What is Your Servant
What is Your Servant…?
· God loves you. God loves me. Yeah, yeah - we've heard it all before. But, what does that mean? How does it WORK in my life?
· 1 John 3:1- says (RD). How great it is that God extended His love toward us! How great is loving-kindness of our God.
· Don’t know many pictures better illustrate God’s love and mercy than situation from life of David found in 2 Sam 4 & 9. Want to look at young man – Mephibosheth – man totally stunned by grace extended him. So – what is the account of…
I. David And Mephibosheth
A. God had determined David to be king. Saul despised. However, Saul’s son, Jonathan - David’s dear friend. In fact, Jon & David were so loyal they promised no matter what - always look after other’s families - I Sam 20 & 24. Common for new king take entire family of displaced king - put to death, to eliminate possibility of future opposition and rebellion.
B. War btw David & Saul continued - finally Saul & Jon died in battle at Jezreel. Find David, in 2 Sam 4, war w/ Saul’s other son Ishbosheth. In time, descendants of Saul killed. But, 1 survivor: boy - Mephibosheth, a son of Jonathan. 2 Sam 9 tells us that after David was firmly established on throne, he remembered promise to Jon.
C. In an effort to fulfill his promise to Jonathan, David asked (RD - 2 Sam 9:3a). “Anyone”, David says; not just worthy or deserving. Answer to David's question is, 2 Sam 9:3b (RD). So, David sends for Meph.
· From this text, find picture of God’s saving grace - undeserved and unrepayable. So, let’s look at 5 lessons in God’s mercy from David & Mephibosheth
II. Like Us, Mephibosheth Had a Fall and was Crippled
A. Meph introduced- 2 Sam 4:4 – life of much hardship. (RD) When 5 years old, rec’d word he’s orphan - father & grandfather died. Not only, he had every reason to believe he was king’s enemy - would be next one killed.
B. So, Meph a fugitive, living in fear, constantly dreading one day be found - put to death himself. May asked “Why me?” Home shattered. No father guide him, grandfather to shower him w/ love & affection. Who take care? Who feed him, clothe him, put him to bed? Imagine how alone. Imagine insecurity - no home. Imagine pain of memory of being in the arms of the only one he knew and trusted, fleeing with his nurse.
1. Then, in rocky hills, she slipped - dropped him. Both feet broken. But, couldn’t think a doctor. Must only think about survival. She picked him up, continued to carry him.
2. Bones never mended correctly - never walk again. Dependent on others just to transport him.
C. And in much same way, you & I crippled in our sin. Is 59:1-2 (RD) – we’re distant from God in sin. We’re alone – hopeless. In Eph 2:12, Paul describes it like this (RD). Physically - all face pain, sickness & death. Spiritually – can’t make ourselves righteous enough to approach God.
1. We have same basic problem Meph had. He’s crippled in both feet. We’re crippled when comes to pleasing God on basis of our merit.
2. Like Meph, we’re crippled when fall in sin. Diff? He dropped – we put selves there! Meph someone to blame, least. We don’t! Not Adam – not parents. Jms 1:14 tells me (RD). Sin our choice, and in it – we’re crippled.
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III. Mephibosheth Deserved Nothing; Yet he was Sought by the King
A. Meph lived constant fear. David getting stronger; Meph’s family weaker - dying off. He next? Any day - hear knock on door - taken away to be executed. Uncle Ishbosheth killed. Meph must have wondered, “I next?” 2 Sam 9- Finally got knock on door dreaded. Didn’t know David’s intent. All knew - knock came one day. King’s servant told him he would be taken to king’s palace. Why? Not told. But, good idea not end up well for him and those who cared for him.
B. Chances are, didn’t even know David. But David made self known to Meph - just like God revealed self to us. King David went out of way to seek out lost son. In same way, Jesus came here seeking those not seeking him.
1. John 1:10 says (RD). In Luke 19:10, Jesus Himself said (RD). Generally, people don’t seek after God – really. Mainly cuz they don’t know HOW he can be found. We may know there IS a God – but not how to find Him. In His wisdom & mercy, God revealed Himself to us in Scriptures. Comes down to - God is not lost, we are!
2. Henry David Thoreau, 19th cent. author, philosopher, near death, visited by an aunt who asked him, “Henry, have you made your peace with God?” His reply to her was, “I didn’t know that we had ever quarreled.”
C. Answer reveals profound spiritual ignorance - many like him - utterly unaware of fact: sinned against God - have no idea, in reality, lost - separate from Him. Don’t know 1st step in developing “R” Christ is realizing lost sinner who desperately need found & saved. At least Meph knew an official enemy of King - knew nothing he do make things right. Unless King came, made Himself known to Meph, he’s doomed hide all life.
1. And look where found – (RD - 2 Sam 9:4). David asked Ziba where find Meph. Hiding out in Lo Debar - city east of Jordan River. Whole area barren wasteland. Literal meaning of Lo Debar is “place of no bread.”
2. Meph hiding out in desolate place. David didn’t wait for Jon’s son come out of desolate place; he went there! Like him, we’re in a desolate place in sin - separated from God: a place of no bread. But to that place comes Jesus, who, John 6:35, He says is bread of life. Came to our desolate place to buy us back, so could have life.
3. God took initiative to seek and find. Remember parable of lost sheep in Luke 15? Good Shepherd left 99 sheep back in safety of fold while he scoured countryside all night, looking for one wayward lamb. That’s how God has looked for any lost sinner. Sent part of Himself, God in flesh, to seek and save the lost! And that’s how David looked for Meph!
IV. Saved for Another’s Sake
A. Finally, David’s court, vs 6- Meph falls on face, David called name- “Meph!” He responded (RD 6)! He expects king’s wrath - judgment. I wonder if thinking, “Here comes-all over. Why me?” Know what like to see your friend’s/siblings kids? Wonder if David saw resemblance of Jon on face - same smile, same look in eyes, same expression, same voice, maybe some same mannerisms.
1. Maybe Meph’s nature reflected some strength David saw in Jon. David may’ve missed friend now most of all. Look at vs 7 (RD).Expected king’s wrath; instead, got grace - unbelievable grace!
2. David show kindness – not fear anything. He’d be under protection. David restore all land of his grandpa, Saul.
B. See, David loved Meph from 1st instant - not for own sake - not for anything Meph done to deserve that love - but for Jon’s sake. His love for Jonathan extended thru generations to Jon’s family.
C. Know where this is going don’t you? In same way, God loves us for His Son’s sake. We don’t earn love - we already have His love. God’s love given freely - given in name of His son, Jesus.
1. Reminds me of Eph 1:6. Apostle Paul says (RD) – we’re accepted “in the beloved.” We are fully acceptable to God purely because we belong to His Son, Jesus Christ.
2. What mean? Means when I fall on face b4 God – cry out “Your servant”, He’ll not see me – but Jesus! I’m IN HIM - see face, expression, mannerisms of Christ – even tho it’s ME standing there!
V. Mephibosheth Adopted Into King's Family (Ephesians 1:5; I John 3:1).
A. To show love, David not just receive Meph as friend, but son, could enjoy companionship of king - eat at table. How did Meph respond? (RD vs 8). Other words, “Why this for me?” Kindness received from king overwhelming. David’s love for him cuz of faithfulness of Jon, was a surprising joy. Expected king’s wrath; he got unconditional love & acceptance. He was still crippled - but, no longer orphan, no longer living fear - he sitting at king’s table, as one of his own sons.
B. Why me? Ever thought that? May been let down by some of life’s heartbreaks: lost job - not sure prospects for future; hurt or disappointed by family; serious illness, you loved one; lost sense of direction & purpose in life.
1. And, like Meph maybe find asking, “Why me?” Maybe troubles made you spiritually lame – can’t walk in Lord like used to - your life out of joint. Maybe wonder if God sees you as His enemy – and are afraid. And, in helplessness, running from Him, like Adam in garden, saying to God, (RD Gen 3:10). Other words, I’m ashamed, Lord. I fear you - have no business in your presence.
2. But, listen – here’s the connection to Dave & Meph. God calls you through His word – thru other folks. Can you imagine - expect worst wrath – cuz what deserve! Instead totally stunned by His grace. He shows you cross - His Son, dying in your place - for you. And, all wrath of God for your sin falls on Him.
C. Eph 1:5 (RD). God says, “Come - at banquet table as my sons.” And, find selves b4 Him, saying in awe and wonder, “O my Lord - why me?” Why me? Why you? Answer is: because of God’s grace & sacrifice of Jesus! (RD 1 John 3:1)
· As think about life of Meph, think this way - we sin - separate selves from God, fall & are crippled; in process find selves in far country. But, also true that King has come - gone out of His way to seek us out. Found us in far country and wants to adopt us into His family so we can sit at His table forever.
· Looked 2 weeks at great banquet when bride & Lamb united in Heaven. Church & JC be together at eternal feast. How good it is to know that groom will bring bride to feast. Xians, we are bride of Christ. Jesus wants to set place at HIS banquet table w/ your name on it! He has provided for each of us a place at his table for all eternity.
· Meph’s life is reminder how God seeks those who’re lost - brings them home to His table. That kind of love deserves a response – of some kind! In love & gratitude we need to reach back to one already reached out to us.
· Hearing this invitation, see if you too will respond in absolute awe - wonder, as one totally astounded by His grace? Will you accept God's wonderful grace through your obedient faith - immersion in Jesus?