Southland Global Missions of WV - The High Cost of Sinning

The High Cost Of Sinning..

Watchman: Billy Blankenship 5/27/2010

******************************

Mark 8: 34... And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

{The opposite of the deception taught today-on so called Christian Television.}

35... For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall find it.

36... And what shall it profit a man, if he should gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

37... Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

There is only one way to lose a soul, and that is through sin! There is nothing more important, and as precious to God-as a soul. This message is the story of a man, who but for the mercies of God, would be in hell today. Although we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, there are great and terrible consequences for others also, due to the sins we commit.

If at times we would think of the many people we could hurt, and the shame we could cause others, we might be more cautious as to our sin of the moment. Oh, yes, the Bible tells us, that the pleasures of sin are "but for a moment (season)", but the heartache that results, can last a lifetime. Although many times the body will heal itself, the scars that remain can sometimes last a lifetime.

May we look at the terrible results of sin in this message, and, also take courage that there is still hope, if we turn to God. May we see each progressive step, as sin so deceivingly leads a step at a time, until it has destroyed the individual, which is it's intended purpose. The thief cometh but for to steal, kill, and destroy. may we watch closely, as we live in such terrible days of apostasy and compromise in many of our churches and ministries today. It is apostasy, not revival that is sweeping our nation, and it seems to be picking up momentum.

DAVID STOPPED TO REST!

2^nd Samuel, 11:1... And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.

2...And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David rose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof, he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.

3... And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, and the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

4... And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; and she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned to her house.

5... And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.

MANY QUESTIONS TO ASK!

There are many questions to ask, and some of them we will cover later. But I wish to show the progression of the first sin David committed. In describing this incident, we can see that the problem lay in the area of "temptation". Notice that verse 2, tells us that.she was beautiful to look up on. It did not say to "glance at"! David did more than take a glance.

Many have been the Ministers of the gospel, that have fought criticism-hatred-strife-jealousy-gossip-lies-and even failed take-over's of the Church, that have fallen helplessly it seems over some woman. They seem to have been rendered lifeless, as the sin of lust creeps in. David had fought, and was victorious, over bears-Giants-and even killed thousands of the enemies of Israel, but seemed powerless to fight his own lust that day, when he took that long look at the beauty of Bathsheba.

James 1:12-14...Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

In some of the questions one might ask, are: "Did Bathsheba willingly consent to David's advances"? We will never know, but, be sure, that the heartache that resulted from this "affair" as it is called today, caused her much anguish and pain also. She could have told David: "My husband is on the front lines fighting for you right now O, King, this is not right"! "If he finds out, he will be devastated, and our marriage will be ruined"! It appears that her next concern was, "not being unfaithful, but the surprise that she was pregnant"!

This could pose a great problem for her-and her husband, as well as David, and all that knew him. Nothing can send fear through a man's heart much faster, than to hear from the woman he has just had an affair (committed adultery) with, "I am with child"!

BE SURE YOUR SINS WILL FIND YOU OUT!

If ever there was a thing we can be sure of, it is this fact-your sins will find you out! Now, or later! Notice this please. We have no record where David sent for Bathsheba but this "one time". Still yet, this was "the one time" she got pregnant! Some times, man can seemingly go for months, or even years with out being caught up in his sins. Other times, he may just "sin one time", and have his sin revealed. What can David do? He knows that some of his servants already know what he has done. If Bathsheba shows up in public later, many people are going to want to know about the baby, (especially her husband).

There is little doubt, that David's mind was racing. What was he to do? He never expected this, especially the first time. Gossip would travel like wildfire! He must put a lid on this as quickly as possible, before anyone, or everyone finds out what he has done. Then he has a brilliant idea! "Send for the husband"!

6...And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.

I hope this works-I am sure David was thinking. If I can pull this off, no one will ever be the wiser. (Except Bathsheba, the servants, and David).

7...And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered.

David already knew how Joab did! Joab was the one he asked to send Uriah to him. Also, David was not worrying on "how the people did, or the war prospered". He had one concern, getting Uriah to his house.

8...And David said to Uriah, go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.

Here we see deception at it's best. We first see "adultery"-then " attempted cover-up", then "deception". Sin, leads on and on! It never gets better, only worse. I can almost picture David, as he looks at Uriah-knowing that he has just slept with his wife, while Uriah was risking his very life fighting for him. Did he feel any remorse? That we will never know, but we do know that David is leading Uriah on in deception, or at least is trying to do so.

9...But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his Lord, and went not down to his house.

