David: A Man After God’s Own Heart – Sermon #15

2 Samuel 9:1-13

NO WONDER IT’S CALLED AMAZING

Intro: A story is told about Fiorello LaGuardia, who, when he wasmayor of New York Cityduring the worst days of the Great Depression and all of WWII, was called byadoring New Yorkers 'the Little Flower' because he was only five foot four andalways wore a carnation in his lapel. He was a colorful character who used toride the New York City fire trucks, raidspeakeasies with the police department, take entire orphanages to baseballgames, and whenever the New Yorknewspapers were on strike, he would go on the radio and read the Sunday funniesto the kids. One bitterly cold night in January of 1935, the mayor turned up ata night court that served the poorest ward of the city. LaGuardia dismissed thejudge for the evening and took over the bench himself.

Colossians 2:9-10 Commentary. 2:9 Paul tells us that in Christ “the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.” Paul can make this enormous theological claim—that Christ is divine—in a brief manner because he has already explained it at length in Col. Indeed, it seems that Paul’s prior lofty teaching about Christ was. – God gives rulership over men, animals, birds to whomever he wishes. Although some commentaries claim that this verse hearkens back to Genesis 2, which details Adam’s areas of dominion, it is incomplete. In Genesis 2, God never gave authority over other men to Adam. This is clearly something God gives to kings in their fallen state.

Withina few minutes, a tattered old woman was brought before him, charged withstealing a loaf of bread. She told LaGuardia that her daughter's husband haddeserted her, her daughter was sick, and her two grandchildren were starving.But the shopkeeper, from whom the bread was stolen, refused to drop thecharges. 'It's a real bad neighborhood, your Honor.' the man toldthe mayor. 'She's got to be punished to teach other people around here a lesson.'LaGuardia sighed. He turned to the woman and said 'I've got to punish you. The lawmakes no exceptions--ten dollars or ten days in jail.' But even ashe pronounced sentence, the mayor was already reaching into his pocket. Heextracted a bill and tossed it into his famous sombrero saying: 'Hereis the ten dollar fine which I now remit; and furthermore I am going to fineeveryone in this courtroom fifty cents for living in a town where a person hasto steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat. Mr. Baliff, collect the finesand give them to the defendant.'

When we sing Amazing Grace, we are telling the truth. This passage is one of the clearest in the Bible on grace and its results. Notice three facts about God's amazing grace. V.11 GRACE SAVES US. Grace brings salvation - Eph. Too great a sinner - Rom. Hosea 14 – Real Wisdom Turns Israel back to the LORD “This is a wonderful chapter to be at the end of such a book. I had never expected from such a prickly shrub to gather so fair a flower, so sweet a fruit; but so it is: where sin abounded, grace doth much more abound. No Wonder It's Called Amazing - 2 Samuel 9:1-13 The Giant That Slew David - 2 Samuel 11:1-27 Thou Art The Man - 2 Samuel 12:1-15 When Your Chickens Come Home To Roost - 2 Samuel 12:9-14 Closer Than A Brother - 2 Samuel 15:13-23 A Portrait Of A Forgiving Heart - 2 Samuel 19:16-23.

Sothe following day the New York City newspapers reported that $47.50 was turnedover to a bewildered old lady who had stolen a loaf of bread to feed herstarving grandchildren, fifty cents of that amount being contributed by thered-faced grocery store owner, while some seventy petty criminals, people withtraffic violations, and New York City policemen, each of whom had just paidfifty cents for the privilege of doing so, gave the mayor a standing ovation.[1]

Myfriends that is the essence of grace!Itrecognizes our wretched condition; it pays our debt and it gives us more thenwe could ever have imagined.No wonderit’s called amazing!

Thepassage we have read today provides for us one of the clearest pictures ofamazing grace in the Word of God.Goduses David as a living illustration of what grace is all about.I want to examine this text today.I want to point out some observations aboutamazing grace.I would like to preachfor a few minutes on the thought: No Wonder It’s Called Amazing.

I.v. 1-5AMAZING GRACE IS EXTENDED

A.v. 1The Reason For This Grace – David says that he wants to show“kindnessfor Jonathan’s sake.”The wordfor “kindness”is also translated “goodness, mercy, favor, and loving kindness.”It is the Old Testament equivalent to the NewTestament word “Grace.”Grace is oftendefined as “the unmerited love and favor of God toward the undeserving.”Grace is one person accepting another in apositive manner in spite of the unworthiness of the person being accepted.

