Untitled Sermon (42)

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The Man Who Came To The Altar Too Late

Text: I Kings 2:28–34

By: Brother Maze

INTRODUCTION

Here is a sad picture of Joab stretched across a blood-soaked altar. Joab was stabbed while at the altar. He waited too late. Joab was trying to flee from death. Notice three things he did.

1. He ran to the house of God.

2. He cast himself upon the altar.

3. He refused to leave and was stabbed while hanging on to the altar.

I. THERE IS A FALSE REPENTANCE

A. Pharaoh’s repentance was false. Exodus 10:16 gives Pharaoh’s confession of “I have sinned.” This was only a way to get some of the pressure off. It was from the lips and not from the heart.

B. Balaam’s repentance was false. In Numbers 22:34, he cried, “I have sinned.” But while he confessed he still had his eyes on Balak’s gold. His confession was not an honest one.

C. Judas’ repentance was false. In Matthew 27:4, Judas cried, “I have sinned.” This was a way to ease his guilty conscience. He only repented to himself and not to the Lord.

II. THERE IS A TRUE REPENTANCE

A. The publican’s repentance was true. In Luke 18:13, the publican stood afar off, would not lift his eyes unto heaven, but smote himself upon his breast saying, “God be merciful to me a sinner.”

B. Zacchaeus’ repentance was true. In Luke 19:6, “And he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.” He also was willing to make restitution.

C. The prodigal’s repentance was true. In Luke 15:21, “And he said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.”

III. THERE IS A REPENTANCE THAT COMES TOO LATE.

A. What happened in the days of Noah? Luke 17:27, “Until the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.”

B. What happened to the five foolish virgins? Matthew 25:11–12, “Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.” The door was shut.

C. What happened to the rich man? Luke 16:24, “And he cried and said, Father Abraham have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” Luke 16:26, “And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would not pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.”