These could well have been the same servants, that went after Bathsheba for David.

10...And when they (perhaps again the same servants that brought the message to David that Bathsheba was pregnant) had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? Why then didst thou not go down to thine house?

11...And Uriah said unto David, the ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to east and drink, and to lie with my wife? As thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing. {Emphasis mine}

It looks like everything is falling apart for David! Nothing seems to be working. What else could he do at this time? Ah, Ha- I've got it David thought.

12...And David said to Uriah, tarry here today also, and tomorrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.

13...And when David had called him, he did eat and drink befoe him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but he went not down to his house.

RUNNING OUT OF OPTIONS?

Well that did it! What man wouldn't go to be with his wife, especially coming in from battle, and, especially if he is drunk? David is running out of options. SIN WILL ALWAYS CAUSE YOU TO RUN OUT OF OPTIONS, SOONER OR LATER. SOMETIMES SOONER, AND SOMETIMES LATER! BUT RUN OUT YOU WILL! David has tried kindness-deception-and now even made his servant drunk in this failed cover-up. What is left to do? Always remember dear reader, when you think you have gone just about as far as you can go into sin, THE DEVIL WILL TAKE YOU ONE STEP FURTHER!

There seems to be only one option left, and David goes for it. This is so sad, as we see this great king, this true warrior-being led by the Devil, a step at a time. Who do you think was giving David all of these failed plans? David perhaps thought that HE was just thinking them up, but Satan was behind all of them. The Devil is behind all sin!

Well, there is nothing left but the last option. It had all boiled down to this final decision. All because of what started out to be "a nice stroll on the roof of the kings house"-V2.. Not many people start out to do something really bad. They just do something that doesn't seem too bad at first, and more and more they get involved, until they are in over their heads so to speak. The next two verses, are two of the saddest verses in the bible in my opinion.

14...And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.

15...And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten and die.

Notice how SIN HARDENS! David has gone from-deception-drunkenness-to MURDER, to cover up the "first sin" of adultery! David let Uriah carry his own death warrant! The character, faithfulness, and love that Uriah had for David, is greatly needed today in the hearts of men. How many people today are behind bars, as they first started out to rob just one bank-burglarize one store-smoke one joint-sniff one tube of glue-pop one pill-sell one bag of pot-cheat on the wife-or husband just one time. A little at a time, the virtue is gone-the freedom is gone-the family is gone-and many times the life is gone.

It all starts out many times like David-just ONE affair. And one thing leads to another, as you try to cover up the first sin. SIN KILLS-IT ROBS-IT DESTROYS- GOD'S WORD SAYS SO! What started out as an adulterous act, has now led to the place where David is about to have a man murdered, and it appears that it doesn't even bother him at this point. The main thing is: HE MUST COVER IT UP!

16...And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.

17...And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab; and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.

18.The Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;

19...And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matter of the war unto the king,

20...And if so be the king's wrath arise, and he say unto thee, wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? Knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?

21...then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

25...Then David said unto the messenger, thus shalt they say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as the other: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him.

FINALLY IT'S COVERED UP!

Notice the progression of David's heart? No big deal David said: "The sword kills one as well as the other". He has just ordered the murder of one of his OWN MEN, and it seems to not even phase him. Sins hardens! One Evangelist mentioned on Radio some many months ago: "I had gotten to the place where I did not think that anything could stop me"! "I didn't think that I would ever get caught". But he did! Today, his ministry lies very weakened. What started out as a few flings with some prostitutes, led to him apologizing on National television of his sins.

Another large Ministry has come under fire lately, as the founder was accused of paying off his employee nearly a half million dollars, to keep him from revealing a "homosexual affair"! Although the Minister says it was not true, the entire world knows of what was published in a very large California News paper. Someone said: God forgives all sin! Not true! God does not forgive any sin, but He will forgive the sinner if he asks in true repentance. God always deals with sin!

When it looks like you are getting away with sin, many times you get reckless. One step leads to another, and eventually the bible again proves to be true-BE SURE (no need to doubt, or worry) you can be sure your sins WILL find you out. I told a young dope pusher a few years ago, I said: "Son, if you do not stop what you are doing, you will be the only person alive that I know of, that has made God a liar"! You will reap what you sow. Your sins will find you out! Well it looks like David finally pulled it off. It's all over now, or is it?

BATHSHEBA WEEPS

26...And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.

27...And when the mourning was past , David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.

