Second Samuel chapter 15. Tonight.
You and I are going to study something that God hates.
I'm not sure if that's the most exciting way to start a Bible
study, but I'm sure that it grabbed your attention on the
less. If the god that we love and sing
to, and testify about is a, god of love.
God is love, but his love does not.
There's not rather. Let me put it this way.
His love does discriminate. His love, doesn't spill over
into absolutely everything without condition or without
standard, God loves but because he loves so perfectly.
He also hates And in Proverbs chapter 6.
We are given seven things that the Lord hates and Proverbs 6.
16 to 19, we were told of six things that the Lord hates and
seven things that are an Abomination to him.
And Abomination is something that one holds with great,
disgust and abhorrence And God has those feelings about certain
things. And the Seven thing that God
abhors on that list of the data data, station is one who sews
Discord among Brothers. What that means is somebody who
intentionally plants seeds of Doubt or suspicion within a
group of people with the purpose of causing a severance.
And some kind of faction. And usually that is motivated by
Personal Agenda. This is something that God
absolutely despises and unfortunately what God tells us
and makes clear to us Of what he hates is.
What men tend to passionately pursue.
And such is the case with this man, Absalom Absalom in this
chapter is ready to orchestrate. A divisive campaign with
remarkable discipline and dedication.
And instead of the Holy Spirit, just giving us that as a general
observation or a general statement, what you're going to
discover as we read is that we actually have Absalom scheme in
great detail, leading up to that execution of division.
If the Holy Spirit did not think that this was important, he
would have generalized this moment in Israel's history under
David's reign with what we see here.
At the end of verse 6. Look at it very quickly with me.
It says here. So Absalom stole the hearts of
the men of Israel that would have been a sufficient way of
telling us why there will be a Civil War at this point and
David's life as the leader of this people.
But God goes beyond that again, he wants to show us what it was
that led to the people's hearts being stolen.
And what led to a division among a people that were enjoying
unity and prosperity in different ways.
And I thought to myself Lord, why is it important that in the
first six? Seven verses?
We see here exactly what Absalom would do.
Why spell out why draw out the drama of this conspiracy?
And I believe the reason is because the Lord wants to
instruct us and the Lord wants us to be benefited by something
such as this for the sake of making us a Discerning people.
A Discerning people who would be able to detect the early stages
of division and whatever sphere you find yourself in Division is
possible in any place where two people are gathered or committed
to one another. It can happen in marriage, you
can happen in families, it can happen in business, it can
happen in institutions and it can especially happen in the
Community of Faith. And so there is something here
for us. In order to be observant,
Discerning careful watchful first, with our own Hearts to
see if there is anything that we are unknowingly entertaining,
but even in what we see around us because you and I are
constantly as the people of God under under attack under attack.
And one of Satan's, favorite plots is to sow Discord among
the people of God. He enjoys it, it's one of the
oldest playbooks of sin. It's what happened in heaven.
It's, what happens throughout the Bible.
And we see it here before us in this example and it is greatly
beneficial for us as a people who strive to be in Partnership
for the glory of God. Now from experience, I've
learned that whenever the subject comes up, that those who
are already set on entertaining and harboring, a spirit of
division are very hard to convince To turn from such a way
of life. It returned from such a mindset.
Most people who are divisive are frightening, Lee committed to
that cause and so my primary aim here though, God can do miracles
in the most rebellious heart, my primary aim is to through this
Bible study, as we come together to equip and protect those which
is all of us who can be seduced by someone or some people that
would up to bring the vision in our lives.
And though these principles, apply to every sphere of
society, and any any area of life where you have
relationships with others, I want to focus on the local
church, the local church. And so allow me through this
Bible said it's going to be very unique because it's going to be
more of a study of a very uncomfortable subject.
But it's going to be important for us to see at least three
ways division occurs Even among the most spiritual where God is
moving, where God is blessing, where people have been brought
together, evidently by God's Providence.
I want you guys to see here very carefully through absalom's
example, the ingredients that are necessary to take to see
division, take place. Let's read the first few verses
together. After this Absalom verse 1,
after this Absalom got himself a chariot and horses.
And 50 Mentor run before him and Absalom used to rise early and
stand beside the way of the gate.
And when any man had a dispute to come before the king for
judgment, Absalom will call to him and say, from from what city
are you. And when 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 is no, man, designated by the king to hear
you. Then Absalom would say, oh that,
I were a judge in the land, then every man with a dispute or
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 to all of Israel who came to the king for
judgment. So, Absalom stole the hearts of
the men of Israel. The first ingredient that is
required. To see painful division,
possibly take place among the people of God, is that number
one division begins in the heart of Unholy men.
Division begins in the heart of Unholy men.
What are the first two words of verse 1 after this, after this,
if you were here last week, you know what happened, before this
what happened before? This was that King David
acquitted, his son Absalom for his murderous plot and forgave
him and restored him and gave him all his privileges back
though. There was no sign of confection.
