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[0:00] Good evening, brothers, sisters and friends, and a special welcome to those visiting with us this evening. We ask the Lord to bless his word to us all. Just for a few intimations, of course, the session is open.

[0:13] We opened last night, and as I said yesterday, we are and would be delighted to meet with anyone in the congregation who wishes to proclaim Christ publicly as their friend, as their saviour, as their king.

[0:28] I'll say it again, whether it's tonight, whether it's one in the morning, whether it's five in the morning, knock on the man's door, phone the elders, and we will convene a session as quick as you can imagine, and we will meet with you.

[0:42] We're very thankful this evening to have Reverend Hugh Ferrier, especially thankful on quite short notice that he's filling in a space for us. I won't say he owes me one, but I did a few supplies in the High Three over the years.

[0:55] We're honoured to have him, and we do pray the Lord will feel blessed by you also, Hugh, as you spend time with us this evening. One intimation, there is a fellowship in the manse, and everyone, of course, is very much welcome to that, just up behind the council houses, if you haven't been before.

[1:13] What being said, I'll pass it over to Hugh. Thank you, Donald. Again, good evening, friends. It is lovely to be with you tonight, and it's good to be able to gather together to magnify and to worship the name of our God together.

[1:30] I was just thinking about habits and traditions. My good friend Myrtle Campbell, now in Knockbane, used to have me every Monday morning at the Barvis Communion, and I was calling myself Man Monday, and I was thinking, well, this is now the second Friday running in the Tulsa Communion that you've had me, so maybe I'm becoming Man Friday in North Tulsa.

[1:54] But it's a privilege to be back with you. We do pray that we would know the Lord's blessing together. Let's hear our call to worship. We read these words in Isaiah chapter 12.

[2:05] Isaiah 12, we read, I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away that you might comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation.

[2:16] I will trust and will not be afraid. The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. Let's bless the name of our God together in the words of Psalm 107.

[2:32] Psalm 107, the Scottish Salter version, and singing verses 1 down to 9. Psalm 107, and singing from verse 1.

[2:43] And praise God, for he is good, for still his mercy's lasting be. Let God's redeemed say so, whom he from the enemy's hand did free. And gathered them out of the lands from north, south, east, and west.

[2:54] They strayed in deserts pathless way. No city found to rest. And down to verse 9, this great psalm that celebrates the redemption, the deliverance of the living God.

[3:05] Psalm 107, to God's praise and glory. Praise God, for he is good, for still his mercy's lasting be.

[3:29] Let God's redeemed say so, whom he from the enemy's hand did free.

[3:47] I've gathered them out of the lands from north, south, east, and west.

[4:06] They strayed in deserts pathless way. No city found to rest.

[4:25] For thirst and hunger in them faints. Their soul when streets impressed.

[4:43] They cry unto the Lord unto thee.

[4:53] Then free from their distress. The moist of him away to walk.

[5:13] The tribe is he to guide. That they might to a city go.

[5:32] When in they might abide. O how may the Lord would give.

[5:51] Praise for his goodness name. And for his works of wonder done.

[6:11] That he is the sons of men. For he is the soul that longing is.

[6:32] That he is the soul that fell abundantly.

[6:43] The hungry soul that fell abundantly.

[6:59] Let's come before this same God in prayer. Let's pray. Our heavenly Father and eternal God.

[7:10] We give you praise and we give you praise and we give you thanks that we have this privilege. We have this opportunity to gather in your presence this evening. And to be able to praise and bless your name.

[7:21] And to be able to praise and bless your name. Not only as individuals. But as a corporate congregation of your people. Brothers and sisters in Christ. Partners in the gospel. Partners in the gospel. And we thank you and we bless you this evening.

[7:33] For the fact that we sing to the God who was sung to all those years ago. In the words of this psalm. A psalm although written many, many years ago.

[7:44] That still contains truths that are as relevant to our own situation. Even today. Because this psalm heralds the God who is unchanging. The God who remains the same.

[7:56] The God whose years have no end. We thank you and we bless you this evening. For the reminder that we have been given in this psalm. Of the fact that you are the God who redeems his people.

[8:07] That the original singers of this psalm. Could look back to the way that you purchased your people. As you brought them up out of the land of Egypt. As you delivered them from the oppression of Pharaoh and the Egyptians.

[8:21] And we thank you and we bless you that we sing this psalm. With even greater revelation. Because we sing of an even greater and more glorious redemption. That has been found in Christ.

[8:32] And in Christ alone. That we are told in your word. That we are redeemed. Purchased by Christ. Not with perishable items. Such as silver or gold.

[8:43] But with his own precious blood. And we thank you and bless you. For this particular weekend that we have. Where we can centre our minds. Centre our attention. Centre our affection.

[8:55] On the fact that Christ is the one who came into the world. To lay down his life. To pour out his blood. In order to rescue, redeem and reconcile. A people for himself.

[9:07] We thank you and bless you. Not only for the reminder. That we have been given in this psalm. Of how you save your people. But also how you sustain them. How you sustain them. As they wandered through the wilderness.

