The Doctrine of Imputed Sin, Justice, & Grace

08-12 Lecture: Doctrine of Imputed Sin,Justice, and Grace

Sermon Outline: The Doctrine of ImputedSin, Justice, and Grace

I. Introduction and Preparation for Fellowship

Opening Remarks & WelcomeGreeting congregation, emphasizing fellowship and concentration on the Word.

Confession and FellowshipScripture Reference: 1 John 1:9Exegetical Note: Confession restores fellowship with God, not salvation.

Encouragement to focus and prepare hearts for doctrinal study.

II. Review: The Old Sinful Nature

Recap of previous lesson on the old sin nature and its components.

Importance of doctrinal vocabulary for understanding and teaching.

III. The Fairness and Purpose of Imputed Sin

Key Question:“How is it fair that Adam’s sin is imputed to all humanity?”

Doctrinal Principle:Imputation of Adam’s sin is a grace act, qualifying all for salvation.

IV. Scriptural Foundation for Universal Condemnation and Grace

Romans 11:32“For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.”

Exegetical Note: Universal condemnation precedes universal offer of mercy.

Doctrine:Condemnation must precede salvation; imputation of Adam’s sin creates thepotential for salvation.

V. The Age of Accountability and Divine Justice

Principle:Children dying before accountability are saved by God’s justice.

Doctrine:God’s justice cannot condemn without opportunity for faith in Christ.

VI. The Justice and Righteousness of God

Essence of God:God is perfectly just and righteous; cannot overlook sin.

Exegetical Note: Propitiation—Christ’s work satisfies God’s justice.

Illustration:Adam and Eve’s sins: Adam sinned knowingly (disobedience), Eve wasdeceived.

VII. The Transmission of Sin and Spiritual Death

Doctrine:Adam’s original sin is imputed at birth; the old sin nature is transmittedgenetically.

Genesis Reference:“You shall surely die”—spiritual death, not immediate physical death.

Adam’s State Post-Fall:Lost spirit (fellowship), gained old sin nature and imputed sin.

VIII. God’s Role in Sin and Creation

Principle:God is not the author of sin; Adam is.

Exegetical Note: The soul is created perfect, corrupted only by the old sinnature.

Angelic Conflict:Satan as the first sinner; Adam responsible for human fall.

IX. Federal Headship and Imputation

Doctrine:Adam as federal head; his sin imputed to all humanity.

Scripture Reference:1 Corinthians 15:21-22 (NLT)“Death came into the world through a man… resurrection through anotherman.”

Exegetical Note: Adam’s sin brings death; Christ brings life.

X. Distinction Between Adam’s and Eve’s Sin

Scripture Reference:1 Timothy 2:13-14“Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived…”

Exegetical Note: Adam’s volitional disobedience is the basis for imputation.

XI. The Law, Sin, and Grace

Scripture Reference:Romans 5:12-17 (NLT)Sin entered through Adam; grace and forgiveness through Christ.

Exegetical Note: Sin existed before the Mosaic Law; law made sin explicit.

XII. The Work of Christ: Propitiation and ImputedRighteousness

Doctrine:Christ’s righteousness imputed to believers; God sees Christ, not our sin.

Illustration: Courtroom analogy—Jesus as our advocate and substitute.

XIII. The Nature of Christ’s Humanity

Doctrine:Jesus: 100% God, 100% man; no inherited sin nature due to virgin birth.

Exegetical Note: No transmission of sin via sexual intercourse/DNA.

XIV. The Believer’s New Position

Doctrine:Believers possess body, soul, and restored spirit (Holy Spirit indwelling).

Adam’s original sin forgiven; old sin nature remains until physical death.

Principle: The struggle between flesh and spirit (Galatians 5:17 implied).

XV. The Importance of Doctrinal Understanding

Application:Knowing the doctrine equips believers to resist the old sin nature.

Repetition and vocabulary deepen understanding and recall.

XVI. The Superiority of the Believer’s Position

Doctrine:Believers are priests and ambassadors; possess privileges Adam did not.

Illustration: Old Testament priests vs. Church Age believers.

XVII. Examples of Biblical Heroes and the Old SinNature

Principle:Even great biblical figures fell to the old sin nature.

Daily choice: walk by the Spirit or by the flesh.

XVIII. Adoption and Sonship

Scripture Reference:Romans 8:14-18 (NLT)Led by the Spirit; adopted as sons and daughters; heirs with Christ.

Exegetical Note: “Abba Father”—unique privilege of Church Age believers.

Principle: Suffering now, future glory promised.

XIX. The Hope and Security of the Believer

Scripture Reference:Romans 8:28-30 (NLT)God works all things for good; foreknowledge and predestination explained.

Exegetical Note: Free will affirmed; God’s foreknowledge, not coercion.

XX. Responsibilities of Sonship

Doctrine:Freedom from bondage; confidence and security in relationship with God.

Privileges: sonship, inheritance, royal priesthood.

Responsibilities: reflect God’s likeness, love others, operate in royal familyhonor code.

XXI. The Old Sin Nature as a Reminder

Scripture Reference:Romans 7 (implied)Paul’s struggle with sin; old sin nature reminds us of our need for Christ.

XXII. The Covering of Sin: Fig Leaves vs. Animal Skins

Genesis Reference:Adam and Eve’s attempt to cover with leaves; God provides animal skins.

Exegetical Note: Animal sacrifice foreshadows Christ’s atonement; humansolutions insufficient.

XXIII. Closing and Prayer

Encouragement:Invitation for questions; assurance of grace and understanding.

Closing prayer, gratitude for God’s provision and guidance.

Scripture References (ChronologicalOrder)

1 John 1:9– Confession and fellowship

Romans 11:32– Universal disobedience and mercy

Genesis (implied)– Adam’s sin and spiritual death

1 Corinthians 15:21-22– Death through Adam, life through Christ

1 Timothy 2:13-14– Adam’s disobedience, Eve’s deception

Romans 5:12-17– Sin and grace, Adam and Christ

Romans 8:14-18– Adoption, sonship, heirs with Christ

Romans 8:28-30– God’s purpose, foreknowledge, predestination

Romans 7 (implied)– Paul’s struggle with sin

Genesis (implied)– Fig leaves vs. animal skins

Exegetical Notes (As Presented)

**Imputation:**Adam’s sin imputed at birth; old sin nature transmitted genetically.

**Justice of God:**Propitiation required; Christ’s work satisfies justice.

**Federal Headship:**Adam as representative; Christ as new head.

**Sonship:**Unique privilege of Church Age; “Abba Father” denotes intimacy.

**Free Will:**God’s foreknowledge respects human volition.

**Covering of Sin:**Animal sacrifice as type of Christ’s atonement.

Application and Responsibilities

**Know the doctrine:**Equip yourself to resist the old sin nature.

**Embrace privileges:**Sonship, priesthood, ambassador status.

**Fulfill responsibilities:**Reflect God’s likeness, love, and operate in royal familyhonor code.

**Live in hope:**Await future glory, secure in God’s promises.

Conclusion

Summary:The imputation of Adam’s sin is a grace act, qualifying all for salvation.

Christ’s work on the cross satisfies God’s justice, imputes righteousness tobelievers, and grants privileges and responsibilities far surpassing Adam’soriginal state.

The old sin nature remains as a reminder of our need for Christ, but does notcondemn the believer.

Our position as sons, daughters, priests, and ambassadors is secured by faith,not by works.

End with prayer and invitation for further questions and study.