There is no evidence of remorse. There was not a hint of
repentance Displayed. And David was wrong for doing
that. David was in error for allowing
someone like him to go free in this way.
Yes, we are. A faith of forgiveness and
restoration reconciliation, but we ought to forgive us Christ.
Forgave, and part of that forgiveness Pursuit is to
release them in our hearts and not take Vengeance.
But in order for reconciliation to happen, it requires
repentance from the offending party.
Christ, is he not wait for men to repent for us to be
reconciled to him? Absolutely.
And we don't see that here but instead of focusing on David
more, let's turn our attention to Absalom and consider his
attitude in this whole thing. Absalom based on what we heard
last week, believe that he was completely justified in what he
did to his, half-brother eminent completely Justified.
This man talked. He had no sense of personal
accountability God and he obviously had no touch of how
his sins affected others. And when you look at Absalom up
to this point, you realize that he was a man who was driven by
his own criteria. He had his own standard of,
right and wrong. He had his own concept of what
was permissible and what was not permissible.
And such a man who does not subject himself to the law of
God, and who elevates his own understanding, despite Divine
Law being violated or overstepping, people's rights.
That kind of a person is dangerous.
That kind of a person is dangerous for, many reasons, to
be driven. And to be determined, by your
own rules, is a scary world view and such people.
Despite any other rules that might challenge his own.
He believes that he is in the right that kind of mindset is
detrimental to any any kind of sphere of our lives and the
potential disruption of such a person.
Is so severe? That division is highly likely.
Such a person has no problems. Stepping over people.
Stepping on people dismissing any rule.
To get what they want. And usually this kind of a
person is an individual who can excuse any kind of sinful
Behavior. If they are offended. if their
feelings are so strong or if the object of their desire is so
strong, Such a person inevitably will bring about some kind of
Discord. In their world.
And you see this often with people who become become
offended by my others, whether Christians are especially by
Spiritual Authority, This is common disappointment and unmet
expectations can easily energize a divisive spirit.
Unless they are restrained, by the truth of God's word in the
Holy Spirit and that is who we are dealing with here.
Absalom's attitude is not excused by immaturity, he's not
somebody here who is stubborn or irrational because he lacks
experience in life. It's much deeper than that
significantly much deeper than that.
Look at verse 1. Again, what stands out to you.
After this Absalom got himself, a chariot and horses and fifty
men to run before him. Why do you think he's doing
that? Attention is this Absalom trying
to get somewhere quicker? Is this about faster Mobility?
Absolutely. Not why?
Because you got a cherry but you have 50, guys running in front
of you. This is not about
Transportation. This is not about Mobility.
This is about Showmanship. This is about performance.
This is about somebody who is walking around.
Now, drawing attention to himself.
We've already discovered that absent was a man who craved the
Praise of man. And if you are not convinced
that this is what he is up to go to his brother's account and
First Kings 1 and verse 5, adonijah.
When he wanted to be king, I want you to see something eerily
similar with Absalom here in second.
Samuel chapter 15, look at First Kings.
Chapter 1, verse 5 in your Bibles and notice what happens
here. Now, add the Niger that's
absalom's brother. The son of hag.
If exalted himself saying I will be king and he prepare for
himself chariots and Horsemen and fifty men to run before him.
It's clear, right? There's the connection exalting
oneself and parading oneself in the exact way that Absalom does
here in our subject and our study right now And here's the
point that you, and I have to understand individuals who live
for the admiration and the Applause of others are those who
are most capable of stirring problems.
In any setting that is organized by positions by platform or by
Authority. When you get, when you have a
guy like adonijah, when you have a guy like Absalom who survive
and thrive on the Applause and the recognition and the respect,
and all of the above, those are the people who are the
candidates for chaos and Eddie setting, which includes the
church where there are platforms positions or authoritative.
Titles and responsibilities. And I've mentioned this verse on
So Many occasions. Sometimes I hesitate to repeat
them but it's good. We're creatures of repetition.
Remember what James tells us in James 3:16?
What does he say there? He says, for where jealousy and
selfish ambition exist. There will be Disorder, there
will be disorder, and every vile practice.
Jealousy and selfish ambition. Is the simple recipe for
relational disaster? Jealousy and selfish.
Ambition is the simple recipe for relational disaster among
friends. Among couples among siblings
among congregants and elders and deacons!
And so if you're able to buy the truth of God's word subdue,
these two vices then you can most definitely secure Harmony
and peace. In a setting like this.
So, I told you about Proverbs 6, 16, to 19, where we were told
about the six things of the Lord hates and seven that are an
Abomination to him on that same chapter, we are told something
interesting about the one who continually shows Discord.
