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Pastor Wade Burleson




Sin's Shame

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Genesis 9:18-29 (KJV)
  1. And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan.
  2. These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread.
  3. And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:
  4. And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
  5. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.
  6. And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.
  7. And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.
  8. And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.
  9. And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
  10. God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
  11. And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years.
  12. And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died.

"Sin's Shame"

Genesis 9:18-29

There are not many preachers who concentrate on sin. In fact, some of the larger church pastors have found attendance increased when sin is not discussed. We must discuss it.

  1. Sin is a powerful opium.
    Opium is defined by Webster as "an intoxicant which initially produces exhilaration but its effects are dangerous and fatal if taken in large quantities." Sin is like this. Noah's sin was drunkenness. In Noah's sin of drunkenness we learn several things:
    1. Anyone can fall - "He became drunk and lay uncovered inside his own tent" (v.21).
      When we first meet Noah it is said, "He walked with God" (Genesis 6:9). In fact, we are told Noah is a righteous man, a "preacher of righteousness" (II Peter 2:5). However, the point of this text is not so much that anyone can sin, but that . . . .
    2. Everyone does fall - past success does not provide power for future victory.
      James Boyce points out, "Genesis begins with a man under the blessing of God, but ends with a man in a coffin in Egypt under bondage. The first child, Cain, is named for a Deliverer, but he himself becomes a murderer. Noah likewise falls."
    3. Only your pleasure in God drives sin out - "Be not drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18). When you truly meet God, you enjoy Him. The Puritans called this "The powerful expulsion of sin by a sweeter song . . ."
  2. Sin brings a painful outcome . . .
    We are aware that the cross of Christ has ultimately paid the price for our sins, but when a blood bought, heaven redeemed, grace-filled believer sins, pain results . . .
    1. The gospel you believe is denied . . . it was denied in Noah's heart, but the real denial came about in Ham's heart, who "saw his father's nakedness" (v.22).
      1. Some liberals believe the text was altered to minimize Ham's sin.
      2. Some believe "saw his nakedness" is a euphemism for intercourse.
      3. I believe that Ham stumbled upon his father's drunkenness and mocked him.
        "Ham not merely dishonored Noah as a parent -- he disliked him as a preacher of righteousness. He ridiculed his own father's faith." R. Candlish.
    2. The good you have done is diminished . . .
      Of all the things good that could be said of Noah, this even tarnishes them all.
    3. But the grace you need is available . . .
      Noah's life ends with the garment of prophecy speaking forth God's word. You are never too late, never too far gone, never too damaged to be used by God.
  3. Sin leads to a perpetual oppression . . .
    In essence, you will never be able to fully tear yourself away from the effects of sin. There is a curse placed on Canaan, the fourth son of Ham, for Ham's sin. Why? Canaan is the father of Canaanites, the people who terrorized the Israelites. "Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers" (Genesis 9:25). Some of you this morning may be tempted to cross the line. Some of you may have one foot in, the other out. Canaan reminds us that sin perpetually oppresses.



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Pastor Wade

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