2 Samuel Chapter 15:1-8

Absalom with his own agenda promoting himself is also ripping the people because since Absalom is no guess what's not happening. These people are not even get an opportunity to talk to David or to Nathan who shows a lot of wisdom and so they're losing now so Absalom is, promoting trying to get his own agenda and Absalom begins to assume authority is not here welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee, the senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina. Today we have Neil in the studio who was one of the biggies assisting pastors welcome brother. Thanks. Welcome to all our listeners as well and will really going to get into a little sensitive of a topic today when yesterday was sharing through the trap of assuming only can do that sometimes. That's what happened with Absalom David son happen in our lives to get example of how this happened in your life. What about I'm not going to talk about all the times that I made this mistake as well, but I take what we can learn from Absalom's mistake awesome sharing verse by verse starting second Samuel chapter 15 this chapter. Continuing with the tension that is between Absalom and David and suspecting the tension might've started way back when, with Bathsheba and certainly continued as Amnon raped tomorrow, tomorrow being Absalom's sister, Absalom didn't feel like David really took appropriate action, and so Absalom planned for couple years and then kill Amnon and then ran off for a few years and then cannot work his way back in. Not sure we talked about last week measure was really time for restoration. Absalom even had yet gotten the heart needed for restoration, but you know they were kind of thrown back into it. So there's a lot of stuff that we learned last week and when we can see you know in that theory that I talked about last week that the restoration came too quickly and it also came without the fruit needed for restoration.

We see Absalom back in the kingdom, and an easement given a place in the Kings court to look and see what he does with that opportunity because it tells a lot friend what you or somebody else does, with the opportunities that that are presented to the everybody in this life in this world they get opportunities. What you make of those opportunities determines the fruit of your Christian life to a large degree. So here we are.

Second Samuel chapter 15 verse one after this it happened in all that I just said after this it happened and Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses and 50 men to run before Absalom would rise early and stand beside the weight of the gate so it was whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came looking for decision that Absalom would call to him and say what city are you from many would say your sermon is from such and such a tribe of Israel. Verse three and Absalom would say to look your case is good and right.

There is no deputy of the King to hear you is an interesting thing to see Absalom in a very clear light tonight. In this chapter we seen some things that now cause some concern before now, but tonight were going to see some things that absolutely display the carnality or the flesh leanness or the selfishness of his heart. I think in the video week. We need to understand the work in the world if you will, in a world of Absalom. But here's what we need to do as we look to this chapter will see several people in different ways we can identify what each one of them see each one of us has these decisions to make. Of and act like a David or we can act like a Absalom act like SSL so we can see these things. So Absalom is not their liquid is put your case is good right but there's no deputy of the king. Now we point out some he had been brought back to the Kings court part of being in the Kings court was that you would assess the king and help in making decisions to get back to Exodus chapter 18 when I return there, but that's where something very important came in the play in the body of Christ in the Bible, Moses was trying to hear all the things that everybody had to say in that passage in a story Jethro his father-in-law comes up and says what you do should you don't listen all day. These people commonly tell me the problems I make the decisions of the people wait all day listen to them all day and just a vision of what you do is not good is not good for the people is not good for you and if you don't learn how to delegate your going to die, paraphrased with the Jethro's. As you know, this is this is what you need to do is get 70 elders, people who you can trust that are mature in the Lord you've known for a while and let them help you with the people and if they bring something to them that they can't handle, then they can always bring it to you and it was a great great thing that happened that day that delegation another 70 people ended up the form, the Sanhedrin of the Sanhedrin, which was not always a bad thing that we we fast-forward and you see in the time of Jesus, and it had gotten corrupted and messed up.

