BE SURE YOUR SINS WILL FIND YOU OUT

BE SURE:

YOUR SINS WILL FIND YOU OUT

Numbers 32:23

Preamble: Our theme, “Lord, Increase Our Faith” for this 4^th Annual Seminar in this year 2008 is taking from the gospel account according to Luke 17:5. So far in this seminar, we have discussed That the scriptures might be fulfilled - John 17:12, Replacement in God’s Kingdom - Acts 1:20 and now, we are to consider the next topic: Be sure your sins will find you out – Numbers 32:23.

Proposition: In this lesson, we will look at sin, possibilities and dangers of secret sins among brethren, God’s punishment which is inevitable and foolishness of covering our sins. We are to going to show from the scriptures that sin is avoidable.

Objectives: I want each reader and hearer to understand why he/she must flee sin and to challenge all of us to live a holy life.

Introduction:

• Let us review Numbers 31-32 with Joshua 2.
• Secret sins – sins committed and attempted to keep away from the knowledge of generality of brethren or morally good people.
• We may hide our sin(s) away from men but definitely not from God – Hebrews 4:13.
• There are different kinds of sin, National (Proverbs 14:34); Personal (Joshua 7:20); Secret (Psalms 90:8); Presumptuous (Psalms 19:13); Open (1 Timothy 5:24); Youthful (Psalms 25:7); Willful (Hebrews 10:26); Public (2 Samuel 24: 10, 17).

I. Sin Define

• All unrighteousness – I John 5:17.
• Transgression of the Law – I John 3:4.
• Omission of know duty – James 4:17.
• Anything done out of faith – Romans 14:23.
• Devising of foolishness – Proverbs 24:9.

God has not been allowing all sins to be kept secretly among His people. In the past, God had exposed several secret sins. God has always been exposing them, He will expose you too!

1. Adam and Even - Genesis 3:1-ff.
2. Cain – Genesis 4: 1- 15.
3. Nadab & Abihu – Leviticus 10:1-7; 16:12.
4. Achan – Joshua 6-7.
5. Ananias & Sapphira – Acts 5:1-11.
6. Simon Peter – Matthew 26:69 – 75. e.t.c.

In the Lord’s church, God want those who are sinning to be rebuked in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear – I Timothy 5:20-24 cf. Galatians 6:1; James 5: 20.

III. Possibilities and dangers of secret sins among brethren in the church.

Why is this possible among saints? Well, it is possible because of the nature of sins.

Sin is:

• Enticing – James 1:12-16;
• Deceptive – Hebrews 3:13;
• Pleasant – Hebrews 11:25;
• Enslaves – John 8:34;
• Easily beset us – Hebrews 12:1.

Now, let us consider the following examples:

1. Ananias and Sapphira – Deceits, Acts 5.
2. Peter – Hypocrisy – Galatians 2:11-14.
3. Forsaking the assemble of others – Hebrews 10:25-31.
4. Revelation 21:8-ff; Galatians 5:19-21.

IV. Consequences of Sin: The Punishment that is inevitable.

a. Consequences

i. Sin bringeth forth death – Jas. 1:13-15; Rom. 6:23; cf. Lk. 12: 4-5; 16:20-31; Heb. 9:27.

ii. God’s anger against sinner, they will be forsaken by Him – Deut. 31:17.

iii. God will send sinners to hell – Lk. 13:27.

iv. This punishment will last for ever, everlasting, eternity – Lk. 16: 20-31; Jn. 5:28-29; Mt. 25: 46.

b. Description of the place of Punishment

i. Everlasting fire and punishment – Mt. 25:41; 46.

ii. Outer darkness – Mt. 8:12.

iii. Everlasting destruction – 2 Thess. 1:9.

iv. Lake of fire – Rev. 19:20.

v. Fire burns with sulphur and brimstone – Rev. 21:8.

vi. The fire shall never be quenched and worm does not die – Mk. 9:43, 44, 46, 48.

The place is horrible; it is horror, a place for prepared for:

1. Devil and his angels – Mt. 25: 41.

2. Wicked – Rev. 21:8.

3. Disobedient – Rm. 2:8-9.

4. Beast and the false prophet – Rev. 19:20.

5. Worshippers of the beast – Rev. 14:11.

6. Rejecters of the gospel – Mt. 10:15.

V. Do you want to be exempted from this horrible place described? Then you must learn how to cover your sins rightly – Psalms 32:1.

a. Wrong ways to cover ones sins:

i. Shifting blame as Adam – Gen. 3:12

ii. Hide/covering it/them as Achan – Jos.7:1ff.

iii. David tried to blame others – 2 Sam. 11:1ff.

iv. Telling lies as Ananias and Sapphira – Acts 5.

b. Right way to cover our sins:

i. Seek God’s forgiveness – Psa. 85:2.

ii. You find the way in the Word of God – Jas. 1:21

iii. Gospel – God’s power to save – Rom. 1:16.

iv. Forgiveness is possible – 1 Jn. 3:5-6; through the blood of Christ – Heb. 9:22.

v. Obedience of God’ word is a must – Matt. 7:21.

VI. Sin is Avoidable: By Determination!

Examples: a. Joseph – Gen. 39:5-12.

b. Daniel and his friends – Dan. 3:10-18, 6:5-12.

c. Enoch – Gen. 6:24

How?

a. Determination to follow God’s word and do His goodwill – 2 Tim. 3:12.

b. Walking with the Lord.

Conclusion:

Sin by its definition, it is all unrighteousness, omission of known duty, devising of foolishness, anything done out of faith and transgression of the law.

Transgression could be by thought, feeling, words, actions, for there are wicked thought, wicked feelings etc.

We might have been sinning against God secretly by failing in our responsibilities concerning evangelism, edification and benevolence as an individual Christian and as a church. If yes, then we have been pilling up wrath of God for ourselves against that day!

It is an act of foolishness to cover our sins wrongly. The punishment attached to sin is horrible.

Is there any here today who has been pilling up wrath of God for himself for sinning, for committing horrible crime against God. Be sure, brothers and sisters, your secret sins will find you out!

Oh! Let me beg you, turn away from sin today. God will accept you if you can just come with all the load of your sins in genuine repentance with godly sorrow and faith in Christ Jesus.

He has promised, and He will never fail. Otherwise, your sins will find you out.

God bless you as you decide aright.

Kola Ajibola

P. O. Box 35478, Agodi Gate, Ibadan, Oyo State.Nigeria. 08056048209

Email: ksajibola01@yahoo.com