We may ask the question sometimes, "why did God allow David to go so far in sin"? Was he not God's anointed? Couldn't He have just spoken to him, and turned him around? Can a man anointed by God, drift into sin? Well that is pretty obvious isn't it? I see Ministries today on TV, some at one time who had the touch of God on their life, who now have thrown it all away, for filthy lucre (money), and have conjured up some of the mostly ungodly-unbiblical doctrines imagined to man today.

Like David, at first they were just small "stories", that grew into outright lies, and then, into twisting the Word of God, and taking out of context plain scriptures in the bible. They now can give a prophecy, see visions, talk to God an angels, as if they were sitting next to them in the studio. What will happen to them? Just like David, "THE THINGS THEY ARE DOING, DISPLEASE THE LORD"!

So far, we have David committing adultery, having a man killed, now he is taking his wife. David did little in secret! Joab knew what David meant by putting Uriah in the front of the battle, and leaving him. Do you think that Joab could really trust David after that? If David would do that to one of his own soldiers, what would prevent him from doing the same to Joab, if David thought the circumstance merited it? When we sin, we not only hurt our standing with the Lord, but we also destroy the confidence of others around us.

I have watched Radio Stations, and TV Stations, as they refuse to give air time to some of the Evangelists who have fallen. Exposure is the life blood to some of these men. No exposure-no money!

THE LORD SENT A MAN! THE LORD ALWAYS SENDS A MAN!

Chapter 12:1...AND the Lord sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.

2...The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:

3...But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drink of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.

4...And there came a traveler unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.

5...And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die.

6...And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.

{Is it possible, that David could get so mad over the "stealing of a lamb", and still not see the terrible sin of murder that he himself had done?} Sin is blinding, we see many times "what we want to see", and no more. David would have the man killed that would steal a little lamb, yet think nothing of stealing a mans wife and having her husband killed!.

7.And Nathan said to David, thou art the man.

Let us notice a few things at this point. It appears that, if David had any "feelings of remorse at all about his first encounter with Bathsheba", he had certainly lost all of them now. He had just had a man murdered, took his wife, and now has a Son by her. I can not believe with the greatest stretch of the imagination, that David did not know what Nathan was talking about, in the parallel story of both the stolen lamb, and, he and Bathsheba!

Did David know Nathan? Could he not tell that God had sent him, and that he was finally being confronted with Uriah's murder, and wife stealing? If he did not, it only shows that the farther we go into sin, the more calloused and hard we get, until we get to the place where we cannot even discern right from wrong. In confronting David, Nathan said:

9...Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight? Thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken HIS wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

Notice also, that in this particular sin, David broke four of God's Ten Commandments!

Exodus 20: 13.Thou shalt not kill.

14. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

15.Thou shalt not steal.

17.Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's.

Do you think, that David thought, or knew, of all the commandments he was breaking with this ONE sin? "Do any of us think of the seriousness of the sins we commit"? Another thing I want to mention, many people say: "If you think about it, you might just as well do it!" God looks on the heart they say.

Matthew 5:28...But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Doesn't that prove that you might just as well commit adultery, if you lust after someone? A thousand times no! It is true, you have committed adultery in your heart spiritually, but the consequences are far from the same literally! What if David had only "lusted" after Bathsheba, would he have broken the Commandment in Exodus 20:13..and 14?

Would he have killed Uriah, if he had only "lusted" after his wife? Would he have lost his young Son-and all of the following heartaches that happened to him after he had committed adultery, if he had only "lusted" after his wife? You can plan to rob a bank, and in God's eyes, you have already done what your heart has set out to do, but, until you actually rob that Bank, you have broken no man made laws, or harmed anyone. You will not be charged with any crime, for just planning the job!

On the other hand, you can rob the bank, and then ask God for forgiveness, and, He will do so if you are truly repentant, but, YOU WILL ALSO PAY THE STATE FOR THE CRIME YOU ACTUALLY COMMITTED, WHITHER GOD FORGIVES YOU OR NOT! So, the planning, or lusting to sin is one thing, but the consequences of actually committing the sin, is far greater. So, the answer to the question, "shouldn't you go ahead and do it, if that is what you are thinking about", the answer is rather obvious, a resounding NO! That is just another excuse to do what you want to do, to start with. Dear friend, THERE IS A HIGH PRICE FOR SINNING!

WHAT KIND OF MAN WAS NATHAN?

Nathan did not say: that David had Uriah killed! Nathan said: You killed him.you took his wife.. You are the man David! The majority of times, when God sent a Prophet to someone, he did not give them a "bless me message" like we see in many of our Churches today. It was "Thus sayeth the Lord", and you can take it or leave it. Today, what passes off as "prophecy" in our Churches, is a terrible joke.