And where was a bad thing but in the beginning it was a beautiful thing, a way to help Moses and David had these men in place but Absalom is saying in there's nobody here to hear you Absalom with his own agenda promoting himself is also written the people because since Absalom is doing this. Guess what's not happening. These people are not even get an opportunity to talk to David or to Nathan who shows a lot of wisdom and so they're losing now, let's remember that in the last chapter in chapter 14. Remember the woman that came to David and told him the story will obviously you could get the David and you could sit with David, but so Absalom is cannot promote and trying to get his own agenda and even if these people could've gotten the David personally think I got to David's trusted advisors in these wise men that were in the court but Absalom begins to assume authority is not his first life lesson we should avoid the trap of assuming authority.

We have not been given we should avoid the trap of assuming authority. We have not been given. What is it look like when we when we were walking in that trap. Some of the statements start out like this, you know, VP. But you're not.

But we say that sometimes don't you know you know what I do will list talk to them in the were president, you would have access to information you don't have now so you can't say what decision you would make in that point you can't say well about president we never would've done you know what he had information that you didn't happen. So for you to say that is inappropriate, especially for semi-this is a following Jesus maybe had news that how about if I was balls if I was balls.

I wouldn't do it like to do it like that.

Here again the balls probably has information that you don't have hopefully made good decisions about things with more information. He but anything that you fill in that way if I was pastor I know nobody in here's ever said that would leave you, and I was pastor I do like this. I do like, but that's assuming authority that you haven't been given, and this is what Absalom is doing the job the skies out duck hunting and all day even got to shoot a document is going.

He's walking back to his truck and what expenses ponders three ducks sit in on the plot. There's a farmer you leaning against the tree and walked to the farm because it's a what you been able shoot in any ducks today should I give you five dollars if you let me take three shots she took guy walks over there in the shotgun shoot three times at the Dotson box. All three ducks that takes and puts him in his carryback walks past the godliness is that under triggers well game is five dollars because I guess I got the best of that bargain men on the tree so I don't know that's not my pond, those are my ducks assuming authority that God hasn't given now. Again, you know, we Absalom is saying here is simply not true. But how effective is very effective. All I know David doesn't he so busy he doesn't have time for you but me.

I'm willing to listen to you. Look at verse four.

Moreover, Absalom would say all that were made judging the land and everyone who has any suit or calls would come to me, then I would given justice yet understand what Absalom is doing is not being a man of God is not being a godly leader. What's he doing he's being a great politician any and as I watched some slamming by mentioning the you've been around for very long, UV, and all of it boils down to I can do it better than the guy who was before me and I can do it better than all the other people that you're considering voting for. As a matter fact, if you vote for me all your dreams.

Look under the sway bullet down, and that's really what you have is a realistic no because whoever we vote in for president is going to be facing challenges and problems that even right now that they can't even measure because they've never had that office. But they're willing to make all sorts of big promises all six unemployment all fix education, fix this and all six that and so that's what Absalom is doing really. He's running a political campaign verse five and so it was whenever anyone came near to bow down to them that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss so this remember something there in the gate. Now the gate was the place where you went to have your trials in and helps you get help and making decisions and stuff like that was an important place listening to Pastor David McGee on cross the bridge will be back with more than just a moment but first, if you haven't been to our website@crossthebridge.com yet you waiting for go to cross the bridge.com to learn more about how listeners like you are helping get the life-changing truth of God's word to more people to the radio, Internet and mobile technologies across the bridge.com you can also check out our broadcast schedule. Listen to more teaching from Pastor David and sign up for Pastor David's free daily devotional there's more thereto, so visit cross the bridge.com today. Now here's Pastor David as he continues showing verse by verse verse six. In this manner, Absalom acted toward all Israel came to the king for judgment, so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel very interesting verse.

So these people were coming where to the king, but it was talking to Absalom, always Absalom talent them pretty much whatever they want to hear look at this promise in verse four absences and I was judge everybody who came would get to come to me, that number one he's never been king. He has no idea what's on his father, and then he says I would give him justice that's impossible that Absalom is making the promise that everybody that came to him, he would give them justice as they see fit, interesting, and see the comparison difference between David and Absalom. How did David well first of all, how did David get the hearts of the people of Israel. He won them in Steelman he won their hearts through sacrifice and service through sacrifice and service, manipulating and pulling heartstrings in Galway. Speaking to the king all helped out talk to you about skiing� So he's pulling these heartstrings and listeners and when it says stole the hearts the hearts aren't just the physical beating hearts it's more the heart is also the mind and in the and and so Absalom is gaining this in and it's been said you know whatever is gained easily can usually be lost so he's gaining access but at guineas, duping them, tell them what they want to hear. Thought occurred to me as is looking at this verse and looking at Absalom's interaction with we all kind of at some point in our life some situation. What we want to talk to somebody about Matthew question. When you get to that point you want to hear from somebody you want to hear from David or you want to hear from Absalom. Now, in reality, let's be honest we we really in our flesh and entered selfishness. We will talk to Absalom because Absalom ago can't believe he did that you are just not right you know your own problem is that you know you exited your mom and nurse you long enough as a baby, that's your problem, and then you go all KT I thought I was messed up but it was my mom. Praise God, even some helpful in our flash. That's what we will and must just be honest the spirit is not, then it's not our fault. And we read into this and Absalom never took any monies that you know you're wrong fact even paints a picture that you know of everybody comes to me about working at ready comes me will be right can be as a pastor there some pastors out there that tend to pastor this way everything we are nothing tearful, you're not responsible for anything. And part of that appeals to we think okay I make sense. It's somebody else's fault. See the Bible even predicted that this day was coming in second Timothy chapter 4 verse three it says for a time is coming when people no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and follow strange myths as a Bible teacher I will tell you things sometimes that you really want to hear that you need to hear that God loves you and God wants a relationship with you. God wants to forgive you and God is a gracious God simply think you email but along the way.

I will have to mention some things that you don't want to hear and if I don't mention those things that we don't talk about those things in the be honest, I'm not really doing my job is pastor in a pastor, a boss or a leader king is that upon them that sometimes they would have to say things that people don't want to hear. Now in this background. Let me let me mention one other thing, because it looks like there are certain songs in the book of Psalm there certain times it. David wrote while he was in exile from Jerusalem and it seems to indicate that David had some kind of illness going at this time which makes Absalom, even the more sinister in that he see an opportunity in that his dad second. Why is that a sick and possibly unavailable is the time he chooses to sit at the gate and and hear these people. Now what is Absalom doing that is so detrimental to the nation of his calls and division and division is a very hurtful thing in any organization, but especially so to the people of God or to the body of Christ. That's how we take division seriously here. Here's what the Bible has to say in Romans chapter 16 is it not heard your brother know those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctor and what you learn and avoid them. Avoid him is another place. It says once they cause a division once they been warned.

Send them on their way. Don't put up with it. It seems like from the Bible from the New Testament that the vision is one of the more serious things are at least has the moat more serious consequences. In the New Testament division. Why is that because it's so destructive to the body of Christ be honest before, became pastor at and understand that but being a pastor of scene how people get hurt or division in the be honest it that that's the part that that bugs me.

It's not that some I might say this about me about leadership of the church, but that I know when they're doing that people are going to get hurt. And sometimes they're the ones that are going to get hurt or their family is the one is going to get her people to get hurt so I cringe when I hear these things, but you need to apply this first month because only guarantee everybody in here hasn't Absalom and David in their life right now you got these people in your life, what you need to do is figure out who's a David who's in Absalom, and you can mark a number one by their fruit number two by what they say.

You know it is there somebody in your life that there constantly. Well you know what's wrong with the church. We know it's all the pastor we know what's wrong with them. More than likely that's in Absalom that's in Absalom and so what does the Bible say to do so as to avoid them while the Bibles tell you to completely avoid the whole people group because it's destructive to your spiritual wife because you listen to that long enough and it begins to harden your heart in that and then you begin the kind of view everything through that land. All that's like that because of this, and I can't believe that so you have to make the decision and you know that there may be an Absalom in your life that you really love you really care about the Bible is very plain so you have to avoid the talent you know what what you're saying right now sounds a lot like something Absalom but they don't understand that story safe. We know what what you're saying is destructive or what you're saying is causing division. I can't listen to any I had to completely cut off relationships because of this had to scripturally.

