1 John 1:9 • "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

If I'm saved, why does my sin matter? Can I lose my salvation when I sin? This sermon explains the crucial difference between your STANDING (eternal position before God) and your STATE (earthly fellowship and walk).

⛪ Preached at Pilgrim Baptist Church • Cookeville, TN • January 6, 2026.

The Judgment of the Sons - Understanding the difference between condemnation (for unbelievers) and chastening (for believers).

This doctrinal teaching explains:

• 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 - Church discipline: "deliver unto Satan for destruction of the FLESH, that the SPIRIT may be saved"

• Your spirit is saved, but your flesh has problems

• Fornication in the church endangers other marriages (protection of the flock)

• Romans 8:13 - "If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die" (premature death, not losing salvation)

• 1 John 1 is a test of FELLOWSHIP, not salvation

• Sin breaks fellowship, not your standing before God

• Children of light should walk in the light

• 1 John 1:9 - Parental forgiveness from our Heavenly Father (not judicial forgiveness for salvation)

• Psalm 32 - David's unconfessed sin: lost joy, not salvation

• 2 Samuel 12 - David's consequences: "the sword shall never depart from thine house"

• David could go to his baby (heaven), baby couldn't come back to him (earth)

• STANDING = where you'll spend eternity (settled)

• STATE = your walk on earth (varies daily)

• Chastening is for believers (God loves us), condemnation is for unbelievers

• "Born Again Ben" object lesson: birth certificate never changes, but fellowship gets broken and restored

⏱️ Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction: The Judgment of the Sons

3:45 1 Corinthians 5 - Church Discipline Explained

8:30 Why Fornicators Must Be Put Out (Protecting the Flock)

12:20 Romans 8:13 - Living After the Flesh Brings Premature Death

16:40 1 John 1 - Test of Fellowship, Not Salvation

20:55 Sin Breaks Fellowship, Not Your Standing Before God

24:30 Psalm 32 & 2 Samuel 12 - David Lost Joy, Not Salvation

28:15 Consequences of Sin: The Sword Never Departed

31:25 "Born Again Ben" Object Lesson: Standing vs State Illustrated

📖 Key Scriptures (KJV):

"To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." - 1 Corinthians 5:5

"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." - Romans 8:13

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9

"I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin." - Psalm 32:5

"Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." - 2 Samuel 12:23

⛪ About Pilgrim Baptist Church:

We're a family integrated church in Cookeville, Tennessee where families worship together under verse-by-verse expository preaching from the King James Bible. At Pilgrim, we believe in serious teaching for strong families built on biblical authority.

This sermon provides crucial clarity on salvation security while maintaining the importance of holy living. We reject both "greasy grace" (sin doesn't matter) and works-based salvation (you can lose it).

Families worship together. No entertainment. No shortcuts.

Just faithful, verse-by-verse Bible teaching that transforms families.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.