“The Life of David – 19” WHERE YOU’LL FIND GRACE 2 Samuel 9:1-13 07/15/2009 Dr. Dane Boyles

“The Life of David – 19” Where does passion for the gospel come from? Such a moment of extraordinary passion leaps out of David’s soul in our text today from 2 Samuel 9. Out of all the scenes in the David story, this little cameo does more to shape the ministry of Jesus and the early church than any other.

“The Life of David – 19” What unlocks our deepest passions to care for others with abandon? This story concerning David’s relationship with a cripple named Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, will answer these questions.

2 Samuel 9:4 4 (Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in both feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she hurried to leave, he fell and became crippled. His name was Mephibosheth.) (2 Samuel 4:4)

“The Life of David – 19” David’s desire is to repay a debt of love owed to his old friend, Jonathon. 1 David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?” (2 Samuel 9:1)

2 Samuel 9:2 2 Now there was a servant of Saul’s household named Ziba. They called him to appear before David, and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” “Your servant,” he replied.

2 Samuel 9:3 3 The king asked, “Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet.”

2 Samuel 9:4-5 4 “Where is he?” the king asked. Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.” 5 So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel.

2 Samuel 9:6 6 When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, “Mephibosheth!” “Your servant,” he replied.

2 Samuel 9:7 7 “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”

2 Samuel 9:8-9 8 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” 9 Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “I have given your master's grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family.

2 Samuel 9:10 10 You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)

2 Samuel 9:11 11 Then Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.

2 Samuel 9:12 12 Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica, and all the members of Ziba’s household were servants of Mephibosheth.

2 Samuel 9:13 13 And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table, and he was crippled in both feet.

“The Life of David – 19” Grace is a dirty word for the devil. It’s the power behind the gospel. (Not creed, religion or philosophy.)

“The Life of David – 19” It’s the wonder of the gospel. (That God would reach somebody like me). It’s the distinction of the gospel. (No other religion is based upon such a concept.)

“The Life of David – 19” GRACE: God’s favor that is unearned, undeserved & un-repayable. 1... be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:1) 10 as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (1 Peter 4:10)

“The Life of David – 19” 18 But grow in grace, ... (2 Peter 3:18) 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (Rev. 22:21)

“The Life of David – 19” Mephibosheth would become the recipient of David’s act of grace, but there’s a deeper story here--the story of God’s grace toward us; it reveals where we can find grace.

“The Life of David – 19” 1. GRACE WILL FIND YOU FIRST. 3 The king asked, “Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” (2 Samuel 9:3)

“The Life of David – 19” 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

“The Life of David – 19” 2. GOD’S GRACE REMEMBERS US. 3. GOD’S GRACE PURSUES US. Ask the prodigal son. Ask Joseph. Ask the Samaritan Woman.

“The Life of David – 19” 4. GOD’S GRACE CARRIES US. 9 My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Cor. 12:9)

“The Life of David – 19” 5. GRACE IS WHERE YOU ABANDON YOUR CRIPPLED PAST. 6. GRACE IS WHERE YOU ABANDON A CRIPPLED MENTALITY. 7. GRACE IS WHERE YOU DISCOVER WHO YOU WERE BORN TO BE.

“The Life of David – 19” 8. GRACE IS WHERE YOU EMBRACE GOD’S FAVOR AT HIS SON’S EXPENSE. 7 for the sake of your father Jonathan. (2 Samuel 9:7) 9. GRACE IS WHERE WE MUST LIVE IN THE ACHIEVEMENT OF ANOTHER.

“The Life of David – 19” Conclusion Where does passion for the gospel come from? Grace is what unlocks our deepest passions to care for others with abandon?

“The Life of David – 19” Grace is what turns our glib service and rank routine into fiery, joyous, life-giving acts.