Sermon – “Come to the Table of Grace”

Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 And there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba. So when they had called him to David, the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” He said, “At your service!” 3 Then the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kind-ness of God?” And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet.” 4 So the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “Indeed he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.” 5 Then King David sent and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo De-bar. 6 Now when Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell on his face and prostrated himself. Then David said, “Mephibosheth?” And he answered, “Here is your servant!” 7 So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.” 8 Then he bowed himself, and said, “What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?” 9 And the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “I have given to your master’s son all that belonged to Saul and to all his house. 10 You therefore, and your sons and your servants, shall work the land for him, and you shall bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s son shall eat bread at my table always.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king has commanded his servant, so will your servant do.” “As for Mephibosheth,” said the king, “he shall eat at my table like one of the king’s sons.” 12 Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Micha. And all who dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants of Mephibosheth. 13 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. And he was lame in both his feet.

Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. 3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. 4 And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.

11 And Jonathan said to David, “Come, let us go out into the field.” So both of them went out into the field. 12 Then Jonathan said to David: “The LORD God of Israel is witness! When I have sounded out my father sometime tomorrow, or the third day, and indeed there is good toward David, and I do not send to you and tell you, 13 may the LORD do so and much more to Jonathan. But if it pleases my fa-ther to do you evil, then I will report it to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. And the LORD be with you as He has been with my father. 14 And you shall not only show me the kindness of the LORD while I still live, that I may not die; 15 but you shall not cut off your kindness from my house forever, no, not when the LORD has cut off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.” 16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “Let the LORD require it at the hand of David’s enemies.” 17 Now Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

14 And David stayed in strongholds in the wilderness, and remained in the mountains in the Wilder-ness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand. 15 So David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. And David was in the Wilderness of Ziph in a forest. 16 Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God. 17 And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Even my father Saul knows that.” 18 So the two of them made a cov-enant before the LORD. And David stayed in the woods, and Jonathan went to his own house.

15 Now when one of those who sat at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, “Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!”

