WEBVTT 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:00.959 Church. 00:00:02.399 --> 00:00:02.879 Alright. 00:00:03.040 --> 00:00:08.000 Get your Bibles out and turn them to 2 Samuel chapter 9 this morning. 00:00:08.080 --> 00:00:09.439 I hope you've had a good week. 00:00:10.160 --> 00:00:10.720 Thank you. 00:00:11.039 --> 00:00:15.519 I gotta thank Miss Susan this morning for putting the Holy Spirit in us. 00:00:15.599 --> 00:00:17.839 If you don't watch, watch her for Sunday school. 00:00:17.920 --> 00:00:19.199 She'll have you crying. 00:00:19.359 --> 00:00:22.320 And uh got me filled up, so I'm ready to preach, Miss Susan. 00:00:22.399 --> 00:00:24.559 Thank you for that. 00:00:24.719 --> 00:00:28.399 And uh 2 Samuel uh continuing our study. 00:00:28.480 --> 00:00:30.559 We had a good week uh this week. 00:00:30.879 --> 00:00:39.280 I have a daughter who turned 15 and got a piece of paper with a picture on it that says she can drive. 00:00:39.439 --> 00:00:40.000 We'll see. 00:00:42.719 --> 00:00:45.759 And then my son Weston's birthday is today. 00:00:45.920 --> 00:00:52.799 He is upstairs, but if you see him running the place, running amok, you might grab a hold of him and tell him happy birthday. 00:00:52.960 --> 00:00:56.479 He turned 9, and so it's been a fun week in my house. 00:00:56.640 --> 00:01:00.799 And I'll say this just for the benefit of any men in the crowd. 00:01:01.039 --> 00:01:05.920 All right, we'll see you tonight at Publix in the card aisle, in the flower aisle. 00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:08.400 Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. 00:01:08.719 --> 00:01:09.920 You here, Pastor Daniel? 00:01:10.159 --> 00:01:11.280 He said, What? 00:01:12.159 --> 00:01:14.239 I'm glad I reminded you. 00:01:15.280 --> 00:01:16.719 So we will continue. 00:01:16.879 --> 00:01:23.680 This is sort of the second part of David and Jonathan's friendship story in the series of Slay. 00:01:23.920 --> 00:01:30.640 And um it's not the intention of this series to go chapter by chapter, it's to kind of hit the roller coaster loops. 00:01:30.799 --> 00:01:46.799 We're going from the highs and lows of David's journey, and um, so in that, but I want to tell you in chapter 21 to 31, which we're skipping, David is on the run from Saul, and you want to go check this stuff out because it's the stuff for movies, all right? 00:01:46.879 --> 00:01:48.159 He is on the run from Saul. 00:01:48.239 --> 00:01:55.280 There's betrayal, there's suspense, there's thrills, there's drama, there's honor, there's trust. 00:01:55.359 --> 00:01:57.280 Um, David fakes his death. 00:01:57.519 --> 00:01:59.920 David creates, he's like the first Robin Hood. 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:04.879 He creates a band of 400 brothers that are discontented and in debt and distressed. 00:02:05.040 --> 00:02:12.240 He's in forest, he's in caves, and uh, it is a lot of good things for you to look through in there. 00:02:12.400 --> 00:02:19.840 Um what we will have missed is that Saul and Jonathan both have died by the time we get to where we are today. 00:02:19.919 --> 00:02:27.120 And in 2 Samuel chapter 7, David is given the covenant from God that he would be confirmed as king. 00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:29.840 So all that's transpired, and I want you to miss it. 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:30.879 Go back, read it. 00:02:30.960 --> 00:02:32.080 It is good stuff. 00:02:32.240 --> 00:02:34.240 Uh but here we are in chapter 9. 00:02:34.319 --> 00:02:38.879 It's the second part to their oath, their story, that friendship between David and Jonathan. 00:02:39.039 --> 00:02:43.759 And there's a giant in this story that has to be slain. 00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:46.319 And that giant is called shame. 00:02:46.560 --> 00:02:47.840 Everybody say shame. 00:02:48.719 --> 00:02:51.680 You've probably heard some statements using the word. 00:02:51.759 --> 00:02:55.199 You've maybe heard some people say, oh, what a shame. 00:02:55.599 --> 00:02:59.520 Or that's a crying, or they hung their head in. 00:03:00.400 --> 00:03:00.719 Okay? 00:03:01.280 --> 00:03:03.919 And so you hear all these types of things. 00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:05.759 Maybe it looks like this to you, right? 00:03:05.919 --> 00:03:07.199 I found some cute pictures. 00:03:07.360 --> 00:03:08.400 Shame on you. 00:03:09.360 --> 00:03:10.800 Maybe this next one will. 00:03:11.120 --> 00:03:16.159 It says, every time I click a Facebook ad, so much shame. 00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:17.759 Maybe this next one. 00:03:18.000 --> 00:03:19.520 Ever tripped in public? 00:03:20.719 --> 00:03:22.960 Some of y'all have felt this shame, right? 00:03:23.039 --> 00:03:23.840 You gotta play it off. 00:03:23.919 --> 00:03:25.199 Well, what about this, moms? 00:03:25.360 --> 00:03:29.680 When you pull up to Little League practice and realize it was your turn to bring snack. 00:03:31.039 --> 00:03:32.319 Some moms in here. 00:03:32.479 --> 00:03:32.800 No. 00:03:33.199 --> 00:03:33.520 Right? 00:03:33.680 --> 00:03:39.120 And so we all kind of understand that shame happens in life. 00:03:39.439 --> 00:03:49.919 But probably the most familiar phrase that we hear that I think and I hope to maybe prove today is wrong in some ways is shame on you. 00:03:50.719 --> 00:03:51.919 We hear this often. 00:03:52.240 --> 00:03:53.599 Shame on you. 00:03:54.240 --> 00:03:56.800 So, what do we need to understand about this? 00:03:56.960 --> 00:03:59.120 What even is shame, Pastor? 00:03:59.280 --> 00:04:01.439 Well, shame is a painful feeling. 00:04:01.599 --> 00:04:08.879 This is the way the dictionary puts it, a painful feeling that comes from knowing that you or someone did wrong. 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:18.959 Eve no sooner wiped the juices of the forbidden fruit from her lips, and her and Adam were running because of guilt and shame. 00:04:19.199 --> 00:04:21.759 And it accompanied them like a dark shadow. 00:04:21.920 --> 00:04:24.800 And all of a sudden they were feeling something they never felt before. 00:04:24.959 --> 00:04:30.480 Guilt and shame is something we can't deny because we conceived guilt and shame. 00:04:30.720 --> 00:04:34.399 And so, you know, it has its father's eyes and its mother's smile. 00:04:34.560 --> 00:04:35.920 We can't deny shame. 00:04:36.000 --> 00:04:36.800 We birthed it. 00:04:36.959 --> 00:04:39.680 Now there is a difference between guilt and shame. 00:04:39.920 --> 00:04:47.839 Guilt says, I did something bad, and shame says, I am something bad. 00:04:48.079 --> 00:04:51.120 And so I want you to understand the difference there. 00:04:51.360 --> 00:04:52.639 I am a bad person. 00:04:52.800 --> 00:04:57.040 You know, shame can have a deep and dark side. 00:04:57.120 --> 00:05:03.759 And I want to tread lightly here this morning because I know that there's some people that are dealing with a lot of things from your past. 00:05:04.240 --> 00:05:09.439 But shame can come from anything from a lack of parental affection in your life. 00:05:09.680 --> 00:05:17.600 It can come from never measuring up to somebody else, maybe a sibling or a relative or or a teammate. 00:05:17.759 --> 00:05:21.600 It can come from just an internal lack of self-worth. 00:05:21.759 --> 00:05:25.439 I look at the mirror and I'm not what I want to be. 00:05:25.920 --> 00:05:29.040 It can arise from previous past sins. 00:05:29.199 --> 00:05:33.439 That sin haunts us, that we did this thing and we've held on to it. 00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:39.759 Shame happens when a person's been harmed by a perpetrator. 00:05:40.000 --> 00:05:46.639 And what Satan endeavors to do is to leave the sin on that person that was harmed. 00:05:46.959 --> 00:05:49.439 And it was never meant to stay with them. 00:05:49.839 --> 00:05:59.600 Shame causes people to say things like, I'm not smart enough, I'm not thin enough, I'm not good enough, I'm not funny enough, I am not good enough. 00:06:00.319 --> 00:06:08.959 And so I believe it's a tool from Satan this morning, and I want to show you in 2 Samuel chapter 9 how to slay shame. 00:06:09.199 --> 00:06:10.399 Let's pray. 00:06:12.639 --> 00:06:16.319 Father, we thank you for your goodness to us. 00:06:16.720 --> 00:06:23.360 Lord, we thank you that you overcame every sin and darkness. 00:06:24.720 --> 00:06:33.279 Everything that might penetrate into somebody's mind and overtake them, Lord, is all clean at the foot of the cross. 00:06:33.600 --> 00:06:36.160 We thank you for your grace and mercy on us. 00:06:36.480 --> 00:06:41.519 Now, Father, I pray this morning that you and your Holy Spirit would teach. 00:06:42.079 --> 00:06:43.519 Lord, teach us. 00:06:43.759 --> 00:06:53.439 And Lord, I pray that you would draw people, Lord, to repentance, draw people to restoration, draw people to change. 00:06:53.680 --> 00:06:55.759 We love you in Jesus' name we pray. 00:06:56.319 --> 00:06:56.879 Amen. 00:06:57.360 --> 00:06:59.199 Point number one this morning is this. 00:06:59.360 --> 00:07:03.120 We see a reception to kindness in 2 Samuel chapter 9. 00:07:04.079 --> 00:07:05.360 2 Samuel chapter 9. 00:07:05.439 --> 00:07:08.480 Let's read verses 1 through 5 and see what it says here. 00:07:08.639 --> 00:07:16.720 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? 00:07:16.879 --> 00:07:20.160 And there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Zeba. 00:07:20.319 --> 00:07:23.759 So when they had called him to David, the king said to him, Are you Zeba? 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:25.199 He said, At your service. 00:07:25.360 --> 00:07:31.920 Then the king said, Is there not still someone of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God? 00:07:32.079 --> 00:07:37.199 And Zeba said to the king, There is still a son of Jonathan, who is lame in his feet. 00:07:37.360 --> 00:07:39.120 So the king said to him, Where is he? 00:07:39.279 --> 00:07:44.160 And Zeba said to the king, Indeed, he is in the house of Mekir, the son of Emil, in Lodabar. 