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2 Samuel 3 (Part 2) Bible Study | Pastor Daniel Batarseh · Bible Study with Pr. Daniel Batarseh | Verse by Verse Series | Maranatha Bible Church - Chicago

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I would encourage you as we turn a second, Samuel chapter 3, that
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the references that will be shared tonight in relation to
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what we're going to study would be turned to in your own Bibles
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because I want you to see it in your own Bibles.
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And I also want you to remember these scriptures, they're
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extremely powerful when we consider them.
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Sometimes we forget these verses sometimes, we remind of these
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verses. But I realized in my life, that
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one of the greatest ways of remembering references is to see
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it in my own, copy of God's word.
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There's almost like a map that's created in your own mind where
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you can, maybe you might not remember the references, but you
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remember where it's located on what side of the page and you're
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able to quickly go there. And so, I want you to see these
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verses in your Bibles. Second Samuel chapter 3, we're
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going to start in verse 17. We're not going to complete this
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chapter. It is It is a loaded chapter and
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it would be a great Injustice to just scale and and to just kind
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of, you know, just skim over these things without considering
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their implications. I'm going to pray in a moment.
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But it's going to wait for you to turn the.
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I'm going to do my best as we turn to these references.
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That I'll I won't quote it, I'll wait for you to meet me there as
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well. All right, let's pray.
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Louis, thank you. We thank you for this.
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This discipleship school, that has been going on for many years
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on Friday nights, Well, we thank you that we get to come to the
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word of God, especially in the Old Testament and Lord receive
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great, great, great Truth, for our lives today.
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Great insight into who you are. Although we just pray that you
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would help us, we admit our weakness not just in being able
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to read our Bibles but to understand it is a great great
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task. And so we need a great God to
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help us. Lord teach us show us Lord let
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there be a freedom in the Munication of your word but not
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in a way where the flesh will intervene or interfere.
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Let everything that is that is said be according to the will of
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God, let our hearts receive all that you have to say, in a way
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in which we will joyfully submit to your instructions.
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Lord protect our minds and our hearts as we heard last Sunday,
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Satan would love to interfere with this transaction of Truth.
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And so Lord, protect us and help us Lord to sit in place and to
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pay attention to who you are and what you have to say to us.
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We ask these things in the precious name of Jesus Christ.
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Amen. Can somebody give me a summary?
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Maybe not as summary but yeah just a one-sentence summary of
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what happened last week in our study of second Samuel chapter
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3, what was the main event that took place?
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I'll help us understand the rest of this chapter, who are the
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main characters at this point. Abner is one and who's the
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other? We've been studying it for a
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long time, job is another. There's a there's another one
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you can say is more important than joab.
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David Abner and David Wright, joab.
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A secondary character is beshara that another secondary
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character, what happened between Abner anishka chef Are they on?
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Good terms? Are you scared to answer?
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Are you intimidated? I'm going to say you're wrong.
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It's okay. I won't do that.
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What happened are they on good terms or bad terms?
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Okay, somebody didn't want to say it a lot, but they said, bad
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terms. You're right.
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I hope you all in agreement with that, they were not on good
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terms. What did Abner decide to do?
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Ha ha. It was that?
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We're done here. I'm no longer going to be
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supporting you, helping you, I'm going over to David side.
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Good motives are bad motives questionable motives.
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And so we see now that Abner who was on the son of Saul side,
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trying to oppose David and the will of God is now switching his
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Allegiance over to David and and not just switching his
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Allegiance by. He he Endeavors to try to win
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the hearts of the rest of the tribes.
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To Crown David as the king over, not just Judah but all of
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Israel. And that's what we see in verse
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17. We read here in Abner conferred
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with the Elders of Israel saying.
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For some time, past you have been seeking David as king over
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you now, then bring it about for the Lord has promised David
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saying by the hand of my servant David?
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I will save my People Israel from the hand of the
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Philistines. And from the hand of all their
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enemies, Abner also spoke to Benjamin, and then Abner went to
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tell. David at Hebron all that Israel
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and the whole house of Benjamin thought, good to do.
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We have to read these verses very carefully or else.
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We just think they're just there, it's not, the meat.
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There is meat in this great meat in this.
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What do you notice? And what Abner is saying to the
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tribes? What does it reveal about him?
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Specifically, look at verse 17, carefully and realize the
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implications of his statement here.
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For some time, past you have been seeking David as king over
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you. So, Israel wanted David to be
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king for a long, long time, and Abner by stating, this to the
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different tribes, whether he realized or not, is indirectly
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confessing something about himself and what is he
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confessing? Hey, I was the one who stood in
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the way. You've been seeking David to be
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king. And the only reason why David is
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not King is because I raised up opposition and I persuaded you
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to join my ranks when in reality deep down inside.
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You knew David was supposed to be the anointed one over Israel.
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And so we see here that this man is actually confessing that he
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was the sole cause for this delay in the will of God being
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known and for the people of God to be blessed by the ordinance
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that would come through, David's Administration over Israel, the
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scripture. Is very honest and very
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realistic and telling us in different ways how much one
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person can do both for good and both for evil you.
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And I have heard many, many messages conferences, sermons
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about the inspiring examples of how one righteous man can do so
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much good and a nation and an assembly in a community.
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But it's equal for The Sinner that one person can so partner
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with the Enemy or so be succumb to the flesh that he can do far
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from far-reaching damage for the kingdom of God.
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Or against the kingdom of God. Ultimately, the Gates of Hell
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cannot Prevail. But there's a reason why there
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is a fight against the advancement of the will of God.
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It's possible to try to derail it or to delay it or to attempt,
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to even bring some level of Destruction to it.
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And Abner was that person. Abner was one person who was
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able to bring an entire nation to a halt and I want you to turn
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to a scripture because King Solomon noticed something
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throughout his Reign and he says it in the Book of Ecclesiastes
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chapter 9, look at Ecclesiastes chapter 9 verse 18 says, and
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I'll wait for you to turn there again, I want us to take our
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time, to see these verses in our own books and our own Bibles.
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Ecclesiastes 9, 18 look what Solomon says in his observation.
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Ecclesiastes. 9:18 wisdom is better than weapons of war.
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But one sinner destroys much good.
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One sinner, not 10, not 100, not 1501 sinner, destroys much,
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good. All it takes listen.
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All it takes is one individual to create Untold damage and
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whatever context they find themselves in, all it takes is
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one gossiper. All it takes is one person in
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the church to preach false teaching.
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All it takes is one person to not fear, God.
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All it takes is one sinner to do much damage and this is what we
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have to understand. That's not just a mere
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observation. That's an insight for the
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righteous to know how to respond to this potential destruction.
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If one sinner can do so much. Good Paul uses the language of
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Levin. He says, I live a little leaven
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does, what leavens the whole lump.
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Now, when Paul said that he said in two different places, what
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was he referring to? Sin is one unrepentant sin,
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right? He says that in First
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Corinthians 5 about a man who is in a who was in a very
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despicable sexual relationship and the church did not deal with
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it. They actually tolerate, I
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thought it was fine and Paul warns, he says a little leaven
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leavens, the whole lump. If you loud this to remain here,
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it will corrupt the entire assembly and you have to do
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something about it. The other one is what in
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Galatians Levin is referred to as what Want to send the other
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is. False Doctrine false teaching
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and notice Paul by the spirit. Whether it's unrepentant sin or
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false teaching. He doesn't say a lot of love and
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he says a little bit, all it takes, is for a little bit.
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All it takes is for one sinner to do damage too much good.
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And so, you have to understand that the righteous those, those
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who are especially in the local church, even in your own life,
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it's the duty to see the little leaven, or to see the one person
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who is resilient in the rebellion and to confront it to
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confront it. And when confrontation doesn't
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work, we have to do what Paul says in First Corinthians 5.
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You have to cleanse it. And that often unfortunately
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means removal, there has to be drastic measures because one
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sinner destroys much. Good Abner is an example of
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that. If you ever doubt that if you
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ever doubt what one person can do, remember, This man who
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literally put a halt to a nation and experiencing David being
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King over all Israel. It's a powerful truth and we
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come back to our main text. And what do we see?
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He's continued to speak to the tribes and verse 18.
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Now then bring it about, bring it about for the Lord has
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promised David saying by the hand of my servant David?
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I will save my People Israel from the hand of the Philistines
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of from the hand of all their enemies.
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Now, we've already discussed in previous Bible studies.
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That Abner was well aware that his schemes was in direct
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violation to the will of God, he was literally fighting against
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God's promise. I mean the crime is huge,
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there's two sin. Unknowingly is one thing to
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sinned, knowingly is a great great, great thing to do against
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God and what he's doing here is that he's communicating to the
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people that he's well aware of the promise of God over David.
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And although this is a very wrong thing, what he is
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Communicating, there's truth in this.
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There is truth in what he is saying here, and it's very
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applicable to our own lives because he sees he sees that the
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people in verse 18 are not bringing it about sure, he was
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standing in the way, but look at this Insight, right?
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The people had a knowledge that David was supposed to be king.
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It wasn't just Abner. He says, you knew you knew David
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was supposed to be king, so they had knowledge.
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Not only that and verse 17, they also had desire so they had
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knowledge. David is supposed to be king and
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they even had some kind of aspiration that it would come
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about. So they long for that to a
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certain degree, but here's the understanding knowledge and
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desire are not enough to experience the blessings in
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obeying, the will of God, It's not enough to have biblical
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knowledge, it's not enough to even have great desire for that
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to be realized in your life. What needs to happen is what
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Abner saying? Now, then bring it about, you
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gotta bring it about, you gotta make a choice, a very practical
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choice, I think this as simple as that sounds, you would be
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amazed to know how many Believers are paralyzed in their
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sanctification. Because they think they're in a
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good place, simply because they have knowledge.
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Of the truth and they even get stirred once in a while and they
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think that, I know I want this. But listen, you can know that
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you should read your Bible. You can even have a desire to
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read your Bible, but you will not know the blessing until you
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read your Bible. Is that amazing.
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It's astounding, right? You can know that you need to
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praise a Christian. You can even have moments where
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your stirred especially after meetings like this and
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conferences that you need to pray.
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But you're not going to know what God has for you, the reward
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and Until you actually do it. Let me say one more example, you
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can know the truth about who Jesus Christ is, you can even
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have wishes in your heart that he would truly be Lord.
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And you can actually surrender him, but that will not save you
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until you bring it about and bow your knee and submit to the
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lordship of Jesus Christ. A lot of people, what's standing
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between them and actually knowing God's showering favor.
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Is simply a decision to make just do it.
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Just make that step and actually do it.
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Don't wait for God to just pick you up with strings and and
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throw you into that direction, he would give you the knowledge,
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and he might even stir your hearts from time to time, but
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the decision is yours. The decision is yours.
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Ultimately, these people. They had to make a choice, Abner
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is charging them. Now, bring it about you already
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know the truth youyou seem to have the desire now.
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Move forward. Would say the same two people in
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here. Why are you, why are you staying
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in the same place? When you already know it, and
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your heart claims to testify that you want it, and just do
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it, move forward. Make the steps, make the
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decisions, block out the time, cut off the people, whatever it
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is. You need to do just move forward
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because God is not going to push you.
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Verse 19. Abner also spoke to Benjamin.
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Why did he speak to Benjamin? Why is it saying that he spoke
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to this tribe separately? Where's Saul from The Tribe of
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Benjamin so, Abner's, fully aware that if there's going to
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be any resistance, the most resistance is going to come from
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the tribe of Saul. So he singles them out.
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He sits with them and he communicates them.
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And there seems to be no objection here from Benjamin.
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And after he, he convinces this tribe.
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He makes his way towards Abner, a rather to Hebron, to sit, with
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David and to tell him, We're getting there.
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We're going to accomplish this. This is actually going to come
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about after seven years of Civil War.
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All of this is finally going to come to an end and the fruition
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of the promises of God for David to be king over.
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All of Israel is budding. You know what I looked at verse
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19, when I read it last night, I thought to myself, that's
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amazing. David was supposed to be the
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King, David was anointed to be the king, and David did not have
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to lift one finger for him to be the king.