And it is this in verse 14. Proverbs 6, 14 tells us with
perverted heart devices. Evil continually sowing Discord
with perverted heart devices. Evil continually sowing Discord.
Do you see the association there?
Sowing Discord is connected to perversion of the heart.
Perversion of the heart. It is the perverted heart that
is capable of intentionally coming to a peaceful place where
there is fruit and there is an honor to God and to try to sever
it and separate it and to bring damage and harm to it.
And we see here that it is an evil thing.
It is absolutely evil. It's okay guys.
I know my throw gave out there. There's no need to panic or
worry. It's an evil thing.
And what's amazing here is that devising evil require strategy,
it requires planning, it requires.
Thank you. It requires thinking and
meditation. And so the first ingredient here
is that Division division begins in the heart of Unholy men and
women. When they are more consumed with
South than the glory of God, when they're more concerned
about their position than the presence of God, when they're
more concerned about how they feel than the good of others,
some kind of pain is going to come on a horizontal level.
It doesn't have to all the time but it's more likely.
And then we re here again that there is a there is a device
thing with this kind of a heart, this kind of a mindset, a person
who sews division, who plant seeds of Doubt brings us to our
second ingredient. Ingredient division requires and
utilizes deception, and accusation.
So it begins in the heart of an Unholy man on holy woman who
doesn't have God's word in mind as I'm God's standard and view.
But from there it is nurtured and it is strengthened through
deception and accusation. Look back here in our Bible
study. Look at verse 2.
It says, you're an Absalom used to rise early and stand beside
the way of the gate. That disturbs me.
He got up early. I mean this is a man who was
driven. This is a man who was like set
on making this happen and what sowing Discord makes it
especially detestable in the sight of God is just that it
requires great effort and it requires here an accompanying of
each other evils in order to see it come about.
And we see here that this man here is doing, just that.
Now, let me say this before hand, we all know that if you do
life with people long enough that there will be some level
and episodes of irritation caused by others, right?
Either by ignorance or by moments getting into the flesh
but those instances can be easily.
Resolved through loving rebuke and honest.
Repentance look, brother, I got out of hand during that meeting.
I was I was I'm very passionate about subject and they just came
out and it wasn't christ-like. Will you forgive me done deal?
That is not the same as what I am speaking about here.
What we're seeing here with Absalom.
Is this? Conniving sophisticated.
And manipulative scheme to sow Discord is to strategically
arouse and heighten conflict. For what purpose to pin Brothers
and Sisters in Christ against one another, for the sake of a
hidden agenda. That's what it means to sow
Discord. You are exciting emotions, you
are playing with people's minds. You are suddenly making
accusations and charges and claims not because you care, but
because you have something in you, that you want to see come
to pass, and that is exactly what Absalom is doing.
He's not loving people. He's using people and this kind
of diabolical plot is usually entertain again.
When someone is offended and wants retaliation wants payback,
or this is something that we don't consider, because that
makes sense, right? People tend to bite back when
they're bitten hit back when they're a hit, right?
But there's another side to this and the other side is this that
such a plot is employed when there is a goal in mind, but
there are obstacles in the way of that goal.
And usually those obstacles are people who are Authority.
Or people who might be opponents to that drive, that you have.
And that is exactly what we see here.
The platform for kingdoms dividing.
And for church splits is really the same, it involves the
implementation of deception and accusation.
To see it come to pass that is the qualities of Absalom here.
These are the characteristics of such a man I want you to just in
a very brief moment, see very quickly, the characteristics of
a sower of Discord. Okay, because it's not obvious
all the time. And, you know, in preparation of
this, I was praying Lord, my desire is not through this Bible
study for people to become cynical or for people to become
overly suspicious, My encouragement to you is just to
be Discerning and prayerful and careful.
So look at these things here with me.
The first thing about Absalom, as already mentioned Is that
people who tend to give rise to disunity tend to predict project
themselves in a certain way. And the way that they project
themselves is positively Charmingly.
With great attraction and Trust. Why does he go about in a
chariot with 50 men before him? What kind of image is he trying
to portray of himself? What's that about leader of a
king, right? He's not a king, but he wants to
make it seem like he is a king and he wants to condition the
people to see him. As a potential leader, you
already has the looks, he has the Luscious Hair, we're going
to see in a moment that he has the Charisma and he knows how to
he knows how to play politics and he knows how to be the man's
people. Write the people's man, we see
that here but what's interesting is the tactic is no different
for troublemakers today. They Tried to portray themselves
in a certain Manner and destroy this arm people from Ever
thinking to themselves that such a person is up to no good or
such a person would never bring about harm.
And so, what you have with those who are swords of this court, is
that they tend to immediately and constantly seems spiritual
Seem wise compassionate people, loving Bible educated Servants
of God. And they can do a lot of good
things on the surface, but here's the reality, they're not
glorifying Christ. Again, is just a means to
another and a selfish end and to win people's trust and to win
their allegiance. And again to try to discourage
them from ever thinking them, as a potential suspect to something
that is brewing, something that's coming ahead.
