R1635 Who’s Your One, Pt.2

God has an encouraging word for you and me today through the Bible-based teaching of Dr. Don Wilton on this edition of The Encouraging Word.

Today we continue in 2 Samuel chapter 9 about a very unique message with this question, Who's your one? As Dr. Don Wilton shares this time together, know that we're here to connect with you in a number of ways, both on the phone at 866-899-WORD. That's 866-899-9673 or online as well at www.tewonline.org. Many friends are getting a wonderful combination of DVDs of the movie Risen and a message from Dr. Wilton called Wonderful Hope. Again, the details are on our website at www.tewonline.org. And while you're there, sign up for the free daily devotional from Dr. Wilton.

That's online at www.tewonline.org. Now, Dr. Don Wilton. Let me tell you about Saul. So Saul, King Saul, had it in for David. Remember David was the one who fought Goliath and was anointed the future king and Saul turned against him, did everything to destroy him, destroy everything about his household, went after him.

And in the middle of all of that, David developed a really close friendship with Jonathan, King Saul's son. But it didn't end well because Saul kind of threw a spanner in the works, upset everything and the wars and everything like that. And eventually, Saul and his three sons were killed on Mount Gilboa. And they were killed, the three sons were killed by the Amalekites and Saul actually took his own life, fell on his own sword eventually and they were dragged off to a place called Beit She'an, where they were held up in public and their bodies and just like Benito Mussolini after the, in the middle of the Second World War, hung out there for shame and it just all ended badly.

But you know, they had a policy back in those days, which is hard for us to wrap our minds around. In those days, if somebody did something wrong, the whole family got punished for it and the household. So you know what happened when Saul, the grandfather and the three sons, one of whom was Jonathan. When Jonathan was killed by the Amalekites on Mount Gilboa, Micah was five years old. That's how old he was. He was five years old.

So he probably had a five-year-old memory of his grandfather. But what happened on that day when those men were killed in that battle on Mount Gilboa was the nursemaid of Micah, the lady who was responsible for taking care of five-year-old Micah. She picked him up and she fled because she knew that the whole of Saul's household would in fact lose their lives, including grandsons, granddaughters and everybody in between. And she picked up Micah and she fled with him. And while she was fleeing with him, she fell and dropped five-year-old Micah into a ravine and he broke both his legs and some commentators conjecture that he broke his spinal column. And he was rendered paralyzed and incapable of walking for the rest of his life.

So one thing was piled upon another. So Micah now was left without a father. We don't know anything about his mother without a grandfather. He was hiding for his life. He was in fear. He had nothing. He was persecuted. All his inheritance had been lost and who knows? This boy was left on his own. He was isolated and then all of a sudden something happened. God showed up.

By the way, I want to give you a little tip here. You all know that. Everything in the Old Testament shows us the face of God's grace.

Everything. If you want to know how to read the Old Testament, every passage you read say, as I read this passage, Dear God, show me the face of Jesus and He'll do it. What we're looking at here is the face of Jesus.

Now if you want to use the proper term, David is a type of Jesus. He shows us God. By the way, do you know that's why the Lord uses us to find somebody to make a difference in their lives because He uses us to be His face, to be His heart, to be His hands, to be His feet.

He uses us. This is clear right here in this passage. So three things about Mephibosheth. Now one, he had a complex heritage. Number two, he had a fearful existence. I mean this boy was on his own and he was afraid.

In fact, the Bible confirms it when he comes to see King David. And number three, he had a serious condition. He was paralyzed. He had a physical condition. So everything about him speaks volumes to who we are.

God is showing us our helplessness and our hopelessness without Him. He was on his own. So along comes King David and I just share a couple of thoughts about what did David do? First of all, he asked a personal question. He said, is there anyone in Saul's household? Now I'm going to tell you that's a personal question because back in David's time, it's not only a personal question, but it gives the appearance that it's a dumb question. Back then, that's kind of like a dumb question. Like, are you stupid or something, King?

