Sermons and Outlines

Gen. 3:1-24 GOD’S GRACE IN THE FALL

Intro: Ill. The Creation and the fall of man. In that fall, the entire human race was

plunged into darkness, sin and death. In that terrible instant when man sinned

against God, man died and became spiritually separated from Almighty God. Man

also became helpless in his ability to get back in a right relationship with a God.

From the moment mankind fell into sin and ruin, God has made it His business to

seek fallen man and attempt to establish a relationship with him. This truth is clearly

presented in the story of the fall of Adam and the immediate aftermath. As God

gives liberty this afternoon, I would like to preach on the thought, God’s Grace In

The Fall.

I. v. 8 HE CAME TO THEM

A. Ill. Man had transgressed the commandment of God and had sinned. Now,

there was great gulf between God and man – Isa. 59:2. (Ill. Apparently it was

God’s custom to join Adam in the cool of the day for fellowship and

communion. Now, man had sinned and God had every right to stay away, but

He came anyway! That is grace!

B. Ill. He is still doing that today! When the sinner’s heart is stirred and he is

made aware of the great love of God. That is just the Lord walking in the cool

of the day seeking fellowship! (Ill. Jesus – Luke 19:10) (Ill. God – Eph. 2:1-

C. It is grace and grace alone that allows Holy God to come to us! Thank God for

Grace!

II. v.9-10 HE CALLED THEM

A. He didn’t just come to look upon their misery., He called out to Adam in an

effort to reach him.

B. Ill. Man is dead in sin, Eph. 2:1, until God awakens him to that fact. It is only

at the call of God that the sinner can be saved – John 6:44; John 6:65.

C. Again, it is pure grace that Holy God would call any one into love relationship

with Himself. (Ill. The disciples – Ill. You and me!)

III. v. 11 HE CONFRONTED THEM

A. God challenged man on the basis of His sin. Ill. God wasn’t fishing for

information, He knew what Adam and Eve had done. He was looking for a

confession. What He got was accusation, Ill. V.12. (Ill. Adam’s double

accusation.)

B. Ill. This is what God does for the sinner. He reveals to us the sinfulness of our

lives and calls upon us to repent. (Ill. John the Baptist – “Repent” Ill. Jesus –

“Repent” Ill. John and Herod.)

C. Ill. It is pure grace that shows the sinner the error of his lifestyle. Without His

revelation, we would continue into Hell – Ill. Pro. 16:25. It may be painful to

see yourself as you really are, but until you do, you will never see as need to be

different! (It is grace that challenges us in our lifestyle! Thank God He

doesn’t just let us go!) (Ill. The ministry of the Holy Ghost – John 16:7-11)

IV. v. 12-20 HE CHASTISED THEM

A. Ill. The various punishments meted out on the sinners. This too was the grace

of God. Ill. He would have been within His rights to have killed them outright

– Gen. 2:17.

B. God’s chastening and restraining hand stands as a reminder that there is a price

on sin. Imagine for a moment that God just allowed us to go on as we pleased

without any checks. We would all sin our way into Hell, or into deep trouble.

He chastens us to call our attention away from the pleasure of sin so that we

might see the reality of sin. That it is brutal, ugly and defiling!

C. Nobody likes chastisement, but it too is a product of God’s grace – Rev. 3:19;

Pro. 3:11-12.

V. v. 21 HE COVERED THEM

A. Their sin became real when that animal died to cover their nakedness. They

instantly realized that they were responsible. It was the grace of God that

accepted the sacrifice of an innocent party to atone for the sins of the guilty.

B. Our salvation is the same way. It is pure grace that saves the sinner., cleanses

him and clothes him the righteousness of Jesus Christ – Eph. 2:8. (Ill. Our

salvation is free, but it is anything but cheap! Ill. The cross and the awful

death Jesus faced there for sinners. It was pure grace in action!)

C. Grace is the sinner’s only hope. Pure grace and nothing they can ever do can

atone for sin. It is through grace that we enter salvation.

VI. v. 22-24 HE COMMANDED THEM

A. Ill. The context! Ill. The implications of man being allowed access to the tree

of life in a fallen state! What a horrible hell that would have been. Eternally

separated from the presence and love of God. His command to cast them out

was a command of compassion and grace!

B. His grace is evident in our lives in the things He keeps us from. He isn’t a cosmic

killjoy, He knows what is best for you and me. Therefore, some things are off

limits to us as children of God. It is grace that protects us, our testimonies, and

our fellowship with the Father. (Ill. Adam thought it was the worst that could

happen, when all along it was the best possible solution to a terrible problem.)

C. Grace is why you and I can rest assured of a home in Heaven – 2 Cor. 12:9.

Conc: Thank God for grace this evening. It is evident all the way back to the

Garden of Eden. It is still evident tonight! We ought to praise Him for His grace

and rest in it with full assurance of faith. His grace truly is amazing!