“There Has To Be More”

Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 19 Issue 14 April 26, 2009

This past week has been very moving for me. It started out when Casey and I reviewed a little audio clip. I had heard this before but I found I was instantly in a state of weepiness.

I wanted more than anything to be the one preaching those wonderful statements. “Are you going to the revival?” “What church?” “It doesn’t matter.”

Imagine God moving in Osoyoos—not just in a church but in all of the town. I long for my sons and daughter to see—to experience—to be a part of a God ordained REVIVAL.

I am very excited about what God has done in the past and certainly as to what He is doing right now. However, I hunger for more! There has got to be more! This can’t be all that there is, God our God says He wants to do more than our minds can imagine.
Einstein said that Insanity was doing the same thing over and over in the same manner—expecting a different result.
The preacher on the audio tape said, if we only do what we’ve always done then we will get what we already got. Folks I must tell you I am not content to simply get more of what we already GOT!
So how do we get more? Is it by doing more? Is it by trusting God more? Is it expecting more in faith? Yes I think all of these and more!
So how do we work towards a city wide revival? First understand - its not more of you or me - its more of JESUS!
Second, we must begin to praise God publically - not just on Sunday mornings or at Bible Study groups. Praises need to flow out from us as naturally as we breathe.
There are really only two times to praise the Lord, when you feel like it and when you don't.
Listen anyone can praise the Lord on the dry side of the Red sea. It takes faith to Praise Him before the waters part.
Habakkuk 3:17-18 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither [shall] fruit [be] in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and [there shall be] no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The prophet Habakkuk would not have said what he did, except he had known God was worthy of confidence and trust.

Psalms 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth

Disappointment, fear, anger, disease, betrayal, heartache - all cloud our vision.

Habakkuk 1:2-3 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and you won’t hear! How long will it be before you save me! Why do you allow me to see these grievous things? All around me are those that rise up strife and contention.

Habakkuk's faith was strong even when he did not understand what God's plan was. GPS God’s Presence Satisfies

God is at work, Give Your Uncertainty to Him, and Praise Him!

Live by Faith. Habakkuk 2:4 the just shall live by his faith.

Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;
Too many people's faith is, "Lord, take care of me and I will take care of you." “Lord I’ll bless you if you bless me!”

In contrast, the prophet in the early part of the book declares that come the worst if it will, he will hold steadfastly to the Lord.
Habakkuk 3:17-18.

Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible, achieves the impossible.

Did you know that the world's shortest sermon led immediately to the world's greatest revival?

The sermon was simply, "In 40 days, you are all going to be wiped out". The revival was every single person in the entire city, more than 120,000 men, women and children, immediately gave their life to God and were saved from total destruction. Where and when?

Nineveh, in about 800 BC. The preacher was someone afraid to take the job and then was angry over the result - Jonah.

God can and will use us, as unwilling or fearful as we might be, to do His work of redemption here on earth. The results will be awesome if we simply do what He asks. God simply told Jonah, "Go to Nineveh and tell them that they are going to be destroyed." End of message.

When the people heard that simple, yet chilling message, they believed it, repented and were saved. Jonah didn't have to do any wonders; he certainly didn't deliver a message of resounding oratory; he didn't give any proofs of the message, or sit in the local meeting hall and teach persuasive classes.

He just said what God told him to say - and God did the rest.
What about on the day of Pentecost?

Jerusalem was turned upside down -thousands of people got saved. Not because a bus load of scholarly ministers, all with Doctorate degrees came to town.

It wasn’t even people who had long years of ministry service - people who had proven themselves. It was a handful of men and women who had been in the upper room. Most of whom had come from rough, hardworking backgrounds, not highly educated and even doubtful of who this Christ really was.

But now filled with the Spirit of God these brothers and sisters spilled into the streets of the city and began praising God!

They began speaking in tongues (dialects) and those in the streets who heard them were amazed! They questioned, “How can this be? We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!"


The disciples simply pulled a PDA “Public Display of Affection”

They simply spoke about God, their God, giving Him Public Praise. And when they did that, the world was turned upside down and shaken to the core.