You know what our tradition is. Everybody's dead. They're gone. What are you talking about? Saul was the enemy. And when he messed up, everybody messed up. He's out of here. Don't worry about it.

Listen, there could have been a hundred of his advisors could have said to him, now King, I don't want to mess you up or be disrespectful. But what kind of question is that? It's like the face of God. It's like us looking around and say, you kidding me? You mean God cares about that. Nobody? You know, I've often wondered how many people in our community feel like nobody cares about them.

Think there are any around us? You know, guys, listen, David didn't have to do this. I mean, he had it made. He was King. This guy was eating lobster for lunch. He was being served hand and foot. This guy had a condo down at the Dead Sea.

He didn't have anything to worry about. Why bother? Can you hear the, why throw one starfish back in the water? I mean, come on, man. Get a life. You think, what difference are we going to make? You'll ask that. You'll ask that about your country.

You'll ask it about your community. What difference is, I mean, what difference is going to make? I mean, you mean that one young girl? You mean that one young man? You mean that granddaughter, that grandson?

You mean that friend? Well, I mean, what, I mean, come on. If I'd been in his courthouse, I probably would have been executed.

So, I would have said, King, you big dummy. Just, man, forget those people, man. Get on and enjoy your lobster.

Guys, I got a suggestion to make, which I'm not making. Why don't we just close up today and, I mean, it's the Lord's day. We've had a good time, right?

Come on, man. Let's just go and have lunch and get on with it. How about if God is saying to us, go and have lunch. Enjoy the blessings.

Go to the beach. Anticipate the ball game. Do you know why are you doing that?

Ask a personal question. Secondly, he showed a gracious intent. Didn't take him.

He didn't leave people hanging out there. He said, is there anybody in Saul's household that I can show them kindness? In fact, he says here in verse 3, to whom I can show God's kindness. Did you notice that? Isn't that great?

I want to show them God's kindness. I'm telling you, I personally am so seriously lacking in this. I get so serious loving and enjoying what I've got.

I have a tendency to not really notice some other people. Number three, he asked a direct question. I mean, when Mephibosheth came into his presence, you know, someone in this syntactically, if you're an English specialist, but in the Hebrew text, the question when he said, are you in fact Mephibosheth? He asked a question. He said, I just want to identify you as you. As you.

You who I believe you are that I'm told you are. This guy was serious about one person. I mean, one young boy.

Go live in your cave, man. No. Number four, he gave detailed instructions.

He looked into this boy's eyes and he said, he said, first of all, he said, don't be afraid. Isn't that a fantastic word? You do this so well. Please don't. You do this. Gosh, you do this so well. When you show God's kindness to people, be careful that you don't lord it over them. I'm not reducing this to giving stuff, okay? It's not about that. Don't do something for someone and then give them a lecture at the same time.

You know what I'm saying? Forgive the interruption. We'll be back with the rest of today's message, Who's Your One? with Dr. Don Wilton in just a moment.

And perhaps you missed yesterday's program or just now tuning in. Remember, all of these messages are available on demand on our website at TEWOnline.org. That's TEWOnline.org. Sign up for the podcasts and sign up for the daily encouraging word email from Dr. Don Wilton. Right now there's so much excitement about the movie called Risen and the message from Dr. Wilton called Wonderful Hope. You'll find the details about how you can gain those wonderful resources online at TEWOnline.org. That's TEWOnline.org. Now back to today's message, Who's Your One?

by Dr. Don Wilton. Don't go and, well, you know, don't bring an attitude. It nullifies what you're doing. Don't go and, well, you know, I'm going to give you this, but just make sure you don't spend it on drugs. You don't need, just jolly well get on and do something in the name of Jesus, man.

Let God take care of these things. Don't, guys, listen to me and you do it. I'm not talking to you.

Who am I talking to here? I'm talking this guitar here. So I want this guitar, when you do something, just jolly well do it. Don't do it with strings attached. Why has anybody got to say, well, okay, I'll give, but I'm just going to let you know. Man, stick it in your throat, man.

