HOW TO SPOT A TROUBLEMAKER
Posted by: preacher30673 <preacher30673@...>
How to Spot a Troublemaker
II Samuel 15:1-12
I read several years ago about a horned owl that lived with a family. Normally a well-trained, well-behaved bird, he had made friends with the family dog, Mutt. The owl and dog enjoyed weekend camping trips together, especially the ride in the rumble seat of the Model A Roadster. However, the wol at times could be a troublemaker, The object of his pranks was often Mutt the dog. On lazy summer days Mutt would invariably walk over to the owl's favorite tree and satisfy himself that he was sleeping.
Returning to his resting spot, Mutt would lie down and drift off into his afternoon snooze. The owl, who had only feigned his sleep, then cautiously crept up behind Mutt, staying close to the dog 's rear. Ceremoniously he would raise his inch-long talons, gleefully stare at his unsuspecting victim, and proceed to pinch Mutt's tail. In near frenzy Mutt jumped and turned to find his tormenter , but the owl had escaped to the nearest tree, where he seemingly expressed his innocence with a vibrating question, "Whoo-whoo-whoo?"
We've all met troublemakers of one kind or another, but none match the mischief of David's third-born son , Absalom . Consumed by the bitterness of his father 's rejection over a five-year period, Absalom turned in anger against his own flesh and blood. Wickedly he plotted a course that would emotionally devastate his father but ultimately lead to his own undoing. As we scan the scene of the first twelve verses of II Samuel 15, and analyze carefully Absalom 's actions, the will reveal the marks or the characteristics of a troublemaker.
See Romans 16:17. The "mark" means to keep a close watch. It is hard to mark something or keep a close watch for something if you do not know what you are looking for.
Absalom displayed five characteristics which are can be easily seen in all troublemakers.
I. TROUBLE MAKERS ARE SENSATIONAL (1)
Trouble makers are known for their ability to put on a show. They are often enamored with their own greatness and gifts.
Absalom's conspiracy against David began to manifest itself when he started parading before the Israelites in a very arrogant way in a chariot with horses and runners. The purpose of this haughty parading by Absalom was to promote Absalom for the throne by giving him (1) extra attention—the pomp would really turn the eyes of the crowds towards him, (2) the appearance of importance—he would look more important than David who only rode on a mule (1 Kings 1:33), and (3) the guise of legality—the pomp would suggest David intended him to be the next king.
Today, instead of using horses, chariots, and runners to promote himself, Absalom would use such things as self-exalting press releases, high powered TV advertisements, and expensive convertibles to ride in parades. But in that day, horses, chariots, and runners were the method used to promote one's self. Later, Adonijah, another son of David, also used this same method to promote himself for the throne when he tried to usurp the throne just before David died. The Bible said he "exalted himself, saying, I will be king; and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him" (1 Kings 1:5).
While these self-important promotional methods may succeed in impressing people and gaining much popular support , they also reveal poor character on the part of those who exalt themselves.
People who parade in front of the public are, like Absalom, only trying to beguile others.
I. TROUBLE MAKERS ARE SENSATIONAL (1)
II. TROUBLE MAKERS ARE CRITICAL (2,3)
Absalom also did a great deal of politicking with the people to seduce them into supporting his conspiracy to take the throne from David.
"Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate" (2 Samuel 15:2). Absalom was very zealous in this politicking business, for he got up early in the morning to pursue his evil. He meant business in his conspiracy against David. How often good people are shamed for lack of zeal for good causes by the zeal of bad people for evil causes.
"When any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment... Absalom said unto him, "See, thy matters are good and right" (2 Samuel 15:2,3). Now, Absalom was not interested in justice—he was interested in a job—the job of a king. So he said whatever would help him gain the people's favor. This is a popular tactic of politicians. They always try to appear to represent the people's interest.
"There is no man deputed of the king to hear thee" (2 Samuel 15:3). Absalom resorted to a clever, but corrupt, political tactic which is to make false accusations if necessary in order to stir up people against your opponent. And in making these accusations, he did what many crafty politicians do—play on the people's impatience and emphasize the lack of service being provided for them.
