True Confession
If you would like to watch this message please click on this video link.
If you would like to listen to this message please click on this audio link.
Date: 11 June, 2020
Text: Exodus 9:13-35
Title: Making Confession
Introduction:
ill. I've enjoyed being back in Children's SS on Sundays. I haven't sat in children's SS for a really long time.
Our text today - Exodus 9:13-35 - is a favourite from those Sunday School years.
The story of the Exodus - begins with Moses call at the burning bush.
God would send him into Egypt to lead his people out of Egypt.
ill. The preacher Stephen sharing this story said in Acts 7:6 And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years. 7 And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.
exp. God would bring them out powerfully - the story of the ten plagues.
1. Blood -
Exo 7:19 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.
2. Frogs - Exo 8:3 And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house, and into thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneadingtroughs:
3. Lice or gnats -
Exo 8:16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
4. Flies - again 8:24 "The land was corrupted by reason of the flies."
5. Livestock
Exo 9:3 Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain.
6. Boils - (sprinkle the ashes of the furnace towards heaven....)
Exo 9:9 And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt.
7. Hail (OUR STORY THIS MORNING)
8. Locust
Exo 10:12 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left.
exp. News media still will say about a plague of locusts, "They are of Biblical proportions."
9. Darkness
Exo 10:21 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.
10. Death of the firstborn. (Accept for those who had the blood on the door post of the passover lamb.) Exo 12:30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.
exp. God used ALL THESE PLAGUES to convince the king of Egypt - Pharoah - to let His people (the children of Israel) the Hebrews, go free.
Dr. Bob Sr. quote "Your arms to short to box with God"
exp. Pharoah tried and Pharoah and his nation lost.
note: You wonder as you read this story, why Pharoah didn't just get right with God and obey His commands. (our text this morning - Exodus 9."
God in his mercy gave Pharoah ample warning.
1. He sent him a preacher.
13 And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him,
exp. The preacher was sent early. He was sent to him. He had a message from God for him.
app question: How many people are in Hell today who had the same mercy from God?
- The preacher came early.
- The preacher came to them.
- The preacher told them a message from God. (But they didn't get right with God.)
2. The preacher told him what God wanted him to do.
Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
exp. Pharoah could have yielded to God.
- He'd have to give up control of His kingdom.
- He'd have to let go of something he didn't want to let go of.
app. Again how many people today REFUSE TO GET RIGHT WITH GOD....
- Because they have to give up control of their kingdom.
- Because they have to let go of something and they refuse to let go.
note: It wasn't worth it to Pharoah and it won't be worth it for any man.
3. The preacher warned what God would do if Pharoah didn't get right.
14 For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.
15 For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth.
16 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.
exp. Not everyone in governmental power is there because of their godliness. Nor do they recognize that God put them in power and that God can take them down.
Daniel 4:17 to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
17 As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?
note: It's amazing that man can continue to resist God when God's wrath is so evident.
18 Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.
ill. God didn't hide his judgment from Pharoah. God hasn't hidden his judgment from mankind.
2 Thesallonians 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
app. We have a sober message of warning to those who mock the authority of God and refuse to get right with him. There is a judgment day fast approaching. God will judge the wicked.
4. The preacher told him how to be spared the judgment of God.
19 Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die.
note: If Pharoah feared God at all - he could even be spared this little judgment that was coming.
exp. DESPITE HIM - Some of his people were wise enough to listen to the preacher and save themselves from God's judgment.
20 He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses:
21 And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field.
exp. Some among the Egyptians had begun to fear the God of Israel and were wise enough to act upon His Words. (In doing so they were spared God's judgment.)
app. Have you begun to fear God? You don't have to follow wicked governments who reject the truth of God's Word or the wicked electorate that reject God's Word. God's wrath will fall no matter who or how many seek to defy Him. YOU ARE WISE TO ACT ON GOD'S WORD.
Pro 16:5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
Psalm 2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
5. God's judgment came just as He said.
22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.
23 And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt.
24 So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.
25 And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field.
ill. A friend of mine - now a science teacher at the Bob Jones Academy - remember him telling me about ball lightening - "fire ran along the ground" This was a fearful DEADLY judgment.
notice: God's judgment was supernatural, everywhere, and destroyed everything,...
app. If you are in the place where God's judgment falls - YOU WILL NOT ESCAPE.
Heb 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
6. God's judgment didn't fall on God's people.
26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.
exp. I don't know about you - but as for me - I'd want a Goshen postcode during this judgment.
question: What's your eternal postcode? HEAVEN IS SECURE FROM GOD'S WRATH. Do you know for sure that you have a residence there?
