Sunday Sermon Outlines, July 5, 2009

A Wasted Life
2 Samuel 18:9-17, 31-33
Sunday, July 5, 2009; A.M. Service
Introduction
Up to this point in David’s life he had lost 2 children before Absalom: he lost a baby that Bathsheba gave birth to, and he lost Amnon. Amnon was killed by Absalom his brother for going in to Absalom’s sister Tamar. Tragedy in David’s life.

The name Absalom means Father of Peace. He was the third son of David, son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur. Not only was Absalom of royalty from his father’s side, but also his mother. It would stand to reason that Absalom, son of a king, stood in a path to inherit the throne.

He was a charming man, a good looking man, He was an eloquent man.
But Absalom threw away his life.

We can learn at least two things from Absalom’s life.
Rom 14:7 our life as well as our death affects more than just you
Pro 5:22-23 his own iniquities

His malady was drugs. I’m quite certain that when he first experimented with the drug world he thought he was in complete control. It’s like the Arab, who was sleeping in the tent. A camel stuck his head in…by the end the camel was completely in the tent, and the Arab could no longer sleep. Look at Heb 11:25, sin is pleasurable, but that won’t last long.

I see parallels in my brother-in-law's life with that of Absalom’s. Absalom had many opportunities to change course, much like my brother-in-law.
1. When Absalom killed Amnon, he fled three years in Geshur
2. After three years, his father the king, sent for him, however King David didn’t want to see him
3. But then he saw him, 2 Sam 14:32-33 what an opportunity to change course, but he didn’t and his death was a result of a traitorous act when he assumed the king from David.

My brother-in-law got saved in Oct 1995, and what an opportunity he had, but his change didn’t last long as the tentacles of his addiction grabbed hold on him once again. Despite the efforts of family, he was consumed by that camel who initially just wanted a place to put his head.
He got saved, but didn’t change. We can learn from his wasted life. I want to encourage you all to make a decision. You are alive and breathing. You can make that change. Here’s what brought down Absalom:

I. His All Absorbing Egotism
2 Sam 14:32 what cockiness, what egocentricity, what a haughty spirit.
He never said I’m sorry
He was never able to take orders.

II. His Practical Godlessness
Oh, Absalom went to church. He believed in God. But that didn’t make him a Christian, anymore than sticking a wheel barrel in a garage makes it a car.
Jam 2:19

III. His Glory
Absalom new he had some talent, he was charming, he was eloquent.
2 Sam 14:25-26
Very personable. Sometimes that’s your downfall. We’ve got to realize we are nothing without Christ.

Conclusion
By the way, let me conclude with this. Although my brother-in-law’s life ended prematurely, although his life was chaotic, unstable, and criminal, he’s in heaven! Remember the thief on the cross? He’s in the sweet by and by, while we are still in the nasty now and now. But he no longer has any opportunity to live a life for God. You and I do.

A Life For Christ
2 Tim 3:15-17
Sunday Evening Service

Introduction
This morning we preached on a wasted life. Some people get saved, but never become Christians. Let's look at examples of people who did:

I. Timothy, 2 Tim 3:15-17
From a child. The best testimony are those who received Christ as children and never looked back. Alcohol and tobacco have never poisoned their bodies; pornography has never tainted their heart. John the Baptist had this testimony; so did Samuel.

II. The Thief On The Cross, Luke 23:39-43
He got saved, and did not have a chance to serve. However, his influence is still being talked about nearly 2,000 years later. He became a new creature in Christ!

III. Paul, 1 Tim 1:13-15
Most fit this one. Wicked, sinful life; educated or not. But grace came and change occured, amen!

IV. Philip
Act 6:5 a deacon
Act 8:26-40 a soul winner
Act 21:8 an evangelist

V. John Mark
Act 12:12 introduced
Act 12:24-25 taken on a missionary trip
Act 15:37-41 backslid, failed the apostle Paul
2 Tim 4:11 Paul saw fit, later on, to reinstate this man. John Mark didn't give up.

Conclusion
Stay in the fight.