It hasn’t been the same since. Friends, the same power God gave to that handful of untrained, fearful - but willing - men, is available for us today.

And the results can be just the same.

You don't "need" a Pastor to lead a friend to the Lord, or even to baptize him. You don't "need" a Bible college degree to go out into the world and start a ministry for Him. You don't "need" all the right words and a beautiful voice and just the right clothes to lead a revival. God has used us to start several Faith based ministries that are still active today.

Many of the world's greatest servants of the Lord started as drunks in the gutter, men who hated God, and people who physically had NO attributes of a spiritual leader.

But they did have, in the end, the one thing we all must have to really reach out and serve Him -- the willingness to simply step out in faith and do what He says and follow where He leads. In faith praise Him - praise Him before the waters part!
God used the unlearned, untrained Disciples to start a religion based on a relationship with Him - that will not stop until the end of time. "And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age."

And that my friends is the cry of our hearts - that people would hear us speaking boldly, publically and clearly about the wonderful God we serve, and look towards Him too!

God allowed to be seen outside the box of our puny man made limitations … wouldn’t that be a site! Lord you’ve done it before… rip the sky and do it again!

"In A Minute!"

Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 19 Issue 13 April 19, 2009

I have a Is there a thief in your house? I hope this will prove to be a very practical message for you. There may be a thief in your house or a thief stalking you!

Some of you may notice from time to time that things are missing. You think you’ve just misplaced them Others of you are being robbed blind and can’t put your hands on the reason. This thief is Procrastination Alias: Mananaya - Tomorrow Later for that - Some other time

Whenever you go to do something of eternal value
Whenever you open your heart to the precious seed of God’s Word this thief who is stalking you - following you into your house, your place of employment and even into your church tries to steal from you.

Procrastination is a major cause of spiritual ruin of many a well intended soul.

Some scriptural examples are:
¨ Acts 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgement to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
¨ Luke 9:61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

Procrastination defined is:putting off something, postponing actions habitually

John 10:10 The thief comes to steal and to kill and destroy…

Think about it how often have you had these thoughts:
I’m too tired to read the Word!
I’m too tired pray! Manahanya

This thief tries to divert your attention away from the things of God. Come on folks - you all know that the minute you set your mind to pray you remember all those things that need to be done.

You can forget all day long certain responsibilities, yet as soon as you go to prayer - you are reminded of it immediately.

Procrastination comes in many ways!
People get sick and they know they should get it checked out by a doctor.... yet for whatever reason they put it off and put it off. Finally they can’t avoid putting it off any longer and they go to the doctor only to find out that its too late..... this all could’ve been avoided if they had but come in earlier! Doctor 24 hours—

That which applies in the physical also applies to the spiritual!

Many a Christian know from God’s Word what they ought to be doing.... but they put it off… in the end they don’t do it!

If Satan can’t keep you from hearing the truth he’ll do the next best thing - he’ll get you to put off obeying what you hear!

Augustine said it well: “God has promised forgiveness to your repentance, but he has not promised a tomorrow to your procrastination.”

Procrastination is as deadly as outright rebellion to God’s Word! (The results are the same - you don’t obey the Word!)

Matthew 25:10 while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. The five foolish virgins were aware of the closeness of the Wedding - yet they put off being prepared until it was too late! They said we have lots of time!


They weren’t murdering scum, petty criminals or drug dealers - their only crime was wasting time!

And no matter how hard you beg for more grains of sand to be put in the hour glass - tomorrow is gone and can’t be given back! Procrastinators are the spiritually lazy! Amazingly - we can all get done what we want to get done!

Psalms 90:12 teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.

We will all be held accountable for the time that we waste! Hebrews 6:12 .... be not slothful

Jeremiah 48:10-11 Cursed be the one who does the Lord’s work negligently and cursed be he that keeps back his sword from blood. This is a picture of the spiritually lazy!

