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God Confronts
Adam’s Sin
(Genesis
3:8–15)
Introduction
Genesis 3:8–15 records the Lord’s confrontation of Adam after sin
entered the garden, revealing personal accountability, the reality
of guilt and shame, and the first promise of redemption through the
woman’s Seed.
The Lord
Seeks the Sinner
“They heard the sound of the Lord God… and Adam and his wife hid”
(Genesis 3:8). Sin drove the first couple into hiding. The Lord
called, “Where are you?” (v. 9). The address is singular, fixing
primary responsibility on Adam as the one earlier charged and
commanded (Genesis 2:15–17). God’s question is pastoral and probing.
He draws the sinner into the light, inviting confession rather than
evasion.
Shame Reveals
the Wound of Sin
Adam answered, “I was afraid… because I was naked; and I hid”
(Genesis 3:10). Innocence had once made nakedness free from shame
(Genesis 2:25). After transgression, fear and shame exposed an inner
fracture. God pressed further: “Who told you…? Have you eaten…?”
(Genesis 3:11). He knew the facts. His questions summoned
truthfulness and repentance.
Evasion
Exposed
Adam said, “The woman whom You gave… she gave me… and I ate”
(Genesis 3:12). Blame shifted toward Eve and even toward God. Eve
then said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate” (Genesis 3:13).
Excuses multiply when hearts resist responsibility. Scripture
teaches that each person will give account to God (Romans 14:10–12;
2 Corinthians 5:10). The Judge requires truth in the inward parts.
Forgiveness follows confession; grace meets the contrite.
Grace
Purposed Before Time
Human failure did not derail heaven’s purpose. The gospel is “the
wisdom of God… ordained before the ages” (1 Corinthians 2:7–9). The
Father chose a saving plan in Christ “before the foundation of the
world” (Ephesians 1:4). The scene in Eden uncovers our need; God’s
eternal counsel supplies the remedy.
Judgment on
the Serpent and the First Gospel
The serpent received a curse “more than all cattle” and would go on
its belly and eat dust (Genesis 3:14). The Lord then announced
lasting enmity between the serpent and the woman, between his seed
and her Seed (Genesis 3:15). The promise narrows to one Person: the
Seed who would crush the serpent’s head. Scripture identifies this
Seed as Christ (Galatians 3:16), “born of a woman” in the fullness
of time (Galatians 4:4), fulfilling the virgin sign (Isaiah 7:14).
Through death, He renders powerless the devil who held the power of
death (Hebrews 2:14). The church He builds stands firm; the gates of
Hades cannot prevail (Matthew 16:16–18). The bruised heel at the
cross gave way to triumph at the empty tomb; the head blow is
decisive and final.
Owning Sin
and Receiving Mercy
Adam and Eve illustrate the peril of excuse-making. The Lord calls
every soul to own transgression and seek cleansing. Confession
restores fellowship; repentance welcomes mercy. The Seed promised in
Eden now reigns, and His blood washes every penitent believer.
God
Confronts Adam’s Sin Sermon Outline:
-
The
Holy Call: “Where Are You?”
(Genesis 3:8–9; Genesis 2:15–17)
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Shame
Named and Truth Sought
(Genesis
3:10–11; Genesis 2:25)
-
Excuses
and Accountability
(Genesis
3:12–13; Romans 14:10–12; 2 Corinthians 5:10)
-
Eternal
Counsel of Redemption
(1
Corinthians 2:7–9; Ephesians 1:4)
-
The
Serpent Cursed; the Savior Promised
(Genesis 3:14–15; Galatians 3:16; Galatians 4:4; Isaiah 7:14;
Hebrews 2:14; Matthew 16:16–18)
-
Humiliation of the serpent; enduring enmity in history.
-
The
woman’s Seed: virgin-born, crucified, risen, and victorious.
-
Response of Responsible Faith
(Acts 2:38; 1 John 1:7–9)
-
Hear,
confess, repent, and receive cleansing.
-
Walk in
the light through ongoing confession and obedience.
Call to
Action
Come out of hiding before the Lord. Lay aside excuses. Confess the
truth of your sin to God and receive the mercy planned from eternity
and revealed in Christ. Turn to Him today in repentance, be baptized
into Christ, and walk in the light with a cleansed conscience and a
steadfast heart.
Key
Takeaways
-
God seeks
the sinner and summons honest confession (Genesis 3:8–11).
-
Responsibility rests on the individual before God’s judgment
seat (Romans 14:10–12; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
-
The gospel
was purposed before time and revealed in Christ (1 Corinthians
2:7–9; Ephesians 1:4).
-
The curse on
the serpent includes the first gospel promise of the conquering
Seed (Genesis 3:14–15; Galatians 3:16).
-
Jesus, born
of a woman, defeats the devil through His death and resurrection
(Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 2:14).
-
Confession
and repentance open the way to cleansing and fellowship (Acts
2:38; 1 John 1:7–9).
Scripture
Reference List
-
Genesis
2:15–17 – Adam charged to tend,
keep, and obey the command regarding the tree.
-
Genesis
2:25 – Innocence without shame
prior to sin.
-
Genesis
3:8–15 – God’s call, human
evasion, serpent’s curse, and the promise of the woman’s Seed.
-
Romans
14:10–12 – Every person gives
account before God.
-
2
Corinthians 5:10 – Individual
appearance before Christ’s judgment seat.
-
1
Corinthians 2:7–9 – God’s saving
wisdom ordained before the ages.
-
Ephesians 1:4 – Election and
purpose in Christ before the foundation of the world.
-
Isaiah
7:14 – Prophecy of the virgin
conception.
-
Galatians 3:16 – Promise focused
on the one Seed, who is Christ.
-
Galatians 4:4 – In the fullness
of time, God sent His Son, born of a woman.
-
Hebrews
2:14 – Through death Christ
destroys the devil’s power of death.
-
Matthew
16:16–18 – Christ builds His
church; the gates of Hades will not prevail.
-
Acts
2:38 – Repentance and baptism for
the forgiveness of sins.
-
1 John
1:7–9 – Walking in the light,
confession, and cleansing by Christ’s blood.
Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at
Granby, MO |
The
church of Christ
