2 Samuel Chapter 17:1-23

The advice of Cushite yahrzeit is better than the advice of a hit for the Lord in purpose to defeat the good advice of Phil to the intent of the Lord might bring disaster on Ansell when sin is affecting you: you humane bad decision and Scott, we are because you as well is given bad good advice he's given bad wives advise shy is given advice. It's going to bring Absalom is going bring to the fee and yet he takes the wrong welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee. The senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville North Carolina today in 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 and will. We pray for the churches in the pastors in the area.

We pray that you get the pastors wisdom and discernment and that the congregations would just explode with your love in Jesus name Amen amen brother will as we go into second Samuel chapter 17 today. What are some of the points that Pastor David will be talking about Pastor David to remind us that sin can blind us to making good decisions.

It spirals and it gets out of control. Let's find out how that works. As we listen to David McGee continue teaching through second Samuel story in chapter 17. The life of David were in the midst Absalom is in the midst of rebelling against David Absalom is Damon sans and yet he's not hesitating to the kingdom of God because of his own selfishness and some people join with Absalom including the people would join with Absalom. Is this man I fell who is a very wise person has been a godly man but something took him off track to move quickly to the first two thirds of this chapter and get to what I think is the real me of what we can take away tonight, but let's remember, extremely gifted man extremely wise men. Let's open up a second Samuel chapter 16 verse 23 is last verse of the preceding chapter before chapter 17 verse 23 says now the advice of a hit the fellow, which he gave in those days was in as one had inquired at the oracle of God's it was all the advice of his elbows with David and with Absalom. Chapter 17 verse one. Moreover, his appeal said the Absalom. Now let me choose 12,000 men will arise and pursue David tonight I will come upon them while he was weary and weak in making afraid that all the people who are with them will flee, and I will strike only the King. Then I will bring back all the people to you when all return except the man whom you seek.

All the people will be at peace in the fell, says he gives lots counsel in the oracles of God with them is like God speaking such wisdom comes from this man in a part what you see in this chapter is Absalom. Absalom is a strong leader is not a godly leader and what is not a godly leader and not a strong leader when they get a position of power. They don't know what to do.

They don't know how to handle it. They don't have to train up other leaders. They don't have to listen to wise counsel. It's almost like you know what a dog chasing a car that you he doesn't know what to do and he catches it everyone to find himself in power, he finds himself in power since he doesn't really know what to do. So Henson felt offering this counsel in this extremely wise counsel.

The keys David, if you take David out the rest of people. Volume certainly wishes Scripture talks about smite the shepherd and the sheep will scatter so he felt offering this counsel to take if you take David out here and avoid a civil war and is good counsel. And you know what you see. David was weak. David was tired David was vulnerable at this point. Remember, David had prayed that the Council of the head of the fell would be brought to foolishness or nonsense was once verse four and saying pleased Absalom and all the elders of Israel man just said I'm gonna get the one God in striking down. This is Absalom's father and Absalom hears this and it says it please Absalom help you see how cold their time at killing his father. This is what happened when rebellion gets cranky and in your heart you look at people that actually love you and care about you and you look at them in this cold major way and Absalom's looking and rebellion.

Looking at his father. When you know yet was taken out. How do you feel about your earthly father or your stepfather how you feel about you. You're a teenager or young adult, you're still going through these things and that's probably still offering you more advice and you really want to hear really want to take the carefulness rebellion because Absalom probably didn't plan to be this rebellious and the take his father out in the beginning, he just didn't like his dad's authority and over time it got worse and he got worse and he got worse.

Verse five then Absalom said now call how shy they are tried. Also, let us hear what he says to us, remember okay felt him extremely wise counsel and counsel because he's telling him to kill King David.

But it's wise counsel. Maybe cynical women is a bad counselor what is it there can be wise bad counselor there can be bad counsel. This wisdom that is not what you should do and again that's why you should make sure that you're talking to mature fruitful Christian is given you counsel because you get bad counsel. It seems like the thing to do because here in us the wrong thing to do and yet brilliant and a strategy just like the advice of his film the last chapter now this is interesting. To begin, let's remember you, David said how shy into the presence of Absalom really think they can infiltrate the rebellion and he's been a spot for David if you believe Absalom was just heard the most. It's much bring and plan were to us in this chapter. But what is blessing. Russia has as I read this I thought that just like us. Sometimes will be in Midsummer situation have decision-making were talking to somebody and let you know that will how do you know what should I do then they tell us what to do and you go well okay, sounds like good advice is certainly biblical somebody else with the weekly turn from the godly biblical account or how often were at the Crawford and we see in Scripture we go BOY that is that is that speak to the situation in my life. I just I don't want to listen on them. Talk somebody else and see you know anything. Here's the thing.

If you ask enough sleep you get to hear the answer you want to hear.

And God has told you to do something you really don't want to do it.

You go around enough people in your file so I get all you should do away mid a menu like the 71st person I had the doctor to get should do it, but praise God I found it not on even when somebody given your hard word know that you really don't want to hear there is a sense sometimes of menaces from the Lord.

This is God stalking me.

God is he loves me enough to spank me and is busting my chops on the listen God's word is credible counsel in itself to be careful when you can counsel use wisdom use discernment use the Bible use mature Christians around verse six and up and when I shacking Absalom.

Absalom spoke to them saying that the fella spoken in this manner shall we do as he says. If not, speak up Cilicia acid, Absalom, the advice of the fellows given is not good at this time there is a qualifier at this floor said how shy you know your father and his men, that they are mining in and they are enraged in their minds like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field and your father's in man-of-war and will not camp with the people. Surely by now he is hidden in some pit or in some other place and it will be when some of them are overthrown at the first that whoever hears it will say there is a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom any of you going to extract him and some you guys get killed people to hear that you're losing verse 10 and even he who is valiant in his heart is like the heart of the line will melt completely for all Israel knows that your father's a mighty man and those who are within our valiant men.

Therefore, advise verse 11. Therefore, advise that all Israel be fully gathered to you from Dan to Beersheba, like the sand that is by the sea for multitude, and that you go to battle in is interesting would have shies saying and what he's doing and you can see mixing the truth with some wisdom with what really is as bad counsel is here's what's happening shy and cares for David who loves David as his King is getting he's behind Damon sometime because of Absalom took at the fellows advice. David is in a desperate situation. His mentor tired or hungry there on the run are not organized in hand. They pursued them.

This book would've worked out differently. But how shy he makes is the truth then NOC mixes in a little flattery all yeah get big army. Absalom you lead and Absalom like yeah that sounds good.

I like this lead you got Absalom was not a warrior's father was a warrior been in many battles, battle proven, but not Absalom.

So shies he's flattering Absalom to leave the Army and what were seeing is David's prayer meeting and again David Anderson will make the Council hit the falcon foolishness through the shot. Verse 12 so we will come upon them in someplace where he may be found, and we will fall on him as he falls on the ground and of him and all the men who are within their shall not lease left so much as one. Moreover, he is withdrawn into a city that all Israel shall be robust to that city. We will pull it into the river until there is not one small stone found there. So listen understand the distinct difference. I had the fella saying go and do the surgical removal of David. Don't get the battle will always guys and then bring all his guys back into your full shies given completely different counsel he saying you know it last night. Let's gather an army must take on everybody who's with Dave another couple problems with number one Civil War you have a brother fighting brother that fine son son fight father and shy probably realizes so there's the Council, Absalom bounces himself, he found himself in a place you know that we often find ourselves somebody says one thing someone else's on Mills sometimes is a really easy thing you know you sent here in the night and you know when you are feeling tempted to go out and do some silly. After or you can go home and read some more of your Bible.

Listen to worship music that's a fairly easy decision right me go out and party and do stupid things or go home and then besmirch think everybody in here would at least know the decision I should bake whether they would make the right one or not. But sometimes things happen where it's really difficult. It's between two good thing I remember before we started the home Bible study was given some offers to go on the other churches in trying to figure out will God do you want me to do that and come back here and start. It was interesting to designate fishing tapes and found recording of teaching, I did on California's church awesome church great ministry.