Can you hear that? This picture David gives here, it just gets to me because I don't know how many times I've given with strings attached. And if I haven't said it, it's in my heart.

You know what I mean? I've sort of said, you better just know how lucky you are, man, that I showed up. All my friends would tell you how magnificent I am. This picture of David, man, is the picture of God's kindness. He gave detailed instructions.

You know, I'm giving back all of Saul's stuff and I love the last one. He issued an authorized invitation. And he said, as for Mephibosheth, he eats at my table.

I like that. I mean, that is just so powerful, man. In fact, the Bible concludes there by saying, as for this boy, he spent the rest of his time in Jerusalem because that's where the palace was. And he had an invitation from the king.

Do you know that's what Jesus gives to all of us? He says, come sit at my table. You know, I love the fact that at this church, we're the church where everyone can invite anyone. What does anyone mean? It means anyone is welcome.

How do you define anyone? Everyone, all of us, can invite anyone to come. To do what? To encounter the living one to sit at the king's table. There it is.

It's to partake in the riches of God's blessing. So can you imagine the impact? Can you imagine the impact if every one of us do say, you know, I've met Jesus. I sit at the king's table. I've got a lot to go, a lot to do. I haven't arrived.

But I know, man, Jesus makes the difference. So who's your one? All right, so there are three decisions that we all have to make, you've got to make. If you want this to work, there's three decisions you've got to make. If you're here today and you're saying, you know, I hear it and I see it, I read it.

Man, what a great story about this kid and the king. He has three decisions you and I have got to make. Number one, we've got to determine to live on mission. You've got to determine to live on mission. Are you willing to say that to the Lord today? Lord, from now, I'm going to live on mission for you. I am on mission.

That means I'm available, right, for you. Number two, select one person. You're going to say, now, wait a minute, there's a bunch of starfish out there. Just check out one person. Just select one person. Just think of somebody. Are you going to say, well, and if you can't think of anybody now, that's fine. But as soon as you determine to live on mission, God's going to put that person in front of you. Just keep your eyes open, your ears and your heart.

Watch. I'm telling you, it'll knock your socks off. It's going to be your buddy that you play with in the backyard. It's going to be the one you go fishing with.

It's going to be your friend at school. It's going to be that lady in the nursing home. It's going to be that person out on the street. It's going to be that person that comes to the bridge that you're serving. It's going to be a family member. If you determine to live on mission, the selecting that one, so who's your one?

Who's your one? Number three, commit to activate. Commit to activate. Would you make that commitment today?

Just commit to the Lord. Say, Lord, I'm going to activate this. So now the question is how do you activate it, right? How do you activate what you do?

I gave you a very simple illustration which is just to illustrate. So I'm in a grocery store, and I've been reading this passage, and I mean for crying in a bucket, all I'm picking up is some eggs, minding my own business. And actually, I don't want to talk to too many people because I'm on holiday. I don't want a road. I'm through with traffic for a couple of days.

I want to just be on a beach, mind my own business. So get your own groceries, man. And here I'm standing there, and all of a sudden, this is the weakest illustration you've ever heard. It's just an illustration, so forgive me. But I rarely believe if I had not done that. See, I determined God was making me.

I said, Lord, would you give me somebody today? And then I've got to be willing to activate. I've got to commit to activate. See that there?

Number three, commit to activate. And I'd said, so I'm standing there in my weak, silly little illustration, and I'm saying, okay, God, well, I said it. I'm going to do it, and God's got me, and I walk up there.

And the final analysis, may I say this? I walked out of there, not like, oh, man, I wish everybody had seen me, man. I'm the big cat's meow right now.

No, it was something in my heart. I just, I can't describe that. It's just like you just feel a touch of God. It's like, anyone, can you describe that?

It's like you just know you've done something, little drop. You just threw one starfish back in the water. So here's three actions to take. Number one, initiate, initiate.

Initiate means get started. Number two, share. When someone shows you that person, share with them, according to what it is. And the number one means you and I share is the gospel. Ask people, would you like to give your heart to Jesus? That's the starting point.

That's the starting point. Would you like to give your heart to Jesus? And number three, help them. I mean, that's a real practical word, help them. When someone says to me, you know, I would like to, I'm going to help them give their heart to Jesus. And it's not about praying a certain prayer in a certain way. Bible says those that call on the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved.

Help them. You know, David in this context, he went kind of like all the way in what he said he was going to do. He finished what he set out to do. Would you just bow your heads with me? This begins with each one of us, doesn't it? Do you know Jesus? Do you trust him as your savior? Do you give your life to him today?

That's the question, would you give your life to Jesus today? Perhaps there are questions rushing through your head based on the scriptures you've heard from Dr. Wilton or the teaching today. And you'd like to have someone to talk with or pray with. We're here to meet with you right now at 866-899-WORD. In fact, we're available anytime to talk and pray with you at 866-899-9673. We would love to be a part of helping you understand how much God loves you and how today can be the very first day of the rest of your life in the best of ways.

Before we get away, Dr. Don has not time from the pulpit. You've heard him as he's been teaching, but now as he just shares from his heart, I pray you'd open your heart to what he wants to share next. Are you ready to give your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ?

I'm so happy to hear that. Why don't you pray this prayer with me today? Dear God, I know that you love me very, very much. And I know that the Lord Jesus Christ came and died on a cross so that I might be forgiven of my sin. Today, I repent of my sin. I confess my sin to you, and I invite you to come into my heart and into my life by faith. In Jesus' name I pray. If you prayed that prayer, let me be the first one to welcome you to the family of God.

This is wonderful. I hope that you know how much I'm going to be praying for you and how very important this is for me. Call us so that we can talk to you and connect you in the right place so you can begin this wonderful journey. And in just a moment, I'm going to come back with a final word.

Welcome to the family of God. I'm convinced that some of you were praying along with Dr. Wilton moments ago to give your life to Jesus or rededicate your life to Christ. And you need to know we are excited to see what the next steps will be and to put some resources. Dr. Wilton insists we send to you absolutely free if you'll just give us a call. Our phone number is 866-899-WORD.

Again, grab a piece of paper, jot this down, or store it in your cell. 866-899-9673 will connect you with one of us 24 hours a day, happy to talk or pray. And importantly, connect you with resources that will help you grow. 866-899-9673, or if you'd prefer, meet us online. Our website is www.tewonline.org. Did you know that you can receive exclusive teaching letters from Dr. Wilton and information about our newest messages and Bible guides every month?

Join our email community. Dr. Wilton's letters will encourage, fortify, and inspire you in your walk with God. You will also receive periodic updates on how The Encouraging Word is working to share God's truth with a searching world. Subscribe today by visiting our website at www.tewonline.org forward slash email.

That's www.tewonline.org forward slash email. The Encouraging Word is a viewer and listener supported ministry. Thank you for listening today. Again, you're listening to The Encouraging Word featuring the teaching of Dr. Don Wilton, who is chief. That's how he's known to his grandchildren.

And Ducky is the grandmother of the Wilton clan. And tomorrow, a grandmother's example is what we begin in a two-part series from Dr. Wilton that I hope you'll join us for. It's going to be an exciting time of opening God's Word. We'll be headed to the book of Luke, and I hope you'll join us and invite some friends to join us. Oh, and I realize that we've got a little extra time, so before we get away, closing thoughts from our pastor and chief encourager, Dr. Don Wilton.

You know, these are such special times together. I'm so grateful, my friends, that we can worship together like this through The Encouraging Word broadcast ministry. And you're such a vital part of all that God's doing, and I just love you, and I want you to know that. You know, this ministry goes on 24 hours round the clock all the time. We want to be involved in your life, and we want to continue to pray for you.

You can call us at any time. You can partner with us all the time through prayer and through your giving. We know that you are 100% engaged as we are in sharing God's truth with our searching world.

That's what this is all about. We need Jesus, don't we? And God is doing a great work, and I love you today. Thank God for you. Pray for you. God bless you. The Encouraging Word