What Is God Like? | Sunday Message

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Let's grab our Bibles and turn to second Samuel chapter 9 Ritter House of David series and the title of my message is what is God. Second Samuel chapter what is God like I heard the story of a little girl who grabbed her crayons and a piece of paper and she said your mom. I'm in a draw a picture of God.

Mother said honey.

Nobody knows what God looks like the little girl said they will when I'm done. What does God look like what is God like is he is smiling. God is he a frowning God is he approachable or not approachable is C does he approve or disapprove of us noted to see that the Bible refers to the Almighty as father on more than one occasion, so we might immediately pivot to our earthly dad and use them as a point of reference. Let's say that you had a very warm loving and affectionate fun dad and see you sort of think of God. That way, but then someone else might have a father was rather distant and aloof, not very communicative. Even worse, you might have a father who was abusive or altogether absent. So you apply that to God as well. But when we look at God. We should not compare him to our earthly fathers, we should look at how we as presented in Scripture. So Jesus gives this picture of God. This selfie of God.

If you will, in the story of the prodigal son God is like a father to son. One of his sons one is strength drug. The family name through the mud was a disgrace made all the wrong decisions.

One day came to his senses and taught decided to return home and here's a picture Jesus gives us of the father. When the sun returns the father runs to him, throws his arms around them meets the sun for 20 minutes right now that's not in the Bible know he throws his arms around the Sunday hugs and kisses them and he says to everyone this my son was dead is alive again. He was lost is found that a party in the barbecue was amazing. That's the picture of God according to Jesus, he's a father that longs for fellowship with us and misses us when we are gone and will forgive us of our sin. We go to the Old Testament because sometimes people think the God of the New Testament is loving and gracious, but the God of the Old Testament is judgmental and harsh. That's not true. It's the same God of both the old and the New Testament we have a beautiful picture of God in the Old Testament and the story of David and look for Bishop, how many of you have ever heard of mud for Bishop Fraser in calyx pricing and that name together meant for a shift all pretty good. Okay so him to talk about him a little bit in the message, but a little recap before we dive into his story's out of this all started, so Israel wanted to kick all the other nations had kings and they wanted a king to despite the fact that God had led them through prophets and judges. They said no we don't want that anymore. All the other nations have a king. We want a king to write so the guard the Lord gives them exactly what they wanted.

He gives them a king after their own heart and his name was Saul careful what you wish for. You might get it and they got what they wanted Saul on paper looks good. He had all the credentials to be a successful politician.

He was tall he was good-looking he was charismatic just was paranoid, jealous and murderous and he disobeyed the Lord so the Lord rejected Saul from being the king and then came to the prophet Samuel and said I want you to go to the little town of Bethlehem and there in that town. There's amending Jesse and out of his household. I'm going to select the next king of Israel system shows up in town's Tiny Little Pl., Bethlehem kind of a big deal when a prophet shows up and they're all wondering what's going on in the seventh sons of Jesse are paraded before the visiting prophet and the Lord says none of them are my choice and that Jesse reluctantly acknowledges he is one more son out of the field watching the sheep.

That of course is David. David comes in. He is anointed by the prophet, because the Lord says that's the one. David's first test was facing Goliath in the Valley of the law and of course he brought down the 9'6" Philistine with one stone and overnight.

David became a rock star. There was even a hit song and is really radio all about him.

The lyrics were Saul is playing this thousands, but David is laying his tens of thousands.

So he's a folk hero.

He's a legend in his own time.

Saul doesn't like this one bit and he decides he's going to murder David and spends the next portion of the story chasing after David.

But as we enter this story now looking to see Saul coming to an end is going to finally read what he sows. He is on a collision course in this date with destiny because David was the one that God calls you know you can say that once David was selected by God. All of his troubles began. Things are kinda good for David. Prior to that, Jesus watching us what the sheet write songs to God by the Philly predators nice life and in the Lord calls them and the trouble begins and you could see the same thing about us. Once you become a Christian all your troubles begin. Not the choosing of troubles before, but a new set of troubles take their place because you have entered now into a spiritual battle. Remember when I first became a Christian then the believer Saul McGregor. Be careful.