They always really loved only when we came through their and I looked at the man. These people called and made an offer that Freud be the Lord. The next morning I got an email from that church saying hey you know what we hear that you're praying about what to do. Would like to offer your position. Can you please call our calling is like Manny and I will look at how scar benefits package. The thing that's God because he keep in mind the decision I had was either take that position with a moving expense expense is not helping her stay here and start home Bible study that I didn't know when, if ever, God would ever use that to two take care of the needs of the family, but I prayed about it, so counsel will some other brothers in and God had me to do what didn't seem like it made a lot of sense. So here's Absalom he's at the crossroads and so when you're at a crossroads.

Pray through it.

Talk to other people look at the Bible. Ask other mature believers 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@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 continues showing verse by verse, verse 14, so Absalom and all the men of Israel, said the advice of how shy they are tight is better than the advice of for the Lord and purpose to defeat the good advice of his itself to the intent of the Lord might bring disaster on Absalom the life lesson here.

Sin can make you stupid sin can make you stupid is just that, and I'm not just talking about when you know like your own drugs or your drink in her some obviously in a fairly stupid there and there's not one sin is affecting you and pulling you. You make bad decisions and have felt shy flattery and stuff. He's about to make a bad decision and we are because you Isabel is given bad good advice he's given bad, wise advice that shy is given advice. It's going to bring that Absalom is going to bring to the fee and yet he takes the wrong advice that's another thing you know when you get to the crossroads understand. Is there something that's pulling you to one decision or another, and is that a good thing. Sometimes you can want to do a good thing for the wrong reason like taking a position California. It would've been so that I could have resources to provide for my family, not altogether a bad thing but is that the number one thing know God said you know what make me a priority.

The kingdom of God. Priority. I'll take care of all the rest. So here's Absalom receiving this advice and Guidance Having His Way, God is not tricking Absalom. Absalom is well on his way. In this rebellion, and I know that along the way God God probably tried the convict Absalom's Absalom don't do this.

I'm going to do is to be king I will be getting be careful when you get in that position. I got this, don't do this, you know, I wanted to is the worst thing that can happen is guided okay before but that's what's going on with Absalom guys going all you want to be king. Okay, so do know told you not to but notice in the midst of this, God is using Absalom God is using to have the film God is using shy to bring about his will in all situation as part of the mystery and it does God do that but I don't know. I mean, that's a rhetorical question about your pastors know everything they don't they don't know everything. I know some really good questions.

So here God is going to work out something good in the life of David in the life of shy in the midst of this horrible situation reminds me of the verse Romans chapter 8 verse 20 and it says and we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Please notice there is a qualifier to that statement. What I mean by that what people go in all things work together for the good and they stop some of the verse does all things work together for the good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose. So you love God leaves everything in your life. Good, bad and indifferent for your betterment and for your purposes, which is an amazing thing housing do that. I don't know, but he sure does it well done media muniments some and then you know I just don't understand what God six month and year down the road to your center of you all know I see what you were doing and so this counsel that the fellows brought to nothing. Psalm 30 3/10 is the Lord brings a counsel the nations to nothing. He makes the plans of the people of no effect counsel the Lord stands forever. The plans of his heart to all generations news up under them or she understands of unison. God doesn't need our advice given trailers.

Were you really giving God advice, nobody does. I will I do it all the time. Eli can be praying for smiting it say you say Lord saying that person and then you continue on in here so you need to do it God I'm going to find a church in the church and someone to come forward and then Noel received his okay so that's what you got. I got the plan put together for you know the next thing you hear the guys getting busted or sums gone wrong in his life, and you like what he gave the plan and follow the plan I gave you really good point. I thought of God doesn't mean you're like me people near to God. Consult for start treatment Evans in their know they didn't consult neither still in therapy over but we should give our ear to the Lord to see what he will subdue the situation. Verse 15 then push I said is a document before the priest lesson, so Phil advised Absalom and the elders of Israel and thus and so. I have advised now therefore send quickly and tell David say and do not spend this night the planes of the wilderness was speedily crossover less the king and all the people were within be swallowed up now. Jonathan and Amy has stated in Wrobel dear not be seen coming into the city so female servant would come and tell them and they would go until King David said there's this communication chain.

That's beginning to happen. Trying to get to David so Jonathan and Amy Hauser try to get him they come to this place to this lady's house for safety.