00:07:44.720 --> 00:07:50.319 Then King David sent and brought him out of the house of Makir, the son of Emil, from Lodabar. 00:07:50.800 --> 00:07:58.560 And so we see David in these five scriptures asking for an opportunity to give kindness. 00:07:58.720 --> 00:08:00.399 He wants to give kindness. 00:08:00.800 --> 00:08:08.560 I've seen a plaque in a lot of people's house from Aesop that says, Every act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. 00:08:09.199 --> 00:08:12.800 Every act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. 00:08:13.199 --> 00:08:16.720 We have the power, church, every day to choose kindness. 00:08:17.120 --> 00:08:21.680 Every day the words that we use will build or possibly break someone down. 00:08:21.759 --> 00:08:29.439 And so David is acting out of the Galatians 6.10, as we said a few weeks ago, as we have therefore opportunity, do good unto all men. 00:08:29.600 --> 00:08:33.440 He's looking for an opportunity to give kindness. 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:39.759 And then we find out and meet really one of the main characters of the text today in Mephibosheth. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:43.600 And we see him, and letter A is this the condition of Mephibosheth. 00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:48.080 So let me tell you a few things about him and what's going on in Mephibosheth's life. 00:08:48.399 --> 00:09:02.000 He's first of all Saul's grandson, which, if there is a new king, the new king that was running from the old king, it might not behoove you to be the grandchild of that king. 00:09:02.159 --> 00:09:09.519 And so it's not necessarily a great thing at this place and time to be Saul's grandson, right? 00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:12.559 And so Mephibosheth is the grandson to Saul. 00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:22.399 Saul who threw javelins at David, Saul who made David's life a nightmare for eight years coming after him, that same Saul, his grandson. 00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:24.559 And so that's who Mephibosheth is. 00:09:24.720 --> 00:09:27.039 And it says a word about where he's at. 00:09:27.200 --> 00:09:29.120 Mephibosheth is in Lodabar. 00:09:29.679 --> 00:09:40.159 Lodabar, the word Debar means it's word or thing, and Lo is a negator, so it means nothing or nowhere. 00:09:40.320 --> 00:09:46.159 The word Debur, related closely to Deber, means pasture. 00:09:46.240 --> 00:09:52.240 And so he literally says that he's basically nowhere, no thing, no pasture. 00:09:52.399 --> 00:09:55.919 In English, we might say here in the South, he's in the middle of nowhere, right? 00:09:56.559 --> 00:09:58.720 He's in the middle of nothing and nowhere. 00:09:58.879 --> 00:10:00.320 Probably hiding out. 00:10:00.480 --> 00:10:03.120 You've probably driven in the middle of nowhere, some of you men, right? 00:10:03.200 --> 00:10:07.200 It's a place in Mississippi or Arkansas, I've seen it. 00:10:07.840 --> 00:10:13.200 And so this is where Mephibosheth is when David's looking to show kindness. 00:10:13.360 --> 00:10:20.720 I need you to go back a couple of chapters, 2 Samuel chapter 4, to unpack a little bit more about his life. 00:10:21.120 --> 00:10:28.320 2 Samuel chapter 4, verse 4 tells us some more about Mephibosheth's early life. 00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:35.039 Jonathan saw, or Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son who was lame in his feet. 00:10:35.200 --> 00:10:42.960 He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan, this is talking about when Saul and Jonathan had been killed, came from Jezreel. 00:10:43.039 --> 00:10:45.759 And his nursemaid took him up and fled. 00:10:45.919 --> 00:10:50.879 And it happened as she made haste to flee when he fell and became lame. 00:10:51.120 --> 00:10:52.960 His name was Mephibosheth. 00:10:53.039 --> 00:10:57.200 So Mephibosheth has been dropped as a five-year-old. 00:10:57.919 --> 00:11:04.559 She was on the run trying to get away and dropped him, and it caused bone damage, crippling Mephibosheth. 00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:12.399 The rightful heir to the throne now has a condition, and it labeled him unfit to be king. 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:15.679 So we see some things about his condition. 00:11:15.840 --> 00:11:22.240 Mephibosheth, maybe you don't know this, but the last part of Mephibosheth's name, Sheth, you know what that means? 00:11:22.879 --> 00:11:26.159 To make matters worth, breathing shame. 00:11:27.200 --> 00:11:30.159 So Mephibosheth's condition, he's afraid. 00:11:30.320 --> 00:11:32.159 He's away, he's in hiding. 00:11:32.240 --> 00:11:42.720 It's not a good time to be grandson of the former king, and we see him, and then let her be what we see is the consideration of David. 00:11:43.440 --> 00:11:43.759 Yeah. 00:11:44.159 --> 00:11:46.320 The consideration back in verse 1. 