In this message titled “Missing the Mark,” Pastor Paul Bailey walks listeners through a powerful biblical understanding of sin—not merely as bad behavior, but as the condition of a heart aimed in the wrong direction.
Drawing from Romans 5, Pastor Bailey explains that sin entered the world through Adam’s disobedience, and with it came death and separation from God for all humanity. Yet he emphasizes that this is not just about isolated sinful acts; it is about missing the mark of God’s glory and God’s will. Using the biblical languages, he notes that both the Hebrew word chata and the Greek word hamartia carry the idea of “missing the mark,” painting sin as a failure to hit the target God has set.
From Romans 3:23, Pastor Bailey stresses that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” The “mark” is not human decency or moral effort, but the very glory and perfection of God Himself. He shows that sin is just as much about what we fail to do as it is about what we do wrong—what we don’t look at, don’t listen to, and don’t obey when God speaks. He also highlights the seriousness of sins of omission, challenging listeners not to be content simply avoiding obvious outward sins while ignoring God’s voice and direction.
Using the Garden of Eden account in Genesis and the story of Saul in 1 Samuel 15, Pastor Bailey underscores that God sets the mark by His commands, His Word, and His Spirit. Obedience is better than sacrifice; rebellion and stubbornness are presented as deep spiritual problems, not minor flaws. The issue is whether a person is truly aligning their life with God’s will or charting their own course.
The message does not leave listeners in despair. Pastor Bailey points them to the hope found in God’s provision: His written Word, which is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, and His Holy Spirit, who guides believers into all truth. The sermon builds to a Christ-centered conclusion from Hebrews 12, calling believers to lay aside sin, run their race with patience, and keep their eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of their faith.
This sermon is both convicting and encouraging, challenging listeners to examine their aim, not just their actions. Those who hear it will be stirred to pursue a life that truly hits the mark by looking to Christ, trusting His righteousness, and walking in daily obedience to God’s Word and Spirit.
