The Madness of Sin
The sermon emphasizes the destructive nature of sin and the importance of repentance, highlighting God's mercy and longsuffering as reasons for sparing people from judgment.
Ed Wrather emphasizes the consequences of straying from God's path, drawing parallels between the story of Balaam's rebellion and the destructive behaviors exhibited by individuals under the influence of substances or engaged in criminal activities. He highlights God's mercy and longsuffering, as seen in the case of Balaam and in modern-day testimonies of individuals miraculously spared from death despite their reckless actions. Wrather urges listeners to heed God's warnings, repent from their sins, and embrace the grace and forgiveness offered by God before it's too late.
Text
They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet. - 2 Peter 2:15-16.
It is now being reported that the young man who went on a shooting rampage in Eastern Oklahoma killing two and wounding eight had taken a large amount of over the counter cold medication. A friend (of the shooter) said that he
would take as many as 30 pills of cold medication at one time. It seems incredible that anyone in their right mind would take so many pills at one time. However, people do crazy things.
In high school I once watched a fellow student dissolve around 20 aspirins in a coke and drink it. I could hardly believe that he was still alive the next day. While I was a parole officer I had a client who would break into homes and while there find and take whatever prescription medications he could find. It could only have been an act of God that he was still alive.
It could only be madness when Balaam proceeded with apparently the intent in his heart to go against God's will even after God had warned him. God could have ended Balaam's life but instead opened the mouth of a donkey to obtain
his attention and understanding which restrained the madness of his sin. Why did God spare Balaam? Why does God put up with the evil in our hearts? "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9)."
I once heard a drug dealer relate that he had overdosed five times and knew that he should have died each time. He finally came to understand that the reason he had not died was only because of the mercy and the supernatural intervention of God.
Have you come close to death and survived? It may be that you are still among the living on Planet Earth only because of the "longsuffering of God." How long can you resist God's will before judgment comes? How long can you resist God's will before your heart grows too hard and it is too late to turn back?
Stop the madness!! Turn from the madness of sin and run to the open arms of your Heavenly Father!
Sermon Outline
- I. The Madness of Sin
- A. Sin can lead to destructive behavior
- B. God's mercy and longsuffering can restrain sin
- II. God's Warning and Judgment
- A. God warns us of our sin and its consequences
- B. God's patience is not a sign of weakness, but of mercy
- III. The Consequences of Resisting God's Will
- A. Hardening of the heart
- B. Judgment and consequences of sin
- IV. Turning from Sin and Running to God
- A. The importance of repentance
- B. The open arms of our Heavenly Father
Key Quotes
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).” — Ed Wrather
“Stop the madness!! Turn from the madness of sin and run to the open arms of your Heavenly Father!” — Ed Wrather
“It could only be madness when Balaam proceeded with apparently the intent in his heart to go against God's will even after God had warned him.” — Ed Wrather
Application Points
- Recognize the destructive nature of sin and its consequences in your life.
- Acknowledge God's mercy and longsuffering, and turn back to Him through repentance.
- Run to the open arms of your Heavenly Father, seeking forgiveness and restoration.