The Prodigal Who Didn’t Come Home Part 1

Some kids want to break out and experience often end up in ruins pushing they never left today.

One prodigal son left and never returned. His name was Absalom the church in Chicago. This is with Dr. Sir was clear teaching sauce make it across.

Esther loser. I'm not sure many people would think of Absalom prodigal son will day that they don't think of Absalom as a prodigal son, it's because they don't know his story. He was a prodigal son who did great evil, and he heard his father David greatly.

It's a story that we need to hear that. The good news is that next time I'm going to talk about a prodigal who returned home.

That of course is the story that Jesus told, let me say that this series of messages is available to you for a gift of any amount you can ask for this series on the prodigal's. Here's what you do go to RTW offer.com that's RTW offer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337 that's 1-888-218-9337.

Now let's go to the pulpit of Moody church and tell the story of a prodigal who didn't return home, who ended badly, but it's a message that we have to hear something that should always fascinate us as human nature. I think I've been a student of human nature for many years trying to understand why people do what they do and what fascinates me is first of all, on the one hand, the potential good that each person has, but also the potential for evil ever noticed that sometimes two children from the very same home the same parents. One grows up and loves God and the other is nothing to do with God and goes a different direction and you say to yourself, same parents, same home. Why is the mystery of human nature. But it's also the mystery of God's providence Jacob have I loved, and Esau have I hated the providence of God in all this gets part of the answer to our question today I'm speaking on prodigal's just to messages. This is the first and then there'll be a second and the word prodigal has to do with wastefulness we say about somebody he got wasted. There's a good side to that word prodigal. It also can mean that very extravagant and that giving but seldom do we use it that way when we talk about the prodigal son in the 15th chapter of Luke, which is the basis for the second message in the series. It says that he wasted his life with riotous living. And that's where the word prodigal comes from wastefulness of your life and I'm intrigued by prodigal's because you know we have been praying for prodigal's here at the Moody church as a matter fact some time ago I said that I wanted all the pop sin prayer meeting pops meaning parents of prodigal's and many of you came to prayer meeting and we have prayer lists and were going to continue to pray for prodigal. Today I'm going to speak to you about a prodigal who didn't come home to look into his life were going to look into human nature were going to look into the word and were going to leave here today utterly transformed by God's name is Absalom. Absalom had many advantages and some of those advantages were also disadvantages. Absalom was the king's son King David's son. How would you like to have is your father the king of Israel, and the man who wrote all the Psalms about how his heart thirsted for God like a deer pants for the water brooks and all of those wonderful things that have become a part of Scripture. How would you like to have him for a dad. What wasn't exactly everything that you might think it might be the matter fact, Absalom had to struggle with who he was, which is always true of children with famous parents and also the expectations so that which was a positive was really a negative to anything about Absalom that he had going for them is that he was dropped dead good looking, striking in his appearance.

Bible says in second Samuel chapter 14 that Absalom was more handsome than any man in Israel. And when he cut his hair, which he did once a year. It weighed 200 shekels which is approximately 5 pounds. He was dropdead gorgeous. Was that a plus well and seem to be those of you who are striking in your appearance. Those of you who are good looking. You have many advantages that the rest of us do not have. However, in the end, it can turn out to be a terrible terrible disadvantage today in our culture to be handsome and to be strikingly beautiful means that you will be pursued by people. It means sexually. The temptations are going to be greater and the tendency to coast through life is going to be there. I've often been at airports, watching people walk by and I think to myself of the wisdom of God, of making most people strikingly ordinary. Absalom could never have done what he ended up doing if he had not been filled with charisma and charm looks well those are the pluses and minuses. Actually, there's a minus that I forgot to mention in that as he had no emotional connection with his father. You see in chapter 11 and 12 and you may take your Bible if you would please and turned to second Samuel chapters 11 and 12 and following, and we're just going I'm going to walk you through a number of chapters 2nd Samuel chapter 11 and chapter 12 David commits adultery and murder and probably because of that he had no control over his children. No emotional connection. No involvement.

He was a totally passive father, we can understand why he sees his son's rebellion sees them kill one another and the Bible says he became angry and didn't do anything.

It was a terrible father, for example, Adonijah one of his sons who tried to rebel all mention him in a moment, and did rebel. The Bible says that even though he did evil.

His father never crossed him or asked him what are you doing why are you doing it.

Typical absentee father, probably because of his moral failure in adultery and murder. They were to go to his kids and get involve a table dad who are you to talk so what do fathers like that. Do they backed out of the family and they just let all the dysfunction move ahead so that was Absalom now one of the things we discovered at prayer meeting as we were talking to prodigal's in the way in which it went. Was this everyone who had a prodigal would come to the microphone or come to me and they would tell us about their prodigal and we get a little bit of background so that we could pray more intelligently what we learned is that there are two different kinds of prodigal's, there are those who are lured by the world that they come from good homes. That's the prodigal son that will talk about next time.

Good home, but rejects it. And then there are product those who feel pushed out of the home because of the dysfunction.

They simply can no longer stand what's happening within the home and so they get out and they say to themselves. I hate my parents and I hate their God.

