WHY HAVE YOU DONE THIS?
June 16, 2002 PM
Sermon Outline
Jonah 1:10
INTRO: I have a picture in mind of those pagan sailors as they crowd around Jonah with questions of his identity. Having answered their questions, Jonah is now known as a Hebrew who fears the Lord. Because the Hebrews (and their uniqueness) were certainly well enough known, the sailors ask another question ... one perhaps more embarrassing than the first series of questions. Why has thou done this? What possible reason can he give to these pagan men? What reason would make any sense? This question of the mariners prompts a little investigation tonight why do people sin? why do they forsake the Lord?
I. BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL GLIMPSES
A. Why did Eve sin?
1. Gen 3:4-6 she took ... and did eat
2. she knew Gods will concerning this she could not claim ignorance
3. the key: seems to be Satans telling her, ye shall be as Gods
4. vanity, pride - then - were the root of her sin
5. Prov 11:2 and 29:23 ...shall bring him low
B. Why did Sarah depart from Gods plan and involve Hagar?
1. Gen 15:3,4 16:1-6 my wrong be upon thee
2. God had promised - time passed - no son was born
3. and Sarah desperately wanted a son, heir for Abraham
4. the key: impatience with Gods working taking matters into her own hands
5. Eccl 7:8 the patient in spirit
6. impatience with Gods plans will ruin the outcome as God had planned and designed it!
C. Whey did Moses disobey God?
1. Num 20:7-11 he smote the rock twice
2. Israel was murmuring again (vv 3-5)
3. Moses had had so much of that from Israel
4. the key: v.10 Moses lost his temper in his anger he lost control
5. Eccl 7:9 and Prov 16:32 he that is slow to anger
6. in our anger, wrath, aggravation we will often do and say the wrong thing! (note 19:11)
D. Why did David sin?
1. 2 Sam 11:2-5 David sent messengers, and took her
2. sin knows no bounds is no respecter of persons
3. David certainly knew Gods law better than most
4. the key: the woman was very beautiful to look upon - David was guilty of lust inordinate desire for that which was not his to have
5. Gal 5:17 flesh lusteth against the Spirit
6. it is not uncommon for us to permit our desires to rule our lives, to make our decisions ... to compromise our convictions
E. Why did Peter sin?
1. Lk 22:54-62 woman, I know him not
2. oh, how hard the mighty fall!
3. Peter was filled with grief, remorse correctly
4. the key: Peter sat down among them Peter put himself in the wrong company, and it was just easier to go along
5. Ps 1:1,2 our spiritual strength is enhanced by our being in the company of the righteous
6. have you ever done something - among unChristian folks - of which you were ashamed ... and wondered why?
II. SOME LESSONS TO LEARN
A. Even the strongest - in some situations - may sin
B. We must constantly be on our guard about our minds, our emotions, our whereabouts
C. Forsaking God - even for a moment - will bring us problems
D. There is no excuse for our forsaking God no answer will really do
CLOSE: Although we are not certain why Jonah did what he did we can easily see the trouble it brought. His experiences say to us that we should carefully follow Gods way from day to day. It just makes good sense to do so.
Cecil A. Hutson
16 June 2002