Hiding From God

Hiding From God

Attention: Hide and seek? Peek-a-boo? Small children seem to believe that if they cover their own eyes others will not be able to see them with their eyes. The idea is absurd to adults. However, we seem to believe something similar. We believe that if we cover our eyes to avoid “seeing” God He will not see us.

Need: We have all done things that we want to hide from God. What do we do about those things?

Gen 3:6-10

Textual Idea: Though Adam and Eve had sinned God called for them to come out of hiding.

Sermon Idea: Though we have sinned God is calling everyone to come out of hiding.

Interrogative: Is hiding from God the best answer to the problem of our sin and shame?

I. Sin Leads to Shame (6,7)

a. Something seemed good about something bad

i. Lust of the flesh

1. What pleases the senses

ii. Lust of the eyes

iii. Pride of life

Lucifer (Isa 14)

A little boy and a little girl were riding a mechanical horse in a shopping mall. The little boy, who was riding in front, turned to the little girl and said, "If one of us would get off, there would be more room for me."

b. Sin

i. An attempt to fulfill desires in a disobedient way

ii. Consequences

c. Shame

i. A clue that what you’ve done is sin

ii. Attempts to cover it up

d. Universal guilt

II. Shame Leads to Hiding (8)

a. Hearing God in the garden

i. How does God reveal Himself?

1. Nature

2. His word preached and read

a. 30,000 archeological finds confirming scripture

b. Secular sources confirming the miracles and empty tomb of Christ

b. Man’s response

i. Hiding upon recognition of the Holy One

1. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. (Luk 5:8)

ii. Hiding amongst the trees of the garden

1. We ignore and hide from God by losing ourselves in the blessings of His creation

c. God is there and knows just where you are

III. The Savior is Calling (9,10)

a. God calls

i. Man broke fellowship with God but God is always making the initial overtures to restore the relationship

b. Man confesses

It’s been said, “To err is human; to blame it on somebody else is even more human.”

Prodigal son came to himself

c. Relationship restored

i. Gen. 3:15

KJV Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Visualization: ’The journey of a thousand miles begins with a first step.’Be real with God. You’re not hiding from Him…even if you think you are.

Action: Realize that God is always watching, listening, and recording. But He is eager to forgive.

Appeal: Confess and forsake your sins.