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David didn't force himself, he didn't use compulsion, he didn't
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call her. She didn't threaten, he didn't
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gather the people and tell them, you know, Samuel anointed me.
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Don't you guys realize it? Don't you guys see it?
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All David does is that he rests it in the fact that if God said
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it then he would do it if God said it.
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Then he would do it there. This is very important.
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For many people who are in transitional periods of life
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where they are seeking God's answers for things and they even
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believe and even tell others that God told them something
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that's a very, very risky thing to do if you're not confident
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about it. But let me give you that advice.
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If you do believe that, if God said it, he will do it.
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There are sometimes where you and I have to make decisions
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God's not going to do it for us and there's other things that
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have God said he would do it and if it's if it's something beyond
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your control and you believe God said he would do it then just
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watch him do it. And don't see David did not
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compromise his Integrity in this process.
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He didn't lower himself, he didn't he didn't manipulate
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anything, he just rest it in the fact that if God said it, then
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he would do. I think two M's come to mind,
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and that Ministry and marriage. Ministry and marriage people who
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really want to serve God in a particular way.
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If God called you something he's gonna trust me.
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It will be effortless. The doors will open.
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And you almost feel like there's a, there's a rope around your
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waist and you're just being pulled in that direction.
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It's incredible. When God calls somebody to it.
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There's such an ease and Grace that comes with no devil and how
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can stop you same with marriage. Same thing with marriage.
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God will give you a peace. God Will Make A Way.
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And if it's really God's will, you don't have to pull your hair
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to make things happen. Just trust God and you, trust
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him for your job, don't you, right?
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You trust him for the car that you're driving, right?
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You trust him for the job, all these things that we trust God
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for. And when it comes to something,
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as serious as marriage, we think that God is like, well, if you
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make one wrong step, you're done.
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I'm gonna let me just throw you out here, just trust the Lord.
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Please, you'll save yourself from a lot of headache and you
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will preserve your integrity. Early in the process.
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And this case, David did the best thing by waiting on the
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Lord to bring the people to him. And it's interesting.
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The means that the Lord used to make it happen.
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Listen. If you were, if you were to tell
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David years before, this Abner is going to be used to bring the
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nation before you. That'd be quite shocking.
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You're talking about Enemy. Number One, is going to be the
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the way in the reason for everybody else to be convinced
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that that just doesn't make any sense.
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Because God's Providence is not predictable I know we love to
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try to predict how God moves and and that mean there's nothing
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wrong with that. It's wrong.
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If you think that God should move in this particular way and
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if he doesn't, you get a, you got angry that's wrong, that's
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sinful. But God's Providence is really,
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really unpredictable. And that's what makes him God.
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And that's how he gets, most got it because even in your mind,
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when you think that, this is how God will do it, and he does it
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some other way. You're just, you just give him
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more worship that way, it's incredible.
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It's incredible. When you just really trust the
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Lord how he can he can really, really amaze you and how he
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brings things about Abner was the one used.
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To bring the nation, to David, who would have thought?
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And there's so many. Promises and insights throughout
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the Bible that indicate that for our own lives.
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Can I give you one? There's many Proverbs that I
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love this one always intrigued me.
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It's in Proverbs 16 verse 7. And notice, what notice what it
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says when a man's way, pleases the Lord, He makes even his
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enemies to be at peace with him. Isn't that incredible?
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When a man's ways, please? The Lord he makes even his
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enemies to be at peace with him. That's exactly what's happening
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to David. Now, we got to be careful with
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some of the Proverbs, right? Some of the sayings because some
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people take them as Total guarantees, no matter what the
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context is. That's that's a very dangerous
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way of interpreting things because there are many Saints
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throughout church history where their enemies did not give them
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favor. They were martyred, they were
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tortured, they were despised. And so either we have a
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contradiction or we need at we need the right lens and
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interpreting a verse like this. It is not to say that every
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single one of our enemies will be able to recognize our
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righteousness and then work in our favor, for the glory of God.
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What it is saying, is that God is able to do that.
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That if in his wisdom and his plan for our particular lives,
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for his program, for our lives, God is able to take the enemies
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in our lives and actually turn them to be servants for God's
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will. And that's exciting.
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And that's what's happening here with David.
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And what we see in Proverbs 16:7 is an instruction is that if you
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want even that possibility of seeing even the enemies in your
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life, actually serve the purposes of God in your life.
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What do you need to do well live in a way that pleases the Lord?
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Walk in the path that honors. God, that glorifies God and in
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that path. You may see something just as
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amazing as God taking your enemies and then actually
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serving the purpose of God in your life.
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That's awesome. That's wonderful.
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That tells me, that the safest and most riveting and thrilling
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place to be on earth is not is not your favorite state where
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it's not your favorite country, the best place to be is in the
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will of God, that's the best place to be no matter where you
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are geographically. If you're in the will of God
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things like this can become a reality.
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I don't envy the sooner, I don't envy the wicked, I don't envy
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the celebrity we heard it earlier.
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There's no peace says the Lord For The Wicked but oh for the
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righteous he can even make Your enemies.
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Be a peace with you. Awesome.
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What an awesome God. And so we see that with David
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here. Now we come back look at verse
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20 Verse 20, when Abner came with 20 men to David at Hebron
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David Made A Feast for Abner and the men who were with him in
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Abner said to David, I will arise and go and we'll gather
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all Israel to my Lord, the king that they make a covenant with
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you and that you may Reign Over All that your heart desires.
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So David sent Abner away and he went in peace.
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Just then the Servants of David arrived with job from a Raid
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bringing much spoil with them, but Abner was not with David at
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Hebron free. Had sent him away and he had
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gone in peace when job and all the army that was with him came.
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It was told, joab Abner, the son of nura came to the king and he
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has let him go and he has gone in peace.
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What? Phrase is being repeated here in
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these verses? Peace, three times in three
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verses, he had gone in peace, he went away in peace, he had gone
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in peace. What the holy spirit is trying
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to emphasize is that in the most unlikely relationship, you and I
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are seeing a solidification of Peace.
