Absalom - A Counterfiet
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
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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