Judgment for Sin

Hide it quick! Someone's coming!

**(1) Some boys and girls think they can hide things, but the Bible says, "Thou God seest me." God can see in the dark as well as in the light. He can see right through a wall, and He can look right into our hearts. He knows our secret thoughts. He says in His Word, "Be sure your sin will find you out."

** (2) A long time ago when God was helping His chosen people to overcome their enemies, they came to a big strong city and were afraid. But God told them not to fear. He would fight for them and give them the victory. But He told them there was one thing they must be sure to do. They must destroy everything in the city and burn it up.

** (3) They must not keep one single tiny thing. And as He promised, they had a wonderful victory. (Pause 5 seconds for band and shouting). But say: Something happened that no one knew about that day.

** (4) After the battle a man named Achan saw some things he liked. "These things are too good to destroy," he said, "I will bury them. No one shall know it." But God saw him.

** (5) Later, when God's chosen people went out to fight against even a small city, they were defeated. They ran from their enemies. "Why has this happened?" complained the captain, Joshua. And God told him someone in the army had sinned. This man must be punished else God would never again help in battle. (Short pause.) So Joshua searched and found the wicked Achan.

** (6) In obedience to God's command Achan was stoned to death and all his possessions were burned. God hates sin. In olden days either a sacrificial lamb or a human life paid for sin. Achan paid for his sin. We would all have to pay for our sin, but for the fact that a loving God sent His Son into the world to pay the awful penalty. Christ died for you and me. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

(Gen. 16:13; Num. 32:33; I Pet. 1:l8, l9)