2 Samuel 3 (Part 2) Bible Study | Pastor Daniel Batarseh

I would encourage you as we turn a second, Samuel chapter 3, that

the references that will be shared tonight in relation to

what we're going to study would be turned to in your own Bibles

because I want you to see it in your own Bibles.

And I also want you to remember these scriptures, they're

extremely powerful when we consider them.

Sometimes we forget these verses sometimes, we remind of these

verses. But I realized in my life, that

one of the greatest ways of remembering references is to see

it in my own, copy of God's word.

There's almost like a map that's created in your own mind where

you can, maybe you might not remember the references, but you

remember where it's located on what side of the page and you're

able to quickly go there. And so, I want you to see these

verses in your Bibles. Second Samuel chapter 3, we're

2 Samuel 3 · chapter mention

going to start in verse 17. We're not going to complete this

chapter. It is It is a loaded chapter and

it would be a great Injustice to just scale and and to just kind

of, you know, just skim over these things without considering

their implications. I'm going to pray in a moment.

But it's going to wait for you to turn the.

I'm going to do my best as we turn to these references.

That I'll I won't quote it, I'll wait for you to meet me there as

well. All right, let's pray.

Louis, thank you. We thank you for this.

This discipleship school, that has been going on for many years

on Friday nights, Well, we thank you that we get to come to the

word of God, especially in the Old Testament and Lord receive

great, great, great Truth, for our lives today.

Great insight into who you are. Although we just pray that you

would help us, we admit our weakness not just in being able

to read our Bibles but to understand it is a great great

task. And so we need a great God to

help us. Lord teach us show us Lord let

there be a freedom in the Munication of your word but not

in a way where the flesh will intervene or interfere.

Let everything that is that is said be according to the will of

God, let our hearts receive all that you have to say, in a way

in which we will joyfully submit to your instructions.

Lord protect our minds and our hearts as we heard last Sunday,

Satan would love to interfere with this transaction of Truth.

And so Lord, protect us and help us Lord to sit in place and to

pay attention to who you are and what you have to say to us.

We ask these things in the precious name of Jesus Christ.

Amen. Can somebody give me a summary?

Maybe not as summary but yeah just a one-sentence summary of

what happened last week in our study of second Samuel chapter

2 Samuel 3 · chapter mention

3, what was the main event that took place?

I'll help us understand the rest of this chapter, who are the

main characters at this point. Abner is one and who's the

other? We've been studying it for a

long time, job is another. There's a there's another one

you can say is more important than joab.

David Abner and David Wright, joab.

A secondary character is beshara that another secondary

character, what happened between Abner anishka chef Are they on?

Good terms? Are you scared to answer?

Are you intimidated? I'm going to say you're wrong.

It's okay. I won't do that.

What happened are they on good terms or bad terms?

Okay, somebody didn't want to say it a lot, but they said, bad

terms. You're right.

I hope you all in agreement with that, they were not on good

terms. What did Abner decide to do?

Ha ha. It was that?

We're done here. I'm no longer going to be

supporting you, helping you, I'm going over to David side.

Good motives are bad motives questionable motives.

And so we see now that Abner who was on the son of Saul side,

trying to oppose David and the will of God is now switching his

Allegiance over to David and and not just switching his

Allegiance by. He he Endeavors to try to win

the hearts of the rest of the tribes.

To Crown David as the king over, not just Judah but all of

Israel. And that's what we see in verse

17. We read here in Abner conferred

with the Elders of Israel saying.

For some time, past you have been seeking David as king over

you now, then bring it about for the Lord has promised David

saying by the hand of my servant David?

I will save my People Israel from the hand of the

Philistines. And from the hand of all their

enemies, Abner also spoke to Benjamin, and then Abner went to

tell. David at Hebron all that Israel

and the whole house of Benjamin thought, good to do.

We have to read these verses very carefully or else.

We just think they're just there, it's not, the meat.

There is meat in this great meat in this.

What do you notice? And what Abner is saying to the

tribes? What does it reveal about him?

Specifically, look at verse 17, carefully and realize the

implications of his statement here.

For some time, past you have been seeking David as king over

you. So, Israel wanted David to be

king for a long, long time, and Abner by stating, this to the

different tribes, whether he realized or not, is indirectly

confessing something about himself and what is he

confessing? Hey, I was the one who stood in

the way. You've been seeking David to be

king. And the only reason why David is

not King is because I raised up opposition and I persuaded you

to join my ranks when in reality deep down inside.

You knew David was supposed to be the anointed one over Israel.

And so we see here that this man is actually confessing that he

was the sole cause for this delay in the will of God being

known and for the people of God to be blessed by the ordinance

that would come through, David's Administration over Israel, the

scripture. Is very honest and very

realistic and telling us in different ways how much one

person can do both for good and both for evil you.

And I have heard many, many messages conferences, sermons

about the inspiring examples of how one righteous man can do so

much good and a nation and an assembly in a community.

But it's equal for The Sinner that one person can so partner

with the Enemy or so be succumb to the flesh that he can do far

from far-reaching damage for the kingdom of God.

Or against the kingdom of God. Ultimately, the Gates of Hell

cannot Prevail. But there's a reason why there

is a fight against the advancement of the will of God.

It's possible to try to derail it or to delay it or to attempt,

to even bring some level of Destruction to it.

And Abner was that person. Abner was one person who was

able to bring an entire nation to a halt and I want you to turn

to a scripture because King Solomon noticed something

throughout his Reign and he says it in the Book of Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 9 · chapter mention

chapter 9, look at Ecclesiastes chapter 9 verse 18 says, and

Ecclesiastes 9:18

I'll wait for you to turn there again, I want us to take our

time, to see these verses in our own books and our own Bibles.

Ecclesiastes 9, 18 look what Solomon says in his observation.

Ecclesiastes. 9:18 wisdom is better than weapons of war.

Ecclesiastes 9:18

But one sinner destroys much good.

One sinner, not 10, not 100, not 1501 sinner, destroys much,

good. All it takes listen.

All it takes is one individual to create Untold damage and

whatever context they find themselves in, all it takes is

one gossiper. All it takes is one person in

the church to preach false teaching.

All it takes is one person to not fear, God.

All it takes is one sinner to do much damage and this is what we

have to understand. That's not just a mere

observation. That's an insight for the

righteous to know how to respond to this potential destruction.

If one sinner can do so much. Good Paul uses the language of

Levin. He says, I live a little leaven

does, what leavens the whole lump.

Now, when Paul said that he said in two different places, what

was he referring to? Sin is one unrepentant sin,

right? He says that in First

Corinthians 5 about a man who is in a who was in a very

despicable sexual relationship and the church did not deal with

it. They actually tolerate, I

thought it was fine and Paul warns, he says a little leaven

leavens, the whole lump. If you loud this to remain here,

it will corrupt the entire assembly and you have to do

something about it. The other one is what in

Galatians Levin is referred to as what Want to send the other

is. False Doctrine false teaching

and notice Paul by the spirit. Whether it's unrepentant sin or

false teaching. He doesn't say a lot of love and

he says a little bit, all it takes, is for a little bit.

All it takes is for one sinner to do damage too much good.

And so, you have to understand that the righteous those, those

who are especially in the local church, even in your own life,

it's the duty to see the little leaven, or to see the one person

who is resilient in the rebellion and to confront it to

confront it. And when confrontation doesn't

work, we have to do what Paul says in First Corinthians 5.

You have to cleanse it. And that often unfortunately

means removal, there has to be drastic measures because one

sinner destroys much. Good Abner is an example of

that. If you ever doubt that if you

ever doubt what one person can do, remember, This man who

literally put a halt to a nation and experiencing David being

King over all Israel. It's a powerful truth and we

come back to our main text. And what do we see?

He's continued to speak to the tribes and verse 18.

Now then bring it about, bring it about for the Lord has

promised David saying by the hand of my servant David?

I will save my People Israel from the hand of the Philistines

of from the hand of all their enemies.

Now, we've already discussed in previous Bible studies.

That Abner was well aware that his schemes was in direct

violation to the will of God, he was literally fighting against

God's promise. I mean the crime is huge,

there's two sin. Unknowingly is one thing to

sinned, knowingly is a great great, great thing to do against

God and what he's doing here is that he's communicating to the

people that he's well aware of the promise of God over David.

And although this is a very wrong thing, what he is

Communicating, there's truth in this.

There is truth in what he is saying here, and it's very

applicable to our own lives because he sees he sees that the

people in verse 18 are not bringing it about sure, he was

standing in the way, but look at this Insight, right?

The people had a knowledge that David was supposed to be king.

It wasn't just Abner. He says, you knew you knew David

was supposed to be king, so they had knowledge.

Not only that and verse 17, they also had desire so they had

knowledge. David is supposed to be king and

they even had some kind of aspiration that it would come

about. So they long for that to a

certain degree, but here's the understanding knowledge and

desire are not enough to experience the blessings in

obeying, the will of God, It's not enough to have biblical

knowledge, it's not enough to even have great desire for that

to be realized in your life. What needs to happen is what

Abner saying? Now, then bring it about, you

gotta bring it about, you gotta make a choice, a very practical

choice, I think this as simple as that sounds, you would be

amazed to know how many Believers are paralyzed in their

sanctification. Because they think they're in a

good place, simply because they have knowledge.

Of the truth and they even get stirred once in a while and they

think that, I know I want this. But listen, you can know that

you should read your Bible. You can even have a desire to

read your Bible, but you will not know the blessing until you

read your Bible. Is that amazing.

It's astounding, right? You can know that you need to

praise a Christian. You can even have moments where

your stirred especially after meetings like this and

conferences that you need to pray.

But you're not going to know what God has for you, the reward

and Until you actually do it. Let me say one more example, you

can know the truth about who Jesus Christ is, you can even

have wishes in your heart that he would truly be Lord.

And you can actually surrender him, but that will not save you

until you bring it about and bow your knee and submit to the

lordship of Jesus Christ. A lot of people, what's standing

between them and actually knowing God's showering favor.

Is simply a decision to make just do it.

Just make that step and actually do it.

Don't wait for God to just pick you up with strings and and

throw you into that direction, he would give you the knowledge,

and he might even stir your hearts from time to time, but

the decision is yours. The decision is yours.

Ultimately, these people. They had to make a choice, Abner

is charging them. Now, bring it about you already

know the truth youyou seem to have the desire now.

Move forward. Would say the same two people in

here. Why are you, why are you staying

in the same place? When you already know it, and

your heart claims to testify that you want it, and just do

it, move forward. Make the steps, make the

decisions, block out the time, cut off the people, whatever it

is. You need to do just move forward

because God is not going to push you.

Verse 19. Abner also spoke to Benjamin.

Why did he speak to Benjamin? Why is it saying that he spoke

to this tribe separately? Where's Saul from The Tribe of

Benjamin so, Abner's, fully aware that if there's going to

be any resistance, the most resistance is going to come from

the tribe of Saul. So he singles them out.

He sits with them and he communicates them.

And there seems to be no objection here from Benjamin.

And after he, he convinces this tribe.

He makes his way towards Abner, a rather to Hebron, to sit, with

David and to tell him, We're getting there.

We're going to accomplish this. This is actually going to come

about after seven years of Civil War.

All of this is finally going to come to an end and the fruition

of the promises of God for David to be king over.

All of Israel is budding. You know what I looked at verse

19, when I read it last night, I thought to myself, that's

amazing. David was supposed to be the

King, David was anointed to be the king, and David did not have

to lift one finger for him to be the king.

David didn't force himself, he didn't use compulsion, he didn't

call her. She didn't threaten, he didn't

gather the people and tell them, you know, Samuel anointed me.

Don't you guys realize it? Don't you guys see it?

All David does is that he rests it in the fact that if God said

it then he would do it if God said it.

Then he would do it there. This is very important.

For many people who are in transitional periods of life

where they are seeking God's answers for things and they even

believe and even tell others that God told them something

that's a very, very risky thing to do if you're not confident

about it. But let me give you that advice.

If you do believe that, if God said it, he will do it.

There are sometimes where you and I have to make decisions

God's not going to do it for us and there's other things that

have God said he would do it and if it's if it's something beyond

your control and you believe God said he would do it then just

watch him do it. And don't see David did not

compromise his Integrity in this process.

He didn't lower himself, he didn't he didn't manipulate

anything, he just rest it in the fact that if God said it, then

he would do. I think two M's come to mind,

and that Ministry and marriage. Ministry and marriage people who

really want to serve God in a particular way.

If God called you something he's gonna trust me.

It will be effortless. The doors will open.

And you almost feel like there's a, there's a rope around your

waist and you're just being pulled in that direction.

It's incredible. When God calls somebody to it.

There's such an ease and Grace that comes with no devil and how

can stop you same with marriage. Same thing with marriage.

God will give you a peace. God Will Make A Way.

And if it's really God's will, you don't have to pull your hair

to make things happen. Just trust God and you, trust

him for your job, don't you, right?

You trust him for the car that you're driving, right?

You trust him for the job, all these things that we trust God

for. And when it comes to something,

as serious as marriage, we think that God is like, well, if you

make one wrong step, you're done.

I'm gonna let me just throw you out here, just trust the Lord.

Please, you'll save yourself from a lot of headache and you

will preserve your integrity. Early in the process.

And this case, David did the best thing by waiting on the

Lord to bring the people to him. And it's interesting.

The means that the Lord used to make it happen.

Listen. If you were, if you were to tell

David years before, this Abner is going to be used to bring the

nation before you. That'd be quite shocking.

You're talking about Enemy. Number One, is going to be the

the way in the reason for everybody else to be convinced

that that just doesn't make any sense.

Because God's Providence is not predictable I know we love to

try to predict how God moves and and that mean there's nothing

wrong with that. It's wrong.

If you think that God should move in this particular way and

if he doesn't, you get a, you got angry that's wrong, that's

sinful. But God's Providence is really,

really unpredictable. And that's what makes him God.

And that's how he gets, most got it because even in your mind,

when you think that, this is how God will do it, and he does it

some other way. You're just, you just give him

more worship that way, it's incredible.

It's incredible. When you just really trust the

Lord how he can he can really, really amaze you and how he

brings things about Abner was the one used.

To bring the nation, to David, who would have thought?

And there's so many. Promises and insights throughout

the Bible that indicate that for our own lives.

Can I give you one? There's many Proverbs that I

love this one always intrigued me.

It's in Proverbs 16 verse 7. And notice, what notice what it

Proverbs 16:7

says when a man's way, pleases the Lord, He makes even his

enemies to be at peace with him. Isn't that incredible?

When a man's ways, please? The Lord he makes even his

enemies to be at peace with him. That's exactly what's happening

to David. Now, we got to be careful with

some of the Proverbs, right? Some of the sayings because some

people take them as Total guarantees, no matter what the

context is. That's that's a very dangerous

way of interpreting things because there are many Saints

throughout church history where their enemies did not give them

favor. They were martyred, they were

tortured, they were despised. And so either we have a

contradiction or we need at we need the right lens and

interpreting a verse like this. It is not to say that every

single one of our enemies will be able to recognize our

righteousness and then work in our favor, for the glory of God.

What it is saying, is that God is able to do that.

That if in his wisdom and his plan for our particular lives,

for his program, for our lives, God is able to take the enemies

in our lives and actually turn them to be servants for God's

will. And that's exciting.

And that's what's happening here with David.

And what we see in Proverbs 16:7 is an instruction is that if you

Proverbs 16:7

want even that possibility of seeing even the enemies in your

life, actually serve the purposes of God in your life.

What do you need to do well live in a way that pleases the Lord?

Walk in the path that honors. God, that glorifies God and in

that path. You may see something just as

amazing as God taking your enemies and then actually

serving the purpose of God in your life.

That's awesome. That's wonderful.

That tells me, that the safest and most riveting and thrilling

place to be on earth is not is not your favorite state where

it's not your favorite country, the best place to be is in the

will of God, that's the best place to be no matter where you

are geographically. If you're in the will of God

things like this can become a reality.

I don't envy the sooner, I don't envy the wicked, I don't envy

the celebrity we heard it earlier.

There's no peace says the Lord For The Wicked but oh for the

righteous he can even make Your enemies.

Be a peace with you. Awesome.

What an awesome God. And so we see that with David

here. Now we come back look at verse

20 Verse 20, when Abner came with 20 men to David at Hebron

David Made A Feast for Abner and the men who were with him in

Abner said to David, I will arise and go and we'll gather

all Israel to my Lord, the king that they make a covenant with

you and that you may Reign Over All that your heart desires.

So David sent Abner away and he went in peace.

Just then the Servants of David arrived with job from a Raid

bringing much spoil with them, but Abner was not with David at

Hebron free. Had sent him away and he had

gone in peace when job and all the army that was with him came.

It was told, joab Abner, the son of nura came to the king and he

has let him go and he has gone in peace.

What? Phrase is being repeated here in

these verses? Peace, three times in three

verses, he had gone in peace, he went away in peace, he had gone

in peace. What the holy spirit is trying

to emphasize is that in the most unlikely relationship, you and I

are seeing a solidification of Peace.

There is reconciliation Happening Here.

And this reconciliation is more beautiful than just two

individuals who are at war with one another.

This relationship being rebuilt will actually bring streams of

healing to Israel. And all of Israel will be

unified together through the bond that these two are making

at this time. It's almost as though, it's look

at what's happening. Piece is becoming a reality

piece. Is manifesting piece is now

coming to this nation. After several years where there

was always contention and War and difficulty and and doubt.

And unrest, peace is finally coming.

Peace is a major not just a theme in the Bible.

Peace is something that you and I can inherit and it's something

that this world is desperately yearning for peace.

We hear that word a lot. I don't think we know what it

means, and I don't really, really think we know what it

really looks like. So let me ask you, when you hear

peace? What's the word association?

I mean practically what does that look like?

Peace. Shalom.

Peace. What does that look like

internally on an individual basis?

Let's start there. Calm.

Good calm, rest sense of absence of Hayes, what a beautiful way

of saying it. Absence of haste can synonymous

with calm. I think yes.

Okay. The primary and the most

Pinnacle experience of peace is with God, right?

So the gospel through Christ, secures a peace with God, Only

In Christ. Can you?

And I know a calm we can. No arrests.

May I add this piece involves security?

I feel secure. I'm not, I'm not operating with

agitation or anxiety of my surroundings or potential

threats, Harmony Tranquility. It includes all those things,

and the Bible promotes a piece, the most important piece you can

own this life with himself in Christ.

You and I don't have to live a minute in this world worried

about are standing with God. We're completely at rest, we

don't have to fear that he will destroy us eternally.

We don't have to worry that he will change his mind in the

Covenant, you and I can know a sigh of relief that we can sigh

for all of eternity because he's a good and faithful God.

And we can trust in his promise and you and I can walk knowing

that God really is for me. God is for me, he's not against

me. And that is a wonderful piece to

know and I you can't know a greater peace than that, but

there is a secondary piece of the bible, really, really

promotes. And it comes from the place of

laying the foundation of peace with God.

That's peace with one. Another Now peace with God is

more easily experience in peace with one another for the sole

reason that God that God is faithful.

And he's constant and he's true. And he's consistent and he never

fails, he never lies. He never does anything in the

flesh but peace with one. Another is very difficult to

achieve. It shouldn't be but

unfortunately it's so much more common to know.

Unrest doubt. Frustration agitation With one

another then this. Then this really like not just

short-term talk about long-term peace with other people.

Why why is that? Let me be more specific not just

because you're a sinner and I'm a sinner and we're just Sinners

that Jesus is trying to sanctify more specifically because for

the Bible to command that you and I should be at peace with

one another and that we can experience.

Peace. With mother says that it's

possible to have long-term peace with one.

Another Hallelujah. Why is it so rare wise why are

so many homes disruptive? Why there's so much disturbance?

Why in? So many local church.

I mean, it shouldn't be in our day-to-day.

You're hearing a more Church splits than Church

multiplication. How is that possible?

I don't understand that when the Bible says that it's possible

because every command for anything means that it's

possible to experience it. God does not tease us with his

commands. God didn't say do this, but it's

not possible. So just I just want to show you

what my will is but you can't do it.

That's not who God is every command.

Ensures us that it's possible to know it because he promises the

power to fulfill it. Let's be real.

Okay, we're a family. Some of you, this is your local

church. Some of you visit on Fridays,

your extended family, praise God.

But why is it that piece on a practical level is so uncommon

or so sporadic? In the context that we find

ourselves in? Any ideas?

It would be good to know. We want to diagnose it.

Okay. Self-dependence.

So we don't see the value in other believers.

So, why would I when you would care about being at peace with

them, when I can do this myself, Lone Ranger Christianity,

doesn't exist, anything else. Pride.

Who Pride? Yes, pride is a great enemy to

peace selfishness. Sure jealousy.

Jealousy, jealousy, jealousy evil.

It's really evil. You can't have peace.

When you look at somebody else and you feel a certain way, you

feel threatened about him. You you envy what they have.

It's just not possible. Good.

These are great answers. Anything else.

Because we're going to see how this piece is going to be very

short-lived and we're going to see exactly why it was

short-lived. Flash generally.

But what about my flesh? What about my flesh?

We touch on a lot of it. Unforgiveness.

How can you reconcile without forgiveness?

How can David have a feast with this man?

Unless he was able to forgive him and that incredible, David

was a very look. Look, he was human, right?

We learned last week that he was not a good father, but one of

the things about David is that he was a very forgiving man, and

that brought a lot of blessings, including peace to a whole

nation. What have David says you're

going to just come on all for a sudden, you want to be on my

side after seven years of Making this extremely difficult for me

and for the will of God. Yeah no thanks no he disarms

himself and he trusts in this and he's willing to mend this

broken relationship so that God's glory can be known,

beautiful unforgiveness anything else a couple more, maybe Sure

read. Yeah.

First John chapter 1 verse 6, This is from Austin.

1 John 1:6

Yes. Beautiful.

That pretty much summarizes it. Yes, you have something else.

Yeah, yeah. That that kind of mentality is

seeping into the church where people are becoming more easily

offended and and we see how that's becoming prevalent and

you see the privilege in that and that's becoming the norm.

So that people want to take advantage of because it ties

into selfishness. And as our brother just said,

walking in the light, if you were walking and complete light,

meaning an honesty before God and transparency before, God and

humility before God, then that will translate and you being

able to Fellowship. I'm genuinely with other people.

Here's the thing piece, we see it repeated in three verses

piece is now you can smell the fragrance of it after so long.

It's now coming about and it's quickly going to be snuffed out

and I'll tell you why we read it, joab steps into the scene

and when he steps on the scene, He says something to David and

verse 24. Then job went to the king and

said, what have you done, behold Abner came to you?

Why is it that you have sent him away so that he is gone, you

know, that Abner, the son of Nur came to deceive you and to know

your going out and your coming in and to know all that you are

doing. Joy of is not happy about the

news that came to him. That Abner came by for a visit

that they sat down and had a friendship is billing that

Disturbed him deeply and guess what.

He's right only because he did not know what Abner did behind

the scenes by cutting ties with especially with and coming to

David and saying I'm willing to join your ranks.

If that was not a reality, then job is being a good wise

Commander. How do you just let this guy

come in, scope out your headquarters and just leave.

You're supposed to apprehend this man, he's our enemy, he's

causing all this trouble. What's wrong with you?

But that's not the case. Because what job is doing is

he's making accusations. Based on limited information.

He's smearing the character of Abner Without Really knowing

what took place and that is often the case with many people

who are in context like this even who will never be able to

Know Rich meaningful relationships because they

operate by limited information because we can't stop it.

No matter, no matter how much we try.

You will never be able to really stop.

You hearing something about someone else.

Okay. This is really intensely

practical, but I've seen the destructiveness about it where I

can preach about it, every single, Single week.

I don't care how repetitive it is.

I will say it every week. It's amazing.

We want deep teachings and we can't even deal with this minor

thing in life. You you going to, it's going to

happen. And the danger is that pieces,

often stifled because we are ready to treat others based on

the things that are not true or maybe no longer true.

You see, what job should have done is what we always should do

based on any information you receive about anybody.

I don't care who it is or what it is.

He is so upset about this. That look at verse 26.

When job came out of David's presence.

He didn't even wait to hear what David had to say.

He'd made up his mind so much that he just, I'm not even going

to pause. I might even give you the chance

for you to sit. I'm just going to turn around

and walk on right out of here. And so, this man has made up his

mind. He just has these assumptions

maybe because of the history with Abner, but he didn't know

the change that came about and Outdoors life and then he

translates that into accusation and he's about to assault At

him, he's not the kill him. What would happen if David had

learned that Abner had a rather job blurted Abner had changed

what if he had sat down with David and communicated?

The details that he was unaware of?

Remember he was, he was on a raid.

He was not familiar with what's going on between Abner and

David, this guy is literally going to kill somebody else

because of a misinformation because of limited information.

Be very careful. I don't want you to Rob yourself

of beautiful meaningful, Rich relations with others because

you're easily swayed in One Direction or the Next, it's so

detrimental I've seen and I feel I really feel bad for people.

I really do because they destroy much.

If he was walking in wisdom, he would do this differently.

Now, I want to show you scripture in Romans chapter 14.

Romans 14 · chapter mention

Look at this. This is beautiful.

And Romans 14. Verse 9, rather 19, let's go

together, I'll turn there with you.

In Romans chapter 14. Maybe keep your finger and

Romans 14 · chapter mention

second Samuel. So you don't lose your place.

Romans 14 verse 19, he speaking to Believers.

Romans 14:19

So then let us pursue what makes for peace.

And for Mutual upbuilding like pursue it chase after it.

Blessed are the peacemakers for what they're called?

What? Sons of God.

God is a peacemaker God. Seeks to make peace even with

enemies. And so if you want to, if you

want to be identified to who God is and a very powerful way.

One way is by being a pursuer of peace with other people, You

don't, you don't enjoy drama. You don't enjoy tension.

You pursue reconciliation, you pursue peace.

You pursue Clarity. So then let us pursue what makes

for peace and for Mutual up building.

Now, what is the context? And Romans 14, Paul's hearing

that. There are some Christians who

are eating certain foods, that's disturbing the conscience of

other Christians and he's hearing that some of these

Christians who don't want to eat certain Meats, because they

think it's Unholy are criticizing the ones who are.

And what Paul is saying, is look verse 22.

Not for the sake of food, destroy the work of God.

Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make

another stumble by what he eats. So he's saying, look, I'm among

those who understands Christian Liberty?

I'm not I'm not among those who say, you know, this is wrong or

that I see how God sanctifies these things.