The devils can attempt you. I'm lightweight, what double I just come to Jesus. No one told me about a double. I found out about them really quickly and you know what I'm talking about exactly. It's been said, quote conversion is made our hearts a battlefield." So we know what it is to fight this battle. Having said that it's worth it right OSHA were hassled were attempted were attacked were malign and sometimes worse.

But what is God given to us. He's given us the forgiveness of all a person he's filled the void in our life. He's unfolding a plan that he has for each and every one of us. And best of all, we know that one day we will see him in glory in heaven.

But there's a battle just as surely as there is a God who loves you. There is a devil who hates you because it David was loved by God.

He was seated by Saul. I more than one occasion Saul threw a javelin it.

David tried to take him out and sows. David is now on the run for his life. So one day David and his men go into a cave and there just getting out of the sun and waiting and who shows up in the cave, but king Saul, not realizing the David's in the same case saws in the cave to answer the call of nature right and David sneaks up behind him and cuts off a little bit of his robe he could come up. Saul said, but he did after Saul leaves that came from a safe distance.

David yells out king Saul feel a little draft right now I could cut you got off but I spared you king Saul called David, my son, I'm so sorry for all that I've done and I know that you are the rightful heir to the throne, but would Saul was a liar and he continued to pursue David's ultimately he reads what he sows in Saul and sadly his son Jonathan dying on the battlefield.

Saul is wounded and he falls on his own sword committing suicide, but the house of Saul and the house of David continued in war. This is boring.

By the way, I can tell you this, J. This is the backdrop will want the application from the sermon you what is it mean to me.

Okay will get there.

Context is everything.

So this is the big picture. So the house of Saul in the house of David are at war with each other.

Saul had a son left his name was Bishop OSHA so we've gotten the finish ethics is supposed to. What's with these may and now Abner, who was the general working under Saul who had been pursuing David knew that David was the rightful heir to the throne, but because it served his purposes. Politically, he anointed his post at the be the king of Israel. Then he had an argument with this post. At that he came over to David and to take a tell you what, I'll come and join your team. If you want me to visit you nominally kill you. That's what I want to do first David do didn't do any that you know why David was tired of fighting. You know some people just like to find something they love to argue, you'll find them on twitter. No counterpoint whatever you say and some people love to have arguments and they love to be in conflict and they feed that conflict constantly and sometimes you just say I'm tired of arguing and tired of fighting was dated as I'm just so done.

I'm over all of this Abner you want to make a special deal great. Let's do it. Hey, I don't want to hunt you down. I don't want to kill anybody else in effect I wanted show love and forgiveness to those who have hurt me, David, and a very close friendship with Jonathan, who was the Prince and Jonathan knowing that he would probably come to an untimely death may David make a promise to him is that David, when you ascend your throne and you will will you remember my family. We remember my descendent and treat them with kindness. David said buddy you got it. That's not exactly in the Bible, but that it's implied right. This is why David was a man after God's own heart. He made a promise and he kept he forgave the ones who would hurt him and maybe I'm talking to somebody here who is been persecuted or attacked wrongfully by someone. Maybe you have an enemy who has tried to do you harm you been hurt or offended by the way you were treated no online of all of this, imagine how you would feel about that person would bother you for all of these years, especially if that harmed them was completely undeserved in your enemy was finally dealt with anyone the other side of the tunnel which your first thought be to show kindness to that person. I don't think so, but David did. He said you know I remember making a promise so, because in this guy name Ziva who turns out to be a real creep. By the way people work for Saul because Ziva?

Are there any descendents of Saul and Jonathan alive still, and here's what happened in their conversation second Samuel chapter 9 starting to and I'm reading from the new living translation are you see about the king asked if I am zebra reply. Then the king asked him, is anyone still alive from Saul's family.

If so I want to show kindness to them in a way, or any way I can zebra reply just one of Jonathan sons is still alive but he's crippled. Where is it the king asked hello to bar Ziva says at the home of maker.

This son of a meal so David sent for him and brought him from that home and his name was meant for the said he was Jonathan son in Saul's grandson when he came to David, he bowed low in great fear and said I am your servant David said, don't be afraid of. As to the, so I can be kind you because of my body. Your father Jonathan. I will give you all the land that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you may come and live here with me in the palace but finished fifth out of the ground before the king, and he said should the king show such kindness to a dead dog like me but my fitness at eight regularly with David as though he were one of his own sons stopped her is not a great story beautiful story of grace and forgiveness. Here is David the crowned king of Israel.

Normally one would eliminate any potential rivals to the throne and in fact but for the chef was next in line for service.

The king then there was a prince, Jonathan. Now Jonathan son. Another Prince.

He could've ascended to the throne of God and called David to this position. David could've said I'm in a kill him because he's a threat to me, but that is not what happened at all for the South was only five years old when his father and grandfather were killed on the field of battle up and then he had had a pretty great life. He was a prince. You know people are so obsessed with royalty today. People follow the royal family in England and they know the names of all of the grandchildren and all of the descendents and and there's I'm not fascinated by this.

But some people are.

We love and loyalty over the royal.

She's a princess he's a he's a prince well imagine the lie that for Bishop live pampered in the lap of luxury living in the palace.

Everything was going his way, and then the news was announced.

Saul and Jonathan are killed and there was a nurse holding the figure said that she's running probably wanting to hide him, knowing that his life would be in danger and she dropped in and he was permanently disabled from that point on he did no longer had the use of his feet. He been dropped and there are people who been dropped in life. Are you one of them, through no fault of your own bad things happen in your childhood. Things happen in your family. Maybe they broke up maybe offense took place.

It didn't seem fair, especially when you compare your life to the lives of others.

So you were dropped in line you were mistreated, neglected and abused, forgotten, and you haven't given much hope, but God specializes in taking people who would been dropped in life and picking them up again so Friday at our church purity saw little video of all these families that came over 5000 family showed up in many of these children are in the foster care system. Some of them are from homeless families and so we were there to help them and show God's love to them as we mention we gave over 3000 backpacks and a little gospel presentations in each backpack 2500 pairs of shoes were given out 1200 haircuts, 475 medical exams 250 dental exams and cleanings hundred and 60 pairs of glasses given 360 eye examinations, thousands of food boxes given out and in over 50 people stop for prayer. Getting a Bible and we had many make a profession of faith and in and out Burger was there in force looking everybody up with a burger does not sound good right now cringing to my watch.

It's almost 12, but of course we can do that right now but hey that was showing these people who been dropped in life these children through no fault of their own end up in this situation that we want to see you there is a God in heaven who loves you. Who cares about you was a plan for your life and we want to show that love for this test was clearly dropped and live in so many ways.

Maybe he was angry at David.

Maybe he blamed it all on David, maybe you thought it it's all the fault of David, and I would be on the throne right now. If it wasn't for him.

Maybe he wondered if some day there would be a knock at the door and the soldiers of David would show up and he would be summarily executed.

So he might've even heated David why because he didn't know Dave. He knew what township he heard things, but he didn't know David personally.

Imagine this shop when we read here in verse three the king says is there anyone still alive from Saul's family. I want to show kindness to them in any way that I can before kindness can be translated. Grace David is saying. Who can I show grace to what is grace grace is the unmerited favor of God. The Bible says, for by grace you have been saved through faith, not of works lest any man should boast. Limit contrast grace to mercy and justice. Justice is getting what you deserve.

Mercy is not getting what you deserve. Grace is getting what you don't deserve so never pray. God give me justice really, why don't you just a God send me to hell because you're a sinner just like I am separated from Jen.

Note never pray for justice. You could pray for mercy.

Better yet, say Lord extend grace to me.

Let's say that a friend borrowed my Harley and one in totaled okay injustice.

I would say you need to replace my by if I dealt with him and mercy.

I'd say forget about it. You don't have replace my bike if I dealt with them in gray, sensate, hey, no problem going to buy you your own by right.

This is what God is extended toward is not giving this what we deserve. None merely holding back the judgment that we deserve and instead giving is on merited favor to us knows Eva. He had an alternative motive here because of the king says, is anyone left of the household of so yeah there is this a fitness but you know you you don't want to.

You don't want to do anything for him know the reasons Eva said this is because he was in control of the land. That's all I'll he knew that Saul had a descendent in the figure said he had not lifted a finger to help him. He wanted to keep it for himself.

No way he describes the figures of these as well. He lives in load of our doesn't mean a lot to us would load a bar is not a great place to live.

Basically it's an obscure spot on the east side of Jordan.

So basically, the Prince of Israel is living in an obscure barren field in the middle of nowhere affect the very word load of bark means a place of no pastor. That's a picture of each of us before we were Christians hanging out of load of our living like lowlifes eating low fat food and listening to Jay Leno and I really nothing about you know she is as low in the names I'd use it. That was us. We were low we were unloved and unwanted undeserving. We felt I needed but David reaches out to mid for Bishop. Just as surely as God reached out look at second Samuel 95 David send for him and brought him from makers home brought Ken. David was persistent. Jesus told us to go out into the highways and the byways and compel people to come member the story of the four guys a Proctor disabled friend to Jesus. The house was built they couldn't get in it. So we climb up on the roof and they opened it up in the lower this guy down right in front of the Lord, the Lord touches in heels in and forgives them of his sin that's working together that's not accepting no for an answer. So when I share the gospel. A summit I don't just back off because you're a little bit resistant know I press sin. I want to bring you to Christ and as this crusade approaches we said this so many times 85% of the people that walk forward and make a profession of faith to follow Jesus were brought by a friend so you need to bring someone with you and that's what we have happening here. He was brought to David brought to his home and how to look for Bishop to react second Samuel 96. He was afraid he was afraid but I love what it says Davidson don't be afraid. I've asked you to come so I can show kindness to you, what are you a Christian, why am I a Christian. The Bible says it's the goodness or kindness of God that brought us to repentance.

Someone showed God's love to us in a tangible way. Maybe it was through an action. Maybe it was through a word or maybe it was in some other way, but they conveyed the love of God to us and this is why we chose to believe Noma for perceptive you know David, he would not of been afraid he would've understood that David was a man after God's own heart, but this is how many people view God there afraid of God because they don't know God we have a warped concept of God EW toaster said, quote nothing twist or deforms the soul more than the lower unworthy conception of God." A lot of people have a low unworthy conception of God. This is why it's so important that we raise our children in balanced, godly Christian homes yet. I think sometimes in Christian homes. We sort of major on minors and and we raise children in this really weird legalistic kind of environment, almost like a little Christian bubble you know you have kids who been homeschooled and not against homeschooling. I homeschool both of our kids are my kids and my wife did. I was the principal but by the other.

Maybe the homeschooled are not allowed to watch cartoons. All they can watch his veggie tales right they can't watch TV, they can watch movies only God's not dead. Part eight or whatever. Nothing against God's not dead.

You know they they can listen that pop music you can only listen to Christian music and to the point really bad Christian music and there is bad Christian music and good Christian music you don't clap for that.

But there is you know lots of rules, no sugar, no fun know anything so then the Rebels. One day you find them strung out on sugar watching the Simpsons and listening to AC/DC way. What went wrong. Maybe you were overprotected maybe you gave them a few too many rules.

You know those one hour devotions in the book of Leviticus every night before bed was that the best way to do it, and sometimes kids rebel and then they have this wrong concept of God.

I'm not saying I raise my sons perfectly. Though I did but I didn't.

We did homeschool them for some years we did devotions with them, but we wanted to raise them in a relationship with God. We wanted them to love life appreciate things that were around them and prepare them for the real world. Sort of like wearing floaty's. I see a few people are wearing floaty searchers today.

Why no you're not. But you know floaty's have their place in order. Floaty is the window for the little things inflatable things on the arms of the kids so you know we have the little ones near the water. We want them to be stable. Put floaty's on them with your kid is still wearing floaty's in their 20s. We have a problem say that the child needs to learn how to swim. The child needs.

If they fall in the water they need to learn how to get to decide you want to teach them to swim and I think sometimes we want to put our children in floaty's and keep them in bubbles and keep them protected.

In reality were not preparing them for the real world. We need to lead them to Christ and get them to think and live biblically see it so important. This is why Moses said and he said this to me personally is a great guy. By the way, is it teach these truths to your children.

Talk about them when you're at home when you're on the road when you're going to bed and when you're getting up so we want people to know that there's a loving God who calls people to himself, not an angry, vengeful God, you don't have to be afraid of God.

Emma finished that did not have to be afraid of David a lover's 11 it's as much for Bishop eight regularly with David as though he were on a visit one of his own sons and by the way that's mentioned four times in 13 versus you eat with people you want to be with my right you know someone that you don't really get along with her is argumentative or whatever set you want to go eat lunch. Took in hungry then your friend that you love thing I was as want to get a bite. Let's go. I just hope I don't run into that other person. I just blew off some people give you indigestion right or to sales pitch or there argumentative or there's some drama with them and and he you want to just enjoy your meal because a meal isn't just about the consumption of food.

It's about hanging out and talking and enjoying the time together in the Bible uses this very picture to describe our relationship with the Lord for Bishop eight at the Kings table as though he were now a member of the royal household because he was because he was so here's a few take away truths as we bring this message to Annette number one, don't let another person form your view. Don't let another person form your view of God maybe met for Bishop allowed the prejudice and bias of others to keep him from David, but once he met David everything changed and I think the true same thing is true of many people who don't know God. They form their views based on what others have said to them, look if someone is mis-represented Jesus Christ to you. I am sorry I apologize. But just because one person messed up doesn't mean what were seen view is not true why think the church is full of hypocrites. Hey join us. There's always room for one more. I'm not excusing hypocrisy. I'm not justifying it by simply saying whenever humans are involved, there will be moments of hypocrisy by but don't form your view of God based on someone who misrepresented God, or did something that was dishonoring to all false and fake know it's just that person messed up okay with the Lord is still loving he's still good and you need to have your own relationship with him, and by the way that holders too many hypocrites in the church excuse will not hold water on just on Judgment Day because Jesus did not say follow my people, he said, follow me. Christ will never disappoint you. People will disappoint you. I will disappoint you. You will disappoint others but Jesus will never disappoint you. Number two.

Forgive your enemies if they deserve it or not forgive your enemies that they deserve it or not David could've engaged in payback big time he had been hurt. You could killed after he could killed the fiddler set the threat to the throne he could've killed a lot of people but not only did he forgive but he extended kindness Muncie of a story I heard about Abraham Lincoln course with the Civil War and after the war was over. Lincoln wanted to reunite the nation and the extended mercy to his enemies, and someone asked Pres. Lincoln. Why do you always make friends of your enemies, you should destroy the Lincoln responded am I not destroying my enemies when I make them my friend like that if an enemy becomes a friend they are no longer an enemy. So instead of destroying your enemies is a way you could befriend them and disarm them last point Loma/point never believe a preacher when he says, last point, I always have more stuff to say.

Leave the past in the past.

Leave the past in the past. David could've very easily felt as though life was unfair. He could is that you know my father didn't even acknowledge me when the prophet Samuel came to town to anoint the next king of Israel. I got married to Saul's daughter and she betrayed me. And speaking of her family. Her father wanted to kill me, and I live in exile running from his lunatic. For all this time it isn't fair God to get it shaken up for in the face and guidance in my life isn't fair.

It was great when I was tending the sheep that you called me in all this drama began.