One of the big problems with spiritual laziness is that the work of God is held back! Jeremiah 48:11 Moab has been at ease from his youth, and he has settled on his lees, and has not been emptied from vessel to vessel,

We need to be provoked to righteousness! You who have gathered here don’t mind being disturbed - because we have learned that there is something about the flesh that unless we
are provoked to righteousness we just settle down.

And the problem with settling down is that our taste remains in us! .... therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.

Hear God’s call to the procrastinator: God judges us for our sins of “omission”. It cannot be any clearer! James 4:17 to him that knows to do good and doesn’t - it is sin.

It is not only sinful to do wrong! It is sinful not to do right!
You can sin by doing something or by doing nothing!
¨ Matthew 25:45 truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.
¨ Matthew 25:24-26 ... you wicked and lazy servant...

The lazy servant that hid his talent failed not because he did any wrong with his talent, he failed because he did nothing at all with it.
Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands so that he may have to give to him that is in need.
Isaiah 1:16-7 put away the evil of your doings, cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgement, relieve the oppressed judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

Be quick to obey God’s call to you to repent of your procrastination! Psalms 119:60 I made haste, not delaying to keep your commandments.

Isn’t it about time that you…
fulfilled that promise you made to God about giving Him the best hours rather then the left over ones
Sent that letter of encouragement you’ve been putting off. Went and sought forgiveness from that one you offended
Fulfilled that pledge you gave to God regarding your support
Kept the promise you made to your spouse

Hebrews 3:13 exhort one another daily while it is called Today

A mark of revival is an immediate putting into action the Word!

So lets all start tomorrow to put into action those things we’ve heard here today! NOT!

Right now lets confess our sin of procrastination.

“The Releasing”

Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 19 Issue 12 April 12, 2009

John 8 When you lift up the Son of man, you’ll know I am He!

Luke 23:46-49 .. when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into your hands I commend my spirit: having said this, He gave up the ghost. Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man..... And all the people beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts as they returned. All the Lord’s acquaintances and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

What caused the change in the multitude around the cross? Earlier this same crowd had demanded his death - this multitude agitated by demons cried, “crucify Him!, away with Him. Let His blood be on us and our children!”

Matthew and Mark record the Roman guard saying, "Truly this man was the Son of God." What caused the change?

The gospel writers tell us that it was when they SAW the things that were done! Matthew 27:54, Mark 15:39

What was it that they saw? Let me compound this question with Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:33 and Luke 23:44 there was darkness over the whole land for the space of three hours?

How could they have seen anything, during those dark hours?

I ask you, was dark because God blocked out the sun, or could it be that there was a swarm of demons around the cross?

When Jesus spoke of Satan and his kingdom, he spoke of darkness. Revelation 9 speaks of smoke coming out of the pit darkening the light of the sun. And Isaiah 60:1-2 says... For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth and gross darkness the people: but the LORD's glory shall be seen....

So what did the crowd see that day?

I believe the answers to our questions can be found in Colossians 2:13-15 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

The demonic powers were armed with a weapon ... an IOU signed by us!

But the devil never expected Grace! In the final moments of His life on earth Christ according to Colossians 2 snatched the list of sins and nailed it to the cross! .... and it did not stop there! “having spoiled powers and principalities, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

¨ When that crowd around the cross saw those things that happened they were convinced!
¨ When that Roman centurion saw what had happened he praised God!

Jesus spoiled the principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. The battle was won at the cross! Not hidden, but in public view! The Word says that Jesus spoiled the principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly.... Colossians 2:14-15 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
This was at the CROSS .... And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly!

I Corinthians 1:22-24 the Jews require a sign and the Greeks seek wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumblingblock, to the Greeks foolishness; But to them which are called, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

There is a principle here, that many have missed completely! But we preach Christ crucified... Paul said something even stronger in I Corinthians 2:2 I determined not to know any thing among you, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

We must preach Christ crucified for it is the power of God to salvation!

I Corinthians 1:18 ... the preaching of the cross is the power of God.

Friends of Jesus take comfort in the truth that Christ’s redemptive work for His Church is finished! Her outstanding debt has been paid - there’s no mortgage on Christ’s inheritance.