And I see the Liberty that even though these things were

dedicated to Demons, When you pray over it it's made.

Holy and some, don't like that thing was dedicated to a demon

and I used to live that life and for you to eat it.

Disturbs my conscience pulses even though I'm in this camp

that says it's clean for the sake of my brother's conscience.

I'm not going to eat it. Like that's Christian love.

That's Christian sacrifice. And look at, look at the effort

like instead of saying well it's my right, my conscience doesn't

he doesn't do that. If this is going to make us be

able to see each other hug each other, love each other.

Walk and Harmony are going to do it.

Kingdom of God, is more than just food.

And so, what am I saying? If Paul says that is the extent

of the effort that we should make with one another then

shouldn't we also make the effort to investigate based on

things that we hear. If I'm willing if I'm supposed

to not be willing to enjoy certain things based on the

liberty of my conscience. How much more is it my duty to

say? Well, I'm not going to make

judgments about somebody based on just misinformation or little

information. Then I'm going to do my part to

seek peace. You see what I'm trying to say

here? What's at stake?

When there is no peace, when there's a lack of Harmony, When

We Make judges and we close ourselves off, or we even

refused to build a relationship with somebody initially because

of whatever things we perceive or heard.

Look at verse 20. Do not for the sake of food,

destroy the work of God, it destroys the work of God, it

hinders the work of God. See piece is so important for

advancement in the things of God that whenever Satan senses it

even from a distance like he did back in second Samuel, he would

do all that he can to bring about A disruption in that place

and he has many ways of doing it.

When peace is just beginning, the enemy comes in through the

Flesh and open door and he's about to bring chaos instead.

There's a second reason. Many of you mentioned it already

job is we come back to 2nd Samuel.

I would say that he's intimidated.

What's Jaws occupation in David's Army?

Commander general, what sabnis position.

What was he for Saul's Army? Commander General.

I don't think he's too comfortable with the fact that

David and Abner becoming friends.

Perhaps, he's threatened. This guy can take my position.

This guy can be a rival to me. And that's very carnal.

Because James 4:1 says something.

James 4:1

You don't have to turn to this one.

You're very familiar with it, but James for one tells us very

clearly what causes corals and what causes fights among you,

you know what it is. Is it not this that your

passions are at War within you? And then he goes on in verse 22,

say you covet, but you don't, you don't have, you know, you

seek after but you don't get. So you murder and James not

talking about actual murder. In this case, in 2nd, Samuel is

going to be actual murder. James is borrowing the language

of Jesus from the sermon of the mount.

Where if you hate your brother in your heart, you actually

murdered him. And so he's saying you want to

know what's he's talking to the churches?

Who are dispersed and saying, you know, what's going on with

you having Civil Wars within your assemblies and your homes

and your Ministries, very simple, your passions, your

selfish desires and Pursuits are not being satisfied and because

of that, you're actually causing Wars.

Very, very strong language. He causing battles among

yourselves because you are operating in the flesh.

You have these longings and these desires, and they're not

being fulfilled and you see people who are standing in the

way or you actually want what they have.

And because they have And you don't you're willing to actually

clash with them. And job is proving that to a

certain degree. I mean it's not explicitly clear

so I won't make a dogmatic statement about it, but when you

see johanns behavior in the future, you can tell that he

really he really Treasures his post.

There's a final last reason why job is really upset about Abner

and this is good. You'll get there, if you

understand the history between job and having, which is what,

what did I ever do to joab and directly killed his brother.

And he wants to avenge his blood.

You you killed my brother and you think you can just come in

here, Feast with my boss? And just pretend like nothing

happened. And so he doesn't want to even

hear from David. He looks at David, he speaks his

mind and he walks right out. He's not just going to walk out

and take a cool walk in a night and just hopefully forget about

it. Verse 26.

When job came out from David's presence.

He sent Messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from

the cistern of sriracha, but David did not know about it.

So Abner is already long gone. Jobs sends messages as get Abner

back over here. David has no clue.

What's about to happen verse 27. And when I am to return to

Hebron job, took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak

with him privately. And there you struck him in the

stomach. So that he died for the blood of

a sahal, his brother. Killed him cold-blooded cruel

murder. He destroys us man.

And we're never ever going to see the potential relationship

that could have been rebuilt. When there was peace.

It was snuffed out. Murder is wrong, David condemns,

joab, but there is a, there is a level of violation here.

That is deeper than just the fact that he killed He killed

Abner. What makes this?

Especially wrong? And the only way you're going to

know the answer is if you remember a Bible study, maybe a

few of them that alluded to a certain reality in the culture

of Israel that would make this more severe.

Okay. So there is an element of taking

Vengeance that solely belongs to God and that is stealing from

God. Because if he says vengeance is

mine and you take Vengeance into your own hands, you're taking

something that belongs to God and that's stealing we talked

about that once but think back. Think back to why this?

And this is really going to connect when this is why the the

Old Testament is so beautiful. When you understand that the the

totality of it, things begin to make sense and things connect in

a beautiful way. You're very close.

Did you hear Andrew? Is it because they were in the

gate? Yes, but there's more to it.

It part of it has to do with the fact that they're in the gate.

Okay, let's go to Joshua chapter 20.

Joshua 20 · chapter mention

Here's our answer and Joshua chapter 20.

Joshua 20 · chapter mention

We're going to read six verses. So be patient.

Once you read it, things are going to begin to make sense.

