The High Cost Judges 16:15-21 03/23/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles

The High Cost Introduction Most of us are conscious of the cost of items. 28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? (Luke 14:28, NIV)

The High Cost We need to consider the cost of our actions. How will that impact my life? How will it impact the life of others around me? What will it cost?

The High Cost 15 Then she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when you won't confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven’t told me the secret of your great strength.”

The High Cost 16 With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired to death. (Judges 16:15-16)

The High Cost 17 So he told her everything. “No razor has ever been used on my head,” he said, “because I have been a Nazirite set apart to God since birth. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man.” (Judges 16:17)

The High Cost 18 When Delilah saw that he had told her everything, she sent word to the rulers of the Philistines, “Come back once more; he has told me everything.” So the rulers of the Philistines returned with the silver in their hands. (Judges 16:18)

The High Cost 19 Having put him to sleep on her lap, she called a man to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him. And his strength left him. (Judges 16:19)

The High Cost 20 Then she called, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had left him. (Judges 16:20, NIV)

The High Cost 21 Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding in the prison. 22 But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved. (Judges 16:21-22, NIV)

The High Cost The Real Tragedy Not in what Delilah did… Not in what the Philistines did… The real tragedy is what Samson did to himself! 20 But he did not know that the LORD had left him. (v. 20)

The High Cost The High Cost of Sin. Sin Blinds. Sin Binds.

The High Cost 16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? (Romans 6:16, NIV)

The High Cost 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:14-15, NIV)

The High Cost Sin Grinds. Sin blinds…binds…and grinds!

The High Cost The Lesson: Consider the cost. Choose to walk with God Enjoy His blessings not His judgment

The High Cost 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (Gal 6:7-8, NIV)

The High Cost Avoid the tragedy of a wasted life. Consider the cost of sin to ourselves and to those around us. Choose the way of obedience and blessing.

The High Cost Judges 16:15-21 03/23/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles