(Because of the wretched state of Red Deer’s
pulpit space, it is now, as predicted by Solomon in Ecclesiastes 3, the time to
‘pluck up that which is planted…a time to break down…a time to weep…a time to
cast away stones’ and even ‘a time to refrain from embracing.’ And it is
certainly more ‘a time to speak’ than ‘a time to keep silence.’ Be that as it
may, the wrecking ball of negative criticism should be followed by the laying
down of truth. To this end, we introduce the sermon sketch as an intermittent
blog feature. As the term ‘sketch’ implies, this kind of post, in distinction
from the usually lengthy analysis, will be pithy. The source for each sketch
will be indicated at the bottom of each post.)
Presumptuous Sins
“Keep back thy servant
also from presumptuous sins” (Psalm 19.13.)
Introduction. All sins are great sins. But it is wrong to suppose
that because all sins will condemn us, that therefore one sin is not greater
than another. Now the presumptuous sins of our text are just the chief of all
sins. It is remarkable, that though an atonement was provided under the Jewish
law for every kind of sin, there was this one exception: “But the soul that
sinneth presumptuously shall have no atonement.” Now, under the Christian age,
in the sacrifice of our blessed Lord, there is a great and precious atonement
for presumptuous sins. Yet, presumptuous sinners, dying without pardon, must
expect to receive a double portion of the wrath of God.
(1) What is a Presumptuous Sin? First, when a man knows better, and
sins anyway, that is presumptuous sinning. That is so, even if conscience be
the only light he sins in spite of. But, O! how presumptuous to sin in spite of
greater light! What if a mother with
tearful eye has warned me first? Or a father with a steady look? And what of
friends and religious education? And if you have heard of a sudden death, or
have been very sick, then you have sinned against the voice of God, broken
promises, and sinned presumptuously. Second, a man may sin in a moment of hot
haste; but a deliberate sin, a planned sin, is a sin of high
presumption. And so is any sin that is deliberately done habitually. Third, the sin I speak of is like the one by the man in
Numbers who designed to gather sticks
on the Sabbath, just to show his disrespect for God’s command. Many of you sin just like this
today. It is a master-piece of wickedness. There are few that repent of it.
Fourth, daring to think we are strong enough to go so far into sin and no
farther, like when one goes into a casino—there is a kind of suicide in a sin
like that. Or maybe you say, “In a little time I will get serious for
religion.” You presume to live until
that time?
(2) Why is the Presumptuous Sin so Enormous? Simply because it is a sin
against knowing better. It is the difference between unknowingly being involved in a bad thing, and fighting for the bad cause—or between stealing out of hunger, and
stealing to mock the law—or between insulting a man carelessly, and setting out
carefully to insult him. O! you that have sinned presumptuously—and who among
us has not done so?—bow your heads in silence, confess your guilt, and then
open your mouths, and cry, “Lord have mercy upon me, a presumptuous sinner.”
(3) The Appropriateness of this Prayer. “Keep back thy servant also
from presumptuous sins.” Did David, the “man after God’s own heart” need to
pray that? Yes, “Curb thy servant with thine overpowering grace.” The best of
men may sin presumptuously. The highest saints may sin the lowest sins, unless
kept by divine grace. You old experienced Christians, do not boast, you may
trip yet, unless you pray the prayer. Hazael recoiled in horror at the prophecy
that he would slay his master. But what did he do? The very next day he went
and choked him to death! Think it not enough to hate sin, you may yet fall into
it! Job might have said, “I will never curse the day of my birth.” But he lived
to do it. If the best need this prayer, what about us?
Selection from Conclusion. “God’s Spirit has found some of you out…
I thought when I was describing presumptuous sin that I saw here and there an
eye that was suffused with tears…here and there a head that was bowed down…You
have greatly sinned, and if God should blast you into perdition now, he would
be just…Go home and confess…with cries and sighs…remember…a man who was a God.
That man suffered for presumptuous sin.”
{This sermon by C. H. Spurgeon (1834-1892) is sketched
by M. H. Gaboury.}
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