Who Sits at the Table?: We all need help.

Intro: Finally got a seat at the table.

The phrase, “Getting a seat at the table” express an opportunity of power and influence. Getting a seat at the table means to be in the space of influence and power that will impact others in a significant way. Person at the table gets an opportunity to make decisions that have great reach. But who has been invited to this table?

This table represents power, prestige and privilege. That is one table expression.

Another table expression is to demonstrate familiarity, friendship, and influence. This Invitation to this kind of table is an invitation to know someone in a more familiar way by breaking bread with them. We go out to eat with people to build relationships and indirectly give them permission to influence your life. So think of the people you have shared a table with. Some have been by choice and others not so much, but they were at the table.

Invitation to table can also be an invitation to know someone in a more familiar way by breaking bread with them. We go out to eat with people to build relationships and indirectly give them permission to influence your life. So think of the people you have shared a table with. Some have been by choice and others not so much, but they were at the table.

his Invitation to table can also be an invitation to know someone in a more familiar way by breaking bread with them. We go out to eat with people to build relationships and indirectly give them permission to influence your life. So think of the people you have shared a table with. Some have been by choice and others not so much, but they were at the table.

Who have you invited to your table? Who have you decided to sit with someone you did not really know? Think of the initiative it takes in meeting new people who are different from you.

Think how this table would look different if it reflected only who have you invited to your table? Who have you decided to sit with someone you did not really know? Think of the initiative it takes in meeting new people who are different from you.

Seek to invite people to the table

2 Samuel 9:1 NLT

1 One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

2 Samuel 9:1-

David is looking to honor his oath he gave to Jonathan.

1 Samuel 20:14–17 NLT

14 And may you treat me with the faithful love of the Lord as long as I live. But if I die, 15 treat my family with this faithful love, even when the Lord destroys all your enemies from the face of the earth.” 16 So Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, saying, “May the Lord destroy all your enemies!” 17 And Jonathan made David reaffirm his vow of friendship again, for Jonathan loved David as he loved himself.

1 Samuel 20:42 NLT

42 At last Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn loyalty to each other in the Lord’s name. The Lord is the witness of a bond between us and our children forever.” Then David left, and Jonathan returned to the town.

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David looks to keep his promise and honor the recipients of this promise.

1Samuel 20:42

Seek help to invite to the table.

David found help by the Servant name Ziba, of Saul’s house.

2 Samuel 9:3 NLT

3 The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.” Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.”

2 Samuel 12:

We learn of his injury in

2 Samuel 4:4 NLT

4 (Saul’s son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was crippled as a child. He was five years old when the report came from Jezreel that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. When the child’s nurse heard the news, she picked him up and fled. But as she hurried away, she dropped him, and he became crippled.)

Life can bring difficulties that we will have to deal with that we did not ask for at any time in life. Often times these situations come uninvited. The day begins and you think, “Today is going to be a good day.” Then you face an unplanned hardship and the day spirals down and if it lingers it disrupts your life.

Like a child playing a board game with their parent. Everything is good until they realize they are going to loose. Then the next thing you hear is, “I don’t want to play anymore.”

We may start out looking like things are great and suddenly everything changes not in our favor and we can either choose to give up or press on.

David seeks to invite him to the table.

2 Samuel 9:4–5 NLT

4 “Where is he?” the king asked. “In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.” 5 So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home.

2 Samuel 9:

Who sits at your table?

The people who sit at your table first have to be able to reach your table. There are so many obstacles that limit people from getting t to the table. There are obstacles like economics, politics, gender and ethnicity and religion.

How did they get there?

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People get to the table through different ways.

1. Some people are born with privilege and have a seat at the table.

2. Some have worked hard and their efforts help to gain them access to the table.

3. Some have worked and just can not seem to make it anywhere. (they need help)

Someone may invite you to the table and what is the best response to the table.

2 Samuel 9:6

2 Samuel 9:6 NLT

6 His name was Mephibosheth; he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth.” Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.”

Stay humble at the table

Humility is needed around the table. You can not go wrong with humility. God loves the humble and opposes the proud. In the position of humility you are in the position to be lifted up.

God looks to life you up.

Jesus lifted me when nothing else could help. I’m so glad Jesus lifted me.

The gift of Kindness to get to the table.

2 Samuel 9:7

2 Samuel 9:7–13 NLT

7 “Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!” 8 Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?” 9 Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. 10 You and your sons and servants are to farm the land for him to produce food for your master’s household. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, will eat here at my table.” (Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.) 11 Ziba replied, “Yes, my lord the king; I am your servant, and I will do all that you have commanded.” And from that time on, Mephibosheth ate regularly at David’s table, like one of the king’s own sons. 12 Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. From then on, all the members of Ziba’s household were Mephibosheth’s servants. 13 And Mephibosheth, who was crippled in both feet, lived in Jerusalem and ate regularly at the king’s table.

David looks to bring Mephibosheth to the table because he is honoring his word he gave to his great friend. So because of this word Jonathan’s son is blessed by the King.

Mephibosheth on his own could not make it the table. He has been disqualified because of his family, but Jonathan’s relationship with David saved him.

Relationship with Christ saves us.

God the father has sent us Jesus to give us an invitation to the table. This table is a table of fellowship and relationship. Jesus invites us to his table to eat of his body and drink of his blood. We are not worthy on our own to get to this table, but Jesus lifts us to this table.