2 Samuel Chapter 15:1-29

To do something but yours was the way to Malloy.

And if you try to go off on your own timetable you calls people out of pain. Can you tell it's God's time frame. I talked to people who have good fruit in their life that seem spiritually mature for you.

This is what God has laid on my heart. You think it's time to do this another thing to look for is there an open door in the doors not yet open doesn't mean it's always good to be closed. But it's not yet open, so it may not be God.

Time to do good to cross the bridge with David McGee, the senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville. Most Carolina. Today we have meal in the studio who was one of the these assisting pastors welcome brother yet. Bob, good to be here with you again today and today working to be talking about if were going to be doing things God's way. It includes doing them in God's time.

I want to do it in my timing but I'm ready for Bob, did you hear the things that you said I want to do on my timing in my own way and so can't be doing it God's way. If you're choosing our time and so Pastor Davis could be sharing that with us today. I hope it helps some difficult subject second Samuel chapter 15 as you continue sharing 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.

Not sure 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 without opportunity because it tells a lot friend what you or someone 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 in Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses and 50 men the 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 Tom and say what city are you from many would say your sermon is from such and such a tribe of Israel. Verse three and in Absalom would say to look your case is good and right. There is no deputy of the King to hear you. Moreover, Absalom would say all that were made judge in the land and everyone who has any suit or calls would come to me, then I would give them justice. And so it was whenever anyone came near to bow down to them that he would put out his hand and take him and kissing 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 now came to pass after 40 years, Absalom said to the king. Please let me go to have chronic pain, about which I made to the Lord. One thing that I noticed shoe is the ones at any might've disabled guy was really strong. You know to avoid the Absalom. But you know what you 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 verse eight, for your servant took a bow while I dwell assurance area same 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 arm and a warning before we dig into it. Look what he says is the Lord indeed brings her back to yours and I will serve the Lord will 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 his 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 God. 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 God while 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 hook me as an 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 in 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, 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, the son of King David King David who said God you only take Goliath on their 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 Gotti's as you know I'm I don't touch God's anointed.let me know what I'm supposed to be king while compare that to Absalom. Verse nine David ever gracious and the king said to him, go in peace, so he arose and went to have brought first and then Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel sent as soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, Absalom rains and have Absalom never intended to go and worship God. The whole thing was just utter deceit and the fact that he could do that in such a unit mislead his father, dad, I'm going to serve the Lord, all the while he's intending to try to take over the kingdom really deceitful and really tells us a lot about again Absalom spiritual condition that the email to fling around the name of God in the service of God like that he has no love nor in appreciation for the Lord.

I don't. And again.

The interesting thing is had Absalom waited. He very well could have been king. He was the next in line. It would've been a big deal for David a skip over him to go to Solomon.

I'm not saying he wouldn't have done it or what going to do it anyway but at least it would have been a bigger deal. But Absalom was not willing to wait some time just us to do something, but yours was to wait on the Lord, and if you try to go off on your own timetable because people out of pain is next life wasn't doing things God's way includes doing them in God's time doing things God's way includes doing them in God's time.

How can you tell if it's God's time. Talk to people around talk to people who have good fruit in their life that seem spiritually mature and so you know this is what God has laid on my heart. You think it's time to do this or not. Another thing to look for is there an open door in which to step through the doors not yet open doesn't mean it's always good to be closed. But it's not yet open, so it may not be God's time to do that.

Verse 11 with Absalom went 200 men invited from Jerusalem look at this and they went along innocently and did not know anything I didn't know what was going on, Absalom us a total got here like church service.

Yeah that's it. This thing the got an engineer in writing. They didn't know was going on and that's the way you know a lot of times division happen.

Somebody there. There's a lack of information. Somewhere in there and people take advantage of that lack of information. Absalom then go these minutes and you know I'm certain rebellion. Want to join you in the belly asking the insane. Why didn't he say that because people are called the number causing division.

Rarely do they ever say fellow writers is a really divisive statement so these 200 guys can get sucked into this. Verse 12 and Absalom sent for a hit. The fill the Guillen I David's counselor from his city from God low while he offered sacrifices in the conspiracy grew strong for the people with Absalom continually increased in number. Scott hit the fills extremely interesting. It's rare that I'll go forward with go with me to chapter 16 verse 23 because I want to look at this verse. This fellow was gifted by God incredibly smart man at second Samuel chapter 16 verse 23 says now the advice of a handsome fellow what you gave in those days was everyone had inquired at the oracle of God. So was all the advice of the hit the fill, both with David and with Absalom the flip back to this chapter. I think when David heard that a hit the fellow I don't ever. David was more concerned with the fell had been his friend had been his confidante. As a matter fact in the book of Psalms when it says you know when I was glad to go to house Lord menu and company. We went to the house Lord together. That was probably written by David about his three look a little deeper in the life of Phil just 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 what are 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 and there's more thereto, so visit cross the bridge.com today. Now here's Pastor David as he continue showing verse by verse, verse 13 now messenger came and they would say in the hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom and help us to grieve. David is done all these things and shed blood and an fault in and yet now this announcement that the men of Israel were laughing and yet you know David all times. Going mantises, this is horrible fruit. This is because remember, Nathan said the source can always be in your and what David is watching unfold in front of his eyes is some of the fruit of the bad fruit. Verse 14 today Vincent said all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem arise and let us flee or we shall escape from Absalom, make haste to the part lest he ever take a suddenly and bring disaster upon us and strike the city with the edge of the sword was David afraid yes and no. Will was David afraid of Absalom or was he afraid of battle are afraid of the fight absolutely no was David afraid of people getting hurt.

Yes, he was, and I believe that was one of his main motivators in getting out of the city. He didn't want to see the city engaged in civil war and he saw was going that way. And so he said you know what really really get out here so that the city is not destroyed by the civil I think a very brave thing. Very courageous thing that doesn't look brave on the face of but here's a think a godly leader is always fearful of people get hurt.

Always fearful of people get hurt. I think those names fairly people he knew people going here. Here's his life as it when ever there is division people get hurt sometimes as a person causing division, sometimes as a person listening to division, but people always get hurt and division. That's why you know again I cringe and anything will don't you get used to be people, people been divisive as a church is not a man may never get used to, because every time I hear I don't think wow that hurts me, or that wounds me are I don't even think Gina, what are some people follow. I just know people in their I know people are going to get hurt when it comes that is what grieves me and I think that's Tina David wants to get the battle out because he doesn't want the women and the children of the city engaged in the civil verse 15 and the king servants said to the king.

We are your servants ready to do whatever my lord the king commands in that awesome is this commitment.

You can see commitment from then and also from from cement and I notice what they didn't they didn't compensate David.

Here's what you here's what you should do. Plan David. David says leave the city. You know some of her thinking city batboy but did they say that not they were waiting to see the level of commitment.

I'm sure some of them disagreed with that plan to leave the city.

They said you know that insight will David, I think I'll do this, David. Think how to do that is know what you're looking what everything more with for 16 then the king went out with all his household after him, but the king left 10 women concubines to keep the house and the king went out with all the people after him and stopped at the Elster then all his servants passed before and all acaricides and all the Palatines know they get tight 600 men who would follow him from getting past before the king and then the king said to tie the get type why are you also going when this return and remain with the king, for you are foreigner, also in exile from your own place. I think what David get out of town to her thinking he needed time to think in Paris he would not be human if he wasn't upset. He wasn't hurt, and I think he did not want to make a decision about what to do and how to do it in the midst of this in and get mountain and praying to give himself some time was think would be a good thing. And also you think they would want to fight Absalom. I think as we read on Scripture to bear that I don't think they would want to fight Absalom's samples can be forced into what is kinda sad because well known around the story of you haven't read ahead. It's not getting in well with Absalom. If you ignore figure that one out and I think David and avoiding the small battles with his son lost a big bow parents take note of that because sometimes you may have to hurt your child in a an emotional sensor in that small battles so that the don't lose the big bout what every parent has to battle the will of the job that's just and only people sitting here going that's wrong you don't have kids okay because when you have children there. It set up your will against their will. There's just you know.

And if you're trying to be your child's best friend. I'm sorry it's not because at some point there's going to be that this agreement and your site look the mom, dad, you're not. And in this is the way were going to do. The reality is if you don't have a small battles with your children.

There can engine themselves in a big bout as good or for worse than a little look at the difference again in verse 19 the king says the anti-he says you know I got gone back.

Contrast that to Absalom. Absalom trying to gather all these people name is actually taking this gun sent go back to Jerusalem.

What will sort this out. I don't want to see it end badly with you now look at this statement. Here's what I believe David's not sure at this point he still will be king and part of why is leaving town is he saying you want God, whatever you want. Whatever your will is if it's for me to be king. I'll be king. It was for me not to be king I will became the man is willing to give up his kingship for God. According to the perfect will of God, how convincing is that because when God doesn't do a certain thing in a certain way and our lives. What's our reaction, don't you know you know what you're doing, don't you know the way I want this to go when you're agreeing with God and the things in your life.

Not all gotta see the wisdom what I see the wisdom in that Lord, I see the wisdom and give me lots of money. Lord I see the wisdom and blasphemy Lorenzi with all own thing but then let it go the other way would he do dance when it plays out with you really and submission are not when you don't agree with God and in the authority structure relationship you can't tell whether your and submission to your boss or whoever until you disagree with and then you find out whether submission weathers agreement. David is in complete submission to God. If it goes the way he wants it, that's fine. If it doesn't, he's okay to verse 20. David continues talking a Tiny is, in fact, you came only yesterday. Should I make you wander up and down with us today. Since I go I know not where return and take your brothers back.