00:11:46.399 --> 00:11:53.600 Now David said, Is there anyone who's left of the house of Saul that I may show kindness for Jonathan's sake? 00:11:53.759 --> 00:11:57.360 Is there anyone for my friend's sake? 00:11:57.519 --> 00:12:00.000 You remember that relationship, that oath that was made? 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:04.240 Probably the saving of David's life came because of Jonathan. 00:12:04.399 --> 00:12:09.919 And I bet it stirred him up to even make this statement, maybe choked him up to speak these words. 00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:13.759 I'm sure he thought fondly of Jonathan in this moment. 00:12:13.919 --> 00:12:15.440 He said, Is there anyone? 00:12:15.759 --> 00:12:18.480 Because I took an oath and I meant it. 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:24.960 Is there anyone who I can impact because God impacted me? 00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:27.759 Maybe a question we should ask today. 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:28.480 That's good. 00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:29.039 That's good. 00:12:29.279 --> 00:12:30.720 Is there anyone out there? 00:12:31.840 --> 00:12:40.240 Heather and I uh we went through some lean times, and we went during these lean times we were cable free in Connorsville. 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:47.759 And um, so during this season, about two years, um when things got a little bit better finally, right? 00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:51.120 I we we set up cable and I was proud of this moment, right? 00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:53.840 But I hadn't watched TV for about two years, okay? 00:12:54.000 --> 00:13:02.960 And so I sat down one night and I turned on the TV, and I had never heard of the television show Extreme Home Makeover. 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:09.279 So I turn on Extreme Home Makeover, and we kind of get settled in and we're watching this story unfold. 00:13:09.360 --> 00:13:09.759 I didn't know. 00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:13.440 I didn't know about Ty Pennington, I didn't know about what these people do. 00:13:13.600 --> 00:13:19.440 But they had this family on the show, and they start unfolding this guy's story. 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:20.960 And I'm telling y'all, it had me. 00:13:21.039 --> 00:13:26.000 Y'all, y'all have been, you've been in a moment, and you're, I'm in, and they start telling this story. 00:13:26.080 --> 00:13:38.240 And and the kid was born with no eyes, and he had the inability to extend his arms and his legs, so he was wheelchair bound, and they begin into this story, and and I'm like, what a concept. 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:47.840 These people, whether it was ABC, MB, you know, Extreme Home Makeover, they're going to front the money to help change these people's lives. 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:48.879 And it had me. 00:13:48.960 --> 00:13:51.919 I'm watching it and I'm like, I can't, this is amazing. 00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:53.120 And so I'm watching what's happening. 00:13:53.200 --> 00:13:58.799 They're changing the home and talking about, and so I'm sitting there again, two years, no TV, and this is the first thing I turn on. 00:13:58.879 --> 00:14:03.360 And I look up, I just kind of glance over at the other sofa just to see what's going on with Heather over there. 00:14:03.440 --> 00:14:05.039 And she's over there looking strong. 00:14:05.279 --> 00:14:08.399 I'm trying, I'm holding back, fighting off tears, right? 00:14:08.559 --> 00:14:10.000 But I look over, she's looking strong. 00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:11.440 I'm like, okay, okay, I got this. 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:12.480 I'm the man of the house. 00:14:12.639 --> 00:14:34.639 So I continue on, and uh, and then they take the boy and his mother into his new bathroom and they begin to talk about how this new bathroom was gonna change their life because the mom had acquired so much back strain bathing this boy, and they begin to cry, looking at a simple thing like a shower. 00:14:34.799 --> 00:14:37.440 And when they begin to cry, I'm trying my best, folks. 00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:44.240 I'm trying to hold it, and I'm like, and I look over at Heather, she's still looking strong, looking firm, and so I'm like, I gotta hold it back. 00:14:44.960 --> 00:14:46.799 And I bellowed, it came out. 00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:57.360 I said, I bellowed at the kindness that was shown. 00:14:57.519 --> 00:15:01.840 I couldn't believe this type of kindness took me, folks. 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:07.360 And so I thought about this moment, and I thought about some questions for you and me. 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:11.120 Maybe we need to ask, who can I give my time to? 00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:13.519 Ask. 00:15:13.679 --> 00:15:18.399 There is somebody that needs your kindness, and part of it's just your time. 00:15:19.039 --> 00:15:21.279 Who can I teach? 