1 00:00:00,600 --> 00:00:04,500 Second Samuel chapter 15. Tonight. 2 00:00:04,500 --> 00:00:10,500 You and I are going to study something that God hates. 3 00:00:12,000 --> 00:00:15,200 I'm not sure if that's the most exciting way to start a Bible 4 00:00:15,200 --> 00:00:18,400 study, but I'm sure that it grabbed your attention on the 5 00:00:18,400 --> 00:00:23,800 less. If the god that we love and sing 6 00:00:23,800 --> 00:00:28,300 to, and testify about is a, god of love. 7 00:00:28,500 --> 00:00:31,600 God is love, but his love does not. 8 00:00:33,500 --> 00:00:35,200 There's not rather. Let me put it this way. 9 00:00:35,300 --> 00:00:41,200 His love does discriminate. His love, doesn't spill over 10 00:00:41,200 --> 00:00:44,000 into absolutely everything without condition or without 11 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:49,100 standard, God loves but because he loves so perfectly. 12 00:00:49,100 --> 00:00:54,400 He also hates And in Proverbs chapter 6. 13 00:00:55,500 --> 00:01:00,600 We are given seven things that the Lord hates and Proverbs 6. 14 00:01:00,600 --> 00:01:04,300 16 to 19, we were told of six things that the Lord hates and 15 00:01:04,300 --> 00:01:07,200 seven things that are an Abomination to him. 16 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:12,400 And Abomination is something that one holds with great, 17 00:01:12,400 --> 00:01:18,800 disgust and abhorrence And God has those feelings about certain 18 00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:24,000 things. And the Seven thing that God 19 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:29,500 abhors on that list of the data data, station is one who sews 20 00:01:29,500 --> 00:01:34,300 Discord among Brothers. What that means is somebody who 21 00:01:34,300 --> 00:01:39,600 intentionally plants seeds of Doubt or suspicion within a 22 00:01:39,607 --> 00:01:44,500 group of people with the purpose of causing a severance. 23 00:01:46,100 --> 00:01:51,800 And some kind of faction. And usually that is motivated by 24 00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:56,000 Personal Agenda. This is something that God 25 00:01:56,000 --> 00:02:01,600 absolutely despises and unfortunately what God tells us 26 00:02:01,600 --> 00:02:05,200 and makes clear to us Of what he hates is. 27 00:02:05,200 --> 00:02:07,600 What men tend to passionately pursue. 28 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:13,400 And such is the case with this man, Absalom Absalom in this 29 00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:19,800 chapter is ready to orchestrate. A divisive campaign with 30 00:02:19,800 --> 00:02:22,900 remarkable discipline and dedication. 31 00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:28,500 And instead of the Holy Spirit, just giving us that as a general 32 00:02:28,700 --> 00:02:31,700 observation or a general statement, what you're going to 33 00:02:31,700 --> 00:02:36,800 discover as we read is that we actually have Absalom scheme in 34 00:02:36,800 --> 00:02:41,700 great detail, leading up to that execution of division. 35 00:02:42,800 --> 00:02:46,000 If the Holy Spirit did not think that this was important, he 36 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:50,500 would have generalized this moment in Israel's history under 37 00:02:50,500 --> 00:02:52,900 David's reign with what we see here. 38 00:02:53,200 --> 00:02:55,800 At the end of verse 6. Look at it very quickly with me. 39 00:02:57,200 --> 00:03:00,900 It says here. So Absalom stole the hearts of 40 00:03:00,900 --> 00:03:05,100 the men of Israel that would have been a sufficient way of 41 00:03:05,100 --> 00:03:11,400 telling us why there will be a Civil War at this point and 42 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:14,500 David's life as the leader of this people. 43 00:03:15,400 --> 00:03:20,000 But God goes beyond that again, he wants to show us what it was 44 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:23,800 that led to the people's hearts being stolen. 45 00:03:24,700 --> 00:03:29,300 And what led to a division among a people that were enjoying 46 00:03:29,300 --> 00:03:32,000 unity and prosperity in different ways. 47 00:03:33,500 --> 00:03:35,800 And I thought to myself Lord, why is it important that in the 48 00:03:35,800 --> 00:03:37,300 first six? Seven verses? 49 00:03:37,300 --> 00:03:40,300 We see here exactly what Absalom would do. 50 00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:44,800 Why spell out why draw out the drama of this conspiracy? 51 00:03:46,100 --> 00:03:49,000 And I believe the reason is because the Lord wants to 52 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:54,000 instruct us and the Lord wants us to be benefited by something 53 00:03:54,200 --> 00:03:58,200 such as this for the sake of making us a Discerning people. 54 00:03:59,100 --> 00:04:04,700 A Discerning people who would be able to detect the early stages 55 00:04:04,700 --> 00:04:10,700 of division and whatever sphere you find yourself in Division is 56 00:04:10,700 --> 00:04:14,100 possible in any place where two people are gathered or committed 57 00:04:14,100 --> 00:04:16,100 to one another. It can happen in marriage, you 58 00:04:16,108 --> 00:04:18,200 can happen in families, it can happen in business, it can 59 00:04:18,200 --> 00:04:22,200 happen in institutions and it can especially happen in the 60 00:04:22,200 --> 00:04:27,200 Community of Faith. And so there is something here 61 00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:29,700 for us. In order to be observant, 62 00:04:29,700 --> 00:04:36,300 Discerning careful watchful first, with our own Hearts to 63 00:04:36,300 --> 00:04:39,700 see if there is anything that we are unknowingly entertaining, 64 00:04:41,600 --> 00:04:45,100 but even in what we see around us because you and I are 65 00:04:45,100 --> 00:04:50,800 constantly as the people of God under under attack under attack. 66 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:56,000 And one of Satan's, favorite plots is to sow Discord among 67 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:59,900 the people of God. He enjoys it, it's one of the 68 00:04:59,900 --> 00:05:04,700 oldest playbooks of sin. It's what happened in heaven. 69 00:05:05,100 --> 00:05:06,900 It's, what happens throughout the Bible. 70 00:05:08,100 --> 00:05:11,600 And we see it here before us in this example and it is greatly 71 00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:16,200 beneficial for us as a people who strive to be in Partnership 72 00:05:16,200 --> 00:05:20,100 for the glory of God. Now from experience, I've 73 00:05:20,100 --> 00:05:24,400 learned that whenever the subject comes up, that those who 74 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:29,600 are already set on entertaining and harboring, a spirit of 75 00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:35,500 division are very hard to convince To turn from such a way 76 00:05:35,500 --> 00:05:37,800 of life. It returned from such a mindset. 77 00:05:38,500 --> 00:05:43,600 Most people who are divisive are frightening, Lee committed to 78 00:05:43,600 --> 00:05:48,700 that cause and so my primary aim here though, God can do miracles 79 00:05:48,800 --> 00:05:53,100 in the most rebellious heart, my primary aim is to through this 80 00:05:53,100 --> 00:05:58,200 Bible study, as we come together to equip and protect those which 81 00:05:58,200 --> 00:06:03,200 is all of us who can be seduced by someone or some people that 82 00:06:03,200 --> 00:06:06,200 would up to bring the vision in our lives. 83 00:06:07,300 --> 00:06:10,000 And though these principles, apply to every sphere of 84 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:13,400 society, and any any area of life where you have 85 00:06:13,400 --> 00:06:16,500 relationships with others, I want to focus on the local 86 00:06:16,500 --> 00:06:21,600 church, the local church. And so allow me through this 87 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:24,300 Bible said it's going to be very unique because it's going to be 88 00:06:24,300 --> 00:06:28,700 more of a study of a very uncomfortable subject. 89 00:06:29,500 --> 00:06:32,800 But it's going to be important for us to see at least three 90 00:06:32,800 --> 00:06:40,900 ways division occurs Even among the most spiritual where God is 91 00:06:40,900 --> 00:06:45,200 moving, where God is blessing, where people have been brought 92 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:48,100 together, evidently by God's Providence. 93 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:52,600 I want you guys to see here very carefully through absalom's 94 00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:58,000 example, the ingredients that are necessary to take to see 95 00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:01,000 division, take place. Let's read the first few verses 96 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:05,300 together. After this Absalom verse 1, 97 00:07:05,400 --> 00:07:09,500 after this Absalom got himself a chariot and horses. 98 00:07:10,600 --> 00:07:15,900 And 50 Mentor run before him and Absalom used to rise early and 99 00:07:15,900 --> 00:07:18,200 stand beside the way of the gate. 100 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:22,000 And when any man had a dispute to come before the king for 101 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:26,300 judgment, Absalom will call to him and say, from from what city 102 00:07:26,300 --> 00:07:29,200 are you. And when he said, your servant 103 00:07:29,200 --> 00:07:32,900 is of such and such a tribe in Israel, Absalom would say to 104 00:07:32,900 --> 00:07:35,100 him. See, your claims are good and 105 00:07:35,100 --> 00:07:39,000 right, but there is no, man, designated by the king to hear 106 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:42,900 you. Then Absalom would say, oh that, 107 00:07:42,900 --> 00:07:47,300 I were a judge in the land, then every man with a dispute or 108 00:07:47,300 --> 00:07:51,200 cause might come to me and I would give him Justice. 