[9:20] With food and with drink. And ensured that they were able to carry on. In that journey. As they made their way from Egypt. To the promised land. And we thank you and bless you.

[9:31] That you're the God who continues to sustain his people. You're the God who keeps his people. And we thank you and bless you. That you have even given us this particular meal this weekend.

[9:42] In order to sustain and nourish and nurture our faith. Because you know every one of us. And you know that maybe some of us came into this building tonight.

[9:53] And have come to this weekend. Feeling that we're on the mountain peaks of our spiritual experience. Knowing times of joy. Times of refreshing. That we're conscious of your presence and blessing.

[10:06] But you know that for others of us. We may have come into this building. Going through dark and difficult valleys. Feeling that our faith has been stretched. That we're at Whitsend Corner.

[10:17] That we don't know what you're doing in our lives. Or how long you're going to do it in our lives. But we thank you and bless you that you give this meal. For those who are on the mountain peaks.

[10:29] And those who are in the valley floors. To sustain them and nurture them. To keep on going. And we ask and we do pray that this whole weekend. The services tonight and tomorrow.

[10:41] The communion service on Sunday. And the service on Sunday night. That the whole weekend would be a time of blessing and refreshing. For every single member.

[10:52] And every single adherent in this congregation. And that it would be a time when every person. Is drawn nearer to the Lord Jesus Christ. Some perhaps for the very first time.

[11:04] And others simply encouraged to keep on going. And keep on drawing near to him. Assured of the fact that. As your people drawn near to you. You have promised and pledged.

[11:15] That you will indeed drawn near to them. And so we pray now that you go with us. In this service of worship. And our prayer is that it would be. A time that is God glorifying. A time that is centered on the person.

[11:28] And the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. A time that is driven and directed by your living life-giving word. A time that is empowered by your own Holy Spirit.

[11:40] That your spirit might move in this place tonight. Moving us. Drawing us. Opening hearts. Opening lives up to the loveliness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

[11:51] And we pray that through all this. Our lips might be opened. To praise and bless your name together. And so we pray these things. Asking now that you would go. Before us.

[12:02] Beside us. And behind us. And that you would forgive all our sin. As we pray these things. In the precious powerful priestly name. Of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

[12:13] In his name we pray. Amen. We're going to read from the word of God. It's taken from the second book of Samuel. Second Samuel chapter 9.

[12:24] And reading the whole chapter. Second Samuel chapter 9. The whole chapter.

[12:40] From verse 1. David said. Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul. That I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake. Now there was a servant of the house of Saul.

[12:52] Whose name was Ziba. And they called him to David. And the king said to him. Are you Ziba? And he said. I am your servant. And the king said. Is there not still someone of the house of Saul.

[13:03] That I may show the kindness of God to him. And Ziba said to the king. There is still a son of Jonathan. He is crippled in his feet. The king said to him.

[13:14] Where is he? And Ziba said to the king. He is in the house of Machir. The son of Amiel. At Lodabar. And then king David sent. And brought him from the house of Machir.

[13:25] The son of Amiel. At Lodabar. And Mephibosheth. The son of Jonathan. Son of Saul. Came to David. And fell on his face. And paid homage. And David said. Mephibosheth.

[13:36] And he answered. Behold. I am your servant. And David said to him. Do not fear. For I will show you. Kindness. For the sake of your father. Jonathan. And I will restore to you. All the land of Saul.

[13:47] Your father. And you shall eat at my table. Always. And he paid homage. And said. What is your servant? That you should show regard. For a dead dog. Such as I.

[13:58] Then the king called Ziba. Saul's servant. And said to him. All that belong to Saul. And to all his house. I have given to your master's grandson. And you and your sons. And your servants.

[14:09] Shall till the land for him. And shall bring in the produce. That your master's grandson. May have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth. Your master's grandson. Shall always eat at my table. Now Ziba had 15 sons.

[14:21] And 20 servants. And then Ziba said to the king. According to all that my lord. The king commands. His servants. So will your servant do. So Mephibosheth ate. At king David's table.

[14:32] Like one of the king's sons. And Mephibosheth had a young son. Whose name was Mekah. And all who lived in Ziba's house. Became Mephibosheth's servants. So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem.

[14:44] For he ate always at the king's table. Now he was lame. In both his feet. Amen. This is the word of God to us. This evening.

[14:55] Let's once again sing his praise. Sing his praise. This time in the words of Psalm 32. It's Psalm 32. And singing verses at one down to five.

[15:08] That's the Scottish Salter version on page 243. Oh blessed is the man to whom is freely pardoned. All the transgression he hath done. Whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not his sin.

[15:22] And in whose spirit there is no guile. Nor fraud is found therein. And down to the end of the double verse mark five. This wonderful psalm. That celebrates the great forgiveness.

[15:33] Of the living God. A forgiveness that we know is found supremely. And only in Christ. And in Christ alone. So Psalm 32 verses one down to five.

[15:45] To the Lord's praise. Oh blessed is the man to whom the spirit of God is.

[16:00] For the sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang sang In whose spirit there is no guile, nor fraud is found therein.

[16:43] When I start you, they feign my speech, and silent holds my tongue.

[16:56] My mord, I've waxed old, because I wrote it all day long.

[17:10] For the poor people, the young man died, and I did heavy lie.

[17:24] So long my moisture turned, it is in summer's drought thereby.

[17:36] I there upon heaven to thee, my sin acknowledged it.

[17:52] And likewise my iniquity, I have not covered it.

[18:06] I will profess unto the Lord, my best pastor.

[18:17] Sill said I, and of my sin thou freely didst forgive the iniquity.

[18:33] I'm going to read again from the word of God, this time from the gospel of Luke chapter 15. Luke chapter 15, and reading at verse 11.

[18:48] And we'll read from verse 11 down to the end of the chapter. Luke 15 from verse 11.

[19:00] And Jesus said there was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me. And he divided his property between them.

[19:13] Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country. There he squandered his property and reckless living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.

[19:27] So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate.

[19:39] And no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger. I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.

[19:54] I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants. And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

[20:07] And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his servants, Bring quickly the best robe and put it on him.

[20:19] Put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet and bring the fattened calf and kill it. And let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.

[20:30] And they began to celebrate. Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.

[20:41] And he said to him, Your brother has come and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound. But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him.

[20:52] But he answered his father, Look, these many years I have served you and never disobeyed your command. Yet you never gave me a young goat that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came who has devoured your property with prostitutes, You killed the fattened calf for him.

[21:09] And he said to him, Son, you are always with me and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad. For this your brother was dead and is alive.

[21:20] And he was lost and is found. Amen. This is the word of God to us this evening. Let's come before him in prayer as we offer our prayers of intercession.

[21:31] Let's pray. Our Father in heaven, We thank you and we bless you for the words that we have sung together and the words that we have read together. We have read of the grace that David showed to Mephibosheth.

[21:46] We have read of the grace that the father showed to his wayward and rebellious younger son. We have sung words that celebrate the greatness of your pardon for one who felt overwhelmed by his sin and his iniquity.

[22:01] And we can be confronted with all of this truth. And yet at times our minds and our hearts can be resistant and they can be hard. But we pray, O Lord, that this evening as we come to focus on your word now, That you would open our minds and that you would open our hearts so that they would be receptive to the truth of your word.

[22:22] And receptive to the grace of God that is found in Christ and in Christ alone as we focus on him as he is presented to us in that word.

[22:33] We pray, O Lord, that you would melt our hearts as it were, soften our hearts so that we might see Jesus as precious, lovely, of great value, all satisfying as we focus on this portion of your word now.

[22:53] And you know every heart that is in this building tonight. And you know every care and every load that some have come into this building carrying. That we can come into a place like this and we can smile and we can tell everyone that we're fine, that we've had good weeks.

[23:09] And yet the reality is that some of us may be struggling. Some of us may feel that we're going under. And so we pray for those who may need your grace in very particular ways.

[23:20] We remember those who are unwell, those who are going through courses of treatment, those who have just finished courses of treatment, those who are about to start courses of treatment. And our prayer is that they would know the all-sufficiency of your grace.

[23:34] That they might know your hand being upon them for good. That they would know that you're the God who will never leave and will never forsake his people. We remember those who are going through times of sorrow and sadness.

[23:46] Those who have been bereft of loved ones, maybe in recent weeks or recent months. And maybe others can look back at the loss of loved ones many, many decades ago and yet still find the separation and the loss as great and as raw as it ever was.

[24:01] And we thank you and we bless you that you tell us in your word that you are the God of all comfort. You are the Father of all mercies. You gather the tears of your people in your bottle and you record their sorrows in your book of remembrance.

[24:14] And our prayer is that those who are grieving, those who are sore in heart, would know your comfort even tonight. And would receive some measure of comfort even from your word. We remember tonight those who are perhaps feeling very far from you.

[24:31] Those who might not even be in this building because they've maybe slipped back, as it were, into the world. Those who are backslidden. Maybe others who are in this building who are backslidden.

[24:42] And feel like failures. And feel like fakes even for being here. But we thank you and bless you that you are the God who reaches out to the prodigals.

[24:55] And we do pray that those who may have wandered. Would find that you are the God of great comfort and great compassion. And that they would draw near to you once again.

[25:06] We pray, O Lord, that you would bless this congregation. We thank you for it. We thank you for the many, many years of witness that they have shown in this part of this island.

[25:20] And we do pray that this congregation would shine brightly as a beautiful beacon for your glory in this north end of this island. We pray for Donald. We pray for the Kirk Session.

[25:31] We pray for the deacon's court. We pray for every member, every adherent. Everyone who plays a part in the life of this congregation. And we pray, O Lord, that you would encourage them.

[25:42] And that they might see even the encouragement of new faces coming into the life of this congregation. That they would see souls being saved. Lives being transformed.