00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:26.639 Who is out there that I can teach something with my time, with your talent? 00:15:26.799 --> 00:15:28.720 Who can I help financially? 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:29.840 Who can I help? 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:38.240 I want church to be so close to God that I don't blink when an opportunity for kindness shows its way in my life. 00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:43.519 I don't want to look this week something came up, and I wasn't glad that it came up, but I was glad that I could help. 00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:52.639 Garrett contacted me, somebody's house burnt down, and I was like, yes, I have a bag that for some reason hadn't made it to goodwill with large men's clothes. 00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:56.799 This was I felt so happy that I could help in this scenario. 00:15:56.960 --> 00:16:01.120 Tracy, y'all meet with Tracy Key, somebody else's house burnt down just yesterday. 00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:03.039 Somebody is in need of some things. 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:08.000 And so, listen, when an opportunity arises, won't we just be ready? 00:16:08.159 --> 00:16:08.320 Yeah. 00:16:08.559 --> 00:16:10.320 With an act of kindness. 00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:12.559 I don't want to blink at that. 00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:14.879 Now, listen, here's something of note. 00:16:15.279 --> 00:16:19.679 Eight years has passed since Jonathan and David's oath, right? 00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:25.039 David has been deceived, aggravated, he's been in anguish by Saul. 00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:33.279 In between all of this, if anyone had a reason to come up against the king's family, it would have been David. 00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:36.639 But you know what David does? 00:16:37.919 --> 00:16:40.000 He chooses kindness. 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:43.120 He says, I'm gonna act in kindness. 00:16:43.519 --> 00:16:47.519 And I thought about some scriptures that I want you to hear this morning about kindness. 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:50.639 These would be good for you to write down just to keep on you. 00:16:50.720 --> 00:17:00.799 This one, man, I'm I'm trying to memorize it this week, but Proverbs 19, 17 says, He who is who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and God will repay. 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:07.839 Galatians 5.22 says the fruit of the Spirit is love, peace, and kindness. 00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:10.079 Long-suffering and kindness. 00:17:10.400 --> 00:17:12.079 And so it's a fruit. 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:13.920 It should be coming out of every Christian. 00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:21.200 Romans 12.10 says, Be kindly affectionate to one another, giving preference to one another. 00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:24.240 That means they get a spot before you. 00:17:24.400 --> 00:17:25.680 They will eat before you. 00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:28.160 You do for them before you do for you. 00:17:28.400 --> 00:17:29.680 Preference to others. 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:33.200 That is a sign of Christianity in our community. 00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:39.359 In Acts 20, 35, it says, support the weak is the preference to what we always hear. 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:41.759 We always hear it's better to give than to receive. 00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:44.480 But before it says it, it says supporting the weak. 00:17:44.640 --> 00:17:46.240 Those that are lesser or half less. 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:47.359 It says support them. 00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:49.759 It's a blessing to be able to give. 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:52.720 And I think David was getting that. 00:17:53.119 --> 00:17:55.519 This consideration that he gave. 00:17:55.680 --> 00:17:58.720 Well, that takes us to point number two this morning. 00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:01.839 A recognition of the king. 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:11.279 And so David looks for and finds Mephibosheth, and then we see this meeting where there's a recognition of David's place. 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:13.920 Look at what it says in verse 6 and verse 8. 00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:22.799 Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell on his face and prostrated himself. 