109 00:07:52,100 --> 00:07:55,600 And whenever a man came near to pay, homage to him, he would put 110 00:07:55,600 --> 00:07:59,500 out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him. 111 00:08:00,400 --> 00:08:04,300 Thus Absalom did to all of Israel who came to the king for 112 00:08:04,300 --> 00:08:08,900 judgment. So, Absalom stole the hearts of 113 00:08:08,900 --> 00:08:15,800 the men of Israel. The first ingredient that is 114 00:08:15,800 --> 00:08:20,400 required. To see painful division, 115 00:08:20,400 --> 00:08:25,800 possibly take place among the people of God, is that number 116 00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:30,100 one division begins in the heart of Unholy men. 117 00:08:31,200 --> 00:08:34,500 Division begins in the heart of Unholy men. 118 00:08:34,500 --> 00:08:40,799 What are the first two words of verse 1 after this, after this, 119 00:08:41,100 --> 00:08:43,500 if you were here last week, you know what happened, before this 120 00:08:43,500 --> 00:08:45,700 what happened before? This was that King David 121 00:08:45,900 --> 00:08:52,000 acquitted, his son Absalom for his murderous plot and forgave 122 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:54,700 him and restored him and gave him all his privileges back 123 00:08:54,700 --> 00:08:56,600 though. There was no sign of confection. 124 00:08:56,900 --> 00:09:00,300 There is no evidence of remorse. There was not a hint of 125 00:09:00,300 --> 00:09:04,600 repentance Displayed. And David was wrong for doing 126 00:09:04,600 --> 00:09:07,000 that. David was in error for allowing 127 00:09:07,000 --> 00:09:09,900 someone like him to go free in this way. 128 00:09:11,200 --> 00:09:13,500 Yes, we are. A faith of forgiveness and 129 00:09:13,500 --> 00:09:17,100 restoration reconciliation, but we ought to forgive us Christ. 130 00:09:17,100 --> 00:09:20,200 Forgave, and part of that forgiveness Pursuit is to 131 00:09:20,200 --> 00:09:22,300 release them in our hearts and not take Vengeance. 132 00:09:22,300 --> 00:09:25,600 But in order for reconciliation to happen, it requires 133 00:09:25,600 --> 00:09:27,600 repentance from the offending party. 134 00:09:29,700 --> 00:09:32,300 Christ, is he not wait for men to repent for us to be 135 00:09:32,300 --> 00:09:34,600 reconciled to him? Absolutely. 136 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:38,200 And we don't see that here but instead of focusing on David 137 00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:41,400 more, let's turn our attention to Absalom and consider his 138 00:09:41,400 --> 00:09:46,400 attitude in this whole thing. Absalom based on what we heard 139 00:09:46,500 --> 00:09:50,400 last week, believe that he was completely justified in what he 140 00:09:50,400 --> 00:09:53,300 did to his, half-brother eminent completely Justified. 141 00:09:54,800 --> 00:09:57,000 This man talked. He had no sense of personal 142 00:09:57,000 --> 00:09:59,900 accountability God and he obviously had no touch of how 143 00:09:59,900 --> 00:10:04,600 his sins affected others. And when you look at Absalom up 144 00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:07,200 to this point, you realize that he was a man who was driven by 145 00:10:07,200 --> 00:10:10,700 his own criteria. He had his own standard of, 146 00:10:10,700 --> 00:10:15,400 right and wrong. He had his own concept of what 147 00:10:15,400 --> 00:10:18,100 was permissible and what was not permissible. 148 00:10:19,300 --> 00:10:22,500 And such a man who does not subject himself to the law of 149 00:10:22,500 --> 00:10:28,400 God, and who elevates his own understanding, despite Divine 150 00:10:28,400 --> 00:10:32,000 Law being violated or overstepping, people's rights. 151 00:10:32,300 --> 00:10:34,200 That kind of a person is dangerous. 152 00:10:35,200 --> 00:10:37,700 That kind of a person is dangerous for, many reasons, to 153 00:10:37,700 --> 00:10:39,600 be driven. And to be determined, by your 154 00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:45,900 own rules, is a scary world view and such people. 155 00:10:45,900 --> 00:10:49,000 Despite any other rules that might challenge his own. 156 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:53,300 He believes that he is in the right that kind of mindset is 157 00:10:53,300 --> 00:10:59,400 detrimental to any any kind of sphere of our lives and the 158 00:10:59,408 --> 00:11:01,900 potential disruption of such a person. 159 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:09,400 Is so severe? That division is highly likely. 160 00:11:10,800 --> 00:11:15,100 Such a person has no problems. Stepping over people. 161 00:11:15,100 --> 00:11:18,400 Stepping on people dismissing any rule. 162 00:11:19,700 --> 00:11:22,900 To get what they want. And usually this kind of a 163 00:11:22,900 --> 00:11:25,900 person is an individual who can excuse any kind of sinful 164 00:11:25,900 --> 00:11:31,500 Behavior. If they are offended. if their 165 00:11:31,500 --> 00:11:35,900 feelings are so strong or if the object of their desire is so 166 00:11:35,900 --> 00:11:42,200 strong, Such a person inevitably will bring about some kind of 167 00:11:42,200 --> 00:11:45,000 Discord. In their world. 168 00:11:45,500 --> 00:11:48,800 And you see this often with people who become become 169 00:11:48,800 --> 00:11:53,200 offended by my others, whether Christians are especially by 170 00:11:53,200 --> 00:11:58,900 Spiritual Authority, This is common disappointment and unmet 171 00:11:58,900 --> 00:12:04,400 expectations can easily energize a divisive spirit. 172 00:12:05,500 --> 00:12:08,200 Unless they are restrained, by the truth of God's word in the 173 00:12:08,208 --> 00:12:11,700 Holy Spirit and that is who we are dealing with here. 174 00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:16,500 Absalom's attitude is not excused by immaturity, he's not 175 00:12:16,500 --> 00:12:21,600 somebody here who is stubborn or irrational because he lacks 176 00:12:21,600 --> 00:12:24,200 experience in life. It's much deeper than that 177 00:12:24,400 --> 00:12:26,200 significantly much deeper than that. 178 00:12:26,400 --> 00:12:28,400 Look at verse 1. Again, what stands out to you. 179 00:12:28,400 --> 00:12:32,500 After this Absalom got himself, a chariot and horses and fifty 180 00:12:32,500 --> 00:12:34,700 men to run before him. Why do you think he's doing 181 00:12:34,700 --> 00:12:41,600 that? Attention is this Absalom trying 182 00:12:41,600 --> 00:12:46,100 to get somewhere quicker? Is this about faster Mobility? 183 00:12:46,100 --> 00:12:47,300 Absolutely. Not why? 184 00:12:47,300 --> 00:12:49,500 Because you got a cherry but you have 50, guys running in front 185 00:12:49,500 --> 00:12:50,800 of you. This is not about 186 00:12:50,800 --> 00:12:52,400 Transportation. This is not about Mobility. 187 00:12:52,400 --> 00:12:56,000 This is about Showmanship. This is about performance. 188 00:12:56,800 --> 00:13:00,100 This is about somebody who is walking around. 189 00:13:00,100 --> 00:13:01,900 Now, drawing attention to himself. 190 00:13:01,900 --> 00:13:05,000 We've already discovered that absent was a man who craved the 191 00:13:05,200 --> 00:13:07,300 Praise of man. And if you are not convinced 192 00:13:07,300 --> 00:13:11,300 that this is what he is up to go to his brother's account and 193 00:13:11,300 --> 00:13:13,900 First Kings 1 and verse 5, adonijah. 194 00:13:13,900 --> 00:13:17,200 When he wanted to be king, I want you to see something eerily 195 00:13:17,200 --> 00:13:19,300 similar with Absalom here in second. 196 00:13:19,300 --> 00:13:21,600 Samuel chapter 15, look at First Kings. 197 00:13:21,800 --> 00:13:25,300 Chapter 1, verse 5 in your Bibles and notice what happens 198 00:13:25,300 --> 00:13:33,500 here. Now, add the Niger that's 199 00:13:33,500 --> 00:13:36,600 absalom's brother. The son of hag. 200 00:13:36,600 --> 00:13:43,500 If exalted himself saying I will be king and he prepare for 201 00:13:43,500 --> 00:13:48,000 himself chariots and Horsemen and fifty men to run before him. 202 00:13:48,900 --> 00:13:52,500 It's clear, right? There's the connection exalting 203 00:13:52,500 --> 00:13:58,000 oneself and parading oneself in the exact way that Absalom does 204 00:13:58,000 --> 00:14:02,100 here in our subject and our study right now And here's the 205 00:14:02,100 --> 00:14:04,900 point that you, and I have to understand individuals who live 206 00:14:04,900 --> 00:14:08,500 for the admiration and the Applause of others are those who 207 00:14:08,508 --> 00:14:11,000 are most capable of stirring problems. 208 00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:18,700 In any setting that is organized by positions by platform or by 209 00:14:18,700 --> 00:14:22,200 Authority. When you get, when you have a 210 00:14:22,208 --> 00:14:26,900 guy like adonijah, when you have a guy like Absalom who survive 211 00:14:26,900 --> 00:14:31,500 and thrive on the Applause and the recognition and the respect, 212 00:14:31,500 --> 00:14:35,900 and all of the above, those are the people who are the 213 00:14:35,900 --> 00:14:40,900 candidates for chaos and Eddie setting, which includes the 214 00:14:40,900 --> 00:14:48,500 church where there are platforms positions or authoritative. 215 00:14:49,300 --> 00:14:53,600 Titles and responsibilities. And I've mentioned this verse on 216 00:14:53,600 --> 00:14:55,900 So Many occasions. Sometimes I hesitate to repeat 217 00:14:55,900 --> 00:14:59,200 them but it's good. We're creatures of repetition. 218 00:14:59,400 --> 00:15:02,100 Remember what James tells us in James 3:16? 219 00:15:02,900 --> 00:15:05,500 What does he say there? He says, for where jealousy and 220 00:15:05,500 --> 00:15:11,800 selfish ambition exist. There will be Disorder, there 221 00:15:11,800 --> 00:15:14,600 will be disorder, and every vile practice. 