BAD TRADES Part 2

1Kings 2: 28-end

INTRODUCTION:

• Last week we saw two men making very bad spiritual trades.
• Adonijah was guilty of wanting more. This desire ended up costing him his life. For him God’s grace, mercy, and plan were not enough.
• Abiathar drifted away. He lost site on eternal things and lost his way. This mistake cost him his spiritual leadership position.
• This week we will see two more men who also make bad trades.
• Their plight will direct us to the question of leadership in God’s Kingdom.
• Who should leaders be?
• What should they look like?
• How should leaders be chosen, and what is the application today for the New Testament Church?

SCENE 1: I did it . (28-35)

• According to “funeralbasics.org” the most popular funeral song is My Way, Frank Sinatra.

• In many ways this is not only Joab’s theme song, but that of modern man.

There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death. Even in laughter a heart may be sad, and joy may end in grief. — Proverbs 14:12-13 (CSB)

• Joab did not support the first son’s, Absalom, attempt to overthrow the throne. However, he did murder him against the king’s order.

Joab said, “I’m not going to waste time with you! ” He then took three spears in his hand and thrust them into Absalom’s chest. While Absalom was still alive in the oak tree, ten young men who were Joab’s armor-bearers surrounded Absalom, struck him, and killed him. Joab blew the ram’s horn, and the troops broke off their pursuit of Israel because Joab restrained them. They took Absalom, threw him into a large pit in the forest, and raised up a huge mound of stones over him. — 2 Samuel 18:14-17 (CSB)

• Joab does the same thing Adonijah did it an attempt to receive mercy and grace from King Solomon.
• Joab is defiant to the end. He defies King Solomon’s order and perhaps his last chance at grace.

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion — Hebrews 3:7-8 (CSB)

• Joab killed Abner after King David made peace with him.

Then Joab left David and sent messengers after Abner. They brought him back from the well of Sirah, but David was unaware of it. When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside to the middle of the city gate, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died in revenge for the death of Asahel, Joab’s brother. — 2 Samuel 3:26-27 (CSB)

• Joab killed Amasa after King David put him in charge of the military.

They were at the great stone in Gibeon when Amasa joined them. Joab was wearing his uniform and over it was a belt around his waist with a sword in its sheath. As he approached, the sword fell out. Joab asked Amasa, “Are you well, my brother? ” Then with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him. Amasa was not on guard against the sword in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach with it and spilled his intestines out on the ground. Joab did not stab him again, and Amasa died. — 2 Samuel 20:8-10 (CSB)

• Joab ended his life as he lived it, his way – not God’s way.

SCENE 2: Mercy . (36-46)

• Shimei was from the House of Saul. He threw stones and cursed King David during his flight from Jerusalem during Absalom’s attempt to overthrow him. (2Samuel 16: 5-14)
• Shimei begged for David’s forgiveness and was restored. (2Samuel 19: 16-23)
• Most recently he was part of Adonijah’s attempt to be king without David’s permission or knowledge.

He conspired with Joab son of Zeruiah and with the priest Abiathar. They supported Adonijah, 8 but the priest Zadok, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the prophet Nathan, Shimei, Rei, and David’s royal guard did not side with Adonijah. — 1 Kings 1:7-8 (CSB)

• Shimei’s disobedience forfeited the mercy he had received.
• God offers mercy. Rejection of God’s mercy is to be taken very seriously.

Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send Jesus, who has been appointed for you as the Messiah. — Acts 3:19-20 (CSB)

EMERALD CITY:

1. The New Testament teaches that the Church is to be led by two groups of people, and .
   1. Deacons oversee the practical ministries in the church. (Acts 6)
   2. Qualifications of a deacon are detailed in 1Timothy 3: 8-13.
   3. Elders oversee the church and are charged with overseeing the spiritual direction, shepherding, equipping, teaching, rebuking, discipline, protecting, along with other duties and responsibilities.
2. There are 25 qualifications detailed in the Bible and 23 are about character.
3. Elder qualifications are detailed in: 1Timothy 3: 2-7, Titus 1: 6-9, and 1Peter 5: 1-3.
   1. Above reproach.
   2. The husband of one wife.
   3. Temperate.
   4. Prudent.
   5. Respectable.
   6. Hospitable.
   7. Able to teach.
   8. Not addicted to wine.
   9. Not pugnacious.
   10. Gentle.
   11. Peaceable.
   12. Free from the love of money.
   13. Manages his household well.
   14. Not a new convert.
   15. A good reputation with those outside the church.
   16. Having children that believe.
   17. Not self-willed.
   18. Lover of what is good.
   19. Just.
   20. Devout.
   21. Self-controlled.
   22. Holds fast and faithful to the Word and able to exhort and refute.
   23. Not shepherding under compulsion.
   24. Not shepherding for sordid gain.
   25. Not lording over the flock.
4. The New Testament model is a of leaders.

After they had preached the gospel in that town and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch, strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them, “It is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” When they had appointed elders for them in every church and prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. — Acts 14:21-23 (CSB)

1. In God’s Kingdom the things are done are always more important than the gets done.