Absalom endeavored to turn the people against David by charging that David's government was inefficient in dealing with the problems of its citizens.
Trouble makers often build themselves up while tearing down others.
I. TROUBLE MAKERS ARE SENSATIONAL (1)
II. TROUBLE MAKERS ARE CRITICAL (2,3)
III. TROUBLE MAKERS ARE egotistical (4)
"Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice" (2 Samuel 15:4). Matthew Henry said, "Those who are commonly most ambitious of preferment are least fit for it, the best qualified are the most modest."
He had all the answers. He was filled with pride. He talked about what he would do if he was king.
Absalom had never been king, but he knew how to be a king. "O that Absalom were a judge -" - he recommends himself to them.
A trouble maker claims to have all the answers or to be something they are not. They will gloat over the inability of others while whining "I wish I had a chance." They believe they are God's gift to mankind. Absalom is saying, "If I were king, I would be just and solve your problems." Absalom continues to campaign, planting the seeds of rebellion into people's hearts.
Those often with the least at talent are often the first who want to perform. Those who have accomplished the least want to lecture on achievement.
I. TROUBLE MAKERS ARE SENSATIONAL (1)
II. TROUBLE MAKERS ARE CRITICAL (2,3)
III. TROUBLE MAKERS ARE egotistical (4)
IV. TROUBLE MAKERS ARE ARTIFICIAL (5,6)
Absalom's actions were a put on, a show. He was flattering the people to get something from them, not to do something for them. He was a phony. All Absalom wants is power. If he cared for these people, he would not put them in a position of risking their lives just to put him into power. David was not wicked, evil, or oppressive. He would not put their homes in jeopardy by starting a civil war.
Absalom was a smooth talker. People did not become his supporters because of his wise and judicious governing of the land. People did not become his supporters because of his noble character and conduct. Rather, people became his supporters because of Absalom's slick talking.
In contrast, David merited the monarchy because of his great achievements and character. He killed Goliath, won numerous battles with the Philistines, evidenced great skill in governing people, was of excellent character, and was anointed of God for the kingship. Absalom had none of these merits.
Absalom was nothing but a put on.
I. TROUBLE MAKERS ARE SENSATIONAL (1)
II. TROUBLE MAKERS ARE CRITICAL (2,3)
III. TROUBLE MAKERS ARE egotistical (4)
IV. TROUBLE MAKERS ARE ARTIFICIAL (5,6)
V. TROUBLE MAKERS ARE PHarisaical (7,8)
This petition to David is all pretense. Absalom wants to go to Hebron, not to pay a vow, but to launch his overthrow of King David.
On the surface, and to David, it would look like Absalom is more spiritual than we thought. But in truth, Absalom is more subtle than we thought. He is using this guise of a vow and spiritual devotion to gain a cover for his evil revolt. When Absalom got to Hebron, Scripture says he indeed "offered sacrifices" (2 Samuel 15:12). But that was not a fulfillment of a vow, but a show of piety to help cover up his evil.
While Absalom was offering his sacrifices, in performance of his pretended vow, he sent for Ahithophel (grandfather of Bathsheba) , a man that had a grudge against David. So much was Absalom' heart on the projects of his ambition that even in his sacrifice, his eye was upon getting the throne by using Ahithophel to help him.
Absalom, like so many, would cover his evil by a religious cloak. Jezebel did likewise when she had Naboth killed. Under the guise of a "fast" (1 Kings 21:9) and the accusation that Naboth did "blaspheme God" (1 Kings 21:13—a very false accusation, for in truth Naboth had courageously honored God), she perpetrated her evil.
Evil politicians cover up their evil agenda by showing up in churches before elections to make it look like they are pious and, therefore, good men for office.
Few things propagate evil more effectively than the guise of religion.
Trouble makers place heavy emphasis on what they say rather than what they really are, their character.
Conclusion
Trouble makers have the uncanny ability to wreck the lives of anyone who ventures near them. If you want to stay wholesome spiritually, avoid trouble makers.
Be careful because you can become a trouble maker before you know it--keep on the alert.
IN HIS ETERNAL GRIP,
Pastor Jimmy Chapman
Victory Baptist Church
706-678-1855
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