The Sin of Presumption

TEXT: Psalm 19:13; 2 Pet. 2:9-10

INTRODUCTION:

A. THESE PASSAGES SPEAK OF PRESUMPTUOUS SINS.

1. David concerned with falling into the habit of them. "Great transgression."

2. Peter warns of the punishment – "chiefly them."

B. WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.

I. WHAT IS PRESUPMTUOUS SIN?

A. DEFINE: zed --arrogant, proud, insolent, presumptuous.

B. BARNE’S NOTES: "[From presumptuous sins] … The word does not mean open sins, or flagrant sins, so much as those which spring from self-reliance or pride. The prayer is substantially that he might have a proper distrust of himself, and might not be left by an improper reliance on his own power to the commission of sin."

C. SOME OTHER PASSAGES THAT HELP:

1. Deut. 17:12-13 – "not hearkening unto the priest."

2. Deut. 18:20-22 – "shall speak … which I have not commanded."

3. Est. 7:5 – "Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart."

4. Jude 8 – "set at nought dominion."

5. Num 15:29-31 – "doeth aught with a high hand."

6. Num. 14:44 – "But they presumed to go up to the top of the mountain."

D. WEBSTER’S:

1. "Presume, to take upon oneself without permission or authority; dare, venture."

2. "Presumption, an overstepping of proper bounds; forwardness; effrontery, the taking of something for granted."

3. "Presumptuous, too bold or forward; taking too much for granted; showing overconfidence, arrogance, or effrontery."

II. THE NEED FOR SCRIPTURAL GUIDANCE.

A. GOD’S WISDOM IS SUPREME.

1. Man has no answers ( Jer. 10:23 ).

2. God is wiser ( Isa. 55:8-9 ).

3. God’s will hidden when we look outside his revelation ( 1 Cor. 1:21 ).

B. CAN MAN IMPROVE ON GOD’S PLAN?

1. Isa. 55:8-9; 1 Cor. 1:20; 3:18-21; Rom. 11:33-36.

2. Does not God anticipate our day and time?

C. Proverbs 14:12.

III. GOD HAS GIVEN US A PATTERN.

A. A PATTERN OR BLUEPRINT ( 2 Tim. 1:13-14; Heb. 8:5 ).

B. GOD ALWAYS CONDEMNS THOSE WHO ACT WITHOUT AUTHORITY OR TAKE IT LIGHTLY. Those who will not be reined in.

1. Num. 15:30 – "High hand," ASV; "Presumptuously," KJV. Cut Off!

2. Heb. 10:28. "Set at nought." Dies Without Compassion!

C. Romans 15:4 – WHAT CAN WE LEARN BY THE THINGS WRITTEN BEFORE?

1. Abel and Cain ( Gen. 4 and Heb. 11:4 ).

a. Abel offered by faith.

b. Where does faith come from? ( Rom. 10:17; 14:23 ).

2. Nadab and Abihu ( Lev. 10:1-3 ).

3. David, the "Breach of Uzzah" – the new cart ( 1 Chron. 13:9-14; 15:1-3, 12-15 ).

IV. DARE WE FORSAKE THE PATTERN TODAY?

A. THE COMMAND OF GOD ( 1 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:17 ).

B. 2 John 9.

1. Presume to lead. Wait!!! ( Psa. 37:34; Psa. 130:5 ). Obedience to his word.

2. "Hath Not God!"

C. THE SURETY OF PUNISHMENT ( Rev. 22:18-19; Gal. 1:6-9; 2 Pet. 2;9-10 ).

D. A LEGITIMATE QUESTION:

WHERE’S YOUR AUTHORITY?

V. APPLICATIONS:

A. INSTITUTIONALISM.

B. INSTRUMENTS.

C. SOCIAL GOSPEL. CHURCH SPONSORED RECREATION, HOSPITALS, HOMES, ETC. The church has no right to build or maintain any facility for something that is not the work God gave the church. FELLOWSHIP HALLS.

D. HOLIDAYS.

CONCLUSION:

A. WE MUST HAVE AUTHORITY FOR EVERYTHING WE DO.

B. TO DO OTHERWISE IS TO SIN PRESUMPTUOUSLY.

C. Psalm 19:13.