John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
app. If you HAVE GOTTEN RIGHT WITH GOD BY FAITH IN JESUS - you are safe from wrath.
7. God was merciful even in judgment.
31 And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled.
exp. The fields were completely destroyed but God in his mercy left a little.
32 But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up.
exp. This mercy of God is a reminder that God doesn't willingly afflict - he'd rather give mercy.
Lam 3:33 For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
app. God could have started with taking men's lives. But, in his mercy he touched other things first. Friend - what would God have to touch in your life today to get you to get right with Him and obey His Word? (In his mercy he may not have touched it yet, but he may yet touch it.)
As we consider this story this morning we are reminded that...
WE MUST GET RIGHT WITH GOD!
Are you right with God?
- So right that you are not afraid of God's judgment?
- So right that you are in complete obedience?
- So right that God doesn't have to motivate you by judgment but you are motivated by love?
ill. Elisha Hoffman's hymn - Is Thy Heart Right with God
Have thy affections been nailed to the cross?
Is thy heart right with God?
Dost thou count all things for Jesus but loss?
Is thy heart right with God?
Refrain:
Is thy heart right with God,
Washed in the crimson flood,
Cleansed and made holy, humble and lowly,
Right in the sight of God?
prayer
WE MUST GET RIGHT WITH GOD.
ill. Pharoah is a negative example - he teaches us HOW NOT TO GET RIGHT WITH GOD.
exp. With Pharoah as our bad example, what does this story teach us about getting right with God?
I. Get right with God completely.
ill. Pharoah made an INCOMPLETE confession.
27 And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time:
exp. Pharoah isn't ready to really get right with God. He'll limit his confession to the immediate situation. "I have sinned this time."
note: It's not enough to agree with God about A sin. We must agree with God about A L L sin.
question: How much sin is ok with God?
ill. Did Jesus die for little lies as well as big murders? If there were only little lies would Jesus have had to die?
exp. Does God think little lies, little lusts, little covetousness is little - OR DOES HE SEE IT LIKE A LITTLE POISON THE CRUCIFIED HIS SON.
ill. Jesus was betrayed by a little lie - a little deceitful kiss.
- Our world says sexual perversion is ok - God says it's abomination.
- Our world says evolution is true - God says it a lie.
- Our world says all religion is good - God says their leading people to hell.
app. Do you agree with God COMPLETELY?
- Does he agree with your enertainment, your music, your language, your thoughts, your dress, your actions, your associations, your appetites?
Are you willing to renounce those for Jesus?
Joh 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
note: God isn't pleased to have someone "faithful to church" who is "unfaithful to Him."
If we want to BE RIGHT WITH GOD we must get right by COMPLETE CONFESSION.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
transition: WE MUST GET RIGHT WITH GOD.
- Get right with God completely.
II. Get right with God sincerely.
ill. Pharoah made an INSINCERE confession.
exp. What Pharoah says sounds good. It is true! But, it is made false by his insincerity.
27 ...the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.
exp. He says it but he does not mean it from his heart.
Matthew 15:7-8 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
note: Pharoah said a GOOD CREED but his heart wasn't in it.
Salvation is not mental assent given to a creed. It is a DEEP SETTLED HEART CONVICTION.
ill. It is true that someone can get saved by praying IN FAITH something like this, "Dear Jesus, I'm a sinner, but you died for me and paid the complete price for my sin. You didn't stay in the grave but you rose again. Would you please forgive me of my sin and give me your gift of everlasting life?"
Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
note: You may be thinking today - well this might be true and hell may be real - so I will say these words even though I don't really believe them - that way - IF IT IS REAL - I will be ok.
NOTE: That is like Pharoah. Your are insincerely confessing and you will not get saved.
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
app. If you don't believe it - don't pray it - that is insincerity and God knows your heart. But, if that convincement is there as a settled reality - go to prayer. God accepts those who sincerely get right with Him.
transition: WE MUST GET RIGHT WITH GOD.
- Get right with God completely.
- Get right with God sincerely.
III. Get right with God willingly.
ill. Pharoah's confession is a FORCED confession.
28 Intreat the LORD (for it is enough)
ill. Game - trying to wrestle your opponent into such an uncomforable position that they cry, "Mercy or uncle."
quote - "Since you twisted my arm" I'll do it.
ill. People in tight spots will promise anything to get out of a predicament. But, it is not a willing concession and as soon as the problem is removed they return to their old ways.
ill. Covid-19 may have brought some people to an unwilling surrender to God. But, if it is a forced confession - their resolve will change as soon as the pressure is off.
