THREE PROBLEM II Sam 9

I. Introduction

A. David's treatment of Mephibosheth is just one of the many pictures in Bible of God's grace.

1. This is not the first mention of Mephibosheth. in II Sam 4:4 he is introduced as a child five years old.

(a) His nurse in a state of panic dropped him and as a result of this fall became lame in both feet.

(b) He was the son of Jonathan - David closest friend

B. In this chapter Mephibosheth is no longer a child but a grown man.

1. All this time he was careful to steer clear of David

(a) He had been indoctrinated since childhood to fear the king.

(b) Perhaps he had a sense of resentment against the man who kept him from the throne

2. Notice the condition which grace meets

(a) We can describe it in 3 Words

II. The Problem of Separation

A. The first sense of needs that grace meets is that of being away - away from God

1. This is man's natural condition the way he feels by nature - Adam & Eve hid themselves

(a) Mephibosheth felt sure David had it in for Him

(b) This is clearly seen in verse 7

2. Afar off, estranged from God, perhaps even taught by others that Jesus does not love naughty boys, we feel the safest thing to do is keep our distance

(a) Steer clear of getting close to God for He is just waiting to cast you in hell anyway.

3. This sense of estrangement of being away from God develops into a second stage.

III The Problem of Fear

A. We know that our lives are not what they should be.

1. Since God is absolutely holy and we are sinners we feel we cannot possibly face him.

2. The safe thing for me to do is keep away from God

(a) This develops into a third stage

IV. The Problem of Antagonism

A. We get to the point where we begin to resent God

1. Why does God permit the world to be in such a mess

(a) Why does God allow this to happen to me.

(b) If he is God why doesn't He do something

(c) These and a thousand other things invade the mind of the natural man.

2. From childhood, through manhood, into old age man is characterized by these three problems

V. The Problem of Grace

A. How do we change these false assumptions which are nothing more than the lie of Satan

1. The Grace of God sets into motion that which is necessary to counteract these false notions

2. God is not against us but for us ( Rom 8:31)

(a) He has shown his love toward us beyond all doubt ( Rom 5:8)

(b) If you have built up an antagonism toward God, your fears are built upon a deception of Satan

(c) It is not God who needs to be reconciled unto you He has already been reconciled to you in Christ

(II Cor 5:19)

3. It is true that when you come into this world you are away from God, but the gap was bridged at Calvary.

(a) It is a lie of the Devil which persuades people to keep their distance from God

(b} It is a lie of Satan that whispers in your mind that to yield fully to God is to have your life become miserable

and drab.

(c) God freely gave His Son for you, will He not with Him freely give us all things (Rom 8:31-32)

VI The Attitude of Grace (1)

A. What was David's Attitude toward Mephibosheth

1. Is there left one of Sauls house to whom I may show- What? Vengeance

(a) No- That I may show kindness

(b) What kindness (verse' 3) the kindness of God

(c) How does God's kindness operate?

(d) He does good to someone who has done him wrong ( Matt 5:43,44,48)

2. Saul had made life unbearable for David yet David made life easier for Mephibosheth. (13)

VII The Acceptance of Grace (7)

A. David accepted Mephibosheth because of His covenant

with Jonathan. (I Sam 20:42)

1. Because Jesus shed his blood on Calvary for us God is able to seek a people who were far away from Him thru sin.

2. God is saying Is there anyone here this morning to whom I can show kindness for Jesus sake ( Heb 6:17-18)

( Heb 13:20-21)

VIII The Abasement of Grace (6) (8)

A. The moment he saw David face to face he fell in prostration before Him

1. The heir to Sauls throne acknowledges David's Lordship

(a) Mephibosheth lost his throne because of his Fathers sin.

(b) We who were in Adam meant to have dominion over creation have fallen in him

2. But praise God when we see Jesus, God's true King in all His glory we fall before Him and own Him as Lord.

(a) When you truly see your sin and you really understand God's grace

(b) You like Mephibosheth will feel yourself in His presence to be a dead dog.

(c) In His home in Lo-debar he was a kings son he was important

(d) In David's presence he was weak & nothing. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.

IX. The Abundance of Grace (8-11)

A. How this reminds us of Eph 1:3 and Eph 2:4-7

1. God did not heal Him of His lameness but He allowed David's table to hide those withered feet.

2. God allowed the marks of his running to remain with him forever.

(a) It was the same with Jacob (Gen 32:31)

(b) Both of these through physically hindered became spiritually rich. God has done this for us in Christ.