00:18:22.880 --> 00:18:25.759 Then David said, Mephibosheth, look down at verse 8. 00:18:25.920 --> 00:18:34.400 Then he bowed himself and said, What is your servant that you should look upon such a dead dog as I? 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:40.079 I tried to think of like the most prestigious people I've ever met. 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:44.480 The most important or most popular people that I've ever met. 00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:47.839 And I want you to understand, I I I couldn't come up with a lot. 00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:56.319 I've met, I haven't met a president, I haven't met a king, I have met uh Mayor Picklezheimer, um, I've met Mayor Riggins. 00:18:56.799 --> 00:19:04.079 I know people on Westover's City Council, okay, y'all, if you need to get a meeting with me. 00:19:04.160 --> 00:19:05.440 Um I do, I know them. 00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:07.920 I know some of them even kind of personally. 00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:17.359 But Heather and I was on our honeymoon, and uh we went to Cracker Barrel, and I was sitting across what? 00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:18.640 It's a real nice place. 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.759 Y'all haven't been there. 00:19:23.680 --> 00:19:26.720 We went on a cruise after that, but listen. 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:30.079 I'm not that cheap. 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:42.240 So we were sitting in Cracker Barrel, and I suddenly was starstruck because across from us, I'm telling y'all, was Joseph Michael Laurenitis. 00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:45.440 Maybe y'all don't know who that is. 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:49.359 That's Road Warrior Animal from the WWF. 00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:52.480 Right there on the bottom. 00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:55.279 Y'all need to watch TV, evidently. 00:19:55.599 --> 00:19:58.720 But Heather was like, maybe you should say something to him. 00:19:58.799 --> 00:20:00.880 And I was like, no, I couldn't. 00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:01.599 I wouldn't. 00:20:01.680 --> 00:20:02.319 I couldn't do that. 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:03.200 I couldn't go speak. 00:20:03.359 --> 00:20:04.640 I'm like, no, I couldn't do that. 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:05.440 But I was serious. 00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:06.799 I was like starstruck. 00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:08.319 I was like, I can't believe this. 00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:12.400 This, other than getting married in this honeymoon, next best day of my life. 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:16.880 And so Salvation, also, yes. 00:20:17.119 --> 00:20:19.680 And so y'all be judging me. 00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:25.440 I remember one time I went to court and uh it was bad. 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:27.680 I've been trying to tell Callie who's learning. 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:31.279 Uh I got a speeding ticket for 97 and a 55. 00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:34.400 Please don't clap. 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:38.079 So don't clap. 00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:39.599 Don't teach my daughter. 00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:44.559 So, anyhow, but I'm waiting before the judge. 00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:48.799 Like, and I at just barely 16, I am so nervous. 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:53.680 And and I'm standing there, and the guy before me, he's a wreck, too, which I was kind of like happy. 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:54.400 He's a wreck. 00:20:54.480 --> 00:21:01.920 I feel better about myself, but he's in there and he got up to speak to the judge, and he said, The judge said, Do you have anything to say for yourself? 00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:04.559 He said, First of all, your majesty. 00:21:06.880 --> 00:21:09.440 And the judge said, Your honor will be just fine. 00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:14.640 And I thought, I think I'll do better than this guy. 00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:23.359 And so, but David or Mephibosheth is before David, the king of his known world in this moment. 00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:25.039 And don't miss this. 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:28.400 He throws himself to his face. 00:21:29.119 --> 00:21:31.279 Letter A is this this morning. 00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:33.359 Humility before hierarchy. 