That's the kind of prodigal that Absalom was but both kinds of prodigal son. Both kinds what they do is they take over the traces they go through the fences. They go on a wrong road and then they stay on that road, because it's too difficult to return to the point of origin. They will do what about Absalom.

Absalom did two things. First of all, he had a revenge killing a revenge killing. Now you have to understand chapter 13 verse one. Now, Absalom, David's son had a beautiful sister whose name was tamer, Kmart and Absalom were full brother and sister. They were the only two of that particular wife.

David had a number of wives which really increase the dysfunction. I can assure you, so Absalom was beautiful and so was his sister. The confluence of genes, their mother was actually named Monica and when she and David came together the confluence of genes produced beauty, but I am not on who is another son of David at half brother to this young woman Kmart sexually assaults her in the worst possible way I won't tell you the story you can read it there now, Absalom wants revenge to his half-brother for doing this to his full sister. They shared the same parents and Absalom harbors this in his heart over a long period of time and then what does he do he says to his father. I'm going to be meeting with the various brothers, I want all the brothers of the King.

Let's have a party and Amnon goes there. After doing this despicable deed and when he's there.

Absalom says to his servants kill him.

I've given you permission to do that and that's exactly what happens. Amnon is killed by the way, what happened when there was incest in the whole.

You know, in chapter 13. The Bible says in verse 21. This is after that terrible incident when King David heard about these things. He was very angry. Thank you, David, would you do something when you get involved it would you would you help Absalom work through his grief would you go visit Kmart and do something in and try to bring about some kind of reconciliation after the mass know I'm just very angry will not act one of bondage to families to have fathers who do not act, no emotional connection Mike Singletary who used to play for the Chicago Bears visits prisons and he keeps asking the question how many of you had a good connection with your father, and he is still waiting for the first hand to be raise. King David here gets angry, but he does nothing.

Amnon is murdered. Absalom flees because you see, once you do evil against someone else, are not only disconnected from God. You have to be disconnected from others, and so Absalom flees into isolation where he stays for three years.

That's the first thing I revenge killing which deadened his conscience. You see, now that he was on that path, he had to follow it wherever it would lead.

Secondly, you have a revenge stealing. This passage is so remarkable what insight this gives us about charmers, charmers, charmers can sometimes be very nice people there. The kind of man that all the women in the church wish they had married and then you discover that there are charmers where the real deal. But then there also charmers who are abused present. Behind their charm. They use charm to kill let's Absalom all, let's read the text chapter 15. After this, Absalom got himself a chariot and horses and 50 horsemen to run before him and Absalom used to rise early this is second Samuel chapter 50 Dean and Deb used to rise early and stand beside the way of the gate, and when a man had a dispute to come before the king or judgment.

That's his father David, Absalom would call to him and say hey from what city are you and he said your servant is of such and such a tribe in Israel, Absalom would say to him see your claims are good and right.

But there's no man designated by the King to hear you but Absalom would say 00 that I were a judge in the land that every man with a dispute or a cause might come to me and I would give him justice. And whenever a man came near to pay homage to him he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him.

Thus, Absalom did too old of Israel who came to the king for judgment, so Absalom stole the heart of the people why this kid so mad at his dad that he wants to kill his dad and take over the kingship. Well, you know, I Absalom after he fled to get sure because of the crime against Amnon that he was reconciled to his dad. It's a story you need to read but there was no resolution of the issues he didn't have to confess to anything. His father eventually brought them back because of some information then the wisdom that supposedly was imparted to him and they just pretend that this is the way dysfunctional families work. They pretend that everything is okay, let's move it over.

Let's not deal with it.

There's no doubt that Absalom was angry with his detached father, the great and wonderful king of Israel is possible for man to write the songs be a bad dad I guess so.

David was all right now. As he steals the heart of the people he couldn't have done that unless he had attractiveness unless he had charisma unless he was very naturally gifted and so he uses charm to kill and that he has a rebellion against his father. It's a long story that you can read on your own. Remember we are on our way to some life-changing lessons so I'm only giving you only increasing your interest and curiosity so that you read the story on all right now, Absalom is rebelling. David has to go up the Mount of olives, he has to leave Jerusalem. Absalom takes David's harem and has a relationship with them sexually right on the rooftop for all Israel so that people will know that Absalom absolutely can never be reconciled to his dad so that those who are in the insurgency will bond with Absalom and know that there's no hope of reconciliation here, and then Absalom goes writing and eventually he is killed. Bible says in chapter 18 now and Absalom happened. I'm in verse nine to meet the servants of David Absalom was riding on his mule. The mule went under the thick branches of the great oak tree and his head caught fast in the oak and he was suspended between heaven and earth while the mule that was under him went on while and then Joab comes along and takes three arrows and finishes him off.

Joab was David's military commander Joab had disobeyed David because David kept giving orders and saying whatever you do don't touch absolute, don't touch Absalom unrealistic what you mean, don't touch Absalom, you've got a civil war going here.

You have to kill the leader because he is trying to kill you, David.

