I believe the past week has sifted the church from those who
are true and those who have been in Disguise, those who claim to
follow Christ, those who claim to love God's word, but when it
really is applied in culture, I think what we saw with the
Supreme Court has really revealed even more those who
really love God and his word. And those who, who love God's
word when it fits their agenda, and their particular sin.
And I want to tell you something, I believe that's only
going to continue in the days ahead and a very short amount of
time. You and I are going to see a
thicker line drawn, that's going to make a greater separation
between those who are truly Be of God and those who are not.
And what's going to protect you. And I from deception, is the
word of God, what's going to make you?
And I equipped to help those who claim to follow Christ, but are
clearly, deceived is the word of God.
I'll prove it to you this past week.
I'm not on social media often, but when I do go on, I just cast
the line and see where it goes and sure enough.
I was engaging with somebody that I've never met in my life
who was arguing, arguing vehemently.
About how God indeed does approve of abortion.
And, you know, where they went to make their case the Old
Testament and Numbers Chapter 5, am I going to turn there?
But it just it just proved to me that there are those who totally
reject the word of God. And there are those who go to
the word of God, to try to justify sin and based on those
arguments. If people don't really know the
scriptures not only can they be let into deception?
They can lead others into deception and so this is not
just a study for For just nice, little bit more mature, Sunday
school lessons. This is to have the word of God
implanted into our hearts. So that when there is falsehood
and there are things that are twisted and taken out of
context, you can detect it immediately.
You can detect it immediately because you have people who are
going even to the Old Testament to justify current cultural
issue. So this is a very significant
thing for those who come here consistently You are growing
more than you can imagine. When you're receiving the word
of God, more than just the traditional.
Once a week, there is a strengthening that's coming to
you whether you see the immediate effects of it now or
not, there is an investment that you're making.
So this is a glorious thing and I praise God that we have people
who want to be here on a Friday night.
With that being said, meet me in the book of second.
Samuel chapter three, second Samuel, chapter three.
Pray with me. Lord we Humbly come.
Before you we boldly come before you?
Lord, our hearts are moved just by the fact that we get to open
your word and feast tonight. We ask Lord that by the spirit,
you would cancel any Any Interruption of the flesh.
Both in the delivery of your word and the reception of your
word. Help us receive what you've
intended to say and for us to apply it and submit to it
totally. We ask Lord that this would not
just be investment of knowledge but it would be, in fact, an
investment to our Holiness. And to our christlikeness, Lord,
we just ask guide us tonight. And knit, our hearts not just
together with your word but to one another, as a people who
love the truth, be Glorified and be pleased as you see us now
coming to you to receive from your voice and Jesus name we
pray. Amen.
David. Is King in Judah Abner, the
former commander of Saul's Army has raised up one of Saul's Sons
ashot to rule over the northern part of Israel and to take over
the different tribes. And to convince them that Saul's
successor is in fact, his son and not the anointed one.
David and there are many things we learned from last week.
But one of the things that we drew, from the previous
chapters, how the relationship between In David and Abner is
very much like the relationship that the believer has with sin
Abner wasn't satisfied with just having 11 of the tribes.
He wanted Judah and sin is very much the same way doesn't want
just part of us and wants to all of us.
It doesn't want to just just have an aspect of Our Lives that
wants to control our lives. And you and I have learned from
David and his response of how we can guard ourselves from the
ambition of sin and that illustration between David and a
After and how it parallels the Believers conflict with sin only
continues as we come to this chapter and verse 1, read with
me, there was a long war between the house of Saul and the House
of David and David grew, stronger and stronger.
While the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.
What a wonderful summary. What's taking place?
David had a long War. With the house of Saul.
And it really lasted seven years you and I don't just have a long
war with sin. We have a lifelong War.
And, for many of us, that will look like 40 more years, 50,
more years, 70, more years, 10, more years.
All we know is that it is a lifelong battle with sin, and
Paul makes it very clear and Galatians 5:17 something.
So, crucial, in understanding the Christian experience that
the desires of the flesh are against the spirit and the
desires of the spirit are against the flesh.
Now, this is important for these are opposed to each other.
These are opposed to each other to keep you from doing what you
desire to do. It is undeniably clear.
That as long as we are in this body, there will be an inner
conflict between the indwelling of the spirit of God, and thus
flesh that wraps us and keeps us anchor to the things that have
been impacted because of Adam's sin.
We are still in this flesh. It is not a glorified flesh.
Is a tainted flesh, but praise be to God.
The indwelling of the spirit has come to give us some kind of Not
just a hope. But also the strength to be able
to be in victory, over sin and the goal of the flesh is the
same goal that Abner had with David to hinder the advancement
of the will of God. David was God's men.
David's dynasty was God's program Abner knew that, and he
wanted to resist that. Send this flesh, realizes the
spirit in us has been given to be empowered to do, the will of
God and sin knowing that he can't erase that seal.
But can in fact hinder hinder you from moving forward in the
empowerment of God in his wisdom and his fruit for your life.