222 00:15:15,900 --> 00:15:22,000 Jealousy and selfish ambition. Is the simple recipe for 223 00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:26,300 relational disaster? Jealousy and selfish. 224 00:15:26,300 --> 00:15:31,700 Ambition is the simple recipe for relational disaster among 225 00:15:31,700 --> 00:15:35,400 friends. Among couples among siblings 226 00:15:35,900 --> 00:15:40,000 among congregants and elders and deacons! 227 00:15:42,700 --> 00:15:47,400 And so if you're able to buy the truth of God's word subdue, 228 00:15:47,400 --> 00:15:52,400 these two vices then you can most definitely secure Harmony 229 00:15:52,400 --> 00:15:55,900 and peace. In a setting like this. 230 00:15:57,900 --> 00:16:01,000 So, I told you about Proverbs 6, 16, to 19, where we were told 231 00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:03,800 about the six things of the Lord hates and seven that are an 232 00:16:03,808 --> 00:16:06,500 Abomination to him on that same chapter, we are told something 233 00:16:06,500 --> 00:16:10,500 interesting about the one who continually shows Discord. 234 00:16:11,700 --> 00:16:16,300 And it is this in verse 14. Proverbs 6, 14 tells us with 235 00:16:16,300 --> 00:16:22,200 perverted heart devices. Evil continually sowing Discord 236 00:16:22,900 --> 00:16:29,500 with perverted heart devices. Evil continually sowing Discord. 237 00:16:29,600 --> 00:16:30,900 Do you see the association there? 238 00:16:32,900 --> 00:16:37,100 Sowing Discord is connected to perversion of the heart. 239 00:16:38,900 --> 00:16:43,500 Perversion of the heart. It is the perverted heart that 240 00:16:43,500 --> 00:16:49,100 is capable of intentionally coming to a peaceful place where 241 00:16:49,100 --> 00:16:55,800 there is fruit and there is an honor to God and to try to sever 242 00:16:55,800 --> 00:16:59,700 it and separate it and to bring damage and harm to it. 243 00:17:01,100 --> 00:17:03,400 And we see here that it is an evil thing. 244 00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:07,300 It is absolutely evil. It's okay guys. 245 00:17:07,300 --> 00:17:09,500 I know my throw gave out there. There's no need to panic or 246 00:17:09,500 --> 00:17:13,900 worry. It's an evil thing. 247 00:17:15,900 --> 00:17:20,400 And what's amazing here is that devising evil require strategy, 248 00:17:20,400 --> 00:17:23,000 it requires planning, it requires. 249 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:26,599 Thank you. It requires thinking and 250 00:17:26,599 --> 00:17:30,100 meditation. And so the first ingredient here 251 00:17:30,100 --> 00:17:35,300 is that Division division begins in the heart of Unholy men and 252 00:17:35,300 --> 00:17:37,900 women. When they are more consumed with 253 00:17:37,900 --> 00:17:40,200 South than the glory of God, when they're more concerned 254 00:17:40,200 --> 00:17:42,600 about their position than the presence of God, when they're 255 00:17:42,600 --> 00:17:46,500 more concerned about how they feel than the good of others, 256 00:17:47,500 --> 00:17:52,200 some kind of pain is going to come on a horizontal level. 257 00:17:52,700 --> 00:17:55,100 It doesn't have to all the time but it's more likely. 258 00:17:56,100 --> 00:17:59,000 And then we re here again that there is a there is a device 259 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:02,200 thing with this kind of a heart, this kind of a mindset, a person 260 00:18:02,200 --> 00:18:05,900 who sews division, who plant seeds of Doubt brings us to our 261 00:18:05,900 --> 00:18:10,100 second ingredient. Ingredient division requires and 262 00:18:10,100 --> 00:18:12,500 utilizes deception, and accusation. 263 00:18:13,500 --> 00:18:16,500 So it begins in the heart of an Unholy man on holy woman who 264 00:18:16,500 --> 00:18:19,500 doesn't have God's word in mind as I'm God's standard and view. 265 00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:26,600 But from there it is nurtured and it is strengthened through 266 00:18:26,600 --> 00:18:29,600 deception and accusation. Look back here in our Bible 267 00:18:29,600 --> 00:18:31,100 study. Look at verse 2. 268 00:18:32,100 --> 00:18:36,300 It says, you're an Absalom used to rise early and stand beside 269 00:18:36,300 --> 00:18:38,300 the way of the gate. That disturbs me. 270 00:18:39,800 --> 00:18:43,100 He got up early. I mean this is a man who was 271 00:18:43,400 --> 00:18:47,100 driven. This is a man who was like set 272 00:18:47,100 --> 00:18:50,900 on making this happen and what sowing Discord makes it 273 00:18:50,900 --> 00:18:55,000 especially detestable in the sight of God is just that it 274 00:18:55,000 --> 00:19:00,900 requires great effort and it requires here an accompanying of 275 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:04,000 each other evils in order to see it come about. 276 00:19:05,600 --> 00:19:08,600 And we see here that this man here is doing, just that. 277 00:19:08,600 --> 00:19:12,200 Now, let me say this before hand, we all know that if you do 278 00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:14,800 life with people long enough that there will be some level 279 00:19:14,800 --> 00:19:18,600 and episodes of irritation caused by others, right? 280 00:19:19,000 --> 00:19:22,700 Either by ignorance or by moments getting into the flesh 281 00:19:23,400 --> 00:19:25,600 but those instances can be easily. 282 00:19:25,600 --> 00:19:28,900 Resolved through loving rebuke and honest. 283 00:19:28,900 --> 00:19:32,900 Repentance look, brother, I got out of hand during that meeting. 284 00:19:33,600 --> 00:19:36,600 I was I was I'm very passionate about subject and they just came 285 00:19:36,600 --> 00:19:39,500 out and it wasn't christ-like. Will you forgive me done deal? 286 00:19:40,300 --> 00:19:42,800 That is not the same as what I am speaking about here. 287 00:19:43,300 --> 00:19:45,600 What we're seeing here with Absalom. 288 00:19:47,900 --> 00:19:52,700 Is this? Conniving sophisticated. 289 00:19:53,600 --> 00:19:59,500 And manipulative scheme to sow Discord is to strategically 290 00:19:59,500 --> 00:20:07,000 arouse and heighten conflict. For what purpose to pin Brothers 291 00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:11,100 and Sisters in Christ against one another, for the sake of a 292 00:20:11,100 --> 00:20:14,600 hidden agenda. That's what it means to sow 293 00:20:14,600 --> 00:20:18,600 Discord. You are exciting emotions, you 294 00:20:18,600 --> 00:20:22,600 are playing with people's minds. You are suddenly making 295 00:20:22,600 --> 00:20:28,600 accusations and charges and claims not because you care, but 296 00:20:28,600 --> 00:20:32,600 because you have something in you, that you want to see come 297 00:20:32,600 --> 00:20:35,900 to pass, and that is exactly what Absalom is doing. 298 00:20:35,900 --> 00:20:39,100 He's not loving people. He's using people and this kind 299 00:20:39,100 --> 00:20:43,200 of diabolical plot is usually entertain again. 300 00:20:43,500 --> 00:20:47,500 When someone is offended and wants retaliation wants payback, 301 00:20:47,600 --> 00:20:52,300 or this is something that we don't consider, because that 302 00:20:52,300 --> 00:20:54,300 makes sense, right? People tend to bite back when 303 00:20:54,300 --> 00:20:56,700 they're bitten hit back when they're a hit, right? 304 00:20:57,600 --> 00:21:02,000 But there's another side to this and the other side is this that 305 00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:06,700 such a plot is employed when there is a goal in mind, but 306 00:21:06,700 --> 00:21:09,900 there are obstacles in the way of that goal. 307 00:21:09,900 --> 00:21:14,100 And usually those obstacles are people who are Authority. 308 00:21:15,300 --> 00:21:21,500 Or people who might be opponents to that drive, that you have. 309 00:21:23,100 --> 00:21:25,000 And that is exactly what we see here. 310 00:21:25,400 --> 00:21:28,000 The platform for kingdoms dividing. 311 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:33,500 And for church splits is really the same, it involves the 312 00:21:33,500 --> 00:21:36,500 implementation of deception and accusation. 313 00:21:38,300 --> 00:21:43,000 To see it come to pass that is the qualities of Absalom here. 314 00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:46,100 These are the characteristics of such a man I want you to just in 315 00:21:46,100 --> 00:21:51,300 a very brief moment, see very quickly, the characteristics of 316 00:21:51,300 --> 00:21:55,300 a sower of Discord. Okay, because it's not obvious 317 00:21:55,300 --> 00:21:58,100 all the time. And, you know, in preparation of 318 00:21:58,100 --> 00:22:01,400 this, I was praying Lord, my desire is not through this Bible 319 00:22:01,400 --> 00:22:04,800 study for people to become cynical or for people to become 320 00:22:04,800 --> 00:22:09,200 overly suspicious, My encouragement to you is just to 321 00:22:09,200 --> 00:22:13,000 be Discerning and prayerful and careful. 322 00:22:13,700 --> 00:22:15,300 So look at these things here with me. 323 00:22:15,900 --> 00:22:19,700 The first thing about Absalom, as already mentioned Is that 324 00:22:19,700 --> 00:22:24,000 people who tend to give rise to disunity tend to predict project 325 00:22:24,000 --> 00:22:27,100 themselves in a certain way. And the way that they project 326 00:22:27,100 --> 00:22:31,700 themselves is positively Charmingly. 