Oct 10, 2021. I Thessalonians 5:1-4

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THE DAY OF THE LORD.  I Thessalonians 5:1-4.  10/10/21. #11.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-4 [New King James Version]

1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.

  1. Plain signs of the times
    1. Paul states that believers do not need to be taught about the return of Lord, for the signs of his return are obvious
      1.  Indications of end times are all around us
      1.  The Church Age = last epoch before the return
    1. The Day of the Lord mentioned in the OT (Amos 5:18-20), is a major theme in the NT (Mt. 24, 1 Ths. 2, Rev. 4-19…)
    1. The Day of the Lord covers several aspects:
      1.  1 Ths. 5, 1 Cor. 15 Christ’s return for his Church, followed by the Bema Seat Judgment for the rewards of faithful, & Marriage Supper of the Lamb
      1.  Rev. 4-15 judgment poured out on the earth
      1.  Rev. 16 Christ’s defeat of Satan & his forces at the battle of Armageddon
      1.  Mt. 25, Joel 3 judgment of the nations (75 days)
      1.  Rev. 20 Christ setting up his Millennial Kingdom
    1. The Day covers from the Rapture to Christ’s coronation
      1.  A 7 year period
      1.  After The Day = Christ’s reign, release of Satan from The Pit, The Last Battle, The Great White Throne Judgment, The Cosmic Conflagration (II Peter 3), The New Heaven & Earth created (Revelation 21), and The Glorious Eternity
    1. When Millennium begins, all that enter are believers, but as children are born, many are rebels
    1. II Timothy 3 men continually grow worse (Gen. 6)
  2. Day of false peace
    1. Paul warns that the D of L will come covertly (as a thief)
      1.  Those in Christ are not caught off guard
      1.  Those apart from Christ will be destroyed
    1. The lie of tranquility
      1.  In the end times men will proclaim peace & security, when there is none (Gen. 10)
      1.  Evil men have continually promoted making an Utopia on earth apart from God (Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11, Ezekiel 13:10-16)
    1. The Jews will experience a false peace with a treaty with the Antichrist, which he breaks after 3 and-a-half years
  3. Birthing of the Millennial Kingdom
    1. The last 3 and-a-half years of the Tribulation are traumatic
      1.  God pours out his judgment on the earth
      1.  Jn. 19:37; Zech. 12:10 the Jews will finally come to Christ (the One whom they pierced)
      1.  144,000 Jewish evangelists will span the globe, sharing the gospel
      1.  Many of those who come to Christ will be killed
    1. Mt. 24 the 2nd half of Trib. = birth pangs of the Kingdom
    1. The wicked will not escape
      1.  No one gets by with anything
      1.  Psalm 2, Habakkuk 1, when time is ripe, judgment will fall on wicked men (will be permanent)
      1.  The blood of the saints will be avenged
    1. 3 aspects of judgment to keep in mind:
      1.  We want to see immediate judgment
      1.  Everything will be brought to account
      1.  The lost will be eternally condemned (Revelation 20), while the save will lose rewards for misdeeds, but will enter heaven (I Corinthians 3:11-15)
    1. Christ’s return will not overtake believers since we are already secure in Christ (only regret: unfaithfulness)
      1.  We are not objects of God’s wrath (pre-Trib.)
      1.  II Timothy 4 reward for looking for his coming

Oct 10, 2021. II Samuel 18:1-5

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ABSALOM OR THE ARMY?  II Samuel 18:1-5.  10/10/21.  #40.

II Samuel 18:1-5 [New King James Version]

1 And David numbered the people who were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them. 2 Then David sent out one third of the people under the hand of Joab, one third under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and one third under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, “I also will surely go out with you myself.” 3 But the people answered, “You shall not go out! For if we flee away, they will not care about us; nor if half of us die, will they care about us. But you are worth ten thousand of us now. For you are now more help to us in the city.” 4 Then the king said to them, “Whatever seems best to you I will do.” So the king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands. 5 Now the king had commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains orders concerning Absalom.

  1. From grief to gearing for war
    1. David had to lay aside his grief in order to prepare for battle
      1.  Even in the midst of grief we have to carry on necessary activities
      1.  Grieving, despair, and reflection had to give way to effective planning and action
    1. David divides his forces into 3 divisions under Joab, Abishai, and Ittai
    1. Even though David is busy organizing his defense, he is still in the midst of grief
      1.  Grieving does not end when one continues doing the necessary work and activities of life
      1.  Responsibilities must be met
      1.  Moving on is difficult, but important
        1.  Will not feel like continuing
        1.  Must force self to meet obligations
    1. David was responsible to lead his people
      1.  Israel looked to David for strength and action
      1.  David’s position did not allow him to be weak, neutralized, or self-absorbed
      1.  Even in the midst of personal loss, we still have to serve, meet our duties, and help others
  2. David – man of war; man of value
    1. David proposes to lead his troops into battle
      1.  The army rejects the idea
      1.  If David is killed their entire cause is lost
    1. The entire point of Absalom’s attack is to kill David
      1.  David is to stay behind the city walls (probably Mahanaim, home of Barzillai)
      1.  David was worth the entire army in strategic value
    1. Ironically, David wants to lead his army when he shouldn’t but did not do so when he should’ve (II Samuel 11)
    1. Just as Hushai predicted, David would be in hiding with the entire army protecting him
  3. Personal plea, but a colossal insult
    1. David then instructs his army commanders not to harm his son Absalom
      1.  Absalom was trying to kill David
      1.  Many of David’s men would die to protect David, but the cause of the war was to be spared
    1. Had David meted out proper judgment upon Absalom for the murder of Amnon, the war would not have been necessary
    1. David demonstrated that he valued the life of his rebellious son more than anyone in his army
    1. Judgment must begin in one’s own household
      1.  If we do not apply biblical principles in our own families first, we can’t insist on it for others
      1.  People observe how we interact with our own families to see if we truly live out our faith
    1. David’s instructions become a point of contention after the battle
      1.  His position demanded a level of objectivity which did not allow him to play favorites
      1.  Righteousness demands that we treat all people with respect, deference, and justice
    1. David never removes himself from a personal focus

Sep 19, 2021. Matthew 7:21-27

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“Works Done in Christ’s Name” (Matthew 7:21-27)

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ 24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Sep 12, 2021. I Thessalonians 4:13-18

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RAPTURE REALITY.  I Thessalonians 4:13-18.  9/12/2021. #10.

I Thessalonians 4:13-18 [New King James Version]

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

  1. The Rapture blues
    1. The Thessalonica church misconstrued end times issues
      1.  Paul did not have time to fully instruct them
      1.  They thought that the Rapture would come quickly
      1.  Some had passed away: what happens to them?
      1.  There was a rumor that the Rapture had already come and they had missed it
    1. Paul 1st addresses the issue of saints who had died
      1.  NT uses “sleep” for believers who die (John 11, I Corinthians 11, 1 Cor. 15)
      1.  Thessalonica’s were grieving that their deceased loved ones had missed the Rapture completely
      1.  Paul seeks to comfort via understanding and hope
  2. A resurrected Lord who resurrects his own
    1. Paul uses 2 arguments to assuage their fears:
      1.  Jesus died and was resurrected (death is not end)
      1.  The same Jesus who died will resurrect believers and bring them with him at rapture of live believers
    1. When Christ returns for his church the dead will be raised first before those who are alive
    1. Christ will shout and the trumpet shall sound, retrieving us
    1. Rapture facts:
      1.  Rapture = comes from Latin, rapto (caught up)
      1.  Acts 1:7 we don’t know when Rapture will come
      1.  Several events will precede the Rapture: wars, pestilence, and lawlessness (Matthew 24:3-14) along with great persecution and earthquakes, a rapid increase in knowledge and movement of man (Daniel 12:1-4), false Christs and rise of Antichrist (Daniel 7:8), and men will be proud and wicked (2 Tim. 3:1-13)
      1.  The coming of Christ will be denied and mocked by unbelievers (II Peter 3:1-9)
      1.  II Thessalonians 2:10-11 God will send a strong delusion to those who had rejected the Gospel after the Rapture so deniers will believe a lie
  3. Consoling the grieving
    1. Paul expected the Rapture to come soon (“we which are alive and remain…”)
    1. Paul states that the inevitability of the Rapture should provide us great comfort to hurting believers
      1.  Christ is returning for his own
      1.  The time of our sojourn here is very short
      1.  Our faithfulness will be reward for eternity
      1.  Focusing on Christ’s return brings comfort
      1.  I Corinthians 15:50-58 we are comforted concerning those who preceded us in death and in the value of our labors for Christ
    1. Our response to the hope of the rapture
      1.  Faithfulness and patience (I Peter 5:5-7; Galatians 6:7-10)
      1.  Serving Christ until he comes (Luke 19:11-27)
      1.  John 14:1-6 take comfort in Christ’s return
    1. The Thessalonica would be relieved at this teaching, though
    1. some would use it to sit around and wait (II Thessalonians 3)
    1. Matthew 6:31-34 focusing on today’s tasks in light of eternity
      1.  It is immaterial when the rapture will come
      1.  By faithfully hopefully serving we will be ready

