Master Manipulators

Master Manipulators

June 17, 2012 Evening Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: There are some who manipulate others to get their way or to hide their sin; all contrary to God’s way.

Focus Passage: 2 Samuel 11:6-27

Supplemental Passage: "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8 NASB)

Introduction: “O, what a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive” – Sir Walter Scott

It is reported that in the late 1860s, President Ulysses S. Grant gave a cigar to Horace Norton, philanthropist and founder of Norton College. Because of his respect for the President, Norton chose to keep the cigar rather than smoke it. Upon Norton's death, the cigar passed to his son, and later it was bequeathed to his grandson. It was Norton's grandson who in 1932 chose to light the cigar ceremoniously during an oration at Norton College's 70th anniversary celebration. Waxing eloquent, Norton lit the famous cigar and proceeded to extol the many virtues of Grant until...Boom! The renowned cigar exploded! That's right- over sixty years earlier Grant had passed a loaded cigar along to a good friend, and at long last it had made a fool of his friend's grandson!

Today in the Word, July, 1989, p. 39.

I. Manipulators Pretend (to Care)

a. David wanted to know how the people were getting along

b. David wanted to know how the war was going

II. Manipulators Profess (to Honor)

a. David told Uriah to go to his house

b. David got Uriah drunk and told him to go to his house

III. Manipulators Panic (when it does not go their way)

a. When Uriah refused to sleep with his wife, David panicked

b. David sent Uriah’s death warrant by his own hand, back to the front

Invitation: