Sermon Tone Analysis

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.

·   

*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.