2 Samuel Chapter 16:1-23

Be careful about believing bad news about others is amazing how we are sometimes to believe when somebody tells is bad news or bad attitudes or bad behavior or whatever comes to our ears and others as part of our flesh, or knew someone right. I knew that Phil he didn't look quite right unit. There's just something and there's a Julie at the struggle and the bad news is welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee. The senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville North Carolina today.

The studio we have one of David's associate pastors DA Brown welcome brother about want take a minute to pray for some of our stations and cities in the listening audience with me if you don't mind. Sitka, Alaska Black Canyon city Bullhead city Camp Verde Clifton globe in Phoenix Groom Creek in Prescott, Arizona God, we thank you for the cities. We pray that many people would tune in and listen to your word today.

God, if there is some dealing with sickness in the area. We pray that you would please heal them God. We pray that some would put their trust in you today and receive your gift of salvation God. We pray for revival in the cities that people would be stirred up to follow you to return to your word hello, we pray for the churches and the pastors in the area. We pray that you get the pastor's wisdom and discernment and that the congregations would just explode with your love in Jesus name Amen amen brother appreciate your pray for these folks and folks, as you are listening. Please pray along with Pastor DA for your brothers and sisters in your area and for these various cities around the country yesterday eight tells a little bit about the teaching today. Pastor Dave is reminding us today. Bob, do not throw stones at others so important that we don't make a prejudgment about what's going on in someone else's life and instead we love them through what God is doing. Let's also brother. Let's listen as Pastor David continues teaching. Finishing up second Samuel chapter 16 turn with me to second Samuel chapter 16 or continuing our verse by verse study. Let's jump in verse one, when David was a little past the top of the mountain.

There was a lot the servant on the Fellowship met him with a couple of salmon donkeys and all. Number 200 loaves of bread, 100 clusters of raisins 100 summer fruits in the skin of one and the king said as he but what do you mean to do with the answers. Eva said the donkeys are for the king's household to rot on the Brandon summer fruit for the young men to eat in the wind for those who are faint in the wilderness to drink and then the king said, and where is your master son is Eva said to the king. Indeed, he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me first force of the king said, is Eva here all that belongs to me for the shift is yours is. Eva said I humbly bow before you, that I may find favor in your sight, my Lord. Okay now when King David came to her room. There was a man from the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Jimmy, the son of Guerra coming from there he came out, cursing continuously as he came verse six and he threw stones at David and it all the servants of King David and all the people in all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left also share my said this when he cursed come out, come out you bloodthirsty man, your road the Lord is brought upon you.

All the blood of the house of Saul, his place your brain in the Lord has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom, your sons, and now you are calling your own evil because you are bloodthirsty man than ever shot a son, as Ryan said to the king why should this debt don't curse my lord the king. Please let me go over and take off as it is making the accusation that David unfairly unjustly came to the kingship and that is not accurate as David made mistakes absolutely every leader every spiritual leader that is ever live is made mistakes except Jesus.

I think sometimes are our expectations. While it's great to encourage one another and have high expectations. Proverb says that a righteous man will fall seven but he gets back.

So this man is making the accusation. There's maybe some content to it and he's throwing rocks at David, you realize.

Every leader that's in your life. There's always something you can say about something bad, something negative.

Whether it's the president or your balls or the governor or your pastor or whoever there's always something you can find the say this bad negative and usually don't have to dig too hard to find that that's not the test.

The test is can you see the weaknesses or the failures of a leader or a friend shall be with this man cut any source throwing rocks is interesting. John chapter 8 the religious leaders throw a woman in the midst of Jesus and says she we caught her in the very act of adultery very interesting story. You know you wonder there's a couple things number one they called her an active that they bring the woman who was a call in the act of adultery why they bring the man who was caught in the same. My guess is he was a religious leader but Jesus says you know he that is without sin cast the first while what a great statement? Who will man they could've thrown a stone at that woman, one person, and he wouldn't do.

