Achan With Sin

by Michael Elder
(Moore, OK)

Joshua 7:11-13

Following Israel’s greatest victory at Jericho was her greatest defeat at Ai. Why, what was hidden among Achan’s deepest, secret treasure that could cause such a tragic loss?

I. God’s PERCEPTION about our sins. (V.11)

Prov 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

Heb 4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Psa 121:4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.)

1. God’s anger with sin.
   
   
2. He knows what things are in our stuff.

II. God’s PERSPECTIVE about our sins. (V.11)

Prov 6:16-19 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: (17) A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, (18) A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, (19) A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

1John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Gen 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

1. Sin affects those around us. (V.11-12)
   
   Romans 14:7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. No man is an island. We do not sin in a vacuum. What we do affects other people. Your sins and mine have the ability to drastically lower the spiritual temperature of the church. We are all one body and what affects you affects me!
   
   
2. Sin obstructs God's work. (V.12-13)
   
   Matt 13:58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
   
   Prov 6:27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?

III. God’s PENALTY for our sins (V15)

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death…

1. Sin must be dealt with. (V.13)
   
   Either you and I will deal with our sins, or God will deal with them
   
   
2. Because of sin, someone must die.
   
   
3. Because of sin, Christ died.

IV. God’s PROVISION for our sins (V14-15)

1. Sins Power.
   
   
2. Sin’s Presence.
   
   Rom 6:23 …but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
   
   1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
   
   Psa 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
   
   1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.

Conclusion:

Often, the greatest problems we face comes from within and not from without. It's not the sea on the outside of the ship that causes the problem; it's the sea on the inside of the ship that causes it to sink!

The same is true for the church. The world and the devil really can't do a lot of damage to the church, but you let someone inside the church get out of line and there is a problem! When there are defeats and trouble down at the house of God, you can be sure that there is someone in the church who is out of God's will!

You may be an ambassador to England or France;
You may like to gamble, you might like to dance;
You may be the heavy-weight champion of the world;
You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls;
But you're gonna have to serve somebody.
Yes indeed you're gonna have to serve some body.
Well it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
but you're gonna have to serve somebody. (Bob Dylan)

Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?


Note from Mark: I like that part where you said "God knows what's in our stuff!" We try to hide our sin even in our good stuff sometimes, don't we? Thanks Michael.

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