The Grace of God (02/24/19)

Excited to get in the word with you this morning. We're actually going to finish this little series that we've been doing on the glory of God. I started it at the beginning of January really to kind of give us as a spiritual Community a New Year's resolution together and I wanted it to be a New Year's resolution that was actually worthwhile. And so this is what I presented and and and have really your response has been very very good in this that how about in 2019. We fall more in love with Jesus that that's it. I know it sounds simple but it's not simplistic. It's absolutely profound. What was the end of this year? Our hearts are more in love with Jesus. Our our minds are more captivated by Jesus and Lord willing Our Lives look more like Jesus at the end of this year than they do today. And in order for that to happen, we need God to help us we need transformation and so are foundational text has been 2nd Corinthians 3:18 that says we all with unveiled face beholding the glory of the Lord. Holding God's Beauty in God's power. Control God's faithfulness. God's goodness Understanding God's presence in the and God's kingdom and how he moves and acts that in beholding the glory of the Lord. We are being transformed into the same image from one degree of Glory to another

I don't know about you, but that's my heart. I want to keep walking with Jesus. I've started with him. What I what I have of Jesus is so good. And so beautiful that it doesn't leave me faded. Like I've got enough it leaves me wanting more. I want more of Jesus. I want to see more of his glory. I want to know more of him. I want to experience more of his presence and I want more transformation in my life in your life in our life. That we might be more and more like Jesus really this whole series. I've been talking about that process of change and growth and in the Christian reality in the in the in the reality of following Jesus by faith. That means that we've been talking about Grace this whole time and so this morning what I'd like to do in finishing and wrapping up this this series is talk about the grace. God I'm I'm convinced there's nothing like the grace of God there is nothing more important than the grace of God. The grace of God is so absolutely unique story. I remember reading. I'm pretty sure it's about CS Lewis. That's not I don't know. The matter let's just Lewis was at a conference and there's a bunch of theologians and philosophers and academics. And and one of those things that they wanted to do was figure out what is the unique thing about Christianity what makes Christianity stand apart from all the other religions and philosophies and worldviews and all that sort of stuff and Archeology. But but in reality, every religion has the ology every philosophy has doctrines and ideas that that doesn't make us you need somebody said what will maybe it's our practices but every religion and philosophy has practices has activities. That doesn't make us unique. Somebody said well, maybe it's the Miracles the move of the spirit. But in reality there are other powers at work in this world that can produce miraculous Supernatural events as well. That doesn't make us unique and at this point because Lewis had just been sitting there silently and somebody said to him. What do you think it is? He says all that simple. It's great. Grace is what makes Christianity unique every other religion every other fill a philosophical system and worldview operates antithetical to great. They all work this way. They say you will be accepted if you behave That that's how they all work. If you do this, then this thing will happen to you. They are all conditioned and formulated upon behavior and performance. If you do this, then God or the gods or whatever it is will be pleased with you. That is how they all work. And Grace doesn't work that way at all Grace comes to you and says actually it doesn't matter what you do because even at your best you wouldn't measure Grace comes to you and says you're not accepted because you perform you accepted because God is love. You're accepted not because of what you do, you're actually accepted in spite of what you do. Grace says you're accepted because of what God does.

