It is very difficult to reconcile the attitudes of modern day society, including modern day church goers, with the teachings of the Gospel. For example, in a recent survey of church goers, a majority of those surveyed said that the church is very important, but a majority of that majority said, and I quote, “the church should never try to influence my thought or behavior.” (1)

That’s a bit worrisome. “The church should never try to influence my thought or behavior.” That means many of you want me in my sermons to comfort you, encourage you, perhaps even entertain you, but by all means I must not confront you with ways your life may be out of sync with God’s will for your life. That’s troubling. It seems that what many of you really don’t want me to talk about is what we used to call, sin.…