Died Abner as a fool dieth

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES - SUNDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2025 pm - MR PHILIP GRAHAM

2 SAMUEL 3 VERSES 31 TO 39

We have read the account of a man called Abner. These very serious words we read in verse 33 are a terrible reflection of what happened to Abner at the end of his life. If you are saved I pray that you will take something with you that will be of use to witness to others. 

The first thing we notice is this man died. Scripture records he died. When we read through God's word we read of people living and then dying. The same still applies today. 100% of us will die. We are sue of death. Someone once said "there are 2 things that are sure in this life - death and taxes." We will not live forever. God's word is true. we will one day die. We live in an age where people spend thousands trying to stay young. Everyone of us will meet death. People today have this flippant attitude of death. Some don't even believe in death. Some believe they will be buried in the ground that will be it. Death is not the end. You don't just disappear into the ground and are forgotten about. Nor do you float around with the stars. One day you will have to give an account. "It is appointed unto man once to die and after that the judgment." An appointment we cannot escape. You only have to look up the death column today to see that. Not one of us knows that day or time - not even the angels in heaven know about it. Abner died.

Scripture goes on to say "as a fool dieth." it is hard to call someone a fool after they have died. I have never heard a preacher call a person a fool at a funeral service. We usually say lots of nice things about people. We have become politically correct today. We cannot say anything wrong against anyone in case we offend. There are 3 simple points - Abner died a fool because he was comfortable at home. Abner had returned home. He had great political talks with David. He realised he was on the wrong side. He switched his allegiance to David. He returned home to Hebron, the city of refuge. These cities were set up for people who accidentally killed someone. They could run to these cities and no-one could touch them there. The person's family had the right to kill the murderer. Abner had become comfortable in his surroundings. He stopped paying attention. When we become comfortable, get our eyes off the ball, when we start to enjoy life a bit. Maybe we have more disposable income, our health is alright - all lead us to becoming comfortable. We don't need to worry about God and death. Today it is very hard to get people to come out of their own homes. They are happy with their own company. If you are comfortable at home you have to be very careful. You think you can tune in online. This is a ploy of Satan. He is slowly conditioning people away from God. Maybe you believe you are not doing anyone any harm. Maybe you are happy in that state. You have become comfortable. Satan is happy for us to stop paying attention. we become saturated with the television and social media. We have no thought of God or eternity. Is that you tonight? Abner had become comfortable and he died a fool.

We can also become complacent in our surroundings. Hebron was the city of refuge. He had killed a man. Once he was across the line no-one could touch him. He was safe. He had killed Joab's brother and Joab came after him. He was going to get him back for what he had done. Abner knew the city of refuge was the only place for him. He knew he was safe. We don't know what happened exactly. Maybe he was coerced, maybe there was some sort of reconciliation. He became complacent and should have known better. Abner should have known Joab was ruthless. He did not care for individuals. He had dropped his guard. How many have done the same? Complacency leads to self satisfaction. When we become complacent we no longer worry about the future. In Luke 12 verse 19 we read of a young man who had built a successful business. He had outgrown his own buildings so much that he couldn't fit it in. He said to himself "soul thou hast much goods laid up for many years." I don't think he was wrong in building bigger, the problem was he left God out of his plans. He thought he did not need God in his life. Successful but complacent. He was comfortable in his life and did not see his need of God in his life. How many have come to that stage? People have been blessed more than they need. The Collins dictionary says of complacency it is extreme self satisfaction. There was a gaping hole in their life. If you look around today you will see men and women blindly walking into a lost eternity. One day they will have an appointment with death. What we have done with God will count on that day. Have you made preparation for that day? We need to make preparations or we will become complacent.

It was a complete tragedy. He was within stepping distance of safety. Nobody could have touched him. Are you within touching distance of heaven? Of getting right with God. You have heard the message of salvation, heard about the city of refuge. Not a literal city. It is the Lord Jesus. You have heard of what Jesus has done for you. You might not think you are a bad person. we are all born with a terrible condition of sin. You are hearing this again probably for the hundredth time. You have sin in your heart. Sin will keep you out of heaven and from God. The Lord came into the world to save you, to take away your sin. He took your punishment so you could have refuge, so you could be saved. He does not want your good works or your best. He simply says "come unto me." Abner had to take the physical step and he was safe. The Lord does not require you to take one physical step or raise your hand or come to the front. He says to come to him you simply have to lift your voice and cry to him. He does not ask you for anything but simply come to him. He is faithful and just to forgive you your sin and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. All he asks is for you to confess your sin and acknowledge your need of a Saviour. You need a refuge. You cannot do it on your own. The Saviour is speaking to you again. The Lord stands with open arms. Will you come tonight? Will you accept this invitation? It is free, at no cost because the Lord has already paid the price. Don't let your epitaph be the same as Abner because you knew the way of salvation , that Jesus died and took your punishment. Don't leave without taking the Lord as Saviour. Don't put it off just because you are comfortable. Don't become complacent. If you put it off it will be a complete tragedy. He is faithful and just to forgive you and to cleanse you from all your unrighteousness tonight.