[25:54] Your kingdom being established. Built up. Making advancements into the strongholds of Satan. Even in this part of your world.

[26:08] And so we pray now that you would go with us into the remainder of this service. Bless us as we feed on your word together. And our prayer is that you would feed us and that you would fill us from your word.

[26:20] As we pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Well friends, as we come to focus on the word of God together, let's again sing this time in the words of Psalm 119.

[26:34] The Sing Psalms version on page 159. And from verse 33. Teach me to follow your decrees, then I will keep them to the end. Give insight and I'll keep your law with all my heart to it attend.

[26:48] Lead me in your commandments path. For there, O Lord, delight I find. Incline my ear towards your laws. From selfish gain preserve my mind. This great psalm that focuses very much on the word of God.

[27:01] And the benefits that God's word has. And our prayer as we sing this psalm. Is that we would indeed be taught from that word even tonight. So if you're able to stand for this singing, please do so.

[27:14] Psalm 119 verse 33 down to 40. Teach me to follow your decrees, then I will keep them to the end.

[27:37] Give them sight of my decrees, then I will keep them to the end. Give them sight of my decrees, then I will keep them to the end. With all my heart to it attend.

[27:52] And I will keep them to the end. Please do so. And I will keep them to the end. And I will keep them to the end.

[28:05] For there, O Lord, delight I find. Inclined my heart to watch your laws.

[28:24] From selfish gain preserve my mind.

[28:35] O turn my eyes of worthless things. Give them light and glory to your heart.

[28:54] To hear your set and give. Keep your pledge. So that you may be feared, O Lord.

[29:14] Remove from me the shame I tread. Your laws except for the power of my death.

[29:34] O God, I love for your redeems. Please present me, O Lord.

[29:46] For your righteousness.

[29:59] Well, friends, would you turn with me, please, to the words that we read together in 2 Samuel, chapter 9. 2 Samuel, chapter 9. And reading again at verse 13.

[30:10] 2 Samuel 9, from verse 13. So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem. For he ate always at the king's table.

[30:24] And now he was lame in both his feet. He ate always at the king's table.

[30:36] For almost eight years, I had a slow cooker. And I quietly gathered dust in a box in the utility room in the mads.

[30:49] And then earlier last year, I finally took it out the box and started using it. And this shows what a Philistine I am, because it really was quite a revelation.

[31:00] The meat that came out of that slow cooker was far more tender. It was far more full of flavor than any of the burnt offerings that I would bring up out of the oven or the saucepan or the frying pan on the cooker.

[31:15] Now, a few months ago, I heard one preacher referring to this passage in 2 Samuel as being like slow cooked meat. It's full of gospel tenderness.

[31:28] It's full of gospel flavor. This passage isn't like a microwave meal. This passage isn't like something that you rustle up on a frying pan.

[31:44] This is a passage that is marinated in gospel truth. So tonight I want to look at these verses that we read together under three headings. We're going to look at the commitment, the conversation and then the conclusion.

[31:59] The commitment, the conversation and the conclusion. First, the commitment. You see that in verses 1 to 3 where the author focuses on the promises that David keeps.

[32:10] The promises that David keeps. Now, before proceeding, we can note what's taken place. David is now the undisputed king over the United Kingdoms of Israel and Judah, following the deaths of Saul and his son Ish-bosheth and his general Abner.

[32:27] He has rejoiced with the nation as the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing the Lord's presence, has been brought into Jerusalem. And he's received assurances from the Lord that his throne, his house, is going to be established forever.

[32:43] And after noting what has taken place, we can see the desire that David expresses in verses 1 to 3. We can begin by hearing the request in verse 1. David addresses his court officials and he asks them, Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul?

[33:01] It's a legitimate question. It would be typical of a newly appointed ancient Near Eastern king to make inquiries as to whether any members of his previous rival, the previous regime's family were still alive.

[33:16] But David continues by saying that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake. Now that word kindness doesn't simply mean niceness.

[33:27] Maybe you can remember when you were in school and the teacher would say, Be kind to each other. Be nice to each other. But that is not what this word kindness means here.

[33:38] The word kindness here, the Hebrew word, is chesed. Meaning covenant love. Committed love. Love that doesn't let go. Love that is built on and resting on prior promises.

[33:52] Love that never lets go. Back in 1 Samuel 20, we find David making a covenant, a binding promise with his friend Jonathan.

[34:03] Where David promises Jonathan that he will show him kindness. And will show his family kindness when he becomes king. And now, almost 20 years later, David is asking the question, Is there anyone of the house of Saul that I may show steadfast love to him for Jonathan's sake?

[34:26] And after hearing that request, we hear the response in verse 2 and 3. We are now introduced to a man called Ziba. He is identified here as a servant of Saul.

[34:38] And as a servant of Saul and Saul's house, he would have known better than anyone else, whether or not any members of Saul's family, Jonathan's family were still alive.