No, David knew God had a plan and as time passed, David can look back in this life and sit some of these things are starting to make sense to me that something that happens you get you that are younger, let me say a word to you might be going through something right now that makes no sense to you. You been very disappointed doors shut in your face. Something hasn't worked out the way you wanted it to work out our relationship didn't happen. You are hoping for, or this career opportunity or this ministry opportunity or whatever dream you had in you say it's not right, I'm so disappointed. I know, but hang in there because God is still at work and everything you go through in life is preparation for something else. God is preparing you and getting you ready for what is yet to come. These made a promise in Scripture. The last time I checked it's still there, it calls it's called Romans 820 because we know that all things are working together for good to those who love God. Another called according to his purpose.

So right now you might be looking at something that seems to be very bad and in its way.

It is, but with the passing of time that bad thing may ultimately turn into what you could call a good thing or if it does not turn into a good thing, something very good will come. Despite the bad thing is this make sense as were told in Ecclesiastes 311 God makes everything beautiful for his own time. People cannot see the whole scope of God's word from beginning to end.

So David had that focus on life.

Now I'm really going to close with three final points and I mean it this time.

David is a beautiful picture of Jesus in the way he deals with, but for Bishop David Artis your love for Jonathan's friend demonstrated grace to his handicap son in the same way God and his love for us, shows his love is nothing we do to merit or deserve it, but he seeks us out calling us to his table, but for the chef had nothing he deserved nothing he could repay nothing and in fact he was hiding from the king that was us. We we don't deserve this.

We don't merit forgiveness.

We were hiding from God maybe had a false concept of God. What is he do he seeks us out.

Finally, look for Bishop was adopted as a son and invited to eat at the king's table you like royalty. You are royalty you are a member of God's Royal family with SC reserve at his table. Jesus uses very picture when he said, behold, I stand at the door named off if you'll hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in. This is the kind of relationship God wants with you this and don't let other people form your opinion of God. Get to know him for yourself.

Some people know about God, but they don't know God.

He loves you he is a plan for your life better than your plan for yourself, but you need to come to see for Bishop could've refused to set on the corner that palace.

I don't get to sit in his table. I don't want any of it. I want to stay here and load a bar and watch the tumbleweeds blow by know he made a good decision. He said all right I'll go and how delighted he was when he was invited to sit at that table.

You don't have to say yes to Jesus Christ you can live the way you want to live in face the consequences of it, or you can come to this God who loves you so much. He sent his own son to die on the cross for your sin and you can come into this relationship with the Lord right now if you haven't done it yet so many close with an invitation for any person who does not know the Lord in a personal way. Oh you know about God. You think you do. I used to think I do something about God. I really knew nothing and then I met him and is a say in the song to know him is to love him, because you realize how much he loves you no matter what sin you've committed God will forgive you, no matter what mess you've made of your life. God can turn it around. He can bring beauty out of ashes. The Bible says he can bring the oil of joy for the spirit of morning he can turn your mess into a message but you must come to him and ask for his forgiveness. Let's all pray father I pray for every person here every person watching wherever they are. If they don't have a relation with you. Help them to come to you and believe, right here, right now the wellheads about her eyes are closed and were praying.

Maybe there somebody here that doesn't have this relationship of the Lord, you don't know him in a personal way you want to be forgiven of your sins, you you want the Lord to enter into your life. Listen if you want your sins forgiven. If you want to know that she'll go to heaven when you die if you want to fill that big hole in your heart if you want to begin this relationship with Christ which you just lift your candor forever your city and I like to pray for you raise your hand up her everywhere since I want Jesus today. I want him to forgive me of my sin. I want to know him in a personal way. I want to go to heaven when I die. Just raise your hand up if you want Christ to come in your life only pray for you, bless you and your watching the screen right now you can.

I can't see you, but you see me there that doesn't really matter so is between you and the Lord. If you want Christ to come in your life want you to pray this prayer after me is prayed out loud that we can all print out loud just pray this prayer with me right now for Jesus. I know that I'm a sinner but I know that you're the Savior who died on the cross for my sin rose again from the dead. I invite you to come in to my life now I choose to follow you from this moment forward in Jesus name I pray, amen. Everybody thinks you're listening to this podcast to learn more about harvest ministries follow the show and consider supporting it. Just go to a harvest.org and find out how to know God personally go to harvest.org and click on know God