Fellowship of His Sufferings

2 Samuel 15

Fellowship of His Sufferings  Sunday, Feb 4th 2007

In this world you will have tribulation…Jesus promised:

·        Amp - In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; :

·        Trial: trouble or hardship that tests one’s ability to endure

·        Distress: Mental suffering, pressure, anxiety

·        Frustration something that blocks, thwarts, upsets

·        Life is Hard…sometimes very hard

Being a Christian, following God – does not exempt from

·        Being God’s man…God’s king didn’t for David

Today – continuing study in David’s life

·        Open Bibles to 2 Sam 15. :  Revisit this chapter

Background –been king for 25-30 years (55-60 years old)

·        At a time in life- where many are hoping to take it easy

o       David discovers, like many, no such time

·        David enters a time of great trial, trouble – hard

·        Problems, situations seem to dog pile him

·        Perhaps one of the most difficult seasons in life

Lets begin by seeking to identify the trials that hit David

I.     Trials…often come in Waves

1.   Trial of Personal Consequences 2 Sam 12:11-12

a.   Sin has consequences…that can last long time

b.   David acknowledges in Ps 69:5-6 :

c.   One of the hardest part of trials – often own fault

2.   Trial of Family Rebellion 2 Sam 15:10-13 

a.   Absalom – his son…perhaps heir…turned against

b.   Rebellion…of a child against a parent–wants to kill David

i)       Say the word, w/o much adding – tough

c.    Few trials equal what this is in a heart of a parent

i)       Interesting in David’s psalms – doesn’t write on

ii)     Not because not there…just how to write

iii)   When Absalom dies – amazing grief, guilt

3.   Trial of Friends Rejection 2 Sam 15:12, 31; 16:23

a.   Ahithophel – David’s friend, counselor...more

b.   When David hears– it crushes him Ps 55:12-14; 41:9

c.   A sense, never thought it would be him…familiar?

d.   Practically – can see a possible reason– bitter.

i)       Possible Ahithophel is Bathsheba’s grandfather

ii)     Or perhaps just inside information–disappointed

e.    Lesson for friends– beware of bitterness, disappointment

i)       Serve with any Christian – discover sin, weak

ii)     Ahithophel rebels and is wrong–God is w/David

4.   Trial of Fickle Followers – Ministry 2 Sam 15:12-13 

a.   Served them 25-30 yrs, built Jerusalem…Israel

i)       Were who they were – through his effort, life

ii)     In a moment…reject him – imagine feelings

b.   Happens in life…ministry

5.   As you look over these waves – hitting at same time

a.    Any one of these trials by self enough to overwhelm

i)       Yet all together, piling up – heartbreaking

b.   Hear how David feels – his thoughts in this season

i)       Ps 3:1-2, 55:1-8; 62:3-4; 69:1-4,20143:3-4 :

ii)     As I read– point is that this is a hard season

iii)   With one voice – these all feel God is done with David

c.    Sometimes just helpful to see you are not alone

i)       Helpful to see such experiences are normal

ii)     Even godly people, in God’s will – not exempt

6.   Tell you more…it is this road that Jesus walked

a.   Fascinating thing in this section Psalms from this place – Messianic – foreshadow sorrow of Jesus

b.   Ps 69:7-9,21 :

c.   Sorrow of sin – not His…but ours – as our sacrifice

d.   Sorrow of a friends rejection – quotes for Judas

e.   Sorrow of a people’s rejection – Nation rejected

i)       Jesus walks same trail David did…also in tears

f.     Jesus understands your sorrow – can identify

7.   More – to really follow Jesus – is to walk this trail

a.   Jesus was honest with His followers – to follow Him was to get same treatment He got

b.   Perhaps – this is what Paul referring to in Phil 3

c.   One that that is true…can be wonderful fellowship with Christ in suffering

d.   In this sense – Jesus almost invites us to suffer

Go back to David… question– is there a purpose in sufferings?

·        Don’t want to say this is everything…but is something

II.  Trials…Purify

1.   These Trials purified away the unfaithful

a.    Absalom needed to go…so did Ahithophel

i)       Hard – but good – such are “blessed subtractions”

b.   Old Elvis principle – who is really with you for you

i)       Not just struggle of rich – just have what others don’t

2.   These Trials also Proved the faithful – shine

i)       Thousands fall away…but many remain –imagine it

b.   Servants were steadfast 15:14-17

i)       Think David is almost sorry for servants here

ii)     Their loyalty meant much- 1st good words

c.    Six hundred still with him 15:18

i)       20-25 years before …David was running from Saul.

ii)     These 600 joined him then.  when unpopular

iii)   Decades brought popularity, crowds –but now is gone

iv)    Yet these 600 still with him…wow.  Real

d.   Ittai shines forth for first time 15:19-23

i)       Recent follower of David.  David excuses him

ii)     How wonderful these words to David – with him

iii)   This man – unknown before – shines out now

iv)    The trials bring this loyalty to the surface, visible

e.    Zadok and Levites steadfast with him 15:24-29

i)       As thousands abandon David– note the quality, the character of those that stay- spiritual

ii)     Something rich in that – worth noting

iii)   Personal – what blesses me about many here

f.     Hushai – his friend  15:.32

i)       Another who is loyal, who knows – with David

g.   No man is poor who has such friends

3.   Trials purge unfaithful, prove faithful in Jesus!

a.    Enduring trials proves we are believers1 Pet 1:6-7

b.   Failing to endure – can prove we are not Matt 13:20-21

i)       Talk to you right now.  Some here not saved

ii)     Might even think you are–trials will prove not

iii)   When happens – be thankful – turn to Christ

4.   Today I call you to loyalty – faithful friends

a.   John 6 – will you also go away?

b.   Jesus ministry can be divided into three years

i)       1st – Presentation

ii)     2nd – Popularity

iii)   3rd – Rejection….still going on

c.    The world is still rallying against Him

i)       Professors, scientists, Hollywood and more with one voice say God is not in Him, with

ii)     Thousands, millions follow their voices

iii)   But will you?  Will you be one of Jesus loyal followers?

d.   Some – because you know Him deeply (servants, 600)

e.    Some – because of depth of spirituality (Zadok, Levites)

f.     Some – trials will bring out your loyalty (Ittai)

III.   Trials…bring Fruit

1.   David finds his trust…his strength in God

a.    Ps 3:3-4; 41:10-13; 55:16-18; 22-23; 61:1-4; 62:1-2, 5-12

2.   Hate to admit this – but say it is true

a.   Some of the most effective Spiritual seasons–trails

b.   David writes at least 7 Psalms…eternal fruit

c.   James 1:2-4; Rom 5:3 :

d.   If writing my own prescriptions…never send trials  

Conclusion

Real faith – is proved and strengthened in trials

Consider example in Job

·        Felt the pain, never took lightly or ignored

·        knew he would see God

·        Blessed be the name of the Lord

John 16:33

·        Trails are a guarantee

·        Peace is a possibility