2 Samuel Chapter 20:1-25

How can we help the city talking to the authorities in charge by asking God to save the city save this community pray for leaders. Pray for the area.

Pray for the town. Pray for this church, please, please, please, please pray for me. These are things that we can all do. Are we doing somewhere in your Bible, or somewhere in your computer, a list of people you pray for on a regular basis. If there's not there should because it's one of the most effective things that you can do welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee Senior Pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina today.

Pastor David's teaching through second Samuel chapter 20 and we have is our guest of the studio, one of David McGee's associate pastors welcome DA hey Bob, excited about being here want to pray for a few cities in our listening audience, today in Arkansas. We have Fort Smith, Huntsville, Jonesboro para gold Paris Pine Bluff and in California we have Barstow Lord, thank you for the cities. We pray that many with tune in and listen to your word today. God we pray for those who are sick and battling different ailments.

We pray that you would please heal them for your glory God. We pray that many will put their hope and trust in you for their salvation today we pray for revival in the cities. Everyone would get excited about following you lower pray for the churches and pastors in these areas that they would stick to your word look to what your word has to say make application of it and others will be drawn to that as well as a folly. You in Jesus name, amen, amen Pastor. The ASP going to the teaching today and second Samuel chapter 20 to us about some of the life lessons we should be taking away Bob just like we've been praying for cities in our listening audiences today. Pastor David reminds us of the importance of praying for people not only in our family, but our extended family and people all over the world to come to Jesus, that's awesome.

Let's listen as David McGee continues finishing up second Samuel chapter 20 it is teaching today. We been going for second Salomon looking at the life of David.

We saw they were all these things we saw him go through the rebellion of Absalom and then we saw some of the people in David's leadership and whatnot join with Absalom in the rebellion, but then we saw all that rebellion came enough and ended really. Not only with the death of Absalom, but with the rest of Israel.

Now Sam will will follow you, David.

You indeed are king that would close the last chapter, something got interesting. These men had began to get upset with David because the tribe of Judah escorted David back to Jerusalem and they got upset because these other tribes said they you know what we really wanted to be part of this escort party and we were really inviting this party and so they got upset so there became this division. Now we saw last chapter, closed with what we thought was the end of that division, but last week I mentioned that this was not the end of a division but a continuation of a division because when David first became king he was king of Judah for seven years before he was king known over all of Israel as a continuation if you will that division select leads us into second Samuel chapter 20 verse one says, and there happened to be there.

A rep whose name was Sheba, the son of McCurry, a Benjamite and he blew a trumpet and said we have no Sharon, David, nor do we have inheritance and the son of Jesse, every man to his tents. All Israel.

Verse two. So every man of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba the son of the Creek, but the men of Judah from the Jordan. As far as Jerusalem remained loyal to their king. Now David came to his house in Jerusalem, and the king took the 10 women, his concubines whom he left to keep the house and put them in seclusion and supporting them, but did not go into them so they were shot out to the day of their death. Living in widowhood.

These are the women the concubines of David that Absalom had violated. David had left them in Jerusalem when he left Jerusalem and Absalom had come in and publicly from the city had violated the and so David put some away because they've been taken advantage of, or whatever he still he still takes care of the stuff he doesn't want more women. I gotta be real careful here.

He's actually wanting less women in his life, which I don't know. Anyway, move along. Verse four quickly and the king said to assemble the men of Judah for me. Within three days and being present here yourself. So Mohsen went to some of the men of Judah, but he delayed longer than the set time which David had appointed, and David said to have a shine now. Sheba, the son of victory will do us more harm than Absalom take your Lord's servants and pursue him.

Leslie find for himself for five days and escape us.

So Jones met with Sheriff Seitz and the pillow fights and all the mighty men went out after him and they went out of Jerusalem to pursue Sheba, the son verse eight. When they were at the large stone which is and give me on a matzoh came before them.

Job was dressed in battle armor known it was a belt with a sword fashioned in its sheath at his hips and knees. He was going for to fill out.

Then Jewett said Thomas are you and help my brother Jewett took Thomas about the beard with his right hand the kissing.