00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:35.359 Humility. 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:43.519 Israel wanted and pined for in front of Samuel, for an earthly king. 00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:50.240 They had God to follow, remember, they had judges that were set up, but they pined for an earthly king. 00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:54.400 And Samuel, we don't have time to go back, but in 1 Samuel chapter 8, you can look at it. 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:58.240 Samuel told them what that would mean if they were to have a king. 00:21:58.400 --> 00:21:59.759 Let me tell you some of the things it would mean. 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:08.960 If you have a king, it's in 1 Samuel 8 11, if you have a king that's going to reign over you, he will appoint your sons to his chariots and horsemen. 00:22:09.119 --> 00:22:12.960 Some of your sons will plow for him, some will reap for him his harvest. 00:22:13.119 --> 00:22:16.480 He will take your daughters, and they will be perfumers, cooks, and bakers. 00:22:16.640 --> 00:22:19.839 He will take of your best fields, of your vineyards, of your orchards. 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:25.759 He will take one-tenth of your grain, one tenth of your sheep, the best of your young men, and your donkeys. 00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:31.440 And they said, We want a king like the rest of the world. 00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:34.400 And so that's what they got. 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:41.119 I want you to understand scripturally, God calls us to look to our authority. 00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:46.799 Romans 13, verse 1 says, Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities. 00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:50.079 Hebrews says, submit to those who have the rule over you. 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:50.559 Okay? 00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:58.400 And so understand there is, if we pine for, if we want, if we have to have a king, there are rules about having a king. 00:22:58.559 --> 00:23:01.599 Ecclesiastes 10, 20 says, listen to this. 00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:02.960 We all need to hear this. 00:23:03.119 --> 00:23:06.400 Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king. 00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:07.440 My. 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:13.279 Saul started out good as a king, but he lost his focus, remember? 00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:16.079 He got distracted by the song that was being sung. 00:23:16.400 --> 00:23:19.119 He became jealous of David for his conquest. 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:21.279 But that didn't make him any less king. 00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:22.799 He was still king. 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:29.759 And so David refused when opportunity came his way to kill this king that was after him. 00:23:29.920 --> 00:23:35.599 Two times in the cave, he had an opportunity to take his life, and he said, My hand will not be against you. 00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:36.000 Why? 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:39.759 Because he recognized the position of authority. 00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:44.079 You know, Scripture even says about taxes. 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:44.880 We don't like this. 00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:48.240 But it said, Jesus said, Render to Caesar that which is Caesar's. 00:23:48.400 --> 00:23:50.799 Now, not a penny more, church. 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:53.119 Don't give him one more cent. 00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:59.039 But Mephibosheth fell on his face because of the leadership that was before him. 00:23:59.200 --> 00:24:00.720 He showed humility. 00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:02.240 Right? 00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:09.440 So, practically speaking, for us, Scripture's saying something like this: let's not get too big for our britches. 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:15.759 God desires that we be humble with those that are above us, that are leadership above us. 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:17.599 We can take instruction. 00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:18.559 We can. 00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:29.119 I have had students over the years who have said things to me when wanting jobs, they've said things like, I don't ever want to work in no place with fast food. 00:24:29.359 --> 00:24:31.039 And I'm like, What? 