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

You know that course and that last phrase said that God reveals his heart reveal his heart to you how does God reveal his heart to us today oftentimes through his people right with the day’s passing to be going back into the Old Testament Second Samuel titled The message come to the table of Grace and we’re going to have an Old Testament example of God’s heart being revealed to someone and God again reveals his heart he should be revealing his heart he wants to reveal his heart through His Church to his people way men Second Samuel Chapter nine versus one through thirteen. Hear the word of the Lord now David said is there still anyone who is left of the House of Saul that I may show him kindness for Jonathan sake and there was a servant of the house a saw whose name was EBA So when they had called him to David the king said to him our use EBA He said At your service then the king said is there not still some one of the House of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God He wants to reveal God’s kindness to anyone left of the House of Jonathan and Zeba said to the king there is still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet so the king said to him Where is he and Zeba said to the king indeed he is in the house of my curve the son of a meal and load the bar load the bar means house of no bread. Then King David sent and brought him out of the house of my car to the son the MacArthur the son of a meal from load a bar now and with Chef the son of Jonathan the son of Saul had come to David he fell on his face and prostrated himself then David said much sympathy. And he answered here is your servant so David said to him Do not fear for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father sake and restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather and you shall eat bread at my table continually Then he bowed himself and said What is your servant that you should look upon such a dead dog as I and the king called to Zeba so servant and said to him I have given to your master’s son all that belongs to Saul and to all his house you therefore and your sons and your servants shall work the land for him and you shall bring in the harvest that your master’s son may have food to eat but Seth your master’s son shout eat bread at my table always now Zeba had fifteen sons and twenty servants then Zeba said to the king according to all that my lord the king has commanded his servant so will your servant do as form of Seth said the king he shall eat at my table like one of the King’s sons who finished at had a young son whose name with Micah and all who dwelt in the houses Ybor were servants of. So. Well in Jerusalem for eight continually at the king’s table and he was lame in both feet they got out his blessings to the hearing and the reading of His Holy Word that is pray Grace is seventy father we do praise you and magnify you Father we thank you for this example of grace and father we know that it is by your amazing grace that we have the life that we have the hope of eternal life and Father we thank you for your word and I pray your blessing upon all who hear your word and I just pray that your word would move us move us toward God to reveal your heart to those around us Father may your spirit your peace be upon us today may your name be exalted may you be lifted on high in Jesus’ name amen. Now many may not know who is they may I mean I just read that but you may not have known who he was so just for a little background he was the grandson of the very first king of Israel Israel. Cried out the God they wanted a king they wanted a king to lead them to. That they could have someone they could look to not that was not God’s plan for the nation of Israel he didn’t want them to have a king like the other nations around them it was God’s desire that they would just look to him the one true king but not have a human being that they could look to as king because he knew what was best for them because surely whenever they would have a king that the king would require taxes from them because it takes a lot of. Stuff the run a kingdom right you got to have a lot of finances to operate a kingdom so then you think about kings and kingdoms whenever you have a king over a nation what tends to happen to that king. Cry cry cry. Their heads get so big they think wow we’re going to go out and let’s go conquer this other nation beside us because we can have more land so they’re going to lead your sons off in the battle when many may not come home they’re going to take your finances from you to help support their endeavors. So they did not know what they was asking for but they asked for a king and God gave them what they wanted they let he let them choose a king may chuse all saw I believe it said was head and shoulders above everyone else in the community he was a tall handsome powerful looking man so they choose saw. But saw all disobey God. God had spoken to the prophet Samuel to tell them to go and destroy them Allah kites and everything every man woman child the law of stock everything but he disobeyed so all did what he wanted to do and God declared that he would remove the kingdom from Saul and his family they would go to another family it would even be the same family line so there you have a little bit of history Saul was a first king he had a son named Jonathan who I just spoke of and Jonathan then had a son name a famous chef tough name right. But Jonathan and David this is could only happen with God became best friends Saul after after he disobeyed God He was tormented by dreams so he brought David into the palace and David played to the heart played music to soothe him that he’d be able to rest and it was while David was there in the palace and the family that his and Jonathan’s hearts has their souls in it together. John of than the would be heir the would be aired of the kingdom. He believe the prophet he believed the knew that it was going to be day. David that was going to be king after his father in not himself but then mazing thing is that did not cause any resentment it didn’t cause any bitterness or anger in Jonathan’s heart completely the opposite he loved David as his own soul would said he and David made three covenants together which are worthy to review to help us better understand this entire passage in First same new chapter eighteen verses one through four it says now when he David had finished speaking to Saul the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David. You know if you have. A couple really amazingly close friends you are so blessed if you have one you are blessed but if you have someone that your souls are knit together friends forever nothing could tear it apart you are truly blessed person Jonathan was knit to the soul of David and Jonathan loved him as his own soul soul took him that day will not let him go home to his father’s house any more than Jonathan Jonathan like Karen have a hard time speaking that Jonathan and David made a covenant because he loved him as his own sold and Jonathan took off the road that was on him and gave it to David David the city with his armor even to his sword and his bow and his belt my friends do you understand what that reason represents Jonathan took his robe off put it upon David took his sword took his armor it