If you don't think that Absalom is this kind of man in that what
you see, is what you get? Then just scroll down quickly to
verse 8 of this chapter. Look how he speaks to his father
for your servant vowed a vow, while I lived in Kishore.
And I Ram saying, if the Lord will indeed bring me back to
Jerusalem, then I will offer worship to the Lord.
Are you kidding me? Hey Dad.
You know, while I was away in Exile?
I thought to myself ever come back here.
I wanted like fast and pray, and just give give this wonderful
dedication to the Lord. Would you let me go?
It's a bold-faced lie. This is absolute dishonesty and
it gets even weirder. When you go to verse 12, look at
verse 12 and while Absalom was offering the sacrifices, So,
this guy is making these claims, he's making these vows
apparently, and he's even, he's even participating in the
sacrificial system. All the while he is brewing, a
Civil War in his heart, So the first thing to understand about
A sower of this court, is that they intentionally and
strategically and deceivingly, try to decorate themselves in a
certain way to ultimately deceive people.
And the second observation, the second characters in is very
closely tied to the first one people who sow Discord Heavily
rely. Coming off as being.
Loving. And caring about the well-being
of others. Look here, again, in verse 3,
Absalom would say to him. See your claims are good and
right, but there is no men designated by the king to hear
him before that. He asked from what city are you?
And when he said, your servant is of such and such a tribe in
Israel. So here's Absalom waking up,
very early. Going to the gate of the city
knowing that people travel from all parts of Israel to come to
the Supreme Court of their day to receive some kind of counsel,
some kind of closure, with particular Grievances and It
meet them from the beginning. He would position himself in a
way where he would have contact with people and while he would
do this, she would ask. Where are you from?
Oh, no way. You're from you from, okay?
It's okay. Wow.
From Zebulon came on from. So that's incredible.
Where'd you where'd you study? Oh, what's your last name?
I think I know your cousin. Yeah, yeah.
And then I had to that verse 5. Look at verse 5, it says here,
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.
So, when people try to show, but he would just like, no, no, no,
don't do that. And he would embrace them and he
would, he would kiss them. And he would just give this
excessive show of affection. And to the simple, this would
seem genuine. This was in order to prepare
them in order to win them again. So that when Absalom would make
certain statements, And certain claims in certain judgments,
there are more likely to believe him.
At the even be on his side. This is what some troublemakers
do they? So lavish people with
compliments and attention that when it comes to an issue that
they usually prepared in advance to cause they are confident that
people will side with the Troublemaker more than the
truth. And that is precisely what this
man is doing. It sounds awful, it sounds sick
but it is absolutely the reality that our agitators who actively
seek to draw people's affections so that when something emerges
they'll be prepared to partner with the one who is in the
wrong, is this genuine? No, it's manipulative
preparation. That's what it is.
And this is usually a tactic that is implemented before
criticism and before accusation are Arises.
So he's priming them up, he's marinating their minds.
And now we come to the third characteristic of a sort of
Discord, right? The first two might be difficult
to decipher. You have somebody here, who
presents himself as spiritual? You have somebody here, who
heavily relies on just overwhelming people.
With their words and their actions and gifts and
Hospitality you name it. But this is the most important
thing that I can say about, is sort of this court, and it's,
it's this, and we must consider it.
They find Liberty, they find Liberty to make consistent
suggestive accusations. So we read in verse 3, Absalom
would say to him. See your claims are good and
right. But there is no man designated
by the king to hear you verse 4. Then, Absalom would say, oh that
I were judge in the land, then every man would a dispute or
cause might come to me and I would give him Justice.
This is hear me carefully. This is not the same as
identifying legitimate, concerns and issues within a Ministry or
with a minister or anybody else for that matter.
That is not what I am talking about because those things can
be issues that need to be dealt with verbally and need to be
dealt with with genuine concern. Expressed the goal of these kind
of remarks pay, very close attention.
Now. The goal of these kind of
remarks is to stir up dissatisfaction.
In the hearts of the people. That's the goal. to stir up
dissatisfaction and people usually by saying something
completely untrue or by potentially exaggerating things
that are not worth becoming Serious issues.
We saw that in verse 3. We saw the inverse for.
And what Absalom and here is doing is that he is attempting
to point people to the administration and say they are
inefficient and they are weak. They're inefficient and they are
weak. Is it possible for many things
to be imperfect many things? Not being completely in line.
Many things not be developed, many things to not be completely
mature. Absolutely.
We should strive about that we should look to that.
We should say yes we need to move forward on that.
But again that is not the goal that Absalom has in mind.
It is to completely destroy that which God tries to nurture and
build up at the Sea Life come through.
And so this is what he's doing here.