[34:50] And so Ziba is brought to David. And David proceeds to ask him if he is Ziba. And Ziba affirms that he is a servant of David. He wants David to be in no doubt that this is where his allegiances lie.

[35:05] Yes, he may once have been a servant of Saul. But he's saying, I am your servant, David. I am loyal to you. You have my wholehearted allegiance.

[35:17] And David then asks Ziba a question. Once again, he asks, Is there anyone of the house of Saul? And once again, he makes it clear that he wants to show such a person the kindness of God.

[35:33] And after hearing David's question, Ziba provides David with a somewhat vague answer. He tells David that there is still a son of Jonathan.

[35:45] And then he adds that he is crippled in his feet. It's interesting that Ziba doesn't mention the son's name, only his disability. And perhaps Ziba simply looked at outward appearances.

[36:00] And all he could see was a lame man. Remember, that's a common theme throughout 1 and 2 Samuel. That man looks at the outward appearance, but it's God who looks at the heart.

[36:12] Or it might be that Ziba was trying to protect this relative of Saul. And he's emphasizing that this relative of Saul is incapable of posing any threat to David.

[36:24] He's a cripple. That's all he is. Either way, it's clear that while this man might have been the son of a prince, might have been the grandson of a king, he has now been rendered a helpless cripple.

[36:41] He has been rendered nothing more, nothing less than a lame man. Now, friends, as we consider these verses, we're being presented with a picture of a king's faithfulness.

[36:54] A picture of a king's faithfulness. That's what we see here in 2 Samuel 9. David is a man who had assured Jonathan that he would show kindness to his family.

[37:07] And now David wants to keep that promise, wants to honor his word 20 years later. What we have here is a picture of the faithfulness of God's chosen king.

[37:20] And that's worth our attention. I've often shared the story, I might have even shared it here on one occasion, I'm not sure, about B.B. Warfield and his wife Annie.

[37:33] B.B. Warfield was a great American theologian at Princeton Seminary. And he was on honeymoon with his wife Annie. And they were on a walking tour when suddenly they were caught in a terrible thunderstorm.

[37:46] And the experience was such a shock to Annie that she never fully recovered. She became an invalid for life. Warfield never left her for more than two hours at a time.

[38:00] His whole world was almost entirely confined to Princeton and the seminary. And it went on for 39 years.

[38:11] One of his students noted that when he saw the Warfields out walking together, the gentleness of his manner was striking proof of the loving care with which he surrounded her.

[38:23] Here was a man who had made promises to this woman. And he remained faithful to those promises, whatever it cost him personally, whatever it cost him professionally.

[38:39] And friends, what we find in the Gospel is that Jesus, the true and better David, is faithful to his promises.

[38:51] In the throne room of heaven, Jesus gave his word that he would do all that was necessary to save his people. The Puritan John Flavel imagines the scene as follows.

[39:05] The father says, The father says, My son, here is a company of poor, miserable souls that have utterly undone themselves and now lie open to my justice.

[39:16] What shall be done for them? What shall be done for these poor souls? And the son says, He says, Oh my father, such is my love and pity for them, that rather than that they perish, perish eternally, I will be responsible for them.

[39:33] I would rather choose to suffer your wrath than they suffer it. Upon me be all their debt. And the father says, But my son, if you undertake for them, then you must pay the last penny.

[39:47] If I spare them, I will not spare you. And the son says, I am willing, father. Let it be so. Charge it all to me. I am willing to pay their debt.

[40:00] And though it will utterly undo me, though it will impoverish me of all my riches and empty all my accounts, yet I am content to undertake it.

[40:12] And then friends, we come to the garden of Gethsemane. We move, as it were, from heaven to earth. And we find Jesus now contemplating the cross.

[40:26] Contemplating his death. Contemplating the payment that he's about to make. And he cries out, Father, is it possible? Then let this cup, let this cross, let this death pass from me.

[40:43] Father, is it possible? And his father says, No, my son, it isn't possible. And he asks, Father, why isn't it possible?

[40:55] And his father replies, because we made that covenant. We made that promise. We made that oath to save a people. And you promised to be their savior.

[41:07] You gave your word. And Jesus says, but they hate me. And they misunderstand me. And even Peter, Peter who says that he loves me more than any other disciple loves me.

[41:20] Even Peter is going to deny with curses that he even knows me. And his father says, I know, my son, I know. But we promised. And so Jesus says, how far do you want me to go, Father?

[41:36] How far is far enough? And his father responds to the end, my well-beloved son. To the very end. To that cross at Calvary.

[41:47] To the place where you will be left with nothing more than the helpless, almost hopeless scream. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

[41:58] That is how far I want you to go, my son. And what does Jesus whisper back in the garden of Gethsemane? Thy will be done.

[42:11] Jesus is God's chosen king. Who lays down his life on the altar of the cross. In faithfulness to the promises that he had made concerning his people.

[42:27] And so tonight I simply want to ask the question, are you reassured by the king's faithfulness? Are you reassured by this king's faithfulness?

