Sin in the Camp

Introduction

Sometimes we need to be reminded just how deeply and how widespread sin can affect us.

Perhaps there is no better occasion in the Bible to read about than the time when Israel went up to Ai and expected decisive victory, but lost in humiliating fashion -

Joshua turns to God and asks why God had abandoned them and the Lord replied that Israel had sinned -

Then Joshua went to find the one who had sinned so much against God that had caused the whole people of Israel to fail. He found Achan. Achan confessed his sin and was then punished for causing Israel to sin.

This story in Israel’s history has several great and important lessons for us today.

“Israel Has Sinned”

After conquering the city of Jericho, Israel went against the smaller village of Ai. They thought it would be an easy victory. However, they lost the battle because, as the Lord would reveal to Joshua, “Israel has sinned” - ,

Joshua would soon search out for the offender. He found out that it was Achan who had taken of the plunder of Jericho, which was to be given to God — not free for anyone to take for their own purposes.

One important lesson we ought to learn is that sin from one member of the community (camp of Israel) brought consequences upon the whole group.

We need to quit pretending that sin affects just yourself. Sin affects others around you. Your sin can lead others to sin.

The shame and guilt of sin can be shared among those whom you are in fellowship with

After Joshua determined Achan was the offender, Achan confessed his sin and was -

In Achan’s confession, he describes vividly the path of temptation -

“I saw”

“I coveted”

“I took”

“I hid”

Compare with Adam & Eve -

She “saw” -

It was “delightful” and desirable (coveted) -

She “took” -

They covered themselves -

They hid -

Compare with David -

“He saw” -

He saw that she was “very beautiful” and he inquired about her; that was “coveting” -

“He took her” -

He tried to hid the pregnancy -

Due to Achan’s sin Israel executed punishment -

Contrast this with how God intervened and punished Nadab and Abihu, or those participating in Korah’s rebellion.

On this occasion, the immorality and sin was removed by Israel. While God could have acted in a direct way (and had done so in the past), it was also important for punishment to occur from within, not without.

Contrast this with how God intervened and punished Nadab and Abihu, or those participating in Korah’s rebellion.

A memorial was built at the site of Achan’s stoning. Israel would remember the sinful actions of Achan -

The mantra of today is to forget someone’s sin. While we should not hold grudges and constantly throw mistakes and sins back into people’s face, especially after they confessed, repented, and expressed remorse for their sin, we should not forget the seriousness of sin and how it affects others.

We sometimes need a somber and subtle reminder of the seriousness of sin.

When Sin Enters The Local Church

Sin cannot enter into the universal church. The universal church is perfect and contains to contamination, spot, or wrinkle -

While the universal church does not contain imperfections, local churches can become polluted and contaminated by the sin of just one person - ;

The cliche, “one bad apple can spoil the bunch” seems to apply in the context of the local church - cf

& 3

What should the local church do when sin becomes a problem within itself?

First, the congregation should seek to restore the one who is lost -

Any act of correction is for the intent to bring someone back to the fold - ,

We

If and when repentance is made, be quick to forgive, affirm your love, and restore -

If and when repentance is refused, judgment and punishment must be made - -11

This is done by the congregation when they are assembled; it is “church discipline” -

It is a punishment -

The congregation should always remember the consequences of sin - ,

Having a healthy reminder that sin brings about sadness, heartache, and separation between us and God is important if the church is going to grow in the right direction -

Conclusion

Sin has an awful and terrible effect upon us. One person’s sin can have a terrible affect upon the church.

Just as Achan’s sin led Israel to sin, your sin can cause others to sin.

The church needs to go after those who are lost, just as the shepherd who leaves the 99 sheep to find the one who went astray. Souls are important to the Lord and we should seek to bring someone back to the Lord, restoring them, forgiving them, and loving them.

And we must always keep in mind the consequences of sin. Sin will bring about punishment. And we must protect ourselves and others from sin.

If you have wandered away from the Lord, won’t you return? We love you and want to restore you back to the fold.

If you need to respond to the gospel for the first time in baptism, we welcome you to the family of God.

Whatever your need is, will you come today?