The question to ask ourselves with the closest context in mind
is what Absalom saying. True, when Absalom said, there's
no men designated by the king to hear you.
Is that true? Think about our recent studies?
Did the king have trouble hearing people's problems.
Did he know how do you know? Thank you very much.
We see here in Chapter 14 verse 4.
When the moment of Tekoa came to the king, she fell on her face
to the ground, and paid homage and said save me.
Okay. Okay.
Obviously the King was available to hear these people's problems
and for them to bring their problems to him.
So what is Absalom trying to convey here?
An outright blatant lie. That's what he's essentially
saying. He's creating a problem that's
not really there and close to that is to, again, magnify
things that are minor that are not sincere enough for severing
to happen. now someone might object and say, well are you
suggesting that people who are in Authority, are immune to any
kind of Correction, any kind of suggestion, any kind of
criticism, Absolutely not. Then you have another problem,
then you got a dictatorship, you have tyranny, you have we have
you have a whole different Bible study to convey when you can
identify those who who know how to abuse their positions of
power. That is not what I'm trying to
say. What I am trying to say that is
though, is that there are claims that we might all have in our
hearts. There might be concerns that we
all might have and expressing those concerns do not make as
divisive people. That would that would be a
terrible way of manipulating people and trying to keep their
mouths shut and to just dismiss any kind of accountability from
the leadership side, that's evil and itself.
But at the same time we have to understand that the way people
Express their concerns makes all the difference.
They can either build things up or tear things down.
You know what I would do if I won one sunny afternoon during
Fellowship, had Absalom come up to me.
And say the things that he said to me.
See, your claims are good and right, but there is no man
designated by the king to hear. You know, that this is what I
would say. And this is what I imagined.
If I was coming from the north and I need to meet with the King
and Absalom, is there with a crowd of people and he stops me
says, hey, I never seen you before and he begins to say
these kind of things I would say well Absalom.
Seems like you clearly have concerns about the way the
kingdom operates have. You brought it to the king, When
that be a good thing to say, hey, did you bring it to your
father? David did you express these
concerns to David? And here's the thing, I want to
say whenever an individual expresses, grievance or
frustration or even actual offense, whether it's perceived
in a certain way or it's legitimate, if you bring up, The
proposition that they should go to the person who has offended
or who is connected to this issue and they refused to do.
So that's very telling that is very revealing actually such a
person is in my estimation not interested in a solution.
Now, there might be hesitation because they're fearful of how
that would go about. I don't know anybody that enjoys
confrontation me included. So sometimes there was
hesitation because it's not easy to do that and I get it.
But I'm not speaking about that. I'm speaking about a person who
just will not open themselves up to the biblical model of how we
should approach a brother or sister, who is offended when
such a person is so headstrong and unwilling to do that.
Not only, are they not interested in a solution.
They are potentially in that very moment as they are
expressing, their thoughts started cause a new problem.
You saying brother you're reading too much into it.
No it Jesus told you and I how to approach a brother or sister
in the area of a fence and we refuse to do that is not not
Disobedience. Okay does this would be the?
It's produced good things. No, that's it.
And so I look at Absalom and I think to myself that was an
Israel at this time. I would look them straight in
the eye. Say Absalom.
Did you talk to your dad about this?
I would have loved to seen his face.
I would love to see how he would have politicize his way out of
it. But there is no such thing.
People were just enamored. They were just captivated one by
his looks. And then on top of that, his
words and the Chariots, and the site of his importance, and his
extravagance, and his eloquence ah Yeah, so there's deception at
work here. There's accusation at work here
and now the sewing is taking place, and it's so subtle.
It's not outright, it's not obvious, it's very subtle,
right? And you and I have to be
careful. God has given us principles to
protect the unity of the church. He has given us instructions of
how to close potential doors. Less Satan have a foothold in
get in and so you and I have to trust Jesus.
As uncomfortable at his, obedience is not always easy,
but as I'm comfortable as it is, we have to believe that the way
the Lord prescribed relational rules is for the benefit and the
longevity of our blessings towards one another and God's
blessing over us. So deception is at work.
Here, activation is now thrown into the pot.
The vision begins in the heart of Unholy men division, utilizes
deception, and accusation and lastly division.
Is strengthened by naive hearts. Division is strengthened by
naive hearts. We see here in verse five and
six, what? Whenever a man came near to pay,
homage to him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him
and kiss him. This Absalom did to all of
Israel who came to the king for judgment.
So, Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
Who's here to blame, Is Absalom to blame.
Yes. Is he the only one to blame?
Who would say? Yes.
So, he stole the hearts of the people.
Sometimes things get stolen from us and it just Catches Us
off-guard, no matter what kind of prevention's we've made.
It just happens. And sometimes things are stolen
from us, because we were irresponsible, And we were not
careful and we were not alert. And we give an opportunity where
an opportunity could have been avoided.