I had no choice. It's difficult. That's what the Bible says Paul uses strong words and that in that room and pass it. He says urge you hear the strength urge your brother avoid verse seven now it came to pass after 40 years, Absalom said to the king. Please let me go to have running pain, about which I made to the Lord. One thing written notice to is the ones and you might've disabled guy that was really strong. You know to avoid the Absalom. But you know what Britta see in the next couple chapters, what happens to those who follow Absalom friend is not good is not good one because they followed Absalom and they they didn't mark those who were causing division and avoidance of some strong but it's for your spiritual benefit, but since 40 years. It could be that that was four years because there's one it will get know that another time there's some challenges in the Hebrew numbering system will save it for another top. It could be literally 40 years from the time the David was anointed, Absalom is absolutely line he saying you know what I want to go pay the valve which I made to the Lord. He's absolutely line to is that he's line the David were to see this verse eight, for your servant took a bow while I dwell assurance area saying in the Lord indeed brings me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord Absalom just gives us so much gunpowder to shooting with in this chapter. Look at this statement and it's a convicting one, to warn you before we dig into it. Look what he says is the Lord indeed brings her back to Judaism and I will serve the Lord will little bit okay is then their spouse don't raise your hands to this, but there's probably people in this room that have said something like that. They got God.

If you get me out of this. I will never do this again, at least not till Monday or next week and then somehow God listens and honors those prayer get you out of a situation. Guess what happened you do the same thing again friend are you attaching conditions to serve the Lord will guide.

If you do this then I'll do that.

Are you negotiating with God. Are you in a place where you can negotiate with God like that limits even stronger is that an attempt to manipulate God got if you do this then I'll do that. If that's true friend.

What is your motivation in serving one serving God because he did that he did what well you know I gave in that ultimatum, and God did what was best for him to hook me up some outgoing server care. When you think like that you're always going to find a reason not to serve God. You just always find it in that if then scenario God you would lead me to the perfect church. Then I would serve you. Guess what, you never gotta worry about serving God and I had more time if you could give me 28 hours a day and give everybody else 24 hours a day, then I would serve what is different what is your reason/excuse for not serving God. I've heard a lot of maybe not all of them but most of them can honestly say I've never think I've ever heard one that was that was valid that it was then scenario and here's why I say that because that little statement, it says a lot about Absalom, but says he got got.

If you do this then I'll serve you whose shadow is he standing shadow of King David, son of King David King David who said you only take on Goliath. I'm there man whether I live or die, I'm yours took on a bear took on a lien David who ran from Saul for years because Saul was trying to killing and yet God. David never spoke against God.

He didn't even speak against all even could take his life twice and then even in this country to killing and David had such an incredible heart towards God.

He said you know what I'm I don't touch God's anointed God.

Let me know what I'm supposed to be king while compare that to Absalom.

Absalom was in line to be king think there was probably some talk already that perhaps it was going to be Solomon. Maybe, maybe not. Maybe just wanted it right then. Only you look at the life of Joe incredible testimony, just as this decision on God can kill me. I can see blaming serve that man is that your heart are is your heart, like Absalom in your place and conditions on your service to God friend you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven. You can know right now only Legion a short simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him.

God want you to pray this prayer so much that he died to give you the opportunity and the ability to ask him to forgive you. Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now. Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I could have a new life not done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry.

Please forgive me of all those things. Please give me the power to live for you. All of my days in Jesus name, amen it friend if you prayed that prayer according to the Bible you've been forgiven you've been born again. Jesus said he would not turn anybody away who comes to him and he came for those people who knew they needed forgiveness. Those who were sick, not the righteous to congratulations for you just made the greatest decision that you will ever make. God bless you, if you prayed that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you.

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Thanks again for listing folks and we hope you join us next time. As we continue studying post flavors from section 7