Mercy and truth be with you human wisdom and logic. David would've been gathering every body he could to fight against. But what's David's heart to bless people a decision.

I don't know where I'm going. Want to go back to Jerusalem. His trust in God. Where's that trust come from David saying it over and over.

He stood before the huge man Goliath with just a sling and a son and a new doesn't take much to take down the enemies of God, but he was looking after this, meanwhile, Absalom's manipulating people to follow verse 21 but it's I answer the king and set as the Lord lives in is my lord the king lives.

Surely, in whatever place my lord the king shall be whether death or life even there.

Also, your servant will be like in the commitment.

These people have the David. This had to be a blessing. David now why were they committed the David because again, David proven himself through service and sacrifice, and you understand as a believer there should be. There should be commitments in your life there certain things you should be committed to you should be committed to God. Obviously should be committed to family.

Obviously you should be committed to a church.

This church, but if this is your church.

You should be commended to present me just got a go along to your agreement. Note there should be a commitment commitment and I think sometimes we we throw that word around.

But these people are joint and David went out. Looks like there join in the losing side. Absalom taken over the city. He's got a hit that fell. He's got a lot of people.

And yet in the midst of that these fears and David were with were with so you have to ask yourself again we see these personalities when are you an entire unit Absalom recommitted even when things don't look good thing seem to be going poorly to just take a little thing and also your hearts divided and often and we have the capability to be there. We just we make our choices.

So David verse 22, so they would send anti-going crossover, then at the get site and all his men all at once over with and crossed over in all the country, wept with a loud voice and all the people crossed the king himself also crossed over the brook Kidron, and all the people crossed over towards the way of the wilderness verse 24. There was a dock also in all the Levites, whether bearing the ark of the covenant of God, and they sent down the ark of God. Then BFR went up into all the people would finish crossing over from the city. This is interesting because there's some prophetic significance to the things or say will read a couple verses can review back in verse 25.

Then the king said, is a dock carrying the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord. He will bring me back and show me both.

It and his dwelling place. But if he says thus I have no delight in you, here I am and let him do to me as seems good to him.

He see the heart of David.

Whatever happens, I'm okay ever hear somebody say I want what I deserve no you don't.

Seriously, don't ever say that you understand biblically what you deserve is hell. Death punishment eternally to be careful about say why what what I deserve.

I don't will what I deserve.

I will grace and mercy.

So when something occasionally bad happens is it that we get so offended when really in those moments.

Maybe I should just be personally in those moments I was getting what I deserve.

Probably not even I probably get a portion of what others are when bad things happen. I don't know I'm surprising about things happen should be surprising that the because it shows the grace and mercy of God in this part of David is just so revealing and so convicting because he's keen this isn't like you know his car broke down.

This is just like he lost his job or maybe got demoted or something like that.

This is the king of Israel, and he saying you know what he he's basically if you will casting his crown before God saying you want whatever you if you don't want me to put it back on. I will put it back on and I think this is part of why God calls David a man after his own heart. It's really astounding in ascending the ark back in May.

Would you do that. I'm so convicted I am soaking because you know some Raiders of the lost Ark you know when the darkness of the right middle column into a field and will take the lid off the sins of banking verse 27 of the king also said as they dock the piece or the priest you not a seer return to the city in peace and your two sons with the aim him as much of an son, and Jonathan, the son of BFR CI will wait in the plains of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me. Therefore, they dock and antiauthoritarian ark of God back to Jerusalem and they remained a lot of things. It just anciently knowing that if he was thinking and in the military strategy sort of way.

Friend, you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven. You can know right now own Legion.

A short simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him. 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 of you prayed that prayer according to the Bible. You've been forgiven you've been born again, so 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. You can visit crossed the bridge.com to receive our first steps package with helpful resources to help you begin your walk with Christ. You can also write to cross the bridge at PO Box 12, 515 Winston-Salem, NC 27117 and share how God is working in your life. Now before we go in the world it seems chaotic at every turn. Jesus wants you to experience peace this year want you to experience his shalom, which is wholeness, joy and hope. No matter what the circumstances are that you face every day meal. Do we have a resource that can help our listings with this yet about Pastor David wrote a simple book that can show you how to experience this shalom that you were just talking about it's easy to read and full of great analogies to share powerful biblical truths across the bridge to life.

Discover your venture will be a blessing to any of our listeners, Bob, and that's a great gift to think any of our listeners that financially support us to help more people crossed the bridge from death to life. Go to cross the bridge.com to request your copy today also. Each day you can wake up with encouragement from Pastor David through the word of God with this email. Devotional life lessons that consider daily reading plans and even biblical thoughts to meditate on throughout your day. From the heart of Pastor Dave yes Neil and it's free and easy to sign up today across the bridge.com. Thanks again for listing folks and we hope you join us next time. As we continue studying post flavors from section 7