A Seat at the Table

Good morning Journey Church! If this is your first time or if we have not met yet my name is Cam and I am one of the pastors here at Journey and I am beyond excited for what I believe God is doing and going to do during our time together this morning. But before we jump in I want to tell you that next week we start our Christmas Sermon Series andwe are calling it “Arrival” That Jesus arrived as a baby but He Didn't Stay That Way. This is a series where we want you to lean in as a church as see Christmas from a different perspective.I want you to Begin to pray about and boldly invite friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors to this series, studies show that 85% of people will say yes to coming to church when invited. Even in todays culture, people are hungry for God’s word, do not let this Christmas season go without being the bridge God uses to bring others to Jesus. Because you never know the blessing thats attached to your invite.

You are not going to want to miss the start of that series, but I want to jump into the message I believe that God has for us today, one that has been brewing in me for the last few months. It is a message that I pray will challenge you and encourage you. I have entitled it “A Seat at the Table''.

In just a few days many of you for the first time in a long time, or your skipped thanksgiving with the whole family due to covid, maybe its just been a few year, but, you are going to sit down at a table with close family, distant family, and loved ones and you are going to celebrate thanksgiving. Now I love thanksgiving. I have a rule in my house that the christmas tree and decorations do not come out until all the food and dishes are put away after Thanksgiving, anyone else with me there? Let’s not forget thanksgiving…but its a rule that to this day, but wife Karlee continually views as a mere suggestion. So as you can guess, our tree is currently up.

One of the reasons I love this specific holiday is because of the people. You get to sit down with others that may be completely different than you, aside for the day and enjoy the life you have. Maybe you just hope that aunt or uncle doesn’t bring up politics, religion, or social issues and it will be great. I know people, and we have done this in my family, that if we meet people in our neighborhood who don’t have place to go, well now you have a place to be at. My family if your family, my place is your place, my food if your food, my table is your table and my seat can be your seat. During thanksgiving people have a seat at a table they normally wouldn’t.

This is a great representation not just for a holiday but for our lives, who are you inviting to have a seat at your table? I don’t mean your thanksgiving table, more like who do you invite to be a part of the table of your life? What friends do you have in your life, what conversations do you have and who do you have them with, work relationships, who do you have coffee with, call or text. Who do you intentionally invest in, stop and talk with. You see we all have tables in our life, and we invite people to have a seat at them, so I want to ask you, who do you invite to have a seat at your table and who currently sits at your table?

If we honest and we took a good look at those who we invite to have a seat at your table they probably look a lot like you, think like you, vote like you, believe like you, and the idea of inviting someone different to have a seat at your table gets you way too uncomfortable. Because we falsely believe that we have to agree with everything someone is, or affirm and accept how they think or live to invite them to have a seat at our table, we feel like we can be guilty of association. Which really isn’t the case at all, just because you invite people to have a seat at your table does not mean you approve or condone all that they do.

Isn’t it interesting that for some reason that as Jesus followers the closer we get to Jesus the further we get away from people who look nothing like him. The less likely we are to invite people who are far from Jesus to have a seat at our table. However, that was not the way of Jesus when he lived his life and led his ministry here on earth. Jesus would invite all sorts of people to have meals with him, travel with him, talk with him, be friends with them he would invite them to have a seat at his table. What we see in his ministry is that people who looked nothing like Jesus liked Jesus, and Jesus liked them back. He invited what the religious leaders would call, “Sinners, Prostitutes and Tax Collectors” to have a seat at his table. He called sinners forgiven, Prostitutes Loved and Tax Collectors friends. So let me ask you, who has a seat at your table? Who do you invite in? Do you invite others in?

In 2nd Samuel in the Old Testament we come across a story that is a perfect example of this idea of inviting people to have a seat at your table, and we see it in the life of Israels greatest and most powerful King. David.

It says this, in 2nd Samuel 9 starting in verse 1, “David asked, “Is there anyone still left in the house of Saul whom I can show kindness for Jonathans sake? Here is what you need to know, David is the second king of Israel and he took over the kingdom from Saul, who in the later part of his life tried to kill David on multiple occasions because David was the anointed one to be the next king. Jonathan was David’s best friend and was Saul’s son. But not just that, if there was anyone left in the house of Saul they could have a right to the throne. So as you can tell, this could be a point of contention, but David refuse it to be so.

Now there was a servant of Saul’s household named Ziba. They summoned home to appear before David, and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” At your service her replied. The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness.”

The last phrase is an important one, to whom I can show God’s kindness. This is the heart of David, looking back at all that God has protected him from, rescued him, the blessings God has given him, David is less concerned about himself, but more concerned about giving the same kindness to others. When we realize all we have received from Jesus, we willingly look for others to serve. We don’t look for people to have a seat at our table because we are good, but because God has been good to us. Who is it in your life you can show the kindness of God to? An enemy, someone you have a broken relationship with, kids, ex-spouses, co-workers, maybe someone who clapped back on you on social media, or the neighbor that smokes in their back yard and it wafts its way over to your backyard.

Maybe not an enemy but someone that you fundamentally disagree with on almost every major area in your life. We all have people like that and odds are you are that person to someone else, but like David, it does not matter what the difference is, look to serve others, love others and invite others to sit at your table.

Ziba answered the king. “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.” Where is he? The king asked. Ziba Answered, “he is at teh house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.” So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel.

It says the Mephibosheth was lame in his feet, this was not a birth defect, rather once news broke of Saul’s and Jonathans death in battle the boys nanny picked him up and as they were escaping town Believing that David would kill all of Saul’s family, she fell and broke the legs of mephibosheth. And he has been hiding in a house not of his own. Being Jonathan’s son he had a right to the throne, but instead he had nothing and lived under the house of someone else.