At least if there's 0% Clues your we're going to we're going

to bring that bar to 80% Joshua chapter 20 verse 1 down to verse

Joshua 20:1

6. And this is the glory of the

word of God. And this is why we need to

master the scriptures. Verse 1 of Joshua chapter 20,

Joshua 20 · chapter mention

then the Lord said to Joshua say to the people of Israel appoint

the Cities of Refuge of which I spoke to you through Moses that

the manslayer who strikes. Person without intent or

unknowingly may flee there, they shall be for you.

A refuge from the Avenger of blood.

He shall flee to one of these cities and shall stand at the

entrance of the Gate of the city and explain his case to the

Elders of that City. Then they shall take him into

the City, and give them a place and he shall remain with them.

And if the Avenger of blood pursues, Him.

They shall not give up the manslayer and to his hand

because he struck his neighbor unknowingly.

And this is important did not hate him in the past and he

shall remain in that city until he has stood before the

congregation for judgement until the death of him, who is high

priest at the time. That's so pathetic.

Then the men sir may return to his own town and his own home to

the town from which he fled. When God was establishing the

Israeli Society in the Old Testament, he had a unique

feature in that culture and it was the Cities of Refuge, six

cities that would be placed in strategic areas in the land.

So that if there was involuntary, manslaughter

accidental murder or even something that took place, but

it was not premeditated, it was not done out of hatred, it was

just an accident, whatever the case may be, That person had the

right to flee to one of these Cities of Refuge and by doing,

so he would be protected from the closest relative to the one

who did die who had the right to avenge the blood of the

deceased. And so these these culprits they

would they would run, they would come to the gate, the elders are

come, he would explain his situation.

And then if it was clear enough that this is, this needs to be

this needs to undergo some kind of a child, they take him in,

they place them in. If the Avenger of blood comes in

and they ask for that person by law, it was illegal prohibited

for there to be Revenge. And that man had to stay there

until the trial took place and if he was found innocent and he

can go back. If he was found guilty, then he

can be given up to the to the Avenger.

Or until the high priest died. Here's what's interesting.

Abner killed a Sahel. Here's my question was a

premeditated. Wow.

Why was it premeditated? Very good more than once as to,

how was pursuing Abner, Abner looked back and he begged him to

stop. He would not listen, he

continued to pursue, he begged him to stop, he would not do it

finally, he takes his spear the but of it thrust it back into as

to how stomach and it comes out of his back.

What do you call that? Self-defense not out of hatred,

not premeditated. He is a candidate to be able to

undergo a trial to assess whether or not, he is innocent

or guilty in other words. He could have gone to a City of

Refuge. And he could have been

protected. Come back to 2nd Samuel.

You still keep a hand there in Joshua chapter 20, come back to

Joshua 20 · chapter mention

2nd Samuel. 227. If that person was in a City of

Refuge, the Avenger of blood could not touch him.

Second, Samuel 327. And when Abner after he was

called by Joe, I returned where To Hebron are you still in

Joshua chapter 20? Go back to Joshua chapter 20, we

Joshua 20 · chapter mention Joshua 20 · chapter mention

read the first six verses look at verse 7 after he gave the

instructions of the City of Refuge.

Look, what he says, look what the word of God says.

So the people they set apart Kadesh and Galilee and the Hill

Country of naphtali and shechem in the Hill Country of Ephraim

him and curia far, but that is what Hebron.

In the Hill Country of Judah. Hebron was a City of Refuge.

Where was Abner murdered? And the City of Refuge.

Where he was supposed to be safe, is where he was killed.

And that just adds a severity to jobs crime.

He could be completely had, no reverence no fear of, he was so

filled with bitterness. that he actually kills him in the gate

the very place where Abner should have been to call for the

elders to explain his case as a very place, where he was not

given a chance but was instead murdered Next week.

We're going to see The Cry of David and the nation and I

believe that's an element to it. And so we heard about how you

and I can treat even a little sin to lightly and then there

are people who treat people's sin without regarding the laws

of God have had to be merciful and patient and forgiving and

they are quick to judge and quick to afflict condemnation.

And job here does not consider his surroundings of the consider

the significance of the feet and where their feet were planted

and he kills this man. And the blood that should have

been protected with shed. in that place but job is not the

only wrong one here. Who else is in the wrong?

I say Abner. I say Abner why?

Because he killed as to how long ago.

Why didn't you flee to the City of Refuge?

Why wasn't that your immediate reflux?

Abner's jawed after doing that if he really believed he was

innocent was to run to one of these places and to stay there

to receive a just trial or to wait until the high priest died,

and he didn't It could be that he thought he was so powerful

that he didn't need to. We don't know the reason why he

did it, but he didn't do it. And he died a Fool's death.

He died a Fool's death and Abner, there is a picture.

Is a picture of The Sinner because the City of Refuge is a

picture of Jesus Christ. Hebrews tells us that we have

fled to him for Refuge so many Psalms and Proverbs tells us

that running to the Lord, the name of the Lord is a strong

tower or we take refuge in the Lord, he is the City of Refuge

And what's amazing is just like Abner.

You have many people today who have sinned and they delay and

running to Christ. They wander about and just like

Abner pay very close attention to this.

They think things are fine. They thinks that nothing will

happen. And offer sudden without notice,

their life is taken from them. When it could have been spared.

Be be amazed to know how many people.

I know people for years, who have heard the gospel, many many

times who sat in meetings, many, many times and they still have

yet to run to the City of Refuge and you are no different than

Abner. You are no different than Abner.

