Sin In The Camp

TEXT:  Joshua 7

INTRODUCTION:

A.      NOT A PLEASANT SUBJECT - DON'T USE THIS OUTLINE MUCH.

B.      NEEDED TODAY - SOME OBSERVATIONS.

I.      THE PROBLEM OF SIN.

A.      WHAT IS IT?( 1 John 3:4 ).

B.      WHAT EFFECT DOES IT HAVE?

          1.       On the sinner?( vs. 25 ).

                   a.       Eternally ( Mat. 10:28 ).

                   b.       What about his family?( vs. 24-25; Eph. 6:4 ). Influence.

          2.       On the church?

                   a.       vs. 2-5.  Defeat by Satan & enemies. Progress stopped.

                   b.       vs. 6-9.  Confusion - "Where do we go from here?"

                   c.       Infection( 1 Cor. 5:6 ).  What if Joshua just let it go?

                   d.       vs. 9.  Shame!

II.     GOD'S SOLUTION.

A.      IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.

          1.       Orderly( vs. 14; 1 Cor. 5:3-5 ).

          2.       Dispassionately( 1 Tim. 5:20-22 ).

                   a.       A place for anger( Eph. 4:26-27 ).

                   b.       Take it easy!( James 1:19-20 ).

B.      ELIMINATE THE SIN - DO SOMETHING!

          1.       Do what God says( vs. 13-15; 24-26 ).

          2.       What does God tell us?( 2 Thes. 3:6, 14 ).

III.    OUR ATTITUDE.

A.      TOWARD SIN( Rom. 12:9;  Jude 22-23 ).

B.      TOWARD GOD.

          1.       Reverence( Heb. 12:28-29;  10:31;  Job 1:21 ).

          2.       Submission( vs. 16 ).  "rose up early."

C.      TOWARD THE SINNER( vs. 19 ).

          1.       Sadness springing from great love( Jude 22-23; Phil. 3:18 ).

          2.       Desire for their salvation demands gentleness

                             ( 2 Tim. 2:24;  Gal. 6:1;  2 Thes. 3:15 ).

          3.       But a firmness & willingness to do as God commands!

IV.   THE RESULT.

A.      OT - NO MERCY( Heb. 10:28 ).

B.      HOPEFULLY -

          1.       The sinner will be ashamed( 2 Thes. 3:14 ).

          2.       He will feel Godly sorrow( 2 Cor. 7:10 ).

          3.       If he does, we may receive him back( 2 Cor. 2:5-11 ).

C.      FOR THE CHURCH:

          1.       Respect for God( Acts 5:11 ).

          2.       Purity( 1 Cor. 5:6-7 ).

          3.       Back on the track( vs. 13;  2 Cor. 7:11-12 ).

CONCLUSION:  MAY OUR HEARTS ALWAYS BE FILLED WITH DESIRE FOR GOD'S WILL.