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:33.680 What do you mean you don't want to work with fast food? 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:37.359 You work with any, you the problem is you don't want money. 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:38.559 That's your problem. 00:24:38.640 --> 00:24:39.759 You're entitled to something. 00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:41.519 You must not want money. 00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:43.440 I'll tell you this, I have learned in life. 00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:45.759 I have been without, and I have been with. 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:47.440 With was always better. 00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:48.000 Amen. 00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:51.200 You don't want to work. 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:53.440 But this is what it was. 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:55.440 I'm above all that. 00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:58.880 I don't want to put my, I don't want to get my hands dirty. 00:24:59.200 --> 00:25:00.400 You better work. 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:04.880 And so, humility before hierarchy. 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:06.079 Well, that takes us to letter B. 00:25:06.160 --> 00:25:08.319 I want you again to look at verse 8. 00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:14.240 He said, Why, why would you even why would you even look at a dead dog like me? 00:25:15.359 --> 00:25:22.400 Mephiboshev probably felt, surely, this man of great power has come to require my life. 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:26.400 Mephiboshev wasn't thinking kindness was coming his way. 00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:30.000 He thought, he's coming for my life. 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:32.400 And he throws himself on his face. 00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:33.279 Maybe worse. 00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:34.960 Maybe he's going to imprison me. 00:25:35.119 --> 00:25:36.799 Maybe he's going to torture me. 00:25:37.119 --> 00:25:39.759 I am nothing and have nothing to offer. 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:45.359 And so as he laid prostrate, I want you to hear me, church, those who have dealt with shame in your past. 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:59.440 He laid prostrate on the floor, and in his shame, maybe in his greatest moment of vulnerability, former names started coming back into his mind as he laid there on the ground. 00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:08.319 And he heard those words cripple, unfit to be king, man of shame, worthless. 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:12.960 And he expected disdain to come out of the voice of David. 00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:19.599 Voices of outcast, dead dog, you're nothing, you're no good, you're never gonna amount. 00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:26.400 Maybe came into his mind and he heard and felt a life worth of condemnation. 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:31.920 He probably heard the phrase, shame on you. 00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:36.160 Have you ever felt the weight of such condemnation, church? 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:38.160 It hurts. 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:52.640 Maybe you're here this morning, and somebody in your life has had some power over you to inflict this kind of hurt, and I want you to know you can't keep holding that shame. 00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:58.160 As he's laying there, I wonder if Mephilasheb even dared to raise his head. 00:26:58.240 --> 00:27:02.079 I feel that he probably ever so slightly might have looked. 00:27:03.680 --> 00:27:04.880 Maybe not at all. 00:27:05.119 --> 00:27:07.680 But he says, Why? 00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:13.279 Look at such a dead dog as I. 00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:17.200 I'm disgraced. 00:27:17.680 --> 00:27:19.440 I'm discredited. 00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:22.640 My past has made me disqualified. 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:26.000 Listen, church, a preacher hasn't preached until he's been heard. 00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:26.880 Are you hearing this? 00:27:29.599 --> 00:27:32.000 Shame is all through the Bible. 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:36.400 There's all kinds of people that deal with different types of shame in the Bible. 00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:38.160 How about in the New Testament? 00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:39.680 Here's a woman that comes walking. 00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:42.079