327 00:22:33,500 --> 00:22:39,800 With great attraction and Trust. Why does he go about in a 328 00:22:39,808 --> 00:22:43,000 chariot with 50 men before him? What kind of image is he trying 329 00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:47,700 to portray of himself? What's that about leader of a 330 00:22:47,700 --> 00:22:51,700 king, right? He's not a king, but he wants to 331 00:22:51,700 --> 00:22:54,700 make it seem like he is a king and he wants to condition the 332 00:22:54,700 --> 00:22:57,100 people to see him. As a potential leader, you 333 00:22:57,100 --> 00:23:00,000 already has the looks, he has the Luscious Hair, we're going 334 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:03,600 to see in a moment that he has the Charisma and he knows how to 335 00:23:04,200 --> 00:23:06,900 he knows how to play politics and he knows how to be the man's 336 00:23:06,900 --> 00:23:09,100 people. Write the people's man, we see 337 00:23:09,100 --> 00:23:13,700 that here but what's interesting is the tactic is no different 338 00:23:13,700 --> 00:23:17,400 for troublemakers today. They Tried to portray themselves 339 00:23:17,400 --> 00:23:22,400 in a certain Manner and destroy this arm people from Ever 340 00:23:22,400 --> 00:23:26,300 thinking to themselves that such a person is up to no good or 341 00:23:26,300 --> 00:23:29,000 such a person would never bring about harm. 342 00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:32,800 And so, what you have with those who are swords of this court, is 343 00:23:32,800 --> 00:23:38,200 that they tend to immediately and constantly seems spiritual 344 00:23:39,600 --> 00:23:45,500 Seem wise compassionate people, loving Bible educated Servants 345 00:23:45,500 --> 00:23:49,300 of God. And they can do a lot of good 346 00:23:49,300 --> 00:23:52,200 things on the surface, but here's the reality, they're not 347 00:23:52,200 --> 00:23:55,500 glorifying Christ. Again, is just a means to 348 00:23:55,500 --> 00:24:00,100 another and a selfish end and to win people's trust and to win 349 00:24:00,100 --> 00:24:03,700 their allegiance. And again to try to discourage 350 00:24:03,700 --> 00:24:09,500 them from ever thinking them, as a potential suspect to something 351 00:24:09,500 --> 00:24:11,400 that is brewing, something that's coming ahead. 352 00:24:12,700 --> 00:24:15,400 If you don't think that Absalom is this kind of man in that what 353 00:24:15,400 --> 00:24:17,600 you see, is what you get? Then just scroll down quickly to 354 00:24:17,600 --> 00:24:21,900 verse 8 of this chapter. Look how he speaks to his father 355 00:24:22,500 --> 00:24:25,500 for your servant vowed a vow, while I lived in Kishore. 356 00:24:25,500 --> 00:24:29,000 And I Ram saying, if the Lord will indeed bring me back to 357 00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:33,200 Jerusalem, then I will offer worship to the Lord. 358 00:24:33,200 --> 00:24:36,500 Are you kidding me? Hey Dad. 359 00:24:36,500 --> 00:24:37,800 You know, while I was away in Exile? 360 00:24:37,800 --> 00:24:39,500 I thought to myself ever come back here. 361 00:24:39,500 --> 00:24:43,000 I wanted like fast and pray, and just give give this wonderful 362 00:24:43,000 --> 00:24:45,100 dedication to the Lord. Would you let me go? 363 00:24:46,100 --> 00:24:49,600 It's a bold-faced lie. This is absolute dishonesty and 364 00:24:49,600 --> 00:24:52,500 it gets even weirder. When you go to verse 12, look at 365 00:24:52,500 --> 00:24:58,900 verse 12 and while Absalom was offering the sacrifices, So, 366 00:24:58,900 --> 00:25:01,800 this guy is making these claims, he's making these vows 367 00:25:01,800 --> 00:25:05,200 apparently, and he's even, he's even participating in the 368 00:25:05,200 --> 00:25:08,500 sacrificial system. All the while he is brewing, a 369 00:25:08,500 --> 00:25:13,800 Civil War in his heart, So the first thing to understand about 370 00:25:14,000 --> 00:25:17,000 A sower of this court, is that they intentionally and 371 00:25:17,000 --> 00:25:21,500 strategically and deceivingly, try to decorate themselves in a 372 00:25:21,500 --> 00:25:24,400 certain way to ultimately deceive people. 373 00:25:24,400 --> 00:25:27,800 And the second observation, the second characters in is very 374 00:25:28,100 --> 00:25:33,300 closely tied to the first one people who sow Discord Heavily 375 00:25:33,300 --> 00:25:37,900 rely. Coming off as being. 376 00:25:39,500 --> 00:25:42,900 Loving. And caring about the well-being 377 00:25:42,900 --> 00:25:47,600 of others. Look here, again, in verse 3, 378 00:25:48,700 --> 00:25:51,400 Absalom would say to him. See your claims are good and 379 00:25:51,400 --> 00:25:55,200 right, but there is no men designated by the king to hear 380 00:25:55,200 --> 00:25:58,100 him before that. He asked from what city are you? 381 00:25:58,500 --> 00:26:01,400 And when he said, your servant is of such and such a tribe in 382 00:26:01,400 --> 00:26:04,000 Israel. So here's Absalom waking up, 383 00:26:04,000 --> 00:26:06,100 very early. Going to the gate of the city 384 00:26:06,100 --> 00:26:09,100 knowing that people travel from all parts of Israel to come to 385 00:26:09,100 --> 00:26:12,300 the Supreme Court of their day to receive some kind of counsel, 386 00:26:12,300 --> 00:26:15,700 some kind of closure, with particular Grievances and It 387 00:26:15,800 --> 00:26:19,300 meet them from the beginning. He would position himself in a 388 00:26:19,308 --> 00:26:22,900 way where he would have contact with people and while he would 389 00:26:22,900 --> 00:26:25,100 do this, she would ask. Where are you from? 390 00:26:25,500 --> 00:26:28,300 Oh, no way. You're from you from, okay? 391 00:26:28,300 --> 00:26:29,400 It's okay. Wow. 392 00:26:29,500 --> 00:26:31,600 From Zebulon came on from. So that's incredible. 393 00:26:32,500 --> 00:26:35,000 Where'd you where'd you study? Oh, what's your last name? 394 00:26:35,000 --> 00:26:37,200 I think I know your cousin. Yeah, yeah. 395 00:26:38,500 --> 00:26:43,700 And then I had to that verse 5. Look at verse 5, it says here, 396 00:26:43,700 --> 00:26:46,400 and whenever a man came near to pay, homage to him, he would put 397 00:26:46,400 --> 00:26:49,400 out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him. 398 00:26:51,200 --> 00:26:54,900 So, when people try to show, but he would just like, no, no, no, 399 00:26:55,100 --> 00:26:57,900 don't do that. And he would embrace them and he 400 00:26:57,900 --> 00:27:00,900 would, he would kiss them. And he would just give this 401 00:27:00,900 --> 00:27:10,600 excessive show of affection. And to the simple, this would 402 00:27:10,600 --> 00:27:15,500 seem genuine. This was in order to prepare 403 00:27:15,500 --> 00:27:20,900 them in order to win them again. So that when Absalom would make 404 00:27:20,900 --> 00:27:25,200 certain statements, And certain claims in certain judgments, 405 00:27:25,900 --> 00:27:27,900 there are more likely to believe him. 406 00:27:29,300 --> 00:27:32,100 At the even be on his side. This is what some troublemakers 407 00:27:32,100 --> 00:27:34,100 do they? So lavish people with 408 00:27:34,100 --> 00:27:37,600 compliments and attention that when it comes to an issue that 409 00:27:37,600 --> 00:27:43,400 they usually prepared in advance to cause they are confident that 410 00:27:43,400 --> 00:27:45,800 people will side with the Troublemaker more than the 411 00:27:45,800 --> 00:27:50,700 truth. And that is precisely what this 412 00:27:50,700 --> 00:27:53,200 man is doing. It sounds awful, it sounds sick 413 00:27:53,200 --> 00:27:56,500 but it is absolutely the reality that our agitators who actively 414 00:27:56,500 --> 00:28:02,600 seek to draw people's affections so that when something emerges 415 00:28:03,000 --> 00:28:06,800 they'll be prepared to partner with the one who is in the 416 00:28:06,800 --> 00:28:09,400 wrong, is this genuine? No, it's manipulative 417 00:28:09,400 --> 00:28:12,200 preparation. That's what it is. 418 00:28:13,000 --> 00:28:15,900 And this is usually a tactic that is implemented before 419 00:28:15,900 --> 00:28:20,100 criticism and before accusation are Arises. 420 00:28:21,400 --> 00:28:24,900 So he's priming them up, he's marinating their minds. 421 00:28:27,100 --> 00:28:29,400 And now we come to the third characteristic of a sort of 422 00:28:29,400 --> 00:28:31,700 Discord, right? The first two might be difficult 423 00:28:31,700 --> 00:28:34,700 to decipher. You have somebody here, who 424 00:28:34,700 --> 00:28:37,300 presents himself as spiritual? You have somebody here, who 425 00:28:37,300 --> 00:28:43,200 heavily relies on just overwhelming people. 426 00:28:44,300 --> 00:28:46,500 With their words and their actions and gifts and 427 00:28:46,500 --> 00:28:50,100 Hospitality you name it. But this is the most important 428 00:28:50,100 --> 00:28:52,700 thing that I can say about, is sort of this court, and it's, 429 00:28:53,000 --> 00:28:55,300 it's this, and we must consider it. 430 00:28:56,300 --> 00:29:01,000 They find Liberty, they find Liberty to make consistent 431 00:29:01,000 --> 00:29:06,000 suggestive accusations. So we read in verse 3, Absalom 432 00:29:06,000 --> 00:29:08,000 would say to him. See your claims are good and 433 00:29:08,000 --> 00:29:10,900 right. But there is no man designated 434 00:29:10,900 --> 00:29:16,400 by the king to hear you verse 4. Then, Absalom would say, oh that 435 00:29:16,400 --> 00:29:20,300 I were judge in the land, then every man would a dispute or 436 00:29:20,300 --> 00:29:24,400 cause might come to me and I would give him Justice. 437 00:29:26,000 --> 00:29:29,100 This is hear me carefully. This is not the same as 438 00:29:29,100 --> 00:29:34,500 identifying legitimate, concerns and issues within a Ministry or 439 00:29:34,500 --> 00:29:37,300 with a minister or anybody else for that matter. 440 00:29:37,300 --> 00:29:40,200 That is not what I am talking about because those things can 441 00:29:40,600 --> 00:29:43,500 be issues that need to be dealt with verbally and need to be 442 00:29:43,500 --> 00:29:49,300 dealt with with genuine concern. Expressed the goal of these kind 443 00:29:49,300 --> 00:29:53,000 of remarks pay, very close attention. 444 00:29:53,800 --> 00:29:57,500 Now. The goal of these kind of 445 00:29:57,500 --> 00:30:02,200 remarks is to stir up dissatisfaction. 446 00:30:03,500 --> 00:30:09,700 In the hearts of the people. That's the goal. to stir up 447 00:30:09,700 --> 00:30:12,800 dissatisfaction and people usually by saying something 448 00:30:12,800 --> 00:30:18,700 completely untrue or by potentially exaggerating things 449 00:30:18,700 --> 00:30:22,900 that are not worth becoming Serious issues. 