June 10 & 11, 2017
Pastor Justin Storey 2 Samuel 13-18 (NIV)
King of Hearts: A Passive Heart “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 “Absalom...my son, my son, if only I could have died. My son, my son.” 2 Samuel 18:33 You need to understand that in relationships...love is not enough. Your love and mine must manifest itself in certain actions and words if it’s going to help the ones we love. Relational breakdowns don’t just happen. 1. CONFRONTATION IS NOT OPTIONAL. “Then Amnon hated her with intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he had loved her. Amnon said to her, ‘Get up and get out!’ ‘No!’ she said to him. ‘Sending me away would be a greater wrong than what you have already done to me.’ But he refused to listen to her. He called his personal servant and said, ‘Get this woman out of here and bolt the door after her.’ So his servant put her out and bolted the door after her.” 2 Samuel 13: 15-18a One way to stay out of trouble is to contextualize your actions: “I can’t do this. She is someone’s wife or daughter. He is someone’s husband...son.” “When King David heard all this, he was furious.” 2 Samuel 13:21 He didn’t confront Amnon. He didn’t comfort Tamar. He didn’t counsel Absalom. He didn’t lift a finger. Maybe he was preoccupied with his work. Maybe he was afraid of what Amnon would do in response. You set the standard! Extreme ownership is not negotiable. Our kids, like it or not, are mirrors of our attitudes and beliefs. Be real! “Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad; he hated Amnon because he had disgraced his sister Tamar.” 2 Samuel 14:22 2. BE THERE AND BE PRESENT. “But the king said, “He must go to his own house; he must not see my face.” So Absalom went to his own house and did not see the face of the king.” 2 Samuel 14:24 If you will not make time for your child's life, then the world will. He wants to get caught. 3. BE WILLING TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS. And all through this David refused to communicate with Absalom; and Absalom interpreted that refusal as rejection. So often the lessons that we learn are more often “caught” than “taught.” Love speaks. Love confronts when necessary, and love listens when it needs to...but love speaks before it is too late! Have a proactive heart. Invest in them. Encouragement...yes!
Teach self-awareness over self-esteem. Be available. Stop lecturing. Start walking instead.