Key Verse: Matthew 24:3-14

3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Sep 12, 2021. II Samuel 17:15-29

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ESCAPE BEYOND THE JORDAN.  II Samuel 17:15-29.  9/12/21.  #39.

2 Samuel 17:15-29 [New King James Version]

15 Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, “Thus and so Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and thus and so I have advised. 16 Now therefore, send quickly and tell David, saying, ‘Do not spend this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily cross over, lest the king and all the people who are with him be swallowed up.’ ” 17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed at En Rogel, for they dared not be seen coming into the city; so a female servant would come and tell them, and they would go and tell King David. 18 Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom. But both of them went away quickly and came to a man’s house in Bahurim, who had a well in his court; and they went down into it. 19 Then the woman took and spread a covering over the well’s mouth, and spread ground grain on it; and the thing was not known. 20 And when Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house, they said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” So the woman said to them, “They have gone over the water brook.” And when they had searched and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. 21 Now it came to pass, after they had departed, that they came up out of the well and went and told King David, and said to David, “Arise and cross over the water quickly. For thus has Ahithophel advised against you.” 22 So David and all the people who were with him arose and crossed over the Jordan. By morning light not one of them was left who had not gone over the Jordan. 23 Now when Ahithophel saw that his advice was not followed, he saddled a donkey, and arose and went home to his house, to his city. Then he put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died; and he was buried in his father’s tomb. 24 Then David went to Mahanaim. And Absalom crossed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. 25 And Absalom made Amasa captain of the army instead of Joab. This Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Jithra, an Israelite, who had gone in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab’s mother. 26 So Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead. 27 Now it happened, when David had come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the people of Ammon, Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, 28 brought beds and basins, earthen vessels and wheat, barley and flour, parched grain and beans, lentils and parched seeds, 29 honey and curds, sheep and cheese of the herd, for David and the people who were with him to eat. For they said, “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.”