Ecclesiastes 5:4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?
ill. NYC - youth pastor - when 9/11 happened. The churches the following week were packed but when the "risk and fear went away " so did they.
question: Does God have to keep pressure on you to keep you in obedience knowing that if he lets off you will return to your old way?
app. If you willingly got right with God, when the pressure that brought you to "salvation" was removed - you didn't. You stayed in that place of obedience to God.
transition: WE MUST GET RIGHT WITH GOD.
- Get right with God completely.
- Get right with God sincerely.
- Get right with God willingly.
IV. Get right with God unconditionally.
ill. Pharoah made a BARGAINING confession.
28 Intreat the LORD ....that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.
exp. Pharoah said, "If God will take the pressure off, then I will yield to Him." I don't like the punishment - so take it away - AND THEN I WILL....
ill. Like a child repenting - not because they are sorry - but because they got caught and they are trying to lessen their punishment.
question: If you are going to get right with God IS IT ON YOUR TERMS or IS IT ON GOD'S TERMS?
ill. Prodigal son - came back unconditionally - depending only upon the goodness of the father.
Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
app. If you want to judge your own heart just think about the terms of your surrender to God.
- Does he have to fix your life and then you'll get right with him?
- Does he owe you something to earn your submission?
ill. Or are you willing to just come as a sinner in need of a Saviour - like the thieving tax collector.
Luk 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
transition: WE MUST GET RIGHT WITH GOD.
- Get right with God completely.
- Get right with God sincerely.
- Get right with God willingly.
- Get right with God unconditionaly.
V. Get right with God and show it.
ill. Pharoah made an INCOURIGIBLE confession.
def. An incorrigible person is not able to be changed or reformed - they are repeat offenders.
29 And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD'S.
30 But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God.
33 And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.
34 And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.
exp. Pharoah just wanted God accept words - words that were disproven by his actions.
Pro 26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
note: You'll not GET GOD'S MERCY - unless you SHOW THE SINCERITY of your confession.
Pro 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
ill. When people got saved in the early church.
- They burned books of witchcraft.
- they followed the Lord in beliver's baptism
- They began congregating with the church.
- They stopped eating meat offered to idols.
- they changed "1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
app. If you want to get right with God - prove your sincerity by cleaning house on that which you are confessing to God.
transition: WE MUST GET RIGHT WITH GOD.
- Get right with God completely.
- Get right with God sincerely.
- Get right with God willingly.
- Get right with God unconditionaly.
- Get right with God and show it.
VI. Get right with God while you can.
ill. Pharoah in HIS REBELLION was soon faced with an IMPOSSIBLE confession.
34 And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.
35 And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses.
exp. 3 times in Exodus - God's Word says "And I will harden Pharoah's heart." God's mercy would be removed and WICKED MAN'S HEART UNRESTRAINED WOULD GO ROCK SOLID AGAINST GOD.
note: There could come a point in your life WHERE IT IS TOO LATE TO GET RIGHT WITH GOD. (God is very merciful - but God does not have to ALWAYS give you mercy.)
ill. Achan's confession was too late. - HE CONFESSED AND WAS DESTROYED WITHOUT MERCY.
Mar 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
exp. It's like casting away your own lifeboat.
HYMN: GOD'S FINAL CALL - John W. Peterson
Someday you’ll hear God’s Final Call to you
To take his offer of salvation true-
This could be it my friend if you but knew-
God’s Final Call, God’s Final Call
How can you live another day in sin,
Thinking some day with Christ you will begin?
O will you hear above the world’s loud din-
God’s Final Call, God’s Final Call
If you reject God’s Final Call of grace,
You’ll have no chance your footsteps to retrace
All hope will then be gone and doom you’ll face.
O hear his call! God’s Final Call
conclusion: How could Pharoah endure all those judgments and never get right with God? What a bad example of how not to get right with God.
We need to get right with God. Are you right with God?
- So right that you are not afraid of God's judgment?
- So right that you are in complete obedience?
- So right that God doesn't have to motivate you by judgment but you are motivated by love?
- Get right with God completely. (Have you left anything out of your confession?)
- Get right with God sincerely. (Do you mean it from your heart?)
- Get right with God willingly. (Do you feel forced or is this your choice?)
- Get right with God unconditionaly. (Does God have to do anything in return?)
- Get right with God and show it. (Does your life back up your confession?)
- Get right with God while you can. (Do you realize this may be your last opportunity?)
