Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

How does the Apostle describe man's condition?
"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
What is sin?
Sin is failing to do the will of God, doing your own will, regardless of any constraints of God and man.
How many, does the Apostle Paul say, have sinned?
Everybody has sinned.
What important fact does this teach us?
That all mankind are separated from God and cannot by their own efforts earn salvation.

What does the Apostle Paul say is the effect of this sinful state?
No one is able to live up to God's glory.
What is meant by "fall short of"?
Not reaching the standard.
What is meant by "the glory of God"?
It here means God's holiness and its requirements.
Does the glory of God ever means anything else?
It can also mean God's praise and approval. (John 12:43)
In what sense can it mean God's praise here?
When we are no longer acceptable to Him because we are not able to reach His standard, we are condemned instead of praised. (Rom. 5:2)

How many have sinned?
Everybody has sinned.
Is there any exception to this rule?
There is only one exception, our Lord Jesus Christ.
How do we know that our Lord Jesus Christ is an exception?
We are plainly told so in God's Word.
Where does God's Word tell us that our Lord Jesus Christ never sinned?
In 2 Cor. 5:21: "Him who had no sin."
With what sad fact does Paul connect this fact of universal sin?
With the fact that Adam broke God's law.
What does the connection with Adam's sin teach us?
That all who are born of Adam (every human) also share in his sin.
What is this sin called?
Original sin.

Adapted from:
"The one hundred texts of the society for Irish Church Missions."
T.C. Hammond, Dublin. 1939