There is nothing like the grace of God grace changes everything as I was praying and thinking about it this week. I I chose a text this morning out of the Old Testament on purpose because sometimes there's this misconception that the Old Testament is about law and performance, but then God got nice and sent Jesus and now in the New Testament we've got graced and nothing could be farther from the truth. Much like last week. I said it's always been about the kingdom. It's about the kingdom now, it will always be about the kingdom. It's always been by Grace It Is by Grace now and it will always be by gray without Grace we are lost and adrift without hope with Grace we have everything. Grace changes everything. So if you got your Bibles, would you open up the second Samuel chapter 9 I want to look at the story of David and the son of Jonathan name mephibosheth is my favorite story of Grace in the Old Testament by far. Starts out this way. David said is there still anyone left of the House of Saul that I might show him kindness for Jonathan's sake we we find David in a rare moment of Peace in his life. David was a warrior king. He was always in battle and a war either being chased or or being used by God to rout the enemy in this moment. David is resting. Nobody's rebelling there's no enemies on the on the Forefront. He's resting and reflecting and in his reflection you remember something he said, is there anyone still left of the House of Saul that I might show him kindness for Jonathan's sake David remembers an oath that he made first to Jonathan and then to Saul which we find that oath. You're not first Samuel chapter 24. This is one of those moments where David had the opportunity to take salsa life, but he refused to do it. He was not going to take the kingdom by force. If God was going to give him the kingdom of God was going to give it to him. He would not lift his hand against the Lord's anointed even though salt was doing everything in his power to kill him when David once again didn't kill softcell realizes you're in a different League surely the kingdom is going to come to you. That's what he says. Speaking in verse 20 and now behold I know that you shall surely be king and that the Kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. Swear to me there for by the Lord that you will not cut off my Offspring after me and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house and David's wore this to Saul and Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the strong Hall interesting moment is interaction Saul Still The King, but David's been chosen an anointed to beat King Saul admit. This is going to Happen any ask for an oath David swear to me that when I'm gone and you become king you will watch after my descendants. That's actually a very legitimate thing for salt to ask him because in the ancient near East and really across the world a twin kingdoms transition. One of the first things the new incoming King does is destroy and kill all the descendants of the previous King. It's just pragmatic if I destroy them then there's nobody else who has a right to the throne. They would kill their children their grandchildren their aunts or uncles or cousins anybody that might have some sort of semblance of a claim to the throne when the new king came in to clean out house so that nobody could challenge his rule. That's just standard operating procedure for New Kings on those this so he asked David pledge to me Covenant with me make this. Oh promise me that when this happens when you become king for the sake of Jonathan my son whom you love David remember my family and do not cut them and David makes that promise. So in 2nd Samuel 9 he remembers it. So it says in verse to another was a servant of the House of Saul whose name was the Vive and they called him to David and the King said to him is Eva and he said I am your servant and the King said is they're not still someone of the House of Saul that I may show the kindness of God. Damn. Think that word kindness should be translated Grace or Mercy. It's so much more than kindness. I mean, I like kindness kindness is nice kindness is when somebody buy you a cup of coffee that makes you feel good changes your mood for a moment sinuses when somebody compliments you on what you're wearing or that you've lost weight or something like that as are those are kind thing. I like kindness but this is not what David wants to do. David doesn't want to just be nice to somebody David wants to show Grace to someone he wants to change their life. He wants to fulfill his oath and demonstrate the power of Grey. Zebra, the servant said to the king there is still a son of Jonathan. But he's crippled in both his feet. What would be the saying here is yeah, there is somebody but he's not a threat to you David. He's crippled in both his fee in most of the ancient world to be crippled in both. Your feet was considered a grave sign of condemnation of judgment. The thinking went like this will if that happens to you. There must have been a reason that happened. There must have been something. This is a sign of judgment and you are an object of scorn and derision. He's just a cripple He's valueless. He's worthless. I can hear almost the scorned and ziva's response. Yeah, there is someone he's a son of Jonathan.

You don't need to worry about him. I love the story of how he actually got crippled. We find it in 2nd Samuel chapter 4 verse 4 and I guess love is maybe the wrong word and it's not a happy story. Jonathan the son of Saul had a son who is crippled in his feet. He was 5 years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel and his nurse took him up and fled and as she fled in her haste, he fell and became lame and his name was

think about that. He wasn't born crippled. He had only functioning legs. He was a young child at five years old. He was walking and dancing and doing all the crazy stuff that five-year-olds to put on the day that his father and grandfather were killed and bad on the day when David became king everyone in the Palace of Saul panic. Because they understood what was coming. They didn't know the David has made an oath. They thought surely David is going to come and he is going to kill everyone here. Is this poor helpless five little boy. Was just lost his father just lost his grandfather. Now. He's going to lose his home. He's going to lose his place. He's losing his reputation in his influence. He's losing his wealth and then in a moment of fear and panic is nurse was supposed to take care of him Falls drops him and he loses the ability to walk.

