The Apostle Paul calls us Jars of Clay (2 Corinthians 4:7). As followers of Jesus we must allow the Word of God to fill us with it's message of Truth and Grace. In this way, we become a "vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work" (2 Timothy 2:21).

Monday, November 5, 2018

The Promise of Grace - November 4, 2018 sermon



By Pastor Greg
A man stopped to watch a Little League baseball game. He asked one of the youngsters what the score was. "We're losing 18-0," was the answer.  "Well," said the man. "I must say you don't look discouraged."  "Discouraged?" the boy said, puzzled. "Why should we be discouraged? We haven't come to bat yet."
I like that boy’s attitude.
Some people become discouraged when they fail to see the desired results.  But most people are discouraged because life doesn’t turn out the way they expected.  Some people become discouraged when find themselves at a place or in a situation they never imagined; they wake up one morning and realize they are far from the green grass of home.
Take Mephibosheth, for example.  He was handicapped; crippled because of an unfortunate accident.  When he was just a child, his nurse picked him up in a hurry, and as she was rushing out of the room she dropped the boy, and he became crippled.  It’s sad, really; this nurse panicked when she learned that Mephibosheth’s father and grandfather had been killed.
 You’ve probably never heard of this man.  And if you’re thinking his name sounds biblical then yes, you are correct. He lived about 3,000 years ago when David was King of Israel.  Mephibosheth’s grandfather was Saul, and Saul hated David.  While Saul was king, he pursued David across Israel.  However, rather than responding in hate, David responded to Saul with patience and respect.  David could have killed Saul on two occasions, but instead, he showed restraint.  He would not kill someone anointed to leadership by God.
But Mephibosheth did not know this.  Neither did his nurse.
The nurse feared for Mephibosheth’s life.  In those days it was common practice for a new king to execute anyone related to the old one; surviving family members could become a threat.  Well, since David would soon be anointed as the new king of Israel, she assumed he would come to the palace and execute all those related to the old king.  But, the nurse did not need to be afraid; you see David was unlike any other king during that time.  David was a man ruled by grace.
Mephibosheth was sent to live with a man called Makir in the land of Lo-debar – a desolate place which literally means “no pasture.”  And for 18 years, Mephibosheth was living in a desert, hiding from his king all because he had been told the king would have him executed. 
Have you ever experienced this?  Do you know what it’s like to live in Lo-debar?
Imagine this man’s life.  Crippled at the age of 5.  Sent to live in a desolate place.  His father and grandfather killed.  And ever since he was a boy, he had been in hiding; told that if people found out who he was, he would be killed (sounds like the beginning of some comic book superhero, doesn’t it).  For 18 years he had been told to be afraid of the king.  Do you think Mephibosheth lived with discouragement?
I believe the story of Mephibosheth is included in the Bible for two reasons.  First, it shows us what sort of man David was, and secondly, it demonstrates something the Bible calls grace.
2 Samuel 9 tells us what happened to Mephibosheth; we are told what became of that poor crippled boy who was taken out into the wasteland.  After about 18 years – once David was securely settled into Jerusalem – he asks if there are any of Saul’s descendants still alive.  A servant tells him about Mephibosheth.  So, David sends a carriage out to Lo-debar and escorts the young man back to Jerusalem.  Picture this crippled man standing before the king – the very man he had been told to fear.  Surely, this young man must have been afraid.  Surely, he must have expected to be punished… to be killed.  He expected a sad ending to a sad and miserable life.  And yet, Mephibosheth did not know the heart of the king.  He did not know what sort of king was seated on the throne.
 Rather than call Mephibosheth to the palace for an execution, David invites him there to show him grace.
(2 Samuel 9:5-10) David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home. 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.”
“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!”
Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?”
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.[1]
Mephibosheth received grace, not because he earned it or did something to deserve it; Mephibosheth was treated like a son because of a promise made by the king.
God does the same thing to you and me.
We do not receive what we expect when we come to God.  We come to God expecting to be scolded and punished for who we are and what we have done.  Yet, because of a promise, we receive grace.  We are invited into the palace and treated like a son or a daughter, not because our behavior has been excellent, or our deeds have been commendable.  We receive more than we can imagine because of a promise the King has made… the promise God has made.  He has promised to show us grace when we place our faith in Christ.  Jesus has purchased this grace for us by His death upon the cross.  Instead of receiving the punishment we deserve, “He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.  He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed[2] (Isaiah 53:5).
In David’s exchange with Mephibosheth, I see an excellent example of what grace truly is: it is God’s favor and blessing extended to us for no other reason than it is what He chooses to do.  By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)[3] (Ephesians 2:3-5).
I’m not sure if you can identify with Mephibosheth.  I can.  Do you know what it is like to be afraid of a king…not an earthly king, mind you, but the King of Heaven?  Do you believe that God hates you because of your sin?  Has this fear of God caused you to live in a dry, desert place?  Is your life parched and dry?  Do you struggle to find joy and peace?  Are you discouraged with a life that has no value or purpose?  Maybe you don’t really know God at all.
Like Mephibosheth, and like myself, you will be amazed at what will happen when you come to God through Jesus the Son.  When you place your faith in Jesus, you will receive God’s grace.  Instead of punishment, He will shower you with His love and His grace.




[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (2 Sa 9:5–10). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Is 53:5). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Eph 2:3–5). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

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