Those bought with the blood are forever clear of all charges - saved to the utter most!

With all of this in mind I bring you one last thought:

It is not enough to tell people about Jesus, we need to release Jesus to them.

At the Feast of the Passover it was customary to release a prisoner. They had in custody a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. So when they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Who do you want me to release to you?”

Barabbas a convicted criminal or Jesus, which is called Christ?

The chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus...... so they cried out all at once, saying, Not this man, Not Jesus, but Barabbas... Away with Jesus and release to us Barabbas:

It is strange that the man released had been rightly convicted of the very charges of sedition on which Jesus was wrongly condemned.

Jesus represents SPIRITUAL LIVING - HOPE - FAITH - FORGIVENESS

Barabbas represents WORLDLY LIVING - GUILT - SIN - FLESH

Pilate released Barabbas and turned Jesus over to be whipped and then crucified.

This whipping was so painful that the strongest men sometimes died under it alone.

It was prophesied of Christ in Isaiah 50:6 I gave my back to the smiters and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

Over 600 solders spat on Him, they beat on Him and they plucked His beard! And when they had finished their cruel mocking they led him away to be crucified. Yet even then as Jesus hung on the cross He asked the Father to forgive the people..... And that my friends is GOOD NEWS!

Our dying Christ cried "It is finished" and the veil of the temple was ripped in half. Its tearing from top to bottom shows it is God's own act. The tearing points to the destruction of the barriers which excluded sinners from God's presence. Jesus Himself became the sacrifice and the veil no other sacrifice or mediator is necessary!

The solders were told to make the tomb secure! How many graves do you know that have a lock on them, let alone guards posted around it? They sealed the tomb with a Rome Seal: break it and you were dead meat!

A squad of Roman soldiers were put in front. And a large Stone was put in front.

No matter the precautions, no matter the size of the stone, no matter the guards That was Friday, but a glorious Sunday was a coming and the power of God would be seen!

On resurrection Sunday the Stone was rolled away and the tomb was found to be empty - Christ the Lord had risen!

He’s Alive! And I’m Forgiven!
The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they couldn't stop Him. Pilate could find no fault, and the witnesses could not agree. Herod could not kill Him. Death could not handle Him, and thank God Almighty the grave could not hold Him!

May we cry out "Give us Jesus!" “Away with Barabbas!”
You can release the finished work of Calvary - the gospel of Jesus Christ! Our dying Christ cried "It is finished". God was fully revealed in the death of Christ. The tomb is empty! But His salvation is full!

Because of Christ’s victorious cry you and I can be saved - the debt of the law has been satisfied - mercy and grace now triumph. Now understand this - if Christ has finished the work for us - he will also finish the work in us!

“The High Cost” Part V of V

Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 19 Issue 11 April 05, 2009

Sin; the most expensive thing in the world. We looked at the high cost of committing sin; the high cost of covering sin and the high cost of confessing sin. We discovered that confessing sin doesn’t mean just having regret or remorse.

True confession involves a broken and a contrite heart. It means realising that we have sinned against Almighty God.

We also considered the high cost of cleansing sin, and we must never forget that! Think much - think often of the fact that it takes the blood of Jesus to cleanse us.

In this last part of our mini series I hope to prove forgiveness is no guarantee we’ll escape the onsequences of sin!

Hearing the prophet’s story about the little lamb David demanded that the man responsible for terrible deed pay four times for the one sin. II Samuel 12:6 ...he shall restore the lamb fourfold for what he did and because he had no pity.

Studying further you’ll see David paid fourfold for his sin.
¨ The little baby died - II Samuel 12:15-23
¨ Amnon one of David’s sons violated Tamar, one of David’s daughters II Samuel 13:1-22
¨ Then Amnon was slain by Absalom II Samuel 13:23-36
¨ And then Absalom was slain II Samuel 18:9-33

Yes God promises to forgive our sins. I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

But God is also just to allow us to reap what we sow!

In His grace He can forgive our sins: However, in His merciful government He must permit us to suffer the consequences.

