Ii Kings 14:10
Chuck Smith warns against the dangers of meddling with sin, highlighting the consequences of getting hurt and losing one's treasures.
Chuck Smith discusses the dangers of meddling with sin, using the story of Amaziah, who, after a great victory, foolishly challenged Jehoash, leading to his defeat and the loss of his kingdom's treasures. He emphasizes that overconfidence can lead to spiritual downfall, as meddling with sin often results in pain and brokenness. Smith warns that the initial resistance to sin can weaken over time, making it easier to fall into destructive behaviors. He highlights the tragic consequences of such meddling, including the loss of innocence and purity. Ultimately, he poses the question of hope for those who have fallen into the trap of meddling.
Text
"MEDDLING"
Intro: Amaziah at age of 25 began to reign over Judah. He defeated the
Edomites and took rock city of Petra.
I. HIS CHALLENGE TO JEHOASH KING OF ISRAEL TO FIGHT.
A. Times of great victories are often times of great danger.
1. We often think we are stronger than we really are.
2. We become over-confident.
3. Reason behind big upsets in football.
4. We start looking for trouble, places to test our
strength.
5. I cringe when I see some young Christian flushed
with victory start looking for Satan to challenge him
to a fight.
II. WHY MEDDLE TO YOUR OWN HURT?
A. You cannot meddle with sin without getting hurt.
1. "I can handle this" is a dangerous mental state.
a. Alcoholics never intended being one.
b. Heroin addicts the same.
c. Innocent flirtations can develop into full
blown affairs.
2. I look around and see so many broken, defeated lives,
it all began with just meddling.
B. Amaziah would not heed the counsel but insisted on fighting.
III. THE TRAGEDY OF MEDDLING.
A. Amaziah was defeated.
B. Jehoash came to Jerusalem and broke down part of the walls.
C. He took the treasures of the kingdom.
IV. THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR MEDDLING WITH SIN.
A. You end up with the bitter taste of defeat.
B. Your defenses are broken down.
1. The first time you did it is always the hardest.
a. You had strong resistance.
b. You also had strong remorse.
c. Part of your defenses were destroyed.
2. The next time it was easier.
3. Now it seems you have no resistance, you can t stop
even though you try.
4. The insidious nature of drugs.
a. They seem to first destroy the will center
of your mind.
b. They destroy your will to resist.
C. Your treasures are taken away.
1. What a beautiful treasure virginity is.
2. What a valuable treasure is innocence.
3. Who can place a price on purity?
4. Oh, the value of a strong healthy body.
5. Full control of our faculties.
6. These treasures have often been taken away because
of our foolish meddling.
V. IS THERE ANY HOPE FOR THE MEDDLER?
Sermon Outline
- HIS CHALLENGE TO JEHOASH KING OF ISRAEL TO FIGHT points: - Times of great victories are often times of great danger
- WHY MEDDLE TO YOUR OWN HURT? points: - You cannot meddle with sin without getting hurt
- THE TRAGEDY OF MEDDLING points: - Amaziah was defeated
- THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR MEDDLING WITH SIN points: - You end up with the bitter taste of defeat
- IS THERE ANY HOPE FOR THE MEDDLER? points: null
Key Quotes
“Times of great victories are often times of great danger.” — Chuck Smith
“You cannot meddle with sin without getting hurt.” — Chuck Smith
“You end up with the bitter taste of defeat.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Be aware of the dangers of sin and the consequences of getting hurt.
- Protect your treasures, such as virginity, innocence, and purity.
- Learn from Amaziah's mistakes and avoid meddling with sin.