  1. David warned
    1. Hushai and Zadok the priest had set up a spy network which included a place to hide before going to David
      1.  Hushai goes to Zadok and explains his advice and that of Ahithophel
      1.  Hushai is not sure which advice Absalom will follow, so he warns David to flee across Jordan
    1. A woman hides the 2 messengers in a well as she spreads grain over the cover of the well
      1.  A boy had seen Ahimaaz and Jonathan leaving the area quickly, so he told this to Absalom
      1.  When Abs.’s men ask her where A and J are she tells them that they had already crossed the brook
    1. The woman faced the same dilemma as Rahab the Harlot
      1.  Rahab decided to lie rather than expose the spies
      1.  This woman lies to save Hushai’s messengers
      1.  A deception to prevent evil is not held to account
    1. Hus. sends advice for David and all his men to flee
      1.  David’s troops need rest, but they are not safe
      1.  All of David’s troops escape over Jordan at night
  2. David escaped and Ahithophel’s disgrace
    1. Abs. missed his golden chance to crush his father’s forces
    1. Ahithophel’s plan had been rejected
      1.  He wanted to take 12,000 men and immediately attack David, killing him
      1.  Ahithophel knew that Hushai’s plan would fail
        1.  He probably suspected Hus. as a spy
        1.  Ahithophel’s desire for revenge was thwarted
      1.  Ahithophel puts his house in order and then hangs himself
    1. Why did Ahithophel commit suicide?
      1.  Ahithophel had put all his desires into killing David
      1.  His plan and position as chief advisor were rejected
      1.  The more time that passed, the stronger David would become (Abs. had to be successful quickly)
      1.  When David wins, Ahithophel would be executed
    1. 3 main reasons for suicide:
      1.  Medical condition of depression or imbalances
      1.  Situational condition of misery or pressures
      1.  Self-inflicted trauma due to poor choices
    1. When people don’t seek the Lord, then suicide is possible
  3. God provides for David
    1. David arrives safely over the Jordan
    1. Absalom chose Amasa to be his general (Amasa had violated Abigail, Joab’s cousin and David’s niece)
    1. Barzillai, the Gileadite from Mahanaim (territory of Gad and Reuben) met David with provisions of food and drink
      1.  Barzillai was the father of Adriel, husband of Princess Merab, Saul’s daughter
      1.  God had moved Barzillai to help David
    1. Even though David was being punished for his affair with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah, he was still God’s choice to remain on the throne and to head the line to the Messiah
      1.  David had confessed his sins and repented
      1.  Judgment was not up to Absalom or Ahithophel
    1. God had not forced Amon or Absalom to act wickedly, but he had allowed them to choose their own wicked path
      1.  Providence allows wicked men to fulfill the will of God (pharaoh, Haman, Herod, Judas, Antichrist)
      1.  Habakkuk 2 God will use evil men and then punish them

Sep 5, 2021. I Thessalonians 4:9-12

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A WORTHY LIFE.  I Thessalonians 4:9-12.  9/5/2021.  #9.

I Thessalonians 4:9-12 [New King James Version]

9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.

  1. The primacy of love
    1. The Thess. showed much Christian love in body and to others
      1.  Not only had they learned grace and patience in the short time, but had demonstrated charitable love
      1.  Paul wanted them to continue to grow in this trait
    1. Four categories of love: agape’ (chartable and self-sacrificing), phileo (affectionate), eros (physical; romantic), storge’ (conceptual, non-personal; i.e., love of country or nature)
    1. Paul emphasizes both brotherly love (affection) and charitable love here = both liking brethren and sacrificing for them
      1.  Titus 2:3-5 wives are to have affection for husbands
      1.  Matthew 22:34-40 – the greatest commands = to love God with all being and to love neighbor as self
      1.  John 13:34-35 Christ’s disciples are to love one another (foundation of relationships)
    1. Love, the motivation of kindness, charity, giving, and forbearing, is the motivation of worship and ministry
  2. The Christian lifestyle
    1. Beyond not sinning (immoral, lying, cheating, hating…), there is a proper way for believers to conduct themselves
    1. Christians are not to be obnoxious, boisterous, controlling, demanding, prying, meddling, imposing, or unfriendly
      1.  This may take some personality adjustments
      1.  The fall adversely impacted personalities also
      1.  Undesirable personality traits can be controlled
    1. Salvation brings the indwelling of Holy Spirit, who can alter irritating and boorish personality flaws as Word is applied
    1. Paul highlights 3 aspects: quiet life, taking care own business, and working with your hands
    1. Aspire (aim) to live a quiet life
      1.  aspire = phileo + timeo (to love honor or worthiness) => to desire to live a worthy life or to reach a higher standard
      1.  Quiet life = tranquil and peaceable (not raucous, narcissistic, or disquieting)
      1.  Going about own business with dignity and honor
    1. Minding your own business
      1.  Not a busybody in other people’s affairs (I Peter 4:15 = lit., “working around” => meddling)
      1.  Some things are our affair and need our intervention (confronting grievous sin but not minor transgressions [Ephesians 5:11; I Peter 4:8] or intervene to protect and help others [Philippians 2:3])
    1. Work with your hands
      1.   I Timothy 5:8 taking care of own family (II Thessalonians 3)
      1.  A man is responsible to support self and family, pay his taxes, give to Lord, and help others
    1. 3 categories of legitimate charity
      1.  James 1:27 those who are unable to support self
      1.  I Timothy 5:9-16 elderly or infirmed family members
      1.  I Thessalonians 5:14 those feeble in mind and body
  3. Walking properly
    1. 2 categories of walking properly: righteousness and appropriateness (dignity, non-offensive, decently)
    1. We are to walk becomingly (euschemonos = with a good scheme or standard) = not embarrassingly
    1. Our testimony begins with our deportment and image (do we attract people or repel them?)
      1.  A believer can be winsome or repulsive
      1.  Can draw people to Christ or drive away
    1. To have a good lifestyle of holy living = lack nothing