This was a form of greeting but did not notice the sword will that was in Joab's hand and he struck him with it in the stomach in his and Charles poured out on the ground and he did not strike him again. Leslie.enjoy Evan Abshire's brother pursued Sheba the son of victory pursue a meanwhile want to Jewett's men stood near Mohsen said whoever favors Joab, and whoever's for David follow Joe to counseling's David Joab be careful with political causes and link themselves to Christianity because sometimes it's exploitation going all verse 12 Mohsen Wallen and his blood in the middle of the highway when the man saw the stood still, he moved the mouse from Howard to the film through garment over me when he saw that everyone who came upon them halted when he was removed from the how well the people one on after Joe to pursue Sheba the Senate. So he and his dad need their bystander around on what you know what we can do so, then he moves them in the traffic resumes, grizzly persisting, then they came and beseeched him Annabelle of Beck, and they cast up a siege mall against the city and stood by the rampart and all the people who were with Joab battered the wall to throw it out. So they find the sky Sheba.

He showed up in the city.

This is an this is actually in the hula Valley in the northern part of Israel north of the city of so they find them in this place and Judah had made this statement of loyalty complete statement of loyalty to David the other tribes. Apparently they were make some of these people went with them.

Not as many as she either not as many went was Sheba or Sheba did not have it to together moan together. So again we see the timeframe be an important here is an interesting thing Joab is back in charge anything in charge. Because really, I mean you could say was because he took out a matzoh yeah and department. I believe that the Lord was really opening the door for a seasoned warrior like Joab to once again be leading against this rebellion, Sheba anything about this Joab wanted to take a matzoh we want to take it myself because he felt like he was rebelling against his cane, not because he thought what I think this guy that I can take his place think that was what was going on.

I think the door got opened and now he's back in chart, you know, I see it wobbly that because nowhere in the last few chapters have we seen Joab going well, not general llama mean general again David� You see them doing evidently seen with a few inches must choose must I'm with supporting whether I agree with your decision not the matter of following your marketing your my God-given authority come with what happens while think in part because he is not whining, complaining, groaning the guy opens the door for him once again delete I think Joab understood that at some point in the future. God was going open up the opportunity for him to lead the men again and because of that he didn't feel the need to try to kick the door down. Verse 16 then a wise woman cried out from the city here here. Please say the Joab come thereby, that I may speak with when he had come near to her. The woman said are you Joab answered.

I am that she said to him, hear the words of your maidservant answered. I am listening to Joab and his army there set up the right to lay siege to the city.

I think the whole city and this one says you know what I need to talk to Joe.

Now this woman want to see if she is why she's really extraordinary that she was willing to do something to save the city to try to do that. She's well to do something for the sake of the people around her to good question is are we willing to do something for the sake of the people around us five times, you know, we, as believers, we we just think of ourselves and God came to deliver us from a lot of things. He came to deliver us from Santa came to forgive us was that he also came to deliver us from the self-centeredness that seems to want to run our lives in one of the things that were supposed to be doing is serving others and doing things for the benefit of other people. That's one of the marks of semi is really following Jesus is there concern are the willingness to be inconvenient for the sake of others and God puts this woman into Joab's wife to help him from fighting. What could be an unnecessary battle. I am thankful and thankful to God's place people in my life and thankful to God has placed place.

My wife and my wife to talk me out of some battles that I don't need to be fighting and hopefully you have them in your life as well because there will be times when you need to be taught fighting about when there's a battle in front of your are losing Susie's wife goodbye and then God will place you know your mother, your wife semiannual exit but your sword must talk about this person was a valuable thing because we need each other the body Christ needs one another. There's a saying that I use a lot because it happens, something happened. Something small, sometimes in people while they there's a phrase that they get up into a tree about. You have everything you Will Happily Cancel First Thing You run up under the Tree Is Because They Hang out and Then Somebody Has To Come Round Goes It's Okay Come down from the Tree and A Lot Of Ministry. Quite Frankly Sometimes Is about Talking People down Out Of the Trees.

What Are You Doing up There Will This Happen Will.

That's Not a Big Deal. Come on down Out Of the Tree but We Get Freaked down about These Things and God Sends People to Say That's Not a Big Deal but A Lot Of Times We Say We Get Is a Big Deal.

I'm Staying in the Street. I'm Not Getting History. How Many Times like This to Part Company. Times Have You Known Somebody to Make Really Bad Rash Decisions on What Seemingly Was a Small Catalyst, a Small Cause to That Whole Freak out Everything Any As Anybody in Here Ever Seen Anyone Do That Raising Some of Your Lien, I Will Praise the Lord Will Pray for You. We've All Seen This Nasty Razor Handle Missile.

How Many Times a Person Been You Now Have Done Every Person in the and Then God Sent Somebody to Talk Us down Out Of the Tree and A Lot Of Times Were Convinced That at Some Sort of Conspiracy That Somebody Is There to Talk to Start out with Jolie, God Sends People like That Airline Listen to When You Get in a Tree and God Sent Somebody Talk You Out Of Drinking down the Tree You're Listening to Pastor David McGee on Cross the Bridge Will Be Back with More 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 and there's more thereto, so visit cross the bridge.com today. Now here's Pastor David as he continues showing verse by verse for thinking so she spoke sailing us to talk in former times, and they shall surely seek guidance and able to answer they would end disputes and I am among the peaceable and faithful in Israel you seek to destroy the city and the mother in answer why would you swallow up the inheritance of the Lord and Joab.

Verse 20 said, far be it for me that I should swallow up or destroy is an interesting concept. I think this woman is woman saying what this town has been known for its wisdom and counsel people have come here asking the wisdom of these people in the city and you can wipe the city out there was a concept in Deuteronomy Deuteronomy chapter 20 verse 10 says when you go near a city to fight against it then proclaim an offer of things to and it shall be that if they accept your offer.

Please and open to you that all the people were found in shall be placed under tribute to you and serve you. Now the city will not make peace with you, but war against you, then you shall besiege so they were supposed to be.

This proclamation of peace somebody come into the wall of the city in Santa Fe. What are you are you for us. Are you against what is it you want to do. I'm willing to have peace with you, but if peace is not what you want I'm all for it for you before the battle starts, but if you say you don't want peeves. The battle zone and she's reminded you of this concept doubly. Verse 21. That is not so his job is continuing here, but a man from the mountains of Ephraim Shiva in the center victory by name, has raised his hand against the king against David deliver him only, and I will depart from the city so the woman said the Joab watch his head will be thrown to you over the wall dramatic, but here that's interesting.

She didn't say all you know what I know she he's a good man you should be trying to get she but she was a good fella. We want to protect Sheba's not right.

This whole city is ready to fall because she was such a 80 that's that's all she said. Sheba and his remaining as God repaying his name. I'm sorry he had not earned protection from that city. As a matter fact he was willing to put others around him at danger and risk because of his rebellion friend.

I know people like they don't hesitate to put people around them in and in troubled places and at risk because of the rebellion. What comes forth from the mouth they got no call and those people it's sad to say don't really deserve the protection that's offered him some Sheba stirred up all these things this woman has wisdom so you know what this whole town and going down because the reader this rebellion a one-man verse 22 then the woman and her wisdom went to all the people they cut off the head of sheep of the center victory and threw it out the Joab.

Then he he blew a trumpet, and they withdrew from the city every man to his tensor, Joab returned to the king of drizzle couplings came to me as I was looking at this chapter. You know how sometimes you see these deeper things that could be going out and I started to think this woman help save the town by talking to the leader. Could this woman fight think so. I think it seems that she's an older woman she's got a lot of wisdom because she thought, you know, I don't think I would go but what did she do, she spoke to the leader.

Why is that important.

She helped the whole town by speaking to the person who is an authority slotting gift things in this room a different gifting this town or that tell there's something that we all share. Most of us are able to speak, how can we help the city by talking to the authorities in charge. God by asking God to save the city save this community. Save this area by asking him to let our light shine in this place so that others may see to pray pray for the leaders. Pray for the area. Pray for the people prefer the town for this church.

These please, please, please pray for me.

These are things that we can all do.

Are we doing somewhere in your Bible, or somewhere in your computer, a list of people you pray for on a regular basis. If there's not there should be wife because it's one of the most effective things that you can do friend the life lesson. Here's pray for other people, including the people in your area and your church. I noticed there's a time to fight and there's a time to talk and you should never go into a fight without talking to God for you can do a lot of things after you pray there is you shouldn't do anything until you brought. Sometimes that's not convenient. Sometimes I'm in a situation like I can't do this right now I can't talk about this right, pray on their pray and I will talk about why got it right now, we're not going to write out for me.

I need talk to God about prayer is a powerful thing and obviously there's a scuffle here, but sometimes were singing news just run into a scuffle swinging. I know that sounds very masculine and we tend your scissors as you know we go on their swing in a godlike none of the time. Find the time to talk, pray, Ecclesiastes, target was verse 23 in July was overall, the army of Israel. Then I have the senator later was over the chair sites in the palace likes the door and was in charge of revenue Jehoshaphat the son of Hazel was recorder Sheba describes Enoch an idea for with the priest. The general right was a chief minister under David is been warned that having tribute would be part have an earthly king. BFR was the survivor of you been with us for a while.

Remember when Saul went to nominee killed all the priest 80th was the only one to get away from that.