Daviddesires to extend grace to a member of Saul’s family.This is amazing in light of the fact that inthose days, when a new king came to power, he usually destroyed every member ofthe former king’s household, in an effort to prevent any rebellion by thatfamily.David had the right executejudgment, but he chose to demonstrate grace instead. https://bestfup644.weebly.com/no-one-lives-forever-mac-download.html. David did this, notbecause the house of Saul deserved it, but because of his relationship withJonathan, and because of two promises he had made years before.David had promised both Jonathan and Saulthat he would not totally destroy their offspring, 1 Sam. 20:13-17; 1 Sam. 24:20-22.So, this grace is extended because of another.

(Note: No wonder grace is called amazing!God extends His grace to the members ofAdam’s family.We do not deserve Hisgrace, His love and His mercy.In fact,if we received what we deserved, we would receive judgment, damnation and Hell,Rom. 6:23; Eze. 18:4. Yet, God extends His amazing grace to us becauseof Another.He reaches out to fallen,depraved sinners because He loves His Son; and because Jesus died for us on thecross.Neither you nor I have anythingto merit us to God, but because of Jesus, we can experience God’s amazing grace1 John 2:12; Eph. 4:32. No wonder it’s calledamazing!)

B.v. 1The Reach Of This Grace – When David decides to extendgrace, he does so without any limits.Heis looking for “any that is left of the house of Saul.”The house of Saul was the house of hispredecessor and bitter enemy, but that did not matter.David also placed no limits on thisgrace.He was willing to extend it to “any”member of the house of Saul.

(Note: The key word in verse1 is “any”.David was notlooking for people who met a certain criteria. But, anyone who was of thefamily of Saul was a candidate for grace.Thank God that our Lord’s amazing grace knows no boundaries!It extends to all men regardless of theirpast, their race, their social standing, or their deeds.God does not reach out to save the righteous,but the sinner, Mark 2:17.God extends His grace to “whosoever will”, Rev. 21:17; Matt. 11:28; John 7:37.Praise God, there are no limits on who can come, but grace is extendedto all who will!

That is how you and I got in.Friend, if you are lost, that is how you willget in as well!You see, no one deservesit; but all can have it.That is whatmakes grace so amazing!)

(Ill.Mel Trotter was an alcoholic. Again and again he promised his wife that hewould give up drink for good. Once he managed to stay dry for eleven and a halfweeks. At the end, thirst overcame him. He squandered his horse to pay for around of drinks. He reached the point that he committed burglary to feed hisawful habit. His wife and child suffered terribly for his sin.

Theyhad only the one child. The boy was about two years old when Mel came homeafter a drinking spree. 'I went home after a ten-day drunk and foundhim dead in his mother's arms. I'll never forget that day. I was a slave, and Iknew it. It pretty nearly broke my heart. I said, 'I'm a murderer. I'm anythingbut a man. I can't stand it, and I won't stand it! I'll end my life.'But he didn't have the courage to do it because he feared God's judgment.

Heput his arms around his wife and swore on the baby's coffin that he'd nevertouch another drop. Two hours after the funeral, he staggered home blind drunk.

Onthis day, January 19, 1897, Mel Trotter made the decision to kill himself. Hestaggered drunk through Chicago, determined tothrow himself into the freezing waters of Lake Michigan.Unable to break his habit, unable to keep his promises, he wanted to die.

Hisprogress brought him past the door of the Pacific Garden Mission. Harry Monroe,who himself had been an alcoholic, was leading singing. As the doorman helpedMel in, Monroestopped to pray for Mel. 'O God, Save that poor, poor boy,'he pleaded.

Monroe told the audienceof his own past and how Christ had delivered him from alcohol. Mel listened andbelieved. That night, he answered Monroe'sinvitation to make room for God in his life. Monroe explained that Jesus loved him andwould change him.

Andthat is what Jesus did. Asked later how he knew he was saved, he replied,'I was there when it happened, January 19, 1897, 10 minutes past 9,Central time, PacificGardenMission, Chicago, Illinois, USA.' https://sworldpriority469.weebly.com/hp-printer-software-for-mac.html.

Threeyears later, Mel was asked to head a rescue work in Grand Rapids, Michigan.He went on to found a chain of missions throughout the United States to help men likehimself who could not escape the slavery of alcoholism.[2]What made the difference? Grace!No wonder it’s called amazing!)

C.v. 1-5The Response Of This Grace – David discovers that one of Jonathan’ssons is still living.He also hears thenews that this man is crippled.Yet, theresponse of grace is not to ask what kind of man he is, or even how bad he iscrippled.Grace does not concern itselfwith the man’s background, his surroundings, his abilities, his appearance, hisfuture potential, etc. The response of grace is to ask “Where is he?”As soon as David hears where this man is, hesends his servants to “fetch” him.Grace said, “I am not concerned about hiscondition, I want him just like he is.”

(Note: So it is with the amazing grace of God.He does not look upon us and concern Himselfwith our crippled spiritual condition.He looks upon us thought the eyes of grace.He sees us exactly like we are, but He lovesus in spite of what we are.He knows allabout our past, our problems and our potential, yet He responds by drawing usto Himself anyway!When grace fixes itsgaze on one of the crippled sons of Adam’s race, it cares for nothing butfetching us to itself.No wonder it’s calledamazing!)

II.v.6-8AMAZING GRACE IS EMBRACED

(Ill. For just a moment, let’s put ourselvesin the shoes of Mephibosheth. He is one of the few remaining members of thehouse of Saul.He is living in a placecalled Lo-debar, which means “no pasture.”He is probably living each day in fear forhis life; afraid that King David will come and take his life way.No doubt he is a poor man.He does not have access to the wealth or thelands of his family.He is a crippledman.His father was killed in battle andwhen the news came, his nurse tried to flee with the child and he was droppedand his legs were permanently damaged, 2Sam. 4:4.He was five when thishappened.All of his life he has beenwarned that David might find him.He livesin fear and he lives in misery every day.

Then,one day it happens! There is the sound of horses and chariots outside thelittle house in Lo-debar. There is a knock at the door and in come men from Jerusalem. “Theking wants to see you” they say.So, with a fearful heart you gather what meager possessions you have andyou leave with the guards to go see the one man you never wanted to see.

Aftera while the chariots arrive at the King’s palace.Mephibosheth is carried into the King’spresence.When he arrives there, nothingis like he had imagined it.Mephiboshethhas entered the presence of grace.Notice how he embraces it.)

A.v. 6aWith A Humble Heart – When Mephibosheth comes into David’spresence, he is aware that as a descendant of Saul he deserves nothing butjudgment from the King.Therefore, hehumbles himself in the presence of David.

B.v. 6b-7With A Happy Heart – Instead of judgment, Mephiboshethexperiences tenderness.He hears Davidcall his name.And, then to hisamazement, he hears David speak peace to his heart.He hears the King as he promises himrestoration of all the wealth and glory that once belonged to the family ofSaul.Then, the icing on the cake, Davidpromises to give Mephibosheth a place at the King’s table.It is with a happy heart that Mephiboshethembraces the treasures of grace!

C.v. 8With An Honest Heart – Mephibosheth is overwhelmed by thegrace he has received.He acknowledgesthat he is undeserving of such love and mercy.Grace has been extended and it has been embraced and nothing will everbe the same in Mephibosheth’s life again!

(Note: What a picture this is of the lost sinner whoencounters grace.When the King firstcalls there is fear brought about by conviction, John 16:7-11.The sinner knows that he deserves nothing butjudgment and damnation from the hand of God.Yet, the call comes and it cannot be denied.When the sinner responds to the call and isushered into the presence of the Lord, he falls down in humility, reverence andworship.Then, the King speaks and Hereveals the fact that grace has turned away His wrath, opened His heart and HisHeaven and that grace offers to restore to the sinner everything that sin tookaway!If you have experienced God’ssaving grace in your life, then you know how overwhelming it truly is.

Thinkback and remember that day when as a lost sinner you were brought by the Spiritof God into the presence of God.Do youremember the fear?Do you remember thefeeling of dread?But, do you rememberhow that He spoke peace to your soul that day?Do you remember how you came with nothing and left with everything?What grace!What blessing!What a great,wonderful, matchless, glorious Savior we have!When His grace is embraced, everything changes.No wonder it’s called amazing!)

III.v. 9-13AMAZING GRACE IS EXPANDED

(Ill. When Mephibosheth came to David, he didnot get what he deserved.He receivedgrace.When he received grace, he alsoreceived more blessings than he could have ever imagined.Grace was expanded.Notice what grace provided to Mephiboshethand what saving grace provides to you and me.) Mitti 1 3.

A.v. 9-11aGrace Provided A Future – In Lo-debar, Mephibosheth hadnothing.He was poor.He was an outcast.He was a fugitive. He had no hope and noprospects for his future.All he had wasa pair of crutches and little more. But, when he met grace, everythingchanged!All of his present needs weremet and his future was secured.Gracegave him something he never could have had in Lo-debar: grace gave him afuture. Grace gave him the plenty of the King!