Key verse: Matthew 22:34-40

34 But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Sep 5, 2021. II Samuel 17:1-14

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THE HUSHAI HUSTLE.  II Samuel 17:1-14.  09/05/2021.  #38.

II Samuel 17:1-14 [New King James Version]

1 Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Now let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight. 2 I will come upon him while he is weary and weak, and make him afraid. And all the people who are with him will flee, and I will strike only the king. 3 Then I will bring back all the people to you. When all return except the man whom you seek, all the people will be at peace.” 4 And the saying pleased Absalom and all the elders of Israel. 5 Then Absalom said, “Now call Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear what he says too.” 6 And when Hushai came to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him, saying, “Ahithophel has spoken in this manner. Shall we do as he says? If not, speak up.” 7 So Hushai said to Absalom: “The advice that Ahithophel has given is not good at this time. 8 For,” said Hushai, “you know your father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are enraged in their minds, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field; and your father is a man of war, and will not camp with the people. 9 Surely by now he is hidden in some pit, or in some other place. And it will be, when some of them are overthrown at the first, that whoever hears it will say, ‘There is a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom.’ 10 And even he who is valiant, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt completely. For all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and those who are with him are valiant men. 11 Therefore I advise that all Israel be fully gathered to you, from Dan to Beersheba, like the sand that is by the sea for multitude, and that you go to battle in person. 12 So we will come upon him in some place where he may be found, and we will fall on him as the dew falls on the ground. And of him and all the men who are with him there shall not be left so much as one. 13 Moreover, if he has withdrawn into a city, then all Israel shall bring ropes to that city; and we will pull it into the river, until there is not one small stone found there.” 14 So Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had purposed to defeat the good advice of Ahithophel, to the intent that the Lord might bring disaster on Absalom.