Nevertheless allowed Saul them told Absalom above them when white quickly and came to man's house about room who had a well in this court and they went down into another was well in the resistors, wells generally had a spring fresh water cisterns usually would would collect rainwater. This is probably rainwater was probably dry verse 19 in the warm woman took a sweater covering over the well's mouth and spread ground grain on and the thing was not known and when Absalom servants came to the woman at the house.

He said where a man's Jonathan gentleman said to them, they have gone over the water broken when they search and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. As I looked at is about. Was this an act of civil disobedience was not really simple civil disobedience because they were still king, Absalom is not really king by civil disobedience.

What I mean is that your disobeying the rules or the regulations or the laws of the land because you find them in conflict to your spiritual biblical beliefs.

I think there is a there's a time and place for that. But this is not really civil disobedience. The rebellion that the true king the real king verse 21 that came to pass after they had departed that they came up out of the well and when told King David said to David, arise and crossover the water quickly for the last has a hit. Phil advised against you today and all the people who were with him arose across the Jordan by morning light. Not one of them was left with not only were the Jordan Davis Marga and he gets the information want to miss you question Absalom in our said he was don't think the Council shy but how should I turn around Susie's messengers and says this is what I felt wanted to do that because as a leader. David was a leader shy was a leader they needed the plan for the worst case scenario is you know because at any moment. Absence casino after I rethought this and when I listen � I will listen to the Council about the fellow was in his and they would've been in trouble so he sent a message that will. This is what Phil says now notice what David does verse 22.

He got good information he acted on incident away now.

I hope please go listen to the shoppers go sit down and rest. When you get good information on move on. And when when you get good advice from a mature fruitful believer move out on when you speak to you through his work through verse and act on. That's what David that we come to really read this passage for years and to be honest in understanding.

Verse 23.

No one has itself saw that his advice was not followed.

He settled the donkey and arose and went home to his house to the city. Then he put his household in order and hanged himself and he was buried in his father's time. This is this is a weird verse I read this verse for years and really didn't.

I thought what what it has developed especially the wise person and this is his response.

I don't understand itgets up no, I believe that suicide is wrong. I believe that your inviting yourself to level the got is not invited you when you take your own life that that's deciding your time in going to going to die and I think that's wrong think. That said, I think it's it's one of the most more selfish things you can do because you hurt yourself.

You hurt people around around now that being said, there is no biblical or scriptural evidence that someone that takes their life is destined to an eternity without God.

No scriptural evidence because of heard believers go to people who've taken their lives, or worse yet to family members who've taken their lives and told them that their family members not have that's wrong now. How do you go to heaven.

You believe in Jesus you ask him to forgive your sins. Again, suicide is wrong.

But if any of us die while were committing center in the midst of committing a sin you tell me that that destines all of us not to go to heaven. I'm sorry I can't leave the merciful God that I have a relationship with would do hurts her charter started talk to anyone, day in and her father who was a born-again believer just got to a place where he was overwhelmed with life and he took his own life and as she was in the receiving line at the funeral home. A pastor came through and said she isn't too bad that your dad is in hell tonight. That's messed up again is wrong. It's very selfish to do and look in your scenario. I don't agree with that, shoot me an email. Include a chapter anywhere in that email. I got include a personal email. I'm sorry don't know I'm just looking at the list 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 well 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 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 pray that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you. You can visit cross the bridge.com to receive our first steps package with helpful resources to help you begin your walk with Christ.

Or you can write to cross the bridge at PO Box 12, 515 Winston-Salem, NC 27117 and share how God is working in your life will DA before we go. What are some ways that we can bless our listeners.

If you're not able to make it to your home church this Sunday. Why not join us for our lifestream at 10 AM Eastern time or on Thursday nights at 7 PM Eastern time. Just visit cross the bridge.com and click on our lifestream link. There you will experience a live service from David's home church. The bridge in North Carolina again. That website is cross the bridge.com that sounds good. Yesterday and again. It's been great to have you with us on the program today but tell us what else can a listers find on cross the bridge.com each day. You can wake up with encouragement from Pastor Dave to the word of God is email devotional life lessons to consider daily reading plan and thought to meditate on throughout your day. From the heart. David McGee those are terrific and it's easy and it's free so folks signed up today, cross the bridge.com and thank you for listening. We hope you'll join us again next time. As we continue studying first by first through second