[42:41] You see, it can be so easy, especially at a communion time, to find ourselves haunted by the memory of our failings. The memory of our compromises.

[42:52] Maybe the failings and the compromises that we have fallen into since the last communion weekend. And yet, friends, our confidence doesn't rest in our faithfulness.

[43:05] Our confidence doesn't rest in our commitment. Rather, our confidence rests in the one who was faithful for those who fail.

[43:19] And committed for those who compromise. That is where my assurance, where your assurance lies tonight.

[43:30] Not in our faithfulness, but in our king's faithfulness. Not in our commitment, but in our king's commitment. My friend, are you reassured by this?

[43:42] Are you encouraged by this? Is your heart singing in the light of this?

[43:54] Well, that's the commitment. We come second to the conversation, verses 4 down to 8. Where the author focuses now on the pronouncements that David makes. The pronouncements that David makes.

[44:06] In verses 4 to 6, we see the arrival of Mephibosheth. We can start by seeing the summons. Verses 4 and 5, we hear the information that David receives.

[44:17] He asks Ziba where this son of Jonathan is living. And Ziba informs him that he is living in the home of a man named Machir, the son of Amiel. And furthermore, he is living in a region known as Lodabar.

[44:31] Or no pasture. And upon receiving this information, David displays great initiative. He sends for Mephibosheth and he has him brought to him.

[44:42] David doesn't simply send a message to Mephibosheth telling him to make his way to Jerusalem. David has Mephibosheth brought to Jerusalem. David provides the means for Mephibosheth to come to Jerusalem.

[44:57] And after seeing the summons, we see the submission. Look at verse 6. Everyone in David's day knew that when one king came to power, having removed another king, that the new king would try to eliminate, eradicate, liquidate every member of the previous king's family.

[45:18] He wouldn't want any rivals, any rebellions, any uprisings. Now Mephibosheth has just heard a knock at his door. And it's a delegation of David's men and they're saying, the king wants to see you.

[45:34] Can you imagine the panic that would be rising within poor Mephibosheth's heart and head? He's thinking to himself, this is it.

[45:45] I'm being taken to Jerusalem. The last surviving member of Saul's family. The last surviving member of Saul's clan. And they're going to finish me off. They're going to put me to death.

[45:57] They're going to eliminate me, eradicate me, liquidate me. And so all he can do when he finds himself in David's throne room, in David's courtroom, is fall on his face before the king and pay homage to him.

[46:13] We move though from the arrival of Mephibosheth to the assurance of David in verses 6 to 8. As he watches Mephibosheth falling before him, David addresses him by name.

[46:25] Look at verse 6. He doesn't call him cripple. Doesn't call him my enemy's grandson. Doesn't call him Jonathan's son. He calls him by name. Mephibosheth. It's a game changer.

[46:37] Mephibosheth's ears prick up. He knows my name. He's thinking to himself, the king knows my name. And after addressing Mephibosheth by name, David provides him with an assuring way.

[46:49] Look at verse 7. He instructs him not to be afraid. And he instructs him not to be afraid because it's his intention to show him kindness.

[47:00] There's that word again. Kindness for the sake of his friend, of his father, Jonathan. And he tells him that this kindness will be expressed in two concrete ways.

[47:12] He is going to restore all the land that had belonged to his grandfather, Saul. And he's going to give him a place at his table where he might always eat.

[47:24] And after hearing this assuring word, Mephibosheth reacts with astonishment. Look at verse 8. He cries out, Now in David's day, dogs were not cute family pets.

[47:46] They were unclean scavengers. We've got a lurcher that is far more adorable than what Donald has. And our lurcher, Ronnie, is the cutest dog imaginable. In fact, Natalie was wild because she was away for the weekend and I had Ronnie sleeping in the bed with me.

[48:03] I just think our dog is wonderful. But in David's day, they were unclean scavengers. They wouldn't be allowed in the house, never mind the bed. And Mephibosheth here says that he is not simply a dog, but a dead dog.

[48:20] He's doubly unclean. He knows that he has no promise, no pedigree, no potential. And he's astounded that the king, David, would show him such kindness.

[48:33] As he bows before David, he's left whispering, this is all so much. This is above and beyond my wildest dreams. Now, friends, as we consider these verses, we're being presented not just with a picture of the king's faithfulness, but also a picture of the king's favor.

[48:54] The king's favor. That's what we see here in 2 Samuel 9. Mephibosheth was the crippled grandson of a man who had tried to kill David.

[49:05] And David intimates his intention to show this man kindness by restoring his grandfather's estate to him, and by allowing him to always eat at his table.

[49:19] What we have here is the picture of the favor of God's chosen king. And again, that's worth our attention. You see, the gospel tells us that we're all like Mephibosheth.

[49:34] We're all crippled by sin. We're all broken by sin. And we've got absolutely nothing to offer. And the gospel tells us that Jesus, the true and better David, seeks such people while they were living apart from him.