450 00:30:23,500 --> 00:30:25,900 We saw that in verse 3. We saw the inverse for. 451 00:30:26,700 --> 00:30:30,900 And what Absalom and here is doing is that he is attempting 452 00:30:31,800 --> 00:30:36,200 to point people to the administration and say they are 453 00:30:36,200 --> 00:30:42,000 inefficient and they are weak. They're inefficient and they are 454 00:30:42,000 --> 00:30:46,100 weak. Is it possible for many things 455 00:30:46,100 --> 00:30:48,400 to be imperfect many things? Not being completely in line. 456 00:30:48,400 --> 00:30:50,800 Many things not be developed, many things to not be completely 457 00:30:50,800 --> 00:30:52,200 mature. Absolutely. 458 00:30:52,200 --> 00:30:54,500 We should strive about that we should look to that. 459 00:30:54,500 --> 00:30:56,500 We should say yes we need to move forward on that. 460 00:30:56,600 --> 00:30:59,500 But again that is not the goal that Absalom has in mind. 461 00:30:59,800 --> 00:31:04,400 It is to completely destroy that which God tries to nurture and 462 00:31:04,400 --> 00:31:06,900 build up at the Sea Life come through. 463 00:31:07,500 --> 00:31:09,000 And so this is what he's doing here. 464 00:31:09,400 --> 00:31:12,500 The question to ask ourselves with the closest context in mind 465 00:31:12,900 --> 00:31:16,700 is what Absalom saying. True, when Absalom said, there's 466 00:31:16,700 --> 00:31:19,200 no men designated by the king to hear you. 467 00:31:20,200 --> 00:31:23,600 Is that true? Think about our recent studies? 468 00:31:28,700 --> 00:31:31,000 Did the king have trouble hearing people's problems. 469 00:31:34,100 --> 00:31:39,700 Did he know how do you know? Thank you very much. 470 00:31:39,700 --> 00:31:41,800 We see here in Chapter 14 verse 4. 471 00:31:42,000 --> 00:31:45,700 When the moment of Tekoa came to the king, she fell on her face 472 00:31:45,700 --> 00:31:48,000 to the ground, and paid homage and said save me. 473 00:31:48,000 --> 00:31:50,800 Okay. Okay. 474 00:31:50,800 --> 00:31:54,400 Obviously the King was available to hear these people's problems 475 00:31:54,400 --> 00:31:55,900 and for them to bring their problems to him. 476 00:31:55,900 --> 00:31:58,400 So what is Absalom trying to convey here? 477 00:32:00,400 --> 00:32:04,800 An outright blatant lie. That's what he's essentially 478 00:32:04,800 --> 00:32:07,600 saying. He's creating a problem that's 479 00:32:07,600 --> 00:32:11,700 not really there and close to that is to, again, magnify 480 00:32:11,700 --> 00:32:16,700 things that are minor that are not sincere enough for severing 481 00:32:16,700 --> 00:32:21,700 to happen. now someone might object and say, well are you 482 00:32:21,700 --> 00:32:25,500 suggesting that people who are in Authority, are immune to any 483 00:32:25,500 --> 00:32:29,600 kind of Correction, any kind of suggestion, any kind of 484 00:32:30,700 --> 00:32:35,700 criticism, Absolutely not. Then you have another problem, 485 00:32:35,700 --> 00:32:38,600 then you got a dictatorship, you have tyranny, you have we have 486 00:32:38,600 --> 00:32:41,100 you have a whole different Bible study to convey when you can 487 00:32:41,100 --> 00:32:44,000 identify those who who know how to abuse their positions of 488 00:32:44,000 --> 00:32:45,600 power. That is not what I'm trying to 489 00:32:45,600 --> 00:32:48,200 say. What I am trying to say that is 490 00:32:48,200 --> 00:32:50,700 though, is that there are claims that we might all have in our 491 00:32:50,700 --> 00:32:52,100 hearts. There might be concerns that we 492 00:32:52,108 --> 00:32:56,000 all might have and expressing those concerns do not make as 493 00:32:56,000 --> 00:32:58,700 divisive people. That would that would be a 494 00:32:58,700 --> 00:33:01,400 terrible way of manipulating people and trying to keep their 495 00:33:01,400 --> 00:33:04,400 mouths shut and to just dismiss any kind of accountability from 496 00:33:04,400 --> 00:33:06,600 the leadership side, that's evil and itself. 497 00:33:07,500 --> 00:33:10,200 But at the same time we have to understand that the way people 498 00:33:10,200 --> 00:33:12,600 Express their concerns makes all the difference. 499 00:33:13,200 --> 00:33:15,800 They can either build things up or tear things down. 500 00:33:16,200 --> 00:33:19,200 You know what I would do if I won one sunny afternoon during 501 00:33:19,200 --> 00:33:21,200 Fellowship, had Absalom come up to me. 502 00:33:22,500 --> 00:33:24,000 And say the things that he said to me. 503 00:33:24,000 --> 00:33:25,900 See, your claims are good and right, but there is no man 504 00:33:25,900 --> 00:33:28,000 designated by the king to hear. You know, that this is what I 505 00:33:28,008 --> 00:33:29,400 would say. And this is what I imagined. 506 00:33:30,500 --> 00:33:34,600 If I was coming from the north and I need to meet with the King 507 00:33:34,600 --> 00:33:37,500 and Absalom, is there with a crowd of people and he stops me 508 00:33:37,500 --> 00:33:39,700 says, hey, I never seen you before and he begins to say 509 00:33:39,700 --> 00:33:41,500 these kind of things I would say well Absalom. 510 00:33:44,000 --> 00:33:46,200 Seems like you clearly have concerns about the way the 511 00:33:46,200 --> 00:33:51,100 kingdom operates have. You brought it to the king, When 512 00:33:51,100 --> 00:33:54,900 that be a good thing to say, hey, did you bring it to your 513 00:33:54,900 --> 00:33:57,000 father? David did you express these 514 00:33:57,000 --> 00:34:01,000 concerns to David? And here's the thing, I want to 515 00:34:01,000 --> 00:34:06,500 say whenever an individual expresses, grievance or 516 00:34:06,500 --> 00:34:11,800 frustration or even actual offense, whether it's perceived 517 00:34:11,800 --> 00:34:19,600 in a certain way or it's legitimate, if you bring up, The 518 00:34:19,600 --> 00:34:24,900 proposition that they should go to the person who has offended 519 00:34:25,100 --> 00:34:28,699 or who is connected to this issue and they refused to do. 520 00:34:28,699 --> 00:34:35,900 So that's very telling that is very revealing actually such a 521 00:34:35,900 --> 00:34:41,000 person is in my estimation not interested in a solution. 522 00:34:42,800 --> 00:34:45,300 Now, there might be hesitation because they're fearful of how 523 00:34:45,300 --> 00:34:48,199 that would go about. I don't know anybody that enjoys 524 00:34:48,199 --> 00:34:52,800 confrontation me included. So sometimes there was 525 00:34:52,800 --> 00:34:55,400 hesitation because it's not easy to do that and I get it. 526 00:34:55,400 --> 00:34:57,400 But I'm not speaking about that. I'm speaking about a person who 527 00:34:57,400 --> 00:35:01,700 just will not open themselves up to the biblical model of how we 528 00:35:01,700 --> 00:35:04,900 should approach a brother or sister, who is offended when 529 00:35:04,900 --> 00:35:09,100 such a person is so headstrong and unwilling to do that. 530 00:35:09,700 --> 00:35:11,900 Not only, are they not interested in a solution. 531 00:35:11,900 --> 00:35:15,700 They are potentially in that very moment as they are 532 00:35:15,700 --> 00:35:19,500 expressing, their thoughts started cause a new problem. 533 00:35:23,400 --> 00:35:25,100 You saying brother you're reading too much into it. 534 00:35:25,100 --> 00:35:28,400 No it Jesus told you and I how to approach a brother or sister 535 00:35:28,400 --> 00:35:31,200 in the area of a fence and we refuse to do that is not not 536 00:35:31,200 --> 00:35:33,300 Disobedience. Okay does this would be the? 537 00:35:33,300 --> 00:35:36,500 It's produced good things. No, that's it. 538 00:35:39,000 --> 00:35:42,500 And so I look at Absalom and I think to myself that was an 539 00:35:42,500 --> 00:35:44,200 Israel at this time. I would look them straight in 540 00:35:44,200 --> 00:35:45,400 the eye. Say Absalom. 541 00:35:46,700 --> 00:35:48,500 Did you talk to your dad about this? 542 00:35:50,100 --> 00:35:51,400 I would have loved to seen his face. 543 00:35:51,400 --> 00:35:53,800 I would love to see how he would have politicize his way out of 544 00:35:53,800 --> 00:35:56,300 it. But there is no such thing. 545 00:35:56,300 --> 00:36:00,600 People were just enamored. They were just captivated one by 546 00:36:00,600 --> 00:36:02,600 his looks. And then on top of that, his 547 00:36:02,600 --> 00:36:07,700 words and the Chariots, and the site of his importance, and his 548 00:36:07,700 --> 00:36:14,200 extravagance, and his eloquence ah Yeah, so there's deception at 549 00:36:14,200 --> 00:36:16,700 work here. There's accusation at work here 550 00:36:17,100 --> 00:36:20,100 and now the sewing is taking place, and it's so subtle. 551 00:36:20,100 --> 00:36:22,700 It's not outright, it's not obvious, it's very subtle, 552 00:36:22,700 --> 00:36:26,500 right? And you and I have to be 553 00:36:26,500 --> 00:36:31,000 careful. God has given us principles to 554 00:36:31,000 --> 00:36:37,500 protect the unity of the church. He has given us instructions of 555 00:36:37,500 --> 00:36:42,400 how to close potential doors. Less Satan have a foothold in 556 00:36:42,400 --> 00:36:47,500 get in and so you and I have to trust Jesus. 557 00:36:48,600 --> 00:36:51,100 As uncomfortable at his, obedience is not always easy, 558 00:36:51,100 --> 00:36:55,200 but as I'm comfortable as it is, we have to believe that the way 559 00:36:55,200 --> 00:37:00,600 the Lord prescribed relational rules is for the benefit and the 560 00:37:00,600 --> 00:37:04,200 longevity of our blessings towards one another and God's 561 00:37:04,200 --> 00:37:07,700 blessing over us. So deception is at work. 562 00:37:07,700 --> 00:37:11,200 Here, activation is now thrown into the pot. 563 00:37:12,500 --> 00:37:15,600 The vision begins in the heart of Unholy men division, utilizes 564 00:37:15,600 --> 00:37:19,800 deception, and accusation and lastly division. 565 00:37:21,000 --> 00:37:27,000 Is strengthened by naive hearts. Division is strengthened by 566 00:37:27,000 --> 00:37:31,000 naive hearts. We see here in verse five and 567 00:37:31,000 --> 00:37:34,200 six, what? Whenever a man came near to pay, 568 00:37:34,200 --> 00:37:36,800 homage to him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him 569 00:37:36,800 --> 00:37:41,400 and kiss him. This Absalom did to all of 570 00:37:41,400 --> 00:37:44,800 Israel who came to the king for judgment. 