This is something that most people do not understand. Even though God forgives sin, there are consequences (natural to our sowing) we must experience.

Folks, David had trouble until he died, even though God had forgiven him. And no, David didn’t hate God for it! He knew that God was just! David still had joy for he had prayed in Psalms 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation. And God answered his request. David wrote many songs after this season with Bathsheba. He won many victories, but how much better it would have been if David had not yielded to sin.

Lets look at the High Cost of Conquering sin! Friends it is not enough just to have our sins cleansed. We must overcome sin in order that we do not get into the same trouble over and over again.

Have you heard of the Christian who went to the altar week after week saying the same prayer… “O God sweep the cob webs of sin out of my soul!” Every week the church heard him pray, “O God sweep the cob webs of sin out of my soul!” One day one of the saints tired of hearing, “O God sweep the cob webs of sin out of my soul!” prayed in a loud voice O God kill the Spider! (good prayer!)

Just because God forgives sin doesn’t mean you can go on sinning! God wants you to conquer sin! But there’s a cost!

For Jesus to help me overcome sin, he had to die. By his death burial and resurrection he made available to his people the power to live victorious lives.
Romans 6:4-7 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death we shall also be in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

David could have conquered sin. Lets see how; First, he should not have laid down his armour! It is not a sin to be tempted, temptation comes to all of us. Even the Lord Jesus was tempted, yet without sin!

James 1:14-15 ... every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin and sin, when it is finished, brings death.

So where did David make his first mistake - he laid down his armour! II Samuel 11

Ephesians 6:11 exhorts us to put on the whole armour of God, so we are able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Good morning Lord... By faith I am putting on the helmet of salvation - protect my mind. By faith I am putting on the breast plate of righteousness - protect my heart. By faith I am putting on the girdle of truth - by faith I put on the shoes of peace - help me be a peace maker not a trouble maker! By faith I am taking the sword of the spirit - the Word of God and I take the shield of faith! Now Lord, I’m ready to meet the day!

However, David chose to lay aside his armour... and it cost him! David stopped looking to God, his eyes began to wander
· Proverbs 4:25 Let your eyes look right on, and let your eyelids look straight ahead.
· Hebrews 12:2 Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.....

David did not watch and pray: Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

David was alone: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up the other: but woe to him that is alone when he falls; for he has no one to help him up…. if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

When people are alone it is easy for them to be defeated. David should’ve called Nathan the prophet and said “Let’s pray together”.

One of the greatest encouragement's to keep us from sinning is the fellowship of God’s people. As much as I can, I thank God for His people. I know we as God’s people have our faults, we have our weaknesses and I know that the church isn’t perfect..... but I need the fellowship of God’s people.
They encourage me to live a godly life!

David ignored God’s word.
True enough David laid aside his armour, and he permitted his eyes to wander, he forgot to watch and pray and on top of that he was alone. But he made a fifth mistake:

He ignored the word of God! Psalms 119:9, how shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed to your word.

Had David but meditated on the word and heeded to the word what a difference it would’ve made! Psalm 119:11 Your word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Last but not least - David did not depend on the holy Spirit. That is why he prayed Psalm 51:11 Cast me not away from your presence; and take not your holy spirit from me. He knew what had happen in Saul’s life. We must yield to the Spirit so we will not fulfill the desires of the flesh.

This is the way to conquer sin!
· Put on the whole armour of God every day.
· Give your body to God, every part of it.
· Watch and pray during the day!
· Keep your eyes on the Lord!
· Be in fellowship with God’s people.
· Get the Word of God in your heart - meditate on it.
· Be dependant on the leading of the Holy Spirit.


A lot to remember this is true, but God has promised in I Corinthians 10:13 There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.

God has purchased and provided for you His armour. He has given you His living Word! And the blood of Jesus will cause you to be an overcomer!.

“The High Cost” Part IV of V

Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 19 Issue 10 March 29, 2009

We’ve discovered that Sin is the most expensive thing in the world. It is expensive to commit sin, to cover sin, and certainly there’s a price to confessing sin. However, these costs are minute compared to the cost of cleansing sin.

