Exposing Sin Properly

By: M. Allen

 

FILING INFORMATION:

97047

11/16/97 - Rapid City, SD

 

I.  Introduction.

A.   For the last few weeks we have been talking about the seriousness of sin.

1.     Sin is something that will keep one outside the body of Christ.

2.     Sin is a very serious matter that needs to be dealt with.

a.     We have learned that if we are haphazard in our dealing with sin that it can jeopardize our home in heaven.

b.     Sin is something that stains the soul & must be taken care of.

B.    Today we wish to talk about how to properly expose sin.

1.     Exposing sin has caused great problems with many people w/in the church and w/o.

a.      This is b/c either the one exposing sin did not have proper attitude or the one in which sin was exposed was not honest enough to admit their sin.

b.     Others have tried to "expose sin" when there was no sin.  Maybe the guilty party went against the accuser's opinion.

2.     Result: many are content to "sweep problems under the rug."

a.     Some pretend sin not big deal & make it no consequence.

b.     Problems do not vanish if ignored

c.     Usually problems come back to haunt one in a larger & more troublesome way.

1.     By that time - many learn hard way they should have dealt w/ problem earlier.

C.    Exposing sins of others not always easy.

1.     Hard to point out error in bro/sis esp. if close friend etc…

2.     But it must be done.

3.     To "expose" means:

a.     To lay bare; uncover.

b.     To lay open as to something harmful.

c.     To make known; reveal

d.     To subject to light.

e.     Of course we wish to focus upon the 1st & 3rd definition.

 

II.  Evidence of Exposing Sin in Scripture.

A.   Sin was exposed in the NT.  For example:

B.    Jesus Christ.

1.     Mk. 7:9-13 - hypocrisy of Pharisees exposed.

2.     Lk. 20:45-47 - wickedness of religious leaders exposed for all to see.

3.     Very clear Christ did not tolerate sin.  Sin abomination b/f God.

C.    The Holy Spirit.

1.     H.S. would reprove (convict, NKJV) people of sin.

2.     Jhn. 16:7-8…  How would He do this?  See 16:13.

3.     Saying of Christ here bears itself true.

a.     Acts 2:14, 36 - Word preached by Peter as Holy Spirit directed him.

b.     V. 37 - people convicted of their sin.  Sin was exposed.

D.   John the Baptist.

1.     Mk. 1:5 - John bapt., people for the remission of sins - - upon their confession of sin.  <parallel passage: Lk. 3:3>

2.     Mt. 14:1-4 - John exposes sin of Herod.  Herod committing adultery w/Herodias.

3.     Remember, we said earlier exposing sin not easy.  Here John directly stands up to Herod - a man of great authority.

E.    The apostles exposed sin.

1.      Paul regularly exposed sin of others.  Even though it put him in physical harm.

a.      Acts 13:6-10 - Elymas the sorcerer - sought to hinder the proconsul from obeying the gospel.'

b.      Acts 17:22-31 - the Athenian people on Mars Hill.  They denied the essence of the One True God.

c.      Acts 24:25 - Felix - Exposed his need to come to God.

d.      Gal. 2:11-12 - Peter - Peter's hypocrisy exposed.

2.      Peter exposed sin on a number of occasions.

a.     Acts 2:22-23 - exposed sin of those who put Christ to death.

b.     Acts 5:1-11 - Ananias & Sapphira - exposed sin of lying.

c.     Acts 8:20-23 - Simon the Sorcerer - exposed his greed & deceit & envy of their apostolic power.

 

III.  Christians today are to Expose Sin.

A.   Gospel Preachers.

1.     Paul to Timothy 2 Tim. 4:1-2…

a.     1 Tim. 5:20 - rebuke sin in presence of all…

b.     Titus 1:13 - Titus to rebuke sin so that Christians on Crete would be sound in faith.

2.     Many gospel preachers never follow pattern set above.  Nitty-gritty: many not willing to expose that a certain doctrine, practice, method, activity is sin…

a.      Rom. 12:9 - abhor that which is evil.  Moses E. Lard in commenting on verse said, there are many Christians and among them many preachers who oppose evil, it is true.  But they do it so faintly to countenance it.  They will not publicly endorse evil, but they will quietly go home or get out of its way and leave it unrebuked.  They do not abhor it…these men are not obeying Paul.

3.     True preacher/teachers of the gospel must make men face sin.

a.     Jhn. 4:16-19 - Christ identified clearly the sin of the woman.  No beating around the bush.  No calling sin something that it was not.

B.    All Christians are to expose (reprove) sin.  To "reprove" means to voice or convey disapproval of.

1.     Words of Paul - Eph. 5:11

a.     Easy to obey first part of passage.

b.     How many do the 2nd?  Many times we fail to expose (lay bear) that which is evil.

2.     Are we exposing evil?  For example:

a.     Brother doing something sinful & I know it.

b.     Do I love bro/sis soul enough to confront him about his error?

c.     Do we have a genuine interest in the souls of others?

 

IV.  Whose Sin do we Have Authority to Expose?

A.   Those outside Christ.

1.     Born out by example in Scripture:  Acts 2:22-23; 13:6-10; 17:22-31

B.    Those who are within the body of Christ.

1.     Again refer to the Scriptures…

2.     Acts 5:1-11; 8:20-23; Gal. 2:11-12; 6:1-2; 2 Tim. 4:1-2; Tit. 1:13-14

 

V.  How Can We Expose Sin?

A.   By preaching/teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

1.     Peter (Acts 2), Stephan (Acts 7), Phillip (Acts 8), Paul (Acts 17)

2.     Notice in each case: men were "convicted" of their sin.  Sin was "laid bare."  Evidenced by:

a.     Acts 2:38; 7:54 - cut to the heart.

b.     Acts 8:36 - the Eunuch's desire to be baptized at first occasion.

c.     Acts 17:34 - Dionysius & Damarious b/c Christians after Paul preaches at Athens.

3.     Can be successful with those w/in and w/o the church.

B.    By going directly to the one involved in sin.

1.     Again we turn to the scriptures.  Applies to both w/in and w/o the church.

a.        Paul responded DIRECTLY to Elymas in Acts 13:6-10.  Elymas outside Christ - but Paul DIRECTLY confronts his sin.

b.       Peter directly exposes sin of Ananias & Sapphira in Acts 5

1.     v. 1 - sell possession for certain amount.

2.    

Thought:  Peter does not set a trap for Sapphira here.  Sapphira decides on her own to "lie" to the apostle.  If anything, Peter gives her a final chance to admit her sin - a way out.  She refused and died b/f the Lord
 
v. 2 - secretly hold back part of proceeds for themselves.

3.     v. 3 - in pretending to give church ALL proceeds they lie to God, the H.S., the apostles, and church.

4.     V. 3-5 - Peter confronts Ananias & he dies in v. 5.

5.     Sapphira comes in - v. 7 - not knowing what happened.

6.     Peter (do not know whether by inspiration of H.S. or not…) asked Sapphira if she sold land for "certain" price.  Perhaps Peter b/f this unaware if Sapphira in it.

7.     Answered Peter that they sold land for "certain" price.  She died before the Lord.

c.  Acts 8:20-23 - Simon the Sorcerer.

1.     Simon offers money for power of apostles.

2.     Motives not pure b/f God.  Wanted to amaze people. V. 11 - amazed people for a long time, till apostles came along.

3.     V. 20-23 - Peter deals DIRECTLY w/sin of Simon.

4.     Result? V. 24 - confession & sorrow for sin.

5.     What had Peter rationalized away responsibility?

 

2.     Going DIRECTLY to the one who commits sin has ALWAYS been the way of God.  Lev. 19:17

a.     Not to go to someone else.  Not their business…

1.       Case:  everyone else knows in church b/f one in question.

2.       Not way of Christ!

b.     No excuse valid here.  It is our responsibility to go to our bro/sis if we love their soul.  To spread rumor about someone else's sin is to fall into trap of the devil.

3.  Way of Christ?  Mt. 18:15 - How to deal w/sinning brother.

a.     v. 15 - tell him his fault between you & him ALONE!

1.     Gained a bro: you have preserved him or helped him to get back in the right w/God.

b.     BUT, if the brother doesn't hear you, then & only then…

C.  Take Two or Three Witnesses with you to expose sin.  Mt. 18:16

1.     Perhaps bro/sis in question will listen to ones you bring w/you.

2.     Those brought w/you could be elder/preacher/or someone who bro/sis respects.

3.     Usually when case has to go this far problem is rectified.

4.     But if bro/sis in question doesn't heed admonition the 2d time, then & only then…

D.   Bring it before the church.  Mt. 18:17

1.     Only to be brought before the church after the first two steps in v. 15-16 have been taken.

2.     Error to be exposed that bro/sis has done so they may be ashamed.  2 Thess. 3:14…

 

VI.  Some Things to Keep in Mind When Exposing Error.

A.   We need to expose sin using scripture - not opinion!

1.     2 Tim. 4:2 - Timothy to convince, rebuke and exhort Christians.  How?

2.     By preaching the word!

3.     Must stay w/in the confines of God's Word.  This is what all mankind will be judged by.  It alone needs to be our standard.

B.    We need to give person in question the benefit of the doubt.

1.     Too many take glee in other Christian's problems & sin.

2.     As if some want their brethren to be wrong.

a.     Some have an "I told you so" attitude.  This attitude not pleasing before God!

3.     Look at attitude of Paul in Gal. 6:1-2

a.     Must go to brethren in spirit of humility.

b.     No one immune to sin.

c.     Let's don't act like it.

 

VII.  Conclusion.

A.   Exposing sin not always easy.  Not pleasant to do.

1.     But we must be willing to do so.

2.     If we love souls of those around us we will expose sin.

B.    Let us always be looking out for our brethren.

1.     Let us always have the proper attitude when someone confronts us with our own sin.

2.     If we all had the proper attitude toward sin - there would be no problem with exposing it.

3.     In fact, we should all want our sin to be exposed so it will be taken care of.

C.    How are you dealing w/the sin that is in your life?

1.     Do you have proper attitude toward sin?

2.     Are you willing to get that sin out of your life?

3.     Why not today?

D.  I N V I T A T I O N