David realizes that he messed up in part of this he brought on themselves. Self the whole disorder will not apart from your house today.

Whenever wines he never complains. We got a few more chapters in life of David.

One things amazing the Dick Damon messed up. David fell, David made mistakes, but his faith never really failed. In other words, he never got to the place, person will guide you know what you just even I don't know what you're doing and I'm just not walking with anyone. He had failures, but his faith never fail difference to your affect your message and I will say but don't let your faith fail friend when he was talking to Jesus and Jesus that you know what you're going to deny me, but I'm praying for you that your faith will fail. See we look at with the women. Women Peter denied Jesus three times. This faith that fail you look at the way that Jesus looked at Peter/failed Peter's weakness fail even powerful in seventh chapter of Romans decision are things I want to do an things I don't want to do and I'm doing those who can help me out of this places Jesus can help me out fight this war against the old fallen human nature but concept surely as I lifted this something struck me and Give me some liberty with this. There was a prerequisite that there was a requirement that when you were at war with somebody that you go to the city walls and say hey listen I'm ready to declare PC and it's your decision. It's your decision to say that you accept my face. Archer decision say were fight it out as an important because friend need to understand that before we come to God and even after we come to God. There's part of us that is at war with God. There's a part of you that does not want to submit to the will of God does not want to submit to the authority of the Bible.

There's part of you that doesn't that that's not you're not unique in that we all what happens is God comes to the city wall and he says okay what's it going to be.

I'm ready to make peace with you, but it is your decision to Jesus and something interesting.

He said you know if you're not for me here against me, there isn't like this gray area isn't like I come to the walls of your city site Hamilton offer you peace and we say in a went down. What is gimmick had arrived the fence were were not really sure render that piece. They were not really sure where in the fight. God think it is going to Canada you know cannot hang out here in the lukewarm fence since it middle gets his ear for Mary against me this interesting revelation chapter 3 verse 20 Jesus is this a hold of San at the doorknob and if anybody wants to let me and I'll come an offset mouse up with you all eat with a lot of times we use that verse in the evangelistic thing of saying hey you need to come to Jesus and asking to forgive your sins. I agree that's kind of an interesting usage of that verse. Let's remember something. The first three chapters of the book of Revelation are written to who the churches. Jesus is sitting out the church, knocking on the door asking if they will let him in. Just like he's doing in the hearts of people here.

He's knocking on the door and he say no I'm willing to give you peace but it's your call because he viewed all except the peace of God, then you can be at war with God. It's either/or. We use the word shalom we translate as peace.

It's it's much more than that.

Shalom was his blessing and and wholeness and fullness and and and satisfaction in and yes peace but not just the absence of worming that peace that passes all understanding. Jesus said this about peace in any courseware in the season of the year. Talk about peace became to bring peace on earth is totally unscriptural.

Some of the Bible.

So Jesus says it's Matthew chapter 10 verse 34. He says do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.

Always joking us when last time you saw that on Christmas card was never seen that old address was staff about getting some made up of a man with so Jesus didn't come to bring peace on earth want this whole thing about peace, John chapter 16 verse 33 Jesus said they think these things I've spoken to you, that in me you may have peace in the world you have tribulation, but be of good church here.

I have overcome the world. In me you may have peace in the world you have to relation print master question what you have right now in your life you got peace yet tribulation if you got tribulation you know where you are.

You're not in Jesus you're in the world if you got peace you're in him doesn't matter.

The storms of life, you still have that takes doesn't matter if they crucified and you're looking down on you have the peace decision at father forgive what you have tonight.

Peace of tribulation. Jesus stands at your door tonight and he says you want. I'm willing to give you peace but it's your decision.

He's not going to force you to accept this piece. But here's the reality for any need understand that if you don't accept his peace. You're saying that you want to continue to be at war with God friend, nobody's ever won that war, many of and in the final stage of human history, men are going to gather together and figure that finally there going to be able to wage were against God.

And when they will lose as well. What is one that battles that abound in any of friend you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven. You can know right now only Jenna short, simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him.

God wants 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 of 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 bring 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 each day. You can wake up with encouragement from Pastor David to the word of God with his email devotional life lessons to consider a daily reading plan and a thought to meditate on throughout your day. From the heart. David McGee, that sounds good for 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.

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 our lifestream link there to experience a live service in Dave's home church. The bridge North Carolina again.

That website crossed the bridge.com those are terrific and it's easy and it's free so folks sign up today, cross the bridge.com and thank you for listening. We hope you'll join us again next time you study first by first through second