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There is reconciliation Happening Here.
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And this reconciliation is more beautiful than just two
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individuals who are at war with one another.
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This relationship being rebuilt will actually bring streams of
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healing to Israel. And all of Israel will be
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unified together through the bond that these two are making
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at this time. It's almost as though, it's look
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at what's happening. Piece is becoming a reality
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piece. Is manifesting piece is now
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coming to this nation. After several years where there
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was always contention and War and difficulty and and doubt.
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And unrest, peace is finally coming.
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Peace is a major not just a theme in the Bible.
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Peace is something that you and I can inherit and it's something
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that this world is desperately yearning for peace.
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We hear that word a lot. I don't think we know what it
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means, and I don't really, really think we know what it
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really looks like. So let me ask you, when you hear
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peace? What's the word association?
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I mean practically what does that look like?
24:23
Peace. Shalom.
24:30
Peace. What does that look like
24:34
internally on an individual basis?
24:36
Let's start there. Calm.
24:39
Good calm, rest sense of absence of Hayes, what a beautiful way
24:46
of saying it. Absence of haste can synonymous
24:50
with calm. I think yes.
24:53
Okay. The primary and the most
24:56
Pinnacle experience of peace is with God, right?
25:01
So the gospel through Christ, secures a peace with God, Only
25:08
In Christ. Can you?
25:10
And I know a calm we can. No arrests.
25:13
May I add this piece involves security?
25:17
I feel secure. I'm not, I'm not operating with
25:20
agitation or anxiety of my surroundings or potential
25:24
threats, Harmony Tranquility. It includes all those things,
25:28
and the Bible promotes a piece, the most important piece you can
25:31
own this life with himself in Christ.
25:34
You and I don't have to live a minute in this world worried
25:38
about are standing with God. We're completely at rest, we
25:44
don't have to fear that he will destroy us eternally.
25:47
We don't have to worry that he will change his mind in the
25:50
Covenant, you and I can know a sigh of relief that we can sigh
25:55
for all of eternity because he's a good and faithful God.
25:59
And we can trust in his promise and you and I can walk knowing
26:02
that God really is for me. God is for me, he's not against
26:06
me. And that is a wonderful piece to
26:09
know and I you can't know a greater peace than that, but
26:13
there is a secondary piece of the bible, really, really
26:15
promotes. And it comes from the place of
26:19
laying the foundation of peace with God.
26:20
That's peace with one. Another Now peace with God is
26:24
more easily experience in peace with one another for the sole
26:27
reason that God that God is faithful.
26:31
And he's constant and he's true. And he's consistent and he never
26:36
fails, he never lies. He never does anything in the
26:39
flesh but peace with one. Another is very difficult to
26:43
achieve. It shouldn't be but
26:44
unfortunately it's so much more common to know.
26:48
Unrest doubt. Frustration agitation With one
26:55
another then this. Then this really like not just
27:00
short-term talk about long-term peace with other people.
27:04
Why why is that? Let me be more specific not just
27:09
because you're a sinner and I'm a sinner and we're just Sinners
27:11
that Jesus is trying to sanctify more specifically because for
27:14
the Bible to command that you and I should be at peace with
27:18
one another and that we can experience.
27:20
Peace. With mother says that it's
27:22
possible to have long-term peace with one.
27:24
Another Hallelujah. Why is it so rare wise why are
27:28
so many homes disruptive? Why there's so much disturbance?
27:33
Why in? So many local church.
27:35
I mean, it shouldn't be in our day-to-day.
27:37
You're hearing a more Church splits than Church
27:39
multiplication. How is that possible?
27:42
I don't understand that when the Bible says that it's possible
27:45
because every command for anything means that it's
27:48
possible to experience it. God does not tease us with his
27:51
commands. God didn't say do this, but it's
27:52
not possible. So just I just want to show you
27:55
what my will is but you can't do it.
27:56
That's not who God is every command.
27:59
Ensures us that it's possible to know it because he promises the
28:02
power to fulfill it. Let's be real.
28:05
Okay, we're a family. Some of you, this is your local
28:07
church. Some of you visit on Fridays,
28:08
your extended family, praise God.
28:10
But why is it that piece on a practical level is so uncommon
28:16
or so sporadic? In the context that we find
28:19
ourselves in? Any ideas?
28:26
It would be good to know. We want to diagnose it.
28:29
Okay. Self-dependence.
28:31
So we don't see the value in other believers.
28:33
So, why would I when you would care about being at peace with
28:34
them, when I can do this myself, Lone Ranger Christianity,
28:39
doesn't exist, anything else. Pride.
28:44
Who Pride? Yes, pride is a great enemy to
28:47
peace selfishness. Sure jealousy.
28:57
Jealousy, jealousy, jealousy evil.
29:00
It's really evil. You can't have peace.
29:02
When you look at somebody else and you feel a certain way, you
29:04
feel threatened about him. You you envy what they have.
29:08
It's just not possible. Good.
29:09
These are great answers. Anything else.
29:12
Because we're going to see how this piece is going to be very
29:15
short-lived and we're going to see exactly why it was
29:17
short-lived. Flash generally.
29:22
But what about my flesh? What about my flesh?
29:25
We touch on a lot of it. Unforgiveness.
29:30
How can you reconcile without forgiveness?
29:33
How can David have a feast with this man?
29:35
Unless he was able to forgive him and that incredible, David
29:39
was a very look. Look, he was human, right?
29:42
We learned last week that he was not a good father, but one of
29:45
the things about David is that he was a very forgiving man, and
29:49
that brought a lot of blessings, including peace to a whole
29:51
nation. What have David says you're
29:53
going to just come on all for a sudden, you want to be on my
29:56
side after seven years of Making this extremely difficult for me
29:59
and for the will of God. Yeah no thanks no he disarms
30:03
himself and he trusts in this and he's willing to mend this
30:08
broken relationship so that God's glory can be known,
30:12
beautiful unforgiveness anything else a couple more, maybe Sure
30:23
read. Yeah.
30:23
First John chapter 1 verse 6, This is from Austin.
30:55
Yes. Beautiful.