How marvelous that our God is able to cleanse the sinner! When you trusted Jesus as your Saviour, God forgave you. Not only forgiving but forgetting!

Psalms 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Romans 4:7-8 Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven… Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. “Impute”: means to hold charargable.

When we are saved we are forgiven. God wipes the record clean. God never again puts to our account the sins we commit.

In Psalm 51 David used three different words to describe what he did wrong. Transgression, iniquity and sin. The word transgression emphasizes rebellion, iniquity refers to the deviousness, the word sin means to miss the mark.

God in forgiving David would have to deal with all the areas of his sin. David asked for mercy. Mercy: God not giving us what we deserve (death). Romans 5:8 God commended his love toward us, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

David used 3 verbs that are rather interesting: blot out, wash and cleanse.
· The term blot out refers to the blotting out of a debt. .
· The phrase wash me. Sin always defiles.
· David asked God to Cleanse him. As from a disease.


Psalms 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your lovingkindness: according to the multitude of your tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

First of all there is a debt that has to be paid! There is no way that we can hope to pay this! Colossians 2:13-14 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Right on! the Lord has blotted out the debt! But sin not only creates a debt, sin also creates defilement. David was dirty and God had to wash him. Psalms 51:2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

· Revelation 1:5 washed from our sins by his own blood

Sin creates debt, defilement and a disease in our spirit that robs us of strength and of power. God has to deal with all of this! How is this possible? It is only possible through the blood of Jesus Christ. When Jesus died for us on the cross He died for all of our sins. I John 1:7 ....the blood of Jesus Christ God’s Son cleanses us from all sin.

For God to forgive our sin, He had to pay a High Price! Romans 6:23 the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ

FORGIVENESS LEADING TO ETERNAL LIFE MAY BE FREE, BUT IT’S NOT CHEAP!

Many people believe that Jesus only forgave their past sins when they got saved. But let me ask how many of your sins were past when Jesus died? All of them were future.

Jesus dealt with all of your sin for all time and eternity when he died on the cross and rose again. He was made sin for us - not just part of our sin, but all of our sin.

So what about when we as God’s children rebel or disobey God? Consider “family forgiveness” When our kids disobeyed us they didn’t stop being our children. They may have stopped being “happy children”, they may have stopped being in close fellowship with us their parents, but they never stopped being our children.

Folks in Psalm 51, David wasn’t an unconvertred man coming to be saved, he was a converted man coming to be forgiven and cleansed.

David prayed, “Purge me” Psalms 51:7 Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Why did David mention hysop? Hysop is a little shrub which the Jews used for sprinkling blood and water in differeent levitical purifications.

For example when a leper was cured of his disease, the priest would examine him and declare him clean. Then the priest and the leper went through an interesting ritual described in the 14th chapter of Leviticus.
The healed leper would bring two birds an earthen jar some scarlet material and some hyssop. The two men would go out to some running water and do a strange thing. They would put one of the birds into the clay jar and kill it. Then they would sprinkle some of the blood on the living bird and turn it loose. The priest would then use the hyssop to sprinkle some of the blood on the healed leper. This was a picture of what Jesus did for us! His death and resurrection.

Birds aren’t supposed to be stuffed into clay jars! One day the Lord Jesus came down from the heavens and as it were put Himself into a clay jar - He took on a human body. Do you know why?
That He might die on the cross and shed His blood for the sins of the world. Jesus died for our sins, but rose again from the dead. Jesus went back to heaven; where He now reprersents us. His blood has paid the price for all sin and we can through faith in Him be forgiven and cleansed.

According to I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. How? By shedding His blood for us! THAT IS THE HIGH COST OF CLEANSING SIN!

Plainly....
“Our sin put Jesus on the cross”
Isaiah 53:4-8 He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

· John 1:29 Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
· Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity
· I Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the cross

WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU REALLY STOPPED TO CONSIDER THE HIGH COST OF CLEANSING SIN?

Zechariah 13:6 And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.