571 00:37:45,400 --> 00:37:49,000 So, Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. 572 00:37:49,200 --> 00:37:53,800 Who's here to blame, Is Absalom to blame. 573 00:37:55,100 --> 00:37:57,400 Yes. Is he the only one to blame? 574 00:37:57,600 --> 00:37:58,500 Who would say? Yes. 575 00:37:59,400 --> 00:38:00,900 So, he stole the hearts of the people. 576 00:38:04,700 --> 00:38:07,600 Sometimes things get stolen from us and it just Catches Us 577 00:38:07,600 --> 00:38:10,000 off-guard, no matter what kind of prevention's we've made. 578 00:38:10,000 --> 00:38:13,200 It just happens. And sometimes things are stolen 579 00:38:13,200 --> 00:38:17,000 from us, because we were irresponsible, And we were not 580 00:38:17,000 --> 00:38:23,700 careful and we were not alert. And we give an opportunity where 581 00:38:23,700 --> 00:38:25,900 an opportunity could have been avoided. 582 00:38:26,200 --> 00:38:29,100 Correct. And so we see here that the 583 00:38:29,100 --> 00:38:30,700 people I know you had your hand about come to you. 584 00:38:30,707 --> 00:38:34,400 In a moment, we see here with the people that they have a part 585 00:38:34,400 --> 00:38:39,700 in all of this Absalom is a, he's a, he's a Salesman. 586 00:38:40,700 --> 00:38:42,600 He's presentable, he's persuasive. 587 00:38:42,600 --> 00:38:46,800 He's powerful and appearance and with his presentation, but 588 00:38:46,800 --> 00:38:50,700 listen. Absalom would not have been as 589 00:38:50,700 --> 00:38:53,600 successful if he did not have so many customers. 590 00:38:57,500 --> 00:39:01,100 No matter how Absalom did his thing if nobody believed the 591 00:39:01,100 --> 00:39:05,000 more people were much more reserved and skeptical in a holy 592 00:39:05,000 --> 00:39:07,800 way, then he would not have been as successful. 593 00:39:07,800 --> 00:39:12,200 But unfortunately, as much as division begins in the heart of 594 00:39:12,200 --> 00:39:18,200 Unholy men, it is solidified and strengthened, by simple hearts. 595 00:39:19,800 --> 00:39:24,200 By simple hearts. I'll pause here and ask you. 596 00:39:24,200 --> 00:39:26,500 You had your hand up, you have a question or remark. 597 00:39:36,700 --> 00:39:40,500 Yes, his position in the family. Yes. 598 00:40:02,600 --> 00:40:04,600 Right. So then you have the family 599 00:40:04,600 --> 00:40:07,000 element in this whole thing which makes it even more 600 00:40:07,000 --> 00:40:08,700 complicated. Despite the fact that he was 601 00:40:08,700 --> 00:40:13,400 already strikingly beautiful and he had the popularity, the fact 602 00:40:13,400 --> 00:40:18,000 that there is the blood relational component, made it 603 00:40:18,000 --> 00:40:20,900 much more complex and I agree with you there. there is a lot 604 00:40:20,900 --> 00:40:24,700 of ingredients to this that are unique but still noteworthy, 605 00:40:26,200 --> 00:40:30,200 here's the thing that I want to say, when there are Sowers of 606 00:40:30,200 --> 00:40:34,000 Discord, And they enter into a place. 607 00:40:34,900 --> 00:40:39,200 What tends to happen is they prey on, they prey on the 608 00:40:39,200 --> 00:40:41,400 unsuspecting, right, to your point. 609 00:40:41,400 --> 00:40:45,500 They prey on the unsuspecting and they prey on those who might 610 00:40:45,500 --> 00:40:51,500 be naive. Innocent More willing to believe 611 00:40:51,500 --> 00:40:54,800 than to test and to be careful to examine before making a 612 00:40:54,800 --> 00:40:57,100 judgment. But that's not the only thing 613 00:40:57,100 --> 00:40:59,600 that they do. Do that is that one of their 614 00:40:59,600 --> 00:41:05,900 primary plans at the same time? They will. 615 00:41:08,100 --> 00:41:12,500 Sniff out. Potential endorsements. 616 00:41:13,800 --> 00:41:17,800 Partners. Those who will come alongside 617 00:41:17,800 --> 00:41:21,700 them knowing very much, what is about to happen? 618 00:41:22,000 --> 00:41:24,600 And usually, they're able to do this by looking for others and 619 00:41:24,600 --> 00:41:29,100 discovering, if they have personal offense or if they are 620 00:41:29,200 --> 00:41:33,900 harboring jealousy or they are entertaining selfish ambition 621 00:41:35,600 --> 00:41:39,300 and the same way you and I can can if we're walking with the 622 00:41:39,300 --> 00:41:42,200 Lord discern, when somebody is a genuine, believer walking with 623 00:41:42,200 --> 00:41:44,900 the Lord I'm telling you. So hours of Discord can find 624 00:41:44,900 --> 00:41:48,000 people like them. They could find people like 625 00:41:48,000 --> 00:41:51,500 them. And they actually magnetized to 626 00:41:51,500 --> 00:41:54,300 them, isn't it amazing? How gossipers attract gossipers, 627 00:41:55,100 --> 00:41:59,900 right? I heard of a brother where he 628 00:41:59,900 --> 00:42:01,500 was hearing about all this stuff that was happening. 629 00:42:01,500 --> 00:42:03,400 This isn't a different context. Different place, altogether, 630 00:42:03,400 --> 00:42:05,600 many, many years ago. He was hearing about all these 631 00:42:05,600 --> 00:42:08,200 things that were happening and he asked somebody else, he goes, 632 00:42:08,200 --> 00:42:12,700 why am I not hearing about this? And that person who is updating 633 00:42:12,700 --> 00:42:14,600 him with certain things as it's probably a good thing. 634 00:42:15,500 --> 00:42:18,000 It's probably a good thing that nobody feels safe to tell you 635 00:42:18,000 --> 00:42:21,500 things that are troubling and I have no value. 636 00:42:21,500 --> 00:42:24,000 And I bring problems more than anything else and that person 637 00:42:24,000 --> 00:42:26,100 left with a crown he's like that's a badge of honor to me. 638 00:42:26,300 --> 00:42:28,400 Nobody calls me or text me. Hey, did you hear about 639 00:42:28,400 --> 00:42:30,700 whatever? And whatever, praise God. 640 00:42:32,300 --> 00:42:35,600 Not a lot of Demands on that one, but amen. 641 00:42:39,100 --> 00:42:41,800 And so, we see here that Absalom is doing two things. 642 00:42:41,800 --> 00:42:47,900 At the same time, he is Recruiting naive people by 643 00:42:47,900 --> 00:42:52,300 seducing him and yet he is also searching out for others. 644 00:42:53,500 --> 00:42:56,700 Who because of their own position, their own reputation, 645 00:42:56,700 --> 00:43:01,600 their own resources like you said, would only make their case 646 00:43:01,600 --> 00:43:06,600 more believable. Right. 647 00:43:07,900 --> 00:43:10,400 Who do you think that person was for Absalom? 648 00:43:12,400 --> 00:43:14,100 Who do you think that person was? 649 00:43:17,500 --> 00:43:19,000 Good. Guess not joab. 650 00:43:19,900 --> 00:43:25,000 Yes. Would you look at that? 651 00:43:25,100 --> 00:43:29,300 Did you hear the answer? Bathsheba's granddaddy. 652 00:43:29,600 --> 00:43:33,900 What's his name? I, he thought fell. 653 00:43:35,900 --> 00:43:37,700 I remember reading this today and I thought to myself. 654 00:43:38,800 --> 00:43:41,000 Yeah, that is a common trait, right? 655 00:43:41,500 --> 00:43:44,500 There's strength in numbers that Absalom do this, and I kept 656 00:43:44,500 --> 00:43:48,100 reading and I realized there he is, and verse 12. 657 00:43:48,200 --> 00:43:51,000 Look at verse 12 quickly and while Absalom was offering the 658 00:43:51,000 --> 00:43:57,300 sacrifice he sent for, who Heath offal agila night, David's 659 00:43:57,300 --> 00:44:01,900 counselor, from his City Helo and the conspiracy grew strong 660 00:44:01,900 --> 00:44:04,700 in the people with Absalom kept increasing. 661 00:44:05,500 --> 00:44:10,800 Why do you think Why do you think Absalom would fetch her? 662 00:44:10,900 --> 00:44:22,900 I hate thoughtful. Did I he fell for? 663 00:44:22,900 --> 00:44:24,900 Have bitterness. Let me ask you this way. 664 00:44:25,100 --> 00:44:27,800 Was, I he thoughtful hurt by David? 665 00:44:28,200 --> 00:44:30,900 He was her by David. He was heard by David Wright, 666 00:44:30,900 --> 00:44:32,300 Josh? Yeah. 667 00:44:32,300 --> 00:44:33,300 Do you have something else to say? 668 00:44:41,800 --> 00:44:43,900 That's right. He did have a grudge against 669 00:44:43,900 --> 00:44:47,500 David because of what David did with his granddaughter and her 670 00:44:47,500 --> 00:44:53,700 husband I would have loved to see what the conversation 671 00:44:53,700 --> 00:44:58,000 between Absalom, and I fulfilled would be like, or was like How 672 00:44:58,000 --> 00:45:00,300 did he figure that out? Was it common knowledge? 673 00:45:01,700 --> 00:45:03,800 And I began to just sit there this afternoon and think about 674 00:45:03,800 --> 00:45:07,300 what that might have looked like as Absalom was trying to figure 675 00:45:07,300 --> 00:45:12,100 out who it is that would partner with him and I noticed That he 676 00:45:12,100 --> 00:45:15,900 was drawn to somebody who had his own history of pain from the 677 00:45:15,908 --> 00:45:20,700 same individual. That he wanted to overthrow. 678 00:45:23,200 --> 00:45:27,300 Hey, I felt full. You know, I've been noticing 679 00:45:27,300 --> 00:45:32,900 some about my dad. Things are kind of sketchy. 680 00:45:32,900 --> 00:45:34,900 Things are a little off, you happen to notice anything. 681 00:45:34,900 --> 00:45:37,200 I know you work with him closely and you see things, you're very 682 00:45:37,200 --> 00:45:41,800 wise men, your counselor Oh, no way you too. 683 00:45:44,400 --> 00:45:49,800 He did that to Bathsheba. What a scoundrel. 684 00:45:50,000 --> 00:45:50,900 You know why? That makes sense? 