was a symbolic transfer of the kingdom to David. That day not that DAVID Yes. So they turn for the king’s ship to David Jonathan knew that in his heart and he’s symbolically doing it that day in that when they made that covenant. The second covenant First same rule twenty verses eleven through seventeen and Jonathan said to David now by this time Saul was he was trying to kill David he thrust a spear out him in the palace and tried to kill him but luckily David got out the way they missed him so David knew that Saul was out to kill him because he did not want the kingdom to go to David he wanted to stay in his family so by this time he knew that he meant Hourman to him David did so Jonathan said to David Come let us go out into the field so both of them went out into the field then Jonathan said to David the Lord God of Israel is witness when I have sounded out my father some time tomorrow meaning he’s going to feel out his father to see what is added to did is towards David if he means you harm I’m going to let you know he means you good also that you know that. Or the third day and indeed there is good toward David and I do not send to you and tell you May the Lord do so and much more to Jonathan but if it pleases my father to do you evil then I will report it to you and send you away that you may go in safety and the Lord will be with you as he has been with my father and you shall not only show me the kindness of the Lord while I still live that I may not die but you shall not cut off your kindness from my house for ever there is the important covenant the surrounds us passes today he made a covenant with David that he would not cut off his kindness from his house forever No not when the Lord has cut off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth so Jonathan made a covenant with the House of David saying that the Lord required at the hand of David’s enemies not Jonathan again cause David to vowel because he loved them for he loved them as his own soul and then the third covenant is found in First Samuel twenty three verses fourteen through eighteen and David stayed in the strongholds in the wilderness of David is that this point hiding he fled and he’s hiding from that from salt so that it doesn’t get killed. So he’s in the strongholds in the wilderness any Ray remained in the mountain in the wilderness of zepa Saul sought him every day but God did not deliver him into his hand so if they did Saul that Saul had come out to seek his life and David was in the wilderness of the in the forest then Jonathan saw all sun rose and went to David in the woods and strength that is strengthened his handing God and he said to him Do not fear for the hand of saw my father shall not find you you shall be king over Israel and I shall be next to you even as my father Saul knows that so the two of them made a covenant before the Lord and David staying in the woods and Jonathan went home to his own house I find that kind of humorous myself there are so seeking Him every day looking searching trying to find him and Jonathan just walks out into the woods there is John of the new where he was but he’s not telling old dead Izzy because he knows that that means him harm that are David is such a skillful warrior sets a skillful Hider that he would hide from Saul but when he saw the scene Jonathan he knew that he was safe and well talk with John from amazing So back to me if it was Seth was the young boy born into warranty the grandson of the first king of Israel the son of the Prince of Israel surely as a child he lacked for nothing. He probably had the best that was offered to any child that day he probably had the best clothing the best meals the safety and comfort of the palace is where he lived. But there came a day when that changed all of that changed in one day that security. Was turned upside down that carefree life of a five year old prince. Ended in one day. He was only five years old. When they had to rush out of the palace the nurse grabbed him up it was a run for your life moment the sea had to grab a fish out in flee because his father Jonathan and his grandfather saw were killed in battle they were in battle with the Philistines Now Jonathan was killed by the Philistines but Saul he was wounded and he called out to his armor bear and says thrush your sword through me kill me because I do not want the Philistines to be able to say that they killed King Saul but the armor bear would not do it he refused to do it he did not want to be the one to kill the king So Saul took out his own sword and fell on it and took his own life but in one day they both lost their lives so why was there such fear in the palace Why was there is so much fear in that nurse of course. Didn’t fear is only five years old he didn’t know what was going on because in that day whenever they were going where there was going to be a change in the family that would be the king that would rule. Most of the time. I’m the new king would wipe out every family member the could possibly come back in revolt against the king. So he in their thinking well move to the chef could grow up in want to go back in usurp the kingdom. So that’s what they were fearful of they want to get that young prince to safety. But they do not have Jonathan David’s love for one another they knew not of the kindness so the nurse grabs him up goes to flee out of the palace and young she tripped and young with fell breaking both of his feet his legs now we don’t know if she fell on top of ing for what happened there now you might think well why would a couple broken legs just leave a person lame kids or center thinking well why didn’t they just taken down to the emergency room right. There was no mergence room to take them to. They didn’t have the hospital’s emergency rooms like we have today you know today on those oh he had a broken bone. That arm which one was it. Left arm. Broken bone I had a broken foot. Just one of the little metal torso bones in the foot. Was broken one day I actually get broken at work and when I went to the doctor. He said. We’re not even going to have to do any surgery he said because the bones are back together there you can see the break but they’re touching and he said you know he says it’s quite amazing that them bones as long as are there touching together they will heal and he said it will actually build up and be thicker where the break was then were then before it was broken and I said Isn’t that amazing how God makes the allow the body to heal in his bones to be even thicker and stronger after a break he says well if you want to believe that it’s a well actually I do because I believe that God created us and Anyway so but it is amazing but to see the thing is you think of death in this fall if a bone breaks and it is not set it’s not put back into the proper place. Is going to cause one to be lain. I worked with a gentleman a number of years ago he’s probably been retired for maybe fifteen years very nice man named Ed Parsons and he walked with a little bit of a limp and you know probably you know about like this most of the time he walked with that lip and he had his leg broke when he was a younger in a car accident so they announced one day just tell him share with us he says he’s going to the doctor doctor said he can fix that he said he’s going to get and reset it and fixing Well he was