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Scripture Reading:  Psalm 30

Certainties Faced by the Unrepentant Sinner

Intro.
1.  Certainty:  That which is firm, stable, secure & undoubted truth; lit., “unfailing.”  Cf. No doubt, Lk. 1:4; know for certain, Acts 22:30.

2.  The gospel’s aim is to open the eyes of sinners & save them through repentant faith, Acts 26:18-20.

3.  The unrepentant sinner faces...

I.  THE CERTAINTY OF SIN’S EXPOSURE, Num. 32:23.

  A.  Sin is Never Hidden from God, Heb. 4:13 (Jer. 16:17).

  B.  Sin is only Temporarily Hidden from Others, Josh. 7:20-25 (Achan); 2 Sam. 12:7-12 (David); Lk. 12:2.

*Certainty for the repentant:  Cleansing, Isa. 1:16-20.

II.  THE CERTAINTY OF SIN’S DISAPPOINTMENT.

  A.  Sin Never Delivers what it Offers, 2 Pet. 2:18-19.

  B.  The Unrepentant Sinner Puts Hope & Trust in the Wrong Things:

    1.  False gods, Deut. 32:15-18.

    2.  Heathen nations, Deut. 32:31-33 (cf. unholy alliances, 1 Cor. 15:33).

    3.  Selfishness, Jas. 4:1-4.

*Certainty for the repentant:  Joy, Psa. 30:5 (1-3, 11-12).

III.  THE CERTAINTY OF LEAVING EARTHLY POSSESSIONS, 1 Tim. 6:7-10.

  A.  The Sin of Covetousness, Lk. 12:13-21.

    1.  Possessions are temporary, Job 1:21.

    2.  Possessions are a blessing & tool, not an end, Eccl. 5:13-17.

    3.  Covetousness is idolatry, Col. 3:5.

    4.  Be rich toward God, Lk. 12:21 (Mk. 10:29-30).

*Certainty for the repentant:  Treasure in heaven, 1 Tim. 6:17-19.

IV.  THE CERTAINTY OF SPIRITUAL & ETERNAL DEATH.

  A.  Sin Brought Death into the World:

    1.  Spiritual death (Gen. 2:17); All because each sin, Rom. 5:12 (3:23; 6:23).

    2.  Physical death (a consequence of Adam’s sin, Gen. 3:19).

    3.  Eternal death (wages of sin, Rom. 6:23).

  B.  God Does not Rejoice in the Death of Sinners, Ezek. 18:32.

      -He warns sinners to repent, Lk. 13:1-5.

*Certainty for the repentant:  Life, Jno. 11:25-26.

V.  THE CERTAINTY OF JUDGMENT, Eccl. 12:14 (11:9); Jer. 6:19.

  A.  The Day is Appointed, Acts 17:31 (Heb. 9:27).

  B.  The Judgment will be Individual, 2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 2:3-11.

      -Inescapable, righteous, of our deeds, impartial & true, Rev. 16:7.

*Certainty for the repentant: Salvation, glory & honor, Rev. 19:1-2.

VI.  THE CERTAINTY OF SEPARATION FROM THE RIGHTEOUS, Matt. 25:31-33, 41.

  A.  Gathered out of the World, Matt. 13:41.

*Certainty for the repentant:  Inherit prepared kingdom, Matt. 25:34.

VII.  THE CERTAINTY OF BANISHMENT FROM THE PRESENCE OF GOD, 2 Ths. 1:9.

  A.  Eternal Punishment of Outer Darkness & Agony, Matt. 25:46, 30 (8:12).

*Certainty for the repentant:  God’s mercy with eternal glory, Lk. 15:24; Col. 3:4.

Conclusion

1.  Paul exemplifies God’s grace to sinners, 1 Tim. 1:12-16.

2.  God does not desire the death of sinners; therefore, repent (new heart & new spirit), cast away all sins…and live rather than die!  Ezek. 18:30-32