Cork Free Presbyterian Church, 10 Briarscourt
(Annex) Shanakiel, Cork, Ireland
Pastor: Colin Maxwell. Email: colin.maxwell@fpcmission.org
READ: PROVERBS 14: 1-13 TEXT: v9 [FOOLS MAKE A MOCK AT SIN]
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The first man born out of Heaven - I refer to Cain - made a mock at sin
When queried, albeit indirectly, as to the murder of his brother
Abel, he replied with an answer which was designed to thwart the
process of divine justice
When penalised for his part in the fatal act, Cain railed at the
punishment meted out to him saying that it was more than he could bear
He sought on both occasions to trivialise what was done and that is what the Bible says is making a mock at sin
It is not too hard to read on a few pages in Genesis to Lamech who
boasted in his wickedness that he had slain a man to his wounding, and
a young man to his hurt
In other words, he had gone far beyond the actions required for self
defence and had avenged himself again and again for some deed done upon
him
What means this boasting to his wives? Simply this: That it is not such
a bad thing as the preacher would imply to sin against God
That sin is something that can be easily controlled
Sin is nothing but that a clever lawyer cannot explain away and even justify
Again, this is but raising a mock at sin
We comes to Noah's day
We hear this man as he preaches righteousness for 120 years
He warns of a coming deluge that will sweep the world
To back up his words, moved with fear, he prepares an ark to the saving of his house
Only 8 people - his own family - go into the ark
Why was there no one else?
They were warned
They were entreated
Noah wept tears on their behalf
For 120 years, he never wavered from his central theme - wages of
sin is death - and yet only a handful people, scorned and ignored went
into the ark
Why was this? Because the people raised a mock at sin
Our text was written thousands of years after these events
They were not written in a historical sense: The mood in the Hebrew is imperfect - something that has not come to an end
Something that was still on going
In Solomon's day and age, there were people then - one way or another - doing what fools had done before: mocked sin
Have been doing so ever since
Whenever people push back the boundaries which God has set on moral/ethical matters
When the unthinkable becomes thinkable and the un-doable becomes
do-able soon to become the done thing - you see this text been played
out before your very eyes
Whether it is abortion or so called gay rights or euthanasia or
whatever…sin is being trivialised and God is being marginalised
This is not advancement
This is not a sign of a country maturing
This is not a sign of a healthy liberality promoting human rights and human freedoms
This is a country bent on self destruction
Only a fool - educated or not - would dare to mock sin
3 things:
1) SIN IS SOMETHING TO BE FEARED AND NOT MOCKED:
A/ Define what sin is: S/Catechism based on 1 John 3:4 Law/God is contained in 10 Commands
Need to remember: we cannot be holier than God. Should not demonise if God hasn't done so
B/ Sin has always been feared from the very first time man sinned. Predates even Cain
Adam - even when yet unfallen - was warned of the consequences of disobeying God: Genesis 2:17
Clear warning. Backed by the use of the word surely Fixed Law that death follows sin
C/ Both Adam/Cain learned that sin always has a sting in its tail. Both faced bitter exile
D/ God's standards have not slipped any
Question: Why then do men think they have?
[1] They believe there are two God's in Bible: One in each testament
OT God is grumpy/stern but the NT God is so loving that He could not bear to carry out any threats
Not so: Deuteronomy 6:4
[2] Because God does not take immediate action against sinners (Cf. Adam/Cain)
Indeed the wicked positively prosper (Psalm 73) and men conclude that God is careless/helpless to punish sin
Very thin reason to work on
Story: Farmer who boasted in newspaper of farming on Sabbath Days and reaped great harvests
Reply said: God does not always settle his accounts in October
Men are short-sighted. Eat, drink and be merry…tomorrow we die
No thought: What then?
[3] Just hope for the best
Bad enough if there were no precedent to refer back to
But we do have a Bible with its ample warnings/frightening examples/doom laden prophecies
Most of all we have a Bible that tells us how God's Son suffered for sin at Calvary
Do you think in the light of the unparalleled sufferings of Christ
(Lamentations 1:12) that God does not have a definite policy re: sin?
That all will get into Heaven whether believers in His Son or not?
E/ Sin is to be feared. Deadly cobra waiting to bite: Proverbs 23:32.
No matter the cost…sin is to be forsaken: Isaiah 55:7 Fear is not enough.
Forsaking not enough… Needs to be full blood repentance with faith in God's provision: 28:13
2) FOOLS ARE TO BE AVOIDED - NOT JOINED:
A/ Amazing thing: Often the most intelligent/sophisticated people who mock @ sin
Not just lewd fellows of the baser sort but people of distinction/learning. Bible says: Fools
Not a new thing: Ps 14:1/53:1 Who so says? Often great scientists etc.,
Gives us an insight into man's intelligence. Shines in some places - how dull in the simplest!
B/ Folly is perhaps heightened in that fools make a mock at sin
Such requires effort.
[1] They must overcome the voice of God via an open Bible/preacher etc.,
Again: Noah What efforts some go to. www: full of the cleverly concocted arguments of sceptic associations
[2] They must overcome voice of conscience - awakened by striving of the Holy Spirit
Often such but irritates rather than heals. (depravity/heart) Attempt: drown accusing voice
[3] Some go great distances in order to indulge in their sins
No effort spared
C/ Called folly because sin cannot deliver its promises
Seen in vs 12-13
One temporal: No satisfaction. Empty laughter. (v13)
Other eternal/unending: (v12) Mark 9:44
D/ Bible would have us to avoid the fool: Proverbs 26:8
Do not honour him with your company.
Do not give him credence
If you go with the fool - where do you end up? Proverbs 26:11
I recognise that it takes a lot to withdraw from the fool
To do so for gospel reasons…what opprobrium to endure
Yet … here is the path of wisdom
Think of this if you fear man's laughter:
[1] They're not laughing: Sneering - difference
[2] Who is laughing/sneering? Who are they? Fools
What is God's estimation? Ecclesiastes 7:6
[3] Can he laugh at you forever? Such cannot be sustained
Laugh at someone else tomorrow
[4] What would you rather be: The man/principle laughed at now or his mocker?
[5] In their heart…they really envy you
They wish they too had something solid… lack guts
3) FAVOUR IS SOMETHING TO BE GAINED AND NOT MISSED: Text
A/ Who are the righteous?
Not merely referring to the morally upright
Nor only to those who are awakened to deadly nature/sin. Stops far short. Refers to saved: 1 Corinthians 1:30-31
A man - no matter how noble/outwardly pure - who stops short of salvation is a fool
I say outwardly pure…for no such inward purity is there. Saviour's graphic: Matthew 23:25-27
B/ This favour is favour with God. God's favourites. What a boon!
Hebrew word translated various ways: acceptance (gospel word!) - acceptance with God
C/ How do we come into acceptance/favour with God?
[1] Basis/grace alone. We actively contribute to our damnation - not our acceptance with God
Another has done that work
Receiving a gift is not meritorious
A drowning man does you no favours by accepting your life belt
A man in a burning building does not do fire brigade any favours by being rescued
Neither is there merit in receiving God's salvation: Romans 4:16
[2] Faith appropriates the gift of God: Romans 5:1
Lays hold on the offered grace
D/ This favour is offered to every man
Even the fool: Isaiah 35:8 (If he turns from folly)
How many times did you sin with impunity?
Mocked sin Surely: 2 Peter 3:15
E/ To spurn salvation raises the greatest mockery/folly ever: Hebrews 2:3
Be wise - seek Christ
THE END