And I often quote Paul statement to the Galatians and Galatians
5:17 to Christians who want to know if they are truly in dealt
with the Holy Spirit. If you are in this place today
and you struggle very much whether or not, if you are truly
a child of God, let me give you one of my go-to versus and help
you clarify, if this is. So here's a clear answer for the
Assurance of somebody salvation. Look, what Paul says, I hope
you're a Galatians 5:17. If you're not turned their
quickly turn their quickly, Galatians 5:17, And I want you
to see this with your own eyes so that you can be helped and
you can help others. Look what Paul says.
The second part of the verse for these, the spirit and the flesh
are opposed to each other to keep you from doing the things
you want to do. And here's what I always ask
somebody who is struggling. Here's what I asked.
Somebody who seems to be in this, this doubtful dread about
where they stand with God, what do you want to do?
In other words, what are your desires?
If I ask somebody who's outside of Christ, what are your
desires, I'm going to get a completely different set of
answers than from the person who's truly regenerated by the
Holy Spirit. And so, what you see here is
that if you base your evidence of your salvation upon the
struggle with sin, no wonder you're struggling with
assurance. Because Paul here makes a very
explicitly clear, there will be a struggle for the believer.
The spirit of Flesh are at odds with one another.
But what's interesting here is that the last part of it, we see
where we should identify where we stand in our identity, what
are your desires What are your desires in your heart?
The legitimacy of your salvation is not in the wrestling, with
the flesh. It's where you want to be.
It's what you desire to do. Do you long to be holy, do you
long to be in right? Standing.
Not just not just positionally but practically.
Do you want is your ambition in life to be like Jesus and to rid
yourself of sin, even the appearance Prince of evil.
If those sets of desires are there you are.
In a good place. You are in a good place.
You ask a believer? What he wants to do and it's
going to sound different. It should sound different than
what the world would say. You know what?
It was like to be in the world many of you and and it was not
to get rid of sin, it was tried to have more of sin.
It was try to have sinned with the least consequences.
It was trying to have some without without any kind of
repercussions. You wanted sin, you desire, you
thirsted for it, you hungered for it, you made your decisions
based off, that being the passion of your life.
But here's the thing, although identifying where where we want
to be, what we truly desire to do is very important
understanding where we are with the Lord, right.
If Christ has not transform your desires then, perhaps Christ has
not transformed you at all. But that is not the ultimate
goal for the Christian. The Christian is not just
satisfied with saying, all right?
Yeah, I know I'm a righteous thing with God because I want to
desire this and I don't desire anymore, that's just the base.
What a mature Christian really wants to do is once they have
those desires to deposited by the Holy Spirit.
To now, walk in the will of God and the empowerment, the Holy
Spirit to see those desires manifest in actual fruit.
Now, I want to walk in this and that's why Paul is saying in
this part portion of scripture. Walk in the spirit and you will
not gratify the desires of the flesh, he's not just giving us
help to say. Hey, look, if you're going to
struggle, don't be worried. Struggle is true for the
believer. He's not just saying that he
wants to say. Now, let me tell you how you can
actually be and triumphant victory over sin.
And I believe verse 1 of second, Samuel, chapter 3 is a beautiful
illustration of what that looks like for the true Christian, who
is walking in the spirit. What do I mean by that?
The House of David grew, stronger and stronger while the
house of Saul became weaker and weaker As you and I progress in
spiritual maturity if you want to evaluate that, here's how you
can your strength to resist temptation becomes stronger and
stronger. Your hatred for sin, grows more
intense than it did last year and the allurements of the
world, The Persuasions of the evil, one become weaker and
weaker. That's how you.
And I can be able to say I'm growing in.
Jesus Christ. Yes, there are constant
Temptations, but I can tell you that, I am not the person who
had Outburst of anger, like I was a year ago, two years ago,
three years ago, I can tell you that I am able to overcome the
Temptation that when my computer screen tries to pull me into
places into Alleyways on the web that I should not be that I can
say no. And I can feel the strength in
my soul to actually resist it. This is the way that you and I
can see that we are indeed growing.
We are growing stronger and stronger in the will of God and
the love for the things of God and practical Holiness while the
things that were once strong are losing its influence in our
lives. And if you think that I'm just
making that up based on a verse that doesn't really necessarily
directly deal with personal Holiness.
Then realize in one particular place in the New Testament that
John and his first epistle, he addresses the church and within
the church people who are at different places in their
spiritual maturity. So I want to show you that go to
1st John and look at this is this is so encouraging because
it helps us be able to say. Okay, this is how I can know I
am here. This is how I can know.
I'm here. The sound I came here where am I
and the spectrum of growing of growing spiritually.
Go to 1st, John 2:12. And the same way that you and I
can see physical development over the years.
It is no different spiritually, okay?
I don't know why it is for many people that spiritual growth is
hazy. It's not hazy the same way that,
you know, that you are growing in height from from your when
you're 23 years old, you know, that you're growing taller over
the years and your voice gets deeper.
When you pass a certain point in life and certain body parts
develop, you can see that physically.
So it is spiritually, there are things that That should be
tangibly evident and you can even see for yourself and
others. Should be able to say.
I can see that. And John here, he addresses
different pockets of people on the spectrum of where they are
and spiritual maturity. Look at verse 12, I'm writing to
you little children. I'm writing to you little
children because your sins are forgiven for his namesake.
The first group of people that John addresses are little
children, little children. And some would say well this is
just speaking about those who are actually little children.
I say he's speaking to those who are spiritually little children
those who are infants in Christ when you and I first get saved
we are known as babes in Christ and what's amazing is how John
identifies what occupies the affections, and the thoughts of
little children in Jesus Christ. Not little children actual age,
please be reminded little children and spiritual spiritual
age who first Walk into being born again and into the kingdom
of God. You know what it is that
enthralls little children. You know what it is?
That brings a person to rejoice and praise and be overwhelmed as
a little child and God the Revelation that their sins are
forgiven. Your sins are forgiven for his
namesake and you know that, right?
You know, the jolt of Joy when that truth of being Redeemed by
the blood of Jesus Christ that you have the gift of eternal
life, it just swallowed up every other thing you were so consumed
with that, you came singing and you could not stop singing.
You want to tell everybody about it.
Just the simple gospel truth that your sins are forgiven.
Now, that is not to say that. As you grow that, you move from
that truth or you lose joy in that truth.
But it is to say this, that as you do grow, something is going
to be added, you are going to grow into something else.
And so, what he does now is he addresses fathers and young men?
He dresses little children, children, young men, father's.
I just want to go to the young men for the sake of the Bible
study. So you scroll down to verse 14.
Look, what you read here, I write to you.
Fathers. Because, you know, him who is
from the beginning. Now, look at this, I write to
you young men is a young man, the same as a little child.
No, I write to you young men because you are strong because
you are strong and the word of God abides in you.
Now, look at this and you have overcome the evil one.
So now, John is addressing the young men and this is what they
are characterized by one main thing.
You ready? The ability to overcome the evil
one? As you grow in faith and some of
you can testify to this when you're first saved.
Spiritual warfare is not so much of a reality, is it?
It's almost like there's a special Grace where there's
like, like just like a baby, there's just this this disgrace
to just see everything as a miracle and it's almost as
though. You're so sensitive to the
things of God and then something begins to happen as one year
goes by and you're still, you're still walking consistent with
their two years three. Now, you begin to see things.
Now, you begin to see Satan at work and, and push back.
And you see the ugly things with in Ministry and you see Warfare
and young men, they fight Right, young woman in the faith, they
doubt enter into a struggle to the reality of spiritual
warfare. That becomes more real that
becomes more frequent. But what's amazing here is that
Not only are they engaged in spiritual warfare but they are
able to actually actually walk in victory over the Temptations
and the lies of Satan. No.
John's thoughts about the spiritual phases here.
Do not mean that your physical growth will parallel, your
spiritual growth. So you can have people who are
physically father's, but they're spiritually still little
children. And you can have young men,
young women who spiritually can be like fathers and mothers.
But what's amazing here is, when you see the young men, something
is added to them. They are able to overcome the
evil one. So this is how, you know, that
you've graduated from being a little child.
This is what occupies little children.
They are just consumed with the Forgiveness of Jesus Christ.
And they stay there, they stay there, they don't grow from that
knowledge, they are able to explore and see more into the
mind of God, the will of God, the character of God, Hebrews
tells us repentance Faith, baptism the laying on of hands,
Eternal judgment. Those are Elementary things and
he says, let's move on from that, not to ignore it, not to
incorporate it, but you got to build off of that.
And here I want to tell you something.
There are people who have been in the faith for 15 years and
spiritually. There's still little children
because their knowledge doesn't go beyond and the gospel.
It doesn't go beyond what Jesus Christ did on the cross for you.
It doesn't go beyond your sins, being forgiven and here's how
you know that you've grown at least to the next phase, you
don't just Relish in the fact that you're forgiven, you now
know what Christ purchased for you to overcome.
To resist sin to become more like Jesus.
And so I want to tell you today, it's so important that growth is
identified the way the Bible calls you to identify it.
I don't want you to be in great one for 40 years.
I don't want you to remain in the same place for 10 years and
how do we grow it? So simple.
It's so wonderful. It's in the very same verse and
the word of God abides in you abides, in you.
That's how you go from a little child to a young man.
The scriptures is something that you now listen, he says, abides
in you, you will never grow if you visit the Bible, If the
Bible is something that you just touch on once every two weeks,
once every three weeks twice, every two that you're never
going to grow, you will remain a little child abide means to live
to remain to stay. So you take this word and you
read it, you take this word and you eat it, you digest it, you
study it, you meditate on it, you memorize it and you apply
it. And it over time, as you do that
consistently, you will grow, you receive strength and then you
will be able to overcome the evil one.
I'm telling you, it's so sad. I've used this illustration
often. Any any true parent would be
devastated if their physical child remained in one grade for
several years. Nobody would say.
Yeah, it's okay, just to happens, you know, it's a common
thing, but we do it spiritually. We do it spiritually.
You have people in the Pew for 5 years, 8 years, 10 years, 15
years and they're in the same place they never grow and we
seem to all be okay with it, it's not normal.
There should be progression. We should grow stronger
stronger. While the things of this flesh,
the things of the enemy, the things of this world have a
weaker influence in our lives. Okay, we're still in verse 1, we
gotta move on here, let's go to verse 2, second Samuel 3 verse
2. And Sons were born to David at
Hebron his firstborn was em. None of em you know mm of
Jezreel and a second hilly above Abigail, the Widow of neighbor
of caramel and a third Absalom. The son of Maha the daughter of
tell my king of gesture and the fourth added, I just the son of
Hadith and the fifth shifa, Thalia the son of a beetle and
the 6 e 3, mm of egg Le David's wife.
These were born to David and Hebron So what we're being told
you this verse is that David's government.
His military is not the only thing that's increasing his
personal family is growing. We are given a detailed account
of the increase here of his wise and of his children.
He entered into Hebron with how many wives who remembers.
How many wives did he come in to have brown with before he became
king to? And now we see here that there's
an additional four and by the end of the chapter, we're not
going to complete this chapter tonight.
No way, the end of the chapter, we have a total of seven wives.
Total of seven wives now David's decision to marry all these
women. Whether it was motivated by lust
or political power could be, both is problematic for many
reasons. We've touched on polygamy in the
Old Testament, many times in our study before we won't come back
to it now. But the guilt of David's
polygamy is even more severe because of his position as a
king. Why Who remembers?
Who remembers what Moses said to the Israelites before they even
had one king of what they need to do.
And holding that King accountable, when he becomes a
ruler of God's people, what was one of the laws?
Yeah. Right down the law.
Your own copy. That's true.
There is another thing though. Deuteronomy 17 17.
Our brother made it clear that a king should not have multiple
wives. Now, that is true for all people
but especially for a king because the king would have a
temptation to make political alliances by marrying.
The daughter of a foreign ruler so that they would be at peace.
So it was an additional Temptation and God didn't want
his Kings to put their faith in their alliances.
They wanted he wanted their kings to have faith in his
leadership and his empowerment and wisdom alone.
And here's what's amazing here. When David marries these woman,
you don't see any immediate condemnation or broke a rebuke
from the author, but what you will see is that it's going to
get very, very ugly down the road.
The calm around his choice. Here is deceptive.
This is going to, in fact be the seed of great thorns and the
garden of David's life. I believe, remember, we're going
to see this in this book that David's Infamous scandal with
Bathsheba, Is connected to the early forms of a lack of
self-control that you see here. Does that make sense?
Let me put it this way because David would not honor God's will
for his marriage that we see in Genesis, Jesus quotes Genesis as
a standard of marriage because David, there's an honor God
standard for his marriage. Is there any reason why he would
honor anybody else's marriage namely Uriah If he doesn't have
any conviction about his own, how is he going to have any
conviction about somebody else's?
And so what you see here is the early forms Of a lack of
self-control, lack of understanding, where down the
road it's going to manifest and bitter fruit.
And what's sad here? Is that as you see this?
The sons that are mentioned here are going to be the reason for
his heartache for majority of this heartache at least which
son's here are going to cause trouble for David down the road.
Absalom number one. Who's number two?
Well there's so many before Absalom and then what did and
then do. Yeah, heard it.
So everybody thinks this is what I'm saying.
He raped his half, sister Tamar, who was whose full sister
Absalom, what does Absalom do? Because of that kills Antonin,
but he doesn't just kill. And then what does he do?
He attempts to usurp the Throne of his father, right?
He fails, he dies, who comes next?
To cause havoc in the Kingdom, there's one more.
Adonijah. If you said adonijah, you are
right adonijah who seeks to seize the throne before Solomon
occupies it because he is the rightful Heir.
So you see three out of this list are going to cause so much
problems for David. And I just David for all of
Israel would you like to know why?
Would you like to know why does anybody have an idea?
Why David's Sons, at least the majority of them were
troublesome? Was David a good King?
Yeah, so many times, the profits have pointed back to David as a
standard that they failed to keep up with in terms of his
relationship with God was David a good dad.
They have proof of that. And we have so much proof to say
that he was a good King. But do we have any proof that he
was a good dad or a bad dad? There was a sword in his family,
as a result of his sin with Bathsheba.
Absolutely, that is part of the reason why there would be so
much trouble in his kingdom in his own family.
Yes, it was a consequence, but there was another thing.
There's a failure on David's part, and another way.
We're onto something. When Tamar was violated the
David intervene, no, here is a blatant statement.
Of David's leniency with his children.
Go to 1st Kings, go to chapter one.
Look at verse 52, verse 6, and you will see a direct commentary
on the failure of David's part as a dad.
First Kings, chapter 1, verse 5, First Kings chapter 1, verse 5.
This is when adonijah sprung up and started to cause problems,
verse 5 now, adonijah, the son of Hagee exalted himself, I will
be king and he prepared for himself chariots and Horsemen
and fifty men to run before him. Now, look at this verse six.
His father had never at any time, displeased him by asking,
why have you done thus? And so Do you see it?
His father had never disciplined him.
His father had never admonished him.
His father had never sat him down as his, why are you doing
this? How could you do this?
You have to be disciplined for this, that was completely absent
and I'm sure it was not just with adonijah but with all of
his children he didn't raise them up.
He didn't raise them up and righteousness.
He failed to give the necessary attention that a child would
need especially in a specific window of time where the roots
of their character are developed.
So, David was a great king, great administrator, great
warrior bad father. And how could he be when you
have several wives? All sharing the same, man.
How do you do that? How do you give equal attention?
Most people struggle with one wife, one husband, one
household. You can just imagine the
complexities would jealousy and this kids issues and that child
wants their father's attention and who knows probably.
So overwhelmed that he just backs off of it completely and
leaves it completely to these mothers.
But that that vacuum, that vacancy there of a father,
contributed to the rebellion of their children.
That is so important to understand because when you see
this This Valley in general. What you also see down the road
is that he was a distracted and disconnected.
Father. And you cannot ignore, you
cannot ignore the strong lesson about the importance of the
family unit. And its impact in society.
What I mean by that, when you put all the pieces together, you
cannot deny that there was a direct influence between the
trouble and David's house and the stabilization of the nation
of Israel. All of these Sons cause trouble
to the nation. Yeah, the problem started at
home and we're within the household, but had a ripple
effect into the streets into into into it cause even a Civil
War at one point and it is no difference.
It is no difference for Any Nation.
The strength of Any Nation is dependent upon the foundation of
the family institution. You can't separate those two
realities. And what's so important to see
is that you can add to it by saying that the strength of a
local church. Church is greatly supported
about the robustness of the inter familiar relations of
individual Christian homes. Let me prove it to you, if you
don't think that's the case. Then why is it that Paul says,
if a pastor cannot rule his home, he has no business ruling
a local congregation. Because you can't have a sick
home and a healthy Church. If we really believe that may
God, give us wisdom, then where should most of our energy and
our programs, and our teachings go to, at least outside of the
word of God, the whole counsel of God families.
Nurturing marriages giving people a help and how they can
interact and know how to involve their children involved.
Their lives and their schedules. We need to build Healthy
Families because that will have a direct impact on the church
and that will have a direct impact on society.
I'm telling you, most of our news headlines can be solved if
we put most of our taxpayer dollars into building healthy
homes. All the foolishness in the
craziness it all statistically points.
Back to fatherlessness, you know this and here we are spinning on
our heads. Wondering what we're going to
do. Change all the laws you want.
If you don't have healthy marriages, you're not going to
have healthy kids. If you don't have healthy kids,
you're not going to have a healthy Society.
I wish David believe that. What would have become of his
kingdom? If he truly gave the attention
that he did to his army and to his War plans and to his
whatever it was, what would it be?
If he gave this kind of heartfelt, Devotion to his
children? I'm sure his kingdom would be
different different thing, a blessing.
But because he failed to do so Israel paid for it, not just
him. So we come back to to our
chapter and verse 6. Wow, there was war between the
house of Saul and the House of David Abner was making himself
strong in the house of Saul. Now, saw how to concubine whose
name was rizpah. The daughter of AI and is beset,
set to Abner. Why have you gone into my
father's concubine? Then after was very angry over
the words of ishka. Chef and said, am I a dog's head
of Judah to this day? I keep showing steadfast love to
the house of Saul, your father to his brothers and his friends,
and have not given you into the hand of David.
And yet you charge me today with a fault concerning a woman.
Let's stop there for a moment. In verse 1, you and I learned
that the house of Saul was becoming weaker and weaker.
There are different reasons for that.
The obvious reason, was that the House of David had God on their
side but I'd like to look at the verses that we just read as just
one Insight. Because what's about to happen
right now will bring a final And lethal blow to this
establishment and it began with a confrontation.
It really began and ended with a confrontation is for Seth,
approaches Abner and he accuses them of a specific sin.
Why did you sleep with one of my father's concubines?
Now, this sin here is beyond just sexual immorality.
This is more than a scandal within leadership.
In the days of David, what would happen is when the king died, he
would transfer many things to the successor.
One of the things he would transfer was Haram.
He would transfer these concubines his wives over almost
in a way, like, it was kind of property, right?
And so that would be brought over to the successor.
Now, if anybody overstepped his bounds and went to violate one
of these weeds concubines or sleep with Them, it was more
than just saying you know, I'm trying to satisfy my lust.
This was a political move. It was a said, saying I want
control, I'm claiming your property to be my property and
it was, it was in a sense, a declaration that I have a desire
for equal Authority as the king and we can prove that in
scripture. Remember when Absalom tries to
overthrow, David, David and his men move out into the Wilderness
and he received Eyes. Take your father's concubines
and sleep with them on the roof and make a public spectacle that
you are now the King by doing such a thing adonijah.
There's something very similar. He goes to Bathsheba and First
Kings chapter 2, when Solomon becomes king and he asks for one
of Solomon's concubines and Solomon understood what he meant
by that and has him killed. And so this is less about A
scandal sexually and more about a political struggle for power.
Why is this important to understand?
The house of Saul became weaker and weaker.
If you and I want to protect our individual respective homes, if
you and I want to protect this church home, then let's receive
some insight and how we can prevent internal erosion.
And here's one way we can see it.
Wherever there is selfish ambition, there is disorder and
any organization. Whenever there is a lust, not
just sexually a Lust For position, a lust for power,
whatever the case may be, what you will inherit inevitably is
destruction. There will be problems that you
cannot even imagine the weakness of its passats kingdom was, was
for many reasons, but as I said earlier, one man's apparent
craving would bring a deathblow to any potential.
This Kingdom becoming something effective long-term.
The New Testament speaks of the same thing.
I've quoted this verse many times, but I want to I want to
tell you about two evil twins to evil twins, that live in a lot
of people's congregations and even their own homes.
James 3:16 Says for where jealousy and selfish ambition
exist. Those are the two evil twins
jealousy and selfish ambition, wherever they exist wherever
they are. Tolerated, wherever they're
living wherever they are. Not resisted and Dealt with, and
it's early forms for where jealousy and selfish ambition
exist. What do you have there will be
disorder and every vile practice.
Abner clearly had a desire to secure his position and maybe
over time, he now wants to grow in his position and take over is
besides place if that is indeed true.
And this is now about to now split up because he's about to
now make his pledge of allegiance to David.
It started with his his desire be coming out of control, for
his ambition, to be met. And I want to tell you that that
will be true for any place, especially in Ministry.
And I what I love to do is whenever I see command like
this, that that puts that puts a sober understanding of the
potential of what we can do. I like to flip it, positively to
see the potential fruit if you do it in the opposite way.
So this verse says, for where jealousy and selfish ambition
exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
I look, and I said, well what's the opposite of jealousy?
And selfish ambition, any ideas? I think the opposite of jealousy
is what thing honor. You don't covet something that
doesn't belong to you. You don't feel threatened by
somebody. Who does something that you
would want to want to. Do you honor them, you see them
as an asset, you see them, as an addition, you see them as a
partner. What's the opposite of selfish?
Ambition. Humility.
It's not about what you want, isn't about your drive, your
passions, your dreams. It's about a greater goal.
It's about God's kingdom his name and wherever you have to
fit in the slot to make it run properly.
You will fit in that slot. So let me put it this way,
wherever there is honor and humility.
What's the opposite of disorder? Hoarder orders, good right there
will be order. And what is this?
A every vile practice. I like to say every good, every
good practice, every good thing where there is honor and
humility, there will be order and every good thing May honor
and humidity live in our hearts in this church.
So we come now the verse 8 and 10.
We read verse 8. Let's continue with Abner's
words. God do so in verse 9 to have
there and more. Also if I do not accomplish for
David, what the Lord has sworn to him to transfer the Kingdom
from the house of Saul and set up the Throne of David over
Israel. Over Judah from Dan to Beersheba
and look at this verse 11 and it's bichette could not answer
Abner another word because he feared him tell me, what kind of
man is for Seth was Abner's reaction.
Here is not what we would, probably think for someone who
was caught for potential treason. and people are divided
on, whether or not Abner really did do what he was accused of
Some say he's defensive here and others would say he's not really
disregarding the charge, but he's offended by the fact that
he would be challenged for something.
After all that he has done for this Manish bichette.
Where do you stand? Do you think there's any clues
in here that Abner actually did do this?
Or do you think this is just a false accusation?
What are some reasons for us to believe that he did do it or
potentially, did it? Look at verse 6 again.
Abner. The second part was making
himself strong in the house of Saul.
Makes you wonder that over the years of Abner has built a
loyalty base, and he knew that he had the support of the
majority of the tribes, that he felt confident enough to make
such a bold move thinking that somehow it might even, it might
be on to his benefit because he has a support of majority.
Look at verse 11 again and ishka.
Seth could not answer Abner another word because he feared
him. This guy was a coward.
This guy did not have, he did not have courage Abner knew that
because he made him a king and he made it more like a puppet
kind of figure because he was using him to, to do something
for Abner. It's very difficult to believe.
If this was issued with his character, say, is force of ten
times in a row. Give me mercy, please.
It's very difficult to believe that if this King was this kind
of man, that he would have the courage to confront him.
For something that wasn't true. It would make more sense.
If he actually had evidence that he did do this, with the hope
that this evidence was would shut the mouths of Abner and he
would be able to put him in his place.
Now these are just speculations. Others would say well no Abner
if you really wanted the throne he wouldn't he wouldn't say I'm
going to David's side. He would say, you know, I have
the right and if he could overcome a specific with the
support of the people, he could have, he could have done more
things. Like what we see in the book of
Kings kill, King's assassinate them, whatever, but no, he backs
off his, okay? If you're going to accuse me of
this, then I'm out of here. See you later and he walks away.
or, or Is it possible? That is beset with made this up?
Because he saw that Abner was becoming strong and he realized
this is a threat to me. And so, let me accuse him of
this and, and with the hopes that maybe he will be offended
and he will leave and or something.
We can speculate, can we not? We can go on and on about what
and how, and who and her. And we're not going to do that.
Because the main point here to draw from these passages was the
reason for Abner's desire and decision to transfer his support
from this King to David. Was Abner doing the right thing
to choose to be on David's side. Yeah.
So right decision. Was it for the right reason,
though. I don't think so.
I don't think he's doing it for the right reason.
What reason do you think he's doing this for?
Number one Revenge. Despite this man you're going to
tell me I did this. If it's true then you're going
to actually confront me, you pipsqueak, right?
You're going to come you little coward and you're going to
actually come from me after all that.
I've done for you if it was true if it wasn't true.
That's even a greater offense, you're going to accuse me of
this, after all that I've done for you.
And so he says I'm going, I'm going to the other side and I
need to teach you a lesson. I'm going to make you regret
what you just did, okay? Secondly, Remember verse one,
the House of David was what becoming stronger and the house
of Israel. Seth was what becoming weaker
and weaker? Do you think Abner knew that Was
he not a professional General? Could it be that Abner realized
that his plan is failing? And he realizes this ship is
sinking. And because of that, the king
comes up, brings up this. This, this accusation and Abner
sees this as an opportunity to jump ship.
Okay, you're going to accuse me and he makes a whole spectacle.
He doesn't try to reconcile. It doesn't try to defend
themself. She's all right.
And he leaves so that he doesn't seem like he's betraying, but
that he has a story on a side, you know, you made me think
that, you know, he caused this and spreading rumors about me.
So I'm out of here and he joins David side hoping to secure
something and David's blessed Dynamic Dynasty.
And that's what you see because he sends Messengers to David and
he says, make a covenant with me.
We're going to read that in a moment.
Actually, this reader right now. Verse 12 and Abner, sent
Messengers to David on his behalf saying to whom does the
land belong, make your Covenant with me and behold.
My hand shall be with you to bring over all Israel to you.
There's no repentance here. There's no apology, there's no
confession of wrong for years. You were causing trouble for
David bass in your own words. You knew that David was God's
man from the beginning and you still deliberately Caused
obstacle and problems because you had an ambition greater than
God's glory. And now all four is sudden, when
you realize that your plan is failing, you're going to join
The Winning Side. This is this is arrogant.
This is so, obviously, despicable and Paul would say
that the motive of many Servants of Christ.
Are also no different than Abner's didn't he say to the
Philippians? Some indeed preach Christ out of
envy and rivalry. Some indeed preach Christ out of
envy and rivalry. Paul knew that Paul knew that
people went into Ministry. Paul knew that people preached
and taught the word of God, spread the gospel not out of
Goodwill, but out of envy and rivalry, it was a sport for some
preachers. We want a bigger church.
We want a bigger conference. We want a bigger Bible study, we
want more numbers. It was just kind of six
competition and Paul knew that so, we have to understand that,
not everybody who serves God is really serving God, but it's not
up to us to judge people for that because in the same passage
Paul says, but I Rejoice. Why does Paul Rejoice still?
Because Christ is being preached.
Christ is being preached. You have to see beyond if the
sea Beyond what's happening in people's hearts, you have to see
how even despite that God's name is still being glorified.
And Paul says in that I could that's a mature Christian man,
that is a mature disciple of the Lord.
Jesus Christ, amateur servant of God, even even though he knew
people were not in the right place, he says that that's up to
Christ, that's up to Christ to deal with them.
I'm seeing the fruit, I'm seeing the result of what's taking
place here and I can still praise the Lord.
And that's incredible to me, Abner is not doing it for the
right reason. He wants to make peace.
David is up for it verse 13. He said good, I will make a
covenant with you. Look if this means peace, If
this means that this civil thing can come to an end then good.
I'll make a covenant with you. It doesn't try to dig deep into
his motives and reasons. But look what he says here.
He wants to see if he's really serious.
But one thing I require of you that is you shall not see my
face. Unless you first bring Mahal
Saul's daughter? When you come to see my face?
Wow, we haven't heard that name in a long time.
Okay, you want peace. Go get my first wife.
How was David's first wife? Did David divorce.
His wife? Did she divorce David?
What happened? Despite David's all takes his
wife and gives her to another man.
David did not forget about it. And really, this timing is even
more brilliant than if he had done it earlier.
Because now at this point with the contention, with all the
things happening in Israel, what greater way to show that the
house of Saul is joined to the House of David by marrying or at
least three stablishing, a union with Saul's daughter, go get
her. I want her.
Abner doesn't hesitate so what he does.
Is verse 14, David sent Messengers to ishka.
Seth's all son saying, give me my wife Mahal for whom.
I pay the bridal price of 100 foreskins of the Philistines and
is beset sent and took her from her husband, Paul T eldest, son
of lionfish. But her husband, this breaks me.
Every time I read this verse, it kind of makes me sad, but her
husband went with her weeping after all the way to the rim.
Then Abner set them go return and he returned.
Sad sight, huh? Years have gone by and this man
married McCall, the memories that they had together the
friendship that they had together and all for sudden a
knot comes on the door and you have the general of the army
with all these soldiers saying David is asking for me, haha,
time to go pack your bags. This man's life is just
shattered before him and you can just imagine as they're
traveling on horse or whatever by Chariot or walking at this
this husband is scaling along the path, begging for them to
make a decision for his benefit. Begging them to not do Do this
and they're just ignoring him. Finally, I've not had enough to
stop it. Go back and he goes back.
Kind of makes you feel sympathetic towards this man.
And this may sound harsh but understand where I'm coming
from. It really is his fault.
To a certain extent. Isn't it is, what business do
you have marrying somebody? That has a husband.
He agreed to this. He said, sure, he violated God's
law and just like, with David and his children.
The results did not immediately surface.
But down the road, they eventually came To haunt him.
And what's important to understand from this, Is pal tol
had obviously confidence to make such a decision based on
something. And here's what I argue, Saul
was The Mastermind behind us saw, says take my daughter and
here's Palio saying you're the king.
If the king says, it's okay. Then surely it must be.
Okay, do you see where I'm going with this?
So, I will take her. Because I have, I have not just
the king, I have his permission the law, so to speak.
This man has the authority over the land and if he says, it's
fine, then surely it's fine. So, he takes an illegitimate
wife. And he tries to build a future
with her and tries to no blessing with her.
And here's what this man and others fail to understand, there
is a higher Court. There is a greater law than all
the laws and all the courts of the land.
And listen. I don't care how Supreme the
Supreme Court is, there is the court more Supreme And it
doesn't matter what they legitimize or what they
legalized, or what they make illegal, what they say is wrong.
God's law is always in effect, always.
And here's the simple summary of His law across all generations,
all cultures, if you obey God, you will be blessed.
If you disobey God, you will be cursed, it's as simple as that.
So, you have many people today, who find great comfort that
culture, approves of it government, approves of it, my
state approves a bit. So surely must be, right?
You have to realize that there is a Higher Throne.
And that Throne governs over all Thrones and God's law overrides
all laws. And if a nation wants to be
blessed, it will align itself to the law of God, Psalm 9 tells us
that the Nations will go to XI ol, all who forget, God, And
unfortunately here that although people tell here, patio here got
permission from saw. He didn't get God's permission.
And we save ourselves just like this man for Many, Many Tears.
When we honor this word above everything else.
When we place his word is supreme authority, we protect
ourselves from much heartache, much pain, much regret much
sorrow and this is a clear example of that.
And so this man, lost his wife. No, he didn't lose his wife.
David is getting his wife back and if he had understood that
from the beginning and he would have saved himself from much
trouble. And if David would have learned
that lesson himself, When he understood that, you can't take
somebody or something that doesn't belong to you without
repercussions. Oh, if he had just learned from
this, unfortunately, like many of us, we only learn when we
feel the bite of it. When it's in sermon form.
It's inspirational for the moment but it tends to leak out.
until that thing gets to us and leaves a mark, it doesn't have
to be Doesn't have to be because we can be strong as John tells
us by getting the word of God in us and believing it and applying
it so that we can overcome the evil one.
Can we pray? Louis, thank you for this Bible
study. Lord.
It is our desire to be stronger in Jesus.
It is our desire to grow. It is our longing.
At this flesh. Would be subject to the spirit.
But we thank you for the wonderful lessons that you have
presented to us through these verses.
And Lord, we want. We want order in our lives.
Lord, if there's anything in our lives.
That is so obviously outside of your will but we are not seeing
the consequences of it yet, would you by your grace
highlight the blind spots? Or the things that we have.
Deceived ourselves with so that we can escape the sting of it.
Lord, we don't want to be like Abner and serve you when it's
beneficial to us. We want to serve you at all
times. No matter what, we get out of
it. And so Lord, we are heading into
a day where more and more to be branded as a Christian.
Will be much more difficult. Than it was 20, 30 40 years ago,
but we want to declare to you tonight that we are staying in
the ship. And we will honor you by your
mercy and Grace until you call us home.
And Lord, our desire is not to have something within your
kingdom, but for you are King to be pleased to do what you desire
for us. Lord, we thank you for this
place. Where honor and humility rain,
May you strengthen that in us so that we would see greater order
in our relationships with one another.
We see greater order in our Ministries.
And that we would say every good practice, wonderful fruit.
Although there is much we can say, but we will sing it to you.
And we finally say before we say, Amen, that we submit to
your word. That your court is what we
appeal to your court is who we submit to your word.
Your law, your will We Will Not Bow to Caesar, we will serve
Christ and Jesus name we pray. Amen.