RUNNING WITHOUT THE FULL MESSAGE OF JESUS' DEATH

January 13, 2008
MF Blume

  Scripture Text:


2 Samuel 18:5-10  And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.  (6)  So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;  (7)  Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.  (8)  For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.  (9)  And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away.  (10)  And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.

2 Samuel 18:14-15  Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.  (15)  And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.

2 Samuel 18:19-33  Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies.  (20)  And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead.  (21)  Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.  (22)  Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?  (23)  But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.  (24)  And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.  (25)  And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near.  (26)  And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.  (27)  And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.  (28)  And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king.  (29)  And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.  (30)  And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.  (31)  And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.  (32)  And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.  (33)  And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!


Many people have been told about the cross of Jesus, and they heard many sermons about the issue.

If you feel condemned all the time, and that your yoke is not easy by any stretch, then you must realize that you are missing something about the cross and were not told the full set of details.


Our scriptures today speak of the end of a rebellion started by David's son, Absalom.

Absalom was known to have a huge head of hair, over which he spent much time in proud care over it.

"Captain Joab caught the hippie Absalom 'hanging' around and 'drove home the point,' so to speak, that one should not rebel against the king. You might say that Absalom 'took it to heart' and stopped his rebellion."


Ahimaaz had been used in the past as a messenger for David during his time away from Jerusalem while Absalom ruled.
    * He would position himself near Absalom, and report to and tell David news upon occasion.
    * He had the reputation of a good man.
    * And when Ahimaaz realized the rebellion was over, he once again wanted to serve the King faithfully and deliver the message.
    * But Ahimaaz did not see the death of Absalom and knew none of the details of that death.
    * And this death was the entire reason for the end of the rebellion.

Joab, however, was not desirous of Ahimaaz delivering the message.
    * The entire reason for the end of the rebellion was the death of Absalom on the tree.
    * Ahimaaz simply knew the rebellion had ended, but not how and why.
    * Joab had to inform him that the king's son is dead.


David previously instructed the soldiers that he distinctly wanted Absalom treated gently, according to verse 5, calling him THE YOUNG MAN, rather than SON, because of his rebellion.
    * And he called him the young man, also, perhaps due to the thought he tried to instill within the pursuers that Absalom ought to be pitied in part because of his youth.
    * David's own sins of adultery and murder were only being reaped by him, through Absalom, so the rebellion was not entirely Absalom's fault.
    * David was told the sword would not depart from his house due to HIS SIN.

The story goes along that Absalom was found caught hanging in a tree and was killed by Joab using three spears.

Ahimaaz did not see this.
    * Now, people can only report what they actually know about due to having witnessed it.
    * And Ahimaaz knew the rebellion was over, but could not say what happened to Absalom, although he knew he was dead, because he did not SEE IT.
    * And it could be that Ahimaaz also did not want to tell anything bad.
    * Even David saw him coming and said something good will be told.


Joab SENT CUSHI.
    * Cushi was given direction to talk to David.
    * Ahimaaz was refused.
    * He nonetheless wanted to volunteer to go anyway.
    * Joab reasoned with him and said he sent Cushi, so why go just to go?
    * He would have no message to give.
    * But Ahimaaz simply liked telling messages to David.
    * He pushed it so much that Joab let him go... NOT FROM COMMISSION, but PERMISSION.

I want to stress that Ahimaaz was  a GOOD MAN.(v. 27)

    * But he was not SENT.


The only reason Ahimaaz did run and go was because he wanted to and it was PERMITTED.
    * But permission is not commission.
    * When one is commissioned to do something and is sent, they are called.
    * When one is permitted it is only because they want to so much, not because they are called.

2 Samuel 18:21  Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.

Cushi SAW THE DEATH.

Cushi knew why the rebellion ended, and not just that it ended.
    * So when he came to David, he told what he actually witnessed.

Ahimaaz simply said he saw a tumult.
    * He saw a ruckus and a skirmish but did not see anything.
    * He did not lie.
    * He knew Absalom was dead, but he did not see it happen.
    * But he only had half a message.

He ran through a short-cut to get to David.
    * He raced Cushi.
    * He wanted to give a message.
    * But he was not qualified.

People who take shortcuts and only have half a message are not the sort of people you want preaching to you.

JESUS AND THE CROSS

Hanging on a tree is precisely the thought that Christ's crucifixion involves.

The bible speaks of Him as thus:

Galatians 3:13 KJV  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

And the death of Jesus is the entire reason the rebellion of man's sin against God ending.
    * The enemy was defeated by the hanging on the tree.
    * Through DEATH Jesus destroyed the devil who had the power of death.

Romans 10:15-16 KJV  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!  (16)  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

Notice that BEING SENT with a message is connected above with Isaiah's words, "Who hath believed our report."

People with the CORRECT and FULL message of the HANGING on the cross by Jesus know far more than that a rebellion ended and a ruckus occurred.

The reason Preachers exist who were never sent is that God permits it to happen, although He never called them to do so.

God wants us to know about false preachers, because you'll likely run into them occasionally.

Matthew 7:15 KJV  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

You have to know that not everyone who preaches Jesus has the full story.


People with HALF A MESSAGE do not inform you of the vital points of it all.

They leave congregations condemned and unfulfilled and feeling inadequate.

Look what Isaiah said about the cross.

Isaiah 53:4-6 KJV  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  (5)  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  (6)  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

We have Christians today who struggle because they only heard half the story.

