2nd April 2017 - Kindness #Generosity Michael Ross-Watson

2^nd April 2017: Kindness

Preacher: Michael Ross Watson

Bible Verse: 2 Samuel Ch 9 v 1-13.

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Introduction

Verse 1 – Question: is there anyone left of the house of Saul that David may show him kindness. This is followed by a repeat of the plea in V3 where King David says ‘is there not someone from the house of Saul that I can show the kindness of God’. To understand the full meaning and purpose of this situation, we need to understand the relationship between Saul and David.

Originally it was a love relationship. When David took food to the army of Israel when they were fighting Goliath, he challenged them all. All of the soldiers were afraid of Goliath except David. David had killed a bear and lion single handed and he wasn’t scared of Goliath. He took 5 stones and brought a great victory to their side. Saul recognised him and honoured him by making him a leading captain in his army. Furthermore when Saul was oppressed and depressed, David would play instruments to him and sooth him. However Saul tried to kill David twice!

After this, is when then the trouble began. The women began singing that David was better than Saul and Saul became jealous. This lead to Saul becoming angry, which led to fear. Consequently for 20 years David was on the run with Saul trying to kill him, even though he was anointed to be King.

Kindness is an intrinsic issue. Not extrinsic. We need to be motivated internally to be kind.

‘Count on it. God will challenge you, to give more than you have given before. Your faith will cause you to say ‘yes’ or your fear will cause you to say ‘no.’

Your response to Gods challenge will shape your future.

When David decided to bless the remaining people in Saul’s house, it was pivotal moment in his life. When Jesus comes: He removed the tempters power, He fills life with glory.

Michel spoke about the personal pivotal moments in his life. The first one was when he read a book about a gentleman who committed suicide after being continually rejected. He committed to spending his life to being kind to others.

The second occasion when he was diagnosed with cancer, and others provided thousands of pounds to pay for his care. He committed his life to being generous.

David proactively looked for the only descendant of King Saul, and found Mephibosheth. However Mephibosheth was shamed. He was the only one alive from the disgraced family. His father and grandfather were Kings, however His father died in disgrace and Mephibosheth wanted to hide in a small town. He carried a stigma and shame. He also had a disfigured body. He was lame in both feet. He was not born like that, but his maid fell when carrying him, injuring his feet. Disfigured people cover and hide their embarrassment.

He also had a doubtful future, as he lived in Lo Debar (which means ‘a place of barrenness / no pasture’) and a displaced inheritance.

The word of David to Mephibosheth was grand. David wanted to restore him, to restore the broken, the need, what was lost. God is a God of restoration. If you have lost your joy – He can restore (Psalm 23).

Mephibosheth was the rightful heir but was living in poverty. And as he fell prostrate at the feet of David, he likened himself as a dead dog. This is a wrong identify. In Hebrew  ‘ a dead dog’ means ‘embarrassing, piece of garage, worthless, no good’.

So many people live with distorted identify, and don’t recognise their worth.

All of us are worth Jesus dying on the cross, shedding his blood to save us.

We all need to know we, as individuals, are a child of God and an heir to the Kingdom.

David showed kindness to this broken man. He didn’t show it to the normal respectable one, but the one in need. He brought him into his palace to feed at his table. He treated him as his own and restored what he had lost, ensuring his future.

This is how God treats you and wants us to treat others.

It is not religion, not organisations but a life of compassion by each individual that impacts the world, that reaches out to the broken, hurting and the needy. This is a life style. We need to choose.

In Isaiah 58: The promises of God are listed. All the good things awaiting us:

• Your light shall break for the like the morning
• Healing shall spring for the speedily
• Righteousness will go before us
• The glory of God will be the rear guard
• When you call, He will say here I am
• He will guide you continually
• He will satisfy soul in times of doubt
• You shall be a well-watered garden whose spring of water will never fail

However there are conditions, these are that we need to:

• Loose bonds of wickedness
• Undo heavy burdens
• Set the oppressed free
• Break every yolk
• Share bread to hungry
• Share our house with the needy
• Clothe those naked
• Remove the finger pointing

God is kind and calls us to be kind.

Questions:

• What does God think about you?
• Do you need to change your attitude towards yourself? How can we do this?
• Do you represent God in your attitude towards others?
• Has anyone had a pivotal point that has changed their life? Please share if you feel comfortable.