[49:52] And upon finding them, he addresses them by name. And he tells them not to be afraid. And as he tells them not to be afraid, he announces that it's his intention to shower them with his kindness, with his steadfast love, with his favor, with his chesed.

[50:15] This is what led Tim Keller to famously say, the gospel is this. We are far more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe.

[50:27] Yet at the very same time, we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared to hope. Isn't that a beautiful definition of the gospel?

[50:38] That it's not, well, you're saved from hell and that's it. No, the gospel is this. We are far more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe.

[50:50] Yet at the very same time, we are far more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared to hope. A few years ago, I came across a story about the Marquess of Argyle.

[51:06] Now he was a covenanter who found himself imprisoned and sentenced to death. And on the day of his death, he wrote a letter to the king and was then visited by the Reverend Archibald Hutchison, who asked him, what cheer my Lord?

[51:22] He answered, good cheer, sir. The Lord has again confirmed and said to me from heaven, thy sins be forgiven thee. He then walked to the window where he began to weep with joy.

[51:36] He then came to the fire and the tears continued to run down his face. And he then said to Hutchison, listen to this friends. I think that his kindness overcomes me.

[51:49] Get me my cloak and let us go. Here was a man moved to tears, overwhelmed, overcome as he reflected on the Lord's kindness to him in the gospel.

[52:07] Well, this evening, friend, I want to ask, are you overwhelmed by the king's favor? As you contemplate what the gospel tells you about yourself and what it tells you about what Jesus has done and what Jesus offers, are you left saying, I think that his kindness overwhelms me?

[52:34] I think that his kindness overcomes me. As you contemplate the king's favor toward you, are you left saying with Mephibosheth, what is your servant that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?

[52:57] I recently came across a sermon on this passage by Alistair Begg. And in his own unique way, Alistair Begg said this. If you are not astounded by the king's kindness, then you have got a real, real issue.

[53:14] If you are not astounded by the king's kindness, you have got a real, real issue. Well, I hope none of us have such an issue tonight, friends.

[53:28] That we wouldn't be treating the king's kindness as something common. Something that we can even yawn over.

[53:39] Third and finally, we have a conclusion. Verses 9 down to 13. Where the author focuses on the privileges that Mephibosheth enjoys.

[53:53] The privileges that Mephibosheth enjoys. Verses 9 to 11, we see the exhortation to Ziba. We see the assignment. Look at verse 9 and 10.

[54:04] David provides Ziba with some information. Once again, Ziba appears before the king. And David informs him that all that belonged to Saul and his house has now been given to Mephibosheth.

[54:15] And David then provides Ziba with some instructions. He and his 15 sons and 20 servants are to till the land for Mephibosheth. And they're to bring in the produce. Meanwhile, he says Mephibosheth will always eat at the king's table.

[54:29] And after receiving this assignment, we hear Ziba's agreement. Look at verse 11. He's just been told that he and his family and his servants are to manage Mephibosheth's estate for him.

[54:41] And Ziba says to the king, the verse 11. According to all that my lord, the king commands his servant.

[54:52] So will your servant do. We move though from the exhortation to Ziba to the experience of Mephibosheth. Verses 11 to 13.

[55:03] We're told that Mephibosheth ate at the king's table like one of the king's sons. Look at verse 11. Just maybe, maybe your imagination doesn't get as carried away as mine does.

[55:16] But picture the scene for a minute in David's banqueting hall. There's David. God's chosen king. The one who had killed Goliath. The one who had survived on the run from Saul for many years.

[55:28] The one who is now reigning over the United Kingdoms of Israel and Judah in a righteous manner. There he is at the head of the table. And then you've got all his sons. Powerful young men like Adonijah.

[55:41] But standing head and shoulders above them all is Absalom. Full of charisma. Full of charm. A man who can really work the room. And then you've got David's daughter Tamar.

[55:54] A woman of exceptional beauty. And a God glorifying heart to match. And then you've got David's nephews. Joab and Abishai. Mighty warriors. Commanders in the army.

[56:06] And they're sitting in the midst of this galaxy of beautiful people. As one of them. A member of the royal family.

[56:19] Is Saul's crippled grandson. Grandson. And we're told that Mephibosheth had a young son named Mekah.

[56:30] Verse 12. You know we can perhaps understand David allowing Mephibosheth to live. He's a cripple. He poses no real threat to his reign. But he also allows Mephibosheth's son.

[56:42] A great grandson of Saul. A possible claimant to the throne. To live. This is unprecedented in the ancient Near East. And we're told that all who lived in Ziba's house became Mephibosheth's servants.

[56:57] Verse 12. Nothing said about their feelings about this new arrangement. But there are hints later on in 2 Samuel that they weren't happy about this. And finally we're told that Mephibosheth remained in Jerusalem.

[57:12] Verse 13. He relocates from Lodabar. No pasture. To Jerusalem. The royal capital. The place where the Lord's ark was located.

[57:24] And while living in Jerusalem. He always eats at the king's table. But despite this privileged status. Look at what it says.