off for a couple months when he came back to work his limp was twice as bad as it was before it was horrible I mean he really had a limp I said. Did you get a money back guarantee with that because he didn’t do him any favors his limp was much worse as a matter of fact he didn’t work much longer and had to go on disability so whenever those bones are not set put in place another splinter a cast one could be lame as a matter of fact is that little bit of research back in the ancient times when one would break a leg or break an arm oftentimes they would amputate them. Rather than them have to drag those limbs along so. I don’t notice a varity I don’t know if they had to carry more to Matt like you hear of some of the people in Jesus’ day they carried a mental math or if he actually had crutches they may have made him some wouldn’t crutches but he had to hobble along he was lame in both of his feet. The fish eth. Was not his name when he was born his given name were I should say is given name was méribel which means opponent of bail with this given name one can imagine a warrior one is going to go out and stand against the wicked ways of the false gods of their enemies but death means son of shame. He went from a warrior to son of shame and the shame began with his grandfather’s disobedience his grandfather brought shame to his family fifteen years had passed since the young prince Prince was injured as he was whisked away to safety. When David remembered his covenant with Jonathan I don’t know why it took so long but fifteen years later he thinks I wonder is there anyone left of the family of Saul that I can show God’s kindness to them. So he sought out anyone left they find much of a shift. When he required of those descendants of course they first find Zeba and then Ziva reveals the fish have to him. Is a. Response says yes there is a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet and you think about that response why did he not just say yes there’s a son with a chef he had to add that he is lame in his feet could it be that he was fearful that David might be seeking him out to take him out so that he could not come in and try to remove him from the King from the palace so he’s saying he’s lame don’t have to worry about him or could it be the attitudes of people towards one that was lame in that day. It could be that and that day they think well the really not worth you know they can’t work. They can’t hold a job they can’t do anything. Don’t bother with them they’re a burden that might be the attitude of the people back then. Acts thirteen twenty two said this about David and when he had removed him he raised up for them David as king to whom also he gave testimony and said I have found Dave in the son of Jesse a man after my own heart who will do all of my will. What a faithful servant of God that he would do all of his will. He would reveal God’s heart to the people he would reveal God’s grace that’s what this passage is about today David’s actions reveal the heart of God. He reveals his grace. For it is God’s will to extend his grace to the undeserving it is God’s will to extend his grace to the outcast God’s will to extend his grace to the laying. To the centers of the world that is God’s will to reveal His grace. Verses nine through eleven said the king called dizzy but Saul servant said to him give in to your master’s son all that belongs to Saul and all his house you therefore and your sons and your servants so work the land for him you so bring the harvest that your master’s son may have food to eat but in the fish death your master’s son shout eat bread at my table always. The world had cast them aside he was lame. But he said now he will come he will eat at my table he came to the table of Grace David revealed God’s grace he revealed God’s heart he had compassion on have compassion on him. What a relief to have must of when he heard those words do not for you. Do not fear because I’m going to show you kindness on behalf of your father. Because of the love that we have for one another but is God’s kindness that he was revealing with response you remember while why should you have compassion on such a dead dog as. My friends that’s our response to God I’m a sinner. I’m a sinner but God because of your Amazing Grace I’m saved. God revealed his love towards us and that while we were a dead dog. If we can say the same thing with a big step said I’m a dead dog were as good as dead dogs but because of his Amazing Grace or trust passes our sins are forgiven we were given a new life but the death was given new life that day. He was brought into the palace what he did the king’s table just like the sons of friends that is an amazing example of what God has done with us he calls us sons and daughters revelations one thousand nine hundred sixty nine says then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of the mighty ocean waves with a crash of loud thunder praise the Lord for the Lord our God the Almighty rains that us be glad and rejoice let us give honor to him for the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb and his bride has prepared herself she has been given the finest of white linen to wear for the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people and the angel said to me right bless it are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb and he added these are true words that come from God My friends that’s the word they were you’re you’re here today if you’re watching over the Internet you know there may be some watching this months from now but if you’re here in these words God invites you to come. God invites you to come to his table of grace he wants you to come he wants all the outcast to calm and bow before him in repent he want to give you new life he wants you to be at that table that wedding feast when Jesus returns there is going to be an amazing banquet and he wants us all to be a part of it because of His grace I found the story Wilbur Chapman often share this testimony given to him by. Man it doesn’t give the man’s name the man revealed he says I got off. At the Pennsylvania Depot as a tramp and for a year I begged on the streets. Begged and pleaded for a living then one day I touched a man on the shoulder and said Hey Mister can you give me a dime as soon as he saw his face he was shocked he saw that it was his own father I said Father Father do you know me throwing his arms around me and with tears in his eyes he said Oh my son at last I’ve found you I have found you you want to dime everything I have is yours think of it I was a tramp I stood begging my own father for ten cents and for eighteen years he was looking for me to give me all that he had what a wonderful illustration of what God has for us. Are we begging for a dime God wants us to give and give us all that he has but most importantly his grace he wants us to receive that he freely gives it to all who ask. Who repent other sins and say Father forgive me. Forgive me. Forgive me for that word that I have spoken. To did not glorify you that that did harm forgive me for that evil deed that I did they brought pain and suffering to my neighbor. He’s willing to forgive. The only send its own forgivable is to deny him to reject Him He wants us to call out to him he wants us to come to his table his table of grace receive it is Amazing Grace Amen.