(Note: The same is true for all those who experience God’ssaving grace.In Adam, our Lo-debar, wehad nothing!We were lost, undone andheaded to Hell.We were outcasts andfugitives, running for our lives from a holy God Who possessed the right andthe power to send us to a lost eternity.But, when grace was extended and embraced, everything changed!What sin could never give us became ours inJesus!For the first time, there washope for the future.

·Weare promised security – John 6:37-40; John 10:28; 1 Pet. 1:5.

·Weare promised a home in Heaven – John 14:1-3.

·Weare promised that our needs would be met – Phil.4:19, Matt. 6:25-34.

·Weare promised His presence all the way home to Heaven – Heb. 13:5; Matt. 28:20.

Thatis what grace gives to all those who embrace it!No wonder it’s called amazing!)

B.v. 11bGrace Provided A Family – Mephibosheth was adopted out ofSaul’s family and into David’s.Gracegave him something that he did not have before it was extended to him.Grace gave him a family! Every day he lives,Mephibosheth was reminded by his surroundings and by the presence of the Kingthat he was the recipient of grace.Hewas where he was because of the grace of the King!

(Note: When a sinner responds to the call of grace and issaved; that sinner is immediately adopted into the family of God, Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:5.He is taken out of Adam that doomed race, and is placed into Christ, Col. 1:13; 1 Cor. 12:13.You see, in Adam, we were doomed to death; inJesus, we are destined for life, 1 Cor.15:22.Grace took us from ourLo-debar and brought us into the family of God, 1 John 3:1-3.My we never forget that we have what we haveand that we are what we are simply by the good grace of God, 1 Cor. 15:10. No wonder it’s calledamazing!)

C.v. 13Grace Provided Fulfillment – Mephibosheth was a nobody in ahouse full of somebodies.There wasAbsalom, perfect and handsome. There were David’s other sons.There were David’s beautiful wives anddaughters. There was Joab the general, proud and strong.There were princes and princesses; soldiersand statesmen; men of wealth and men of power.All of these took their place at the table of King David.But wait, as the family gathers, there is thesound of a crippled man coming down the hallway.There is the clump of his crutches and thesound of his feet being dragged.It isMephibosheth and he takes his place at the King’s table with all the rights andprivileges as the rest.Then, when hetakes his seat and the tablecloth falls across his legs. He looks just like therest.Grace took a nobody from nowhereand made him a child of the King!

(Note: That is the power of grace!It takes the lost sinner, changes himcompletely and gives him a seat at the Lord’s Table.It takes us from our Lo-debar and makes usone of God’s children.It puts us oneven footing with all the rest of God’s precious saints.When you embraced His grace, He elevated youto a new position.You are not beneathAbraham, Moses, the Apostles or any other saint of God.You are His child, seated at His table andHis grace has taken care of your past and your infirmities. That is the powerof grace!No wonder it’s called amazing!)

Conc: Julia Johnston penned a great hymn that speaks to what I have beentrying to preach today.It is called “GraceGreater Than Our Sin.”It goessomething like this:

1.Marvelousgrace of our loving Lord,

Polarr photo editor 1 4 download free. grace that exceeds our sin and ourguilt!

Yonder on Calvary'smount outpoured,

there where the blood of the Lambwas spilt.

Refrain:

Grace, grace, God's grace,

Amazing 2 9 14 Commentary Verse

grace that will pardon and cleansewithin;

grace, grace, God's grace,

grace that is greater than all oursin!

2.Sinand despair, like the sea waves cold,

threaten the soul with infiniteloss;

grace that is greater, yes, graceuntold,

points to the refuge, the mightycross.

(Refrain)

3.Darkis the stain that we cannot hide.

What can avail to wash it away?

Look! There is flowing a crimsontide,

brighter than snow you may be today.

(Refrain)

4.Marvelous,infinite, matchless grace,

freely bestowed on all who believe!

You that are longing to see hisface,

will you this moment his gracereceive?

Amazing 2 9 14 Commentary 13

(Refrain)[3]

ThankGod for grace!Thank God for His savinggrace!No wonder it’s called amazing!

Haveyou been “fetched” by it?Has itspower, promises and provisions been made real in your heart and soul?If you are saved by grace, then you know whatI have been trying to preach today.If youhave not, but feel like the King is calling you to come to Him, the time to dothat is now.If you would like to besaved; if you would like to have your fellowship with the King restored; or ifyou would like to come and thank Him for His grace, this altar if open.

BrennanManning, The Ragamuffin Gospel, Multnomah, 1990, pp 91-2.

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