[57:36] He remained lame in both his feet. The king could only do so much for Mephibosheth. But he couldn't heal him. He couldn't restore his broken body.

[57:49] Now friends. As we consider these verses. We're being presented. Not just with a picture of the king's faithfulness. And not just a picture of the king's favor.

[58:01] But also a picture of the king's family. That's what we see here in 2 Samuel 9. Here's Mephibosheth. And he's not simply spared by David.

[58:13] He's welcomed to the king's table. Where he eats. Like one of the king's sons. What we have here is a picture of the family of God's chosen king.

[58:29] And that's worth our attention. In this exposition of this chapter. Philip Rikin tells a story about a disfigured girl.

[58:41] Now this girl was so disfigured that even her parents. Even her parents were repulsed by her appearance. The only person that seemed to really care about her.

[58:53] Really have any affection for her. Was her school teacher. One day the children in the class were being tested for their hearing. Where each child would walk up to the teacher's desk.

[59:05] And she would whisper something in their ear. And when this disfigured little girl stood by the teacher's desk. The teacher quietly whispered in her ear.

[59:17] The teacher said, I wish you were my little girl. I wish you were in my family. And you know friends.

[59:31] What we find in the gospel. Is that Jesus. The true and better David. Receives the objects of his kindness.

[59:43] The recipients of his favor. Into his family. He doesn't simply say to them. I wish you were in my family.

[59:55] Instead the apostle John tells us. That he gives all who believe in him. The right to become children of God. Sons of God. Heirs of God.

[60:07] And while David couldn't cure Mephibosh's lameness. Jesus cured the lame. As he walked in this world. Anticipating the day.

[60:19] When he would return. And restore all things. Restore broken bodies. Restore broken hearts. Restore broken minds. And remove every single tear.

[60:33] And cause of tear. From the eyes of every member. Of his family. And so tonight.

[60:45] I simply want to ask in closing. Are you announcing your membership. Of the king's family. Are you announcing your membership.

[60:57] Of the king's family. You see everyone in Jerusalem. You see everyone in Jerusalem knew. That Saul's crippled grandson. Was now a member of David's royal family.

[61:11] How did they know this? Why did they know this? Because Mephibosheth stopped living at Lodabar. And he entered into the king's banqueting hall.

[61:23] And he sat down at the king's table. It wasn't a secret. It wasn't a private matter.

[61:34] It wasn't something that he hid. From others. And didn't disclose. To his nearest and dearest. And my friend.

[61:46] If you are a Christian tonight. If you are a recipient. Of the king's favor. If you are a member of the king's family.

[61:58] If you are a member of the king's family. Then you too are encouraged. To sit at the table of the true and better David. Professing your membership of his family.

[62:13] Friend. Jesus is not ashamed. To be identified with us.

[62:25] Isn't that remarkable? Jesus is not ashamed. Jesus is not ashamed. To be identified with Donald MacKinnon. Jesus is not ashamed.

[62:36] To be identified with Donald MacLeod. Jesus is not ashamed. To be identified with Hugh Ferrier. And we friends. Do not need to be ashamed.

[62:48] To be identified with him. Are you willing to go to that table.

[62:59] Proudly. Boldly. Unreservedly. Declaring. That you. Have received the king's favor.

[63:10] You have known. The king's faithfulness. And you are. A member. Of the king's. The king's. Family. Well. As we think about this.

[63:22] Let's. Close. By singing. To his praise. The words of Psalm 130. Psalm 130. It's got a salt. Her version on page 421.

[63:34] Lord from the depths to thee I cried. My voice Lord. Do thou hear unto my supplications voice. Give. An attentive ear. Lord who shall stand. If thou Lord should mark iniquity. And yet with thee forgiveness is.

[63:46] That feared thou mayst be. This great psalm that starts in the depths. And closes with plenteous redemption. If you're able to stand for this singing.

[63:57] Please do so. Psalm 130. Please do so.

[64:17] For you are here, And to my son, With his own voice, Give God a hand to him.

[64:41] The Lord shall come in the heart of the Lord. Just now give me with me.

[65:00] For goodness is he, For goodness is not fear, But dear, not fear.

[65:19] I will, for God, my soul, For God, my hope, For goodness is not fear, For God, Jesus, For Lord, in all, Christ, O Lord, For God, my Lord, I save more than They are to watch, The morning I will see.

[66:20] Let Israel open, The Lord, For God, my Lord, With His mercy's being, And pray into His redemption, Who serve the power of the Lord, And pray into His mercy.

[67:00] And pray into His mercy. His mercy is, He, Israel, shall redeem.

[67:19] Amen. Lord our God, Lord our God, we thank you, And we bless you, For the King greater than David, The Lord Jesus Christ, One faithful for His people, One who lavishes favour on His people, One who brings His people into his own family.

[67:37] And our prayer is that we would leave this building tonight With our gaze directed toward Him, And to Him alone, And that we would take heart from looking to Him, And away from ourselves, And from anything, And everyone else.

[67:51]  And we pray now that you would part us with your blessing, As we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.