Why are you waiting? Do you not know that at any

moment by surprise? Just like joab who invited him

for a conversation, seemed to be innocent seem to be harmless.

And job was very, very conniving in the way he killed.

People will see that in a different example.

All four sudden Abner's life was taken from who says that it's no

different than you. and for you, Abner is a picture of something

else to do not directly. In his case.

There is a scripture numbers 35, which tells us not just how to

get to the City of Refuge, but when you get there to stay

there, And it warns there's a law there that if you wander

outside of the City of Refuge and the Avenger of the blood, if

he finds you, he has the right to kill you.

And that's a picture of those who yes come to Christ as a

refuge and receives safety. But at one point in their lives,

they drift away from Christ and they wander from the will of

God, and they put themselves in danger and they end up suffering

much loss. And so, it's even possible

today, that you, as you sit in this place, you know, that your

heart is not where it's supposed to be.

And, you know, that you are not in the will of God, you know,

that there is compromising your life and that gives the enemy

legal license. To have his way with you.

And so my charge to you is to stay in the City of Refuge, my

brother don't wander, there's nothing profitable out there.

There's nothing beneficial. The only thing that you can

expect outside of the will of God, the only thing is the same

thing for that man. Slayer, who wanders, out of the

City of Refuge danger? That's the only thing that's

waiting Danger. And so I don't care if you are

in the City of Refuge, I don't care who's outside of the City

of Refuge, was calling for you to come outside.

I don't care what their persuading you with.

I Don't Care What They're inviting you to the same way

that there was a law established then, it is true spiritually.

Now moment, you step outside of the will of God, for whatever

reason, you put yourself in spiritual danger, but let me

close with this, have you even got there?

Every week I see at least one new face and I don't know where

you are. so, my question to you is as you've heard this Bible

study, Are you convinced that you've sinned against God?

You know what, one of my favorite Bible verses about

Sinners and first John one, where it says, if anybody says

he does not sin, he is a liar. So, if you claim, you two

haven't sinned against God, you already lied.

You've sinned. Welcome to the club.

Now, it's one thing to know that you've sinned against God that

if you stand before, God, that you will be guilty.

But here's my next question, have you fled to Christ?

Because Christ doesn't want you to stay there.

And here's what's beautiful about the City of Refuge.

I'm going to try to end it here, okay?

That in the Old Testament when God instructed, in verse 7 of

Joshua 20, we instructed the placement of these six cities.

He did it in such a way that no matter where you are

geographically, it would be easily accessed.

It wasn't placed in such a way that you would have to Sprint

across the land. And there was a great risk for

you to be caught by the Avenger of blood.

Every City of Refuge was placed in a certain way that no matter

where you were, you can have easy access to safety and that

is a picture of how Christ has made it so simple for you to be

saved. He didn't make it hard, realize

your sin, acknowledge your sin, confess your sin.

Repent of your sin and embrace the one who paid for your sin.

And then run to that. That's how you want.

You want to know how you pick yourself up and run.

That's how you do it. I have sinned, I confess I'm a

sinner. I confess that I've sinned

against God against, man. I confess that if I remain in my

sin, I will die in my sin. And I will be punished for

eternity, but I realized that he paid for my sin and so I will

run to him. Hide in him Embrace him and be

safe. Have you ever done that?

Have you ever done that? If not, you are not in the City

of Refuge? If you're outside and you're in

danger, run to him, he's waiting for you.

He wants to save you. He made it so easily available

to you. That is my Jesus, that is the

gospel. I preach.

That is the gospel, many of you believe in, and I put your trust

in, but maybe there's one in here who hasn't come to that,

and I'm calling you to run. He was the call for the person

who did who did Sin, they had to run immediately.

If not, you will be like Abner and years has gone by, I believe

after he killed a cell and he thought he was safe all four

sudden. He was swept away from this

life. Don't wait, please don't.

Wait, I beckon you come to the City of Refuge.

Who is Jesus Christ? Let's pray.

Father in heaven. We thank you for Jesus Christ,

Our City of Refuge. Thank you that we can run to

him. And he will keep us safe.

Thank you, Lord Jesus that you've made it so available to

all men of all ages. Of all backgrounds of all races.

Thank you. Lord, we just sit here tonight.

overwhelmed by the wisdom of your word, by the supernatural,

authorship of this word, and it causes us to just Adore, you.

your word is so rich, Lord, it is so deep and we are

overwhelmed by By the fact that every time we come together, we

learn something new and it just gives us another jolt of joy in

your presence. Lord for us who are in Christ,

protect us from the lies in the and the whether it's self

deception or outside this option, that would convince us

to step outside of the will of God.

Keep us in. And Lord for those who have

never even stepped foot, who have not come to the gate and

have reasoned. Lord, we just ask that.

Today would be the day where in their heart of hearts, they

would flee to Jesus Christ and they would declare that they in

fact, have sinned and they would trust that you will take them in

only your Holy Spirit. Can convince a man to run in

that direction. Lori bless you tonight at this

Bible. So, we want to worship you and

we want to worship you with the frame of mine that we are.

We are surrounded by you. We are shielded.

We are in the depths of the palm of your hand now, Nothing can

snatch us out. We are kept secure forever and

ever. Thank you for your love.

Thank you that we don't have to bear some, we don't have to look

over our shoulder and feared judgment anymore.

We are safe in Christ in Jesus name.

Amen! Let's stand and Worship the

Lord.