685 00:45:50,900 --> 00:45:54,100 Actually, you remember what happened to my sister to mod? 686 00:45:54,100 --> 00:45:55,300 Right? You see how we just? 687 00:45:55,300 --> 00:45:57,100 Let em and go. I wonder if that had to play. 688 00:45:57,300 --> 00:46:00,900 This guy is bad news, man. He's bad news. 689 00:46:03,500 --> 00:46:05,500 You know, I think we have to protect others from him. 690 00:46:06,700 --> 00:46:11,800 I think we have a duty. I think we need to we need to 691 00:46:11,800 --> 00:46:17,000 see this guy. Pay for his slip-ups. 692 00:46:18,300 --> 00:46:23,500 We need this guy to learn a lesson. you know, if I if I 693 00:46:23,500 --> 00:46:29,000 gotta tell you something, If I Were King, I wouldn't let things 694 00:46:29,000 --> 00:46:33,100 get away with that so easily. If I Were King, I would not. 695 00:46:34,100 --> 00:46:36,700 I will not allow family relations to get involved with 696 00:46:36,700 --> 00:46:41,600 how I execute God's law. You might be thinking, brother. 697 00:46:41,600 --> 00:46:46,000 I think you're reading too much into it and I would say no 698 00:46:46,900 --> 00:46:49,100 because look, what, look what he says here. 699 00:46:50,200 --> 00:46:54,400 And verse 40 that I were the judge in the land and every man 700 00:46:54,400 --> 00:46:58,300 with the disputer cause might come to me and I would give him 701 00:46:58,300 --> 00:47:03,700 Justice, you hypocrite. You have no right to speak about 702 00:47:03,700 --> 00:47:09,600 justice justice. I would give him Justice and I 703 00:47:09,607 --> 00:47:12,600 wonder if he said that the I-5 wonder if he he just swept him 704 00:47:12,600 --> 00:47:15,000 off his feet with this kind of speech. 705 00:47:16,200 --> 00:47:22,300 And I thought full agreed and a devilish team was born. 706 00:47:24,500 --> 00:47:29,600 A team that would. Unfortunately be very successful 707 00:47:29,900 --> 00:47:32,800 and making an impression on the weak-minded. 708 00:47:33,300 --> 00:47:35,500 Not, we're going to, in the following weeks, we're going to 709 00:47:35,508 --> 00:47:39,300 talk about just the absolute poison that bitterness is and 710 00:47:39,300 --> 00:47:42,100 how its cues. So much of our thinking and what 711 00:47:42,100 --> 00:47:45,000 we allow and what we absorb and what we're willing to entertain. 712 00:47:45,000 --> 00:47:46,900 But for now let's go back to that thought of the naive, 713 00:47:46,900 --> 00:47:49,300 right? Turn very quickly as we close 714 00:47:49,500 --> 00:47:52,500 our Bible study very soon. In Romans chapter 16, I want you 715 00:47:52,508 --> 00:47:55,200 to see what Paul says about this subject because it's not an Old 716 00:47:55,200 --> 00:47:58,100 Testament thing to new. Testament reality. 717 00:47:59,200 --> 00:48:01,700 In Romans 16 look here at verse 17. 718 00:48:11,800 --> 00:48:15,300 I appeal to you Brothers to watch out for those who cause 719 00:48:15,300 --> 00:48:19,700 divisions and create obstacles, contrary to the doctrine that 720 00:48:19,700 --> 00:48:23,300 you have been taught. Avoid them for such persons, do 721 00:48:23,300 --> 00:48:26,200 not serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, Our Lord Christ, but 722 00:48:26,200 --> 00:48:29,100 their own appetites is not go back to point number one. 723 00:48:30,600 --> 00:48:34,500 That the Visions begin in the heart of Unholy men. 724 00:48:35,600 --> 00:48:38,800 Men who don't serve Christ men who are serving their own 725 00:48:38,800 --> 00:48:43,600 appetites in your appetites can be any ambition that conflicts 726 00:48:43,600 --> 00:48:48,000 with humility and trusting in God's Providence in his dealing 727 00:48:48,000 --> 00:48:51,000 in your life but they serve their own appetites. 728 00:48:51,300 --> 00:48:56,000 And by here it is, this is point number two, by smooth, talk and 729 00:48:56,000 --> 00:48:58,400 flattery. So there we covered two points 730 00:48:58,400 --> 00:49:00,800 and New Testament commentary on our Old Testament. 731 00:49:00,800 --> 00:49:03,500 Study number one divisions, begin the heart of on holy men. 732 00:49:03,700 --> 00:49:08,300 Number two divisions. Utilize deception and 733 00:49:08,300 --> 00:49:10,700 accusation. And number three divisions are 734 00:49:10,700 --> 00:49:12,300 strengthened by naive Hearts. What does Paul? 735 00:49:12,300 --> 00:49:14,500 And with and flattery they deceive. 736 00:49:14,500 --> 00:49:21,200 The hearts of, who the knife. So right there isn't that it's 737 00:49:21,200 --> 00:49:23,400 not wonderful. That in our Old Testament study. 738 00:49:23,400 --> 00:49:25,000 We have new testament confirmation. 739 00:49:26,200 --> 00:49:28,300 The Old Testament is the best illustration book for New 740 00:49:28,300 --> 00:49:33,100 Testament, Truth by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the 741 00:49:33,100 --> 00:49:35,400 hearts of the naive. Hello Absalom. 742 00:49:37,500 --> 00:49:42,900 What polishing your spirit is that dividers, don't succeed 743 00:49:43,000 --> 00:49:48,100 over everyone not. Everyone is influenced by sower 744 00:49:48,100 --> 00:49:53,800 of Discord but there are some And the category of the, some 745 00:49:54,200 --> 00:49:58,900 are the simple. Proverbs 14:15 says that the 746 00:49:58,900 --> 00:50:11,000 simple believes everything, the simple believes everything, but 747 00:50:11,100 --> 00:50:15,100 the prudent give thoughts to his steps, The Prudent gives 748 00:50:15,100 --> 00:50:17,900 thoughts to his steps. In other words, it doesn't jump 749 00:50:17,900 --> 00:50:21,800 to conclusions, he doesn't rush into a door, he waits and thinks 750 00:50:21,800 --> 00:50:24,800 and calculates before any kind of judgment is made. 751 00:50:26,000 --> 00:50:28,900 That is not the simple. And the truth of the matter is 752 00:50:30,000 --> 00:50:34,400 that in the church, the beautiful, glorious blood-bought 753 00:50:34,400 --> 00:50:39,700 Church of Jesus Christ. You have those Within who are 754 00:50:39,700 --> 00:50:45,300 more simple than others. And who are much more willing to 755 00:50:46,000 --> 00:50:49,900 think with their feelings, who are in experience and because of 756 00:50:49,900 --> 00:50:52,800 their inexperience or more vulnerable, just like the 757 00:50:52,800 --> 00:50:54,900 Christians in Rome, this is what Paul is saying. 758 00:50:55,800 --> 00:50:58,900 And here's the thing that we have to ask ourselves, is that a 759 00:50:58,900 --> 00:51:03,500 fate that is inescapable for some meaning if you have some in 760 00:51:03,500 --> 00:51:06,000 the church who are simple, does that mean that they're just 761 00:51:06,000 --> 00:51:08,400 sitting ducks ready to be devoured at any time? 762 00:51:11,600 --> 00:51:16,900 And the answer thankfully is no, no, that doesn't have to be the 763 00:51:16,900 --> 00:51:23,700 future of any poor soul. Now, after healing all this, 764 00:51:23,700 --> 00:51:26,700 again, this is not the most uplifting Bible study on a 765 00:51:26,700 --> 00:51:32,000 Friday night after a long work week but it is important and 766 00:51:32,000 --> 00:51:34,700 here's the encouraging part. As we land, this Bible study, 767 00:51:35,000 --> 00:51:39,300 there is something that you and I can do to limit the damage 768 00:51:39,600 --> 00:51:44,800 that a person who is determined to bring Discord can do And I 769 00:51:44,808 --> 00:51:48,400 think what we see here in Romans 16 gives us the blueprint. 770 00:51:48,400 --> 00:51:51,300 And one of the things that you and I are called to do, if the 771 00:51:51,300 --> 00:51:56,000 naive are the target of such individuals who are in God's 772 00:51:56,000 --> 00:52:00,600 sight and Abomination. We are called to watch over our 773 00:52:00,600 --> 00:52:02,500 brothers and sisters, who might be naive. 774 00:52:04,900 --> 00:52:07,200 Who might be young in the faith, right? 775 00:52:08,700 --> 00:52:11,400 Who might be just have a different upbringing and 776 00:52:11,400 --> 00:52:13,700 different discipleship, different kind of experience 777 00:52:13,700 --> 00:52:17,000 growing up. And so, they just view the world 778 00:52:17,200 --> 00:52:20,100 with a different lens. Such individuals are called to 779 00:52:20,100 --> 00:52:23,300 be watched over by primarily the under Shepherds. 780 00:52:23,800 --> 00:52:28,800 Leaders of the church are called to have a watchful eye on how 781 00:52:28,800 --> 00:52:32,000 people are responding to certain things and and where they're 782 00:52:32,000 --> 00:52:34,900 being pulled and where they're being pushed. 783 00:52:35,000 --> 00:52:37,900 And when there is danger, an alarm it is the under Shepherds 784 00:52:37,900 --> 00:52:41,800 who are called, Discernment to come in and to warn and to 785 00:52:41,800 --> 00:52:45,100 rescue and to pull away, but it's not just the pastor's 786 00:52:45,100 --> 00:52:47,300 because the passengers are not omniscient. 787 00:52:47,600 --> 00:52:52,800 And omnipresent, Now, we have a mutual responsibility to watch 788 00:52:52,800 --> 00:52:57,500 each other's back and to ensure that if there are people who 789 00:52:57,500 --> 00:53:03,000 might again be more impressed by certain things that can lead to 790 00:53:03,000 --> 00:53:06,600 Danger than you. And I have to be able to step in 791 00:53:06,600 --> 00:53:10,400 and say, hey man, look I've noticed, are you sure you doing 792 00:53:10,400 --> 00:53:11,900 here? Are you sure? 793 00:53:11,900 --> 00:53:15,000 You, you're you're thinking rightly about this. 794 00:53:17,100 --> 00:53:19,000 Listen. That is the bare minimum that 795 00:53:19,000 --> 00:53:22,200 you and I can do right, but there's something higher than 796 00:53:22,200 --> 00:53:24,100 that. There's something greater than 797 00:53:24,100 --> 00:53:26,100 that. If Paul here is warning that 798 00:53:26,100 --> 00:53:31,100 they deceive the hearts of the naive, then I say that there is 799 00:53:31,100 --> 00:53:33,700 a charge and an exhortation for the naive, not just for the 800 00:53:33,707 --> 00:53:38,500 people who are related to the naive and it is this Escape your 801 00:53:38,500 --> 00:53:42,700 simplicity. Grow. 802 00:53:44,400 --> 00:53:48,200 But God, stretch you. Proverbs tells us in the first 803 00:53:48,200 --> 00:53:50,200 chapter. Oh, how long will you love being 804 00:53:50,200 --> 00:53:53,800 simple? In other words, the naive here 805 00:53:53,800 --> 00:53:56,400 is not just limited to people who are innocent because they're 806 00:53:56,400 --> 00:53:59,600 inexperienced or because they haven't seen enough or because 807 00:54:00,100 --> 00:54:02,900 years haven't been added to them, so they lack experiential 808 00:54:02,900 --> 00:54:04,900 wisdom. That is not the case. 809 00:54:05,200 --> 00:54:08,300 There comes a point where being naive is a choice. 