Thank you could open up the dictionary under tragedy and see a picture of mephibosheth. people lost everything

David David doesn't care who doesn't even respond to Ziva about him being crippled because Grace isn't picky. Somebody say Amen. Racism picky Grace doesn't just look for the strong. Grace doesn't look for those that have achieved or accomplished much grace looks for one thing. Only Grace looks for need. And that's good news for you. And I because though we often try to present ourselves to each other and to the world like we've got it all together at the end of the day without God. We are hopeless and broken.

I got one thing going for me. I got a lot of need and God has a lot of Grace David doesn't even respond. The king just says to him. Where is he? Where is Ziva said to the king what he's in the house of Mac are the son of a meal at lo-debar. It's like that name lodebar. It's one of those names in the Old Testament that actually has a very significant meaning of lodebar means no pasture. Think about that we live in in the desert. We live in a Wilderness that's very similar actually to the the land of the David was in how bad does a place have to be in the desert that when somebody goes there and names that they said this is the worst of the worst are no pastor means no. Hope no pastor means no life in means no future here. He's lost everything. Where is he? He is in the land of no pasture awaiting death.

dwelling in lo-debar

King David sent and brought him from the house of McClure the son of a meal at low bar.

What I love about this story and what I love about Grace. Is this Grace reaches out? Grace initiate Grace makes the first move. I love what David didn't say. David didn't say well if he ever wants to come here. I'll take care of him cuz I made an oath. If he ever wants to come all I'm not going to kill him he's good, but he's got to come to me. Not how Grace work. Race doesn't wait for us to get our act together. Grace doesn't wait for us to even ask Grace reaches out. Grace makes the first move. soldiers Go Getta Bring him to me. Grace takes the initiative and reaches out.

I don't get it. We got to reach out to me. I didn't deserve it. When God reached out to you you didn't deserve it didn't deserve it. The heart belongs to bless the heart of Grace always makes the first move.

Now that first move. Might seem beautiful to us. I'm not sure mephibosheth would have thought that way. Can you imagine imagine in a place called lodebar? There's a lot of visibility right? There's not a lot of tree. There's not a lot of bushes if they Can See For Miles and I imagine that morning mephibosheth waking up and hearing the sound of soldier maybe horses and and a chariot or two cuz I'm going to have to get them back.

Imagine that sound what it did to his heart. He's probably going to expecting it all of his life at five years old. He had to run and sleep and he was crippled since then. He's been helpless unable to care for himself unable to do anything. He has been absolutely helpless, but afraid wondering when is it the David's going to come for me? When is it that they're going to take my life? When is David's going to finish?

Imagine when he heard those soldiers coming he was anything but excited.

The story continues mephibosheth the son of Jonathan son of Saul came to David and bow on his face. and pay vomit David said and he answered the whole I am your servant. Imagine I imagine he came into that Throne Room. Absolutely expecting the. This is it. It's the end of the road. But David said to him. Let these words wash over. Do not. beer for I will show you kindness.

for the sake of your father

do not fear.

Don't be afraid. I'm going to give you Gray. Don't be afraid.

This is not going to go the way you think it's going to go. A Grace finally reaches out, but Grace relief. Grace sets us free from Fear great sets us free from anxiety and shame kicks. Grace is not about how good we are or what we have to offer. We don't have to worry that I do enough to get Grace. That was I too bad for Grace is Grace really Grace is freely given if it receives from our fear. You cannot stand in the presence of Grey. So don't be afraid you're not going to die. You're actually going to experience life for the first time Grace relieves. Both David continues number 7. He says and I will restore to you all of the land of saw your father and you shall eat at my table all way. I don't think he woke up in lodebar thinking things were going to turn out this way and prostrated himself Dolph before the king expecting that he's going to be killed and the King religious. There's do not be afraid. Cuz I'm actually going to bless the socks off you unattended.

the Grace Grace restores Grace restores what sin is broken? Grace restores what sin has taken away Grace is not concerned about what you can give to me. Grace is concerned about what I can give and do for you Grace is restore to Grace is about Justice Grayson. Who had those land who had Saul and Jonathan's Landing David? Did the new king gets the Old King stuff. Game says, I'm not keeping that I'm giving it back to you. Your Jonathan son. Your Saul's grandson. You're going to get back. What was taken away from you Grace store?

