Absalom - A Counterfiet

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2 Samuel 15

Absalom – A Counterfeit Sunday, Jan 28th 2007


 

This is a Counterfeit (hold up white paper, drawn $20 bill)

·        You probably could figure that out –bad counterfeit

·        Counterfeits – serious problem in US & world

o       Each year tens of millions are seized

·        I worked in banking for 10 years – w/cash– saw weekly

·        Accept a counterfeit–and will be out that amount

o       At times hard for customers to swallow

·        Accept a $20 counterfeit, out $20

·        Accept a $100 counterfeit, out $100

·        You get picture…what counterfeit forges and you accept is what you are in stake of losing

Apply that Spiritually

·        Counterfeit truth – what thought true – isn’t

·        Counterfeit teachers – (false) not taught, deceived

·        Counterfeit Messiah?

Bible has a lot to say about such counterfeits– problem

·        Matt 24:5; 7:152 Pet 2:1-2; Acts 20:29-30; 2 Cor 11:12-15

·        1 John 2:18 Anti Christ – replacing, instead of Christ

Problem – identifying a counterfeit

·        If all counterfeits were like my drawing – no problem

·        Issue is counterfeits look so close to real…

·        How identify

In Banking – key to teach tellers to spot counterfeits

·        Best, most effective way – know real fake sticks out!

·        But when found counterfeit – often passed around to tells to look at – see – identify

·        Is what I want to do today – pass around a counterfeit

Today – continuing study of life of David – 2 Sam 15

·        Several things for us to see in this chapter -  take two weeks on (at least)

·        Today Absalom  - a counterfeit - counterfeit king

o       Want compare David and Absalom

o       real and the counterfeit – learn from

·        Not a perfect picture of all counterfeits – but definitely a good picture of one type of counterfeit

Aim

·        Encourage you not to play part of Absalom

·        Encourage not to follow an Absalom

·        Draw you to Christ, protect from Antichrist

If I can do a good job with this…quite scary

·        Will see how easy, tempting it is to follow Absalom. 

·        Will see that many…most do


I.    Pride vs. Humility

1.   First real picture we get of Absalom is hair 14:25

a.   Note his is praised…good looking, attractive

b.   Note – he bolsters that – (it will be his downfall)

2.   2nd – Note his presentation to people 15:1

a.   Can you picture the entourage

b.   Point – it is all about image, not reality - PR

3.   Contrast – David

a.    When 1st picked – looked over – ruddy kid

b.   Specifically did not draw attention to self

i)       See after Ark brought back – worshipped God in a linen garment – common man

ii)     Wife, Michal had a problem with–no pomp 2Sa 6:22 :  

iii)   David said he would be even more humble

c.    Notice him in this chapter v.13-18, 30

i)       Absalom in chariot – David walking….

4.   Contrast with Christ

a.   No form that we would desire – Isa 53:2

b.   Tells us He is lowly – Matt 11:29-30

5.   Problem – we still like pride

a.   Hopefully you can see contrast pride & humility

b.   Maybe, hopefully – you agree that pride is bad

c.    Yet – we like pride personally

i)       Like to feel important, special, needed – better

d.   We like to follow prideful people

i)       Stand out, head & shoulders above

ii)     Attracted to prideful people

e.    Jesus spoke of those that would accept the Antichrist because of his pride – Jn 5:43 :

II.Politics vs. Authentic

1.   Politics –know what I mean–not bashing all politicians

2.   1st – It is Deceptive, manipulative 15:1-6

a.   Not real…but saying what people want to hear

3.   2nd – It is People focused their needs (deceptively)

a.   Ultimately only seeking to use people for their end

4.   3rd – It is Positive to a Fault

a.   Mark of false teaching – saying “peace, peace”

5.   4th – Capitalizes on, creates discontent

a.   Becomes motive, becomes aim

6.   Contrast…what is right

a.    1st – it is real – call to be real – not hypocrite

i)       No secrets, hidden agendas or inside secrets

ii)     Jesus was this – John 18:20 :

iii)   Calls us to be real, His work in us is real

b.   2nd – it is God focused 1st, then people (commandments)

i)       Notice David in v.32 – worshipping

ii)     Huge today, in church – people focused

A.    Real fellowship – is God focused 1 Jn 1:3

c.    3rd – God word to us is true…exposing, light

i)       Calls to preach truth in contrast to – 2 Tim 4:2-4

d.   4th – God’s ways are w/contentment, hearing Him

i)       God calls us to contentment – Paul, Job

ii)     Maybe too far–wonder if God ever uses discontent. 

A.    Why bad – me focused

B.    Call you to not let such guide you – churches

7.   Problem – like, we still fall for politics! 


III. Conspiracy, Plan vs. Following

1.   On this–least sure of total picture – true for me…others?

2.   As look at Absalom – see conspiracy v.7-13

a.   We see a clear plan to accomplish ends

i)       4 years of politics, spies, invite 200, Ahitophel

b.   In Conspiracy – ends justify means  

3.   Contrast – notice David in this chapter v.19-23

a.   Responding – leading people in response

b.   Note words to Ittai – “I know not where” – Like it

i)       Abraham Heb 11:8; Prov 16:9

ii)     Israel in wilderness – following cloud

4.   Again say carefully – but plans scare me

a.    Many today have plans, objectives, means – clear

b.   Maybe God guides some that way- doubts

i)       See so often God just calls us to follow

ii)     Peter asking about John – you follow me

iii)   Disciples asking about end – Acts 1

c.    For me – He does not give me plans

i)        Speak honestly – no idea what God is doing

ii)      This is a ride, a journey – following God

iii)    Church – may grow, may shrink

5.   Kind of a balance to this – not wrong to be wise

a.   David sets Zadok’s sons, Hushai to help – not plan, wise

b.   Called to be wise as serpents, harmless as doves

6.   Problem again – we like plans, gravitate to

a.    Personally – so much easier – create form

b.   Churches – we like clear plans

c.    Wonder about Antichrist – if give clear answers

IV.  Power vs. Serving

1.   Notice what Absalom is doing

a.   Seeking power – seeking to be king, make himself

b.   v.1 provided himself

c.   v.2 rose early – diligently

d.   v.6 stole hearts (took for self…wrongly)

2.   Contrast David

a.    Never made himself king – God called, made

b.   He did not strive to make happen

i)       Didn’t kill Saul – even when he could have

c.    He doesn’t strive to keep self king

i)       Doesn’t seek to kill Absalom now…latter

d.   Notice his heart in v.25-26

i)       Heart of surrender – whatever God has

3.   Jesus calls us away from power, seeking it

a.   Not to be seeking position, power – serving

4.   Bible calls us not to strive – but abide, receive

a.   If you strive to attain, have to strive to maintain

b.   Absalom strives to get, to keep

c.   David didn’t strive to get or to keep


----

Conclusion


Counterfeits – scary thing

·        The counterfeit you accept – is what you lose

Problem – God’s people like counterfeits

·        Jer 5:30-31 :

·        Numbers are not always right

Today – call you not to be an Absalom

Today – call you not to follow and Absalom

Today – call you not accept an Absalom as Lord


To many that day – seemed like David was over

·        Seemed like Absalom was rising star

·        All soon would be over….so it will today

·        That David crossed the brook Kiddron

o       But he and those with him would reign

·        1000 years later - Jesus would cross same Kiddron

o       Walk over to Gethsemane–rejected by men

o       Curse a fig tree to represent sorry - weep

o       Go to the cross – victorious

·        Today – you can chose an Absalom or Jesus

o       Call you to the real King

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