Isaiah 53:10-11 KJV  Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.  (11)  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

See what satisfies God?

God is not satisfied by seeing you perform a bunch of good works, so you do not have to feel condemned all the time.

Romans 5:17 KJV  For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

And simply preaching about the rebellion being over is half a message.

Romans 6:23 KJV  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Philippians 3:9 KJV  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 KJV  (20)  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.  (21)  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Titus 3:5 KJV  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Our own works and righteousness are USELESS:

Isaiah 57:12 KJV  I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee.

Isaiah 64:6 KJV  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

So...

Matthew 6:33 KJV  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Romans 10:3-4 KJV  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.  (4)  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.



David put Ahimaaz aside to wait for the second messenger.

The details of the death are absolutely important and vital for you to hear.
    * Someone might come along and preach to you about the victory of Jesus, but say nothing about the aspects of the death because they never really saw it themselves, anyway!
    * They know something about a ruckus being caused, and don't really want to talk about blood and nails and spears in His side, and blood want water flowing out.
    * But unless they preach to you about the details of the death and how that is the cause for the end of the war, then you know nothing hardly at all.
    * Put them to the side and listen to someone preach WHO WAS THERE.

We sing a chorus.

I'VE BEEN TO CALVARY
I CAN SAY I'VE SEEN THE LORD
I'VE BEEN TO CALVARY
THROUGH THE WITNESS OF HIS WORD
EACH DAY AT CALVARY
WHAT A THRILL OF LOVE DIVINE
JUST TO KNOW THAT THE SAVIOUR IS MINE.

The details of the death are what we get involved in so as to be saved.

Water baptism is so controversial today because people simply did not see the DEATH.
    * Had they really known about the DEATH, and the details of it, they would realize that baptism is baptism into Jesus' death.

Romans 6:3  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

These cross-less and blood-less AND RIGHTEOUS-LESS sermons are preached by GOOD MEN, as Ahimaaz was!
    * And God has permitted them to carry on and preach what they do.
    * But they are NOT SENT OF GOD.

Is there victory?
    * Yes!
    * But How and Why?
    * BY THE DEATH ON THE TREE!

Do we need to be righteous to go to heaven?


Romans 3:21-24 KJV  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;  (22)  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:  (23)  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  (24)  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 3:21-24 MSG  But in our time something new has been added. What Moses and the prophets witnessed to all those years has happened.  (22)  The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this.  (23)  Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us,  (24)  God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.

"What, Ahimaaz?
    * "You only know about victory?
    * "You do not know about the fate of Absalom?"

"No.  I only know of a tumult.
    * "I know a bit more, but you do not want to hear that, though.
    * "I have a reputation of only bringing good news, not like things about blood, nails, trees of hanging, etc.
    * "And what I do know is not from what I saw, personally.
    * "I heard a brief explanation, and I beat Cushi to tell you first!"

"Step aside, Ahimaaz.
    * "I need to know exactly what happened.
    * "Not just about victory.
    * "I need to know HOW I got victory."

They're good men.
    * They mean well.
    * But they're not sent.
    * They simply have not seen His death on the tree!

And they mess people up with their half messages.

The witness I have is better than Cushi's!
    * I DIED WITH JESUS!
    * "I WAS THERE?"
    * Are you kidding?  I participated!

David was moved.

2 Samuel 18:33  And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!

SEEING

SEEING represents UNDERSTANDING.

After you UNDERSTAND something powerful you REJOICE:

After Isaiah 53 says God is satisfied with us after seeing Christ's suffering, we read:

Isaiah 54:1 KJV  Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.

Watch how the Red Sea destruction of Egyptian soldiers caused SINGING, once people SAW IT:

Exodus 14:26-31 KJV  And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.  (27)  And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.  (28)  And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.  (29)  But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.  (30)  Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.  (31)  And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.

Exodus 15:1-2 KJV  Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.  (2)  The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.

LORD MY SALVATION is literally what the name JESUS means!

When Israel SAW what God did to the soldiers, and how not one of them remained, THEY SANG AND REJOICED!

Every sin you committed before the cross is totally gone and not one of them remains!

THAT MEANS YOU ARE RIGHTEOUS NOW!

Your condemnation will flee when you can SEE everything that happened at the cross.

Isaiah 12:1-3 KJV  And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.  (2)  Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.  (3)  Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

We are told half truths and come away feeling the Lord is angry with us still!

Nehemiah 8:10 KJV  Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

If you lack joy, and cannot sing and rejoice, but feel condemned after the preaching of Jesus, YOU WERE NOT GIVEN THE TRUE AND FULL MESSAGE.

You were not drawing waters from the wells of salvation, so you have no joy.



David cried, "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!"

David said this because Absalo actually died because of David's sins.

Although Absalom, son of David, died in a negative manner for David, JESUS - Son of David - DIED IN A POSITIVE WAY FOR US!
    * ABSALOM was son of David whose name meant FATHER OF PEACE.
    * Jesus, The son of David, was prince of Peace, and HE DIED FOR US.

Absalom died for David's sins.
    * It was David's sins that were being reaped.
    * Today people are dying for Adam's sins.
    * Because of what Adam did, they are dying.
    * Because of what David did, Absalom died.
    * God said the sword would not depart from David's house because of his sin.
    * But he died for David's sins in a negative manner.
    * Jesus died for our sins, but in a positive manner!