10...Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me , and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.

11...Thus saith the Lord, behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them to thy neighbor, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of the sun.

12...For thou didst it secretly; but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.

13...And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord hath also put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

14...Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

16...And Nathan departed unto his house, and the Lord struck struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.

Notice, God said: that it was "Uriah's wife" that had David's child, and not David's wife! David took her to be his wife in 11:27, but God said she was still Uriah's wife! David began to fast and pray, but in seven days the boy died. David's servants told him that the child was dead in v 19. I have shared many scriptures in this message, but I want you to look at all of the many lives that David's ONE sin touched! God also told David, that because of his sinning, he caused others (the enemy) to blaspheme. When we sin, many times we give sinners an open way to blame God, or Christianity for what we do! "IF THAT IS A CHRISTIAN, I WANT NO PART OF IT", I HAVE HEARD MANY SAY!

Of course David not only affected his own life-but also Uriah's-Bathsheba-his child-his servants-his Captain Joab-all of David's wives 11..the loss of his Son-and all of Israel V 12. In Chapter 13:14...David's Son Amnon, raped his sister Tamar. V.29. Absalom has Amnon killed. In Ch. 15:3-4...Absalom tries to steal the kingdom from David, by talking against his father. 16:11...Absalom seeks to kill David. 18:14...Joab kills Absalom with three darts.

I will stop with all of the scriptures that tell of the heartaches of David, to spend a moment on the reason for this message. We need to realize, that our sins at times affect many around us. If a minister is caught in certain sins, he will probably not only loose his position as leader, but cause great harm to the Church-the family-friends-the neighborhood-the Organization (if he is in one). His self respect, credibility, influence, and most of all, his effectiveness for God. Sometimes, there could have been hundreds, if not thousands saved under their ministry, had they not gotten out of the will of God. Many of those may never get saved now.

Sometimes, a Minister is never used again! It does not mean that God will not forgive, but it does mean he will always carry the guilt of failing God, and many times lose the anointing he once had. David said:

Psalms 39:1...I SAID, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

41:4...I said, Lord, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.

Psalms 51:1...HAVE mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2...Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3...For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

4.Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

9...Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all of mine iniquities.

10...Create im me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

11...Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

It is certainly fitting to know, that God did blot out David's sins. The book of Psalms, was written out of experience, tears, and, a BROKEN HEART!

Oh, the tragic lesson of David, and the heartache he not only inflicted upon himself, but other also. One sin, can touch MANY LIVES! Although God can forgive, the results many times in this life, can be devastating! I do pray just now, that you take into consideration the seriousness of SIN! It destroys, kills, cripples, all that touch it's hideous deeds.

Perhaps right now, you have been thinking about sinning in some aspect of your life. Have you thought of all of the consequences, or, the end results of your act of sinning? Remember, you will touch many more lives than you can imagine, just by one act of sinning.

JESUS PAID A HIGH PRICE FOR YOUR SINNING! HE GAVE HIS VERY LIFE, ON AN OLD RUGGED CROSS ON GOLGOTHA'S HILL, SO THAT YOU MAY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE TODAY, IF YOU WILL ONLY ASK!

John 3:16...For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Do you want this "everlasting life today"? You can have it right now!

Pray right now as David prayed, "God, I truly am a sinner, forgive me of my sins, and create in me a clean heart. Help me to be the man/woman you would have me be, as I turn the control of my life over into your hands.

I realize I can't live a Christian life without your help and guidance. Help me to understand your word the Bible. Give me wisdom and understanding of your Word. Lead me to a good Bible teaching Church, one that will not compromise your Word. Help me to walk in the light of your teachings I pray. I ask it in Jesus name. Amen".

Friend, SIN is disastrous! May you take another look at the terrible end results, that just ONE sin can cause. I pray that you will trust the Lord of heaven, to guide you and lead you, in your journey in this life. He wants to do so, if you will but ask Him! May the Holy Spirit take this message, and quicken it to YOUR heart today. Remember, SIN touches more lives than just your own. Let Jesus wash you, just as David prayed today. He will do it. Bless you is my prayer. And remember:

"THERE IS A HIGH COST OF SINNING"!

If you would be so kind as to share this web site with some one else, I would greatly appreciate it, and thank you.

May God bless you, as you look to Him.

Brother Bill Blankenship

e-mail address: globaloutreach2@msn.com

Web Site: www.sigm.net