Sermon Snippet – Is It My Fault?
INTRODUCTION – If you are a married man, you know the answer to that question! In all seriousness, this is a legitimate query, as we find in Matthew 26:20-22. For eleven of the twelve disciples, this was one of their finest moments. Each of them recognized their potential failure and culpability. The inclusion of this vignette in Scripture means that it is important to ask, “Is it my fault?”
1. IT MIGHT NOT BE MY FAULT
Romans 12:18 says, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” If Joseph Stalin or Chairman Mao is my next-door neighbor, it is likely that the fault is not mine! However, we all need trustworthy people that we can turn to for insight: “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 17:17). If you are married, you really should listen to your “iron” spouse, who is, after all, called a “help meet” (Genesis 2:18, 20) – that is, a helper. Most spouses are more than willing to help in this area! Leaders within the church have a special responsibility in regard to correct doctrine, “holding the mystery of the faith [the body of revealed doctrine] in a pure conscience” (I Timothy 3:9). We are at fault if we let faulty doctrine creep in.
2. IT MIGHT BE MY FAULT
Our natural tendency is to avoid responsibility for our actions and shift blame. The classic example of this behavior is Genesis 3:12-13; both Adam and Eve initially refused to accept that they had chosen to directly disobey the considerate commandment of God. We need to know what God’s Word says about how we are to live, and we need to carefully consider how this Scripture applies to our lives. In all areas of our lives, including in our relationships, the fault may indeed “lieth in [us]”; it may lie in me.
3. IT DEFINITELY IS MY FAULT
In the Genesis 3 account, Adam and Eve were clearly at fault. In our original passage, we find that Judas Iscariot was completely in the wrong (Matthew 26:23-25). Jesus then inaugurated the Communion service, which we remembered last week. Perhaps we are not as bad as Judas, who openly rejected the kindness of Jesus and callously betrayed Him. However, we are as bad off as Judas, …
CONCLUSION – … for we all are sinners and all need Jesus as Savior. May we place our trust in Him alone for the eternal salvation that He offers. May we, then, as His people, be increasingly sensitive to our shortcomings and seek His assistance, as well as the help of God’s good people.