Unfulfilled Expectations, Part 1

Today on Fellowship in the Word pastor Bill Gebhardt challenges you to become a fully functioning follower of Jesus Christ because David is described in the book of acts as a man after God's own heart. We always assume that Dave is like a model for all of us.

He only is it one way, David is no Joe is no Joseph is no Dan. David is a model for this reason, he represents a person who seems like crazy but has a humble and contrite heart joining us today on this additional Fellowship in the Word pastor Bill Gebhardt Fellowship in the Words the radio ministry of Fellowship Bible church located in Metairie, Louisiana. Let's join Pastor November now is once again shows us how God's word meets our world. We talked about the idea that if you want to get to city. There's only one way there. That's the yellow brick road and that the road you're on, will establish your destination in life, not your wishes, not your intentions with the road you're on. We talked about the naïve naïve are those people that when it come to a fork in the road a choice to make. They never really think about the ramifications of the choice they think only about the moment, and then they make a choice.

The problem with your naïve is this going up living in the land of regret thoroughly. We said that smart people just like you make stupid choices and that the reason that smart people make stupid choices. Is this they find themselves on a happiness quest, not a truth quest.

So whatever they feel as though to make them happy at the moment. That's what they do. Much to their own children. Then we talked about emotional choices so many times in life we have made major choices in our life based on our emotions, we allow those emotions to decide what were going to do under that sermon that what we need to do is say to ourselves. Has God spoken to this, has God said something about what I'm going to choose about other biblical principles.

The play and once the story I want to tell when I'm done with this. What's the story I want to tell my children or grandchildren wisdom.

We talked about this idea that we all need reliable mode roadmaps. If you want to get to where you're going to need a good map.

We need reliable roadmaps and reliable rote roadmap assembly.

This someone's been what we intend to go and how terrible it is force to try to get advice from people who have never been where we need to go. But even with all these principles in place. I'm not naïve, as I realize something. There are destinations that you will never reach. There are aspirations that you have that will never be fulfilled. Our expectations that will go unfulfilled in your life. In other words, you don't always get to where you thought you were going to go. There are singles who will never marry their unmarried couples who will never have children. There are people who get married I will never have a happy marriage.

There are many of you who had this great dream of a career and find out you lived your whole life just doing a job. There are retirees that are not financially secure and never will be financially secure. See that's the way life is. The question is how do I handle the disappointment of unfulfilled expectations.

How do I handle that there's better ways to handle it. That's the way most of us do you become angry you become bitter. You live in the land of denial, you find yourself dependent on alcohol or drugs. Try to numb yourself from your unfulfilled expectations and your disappointments, but there's a better way.

There's a way to handle it well. The truth of the matter is you learn how to handle your unfulfilled expectations. Well it is really the key to a happy life, perhaps more than anything else. You see, unfulfilled expectations are so right into the fabric of every one of our lives.

You know what you've already had some already having some now surely will have some in the future. Once again I want to look at the life of David for us to find the key. I can open your Bibles to second Samuel chapter 13 and one of In re today can only be described as bizarre.

It's an amazing thing when you come to the Scriptures and you wonder how in the world, the people live like this. Single rights in second Samuel 13 now it was after this that Absalom, the son of David, had a beautiful sister whose name was Taymor and Amnon the son of David love her.

Let me just say something here Taymor and Amnon are half-brother half-sister. They have different mothers but the same father.

David Amnon is the oldest of David's sons Amnon is air to the throne. Amnon was so frustrated because of his sister Taymor that he made himself ill, for she was a virgin and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything to her what that implies is exactly the truth but Amnon had a friend whose name was Johnny Depp the son of Samir, David's brother, and Johnny Depp was a very shrewd man and he said to him, oh son of the king. Why are you so depressed. Morning after morning, will you not tell me and Amnon said to him, I am in love with Taymor, the sister of my brother, Absalom, and so Johnny Depp comes up with a plan. What I need is some conniving way in order to get the two of them together along and so they do will pick it up again in verse 11 when she brought them to him to eat.

She's feeding them. He took hold of her and he said come live with me.

My sister and she answered them and said no my brother do not violate me for such a thing is not done in Israel do not do this disgraceful thing.

It was was wrong in their culture as it is in our culture. It was viewed with the same contempt.

As for me, were can I get rid of my reproach. What would my reputation be notice what she's thinking she's going to a decision-making process.

What's the story I want to tell see the wisdom of this. As for you, you will be like one of the fools in Israel talk about that we talked about the naïve fools you make this choice, you will be always known as one of the great fools now therefore please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you. She says that maybe David will allow you to marry me.

Very strange, unusual, thinking however he would not listen to her since he was stronger than she. He violated her any labor he made a choice. What is he thinking about what is leading this choice.

