Dealing with Divisions
2 Samuel 20
Dealing with Division Sun, Mar 4th 2007
Fighting surgeons leave patient in the lurch
True story – Posted Wed Feb 21, 8:45 AM ET(Reuters)
BELGRADE, SERBIA - A routine appendix operation in Belgrade went badly wrong when two surgeons started fighting and stormed from the operating theater to settle their dispute outside, the daily Politika reported
Surgeon Spasoje Radulovic was operating when his colleague Dragan Vukanic entered and made a remark that started a quarrel, said the anesthesiologist on duty.
"At one moment Vukanic pulled the ear of the operating doctor slapped him in the face and walked out," she said.
Radulovic followed and an all-out fight ensued, resulting in bruises, a split lip, loose teeth and a fractured finger.
The operation was completed successfully by the attending assistant doctor.
So arguments – are not helpful or right
· True in the operating room…true in church
Today we see such a argument in David’s life :
· See him deal with it….and how we should
· Quick background–David is king, again– restored
· In process of returning to throne
I. Causes of Division
1. Carnal Arguments
a. Notice the arguments in 19:40-43
b. Understand – these are fleshly, carnal motivations
i) James 3:13-16, Gal 5:16-26 – source is flesh
ii) 1 Cor 3:1-4–such divisions are evidence of flesh
c. There are right divisions in Christianity
i) Difference between saved & unsaved. 1 Cor 10
ii) Is to be a contending for truth – salvation
d. Most divisions in the church – are carnal, flesh
i) Not issues of truth, not about Jesus
ii) Issues of envy and self seeking
e. In such an atmosphere…notice what happens next
2. Son of Satan
a. Word rebel – lit man of beliel
i) Translated differently - Nasb – Worthless fellow, Niv – troublemaker, Nrsv – scoundrel, Kjv – a man of Belial
ii) 1 Cor 6:5 – uses as a title of satan
iii) Call this man a flunky of satan
b. Want you to see this, satan’s strategy 2 Cor 2:11
i) Know satan is real – at work, our adversary
ii) Also know–not like voodoo– sticking pins in doll
iii) His working – is in lies, deception – your mind
c. In carnality – satan often has a flunky to make worse
i) Arguing among themselves– now rejects David
ii) Happens in marriages
iii) Happens in churches
iv) Satan’s aim – draw you away from Christ, His path
v) Wild – take carnality, to draw to more carnality
II. Care for the Wounded
1. Context- see the carnality, division, need to deal with
a. David is going to deal with it
b. But first…almost interruption, this account – why?
2. Understand –these are wounded from previous division
a. Before we see dealing w/division – see this care
b. This is how things ought to be
c. Sad consequences – pain, loss
d. David’s response – gracious support.
e. Can’t undo pain, but this is wonderful
3. O that all Christians responded this way
a. “Christian army only one that shoots its wounded”
b. O that we would care for the wounded
c. Again – cutting off satan’s attempts – 2 Cor 2:6-11
4. Are you wounded here today?
a. Hurt by the envy, self-seeking of an Absalom, or a devilish Sheba. Even now know the consequences
b. Hope you see care here – hope this is such a place
c. Been said – Church is not a showcase for perfect people, but a hospital for the wounded
5. If people fail – our David, Jesus does not
a. He cares and is caring for you
b. Can I say more – He can restore beyond what David did here for these, there is hope
III. Cure - Deals with the Wounding
1. Deal with cause quickly
a. This does need to and will be dealt with
b. Interesting comparison in David’s life
i) Are other situations – he doesn’t, won’t act in
ii) Saul, Absalom, Shimei – did’t raise had against
c. Why the difference here
i) Knows God is not in, has responsibility in
ii) Not personal defense
d. Are times we are to act…times we are not to…
2. Danger – don’t use the wrong man…Amasa is
a. Amasa is Disloyal
i) Days before this – led army against David
ii) Now supposed to be his general? Leading the troops that fought against him days before?
iii) Now supposed to root out disloyalty? Yikes
b. Amasa is Delayed
i) Unable…unwilling to do what David asked
c. Amasa is Distrusted
i) See in the text – men are loyal to Joab
ii) David not crazy about Joab, but men trust him
d. Jim’s opinion – Joab is the right guy
i) Believe he is God’s guy for this season
3. Joab deals with Amasa – with a Sword
a. Some see as wickedness of Joab…possible
b. Also possible extreme loyalty – doing what is right
c. By end of chapter 2 rebels dead–Amasa & Sheba
4. Joab deals with Sheba – with wisdom
a. Shows wanting to simply put away rebellion
5. Application
a. Sword of the Spirit to the gut
i) Stomach in the Bible, seen as seat of emotions
ii) The Sword of the word (Hb 4:12) thrust in
iii) Done in a “friendly way”
b. Wisdom stops a quarrel
i) Word specifically to woman about
ii) Danger of gossip, quarrel stirring.
iii) God has given you sensitivity – bad side of a good thing is that it can make you contentious
IV. Right Outcome–United Kingdom
1. David is King
2. Joab is still there
3. Ira instead of kings sons
a. Rooting out problem….
4. Picture here – a portrait of how things ought to be
a. All under David
b. All in their right and loyal places
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Conclusion
Only one Body of Christ – Eph 4:1-6, 11-16
· Called to endeavor to keep that unity
Called to keep mending that unity – 1 Cor 1:10
· Main problem – carnal arguments
· Satan is a wiz at taking advantage of
Speak candidly
· Concern is not about “our church”
o Like being in different city, under David
· Concern is for the body of Christ
· Satan will seek to take carnal arguments and seek to turn you from our David…Jesus
Unbeliever…you are part of the point
· Want you to see Jesus…not our folly
· At times, folly exists…but not so of Christ
· Don’t by line of staying away from Jesus because of Hypocrites. Are none in heaven
o Should give you hope
o Should help you to focus on Christ