He wasn't going to do fingers know you know when it lists the gifts and the ministries in the New Testament, stone throwing everything that your ministry – not your ministry orbit is your ministry is not from God because were told that the enemy is the accuser of people of brothers and sisters next life lesson. Don't throw stones at others don't throw stones at others. This man is throwing stones at one of the greatest men that ever lived that he had a little bit of an issue that he had no business throwing a stone.

The stock is stones at David and Eddie still dead.

Don't enter into a through stone throwing minister have done this through some stones from this platform on front of sometimes and in teaching I have to point out this is flaky or that's weird.

May the Lord help me to do that and in a with a pure heart, not stone throwing away verse 10.

But the king said what have I to do with you, you sons of Soraya M cursed because the Lord said, cursed David his men shall say, why have you done so. And David said that I wish I and all his servants see how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now. May this minimize let them alone and let them cursor so the Lord is ordered and will take care of this and what is this cat is just some stranger stone rocks at me. My son is trying to take over the throne. Friends and family, just the ones go deep those of strangers verse 12, it may be that the Lord will look on my affliction and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing. This day David is like, you know, let God deal with. I can trust God to do with the understand you're going to get stones thrown at you to as part of following Jesus.

If you never get stones furniture sums wrong part of following Jesus. I you know I've been a little surprised that were the stones came from in ministry, but never that the stones are flying is just part of what happened and if you put energy and effort towards those who were throwing stones at you, friend. You'll never have energy and effort enough to minister to do what God is called if I try to answer every accusation or gossip or whatever have nothing to say when I got up your teeth because I would be so busy dealing with the stone throwers just cannot happen.

Part of what David is saying here's you know what I've earned some of this there was a recognition David this point, you know, I did some wrong things. It's almost like using you I'm not dead God and strike me dead so his mercy came in the play. He could have at this point, so I can't believe Absalom I can't believe he started to I can't believe this guy throw rocks at me as not only did he sin you want. I you know I'm guilty of this and worse. This is this punishments nothing and there's a beautiful thing that David is doing it and we need to remember this in every relationship because in every relationship that we have we have done something wrong and that relationship.

There is no relationship that you've ever had that your perfect none God's fixedness but were broken and so often were so willing to point out what's wrong with the other person and time after time in counseling a stop. People want to talk about how messed up your spouse was or how messed up their friend is beautiful thing in the healing starts with a person's as you know, I know I did some wrong things I know I messed up. Are you willing to ask yourself the hard questions. When these situations, David was now a reality show my E agent David's noggin killing but he's going and that would be killed. David, Gabe and Grace should mind and really take the grace he continued on with his messed up self found other people to through stanza verse 14 now looking at all the people who were with him became weary, so they refresh themselves. There, this is cool because David David has been can imagine the kind of day are the kind of week for the kind of weeks. He's having a me first thing they probably came to him and said David Absalom, he's in the city gates and he saying he was king. He would do it like this, or do it like that you want what he wants to do you know how much I said you only take his head off and there's not and probably when Absalom came to David in Chicago. He brought a make sacrifice.

David knew they would, was a smart guy is a wise man and when he came they would probably look at him and knew full well is about the happenings okay and wait and see what's in your heart. I guess you're showing me what's in your heart go Hebrew. Then he's making these moves. Now David leaves Jerusalem appears that somebody's given great grace to his now speaking against David needed a break. I gave them a break God will give you breaks God will give you seasons of rest and seasons of refreshing with friends, a lot of times when were in the midst of the battle and we desire a season of refreshing arrest. It's not the time for refreshing arrest. Allow God to bring seasons to you as interesting in traveling and a lot of times the schedule stayed pretty fully. Some weeks would while traveling there be like for five different services assault on 8 Hour Dr. between the is a busy time, but every now and again, there'd be little pocket on the Midwest or someone wouldn't fill in. You know when I think wish we get some layer but after time. You know what I discovered. That would be the week that I got ill, or couldn't do something nursing unit. God always knew when I needed that season rest and refresh friend. He'll always know when you need it. And sometimes you might feel stretched like your get right up.

But God knows how far you can be stretch before you pop is not interested in taking you to a point that you can't handle, but Fran he will take you right to it and David is right up to acts chapter 3 verse 19 says is repent therefore be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. That's where Tom's a refreshingly comforting presence of the Lord when you're getting all out of sorts and and stuff is crashing down on. That's the time you need to be in the presence of the Lord. Most of all because as you do that God will refresh you a reminder of his love for you so I believe we need to serve God with all the passion and energy that we can muster and then watches God will bring me seasons to us and when he does take a break, take the you're 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@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. Scott put David through this. Is it just because he did some wrong things is not just because he did some wrong things. David is becoming more like Jesus is becoming more like Jesus and all that's going on. Every step is becoming more like we talked last week he crossed the Kidron in this time of the trail Jesus across the Kidron of the time of the trail. David stood on the Mount of olives and wept over Jerusalem, Jesus stood on the Mount of olives and wept over Jerusalem. Jesus was betrayed by a friend, David was betrayed by front juice betrayed Jesus at the filtrate. David and both David and Jesus were willing to walk away from working as we see David walking out and leaving Jerusalem. You look at Nikko King just walked out the city ruler is a great question is a difficult question, but an even deeper question is how could Jesus leave heaven and come here. We can even understand the question until we get to heaven. Not only did he come here buddy came in such grace and humility in the way he came. He chose to come in this world through a young woman who wasn't yet married. He chose that way.

That right there just blows my mind because I said nothing. You want to view or what if I was the son of God and was planning this entrance in the heaven. What would that look like it would look like that you not think I would come in with a ball of flame right on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and all the angels would be singing. Somehow I came he came in and the huge audience that was really glad he came from shepherds out in the field. Shepherds were kind of the roughnecks. They were the culture educated me. They were they were the rough and rowdy crown.

Jesus was Wilma leave all that will because of you. As you so I came to do some outside reading at this point is when David wrote Psalm chapter 3, and 63. You can read them outside when I got real life can read them outside and you can kinda see what he's going Psalm 60 Psalm three and Psalm 63 verse 15. Meanwhile, Absalom and all the people.

The men of Israel came to Jerusalem and hit the fellow was with so they put that now for 16 so was one who shied the arch. I David's friend came Absalom that push. I said that Absalom Long live the King. Long live the King wish I was David's counselor, David's friend and he followed David out. David said you know what go back in and you know the here's something you can send word ending.

There's also a kind of want me to be king I want to be king. Can you look at your life and if God doesn't want you to have that promotion or you won't say no. I got if you don't have information on want. You don't want me to have the new job. I don't want to meet only me to have a payraise I want got if you don't want me in this position ministry. I don't David was willing to do that and so wish I goes back in and notices words this because you can tell he is really smart to look at his work. Long live the king. Long live the king for 72 Absalom's inertia is this your loyalty to your friend why did you not go with your friend is a city because David wish I friend and say why did you not go with my father.

Do not go with my cane said in verse 18 and wish I said that Absalom know but whom the Lord in this people and all the men of Israel choose him as I will be in with him. Our main furthermore whom shall whom should I serve should serve in the presence of his son is I have served in your father's presence, so will be in your presence.

This gospel really sure is nothing that he just said is a lot but he had. He did not betray David what he just said he should.

Long live the king into a whiskey. He was a long live David, the king, but he did mention David's name and he says I will serve in your presence in sale serve you. He said all serve in your presence.

David's got good leadership is like a disguise very well worded statement.

I will who God is and ask you know that's the great great great way to to run a church operator church. I will who God wants positions around here first 1920 then Absalom said the his fellow give advice as to what we should do has fell again really smart guy and he said again they would have really smart men smart leadership is felt that she was grandfather went over to help Absalom in this rebellion. Verse 21 and has the Phil said that Absalom go into your father's concubines, whom he is left to keep the house and all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father in the hands of all who are with you will be strong.

Whoever controlled the king's concubines controlled the kingdom. A lot of times in a eight king who had won a battle he was taken over the power when the first things he would do was go when and lay with the concubines or be with the ladies in the harem saying you know I'm in control now, and in this hit the fellow's counsel is it's extremely why and it is bad advice. It's unwise because the thing that these people who are wanting to follow Absalom the fear of the form is fear. Their heart is that if I follow him and him and David ended in the reconciling I'm to be labeled as a traitor and so in this movie hit the fellow's as you know, if you do this, everybody will understand that you and David are eternally separated that there will be no reconcile smart but wrong. Verse 22 sleep.

It's a tent for Absalom on the top of the house and Absalom went into his father's concubines in the site of all is, everybody knew what he saw was remember the words of Nathan second Samuel chapter 12 verse 11 says, thus says the Lord. Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall live with your wives site of this son things that Nathan said come in the past and again this is obviously wrong and yet hit the fellows extremely wise and brilliant strategy. Sometimes you might get really great advice. A lot of wisdom in it, but it might not be the Lord it might not be godly counsel might be great counsel, but it might not be godly counsel always be careful.

That's what it is in the position of somebody speaking into your life.

Try the best that you can make sure that the person is a believer whether that's not what counselor or lawyer or counselor or anything like that because they might have great advice that's ungodly and in you have to have to draw the line there is a fellows given great advice against the ungodly.

Verse 23 now the advice of Isabel which he gave in those days was if one had a inquired at the oracle of God's it was all the advice of it filled both with David and with Absalom fell.

His counsel was like the oracles of God is like. He was brilliant.

Hazel, the other side and fell is not seeking the will of the Lord hit the fellow seeking treatment to ground, careful about taking advice from people that as we look at this there's there's just like there's a few things I think we can take from the first of all, Mr. Quinn. Have you ever met anybody that's perfect. Only one Jesus you not perfect you're not perfect so what happens to us when all of a sudden we come face-to-face with the flaws of friends and family people we care about what we do turn we run, we do like this God when we see that there heard in their fall and we pick up rocks*thrown out so Jesus did. That's what we do.

Sometimes that's what I'm done. That's what you've done. We seen people in a weak moment. Maybe they surprised us. Maybe they heard us. Maybe we just didn't think they would do such a thing and we pick up the rocks*thrown more than one problem with that one. Jesus points out, as you know it you got no business throwing stones is us.

Remember, Jesus is the only one that can really throw a stone and he's decided not to over so many things that you've done that are worthy of being according the Hebrew Scriptures stone to death talks about anybody who rebelled against their parents is worthy of execution by stoning safe to say that all of us have done that so we can offer each other, stoning and throwing rocks at one another. What can we offer each other.

I know we've been given been given grace. What can we give each other give each other grace and kind word and difficult prayers and difficult season. Jim I was willing to kick David when he was down. You want to be a sure my you want to be one of those mighty men are mighty women that followed David even though he made mistakes but stood by him and through it all. In this chapter you seen these these personality just immersion you want to be an Absalom who was so our quest is what was willing it was will not hurt anybody and everybody felt, who takes on such bitterness and unforgiveness Hill never again in his life. No rupees. Never again. So we have all these choices. The only thing that we could be lying totally in the family well. As Christians, as followers of Jesus to be like Jesus to be like Jesus and I don't see anybody else that I will be like as much as I want to be like Jesus. I want to be like my little thing. Be like my all be like Michael Jordan on the grid gifted ballplayer and 11. I want to be like Jesus and be like Jesus can throw stones. I don't when somebody messes up I'm still therefore his friend as people look on there to see something in that that the world doesn't have the offer and even in this CEC the grace of God and was going through a hard time and hopefully nobody is looking at the story going. Will David just what he deserved. Actually, he's not getting all that he deserved God's given him a great measure grace again on think any of us won't what we deserve. We want grace we will mercy but it's amazing because David made some really serious mistakes and errors in judgment is definitely written some but he still came. God didn't remove the kingship from him and why felt counsel to Absalom was really wise that it would forever separate Absalom and David G realize it until to the very end. David was willing to reconcile that.

Here's the astounding thing friend. There is nothing that you can do, please hear me out. Some of the struggle with the statement, there is nothing that you can do once you come to Jesus that when he turned only separate from him forever because no matter what you do, you can always come back to Jesus. I messed up again. Please forgive me, 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 if 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 pray that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you.

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