Sermon Prepared by James McCullen
Email Preach Him with Dr. Jim

Reactions When Confronted with Sin.
Proverbs 28:13 Part Two

He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will
have mercy. NKJV

Introduction
Have you ever heard the Chinese used to put try rice in a person's mouth and ask them a question. Then they would tale out the rice and if it were unusually wet with the persons Saliva they were pronounced a liar.

Normal humans have a reaction to sin in their life. Last week we noticed some reactions to sin. This week I want to notice some additional reactions to sin as they are recorded in the Bible.

1. Pharaoh Hardened His Heart. Ex 8:28-32

28 And Pharaoh said, "I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away. Intercede for me." 29 Then Moses said, "Indeed I am going out from you, and I will entreat the LORD, that the swarms of flies may depart tomorrow from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. But let Pharaoh not deal deceitfully anymore in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD." 30 So Moses went out from Pharaoh and entreated the LORD. 31 And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; He removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. Not one remained. 32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also; neither would he let the people go.

A. Pharaoh's Mood Moved Toward . . Repentance. Ex 8:28
28 And Pharaoh said, "I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away. Intercede for me."

B. Pharaoh Mood Moved Toward . . Rejection. Ex 8:28-32
29 Then Moses said, "Indeed I am going out from you, and I will entreat the LORD, that the swarms of flies may depart tomorrow from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. But let Pharaoh not deal deceitfully anymore in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD." 30 So Moses went out from Pharaoh and entreated the LORD. 31 And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; He removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. Not one remained. 32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also; neither would he let the people go.

        1. Pharaoh Put a Chip on His Shoulder.
        2. Many today go around with a Chip.
            a. Tithing, Smoking, No Prayer Life,

3. Liberal Thought, Politics, Etc..

Illustration
A City couple who's been married for over 20 years took a drive through the country. They got into a senseless argument.

After arguing and really raising there voices at one another the wife says lest cool it and keep quest for a while. Both of them kind of hardened their hearts. She started shedding some tears and sniffling but silence ruled.

Then after a half an hour or so they passed a large hog lot, with the normal smell and grunts of hogs. The man started laughing, and the wife said what's so funny. The husband ask "that smell and noise, relatives of yours?

The wife almost broke out in really big tears but then got a sparkle in her eyes and with a big smile said "yes there are my in laws"

Application

That is not the way to keep your wife or husband from Harding their heart.

Have you moved toward God to then just move away from Him as you hardened your heart?

2. Jehoiakim, tried to Do Away with God's Word. Jer.36:23-25

23 And it happened, when Jehudi had read three or four columns, that the king cut it with
the scribe's knife and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the scroll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth. 24 Yet they were not afraid, nor did they tear their garments, the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words. 25 Nevertheless Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah implored the king not to burn the scroll; but he would not listen to them.

A. People Today Try to Remove the . . Righteous Standard.

        1.    The Ten Commandments.
        2.    Let Us accept Some of the World Lifestyle.
                a.    We Might Offend Somebody.

B. People Today Try to Remove the . . Financial Standard.

1. The Tithe Principal.
2. We can afford to Tithe.

            a.    Especially after I pay for my new car.
            b.    Especially after I pay for my new pick up Truck.
            c.    Especially after I pay for my swimming Pool..

C. People Today Try to Remove the . . Commission Standard.

1. Go into all the world.
2. You All Come Hear the Preacher

Illustration
Several years ago I led a revival effort in Canada. After the service one night a lady wanted the pastor to talk to a man. This man was trying to convince this woman to marry him. She did not know how to get rid of this guy. She told the man she would not marry him unless the pastor approved. The pastor told him because he had already been married several times and did not give any desire to establish a Christian Home he could not recommend marriage.

The pastor pointed out several Bible verses. The man wanted to argue. The pastor just read him some more scriptures. He took the Bible away for the pastor and set it on a table and said "now let us talk just between us."

Application

At this point in the message I took a small dictionary (paid $0.99) made to look like a Bible and with a sharp knife I cut out several parts of pages and then just through whole sections in the trash. I asked "do we do that with the Bible?"

Some were surprised I would do that so I told them it was not really a Bible.

3. Jonah Confessed without Repenting. Jonah 1:10-12

10 Then the men were exceedingly afraid, and said to him,
"Why have you done this?" For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them. 11 Then they said to him, "What shall we do to you that the sea may be calm for us?"--for the sea was growing more tempestuous. 12 And he said to them, "Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me." NKJV

A. Jonah Admitted He Was Running from God. v 10 b
". . . For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them."

Illustration
When Christa was pregnant with our oldest daughter. We went to a Camp Meeting in Myrtle Mississippi. It was an old time Hell Fire and Brimstone kind of conference. One pastor told of preaching a funeral where the father came in and through himself on the casket of his dead son and said "I lied to God one time to many."

The has been 40 years ago but I think of it ever so often. Confessing your sin with out repentance does not accomplish the desires of God.

Application

Today if God's Spirit convicts you of sin, don't just confess and wallow in your sin. Confess, repent and forsake your sin.

4. Thomas Confessed and Believed. John 20:24-28

24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." 26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!" 27 Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" NKJV

A. Tomas "Did Not" Believe the Disciples. v 24-25

B. Tomas "Did" Believe Jesus. v 26-28

Illustration I got this testimony through Email this week. Edwina shared:
"My whole life had been about rebellion. I ran off with a "biker" and filled my life with the occult, fighting, drinking and drugs and saw enough filth for a lifetime.

It got so bad that I was convinced I had to either kill my husband or myself, or both. An old friend, whose life had been worse than mine, finally convinced me to go to church with her. I was scared to death. I can't remember what the preacher said, but I literally ran to the altar and met my precious Saviour.

When I got up--it was like I was floating!!! I was so clean!! The Blood of Jesus had washed all the old me away and I was born again!!! I love my life now- plus my husband got saved. "I will rejoice in the God of my salvation." Habakkuk 3:18. See you in Heaven. Your sis in Christ. EA"

That story can be repeated time and time again. But it takes confession and belief.

Ro 10:9-11 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus
and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness,
and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. NKJV

What will be your reaction to sin today?