Decisions: In Which Camp Have You Anchored Your Trust

INTRO: (n) We find in 2 Samuel 15:19-21 a rebellious uprising taking place in the camp of God! King David is about to be ousted from the palace and once again is running for his life (as he did from King Saul earlier in his life).

- The leader of a growing rebel camp is his son, Absalom, who is attempting to steal the kingdom from his father, King David, by stealing the hearts of the people.

- So, in this chapter we see individuals lining up on both sides (David’s faithful and Absalom’s rebels).

- If we were to read the entire account, we would see that David and his faithful followers will ultimately prevail in this skirmish.

I would like to make some applicable applications, A contrast between the decisions of David and Absalom.

- TODAY WE HAVE: (1) God has his faithful followers (David’s Camp) and (2) the rebellious camp of Satan, the devil (in our story, Absalom’s Camp) . . . we see operating in our world today!

- THE QUESTION we must address is this! Today, in which camp have you anchored your trust? I want to look at a man this morning that provides to us a superb example, one we should strive to mirror! His name is not well know (as many of us are today), he was a Philistine (Gentile) follower of David, and his name was Ittai [e-tie]. In Hebrew it means “my companion,”

- LET’S LOOK at this simple account tucked away in the Book of 2 Samuel: 2 Samuel 15: 19-21: Then said the king (David) to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile. (20) Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee. (21) And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.

This reminds of the Apostle Peter where he stated in John 6:68-69: . . . “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. (69) And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”

I) FIRST STEP: WE MUST MAKE A DECISION. . .. As Ittai [e-tie] and his men did!

John 3:16-18: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth (decision to receive) in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not (decision to reject) is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

FOR THE NON-BELIEVER: Your decision is to accept/reject God’s gift of GRACE [God's Riches At Christ's Expense].

- FOR THE BELIEVER: Your decision is to follow/not-follow God in your daily life…. Whether in life or death!

SECOND STEP: WE MUST MAKE A RIGHT DECISION (as did Ittai [e-tie] and his men)

LOOKING BACK AT JOHN 3:16-18: It Stated in verse (18).

- HE THAT BELIEVETH . . .. IS NOT condemned (Judged and doomed to punishment)!

- HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT . . .. IS condemned

III) THIRD STEP: WE MUST BE FAITHFUL TO OUR DECISION as Ittai [e-tie] and his men were! . . .. the validity of their decision can be seen by their actions!

- FAITHFULNESS IN THE CAMP OF DAVID (God’s Camp): John 3:21: But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

- FAITHLESSNESS IN THE CAMP OF ABSALOM (The World’s Camp): John 3:20: For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

TODAY’S CHALLENGE

My FRIEND, Where will we be when all is said and done: in the camp of rejection: Satan (the world) or in the camp of reception: God (through Jesus Christ our Lord).

WE FIND THE FINAL DEMISE of each camp of followers in the Book of 2 Samuel

- ABSALOM’S and his followers DEMISE (Condemnation): 2 Samuel 18:15: And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.

- DAVID and his followers DEMISE (Restoration and Reconciliation): Found in 2 Samuel 19

IN SUMMARY: WE HAVE A VERY DISTINCT PICTURE BEFORE US THIS MORNING: