2 Samuel #04: an expostion of 2 Samuel 2:12-3:39. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered on Sunday evening, February 24, 2013.
Intro:
It has long been a concern of mine. I understand that it may be helpful and effective in the short term but my concern is that it proves damaging in the long run. We are often taught in witnessing classes and evangelism schools to focus on the benefits of salvation. I can remember being taught to urge people to “try Jesus.” Give him a shot. What do you have to lose? We’re not selling toothpaste. We’re not pushing a product. We really aren’t inviting people to accept Jesus. Biblically we are to call men, women, boys and girls to repentance and faith. The Sovereign of the universe does not come calling, hat in hand, begging an opportunity to prove himself. Don’t misunderstand me. There are tremendous benefits associated with salvation. There is nothing wrong with understanding what those benefits are and rejoicing in them. My concern is that too often our methods lead people to approach the church and the Faith with a “What’s in it for me” kind of attitude. The result is faith and God become a means to an end. Wittingly or unwittingly we are training people to use God for their own purpose. That is a dangerous game as we will note in this evening’s text.
Text: 2 Samuel 2:12-3:39
- Saul is dead.
- David begins his reign as God’s chosen king.
- The kingdom has a small beginning.
- He is anointed king but only over Judah.
- Meanwhile Abner, Saul’s cousin, has Ish-bosheth (Saul’s son) installed as king over the northern tribes.
- A civil war begins that will last for 7 years.
This evening’s text is a sordid tale. We have an account of battle; a family feud that proves fatal for the northern kingdom; an attempt to curry favor and a murder. Just your average day in the establishment of an ancient near east kingdom. But as we walk through the story there are some principles for us to draw out of it…
Thesis: God will not be mocked. Any attempt to use God’s kingdom to advance your own agenda will end badly.
There are different ways people respond to God’s will and the working out of His kingdom. We find 3 of them in our text.
- There are those who blatantly defy the establishment of God’s kingdom. (2:12-32)
- There are those who seek to cut their losses and advance their interests by feigning interest in the advancement of God’s kingdom. (3:1-21)
- There are those who seek to use God’s kingdom to cloak their own wicked agenda. (3:22-39)