Text: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Introduction: Have you ever considered from God's perspective what the Body of Christ on earth must look like? A healthy body or an unhealthy body? Are His children whole or are they crippled? What a picture! What a sight!


* I believe there are a lot of "Crippled Christians" in the Body of Christ...A lot of wounded soldiers that need Spiritual healing.

* I can not help but wonder just how many Mephibosheth's there are among us?

* Before I began, I want t establish two facts of how God loves us and wants to heal and restore us.

FACT 1: God is a loving Father full of grace, mercy, and forgiveness. He is longing and wanting to RESTORE and REDEEM us!

   > David represents our Father God. "I have come to show you the kindness of God..."      (verse 3)

   > Read Psalms 103:13,14, & 17 and Psalms 44:23-26;

   > You see, God uses difficult times to teach us important lessons. God is still LOVING in spite of our tragedies and our pain.

   > He is a "LOVING" God wanting to redeem and restore us.

FACT 2: We have an adversary, a enemy who wants to keep us "crippled". The devil hates us and wants to cripple us! (John 10:10; "the thief comes t steal, kill, and destroy..."

   > Now, how did Mephibosheth become crippled? Read 2 Samuel 4:4...a real tragedy!!

   > Why are there so many Crippled Christins today? How did we get that way? We are crippled in our minds, emotions, finances, marriages, health, etc.

     a). THE DEVIL: (John 8:44) "he is a liar and the father of all lies".

         The devil wants us to walk around crippled all our lives so that we do not become a threat to him and his kingdom...but...he is a liar and the father of all lies.

      The devil wants us to walk around crippled. He wants us to walk around in shame, disgrace, and defeat all our lives.

      He wants to destroy your pride, your ministry, and your reputation. Your health, your mental state, your finance, your self esteem, and yur victory!!

      He wants to keep you weal and helpless and defenseless. He wants to "CRIPPL" you! Don't let him do it! You can be made whole and set free today...don't listen to his lies!

     b). FEAR: (2 Samuel 9:7)

     Mephibosheth came before King David in fear and trembling...why?

     Most kings in David's day tried to wipe out the families of their revials in order to prevent any descentants from seeking the throne. (see 2 Samuel 16:1-4, & 2 Samuel 19: 24-30)

     Mephibosheth was afraid to visit the king. He feared for his life and no doubt felt very unworthy.

     But King David showed kindness to Mephibosheth whose father was Jonathan and whose grandfather was Saul.

     David was kind, why? Partly because of his loyalty to God's previous annointed king, and partly for political reasons...(to unite Judah and Israel). Mainly because of his vow to show kindness to all Jonathan's descentants. (see 1 Samuel 20:13-17...David's Promised!)

     His treatment of Mephibosheth shows David's integrity as a leader. He kept his promise.

     His generous provision for Jonathan's son goes beyond any political benefit he might have recieved.

     Fear is a killer! Fear will destroy you! But there is tremendous power and cleansing in "CONFESSION"  See Psalms 32:1-5 David confessed his sin and God forgave!! Why do we have such a hard time confessing our sins?...FEAR!

     Forgivness brings joy...real happiness and relief from guilt! Praise the Lord!!

     Don't be afraid to come to the King and confess your failures and sins to Him. He WILL understand. He WILL love, heal, and forgive! He WILL restore you completely.

     c). EXCUSES: (read John 5:1-4...the lame man at the pool of Bethesda)

     "I have no one to help me into the water." or "I can't help myself."or "I was born this way." or "It's my parents fault."

     His problem had become a way of life. His situation looked hopeless! Does yours? God can heal and minidster to your deepest needs.

     * Read John 9:1-3..."The Blind Man"

     * Read John 11..."Mary and Martha" crippled by death and grief.

     * Read John 4..."The woman at the well"...crippled by the sins of her past. Her marriage failures. She was crippled until Jesus came and she tasted of the Livig Water...she was set free. She left her waterpots and ran into the city telling everyone about Jesus! 

     * Read Luke 15: The Prodical Son...crippled by sin. His father forgave him because of his love!

     * Read Acts 14:8...Man at Lystra..."You can triumph over your own hurts".

CONCLUSION: Are you walking around crippled by the sins and failures of your past?

If so, the Kings invites you to come to His table so He can heal and restore you! Come and confess your sins and let the healing and cleansing begin...
1 John 1-9..."IF WE CONFESS..."