"You Did It, Own Up To It"

“You Did It, Own Up To It”

Text. Gen. 3:8-15)

Introduction: We are living in times where it is a common thing to blame others for our shortcomings or failures. The challenge of living responsible lives is a struggle for those of us who refuse to allow God to have the final say in the process of making decisions. The Bible renders no excuse for passing the buck, or blaming our mishaps on someone or something. You my brother and sister are responsible for the decisions that you make along life’s journey. Even if we have sought the advice of a trusted friend, counselor, or confidant, ultimately you make the choice because no one forces you to do anything. There are rare occasions or exceptions where in force will cause you to choose measures that you don’t want to use or take. The world chooses to believe the lies of the enemy rather than believing in the mercy and love of God. The question is, “is there a reliable source that we can go to to help us make the right decisions. Three things that the text teaches that will help us to make the right decision.

“The Presence of the Lord” ( Gen. 3:8)

It is important that we understand that hearing and obeying God are essential. The text suggest in Genesis 2:8-16 that God communed or talked to Adam before He gave him His wife and after He gave her to him. They both had communed and fellowshipped with God. They knew the sound of His voice and it is evident that the knew the sound of God walking and talking. On this particular day a decision to violate the instruction of God come front and center. There is no record of the number of times God had told them not to eat of the tree in the middle of the garden, but we do have the account that He did tell them not to do it. There is something about the presence of the Lord, that when He calls you, no matter where you are hiding, you can’t help but answer. “Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,” (Ps. 114:7) “The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.” (Ps. 97:5) “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which He commanded them not. And fire came out before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.” (Lev. 10:1-2) The presence of the Lord is an awesome thing to fall under. Adam knew this and he responded correctly when God came calling his name. There was no need of denial, hiding or making excuses. Adam knew what he had done so he owned up to it, told on himself but he answered when he was called. The decision to blame Eve didn’t come until the questions was asked, who told you you was naked? Have you eaten of the tree that I told you not to eat of.

“The Perils of Sin” (Gen. 3:9-13)

Sin is a serious offence with God! Adam and Eve’s disobedience results produced sin. Their failure to heed God’s rule stripped them of their innocence, they knew they were naked, now guilt bombards their minds and exposes them right before their very eyes. James tells us what happened to Adam. “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished brings forth death.” (Jam. 1:14-15) Eve decides to listen to an unauthorized voice, Adam shows up, what Eve normally does in a posture of worship or obedience to her husband she doesn’t do, instead she presents him with a temptation. Adam could have refused, but James says he was drawn away by his own lust and enticed, so he ate of the the tree. When we allow the enemy to tamper with our hearing, sin can enter in and cause our sight and feelings to become partners in crime. Sin is serious. “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single. thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness, If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matt. 6:22-23)

“The Provision of a Savior” (Gen. 3:15)

One of the practical outcomes of the Fall was, women and snakes would become enemies. It is also true that when people base their relationship on lies, deceit, dishonesty, and other sort of sinful practices, they become enemies and a separation is inevitable. Don’t want anything to do with each other and sometimes want even speak to the other. Oh but thank God for Gen. 3:15 Here we have the first mentioning of the provision of the Savior. Even though Eve was instrumental in the Fall, the text says, the seed of the woman will bruise the head of the serpent, but the serpent will bruise his heel. Evil will constantly nag and tempt humanity but eventually the Savior will bruise his head. Christ is the promised seed, the provision that God has provided to give us the victory. “But when the fulness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law” (Gal. 4:4)

Closure: It is because of our loving God, who is a very present help in these troubled times, even though sin is still raging like a roaring lion, disrupting the lives of many. However I want to encourage you today to hold on and keep the faith. Let not your hearts be troubled, Ye that believe in God believe also in Me. “Ain’t He Alright! In My Fathers house there are many mansions, if it were not I would have told you so. “Ain’t He Alright! I’m going away to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there you will be also. The provision has already been made and I sealed it over two thousand years ago. Jesus died! I know He died!