On The Fence

FCF - We are tempted to pursue reconciliation with God (and with others) without genuine repentance, but partial obedience and superficial return always fail and eventually lead to division and destruction.

Proposition - Reconciliation without true repentance leads to disaster, but full repentance and return to the King bring genuine restoration — and our failures cannot ultimately prevent God’s redemptive purposes

Scripture reading Intro

In 2 Samuel chapters 14 and 15, we see a broken family and a fractured kingdom. After Absalom murdered his brother, he has been in exile. Now David is attempting to bring his son home. But as we will hear, this attempt at reconciliation is deeply flawed. Please listen carefully as God’s Word is read from 2 Samuel 14 and 15.

Scripture Reading

Transitional Statement

Sermon Intro

Proposition

Main Body

Point - Explanation , illustration (if you have one) application

Point - Explanation , illustration (if you have one) application

Point - Explanation , illustration (if you have one) application

Conclusion - Inspire to exhortation

Restate the Proposition

Summarize key applications

Gospel focus / Christ-centered appeal

Final challenge, vision, or prayer

Outline

David and the wise women - 14

The king was thinking about Absalom so Joab hatched a plan that involved a wise women. The plan involved the women pretending to be in mourning for her son.

the story involved a pretend dead husband and two sons that fought and one killed the other and the pretend town wanted the remaining son dead.

the idea was that she wanted his vow that nothing would happe to her pretend guilty son.

The women turns it back on him - 14:13

she turned the tables and said you have done this to your own son by banishing him.

she admitted that it was Joab that put her up to this.

Absalom returns Home.

He was good looking and highly praised 2 Samuel 14:25. remeniscent of Saul. He had good looking kids.

2 Samuel 14:25 CSB

25 No man in all Israel was as handsome and highly praised as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, he did not have a single flaw.

The people seemed to love him for his good looks not being called by God.

He called for Joab, but Joab refused to come so Absalom burned down his field.

Absalom had not gone to see the king since he had come back 2 years ago. He seemed to fear for his life because of his guilt and wanted to go rather then live in suspense.

Reconciliation without repentance

at the end of the chapter David and his son seem to reconcile but nothing was ever duscussed, there was no repentance just greeting.

Chapter 15 - Absalom’s revolt

reconciliation without repentance and forgiveness breeds hostility.

He stood by the gate and intercepted people that came to talk to the king and won the hearts of the people by making claims of help and support.

this went on for 4 years until he had enough support and hatched a plan to g oand take his fathers throne.

He took Hebro and David being scared fled.

Reconciliation without repentance breeds hostility

Partial obedience doesnt work

David showed mercy but did not completley obey the word of God with the guilt of his kids.

God can work even through our failures.

the Consequences of disobedience

church leaders, parents, hope in the gospel.