  1. Ahithophel’s advice
    1. Ahithophel’s advice was always wise and effective
    1. Absalom asks for Ahithophel’s advice:
      1.  Strike David while he is weak and vulnerable
      1.  Ahithophel will lead 12,000 men against David’s troop with the goal of killing David
      1.  Once David is dead, all of Israel will turn to Absalom
    1. Absalom and his men were pleased with Ahithophel’s advice
      1.  It was sound reasoning based on the situation
      1.  David’s men were in no condition to fight a superior force while Israel watched David flee
      1.  All the momentum was on Absalom’s side
    1. Had Abs. attacked immediately, apart from divine intervention, David would have been overwhelmed
  2. Hushai’s gambit
    1. Abs. calls Hushai in to give his advice
      1.  Absalom should have suspected that Hushai was working for David
      1.  God was working to overthrow Ahithophel’s counsel
    1. Abs. informs Hushai of Ahithophel’s advice
      1.  Asks for Hus.’s opinion
      1.  Hushai states that Ahithophel’s advice is not good now
    1. Hushai provided many reasons for caution:
      1.  David is a mighty man of war
      1.  David’s army is full of mighty veteran men
      1.  David’s men are enraged like a bear deprived of her cubs and would fight like madmen
      1.  David would not be with his army, but hidden somewhere, so Ahithophel could not get at him
      1.  When David’s veteran troops defeat the first wave of attackers, the rest of Abs.’s army will flee
    1. Hushai’s advice
      1.  Gather all the people to you from all of Israel
      1.  Attack as one massive unit
      1.  All of David’s men would be crushed
      1.  If the last of David’s army hid in a city, Israel will pull down its walls and cast the stones into the river
    1. Hushai describes an absolute glorious victory for Absalom
      1.  Leaves visions of grandeur in minds of rebels
      1.  The intoxicating narrative is embraced by all
  3. Wishful thinking fantasies
    1. Hushai’s advice is a pie-in-the-sky illusion
      1.  Plays on Abs. and his men’s egos
      1.  Their initial success leaves them over confident
    1. Hushai plays on their ego
      1.  Turns the goal of defeating David into the vision of humiliating all his followers
      1.  Hushai is buying time for David to regroup
    1. Hushai’s advice was unrealistic (only the gullible follow)
      1.  Not all or even most of Israel would flock to Abs.
      1.  Abs. greatly overinflates his popularity and support
      1.  Abs. imagines that all of Isr. wants David gone
    1. Politicians, generals, and business leaders tend to exaggerate their assets and minimize their challenges
      1.  Overconfidence usually end in ruin
      1.  Absalom needed a realistic assessment of his position
      1.  “One rebel is worth ten yanks”, “they will flock to me”

God uses man’s pride against him to destroy him

Aug 29, 2021. I Thessalonians 4:1-8

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HOLY LIVING.  I Thessalonians 4:1-8.  08/29/2021.  #8.

I Thessalonians 4:1-8 [New King James Version]

1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.

  1. From rejoicing to admonishing
    1. Paul began letter with concern and moved to rejoicing at the positive report that Timothy brought back from church
    1. Paul now moves into topic of holy living, using 2 points:
      1.  Continue growing in the Lord
      1.  Sanctify your body for holiness; not for immorality
    1. Greek society was very promiscuous
      1.  They practically worshiped the body
      1.  Paul spent much time admonishing the Corinthians against sexual immorality
      1.  Greek was an openly sensualized culture
    1. Thessalonica was no different than the rest of Greece
      1.  Paul treats immorality as their #1 vice
      1.  Thessalonica believers had to change from their upbringing and culture
      1.  Paul taught gospel, doctrine, and virtue in 3 weeks
    1. Solution to immorality for believers:
      1.  Sanctification = setting body apart from sin to dedication to Christ alone
      1.  Abstinence from immorality (abstain = apecho in middle voice; literally, to hold oneself from)
        1.  To restrain self from sexual sins
        1.  Hold oneself back from participation
      1.  Seeking to do the will of God
        1.  Holy living is part of God’s will, along with studying Word, witnessing, prayer, worship, and service
        1.  Dedicating self to purpose of pleasing God in all we think and do (I Corinthians 6:12-20)
    1. Paul reminds them that he had taught them about virtue and fidelity (goes against their culture)
  2. Possessing one’s own body
    1. The hardest thing to control is yourself
    1. Possess (obtain, take hold of, procure) one’s own vessel
      1.  To take charge over or command oneself
      1.  To control one’s body (vessel) while navigating through a world of sin, temptation, and allurement
    1. 1 Cor. 3 refusing to succumb to fleshly passions, lustful impulses, and vile thoughts
    1. Paul challenges church to sanctify entire body permanently to the dedication of service to the Lord exclusively
      1.  Living in honor (“with full value” or worth)
      1.  Living counter to the debased culture around you
    1. To engage in immorality is to defraud the person you seduce or are seduced by
      1.  Defrauds family of the seduced
      1.  Defrauds self and Holy Spirit within you (Ephesians 4:30)
    1. Immorality holds one as a slave to sin and lust (tyranny)
  3. Avenger of moral violations
    1. The Lord avenges immorality as a violation of His Law
      1.  Even believers will suffer loss
      1.  God does not ignore or minimize moral violations
    1. Uncleanness = a violation of calling and Christ’s offering
    1. We are called to holiness, so to violate our holy calling is to reject God and grieve the Holy Spirit dwelling in us
      1.  Christ’s sacrifice calls for serious commitment
      1.  Common sin is not excusable behavior
    1. Defrauding self cheats you out of blessing and reward

