"The Heart of a Father

June 18, 2023

FBC Baxley

am service

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Welcome radio and online guests…

*It’s ok if you’re broken, unfaithful, lost, we are too and we are here seeking God’s will and way and plan.

We are all prodigals here…

Some rescued….Some Not..

All Loved…

*Acts 4:12 (repeat)

*John 3:16

Sermon Title: “The Heart of a Father”

Scripture Passage: 2 Samuel 18 & 19

Three Points:

1. The Pain of a Father’s Love

2. The Grace of a Father’s Forgiveness

3. The Restoration in a Father’s Love

“The Heart of a Father”

Introduction:

Today, I want to talk to you about "The Heart of a Father" as we dive into the message and heartfelt story found in 2 Samuel chapters 18 and 19.

These chapters provide us with a powerful example of the love, compassion, and forgiveness that can be found in the heart of a father.

**Whether you are a father, a mother, a child, or anyone else, I believe there are important lessons we can learn from this story.

Let’s explore three key points that reveal the heart of a father.

I. The Pain of a Father's Love (2 Samuel 18:5-15)

“5 And the king ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” And all the people heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders about Absalom.

6 So the army went out into the field against Israel, and the battle was fought in the forest of Ephraim.

7 And the men of Israel were defeated there by the servants of David, and the loss there was great on that day, twenty thousand men. 8 The battle spread over the face of all the country, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword.

9 And Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak, and his head caught fast in the oak, and he was suspended between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him went on.

10 And a certain man saw it and told Joab, “Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.”

11 Joab said to the man who told him, “What, you saw him! Why then did you not strike him there to the ground? I would have been glad to give you ten pieces of silver and a belt.”

12 But the man said to Joab, “Even if I felt in my hand the weight of a thousand pieces of silver, I would not reach out my hand against the king's son, for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘For my sake protect the young man Absalom.’

13 On the other hand, if I had dealt treacherously against his life (and there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have stood aloof.”

14 Joab said, “I will not waste time like this with you.” And he took three javelins in his hand and thrust them into the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak.

15 And ten young men, Joab's armor-bearers, surrounded Absalom and struck him and killed him.”

In 2 Samuel chapter 18, we see this painful event of King David's son, Absalom, rebelling against him.

Absalom's rebellion was a deep wound in David's heart. As a father, David loved his son, even though Absalom had committed terrible acts.

When the battle ensued, David commanded his soldiers to deal gently with Absalom, hoping for his son's safety.

However, Absalom's pride and arrogance led to his death.

When David learned of Absalom's death, he was heartbroken and cried out, "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!" (2 Samuel 18:33).

From this story, we learn that the love of a father can be intense, deep, and filled with anguish.

It reminds us that God's love for us, as our Heavenly Father, is also filled with pain when we rebel against Him.

Just as David loved his son despite his actions, God loves us unconditionally, even in our moments of waywardness. Let us reflect on the depth of God's love and the pain our disobedience causes Him.

II. The Grace of a Father's Forgiveness (2 Samuel 19:1-8)

“1 It was told Joab, “Behold, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.”

2 So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people, for the people heard that day, “The king is grieving for his son.”

3 And the people stole into the city that day as people steal in who are ashamed when they flee in battle.

4 The king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, “O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!”

5 Then Joab came into the house to the king and said, “You have today covered with shame the faces of all your servants, who have this day saved your life and the lives of your sons and your daughters and the lives of your wives and your concubines,

6 because you love those who hate you and hate those who love you. For you have made it clear today that commanders and servants are nothing to you, for today I know that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then you would be pleased.

7 Now therefore arise, go out and speak kindly to your servants, for I swear by the Lord, if you do not go, not a man will stay with you this night, and this will be worse for you than all the evil that has come upon you from your youth until now.”

8 Then the king arose and took his seat in the gate. And the people were all told, “Behold, the king is sitting in the gate.” And all the people came before the king.

Now Israel had fled every man to his own home.”

**In 2 Samuel chapter 19, we see a crucial turning point in David's relationship with his people.

Despite the rebellion and the pain caused by Absalom, David offers grace and forgives those who turned against him.

When David's victory became public knowledge, he showed compassion to his men, particularly those who had stood with Absalom.

Joab, David's commander, confronted him about his excessive mourning for Absalom, reminding him of the importance of the nation's morale.

David took Joab's advice and extended forgiveness and grace to his people.

This story beautifully illustrates the heart of a father who forgives.

**Just as David forgave those who rebelled against him, God, our Heavenly Father, extends His grace and forgiveness to us when we repent and turn back to Him.

Let us be reminded of the incredible power of forgiveness and the need to emulate the forgiving heart of our Heavenly Father in our relationships.

III. The Restoration in a Father's Love (2 Samuel 19:9-15)

“9 And all the people were arguing throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies and saved us from the hand of the Philistines, and now he has fled out of the land from Absalom.

10 But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?”

11 And King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar the priests: “Say to the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his house, when the word of all Israel has come to the king?

12 You are my brothers; you are my bone and my flesh. Why then should you be the last to bring back the king?’ 13 And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me and more also, if you are not commander of my army from now on in place of Joab.’”

14 And he swayed the heart of all the men of Judah as one man, so that they sent word to the king, “Return, both you and all your servants.”

15 So the king came back to the Jordan, and Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and to bring the king over the Jordan.

**In 2 Samuel chapter 19, we see David's heart turning toward restoration.

After his forgiveness, David desired to bring unity back to the nation.

He focused on the importance of reconciling with those who had been loyal to him.

David restored the kingdom, reunited the people, and displayed his love for the nation that had suffered under the rebellion of Absalom.

Through this story, we learn that a father's love seeks restoration and healing.

In the same way, our Heavenly Father desires to restore our lives and bring healing to our brokenness.

He longs for us to experience reconciliation with Him and with one another.

As children of God, we are called to participate in this ministry of reconciliation, extending love and restoration to others in our families, communities, and beyond.

Conclusion

"The Heart of a Father" revealed in 2 Samuel chapters 18 and 19 teach us profound lessons about the love, forgiveness, and restoration found in the heart of our Heavenly Father.

We have seen the pain of a father's love, the grace of a father's forgiveness, and the restoration that comes through a father's love.

I pray that we may be moved to reflect upon our relationship with our Heavenly Father, embracing His love, extending His forgiveness, and participating in His ministry of restoration.

Let us embody the heart of a father in our lives, reflecting the heart of our Heavenly Father to a world in need.

PRAY

Invitation

“Are you born again?”

Is your name written in the Lambs Book of Life?

“Have you surrendered/repented to Jesus?