Correct. And so we see here that the
people I know you had your hand about come to you.
In a moment, we see here with the people that they have a part
in all of this Absalom is a, he's a, he's a Salesman.
He's presentable, he's persuasive.
He's powerful and appearance and with his presentation, but
listen. Absalom would not have been as
successful if he did not have so many customers.
No matter how Absalom did his thing if nobody believed the
more people were much more reserved and skeptical in a holy
way, then he would not have been as successful.
But unfortunately, as much as division begins in the heart of
Unholy men, it is solidified and strengthened, by simple hearts.
By simple hearts. I'll pause here and ask you.
You had your hand up, you have a question or remark.
Yes, his position in the family. Yes.
Right. So then you have the family
element in this whole thing which makes it even more
complicated. Despite the fact that he was
already strikingly beautiful and he had the popularity, the fact
that there is the blood relational component, made it
much more complex and I agree with you there. there is a lot
of ingredients to this that are unique but still noteworthy,
here's the thing that I want to say, when there are Sowers of
Discord, And they enter into a place.
What tends to happen is they prey on, they prey on the
unsuspecting, right, to your point.
They prey on the unsuspecting and they prey on those who might
be naive. Innocent More willing to believe
than to test and to be careful to examine before making a
judgment. But that's not the only thing
that they do. Do that is that one of their
primary plans at the same time? They will.
Sniff out. Potential endorsements.
Partners. Those who will come alongside
them knowing very much, what is about to happen?
And usually, they're able to do this by looking for others and
discovering, if they have personal offense or if they are
harboring jealousy or they are entertaining selfish ambition
and the same way you and I can can if we're walking with the
Lord discern, when somebody is a genuine, believer walking with
the Lord I'm telling you. So hours of Discord can find
people like them. They could find people like
them. And they actually magnetized to
them, isn't it amazing? How gossipers attract gossipers,
right? I heard of a brother where he
was hearing about all this stuff that was happening.
This isn't a different context. Different place, altogether,
many, many years ago. He was hearing about all these
things that were happening and he asked somebody else, he goes,
why am I not hearing about this? And that person who is updating
him with certain things as it's probably a good thing.
It's probably a good thing that nobody feels safe to tell you
things that are troubling and I have no value.
And I bring problems more than anything else and that person
left with a crown he's like that's a badge of honor to me.
Nobody calls me or text me. Hey, did you hear about
whatever? And whatever, praise God.
Not a lot of Demands on that one, but amen.
And so, we see here that Absalom is doing two things.
At the same time, he is Recruiting naive people by
seducing him and yet he is also searching out for others.
Who because of their own position, their own reputation,
their own resources like you said, would only make their case
more believable. Right.
Who do you think that person was for Absalom?
Who do you think that person was?
Good. Guess not joab.
Yes. Would you look at that?
Did you hear the answer? Bathsheba's granddaddy.
What's his name? I, he thought fell.
I remember reading this today and I thought to myself.
Yeah, that is a common trait, right?
There's strength in numbers that Absalom do this, and I kept
reading and I realized there he is, and verse 12.
Look at verse 12 quickly and while Absalom was offering the
sacrifice he sent for, who Heath offal agila night, David's
counselor, from his City Helo and the conspiracy grew strong
in the people with Absalom kept increasing.
Why do you think Why do you think Absalom would fetch her?
I hate thoughtful. Did I he fell for?
Have bitterness. Let me ask you this way.
Was, I he thoughtful hurt by David?
He was her by David. He was heard by David Wright,
Josh? Yeah.
Do you have something else to say?
That's right. He did have a grudge against
David because of what David did with his granddaughter and her
husband I would have loved to see what the conversation
between Absalom, and I fulfilled would be like, or was like How
did he figure that out? Was it common knowledge?
And I began to just sit there this afternoon and think about
what that might have looked like as Absalom was trying to figure
out who it is that would partner with him and I noticed That he
was drawn to somebody who had his own history of pain from the
same individual. That he wanted to overthrow.
Hey, I felt full. You know, I've been noticing
some about my dad. Things are kind of sketchy.
Things are a little off, you happen to notice anything.
I know you work with him closely and you see things, you're very
wise men, your counselor Oh, no way you too.
He did that to Bathsheba. What a scoundrel.
You know why? That makes sense?
Actually, you remember what happened to my sister to mod?
Right? You see how we just?
Let em and go. I wonder if that had to play.
This guy is bad news, man. He's bad news.
You know, I think we have to protect others from him.
I think we have a duty. I think we need to we need to
see this guy. Pay for his slip-ups.
We need this guy to learn a lesson. you know, if I if I
gotta tell you something, If I Were King, I wouldn't let things
get away with that so easily. If I Were King, I would not.
I will not allow family relations to get involved with
how I execute God's law. You might be thinking, brother.