31:07
That pretty much summarizes it. Yes, you have something else.
31:17
Yeah, yeah. That that kind of mentality is
31:20
seeping into the church where people are becoming more easily
31:22
offended and and we see how that's becoming prevalent and
31:29
you see the privilege in that and that's becoming the norm.
31:31
So that people want to take advantage of because it ties
31:33
into selfishness. And as our brother just said,
31:36
walking in the light, if you were walking and complete light,
31:39
meaning an honesty before God and transparency before, God and
31:42
humility before God, then that will translate and you being
31:45
able to Fellowship. I'm genuinely with other people.
31:49
Here's the thing piece, we see it repeated in three verses
31:52
piece is now you can smell the fragrance of it after so long.
31:56
It's now coming about and it's quickly going to be snuffed out
32:01
and I'll tell you why we read it, joab steps into the scene
32:05
and when he steps on the scene, He says something to David and
32:10
verse 24. Then job went to the king and
32:13
said, what have you done, behold Abner came to you?
32:18
Why is it that you have sent him away so that he is gone, you
32:22
know, that Abner, the son of Nur came to deceive you and to know
32:26
your going out and your coming in and to know all that you are
32:29
doing. Joy of is not happy about the
32:33
news that came to him. That Abner came by for a visit
32:36
that they sat down and had a friendship is billing that
32:38
Disturbed him deeply and guess what.
32:41
He's right only because he did not know what Abner did behind
32:46
the scenes by cutting ties with especially with and coming to
32:50
David and saying I'm willing to join your ranks.
32:54
If that was not a reality, then job is being a good wise
32:58
Commander. How do you just let this guy
33:01
come in, scope out your headquarters and just leave.
33:04
You're supposed to apprehend this man, he's our enemy, he's
33:08
causing all this trouble. What's wrong with you?
33:10
But that's not the case. Because what job is doing is
33:14
he's making accusations. Based on limited information.
33:20
He's smearing the character of Abner Without Really knowing
33:23
what took place and that is often the case with many people
33:27
who are in context like this even who will never be able to
33:32
Know Rich meaningful relationships because they
33:35
operate by limited information because we can't stop it.
33:37
No matter, no matter how much we try.
33:40
You will never be able to really stop.
33:42
You hearing something about someone else.
33:44
Okay. This is really intensely
33:45
practical, but I've seen the destructiveness about it where I
33:48
can preach about it, every single, Single week.
33:51
I don't care how repetitive it is.
33:53
I will say it every week. It's amazing.
33:56
We want deep teachings and we can't even deal with this minor
33:59
thing in life. You you going to, it's going to
34:02
happen. And the danger is that pieces,
34:05
often stifled because we are ready to treat others based on
34:08
the things that are not true or maybe no longer true.
34:12
You see, what job should have done is what we always should do
34:16
based on any information you receive about anybody.
34:18
I don't care who it is or what it is.
34:21
He is so upset about this. That look at verse 26.
34:24
When job came out of David's presence.
34:26
He didn't even wait to hear what David had to say.
34:30
He'd made up his mind so much that he just, I'm not even going
34:32
to pause. I might even give you the chance
34:34
for you to sit. I'm just going to turn around
34:36
and walk on right out of here. And so, this man has made up his
34:39
mind. He just has these assumptions
34:42
maybe because of the history with Abner, but he didn't know
34:44
the change that came about and Outdoors life and then he
34:47
translates that into accusation and he's about to assault At
34:50
him, he's not the kill him. What would happen if David had
34:54
learned that Abner had a rather job blurted Abner had changed
34:57
what if he had sat down with David and communicated?
35:00
The details that he was unaware of?
35:01
Remember he was, he was on a raid.
35:02
He was not familiar with what's going on between Abner and
35:05
David, this guy is literally going to kill somebody else
35:08
because of a misinformation because of limited information.
35:12
Be very careful. I don't want you to Rob yourself
35:14
of beautiful meaningful, Rich relations with others because
35:18
you're easily swayed in One Direction or the Next, it's so
35:21
detrimental I've seen and I feel I really feel bad for people.
35:25
I really do because they destroy much.
35:28
If he was walking in wisdom, he would do this differently.
35:31
Now, I want to show you scripture in Romans chapter 14.
35:34
Look at this. This is beautiful.
35:35
And Romans 14. Verse 9, rather 19, let's go
35:39
together, I'll turn there with you.
35:41
In Romans chapter 14. Maybe keep your finger and
35:49
second Samuel. So you don't lose your place.
35:53
Romans 14 verse 19, he speaking to Believers.
35:59
So then let us pursue what makes for peace.
36:05
And for Mutual upbuilding like pursue it chase after it.
36:10
Blessed are the peacemakers for what they're called?
36:12
What? Sons of God.
36:16
God is a peacemaker God. Seeks to make peace even with
36:20
enemies. And so if you want to, if you
36:22
want to be identified to who God is and a very powerful way.
36:27
One way is by being a pursuer of peace with other people, You
36:33
don't, you don't enjoy drama. You don't enjoy tension.
36:36
You pursue reconciliation, you pursue peace.
36:39
You pursue Clarity. So then let us pursue what makes
36:42
for peace and for Mutual up building.
36:43
Now, what is the context? And Romans 14, Paul's hearing
36:46
that. There are some Christians who
36:47
are eating certain foods, that's disturbing the conscience of
36:50
other Christians and he's hearing that some of these
36:53
Christians who don't want to eat certain Meats, because they
36:55
think it's Unholy are criticizing the ones who are.
37:00
And what Paul is saying, is look verse 22.
37:02
Not for the sake of food, destroy the work of God.
37:05
Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make
37:08
another stumble by what he eats. So he's saying, look, I'm among
37:11
those who understands Christian Liberty?
37:15
I'm not I'm not among those who say, you know, this is wrong or
37:17
that I see how God sanctifies these things.
37:21
And I see the Liberty that even though these things were
37:22
dedicated to Demons, When you pray over it it's made.
37:24
Holy and some, don't like that thing was dedicated to a demon
37:28
and I used to live that life and for you to eat it.
