What difference does it make? -Num 32
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The document discusses themes of accountability and the consequences of sin, referencing the biblical narrative of the Israelites and their request to settle on lands outside the promised territory. It emphasizes that transgressions against God's commands have significant repercussions and that individuals cannot escape the consequences of their actions. Key points include the dangers of entitlement, the importance of godly boundaries, and the inevitability of sin being revealed.
What difference does it make? -Num 32
- 1. What Difference Does it Make? -Num 32 "Was it because of a protest or was it because of guys out for a walk one night and decided they’d go kill some Americans," Clinton said. "What difference – at this point, what difference does it make?"- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton -- handling of the Sept. 11, 2012 bombing at the U.S. consulate in Benghzai, Libya God has set certain boundaries for man to live inside of but, many times the same question is ask in regards to what God has commanded- What difference does it make? Num 32:1-5 1 Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle; 2 The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying,
- 2. 3 Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon, 4 Even the country which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle: 5 Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan. I. Pushing the Boundaries- Num 32:1-5 A. Entitlement- v5 5 … if we have found grace in thy sight, Haven’t we earned it? No- 4 Even the country which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, 5 …bring us not over Jordan. Don’t force me to get a blessing. Deut 3:12
- 3. 12 And this land, which we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, and half mount Gilead, and the cities thereof, gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites. This was intended to only be a temporary lodging before entering the promised land (at that time). Let me choose how far I sell-out for God. B. Moses: vs 6-12 (the 12 spy’s story) You have a bad spirit like the 10 spies’, wanting to limit God. They hadn’t even seen their promised possession yet, maybe it was better for cattle than this. C. Quick Witted Determination- vs 16-19 We will help, but our home will be on the wrong side of Jordan. D. Moses: Reply on the Fly- vs 20-22 (Deut 3:18; Josh 1:12-13) No prayer, No “thus saith the LORD”
- 4. He gives a 5pnt message in the “If, then” style. Num 32:23 23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD... No room for error, you are already at the end of your rope if you slip now it’s over. E. Universal Statement- vs 23b Num 32:23 …and be sure your sin will find you out. Out-side of the boundaries God intended for your safety. F. Pious Statement- vs 31 Num 32:31 31 And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying, As the LORD hath said unto thy servants, so will we do. Did they recognize the lack of “Thus saith the LORD”?
- 5. II. The Pursuit of the Prosecutor- vs 23 Num 32:23 …and be sure your sin will find you out. Sin is not satisfied to take the blame before God. A. Detectives Objective- “your, you” Isa 59:12 12 For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them; Transgressions- Multiply Sins- Testify Iniquities- we know (they Terrorize) Isa 59:18 18 According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence. (Rev 12:10) Jer 2:19
- 6. 19 Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts. Gal 6:7-8 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Be Sure Your Sin Will Find You Out B. Sustainability of the Pleasure of Sin. When will it find you out? -When God decides it will have the most impact. No definite time table, but you can be sure of this- Your Sin Will Find You Out
- 7. Maybe you could count the cost of one sin and decide you would be willing to pay the price for the pleasure it promises, but each seed of sin grows a bumper crop that is sure to bankrupt the sinner. Be Sure Your Sin Will Find You Out Not “sins”, this is something deeper than individual sins. Each sin has its origin in One sin. This Sin is a detective, as ruthless as a blood-hound on a fresh sent. Sin, the detective, can be seen in a man’s shadow. The faceless shadow never loses step with a man. Job 34:22 22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. Who is this shadow of death? He is the one Sin that is the sum total of every sin a man commits. Exod 20:3
- 8. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Deut 6:5 5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Rev 2:4 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Be Sure Your Sin Will Find You Out Out of Will Power… Out of Hope… Out of Friends… Out of Time… Out, Out, Out till your residence is Outer Darkness. The man who thinks Sin can be enjoyed in moderation is already taken in his iniquities, and Holden with the cords of his own sin. No one is the exception to this truth, like the millions who have come and gone he too with much effort and assistance of the wicked, will one day finally break through the hedge of God’s Law
- 9. (intended for his safety) only to be bitten by the serpent of Sin lurking there. You can never know which law of God is the last hedge of God’s protection for you, but you can be sure… Your Sin Will Find You Out III. The Safety of Biblical Boundaries Ps 100:3 3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. A. The Conscience Acts 24:16 16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
- 10. The conscience is the first premonition a man has that the detective Sin is on his trail. When the unseen arbitrator of Right and Wrong pricks a man’s Soul with the goad of his conscience, the Detective Sin, is finding his target. B. Memory John 14:26 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Prov 10:7 7 The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot. A sinner may flee the past, but he cannot alter it. Things may pass from conscious memory, but they are never entirely forgotten They lurk unseen just below the surface till the detective Sin finds you out. You can never be sure the duration of the pleasure of sins season, but you can be sure
- 11. the Shame of sin will find you out. C. Daily Reality Ps 68:19 19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. Lam 3:22-23 22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The sinner’s daily reality is “sadness”. Sin weaves a cord of iniquity- one sinful twine after another. Sin makes the vain promise to a man that he can “cancel at any time without charge”. If you open the door to evil thoughts and worldly wickedness, they will not be forbidden entrance when you would exclude them; you gave them the key to the lock intended to bar their entrance.
- 12. When you spend yourself on self-willed indulgences and passions not ruled by scripture; the height of your spiritual strength must be spent on repressing wicked vices, instead of enjoying a God given possession. Prov 4:2 2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. 1Tim 4:6 6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. What difference does it make? -Num 32 I. Pushing the Boundaries- Num 32:1-5 A. Entitlement- v5 B. Moses: vs 6-12 (the 12 spy’s story) C. Quick Witted Determination- vs 16-19 D. Moses: Reply on the Fly- vs 20-22 E. Universal Statement- vs 23b F. Pious Statement- vs 31 II. The Pursuit of the Prosecutor- vs 23
- 13. A. Detectives Objective- “your, you” B. Sustainability of the Pleasure of Sin. III. The Safety of Biblical Boundaries A. The Conscience B. Memory C. Daily Reality