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Strategy:
a question that unsettles trust (“Has God indeed said…?”).
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Focus
shift: from a garden of abundance to a single prohibition.
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Application: guard your mind; measure every suggestion by
God’s word.
2) From
Doubt to Denial
(Genesis
3:4–5; Hebrews 6:18)
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Escalation: doubt → distortion → denial (“You will not
surely die”).
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False
promise: “You will be like God,” offered apart from
obedience.
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The
character of God: He cannot lie; His word is reliable.
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Application: rehearse God’s promises; answer lies with
Scripture.
3)
Desire Enticed—Threefold Appeal
(Genesis 3:6; 1 John 2:15–17; James 1:13–16)
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“Good
for food” – appeal to appetite (lust of the flesh).
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“Pleasant to the eyes” – appeal to attraction (lust of the
eyes).
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“Desirable to make one wise” – appeal to ambition (pride of
life).
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James’
pattern: desire → sin → death.
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Application: identify your common lures; pre-plan an escape
(1 Corinthians 10:13).
4)
Adam’s Responsibility and Headship
(Genesis 2:16–17; 1 Timothy 2:14; Romans 5:12)
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Adam
received the command and bore spiritual leadership.
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Eve was
deceived; Adam transgressed knowingly.
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Consequence through one man: sin and death entered the
world.
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Application: accept spiritual responsibility in the home;
lead in obedience.
5)
Immediate Consequences of Sin
(Genesis 3:7–8; Genesis 2:25)
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Shame:
awareness of nakedness; attempt to cover with fig leaves.
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Fear:
the sound of the Lord produces dread rather than delight.
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Hiding:
broken fellowship; avoidance of God’s presence.
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Application: trade coverings for confession; come into the
light (1 John 1:7–9).
6)
Grace Foreknown and Victory Secured
(Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:20; Hebrews 2:14)
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Redemption purposed before the foundation of the world.
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The Son
shares flesh and blood to destroy the devil’s power through
His death.
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Application: anchor assurance in God’s eternal plan
accomplished in Christ.
7)
Gospel Response and Ongoing Walk
(Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3–4; 1 John 1:7–9)
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Hear and
believe the gospel of Christ.
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Repent
and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins.
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Walk in
newness of life; practice continual confession and
cleansing.
Suggested Transitions & Helps
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Opening
image: a single “Do Not Touch” sign in a room full of gifts
draws the eye—temptation narrows focus.
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Scripture response model: read Genesis 3:1–5 aloud, then
answer each claim with a specific promise (e.g., Titus 1:2;
Hebrews 6:18).
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Pastoral
moment: pause after point 5 to invite silent confession and
private prayer.
Application Grid
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Head: Recognize the enemy’s
pattern and God’s truthfulness.
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Heart: Cultivate trust in
God’s goodness rather than fixating on forbidden things.
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Hands: Set one concrete
boundary this week and enlist a mature believer for
accountability and prayer.
Invitation (to use at close)
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Come out
of hiding. Confess sin, repent, and obey the gospel today.
Be baptized into Christ and rise to walk in newness of life.
Continue daily in the light through prayer, Scripture, and
fellowship.
Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of
Christ at Granby, MO
Call to
Action
Come out of hiding and return to the God who calls. Lay aside
excuses. Confess your sins, repent, and obey the gospel. Be baptized
into Christ and rise to walk in newness of life. Continue daily in
the light, trusting the cleansing of His blood and the sufficiency
of His word.
Key
Takeaways
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Satan’s
method is cunning: question, distort, deny (Genesis 3:1, 4–5; 2
Corinthians 11:3; 1 Peter 5:8).
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Desire
entices and, when embraced, yields sin and death (Genesis 3:6;
James 1:13–16; 1 John 2:15–17).
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Adam bore
responsibility; accountability before God is personal (Genesis
2:16–17; 1 Timothy 2:14; Romans 5:12).
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Sin’s first
fruits were shame, fear, and hiding; innocence was lost (Genesis
3:7–8; Genesis 2:25).
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God purposed
redemption before time; Christ destroys the devil’s hold through
His death (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:20; Hebrews 2:14).
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The gospel
offers forgiveness and new life to all who repent and are
baptized, continuing in the light (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3–4; 1
John 1:7–9).
Scripture
Reference List
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Genesis
2:16–17 – God’s command
concerning the tree.
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Genesis
2:25 – Innocence without shame
before sin.
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Genesis
3:1–8 – Temptation,
transgression, shame, fear, hiding.
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2
Corinthians 11:3 – The serpent’s
deception of Eve.
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1 Peter
5:8 – The adversary seeks to
devour.
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Hebrews
6:18 – It is impossible for God
to lie.
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1 John
2:15–17 – Lust of flesh, eyes,
pride of life.
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James
1:13–16 – Desire, sin, and
death’s progression.
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1
Timothy 2:14 – Eve deceived; Adam
transgressed.
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Romans
5:12 – Sin and death entering
through one man.
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Ephesians 1:4 – Purpose in Christ
before the world’s foundation.
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1 Peter
1:20 – Christ foreknown before
the foundation of the world.
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Hebrews
2:14 – Through death Christ
renders the devil powerless.
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Acts
2:38 – Repentance and baptism for
forgiveness.
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Mark
16:16 – He who believes and is
baptized will be saved.
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Romans
6:3–4 – Baptized into Christ’s
death; raised to new life.
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1 John
1:7–9 – Walking in the light;
confession and cleansing.
Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at
Granby, MO |
The
church of Christ
