“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!.