But it doesn't stop there. It just keeps getting better and better. What is your servant that you would show regard for a dead dog such as I

Grace is so profoundly mysterious and different. But if you don't feel some sort of hesitation, if you don't feel some sort of Scandal some sort of surprised. This can't be true. It's too good to be true then I don't think you understood Grace. remember story of the great deal Moody evangelist and in America, and he he he was in a an urban urban Blue Collar area and he was holding this Evangelistic service and several hundred just roughed up very broken sinful people came and he presented the gospel any any laid it out and at the end he said who wants to receive Jesus and every single hand went up in the play and Moody was like It was too much for him. He didn't couldn't believe the guy had actually moved in that way. It's what he said. Well, if you want that you have to come back tomorrow. It was too much for him to leave his faith couldn't handle with Grace did and so he said come back to mouth. They did they came back tomorrow and they brought dozens and hundreds more with them and he did this and this time we have every hand went up. He's like, okay, I guess. Is actually doing that and all of these people came to say grace is scandalous. When you really come up a good against race, there's a there's a part of you. Sometimes it's our sinful Pride David just a dead worthless. I'm nothing. I'm no one.

Grace doesn't look at you that way.

I love it. Cuz Again David just ignores him. He doesn't get into a conversation about how bad for the chef is or how he doesn't deserve it or how any of that he just moved on. So the king called Zeba Saul servant and said, um all that belong to us all into his house. I've given to your Masters grandson and you and your son and your servants shall till the land for him and she'll bring in the produce your Masters grandson may have bread to eat.

One day he's in lodebar a cripple the next day. You got lands. He's got houses. He's got servants. He's got bread to eat.

But he actually doesn't even need that bread because he says this but mephibosheth your Masters grandson She'll always eat at my table now has Eva had 15 son and 20 servants. Zeba said to the king according to all that my Lord the king commands his servants. So will your servant do? The grace reaches out and Grace relieves fear and Grace restores that which has been broken by sin that Grace doesn't stop there Grace richly laughing. Abundantly blessed extravagantly.

There is like I'mma give you back what was yours and I'm giving you more on top of it. I'm going to make sure your provider for your going to have bread to eat, but you're never going to eat it cuz you're going to eat at my table.

Grace changes everything Grace lavishes love Grace is not stingy God's goodness towards you is not small. It's not begrudging Grace loves to bless. Grace blesses richly

so the story goes so mephibosheth eight. At David's table like one of the King's son. I talked about it here before an ancient Eastern culture and even to this day to invite someone into your home to share table Fellowship is an act of acceptance and active it actually brings responsibility and obligation. If I bring you into my house and I share table with you. I'm now honor-bound to protect you to provide for you. It's a it's an act of full acceptance. You're you're one of us. You come to the table as an equal.

How many set? Set as one of my sons at my table. I got a place for you. Finish up had a young son. His name was Micah and all who lived in ziva's house became the fish the fish at servants and mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem for he ate always at the king's table.

I love this restatement. Now. She was lame in both his feet. What a what a change. Lame at both your feet in lodebar and lamb at both your feet at the king's table are completely different things Grace changed everything from a feather shop. So not only does Grace reach out and relieve and restore and richly bless Grace.

Grace Redeemer It sets free it brings life and hope it guarantees of future mephibosheth his son Micah his family. They got a place. They got landed got served more than anything. They've got the favor of the king and they sit at his table every day.

I like to imagine it dinner time at King David's Palace. I like to imagine almost any dinner. Let's be honest, but dinner time at the king's I mean this is got to be food worth eating a spectacle every single day. I don't know that ring a bell or pound of drum or whatever announce it. It's dinner time in the battlefield or training. I imagine Solomon coming in, you know out of the study's got ink all over his fingers. He's thinking about stuff that nobody else can understand. He's like deep in it and I think a beautiful Tamar and the other Sons and Daughters they all come and take their place in comes David the case he sits at the head of the table. There. They are there always been nobody touches their food yet because they're still one more to come.