810 00:54:10,100 --> 00:54:13,400 It's a choice that you consciously make, or you don't 811 00:54:13,400 --> 00:54:16,200 care to think about and just allow yourself to Coast through 812 00:54:16,200 --> 00:54:18,400 life. And the Bible says, oh, how long 813 00:54:18,400 --> 00:54:21,700 will you love being simple? In other words, it's time to 814 00:54:21,700 --> 00:54:24,600 grow. It's time to see God. 815 00:54:24,600 --> 00:54:27,000 Do something in the way. You perceive things that will 816 00:54:27,000 --> 00:54:30,100 protect you and protect your family, protect your finances 817 00:54:30,200 --> 00:54:34,800 and protect your church, protect your church, If you don't 818 00:54:34,800 --> 00:54:38,200 believe that, that is the case. Well, Proverbs 8 5 says, oh 819 00:54:38,200 --> 00:54:44,000 simple ones, learn prudence. Proverbs 850 simple ones. 820 00:54:44,300 --> 00:54:50,000 Learn prudence. That encourages me, if somebody 821 00:54:50,000 --> 00:54:52,300 is simple, they don't have to stay simple. 822 00:54:53,600 --> 00:54:57,400 They can Excel and they can mature and they can know The 823 00:54:57,400 --> 00:55:01,800 Graces and the blessings and the treasures that come from them. 824 00:55:03,400 --> 00:55:06,500 So when I look at a simple person, if I know a simple 825 00:55:06,500 --> 00:55:09,300 person if I know an innocent vulnerable person, I don't just 826 00:55:09,300 --> 00:55:15,700 see them as a responsibility. I see them as a potential. 827 00:55:17,000 --> 00:55:21,700 Advocate for truth and someone who can no discernment that 828 00:55:21,700 --> 00:55:23,600 doesn't require constant supervision. 829 00:55:26,500 --> 00:55:28,000 And that is what these people needed. 830 00:55:28,000 --> 00:55:31,900 Unfortunately, this this group of Israelites were a gullible 831 00:55:31,900 --> 00:55:35,000 Folk. And they just ate whatever was 832 00:55:35,000 --> 00:55:37,800 presented to them at the hand of a gorgeous man. 833 00:55:37,800 --> 00:55:43,100 Name Absalom And so, these kind of people had a choice to 834 00:55:43,100 --> 00:55:47,000 graduate from their infancy and to develop skills and to grow in 835 00:55:47,000 --> 00:55:50,100 their character. And all of us have that decision 836 00:55:50,100 --> 00:55:54,000 to make how do you go from simple to prudence? 837 00:55:55,000 --> 00:55:56,800 And you know what this means is anybody know what the word 838 00:55:56,800 --> 00:56:01,500 Prudence means. Anybody know what Prudence 839 00:56:01,500 --> 00:56:06,800 means? It means to exercise judgment in 840 00:56:06,800 --> 00:56:10,400 a way where you limit risks and dangers. 841 00:56:13,300 --> 00:56:16,700 So, you develop a discernment and a discipline. 842 00:56:18,800 --> 00:56:24,500 To explore and to examine a certain thing and to find the 843 00:56:24,500 --> 00:56:29,600 best option out of them all. To prevent so much harm that 844 00:56:29,600 --> 00:56:33,500 could have been avoided. That's what we all need. 845 00:56:33,500 --> 00:56:36,000 Simple. People need to learn prudence 846 00:56:37,500 --> 00:56:40,000 and we can spend the next 30 minutes talking about how simple 847 00:56:40,000 --> 00:56:43,600 person can become wise. But I would just say this. 848 00:56:45,100 --> 00:56:47,400 That if there's something you can constantly do Anna, sure 849 00:56:47,500 --> 00:56:49,900 results. It's James 1:5, if any of you 850 00:56:49,900 --> 00:56:52,800 lack wisdom, What is he supposed to do? 851 00:56:54,100 --> 00:56:57,300 Let him ask God, let him ask God. 852 00:56:59,800 --> 00:57:04,300 You know what that tells me that God can directly deposit a set 853 00:57:04,800 --> 00:57:08,500 and a wiring in your being. When a matter what your 854 00:57:08,500 --> 00:57:11,500 upbringing was no matter what your lack of experience was, you 855 00:57:11,500 --> 00:57:16,400 can prevent risks and dangers in your life because heaven is on 856 00:57:16,400 --> 00:57:25,000 your side. and God's work is in you And something is there 857 00:57:25,000 --> 00:57:28,600 constantly and has been developed that even when you 858 00:57:28,600 --> 00:57:33,900 were surprised by instances or by people, or by situations, you 859 00:57:33,900 --> 00:57:37,600 are ready. I'll be transferring with you. 860 00:57:37,600 --> 00:57:40,900 One of the things that I pray for for myself every single day 861 00:57:41,600 --> 00:57:45,200 is discernment. Every single day. 862 00:57:46,200 --> 00:57:52,500 God give me discernment, help me not trust in my senses alone, 863 00:57:53,200 --> 00:57:56,300 you have put the holy spirit in me, you have given the word of 864 00:57:56,300 --> 00:58:00,900 God before me, Lord, I pray that as I indulge in your word and 865 00:58:00,900 --> 00:58:05,800 walk in the spirit, you allow me to live this life and navigate 866 00:58:05,800 --> 00:58:10,800 through it in a way, where I limit unnecessary harm of or 867 00:58:10,800 --> 00:58:14,000 others. And God has been faithful. 868 00:58:15,500 --> 00:58:20,900 James 1:5, true. He's willing to help us and not 869 00:58:20,900 --> 00:58:23,100 just people in leadership positions where they're example, 870 00:58:23,100 --> 00:58:26,600 our decisions can affect much more than just their own lives. 871 00:58:26,700 --> 00:58:30,300 But anybody, who desires it, anybody who desires it? 872 00:58:31,400 --> 00:58:34,700 How did divisions occur they begin in the hearts of Unholy 873 00:58:34,700 --> 00:58:41,200 men. Divisions, utilize deception and 874 00:58:41,200 --> 00:58:45,600 accusation. The Visions are strengthened by 875 00:58:46,300 --> 00:58:51,800 the hearts of the naive. May God protect this church may 876 00:58:51,800 --> 00:58:57,300 God protect your marriage may God protect your ministry. he is 877 00:58:57,300 --> 00:59:00,600 faithful and just and he is good. 878 00:59:02,100 --> 00:59:06,700 And in the coming weeks, Even men after God's heart can 879 00:59:06,700 --> 00:59:11,000 experience betrayal and when something as painful like that 880 00:59:11,000 --> 00:59:14,500 happens, what should our response be? 881 00:59:15,500 --> 00:59:18,000 We'll stay tuned to find out. But we do. 882 00:59:18,000 --> 00:59:25,200 Thank you for this Bible study. There may be some here who know 883 00:59:25,200 --> 00:59:33,000 what it's like to be. In a situation where division 884 00:59:33,000 --> 00:59:37,300 took place and it left scars. And put a sour taste in their 885 00:59:37,300 --> 00:59:42,300 mouth. Lori hate what you hate. 886 00:59:44,900 --> 00:59:46,600 What breaks your heart breaks our heart. 887 00:59:48,800 --> 00:59:51,100 We just ask Lord that you would give us discernment. 888 00:59:53,100 --> 00:59:57,800 We also ask God that you would not make us overly suspecting or 889 00:59:57,800 --> 01:00:03,600 suspicious fearful. Protect us from not having hope 890 01:00:03,600 --> 01:00:05,900 or not. Putting trust and faith in 891 01:00:05,900 --> 01:00:10,900 potential awesome relationships. Help us be quick to forgive when 892 01:00:10,900 --> 01:00:16,200 we do get in the flesh. Help us to identify our own 893 01:00:16,200 --> 01:00:19,400 selfishness and to crucify it when it tries to get off the 894 01:00:19,400 --> 01:00:24,800 cross. The Lord, we just pray that you 895 01:00:24,800 --> 01:00:27,300 would protect the Purity and the love of this place. 896 01:00:29,600 --> 01:00:32,800 And Lord. If it is true that jealousy and 897 01:00:32,800 --> 01:00:37,000 selfish ambition is the cause for every kind of disorder and 898 01:00:37,000 --> 01:00:39,700 vile practice, then let there be humility. 899 01:00:41,800 --> 01:00:48,300 And it god-glorifying mandate. Pumping in every single heart of 900 01:00:48,300 --> 01:00:50,400 those who represent this church and those who represent their 901 01:00:50,400 --> 01:00:54,100 own churches. Oh Lord, if it is true. 902 01:00:56,000 --> 01:01:00,100 That in humility. And in seeking the greater goal 903 01:01:00,100 --> 01:01:02,400 of the Gospel being proclaimed and loved, and cherished, and 904 01:01:02,400 --> 01:01:04,400 believed on, by those outside of this place. 905 01:01:04,600 --> 01:01:09,600 Then God help us be people who live in such a way where we want 906 01:01:09,600 --> 01:01:13,300 to worship you tonight because your word is, it is just amazing 907 01:01:14,200 --> 01:01:18,200 and profound to us. And we pray O Lord that we would 908 01:01:18,200 --> 01:01:22,000 trust in your instructions and your blueprint went offense, 909 01:01:22,000 --> 01:01:26,600 does arise in our hearts and when things do happen, That we 910 01:01:26,600 --> 01:01:30,000 would not allow ourselves to be a foothold for Satan to work. 911 01:01:30,000 --> 01:01:34,600 Like a, he thought full us who was who is calm and collected 912 01:01:34,600 --> 01:01:39,000 until an opportunity cane, oh, Lord, we wonder what would have 913 01:01:39,000 --> 01:01:41,300 become of him, if he sought forgiveness. 914 01:01:42,000 --> 01:01:49,000 If he, if he confronted David 121 and expressed his pain, we 915 01:01:49,000 --> 01:01:53,800 wonder if absalom's attempts would have been weakened and so 916 01:01:53,800 --> 01:01:56,300 low, we don't want to be footholds for the enemy to use 917 01:01:56,300 --> 01:01:59,000 us. Unknowingly we want to be free 918 01:01:59,600 --> 01:02:02,000 and we want to be your servants and we want to glorify you in 919 01:02:02,000 --> 01:02:04,500 every aspect of life. Lord, we worship you tonight and 920 01:02:04,500 --> 01:02:07,800 give you all honor and praise and recognition for your 921 01:02:07,800 --> 01:02:10,000 goodness. Even with a study like this, in 922 01:02:10,000 --> 01:02:12,100 Jesus name, we pray. Amen. 923 01:02:12,100 --> 01:02:13,300 Amen. Shall We Stand? 924 01:02:13,600 --> 01:02:14,800 And let's worship God together.