To watch the video of this message on Image vs. Substance please CLICK HERE.
Image - a popular conception (as of a person, institution, or nation) projected especially through the mass media.
Substance - ultimate reality that underlies all outward manifestations and change.
The Image of Absalom David's Son
2 Samuel 14:25
In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him.
It’s obvious from this passage that Absalom’s image was excellent. It was something people talked about.
Eight Character Qualities that reveal the Substance of Absalom
1. He was a man who knew how to hide bitterness and strike in vengeance.
2 Samuel 13:28 Absalom avenged his sisters rape by ordering his men to kill his half brother Amnon at a family dinner.
2. He was a self promoter
2 Samuel 15:1
In the course of time, Absalom provided himself with a chariot and horses and with fifty men to run ahead of him.
2 Samuel 18:18
18 During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in the King's Valley as a monument to himself, for he thought, "I have no son to carry on the memory of my name." He named the pillar after himself, and it is called Absalom's Monument to this day.
3. Absalom would make it his highest priority to strategically stroke the need of the individual thus causing an identification with him and an un righteous soul tie with that individual
2 Samuel 15:2
2 He would get up early and stand by the side of the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone came with a complaint to be placed before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out to him, "What town are you from?" He would answer, "Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel."
4. Absalom would undermine the king’s ability to lead by emphasizing the king’s weakness and his own ability to meet that need.
2 Samuel 15:3,4
3 Then Absalom would say to him, "Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you." 4 And Absalom would add, "If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that he gets justice."
5. Absalom would place honor onto the men of the kingdom thus stealing their heart away from David
2 Samuel 15:5,6
5 Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. 6 Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
6. The Lord has positioned himself against Absalom and desires to undermine the false kingdom Absalom has stolen.
2 Samuel 17:14
14 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel." For the LORD had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.
7. The forest is claiming more lives than the sword 20,000 v.8
2 Samuel 18:9
9 Now Absalom happened to meet David's men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom's head got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going.
8. Absalom dies and his kingdom falls.
2 Samuel 18:14
14 Joab said, "I'm not going to wait like this for you." So he took three javelins in his hand and plunged them into Absalom's heart while Absalom was still alive in the oak tree. 15 And ten of Joab's armor-bearers surrounded Absalom, struck him and killed him.
There is a battle in the hearts of Christian leaders today in our country between an image of man centered ministry and a substance of Holy Spirit centered ministry.
Some ministries are built around an image of man.
Some are built around the substance of the Holy Spirit
Some have both
It's not wrong to have a sharp image if the substance of God is supremely more important. If image ever trumps the substance of the Holy Spirit that ministry has moved into error.
Saul’s Image
1 Samuel 9:2
He had a son named Saul, an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the others.
We’re not exactly sure what made Saul “an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites” but we know immediately following this statement his physical stature is added implying strongly that his height is part of his impressiveness. He seems to have an excellent image.
Saul’s Substance
1 Samuel 15:26-28
You have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you as king over Israel!" 27 As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. 28 Samuel said to him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you.
Compare and Contrast David and Saul
1 Samuel 16:7
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.“
The Image of Jesus
Isaiah 53:2b
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
One of the prophetic references to the suffering messiah.
According to Scripture Jesus was not an attractive man physically. He most likely didn’t look like a rugged modern day model.
The Substance of Jesus
Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.
Jesus had Perfect Character
Watch this wildly popular video to see a contemporary illustration of a person with very little professional image but a lot of substance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
You may or may not have the greatest image but God is looking for substance. If you have substance without image you may be a person who’s yet to release what God’s given to you.
If you have image without substance you are building a house of cards and your “kingdom” will collapse around you.
If you have both you can use both to reach people but image must be crucified if it takes precedence over the substance of God.
If God has given you a word; go for it.
God’s empowering strength will make his dreams for you a reality if you are faithful and obedient for the long haul.
Consider Josephs horrible image but he had substance
Joseph
Has a dream
Sold to Merchants
Works as a slave
Gets Promoted to being a house slave
Accused of Rape
Sentenced to Prison
Get’s promoted in prison
Makes Strategic relationships
Expresses his gift
The gift gets re communicated eventually to Pharaoh
The substance is real in Joseph’s life and he gets promoted to the highest place in the land.
Sound Doctrine
2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
What do you really like? A professional and sharp image or the substance of God? Hopefully you can find both where the substance of God rules and reigns in the hearts of people.
Jubilee Family Church