37:30
Disturbs my conscience pulses even though I'm in this camp
37:33
that says it's clean for the sake of my brother's conscience.
37:36
I'm not going to eat it. Like that's Christian love.
37:39
That's Christian sacrifice. And look at, look at the effort
37:42
like instead of saying well it's my right, my conscience doesn't
37:44
he doesn't do that. If this is going to make us be
37:47
able to see each other hug each other, love each other.
37:49
Walk and Harmony are going to do it.
37:51
Kingdom of God, is more than just food.
37:53
And so, what am I saying? If Paul says that is the extent
37:56
of the effort that we should make with one another then
37:58
shouldn't we also make the effort to investigate based on
38:01
things that we hear. If I'm willing if I'm supposed
38:04
to not be willing to enjoy certain things based on the
38:06
liberty of my conscience. How much more is it my duty to
38:10
say? Well, I'm not going to make
38:11
judgments about somebody based on just misinformation or little
38:14
information. Then I'm going to do my part to
38:16
seek peace. You see what I'm trying to say
38:18
here? What's at stake?
38:21
When there is no peace, when there's a lack of Harmony, When
38:23
We Make judges and we close ourselves off, or we even
38:25
refused to build a relationship with somebody initially because
38:29
of whatever things we perceive or heard.
38:31
Look at verse 20. Do not for the sake of food,
38:33
destroy the work of God, it destroys the work of God, it
38:36
hinders the work of God. See piece is so important for
38:41
advancement in the things of God that whenever Satan senses it
38:45
even from a distance like he did back in second Samuel, he would
38:48
do all that he can to bring about A disruption in that place
38:52
and he has many ways of doing it.
38:55
When peace is just beginning, the enemy comes in through the
38:59
Flesh and open door and he's about to bring chaos instead.
39:03
There's a second reason. Many of you mentioned it already
39:06
job is we come back to 2nd Samuel.
39:11
I would say that he's intimidated.
39:16
What's Jaws occupation in David's Army?
39:20
Commander general, what sabnis position.
39:24
What was he for Saul's Army? Commander General.
39:29
I don't think he's too comfortable with the fact that
39:30
David and Abner becoming friends.
39:35
Perhaps, he's threatened. This guy can take my position.
39:42
This guy can be a rival to me. And that's very carnal.
39:48
Because James 4:1 says something.
39:50
You don't have to turn to this one.
39:51
You're very familiar with it, but James for one tells us very
39:54
clearly what causes corals and what causes fights among you,
39:59
you know what it is. Is it not this that your
40:02
passions are at War within you? And then he goes on in verse 22,
40:08
say you covet, but you don't, you don't have, you know, you
40:11
seek after but you don't get. So you murder and James not
40:13
talking about actual murder. In this case, in 2nd, Samuel is
40:15
going to be actual murder. James is borrowing the language
40:18
of Jesus from the sermon of the mount.
40:19
Where if you hate your brother in your heart, you actually
40:21
murdered him. And so he's saying you want to
40:24
know what's he's talking to the churches?
40:27
Who are dispersed and saying, you know, what's going on with
40:29
you having Civil Wars within your assemblies and your homes
40:33
and your Ministries, very simple, your passions, your
40:36
selfish desires and Pursuits are not being satisfied and because
40:40
of that, you're actually causing Wars.
40:42
Very, very strong language. He causing battles among
40:46
yourselves because you are operating in the flesh.
40:48
You have these longings and these desires, and they're not
40:52
being fulfilled and you see people who are standing in the
40:54
way or you actually want what they have.
40:56
And because they have And you don't you're willing to actually
40:58
clash with them. And job is proving that to a
41:02
certain degree. I mean it's not explicitly clear
41:05
so I won't make a dogmatic statement about it, but when you
41:09
see johanns behavior in the future, you can tell that he
41:11
really he really Treasures his post.
41:16
There's a final last reason why job is really upset about Abner
41:20
and this is good. You'll get there, if you
41:23
understand the history between job and having, which is what,
41:26
what did I ever do to joab and directly killed his brother.
41:34
And he wants to avenge his blood.
41:38
You you killed my brother and you think you can just come in
41:41
here, Feast with my boss? And just pretend like nothing
41:45
happened. And so he doesn't want to even
41:49
hear from David. He looks at David, he speaks his
41:51
mind and he walks right out. He's not just going to walk out
41:53
and take a cool walk in a night and just hopefully forget about
41:59
it. Verse 26.
42:02
When job came out from David's presence.
42:04
He sent Messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from
42:08
the cistern of sriracha, but David did not know about it.
42:12
So Abner is already long gone. Jobs sends messages as get Abner
42:17
back over here. David has no clue.
42:20
What's about to happen verse 27. And when I am to return to
42:24
Hebron job, took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak
42:28
with him privately. And there you struck him in the
42:31
stomach. So that he died for the blood of
42:34
a sahal, his brother. Killed him cold-blooded cruel
42:41
murder. He destroys us man.
42:45
And we're never ever going to see the potential relationship
42:48
that could have been rebuilt. When there was peace.
42:52
It was snuffed out. Murder is wrong, David condemns,
42:56
joab, but there is a, there is a level of violation here.
43:01
That is deeper than just the fact that he killed He killed
43:05
Abner. What makes this?
43:08
Especially wrong? And the only way you're going to
43:13
know the answer is if you remember a Bible study, maybe a
43:18
few of them that alluded to a certain reality in the culture
43:22
of Israel that would make this more severe.
43:27
Okay. So there is an element of taking
43:29
Vengeance that solely belongs to God and that is stealing from
43:34
God. Because if he says vengeance is
43:35
mine and you take Vengeance into your own hands, you're taking
43:38
something that belongs to God and that's stealing we talked
43:41
about that once but think back. Think back to why this?
43:45
And this is really going to connect when this is why the the
43:48
Old Testament is so beautiful. When you understand that the the
43:50
totality of it, things begin to make sense and things connect in
43:54
a beautiful way. You're very close.
44:00
Did you hear Andrew? Is it because they were in the
44:03
gate? Yes, but there's more to it.
44:07
It part of it has to do with the fact that they're in the gate.
44:10
Okay, let's go to Joshua chapter 20.
44:12
Here's our answer and Joshua chapter 20.
44:15
We're going to read six verses. So be patient.
44:18
Once you read it, things are going to begin to make sense.
44:23
At least if there's 0% Clues your we're going to we're going
44:27
to bring that bar to 80% Joshua chapter 20 verse 1 down to verse
44:32
6. And this is the glory of the
44:35
word of God. And this is why we need to
44:37
master the scriptures. Verse 1 of Joshua chapter 20,
44:40
then the Lord said to Joshua say to the people of Israel appoint
44:45
the Cities of Refuge of which I spoke to you through Moses that
44:51
the manslayer who strikes. Person without intent or
44:54
unknowingly may flee there, they shall be for you.
44:58
A refuge from the Avenger of blood.
45:01
He shall flee to one of these cities and shall stand at the
45:05
entrance of the Gate of the city and explain his case to the
45:12
Elders of that City. Then they shall take him into
45:15
the City, and give them a place and he shall remain with them.
45:20
And if the Avenger of blood pursues, Him.
45:24
They shall not give up the manslayer and to his hand
45:27
because he struck his neighbor unknowingly.
45:30
And this is important did not hate him in the past and he
45:34
shall remain in that city until he has stood before the
45:37
congregation for judgement until the death of him, who is high
45:41
priest at the time. That's so pathetic.
45:45
Then the men sir may return to his own town and his own home to
45:49
the town from which he fled. When God was establishing the
45:56
Israeli Society in the Old Testament, he had a unique
45:58
feature in that culture and it was the Cities of Refuge, six
46:01
cities that would be placed in strategic areas in the land.
46:06
So that if there was involuntary, manslaughter
46:09
accidental murder or even something that took place, but
46:13
it was not premeditated, it was not done out of hatred, it was
46:17
just an accident, whatever the case may be, That person had the
46:24
right to flee to one of these Cities of Refuge and by doing,
46:28
so he would be protected from the closest relative to the one
46:33
who did die who had the right to avenge the blood of the
46:37
deceased. And so these these culprits they
46:41
would they would run, they would come to the gate, the elders are
46:44
come, he would explain his situation.
46:48
And then if it was clear enough that this is, this needs to be
46:52
this needs to undergo some kind of a child, they take him in,
46:55
they place them in. If the Avenger of blood comes in
46:57
and they ask for that person by law, it was illegal prohibited
47:01
for there to be Revenge. And that man had to stay there
47:05
until the trial took place and if he was found innocent and he
47:09
can go back. If he was found guilty, then he
47:11
can be given up to the to the Avenger.
47:14
Or until the high priest died. Here's what's interesting.
47:21
Abner killed a Sahel. Here's my question was a
47:27
premeditated. Wow.
47:33
Why was it premeditated? Very good more than once as to,
47:40
how was pursuing Abner, Abner looked back and he begged him to
47:45
stop. He would not listen, he
47:47
continued to pursue, he begged him to stop, he would not do it
47:51
finally, he takes his spear the but of it thrust it back into as
47:56
to how stomach and it comes out of his back.
47:59
What do you call that? Self-defense not out of hatred,
48:05
not premeditated. He is a candidate to be able to
48:08
undergo a trial to assess whether or not, he is innocent
48:11
or guilty in other words. He could have gone to a City of
48:16
Refuge. And he could have been
48:19
protected. Come back to 2nd Samuel.
48:25
You still keep a hand there in Joshua chapter 20, come back to
48:28
2nd Samuel. 227. If that person was in a City of
48:35
Refuge, the Avenger of blood could not touch him.
48:38
Second, Samuel 327. And when Abner after he was
48:42
called by Joe, I returned where To Hebron are you still in
48:47
Joshua chapter 20? Go back to Joshua chapter 20, we
48:50
read the first six verses look at verse 7 after he gave the
48:54
instructions of the City of Refuge.
48:56
Look, what he says, look what the word of God says.
48:59
So the people they set apart Kadesh and Galilee and the Hill
49:03
Country of naphtali and shechem in the Hill Country of Ephraim
49:06
him and curia far, but that is what Hebron.
49:14
In the Hill Country of Judah. Hebron was a City of Refuge.
49:20
Where was Abner murdered? And the City of Refuge.
49:27
Where he was supposed to be safe, is where he was killed.
49:31
And that just adds a severity to jobs crime.
49:36
He could be completely had, no reverence no fear of, he was so
49:39
filled with bitterness. that he actually kills him in the gate
49:47
the very place where Abner should have been to call for the
49:50
elders to explain his case as a very place, where he was not
49:54
given a chance but was instead murdered Next week.
49:59
We're going to see The Cry of David and the nation and I
50:01
believe that's an element to it. And so we heard about how you
50:07
and I can treat even a little sin to lightly and then there
50:10
are people who treat people's sin without regarding the laws
50:13
of God have had to be merciful and patient and forgiving and
50:17
they are quick to judge and quick to afflict condemnation.
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And job here does not consider his surroundings of the consider
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the significance of the feet and where their feet were planted
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and he kills this man. And the blood that should have
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been protected with shed. in that place but job is not the
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only wrong one here. Who else is in the wrong?
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I say Abner. I say Abner why?
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Because he killed as to how long ago.
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Why didn't you flee to the City of Refuge?
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Why wasn't that your immediate reflux?
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Abner's jawed after doing that if he really believed he was
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innocent was to run to one of these places and to stay there
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to receive a just trial or to wait until the high priest died,
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and he didn't It could be that he thought he was so powerful
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that he didn't need to. We don't know the reason why he
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did it, but he didn't do it. And he died a Fool's death.
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He died a Fool's death and Abner, there is a picture.
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Is a picture of The Sinner because the City of Refuge is a
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picture of Jesus Christ. Hebrews tells us that we have
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fled to him for Refuge so many Psalms and Proverbs tells us
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that running to the Lord, the name of the Lord is a strong
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tower or we take refuge in the Lord, he is the City of Refuge
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And what's amazing is just like Abner.
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You have many people today who have sinned and they delay and
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running to Christ. They wander about and just like
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Abner pay very close attention to this.
