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(Expanded with theological detail and English Standard Version citations)<\/em><\/p>\n The story of David and Absalom in 2 Samuel 18<\/strong> presents one of Scripture\u2019s clearest illustrations of a person who runs with zeal but without a true message<\/strong>. It teaches us something crucial about ministry: having passion is not enough; one must also have the right message from God.<\/strong><\/p>\n When Absalom rebelled against his father David, a fierce battle broke out in the forest of Ephraim. David did not join the battle personally; instead, he entrusted it to his commander, Joab. Before the fighting began, David issued a clear command\u2014a command rooted in the heart of a father<\/em>:<\/p>\n 2 Samuel 18:5, ESV<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201c<\/strong>Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.\u201d However, Joab ignored David\u2019s instruction. When Absalom was found hanging in a tree, Joab killed him (2 Samuel 18:14). Once the troops learned of Absalom\u2019s death, the battle ended and the people dispersed.<\/p>\n The next challenge was to inform David of what had happened. Delivering such sorrowful news required both courage and clarity of message<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Two messengers stepped forward:<\/p>\n Ahimaaz wanted desperately to run\u2014even though Joab insisted that the message was not \u201cgood news\u201d (2 Samuel 18:22). Joab knew that Ahimaaz lacked the necessary information and that his excitement was not matched by understanding.<\/p>\n Joab instead commissioned the Cushite:<\/p>\n \u20142 Samuel 18:21, ESV<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201c<\/strong>Go, tell the king what you have seen.\u201d Unlike Ahimaaz, the Cushite had witnessed the events firsthand. He had substance<\/strong>, not just speed.<\/p>\n Because of his zeal, Ahimaaz ran faster and arrived first. Yet when he stood before the king\u2014standing where truth<\/strong> was required\u2014he had nothing meaningful to say:<\/p>\n \u20142 Samuel 18:29, ESV<\/p>\n \u201cI saw a great commotion, but I do not know what it was.\u201d Ahimaaz ran with enthusiasm but no message<\/strong>.<\/p>\n When the Cushite arrived, however, he delivered the truth with solemn respect:<\/p>\n 2 Samuel 18:32, ESV<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201c<\/strong>May the enemies of my lord the king be like that young man.\u201d He told David what actually happened.<\/p>\n This narrative is a profound allegory for ministry today.<\/p>\n Many Christians desire to serve God\u2014as pastors, evangelists, teachers, prophets, intercessors, singers, writers, or through other forms of ministry. But it is possible to run like Ahimaaz: full of zeal, but empty of the message God actually sent us to proclaim.<\/strong><\/p>\n Jesus Christ gave one universal commission to every believer\u2014regardless of calling or ministry gift:<\/p>\n Matthew 28:19\u201320, ESV<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cGo <\/strong>therefore and make disciples of all nations\u2026 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.\u201d This is not optional. It is the core mission of the Church.<\/strong><\/p>\n Some say, But this is the language of an Ahimaaz\u2014someone running without the message Christ entrusted to His followers.<\/p>\n The apostles understood this. Their message was not self-help, motivational teaching, or worldly success. It was:<\/p>\n repentance (Acts 2:38<\/strong>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n faith in Christ alone (Acts 4:12<\/strong>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n holiness (1 Peter 1:15\u201316<\/strong>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n denying self (Luke 9:23<\/strong>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n obedience to Jesus (John 14:15<\/strong>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n transformation into Christ\u2019s image (Romans 8:29<\/strong>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n In fact, Jesus Himself taught that discipleship requires total surrender:<\/p>\n Luke 14:27, ESV<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201c<\/strong>Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.\u201d Any ministry that avoids pointing people to Christ\u2019s lordship, repentance, holiness, and obedience is running off course<\/strong>.<\/p>\n If what we teach focuses more on earthly success than spiritual transformation\u2026 Then we are running fast, like Ahimaaz\u2014 Paul warns that anyone building a ministry must build on Christ alone:<\/p>\n 1 Corinthians 3:11, ESV<\/p>\n \u201cFor no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.\u201d Otherwise, our work will burn up before God (1 Corinthians 3:13\u201315).<\/p>\n The world does not need more motivational speakers. The world needs the Gospel<\/strong>\u2014the message Paul described as:<\/p>\n Romans 1:16, ESV<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cthe power of God for salvation.\u201d<\/strong> That message is:Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23<\/strong>)Christ risen (Romans 6:4<\/strong>)Christ reigning (Revelation 19:16<\/strong>)Christ returning (Acts 1:11<\/strong>)<\/p>\n Everything we preach must point back to Him.<\/p>\n Run\u2014yes. But above all, carry the message Christ gave<\/strong>, not one you invented.Be like the Cushite: faithful to tell the truth.Not like Ahimaaz: running eagerly but empty-handed.May your ministry be rooted in the Gospel, centered on Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n May the Lord bless you and make you a faithful messenger of His Word.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n1. Ahimaaz \u2014 Zealous but uninformed<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. The Cushite \u2014 Faithful, informed, and obedient<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The Cushite is sent<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nAhimaaz outruns the true messenger\u2014but arrives empty<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\nWHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO LEARN?<\/strong><\/h1>\n
THE TRUE MESSAGE OF THE CHURCH IS NOT SELF-DEFINED<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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This is not limited to pastors or apostles.
This is not a \u201cdifferent calling.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not called to preach repentance.\u201d
\u201cI\u2019m not called to make disciples\u2014only to encourage people.\u201d<\/p>\nTRUE MINISTRY ALWAYS POINTS PEOPLE TO CHRIST<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\nARE YOU A MESSENGER WITH A MESSAGE OR WITHOUT ONE?<\/strong><\/h1>\n
If our sermons emphasize comfort but avoid repentance\u2026
If our music stirs emotion but not conviction\u2026
If our \u201cencouragement\u201d leads people to self-confidence instead of Christ-dependence\u2026<\/p>\n
but delivering nothing of eternal value.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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\nTHE MESSAGE IS CHRIST<\/strong><\/h1>\n
It does not need entertainers.
It does not need charm or charisma.<\/p>\n\n
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Serve\u2014yes.
Be zealous\u2014yes.<\/p>\n