Here's the news I want you now to feel the pathos would you enter into David sandals for just a moment. It's the end of chapter 18 I'm reading at verse 33 David gets the news that Absalom had been killed and the king was deeply moved and went up into the chamber over the gate and left. And as he went. He said oh Absalom, my son, my son Absalom what that I had to die instead of you. Oh, Absalom, Maysan, Maysan course. He loved them, but he did know how to show it and he did know how to get involved in the life of his family later on he had to be jerked back to his senses. Joab went to him and said you know you're crying, you should be rejoicing.

We were willing to lay down our lives for you some of our people were killed in the Civil War. While what a story. Five lessons now that I want you to write down.

I want you to keep put them on your refrigerator until you know them all by memory your dying in a hospital. Someday, the doctor says know what were those five lessons that pastor Luther taught you about Absalom and you spit them out, one right after another. Because now we get to pay dirt. Now the transformation happens one of the five lessons number one, although a father might repent of his sin. Children might not. Although a father might repent children might not. David bounced back from murder and adultery. He was back in fellowship with God you read Psalm 51. I mean, he was pouring out his soul, he was admitting to everything and God even restored the joy of his salvation. He lost his family and after he committed adultery and murder God says to David he says you're going to pay for this sin fourfold and or obvious sons die. First of all, you have the baby that Bathsheba bore died and you member, David wept and prayed that God would heal the child but when the baby died he washed his face and they said that's unusual. Why are you not morning now. David says I will go to him even though he will not come back to me. David said I expect to see my baby again. We will be reunited and I'm sure that they have been.

But when it comes to the other sons you have, Amnon, who was murdered by Absalom you have Absalom who was caught in an oak tree and murdered by Joab and then you have Adonijah. Adonijah rebelled after David died. He wanted the kingdom, but David had given it to Solomon so they had to kill Adonijah to and when David wept over those son. He could not be comforted because he knew right. Well, he would never see those sons again. They parted their ways, not only in life but in death and for ever because there is no evidence that Absalom ever received God's grace, or forgiveness or help or reconciliation. He went his own way and I'm sure that that was true of rebellious Amnon and Adonijah to parents separated from their children for no wonder David would not stop. You know, just recounting this in my mind bring sadness to my heart because I know that there are many of you listening who have chronicled children and how important it is for us to continue to pray for them to shepherd them. You know were living at a time of great crisis. I know that Cove that has occupied our attention for the last several months, and what an experience. It has been it's been a health crisis. Of course, but it's also been a financial crisis.

I have spoken on a DVD or CD your preference and given a lecture on covert, 19 the economy and their future.

I believe very deeply that we as Christians need to be able to respond to what is happening around us and to do so in a very biblical way.

Now the subtitle is five economic effects that will continue far into the future. I believe that this will be instructive, but also faith building for a gift of any amount.

This can be yours.

Here's what you do go to RTW offer.com RTW offer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337 ask for Colby. 19 the economy and our future, either as a DVD or CD RTW offer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337 thanks so much for helping us as we continue to share the gospel of Jesus Christ that is more needed in our country and in different countries of the world than ever. It's time now for another chance for you to ask pastor Luther a question about the Bible or the Christian life.

Old habits die hard. That's why an anonymous listener is appealing for help. He writes I am a former alcoholic. I've been a Christian now for 10 years and stopped drinking when I was first converted I began drinking again six years ago. I don't want to and I frequently pray about this.

I know that by getting drunk periodically. I am not being a faithful witness. What am I doing wrong, but is stopping me from living the life God would want me to lead while my brother I just want to tell you. First of all, indeed, God does want you to be free of drunkenness, free of the what shall I call it the power of alcoholism, the bondage of alcoholism. That's probably a better word. What are you doing wrong, you know, my friend. There are some things that are sin and then there are other things that grow into addictions and they can be very very difficult to get rid of. I suspect that what you need is really serious accountability. Are you a part of a men's group in your church are there those around you who know that you have a propensity to alcohol. They are the ones who can help you through this. That's number one number two. Cut yourself off from any avenue that allows you to get a drink, you know, when the Bible says, flee from temptation. It means put physical distance between you and the temptation because that temptation is always going to be with you. You talk to alcoholics and they say that at any time they could go back even though they been sober for perhaps 20 years. So what is the avenue where you get it. Whatever you do block that door so that no matter how desperately you want it. It won't be available and in this way.

I believe that God is going to enable you to walk in victory in this area of your life. Some wise counsel from Dr. Erwin looks her thank you Dr. lutes are if you'd like to hear your question answered.

Go to our website@rtwoffer.com and click on ask pastor lutes or or call us at 1-888-218-9337 that's 1-888-218-9337 you can write to is running to win 1635 N. LaSalle Boulevard Chicago, IL 60614. Do your kids to fly you next time I'm running to win more on the roots of Absalom's rebellion and lessons for parents today who have prodigal sons or daughters running to win is all about helping you understand God's roadmap for your race of life.

Thanks for listening for Dr. Erwin lutes or this is Dave McAllister running to win is sponsored by the teacher