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They think things are fine. They thinks that nothing will
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happen. And offer sudden without notice,
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their life is taken from them. When it could have been spared.
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Be be amazed to know how many people.
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I know people for years, who have heard the gospel, many many
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times who sat in meetings, many, many times and they still have
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yet to run to the City of Refuge and you are no different than
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Abner. You are no different than Abner.
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Why are you waiting? Do you not know that at any
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moment by surprise? Just like joab who invited him
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for a conversation, seemed to be innocent seem to be harmless.
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And job was very, very conniving in the way he killed.
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People will see that in a different example.
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All four sudden Abner's life was taken from who says that it's no
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different than you. and for you, Abner is a picture of something
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else to do not directly. In his case.
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There is a scripture numbers 35, which tells us not just how to
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get to the City of Refuge, but when you get there to stay
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there, And it warns there's a law there that if you wander
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outside of the City of Refuge and the Avenger of the blood, if
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he finds you, he has the right to kill you.
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And that's a picture of those who yes come to Christ as a
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refuge and receives safety. But at one point in their lives,
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they drift away from Christ and they wander from the will of
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God, and they put themselves in danger and they end up suffering
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much loss. And so, it's even possible
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today, that you, as you sit in this place, you know, that your
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heart is not where it's supposed to be.
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And, you know, that you are not in the will of God, you know,
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that there is compromising your life and that gives the enemy
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legal license. To have his way with you.
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And so my charge to you is to stay in the City of Refuge, my
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brother don't wander, there's nothing profitable out there.
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There's nothing beneficial. The only thing that you can
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expect outside of the will of God, the only thing is the same
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thing for that man. Slayer, who wanders, out of the
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City of Refuge danger? That's the only thing that's
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waiting Danger. And so I don't care if you are
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in the City of Refuge, I don't care who's outside of the City
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of Refuge, was calling for you to come outside.
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I don't care what their persuading you with.
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I Don't Care What They're inviting you to the same way
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that there was a law established then, it is true spiritually.
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Now moment, you step outside of the will of God, for whatever
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reason, you put yourself in spiritual danger, but let me
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close with this, have you even got there?
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Every week I see at least one new face and I don't know where
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you are. so, my question to you is as you've heard this Bible
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study, Are you convinced that you've sinned against God?
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You know what, one of my favorite Bible verses about
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Sinners and first John one, where it says, if anybody says
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he does not sin, he is a liar. So, if you claim, you two
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haven't sinned against God, you already lied.
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You've sinned. Welcome to the club.
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Now, it's one thing to know that you've sinned against God that
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if you stand before, God, that you will be guilty.
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But here's my next question, have you fled to Christ?
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Because Christ doesn't want you to stay there.
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And here's what's beautiful about the City of Refuge.
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I'm going to try to end it here, okay?
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That in the Old Testament when God instructed, in verse 7 of
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Joshua 20, we instructed the placement of these six cities.
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He did it in such a way that no matter where you are
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geographically, it would be easily accessed.
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It wasn't placed in such a way that you would have to Sprint
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across the land. And there was a great risk for
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you to be caught by the Avenger of blood.
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Every City of Refuge was placed in a certain way that no matter
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where you were, you can have easy access to safety and that
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is a picture of how Christ has made it so simple for you to be
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saved. He didn't make it hard, realize
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your sin, acknowledge your sin, confess your sin.
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Repent of your sin and embrace the one who paid for your sin.
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And then run to that. That's how you want.
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You want to know how you pick yourself up and run.
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That's how you do it. I have sinned, I confess I'm a
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sinner. I confess that I've sinned
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against God against, man. I confess that if I remain in my
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sin, I will die in my sin. And I will be punished for
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eternity, but I realized that he paid for my sin and so I will
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run to him. Hide in him Embrace him and be
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safe. Have you ever done that?
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Have you ever done that? If not, you are not in the City
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of Refuge? If you're outside and you're in
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danger, run to him, he's waiting for you.
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He wants to save you. He made it so easily available
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to you. That is my Jesus, that is the
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gospel. I preach.
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That is the gospel, many of you believe in, and I put your trust
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in, but maybe there's one in here who hasn't come to that,
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and I'm calling you to run. He was the call for the person
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who did who did Sin, they had to run immediately.
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If not, you will be like Abner and years has gone by, I believe
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after he killed a cell and he thought he was safe all four
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sudden. He was swept away from this
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life. Don't wait, please don't.
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Wait, I beckon you come to the City of Refuge.
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Who is Jesus Christ? Let's pray.
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Father in heaven. We thank you for Jesus Christ,
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Our City of Refuge. Thank you that we can run to
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him. And he will keep us safe.
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Thank you, Lord Jesus that you've made it so available to
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all men of all ages. Of all backgrounds of all races.
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Thank you. Lord, we just sit here tonight.
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overwhelmed by the wisdom of your word, by the supernatural,
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authorship of this word, and it causes us to just Adore, you.
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your word is so rich, Lord, it is so deep and we are
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overwhelmed by By the fact that every time we come together, we
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learn something new and it just gives us another jolt of joy in
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your presence. Lord for us who are in Christ,
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protect us from the lies in the and the whether it's self
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deception or outside this option, that would convince us
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to step outside of the will of God.
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Keep us in. And Lord for those who have
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never even stepped foot, who have not come to the gate and
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have reasoned. Lord, we just ask that.
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Today would be the day where in their heart of hearts, they
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would flee to Jesus Christ and they would declare that they in
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fact, have sinned and they would trust that you will take them in
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only your Holy Spirit. Can convince a man to run in
59:30
that direction. Lori bless you tonight at this
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Bible. So, we want to worship you and
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we want to worship you with the frame of mine that we are.
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We are surrounded by you. We are shielded.
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We are in the depths of the palm of your hand now, Nothing can
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snatch us out. We are kept secure forever and
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ever. Thank you for your love.
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Thank you that we don't have to bear some, we don't have to look
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over our shoulder and feared judgment anymore.
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We are safe in Christ in Jesus name.
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Amen! Let's stand and Worship the
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Lord.