Emotions strictly an emotional choice, and notice the naïve. I want what I want and I want it now. I don't really care about the ramifications of anything. I know what I want I want it now. Then Amnon hated her with a very great hatred for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he loved her and Amnon said to her, get up, get out, he is already living in the land of regret boy, you make a decision like that that you make this big decision in the moment you finished with you think what the world was I thinking how to make such a poor choice well. Verse 20 Absalom her brother said to her, has Amnon your brother been with you.

He said not keep silent. My sister, he's your brother. Do not take this matter to hard so Taymor remained and was desolate and her brother Absalom's house.

She's an chain know when King David heard all these matters. He was very angry. That sounds good right it's not what he did in his anger.

Nothing he did nothing really angry about something was unrighteous even in your own family and are angry about it when you do nothing, absolutely nothing. That's what David did. He was to uphold the law is the king of Israel. Amnon is to be punished. Absalom did not speak to Amnon either good or bad for Absalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister Taymor not came about after two full years. Notice how long Absalom's dues on this after two full years that Absalom had cheap shares and by all his or which is near Ephraim and Absalom invited all the king's sons.

Sheep shearing by the way, was a big thing. The will was a very important part of the culture and so sheep shearing if you own flocks is a big event so the light soda like a carnival affair. Absalom came to the king, and said, behold now, your servant had cheap shares. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant, but the King David said Absalom know my son, we should not all go fully be burdensome to you. Although we urge them, he would not go but he blessed them. Absalom said if if not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.

I think Absalom knew David was again ago about my brother Amnon could become had David said to him, why should he go with you that something is red and there.

David knows that Absalom hasn't spoken Amnon two years. He knows what's going on is why would you want them there will Absalom urged him and he let Amnon all the king's sons go with him and Absalom commanded his servants and said this is its email when Amnon's heart is married with wine and when I say to you, strike Amnon then put them to death.

Do not fear, he said, have not. I myself commanded you. Be courageous. Be valiant. Once he gets drunk, tell him round the servants of Absalom did to Amnon.

Just as Absalom commanded and then all the king's son arose and each monitors mule and fled. By the way the royal family in Israel never had a horse ride horses, ride mules and so they although beating it out of there. It sort of likes this whole scene is amazing.

This is like a cable television channel only episode you've got this incestuous relationship you got murdered within the family. You don't. Sometimes we as Americans are so naïve that we believe that we have invented dysfunctional families. We think that this is the way things are now the dysfunctional dysfunctional families of Vincent Vincent, Adam and Eve's dysfunctional family and have always been here in this families about as dysfunctional as one can get now. What's interesting about that is in verse 30 says now it was while they were on their way that the report came to David saying Absalom instruct on all the king's son and not one of them is left. That's right. The media then was no better than the media now exactly the same again ever get it right. Everybody's day notice only by the way estimate death. We always way overestimated that they always say 50,000 are dead and you find out 1500 are not the regrettable thing, but is not for the is that all the king's sons are dead. The king arose and tore his clothes and he lay on the ground in all his servants were standing by his clothes torn Johnny Depp, the son of Shimada, David's brother responded. He said do not let my Lord supposedly put together all the young men the king sons for Amnon alone is dead. He said because of the intent of Absalom. This may be determined since the day that he violated his sister Taymor. Everybody knew about it if David was coming when no one else knowing he was wrong.

Everybody knew about it because I know exactly why Absalom did this. Now, therefore, he said, do not let my lord the king take the report to heart, namely that all the king sons are dead, for only Amnon is dead Donna verse 38 so Absalom fled and gone to glacier and lived there for three years. The heart of King David long to go out Absalom, for he was comforted concerning Amnon since he was dead. An interesting phrase. One is I think he had a greeting. Over the period of time. But secondly, I think you realize that Amnon.what the law demanded.

How would you feel if you were David, do you think his life has some unfulfilled expectations doing David was hoping for more when it comes your family. How would you like to be David. I would like first have this fact that because of your adulterous affair with Bathsheba in your planning of the murder of Uriah the Hittite.

The baby that was conceived died because of you and you know it's because of you because God told you it's because of you I would you feel about that. As far as disappointment and now you have two sons one the air. Amnon and to the one who is most qualified to be king, the one who is most like you Absalom wonders fled from your presence. One is dead. Just imagine how I felt she how you deal with that kind of disappointment in your life sees King David is a recipient of the Davidic covenant but notice his life is messed up on so many levels from the story continues and we pick it up in chapter 15. At the end of chapter 14 scheduling verse 23 Joab councils the king so Joab arose and went to glacier and he brought Absalom to Jerusalem, Joab kept telling David in the interim.

David, you gotta bring your son back. It was terrible what happened, but Amnon did something that was unspeakable so you gotta bring Absalom back for three years, David. When agree to that. Here we find out though. In verse 24. However, the king said, let them turn return is a better way to translate let return to his own house and let him not see my face and Absalom returned to his own house, did not see the king's face digging a back and wanting to goes back to Jerusalem. Now he says it all. Israel there was no one as handsome as Absalom like that written about who's he like just like that he's a chip off the old block. He's one handsome guy. In fact, he says so highly praised from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. There was not a defect in him. This is one good looking man he looks like a king. By the way he acts like a king is a warrior like a king but he has weaknesses about this one way cut the hair on his head and it was at the end of every year that he cut it like that guys once a year to year.

He said it was having on his head and a reason to cut the reason he cut his hair every year as he could carry it anymore.

Is it what you sure about that well and everyone. He says he weighed the hair of his head at 200 shekels by the Kingsway 5 pounds in one year. He grew 5 pounds of hair now that guy has a had a hair just the challenge going here. Don't cut your hair, then cut it when see what you some of you guys. You will get 5 ounces, 5 pounds of hair Absalom. There was born three sons and one daughter whose name was Taymor. He loved his sister. He knew she had been discredited, so he names his only daughter after now here's what's kind of interesting. A revolt then begins and Absalom wants to see David. David will not see Absalom realize that Joab is the key to seeing Dave because he's David's advisor. So Absalom does something.

It's kind of interesting. Verse 30 it says. Therefore, he said were servants he Joab's field next to mine and he has barley their coloring set on fire but having spent part of the Lamb. And that's the that's their income and the king disperse them so Joab is a visor gets a big plot of land right beside Absalom of the sun is. Oh by the way Scott is barley crop and burned to the ground.

We imagine the joy thought about that as we see then Joab arose came to Absalom at his house and he said why have your servant set fire to my feel like a bird might feel down Absalom answer driving said, behold, I sent for you saying come here that I may send you to the king and say why have I come glacier.

It would've been better for me to stay there now therefore let me see the king's face, and if there's iniquity in me, let them put me to death. So Joab came to the king, and he told him and he called for Absalom's is thus he came to the king, and he prostrated himself on his face to the ground before the king. The king kissed Absalom to think whether that's good, that's all. David did the custom and and just have them leave and that was that you want to see me your seeming under Absalom now had about enough of that.

And so he comes up. He's a very cunning individual and he's patient now it came about after this that Absalom provided for himself. The chariot horses and 50 minutes runners reform has an entourage and Absalom's rise early and stand beside the way to the gate enter Jerusalem and happen when any man who had a suit to come to the king for judgment.

Absalom would call him and say from what city are you and he would say, your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel and Absalom would say to him see your claims are good and right.

But no man listens to you one part of the king you have a great case you have a legal case.

The truck was David won't hear and he has to make a decision sorry this is tough luck for you, then Absalom would say to them see your claims are good and right.

No man listens to you on the part of the king. Moreover, Absalom would say all that one would appoint me judge in the land then Everyman was a suit or cause could come to me and I would give them justice.

What you doing. He's campaigning you know what campaign sunlight. See you know what it's like every promise is made. I did it justice. Listen to your your report to me.

If only I were the judge and I David both interesting. It happened that when a man came near to prostrated himself before him, he would put out his hand and he would take hold of him and he would kiss him. That's a little more intimacy.

That's what David did with her son Absalom says you're all like my children to me in this manner, Absalom dealt with all Israel who came looking for judgment, so Absalom stole away the hearts of the men of you want to still weigh people's hearts. Promise them what they want.

That's how you do it now. They have forgotten about David and Goliath and David and Saul and David's victories over the Philistines and the peace in the land. Absalom was going to give them what they wanted. Well, one of the story.

Look at verse 12 of chapter 15 Absalom sent for I have Theo and Hitler felt that Dylan night, David's counselor, he says from the city of Diablo while he was offering sacrifices in the conspiracy was strong for the people increase continually with Absalom and that a messenger came to David and said the hearts of the men of Israel with Absalom. Absalom to take over. David said all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem arrives.

Let us flee for otherwise none of us shall escape from Absalom ago in haste he will overtake us quickly, and bring on calamity on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword making servants under the king, behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord what the game which is notice how David is changed. David is completely different. Does that sound like a David as a teenager. The face Goliath. I think David's disappointment in himself using one of the things that's most misunderstood about David. Is this because David is described in the book of acts as a man after God's own heart. We always assume that David is like a model for all of us. He only has in one way David is no Joe, he is no Joseph is no Daniel, David, is a model of us. For this reason, he represents a person who seems like crazy but has a humble and contrite heart and need for God. That's what makes David special not as life. David's life is full of disappointments is a lousy father is a terrible husband disobeyed the Lord continually almost. He was humble and contrite about his that's wise man after God, not because of his performance. Listening to Pastor Bill on the radio ministry of fellowship in the world. If you ever missed one of our broadcast or maybe you just listen to the message one more time. Remember, you can Google a great website called one place.com that's one place.com and you can listen to Fellowship in the Word online at that website you will find on with today's broadcast so many of our previous audio programs as well have Fellowship in the Word we are thinking for those who financially support our ministry and make this broadcast possible.

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