I think you're reading too much into it and I would say no
because look, what, look what he says here.
And verse 40 that I were the judge in the land and every man
with the disputer cause might come to me and I would give him
Justice, you hypocrite. You have no right to speak about
justice justice. I would give him Justice and I
wonder if he said that the I-5 wonder if he he just swept him
off his feet with this kind of speech.
And I thought full agreed and a devilish team was born.
A team that would. Unfortunately be very successful
and making an impression on the weak-minded.
Not, we're going to, in the following weeks, we're going to
talk about just the absolute poison that bitterness is and
how its cues. So much of our thinking and what
we allow and what we absorb and what we're willing to entertain.
But for now let's go back to that thought of the naive,
right? Turn very quickly as we close
our Bible study very soon. In Romans chapter 16, I want you
to see what Paul says about this subject because it's not an Old
Testament thing to new. Testament reality.
In Romans 16 look here at verse 17.
I appeal to you Brothers to watch out for those who cause
divisions and create obstacles, contrary to the doctrine that
you have been taught. Avoid them for such persons, do
not serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, Our Lord Christ, but
their own appetites is not go back to point number one.
That the Visions begin in the heart of Unholy men.
Men who don't serve Christ men who are serving their own
appetites in your appetites can be any ambition that conflicts
with humility and trusting in God's Providence in his dealing
in your life but they serve their own appetites.
And by here it is, this is point number two, by smooth, talk and
flattery. So there we covered two points
and New Testament commentary on our Old Testament.
Study number one divisions, begin the heart of on holy men.
Number two divisions. Utilize deception and
accusation. And number three divisions are
strengthened by naive Hearts. What does Paul?
And with and flattery they deceive.
The hearts of, who the knife. So right there isn't that it's
not wonderful. That in our Old Testament study.
We have new testament confirmation.
The Old Testament is the best illustration book for New
Testament, Truth by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the
hearts of the naive. Hello Absalom.
What polishing your spirit is that dividers, don't succeed
over everyone not. Everyone is influenced by sower
of Discord but there are some And the category of the, some
are the simple. Proverbs 14:15 says that the
simple believes everything, the simple believes everything, but
the prudent give thoughts to his steps, The Prudent gives
thoughts to his steps. In other words, it doesn't jump
to conclusions, he doesn't rush into a door, he waits and thinks
and calculates before any kind of judgment is made.
That is not the simple. And the truth of the matter is
that in the church, the beautiful, glorious blood-bought
Church of Jesus Christ. You have those Within who are
more simple than others. And who are much more willing to
think with their feelings, who are in experience and because of
their inexperience or more vulnerable, just like the
Christians in Rome, this is what Paul is saying.
And here's the thing that we have to ask ourselves, is that a
fate that is inescapable for some meaning if you have some in
the church who are simple, does that mean that they're just
sitting ducks ready to be devoured at any time?
And the answer thankfully is no, no, that doesn't have to be the
future of any poor soul. Now, after healing all this,
again, this is not the most uplifting Bible study on a
Friday night after a long work week but it is important and
here's the encouraging part. As we land, this Bible study,
there is something that you and I can do to limit the damage
that a person who is determined to bring Discord can do And I
think what we see here in Romans 16 gives us the blueprint.
And one of the things that you and I are called to do, if the
naive are the target of such individuals who are in God's
sight and Abomination. We are called to watch over our
brothers and sisters, who might be naive.
Who might be young in the faith, right?
Who might be just have a different upbringing and
different discipleship, different kind of experience
growing up. And so, they just view the world
with a different lens. Such individuals are called to
be watched over by primarily the under Shepherds.
Leaders of the church are called to have a watchful eye on how
people are responding to certain things and and where they're
being pulled and where they're being pushed.
And when there is danger, an alarm it is the under Shepherds
who are called, Discernment to come in and to warn and to
rescue and to pull away, but it's not just the pastor's
because the passengers are not omniscient.
And omnipresent, Now, we have a mutual responsibility to watch
each other's back and to ensure that if there are people who
might again be more impressed by certain things that can lead to
Danger than you. And I have to be able to step in
and say, hey man, look I've noticed, are you sure you doing
here? Are you sure?
You, you're you're thinking rightly about this.
Listen. That is the bare minimum that
you and I can do right, but there's something higher than
that. There's something greater than
that. If Paul here is warning that
they deceive the hearts of the naive, then I say that there is
a charge and an exhortation for the naive, not just for the
people who are related to the naive and it is this Escape your
simplicity. Grow.
But God, stretch you. Proverbs tells us in the first
chapter. Oh, how long will you love being
simple? In other words, the naive here
is not just limited to people who are innocent because they're
inexperienced or because they haven't seen enough or because
years haven't been added to them, so they lack experiential
wisdom. That is not the case.
There comes a point where being naive is a choice.