Key verse: I Corinthians 6:12-20

12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 13 Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Aug. 29, 2021. II Samuel 16:15-23

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AHITHOPHEL’S REVENGE.  II Samuel 16:15-23.  8/29/2021.  #37.

II Samuel 16:15-23 [New King James Version]

15 Meanwhile Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem; and Ahithophel was with him. 16 And so it was, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” 17 So Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?” 18 And Hushai said to Absalom, “No, but whom the Lord and this people and all the men of Israel choose, his I will be, and with him I will remain. 19 Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so will I be in your presence.” 20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give advice as to what we should do.” 21 And Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong.” 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. 23 Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

  1. Hushai’s Gambit
    1. David’s friend and advisor, Hushai, greets Absalom with “Long live the King!”
      1.  Absalom is suspicious: “Why did you not go with your friend, David?”
      1.  Hushai would be expected to remain loyal to David
    1. Hushai states that he will faithfully serve whoever is king
      1.  This is not loyalty, but opportunist
      1.  A man who switches loyalty, like one who betrays a spouse, cannot be trusted
    1. Absalom’s initial intuition was correct
      1.  By accepting Hushai, Absalom brings a spy into fold
      1.  Even Hushai’s explanation reeked of deceit
    1. It is not wise to casually blow past intuition and discernment
      1.  David did not follow initial instinct with Amnon
      1.  David did not follow instinct with Absalom
      1.  Absalom doesn’t follow instinct with Hushai
    1. Just as David deceived Bathsheba and Uriah, Absalom deceived David, and now Hushai deceives Absalom (sowing and reaping)
  2. Ahithophel’s revenge
    1. Ahithophel’s advice was so wise it was as if from God
    1. Absalom asks what they should do first
    1. Ahithophel advises to violate David’s concubine before Israel
      1.  David had left behind 10 concubines to take care of the palace
      1.  II Samuel 12 Nathan predicted that since David violated Bathsheba is secret, God would allow David’s neighbor to violate his marriage bed in public
        1.  David left concerned in Jericho knowing the prophecy
        1.  To have a son do this added to the shame (as Reuben did to Jacob; I Corinthians 5)
      1.  Ahithophel argues that this act would show Israel how much Absalom despised David (no reconciliation between father and son possible, so Absalom’s men would feel confident and strengthened by the act)
    1. A big tent was put on the spot on the palace roof from which David watched Bathsheba bathe
    1. This is Ahithophel’s revenge
      1.  Bath. was Ahithophel’s granddaughter
      1.  Just as David saw his godaughter naked while on the palace roof and then violated her, he advises Absalom to violate David’s conscious at the same spot
      1.  Ahithophel has obviously been seething about this for years while at the same time being chief advisor
      1.  Ahithophel never turns vengeance over to God
    1. God had already pronounced judgment on David
      1.  It was not up to Ahithophel to punish David
      1.  God used Ahithophel’s plot to fulfill prophecy
  3. Downward slope
    1. One sin begets another
      1.  Once the downward spiral begins, many people become entrapped in the folly
      1.  David’s initial sin started a domino effect
    1. Each player in this drama was still responsible for his acts
    1. No corrupt ruler can rule well
    1. Notice the bitterness David caused in family and nation
    1. Yet, God chose David and other flawed people to do his will