Isn't it true that in life, those who have been hurt tend to run away from God, run away from God’s desire for them, the life he has planned for them, and seek refuge and hiding in place they were never supposed to be. Some go to a different lifestyle or identity group , drugs, alcohol, porn, or say “I’m not religious I’m just spiritual” you name it. They live in places that they were never supposed to be. And yet as we will see David calls Mephibosheth to him and he’s frightened and scared thinking David is going to hurt, imprison him or kill him. And I know so many people who feel the same way about Jesus. When you invite others to have a seat at your table and begin to show them Jesus they are weary and frightened as if Jesus will not love them or care for them, but all you want and all he wants is for them to have a seat at his table.

So David calls Mephibosheth up to him and says, “Don’t be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will report to you all the long that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.

David restores all that Mephibosheth thought he had lost and given more. He doesn’t just receive a seat, he receives an inheritance, that his kids will be blessed by. Because when you invite people to have a seat at your table, and you begin to have conversations with them about Jesus and they become Jesus followers, they are not the only ones who are changed, but their spouse, kids and grandkids can be changed because you invited them to have a seat at your table.

Later on in the text it says we see that David invites Mephibosheth to his table and he was treated like a son to the king. This is an important point I want to make, if you are a Jesus follower, you have received a seat at the table of God in the kingdom of heaven. You are a son of the king, or a daughter of the king but you are not the king. You do not sit at the honor seat or make the rules of the table. Even in your life and your life here on earth you do not sit at the honor seat at your table. Understand this truth, When You Invite Others to Sit at Your Table Only Jesus Sits in The Honor Seat.

Because Jesus has the honor seat at my table that means I can and I will invite anyone and everyone to have a seat at my table. To have a place in my life…So that means…

If you are republican you have a seat at my table, if you are a democrat you have a seat at my table, if you are someone if a different religion you have a seat at my table, if you are gay you have a seat at my table, if you are lesbian you have a seat at my table, if you have a different worldview than me you have a seat at my table. But do not be misguided or confused you do not have the seat of honor or are able to dictate the table rules. Only Jesus sits at the seat of honor at my table and he goes I go, as he teaches I teach, and he speaks I speak, as he serves I serve, as he loves I love. And I will unapologetically pray in faith that you too will one day submit to Jesus, to obey his word and live the life he calls holy and righteous.

I do this not because it is convenient but because it is commanded. I do this not because I am great but because he is great, and Jesus went before and did this on behalf of you and for me, that whoever believes in Jesus as Lord and Savoir receives a seat at the table of God in the kingdom of heaven.

So if you are a Jesus follower, you have no right to not invite… who is it right now that comes to mind? Who is it in your life that you need to extend the invitation to have a seat? If you want to see God transform our church, if you want to see God transform your neighborhood and if you want to see God transform our city into the image of Jesus, it starts with you. It starts with you putting aside differences and prejudices, it starts with you loving people enough to not care what others think about you, so that anyone can have a seat at your table. So as you walked in on your seat you received a card and on that card that says, “I need to invite…3 blanks, to have a seat at my table.” Three names, who are three people in your life that you need to extend and invitation too, make amends, ask for forgiveness or tell about Jesus.” Keep this card with you, place it on your dash, bedside or mirror and continually pray that God would open up your heart, life and give you opportunities to invite them to have a seat at your table

We are able to extend seats to tables because we first received a seat at the table of God in the Kingdom of Heaven by Jesus. I know not everyone in here is a Jesus follower, and not everyone has a seat at the table of God in the Kingdom of Heaven because you have not believed and received Christ.

As I was writing this message I was reminded of a modern day parable that is one of my favorites that can help us put a capstone to this message…

Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate. The widowed, elder man looked on with satisfaction as his only child became an experienced art collector. The son’s trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the world.

As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again. Within days, his fears were confirmed. The young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic.

Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season, a season that he and his son had so looked forward to, would visit his house no longer. On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home.

As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand. He introduced himself to the man by saying, "I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you." As the two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man’s son had told everyone of his, not to mention his father’s, love of fine art. "I’m an artist," said the soldier, "and I want to give you this." As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the son.

As the stories of his son’s gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and satisfaction began to ease the grief. The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces for which museums around the world clamored. He told his neighbors it was the greatest gift he had ever received.

The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation!

Unmindful of the story of the man’s only son, but in his honor, those paintings would be sold at an auction. According to the will of the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned on Christmas day, the day he had received his greatest gift. The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world’s most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved as many claim "I have the greatest collection." The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum’s list. It was the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent.

"Who will open the bidding with $100?" he asked. Minutes passed. No one spoke. From the back of the room came, "Who cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son. Let’s forget it and go on to the good stuff."

More voices echoed in agreement. "No, we have to sell this one first," replied the auctioneer. "Now, who will take the son?" Finally, a friend of the old man spoke, "Will you take ten dollars for the painting? That’s all I have. I knew the boy, so I’d like to have it."

"I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer. After more silence, the auctioneer said, "Going once, going twice. Gone." The gavel fell, cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, "Now we can get on with it and we can bid on these treasures!"

The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced the auction was over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked, "What do you mean it’s over? We didn’t come here for a picture of some old guy’s son. What about all of these paintings? There are millions of dollars of art here! I demand that you explain what’s going on here!" The auctioneer replied, "It’s very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever receives the son…receives it all."

According to the will of the father, whoever receives the son receives it all. When you Receive Jesus you receive it all.

Or put it another way, when you receive the son you Receive a seat to the table of God in the Kingdom of heaven. So let me ask you, do you believe in Jesus? - Salvation message -

Prayer