It's a choice that you consciously make, or you don't
care to think about and just allow yourself to Coast through
life. And the Bible says, oh, how long
will you love being simple? In other words, it's time to
grow. It's time to see God.
Do something in the way. You perceive things that will
protect you and protect your family, protect your finances
and protect your church, protect your church, If you don't
believe that, that is the case. Well, Proverbs 8 5 says, oh
simple ones, learn prudence. Proverbs 850 simple ones.
Learn prudence. That encourages me, if somebody
is simple, they don't have to stay simple.
They can Excel and they can mature and they can know The
Graces and the blessings and the treasures that come from them.
So when I look at a simple person, if I know a simple
person if I know an innocent vulnerable person, I don't just
see them as a responsibility. I see them as a potential.
Advocate for truth and someone who can no discernment that
doesn't require constant supervision.
And that is what these people needed.
Unfortunately, this this group of Israelites were a gullible
Folk. And they just ate whatever was
presented to them at the hand of a gorgeous man.
Name Absalom And so, these kind of people had a choice to
graduate from their infancy and to develop skills and to grow in
their character. And all of us have that decision
to make how do you go from simple to prudence?
And you know what this means is anybody know what the word
Prudence means. Anybody know what Prudence
means? It means to exercise judgment in
a way where you limit risks and dangers.
So, you develop a discernment and a discipline.
To explore and to examine a certain thing and to find the
best option out of them all. To prevent so much harm that
could have been avoided. That's what we all need.
Simple. People need to learn prudence
and we can spend the next 30 minutes talking about how simple
person can become wise. But I would just say this.
That if there's something you can constantly do Anna, sure
results. It's James 1:5, if any of you
lack wisdom, What is he supposed to do?
Let him ask God, let him ask God.
You know what that tells me that God can directly deposit a set
and a wiring in your being. When a matter what your
upbringing was no matter what your lack of experience was, you
can prevent risks and dangers in your life because heaven is on
your side. and God's work is in you And something is there
constantly and has been developed that even when you
were surprised by instances or by people, or by situations, you
are ready. I'll be transferring with you.
One of the things that I pray for for myself every single day
is discernment. Every single day.
God give me discernment, help me not trust in my senses alone,
you have put the holy spirit in me, you have given the word of
God before me, Lord, I pray that as I indulge in your word and
walk in the spirit, you allow me to live this life and navigate
through it in a way, where I limit unnecessary harm of or
others. And God has been faithful.
James 1:5, true. He's willing to help us and not
just people in leadership positions where they're example,
our decisions can affect much more than just their own lives.
But anybody, who desires it, anybody who desires it?
How did divisions occur they begin in the hearts of Unholy
men. Divisions, utilize deception and
accusation. The Visions are strengthened by
the hearts of the naive. May God protect this church may
God protect your marriage may God protect your ministry. he is
faithful and just and he is good.
And in the coming weeks, Even men after God's heart can
experience betrayal and when something as painful like that
happens, what should our response be?
We'll stay tuned to find out. But we do.
Thank you for this Bible study. There may be some here who know
what it's like to be. In a situation where division
took place and it left scars. And put a sour taste in their
mouth. Lori hate what you hate.
What breaks your heart breaks our heart.
We just ask Lord that you would give us discernment.
We also ask God that you would not make us overly suspecting or
suspicious fearful. Protect us from not having hope
or not. Putting trust and faith in
potential awesome relationships. Help us be quick to forgive when
we do get in the flesh. Help us to identify our own
selfishness and to crucify it when it tries to get off the
cross. The Lord, we just pray that you
would protect the Purity and the love of this place.
And Lord. If it is true that jealousy and
selfish ambition is the cause for every kind of disorder and
vile practice, then let there be humility.
And it god-glorifying mandate. Pumping in every single heart of
those who represent this church and those who represent their
own churches. Oh Lord, if it is true.
That in humility. And in seeking the greater goal
of the Gospel being proclaimed and loved, and cherished, and
believed on, by those outside of this place.
Then God help us be people who live in such a way where we want
to worship you tonight because your word is, it is just amazing
and profound to us. And we pray O Lord that we would
trust in your instructions and your blueprint went offense,
does arise in our hearts and when things do happen, That we
would not allow ourselves to be a foothold for Satan to work.
Like a, he thought full us who was who is calm and collected
until an opportunity cane, oh, Lord, we wonder what would have
become of him, if he sought forgiveness.
If he, if he confronted David 121 and expressed his pain, we
wonder if absalom's attempts would have been weakened and so
low, we don't want to be footholds for the enemy to use
us. Unknowingly we want to be free
and we want to be your servants and we want to glorify you in
every aspect of life. Lord, we worship you tonight and
give you all honor and praise and recognition for your
goodness. Even with a study like this, in
Jesus name, we pray. Amen.
Shall We Stand?
And let's worship God together.