I like to imagine the sound down the hallway. At the crutches of the machine finish at Clank and drag Plank and drag Clank and dragon incomes. Jonathan's son the crippled guy and he takes his seat at the table of the king and his legs are covered. by the tablecloth of Grace

when you look at that table, you can't see who's crippled and who's not. They're all equal at the table of Grey. Mephibosheth has been redeemed. He's been set free. He's been bought at a price David willingly. Joyously paid the price to Lavish Grace upon my finish the story. But it's so much more than that. Sure. Because this is not just a story of David and mephibosheth. It's a story. ajith See David is a shadow an image of Jesus. And while David showed Grace upon one, man. Jesus came to show Grace and shower Grace upon then fine. Think about the story through Jesus's Len the Jesus not reach out first. You didn't wait for us to get our act together. He didn't ask for you didn't wait for us to come to him. Jesus came when we needed him the most and we were at our worst while we were yet sinners.

Christ died for us Jesus Took the initiative. Jesus always takes the initiative the grace of Jesus always reaches out. It's reaching out that again right now this morning to each other.

Jesus reached out to Jesus. Not really. Our fears in our anxiety. Is it not Jesus who said if a bruised Reed, I will not break a smoldering Ember. I will not snuff out. Jesus didn't come to come to me all who are morally righteous and have your life together. Come to me. Those of you who are strong come to me. Those of you who are wise come to me. All of you that know how life is supposed to Jesus said come to me all who are weary.

Come to me those of you who are heavy. Laden. and I will give you rat. Jesus is our key not because we Vernon. Because we deserve that we listen. I know what I deserve from God and I thank him everyday that he did not give me what I deserve. But instead by Grace gave me cheap.

Jesus reached out Jesus really Jesus restore is that not what he came to do to restore. The spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me to Proclaim good news to the poor to bind up the break a broken heart release the captives and prison to take a spirit of morning and get us a spirit of dancing to rebuild the broken places. Jesus came to restore. One of my favorite stories restoration is with Peter. I've always loved Peter. He's Brash. He's crazy. Does La stupid stuff. I look in the mirror. I see Peter.

Lord Jesus I will never I will never deny you I'll never betray you I'll die for you out in the courtyard during the trial not once not twice three times. I don't know him. He lies he denies he curses he rejects Christ heater is a broken and even after the resurrection even after he sees the Risen Jesus the Stars the wound even after that Peter is a broken man. He leaves and goes to Galilee and starts fishing again. I understand the thinking of Peter. I've blown it. I'm done. It's over for me. I'm glad Jesus is Alive. That's great, but he can't use me. I'm too broken. I'm too worthless niacin is too deep and Jesus doesn't leave them. Jesus goes and gets them Jesus shows up at the beach calls them in and Jesus makes him breakfast. Once again. I'm thinking that was good, but they're over that breakfast. What does Jesus do Peter do you love me? I love you.

Then feed my sheep. I don't think Peter was ready to do that. I think Peter was broken heel of the Lord, but he was done. He was not usable. Jesus looks another Peter. Do you love me?

Take care of my lamps. third time love Nikki are you know I love you know all things. computer Stop living in the shame and regret of your failure. Step up and live in the grace that I give you D who I say you are not what your senses you. Hell of the restoration of Peter some of you were here this morning and you think that your sin have disqualified you from doing what God wants you to do and you got to hear me this morning. There is no sin that Grace cannot redeem.

There's no one too far gone. You may think you're mephibosheth in lodebar and God loves to take broken people and do amazing thing. That's what Jesus.

Jesus richly bless you, richly Ephesians 1:3 blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing and he lavishes his love upon her. Grace has blessed us beyond our wildest imagination. According to the standards of this world. This is not some garbage health wealth and Prosperity Gospel.

He blesses us with what really matter Lashley Jesus redeem

He sets us free. He pays the price when he said on the cross, it is finished. He wasn't joking around he meant the debt has been paid. The price had been met. Jesus died the death we deserve to die so that we might live the life that she lived in and he deserved. Jesus is the Redeemer Grace redeems. If I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it. You don't deserve it.

I deserve hell you deserve how Jesus gives us Grace Jesus is the Redeemer. So much so that Park and Ride these beautiful and Pregnant words in Romans 8:1. There is now therefore no condemnation.

For those who are in Christ Jesus Jesus is the Redeemer who sets us free not because of how good we are because of how perfect he is not because of our obedience in spite of our Disobedience because of his perfect obedience. Grace sets us. free