00:00:00.000 - 00:00:22.580

[ Silence ] [MUSIC] ♪ Maybe in the sun ♪ ♪ Stunt the lion, peace the man ♪

00:00:22.580 - 00:00:38.020

♪ But this one thing I know ♪ ♪ You'll lead me not far ♪ ♪ If Jesus comes with me ♪ ♪ I'll go anywhere ♪

00:00:38.020 - 00:00:47.760

♪ If Jesus comes with me ♪ ♪ I'll go anywhere ♪ ♪ Anywhere ♪ ♪ Is heaven to me ♪

00:00:47.760 - 00:01:00.720

♪ Wherever I be ♪ ♪ 'Tis He is there ♪ ♪ My coming up with my new tears ♪ ♪ 'Tis God's will to man ♪

00:01:00.720 - 00:01:15.660

♪ If Jesus knows that we are lost ♪ ♪ Anywhere ♪ ♪ 'Tis made me I must carry ♪ ♪ The blessed Word of God ♪

00:01:15.660 - 00:01:30.480

♪ The cross for many deserts ♪ ♪ To those in sin prosper ♪ ♪ And though it be my loss ♪ ♪ To bear my cause there ♪

00:01:30.480 - 00:01:44.680

♪ If Jesus goes with me ♪ ♪ I'll go anywhere ♪ ♪ If Jesus goes with me ♪ ♪ I'll go anywhere ♪

00:01:44.680 - 00:01:59.560

♪ Just have her to me wherever I be ♪ ♪ If he is there ♪ ♪ I'd drop him, I pray, but he's here ♪ ♪ He's gone through death ♪

00:01:59.560 - 00:02:17.880

♪ If Jesus goes with me, I'll go anywhere ♪ ♪ I live to be a portion ♪ ♪ To them that calls it home ♪ ♪ While others live their burdens ♪

00:02:17.880 - 00:02:32.440

♪ Beyond the pillar of stone ♪ ♪ I'll prove my faith in Him ♪ ♪ But this is what's missed, man ♪ ♪ And if He stays with me ♪

00:02:32.440 - 00:02:50.100

♪ I'll know Him even ♪ ♪ If Jesus don't leave me alone ♪ ♪ Anywhere is heaven to me ♪ ♪ Wherever I be will be his land ♪

00:02:50.100 - 00:03:05.160

♪ I count it a favor in spirit's law ♪ ♪ His cross to bear ♪ ♪ If Jesus don't leave me alone ♪ ♪ Anywhere is heaven to me ♪

00:03:05.160 - 00:03:19.200

♪ In the night of passion ♪ ♪ The judgment's on my heart ♪ ♪ It is too late to follow ♪ ♪ The readings of his word ♪

00:03:19.200 - 00:03:33.600

♪ But in tomorrow's day ♪ ♪ Or when the year of death ♪ ♪ I'll be in my Savior's ♪ ♪ I didn't need Him there ♪

00:03:33.600 - 00:03:51.400

♪ If Jesus goes with me I'll go anywhere ♪ ♪ He'll happen to me wherever I be ♪ ♪ If He is there ♪ ♪ I'm proud and I'm glad for His spirit's power ♪

00:03:51.400 - 00:04:06.940

♪ His cross will bear ♪ ♪ If Jesus goes with me I'll go anywhere ♪ [music] Amen.

00:04:06.940 - 00:05:01.820

Hear this word recorded in 2 Samuel 19, verse 25. And it came to pass when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king that the king said unto him wherefore wentest not thou with me Mephibosheth? Why did not you go with me? Why didn't you go with me? That's the subject of our message. Why didn't you

00:05:01.820 - 00:05:42.460

go with me. This is an examination question. At exam time, people are prone to become nervous and fearful. Once I had a student in the class I was teaching and he seemed to have just rejoiced in all I had to say, saying amen and delighting in what I was saying, until the time came when I announced that at the next session we would have

00:05:42.460 - 00:06:02.160

an exam and I never saw him anymore. He did not want to be tested. And there is something on the part of many people, if not most of us,

00:06:02.160 - 00:06:22.780

that we don't like to be tested. We, some people stay away from the doctor as long as possible. They don't want an exam because it may tell them more than they want to know. This is an examination question. Why

00:06:22.780 - 00:06:41.520

did not you go with me? It's a question that awaits an answer. It's a question the king asked his servant. This question was asked by

00:06:41.520 - 00:07:20.320

King David of Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth is of royal blood, King Saul and Jonathan. And earlier, Mephibosheth had been given a seat at the king's table. We gathered one month ago, I spoke about a seat at the King's table, and this ceremony is somewhat a

00:07:20.320 - 00:07:31.720

continuation of that relationship. David, after becoming king,

00:07:31.720 - 00:07:44.680

asked if there were not some person or persons from the household of the former King Saul to whom he might grant

00:07:44.680 - 00:07:59.800

grace and They said yes Mephibosheth who is lame in both feet While it was the custom for most Rulers who

00:07:59.800 - 00:08:18.080

Began their rule having Put aside another Dynasty or family royal family they would kill all the members of the family Be sure that their room be safe, but David is

00:08:18.080 - 00:08:37.960

full of grace here. He gives Mephibosheth a seat at the king's table and the king indicates by his action a promise to provide and protect Mephibosheth.

00:08:37.960 - 00:08:52.900

Even though he is a cripple laying in both feet. He was granted a seat at the King's table. Those who sit at the King's table,

00:08:52.900 - 00:09:12.800

who are recipients of the King's hospitality, who partake of his food, and who are beneficiaries of his kindness, must answer to the king for their life.

00:09:12.800 - 00:09:31.500

They are examined concerning their faithfulness to the king. Paul says that before one comes to the Lord's table that let a person first examine himself or herself

00:09:31.500 - 00:09:44.320

check on yourself. Look yourself over. Consider whether or not you have conducted yourself according to the King's desires. There comes this question,

00:09:44.320 - 00:10:02.920

"Why didn't you go with me?" This is the King's question. It's a question that the King asks of Mephibosheth, and it comes after David has been involved in a

00:10:02.920 - 00:10:40.840

civil war. King had found it necessary to abandon the palace and flee from Jerusalem to save his life because his own son Absalom had instigated a rebellion. It was a crucial time in the life of King David. It was a time when it was necessary for people to choose sides.

00:10:40.840 - 00:11:25.800

Some went with his rebellious son Absalom and others went with David. It was a time to choose side. Now during this time when people were choosing sides and there were those who were following David as he made his flight from Jerusalem that the servant of the king came and his name was Ziba and he

00:11:25.800 - 00:11:52.260

He brought 200 loaves of bread, 100 bunches of raisins, and 100 pieces of fruit on two dockies. And David said, "Why are you doing all this?" He said, "Well, your men will need it."

00:11:52.260 - 00:12:10.460

when he did this, David said, "Now where is Mephibosheth?" He said, "Well, he decided not to come. You know, he is saying that now that this civil war has arisen, that no doubt the throne will be returned to his family.

00:12:10.460 - 00:12:30.060

No doubt he'll be the next king." Now Ziba was not telling the truth, but David said, "Well, if that's the case, you may be granted everything that Mephibosheth has. It's yours."

00:12:30.060 - 00:13:19.780

So while Ziba had maliciously represented Mephibosheth, he had twisted the truth. was a victim of this duplicity. Now as time goes on the battle is is over, the victory is won. Then comes the time of judgment and Mephibosheth is before David and David says to him, "Mephibosheth, why didn't you go with me?" It was a

00:13:19.780 - 00:13:48.500

searching question for the king to ask his son. Mephibosheth stands before the king, oh he's before the king, he's really lame in both feet so it's not likely that he was standing. He had an untrimmed beard, unwashed clothes, these things were a sign of his deep grief at the

00:13:48.500 - 00:14:27.940

misfortune David had suffered. But David is asking him a question, "Why were you when I needed you? When I was engaged in battle against the adversary, why didn't you go with me? I said it's an examination question. It's a question for For those who are recipients of the King's grace, this is a question for those who sit

00:14:27.940 - 00:14:56.300

at the King's table. Why didn't you go with me? For the King, our King, is engaged in battle. There's a struggle going on between light and darkness, between truth and falsehood,

00:14:56.300 - 00:15:33.720

between the forces of freedom and the forces of bondage. Every friend of the king is expected to show love and loyalty to the king by identifying with the king. The son of God goes forth to war. A kingly crown to gain, his blood-red banner streams afar.

00:15:33.720 - 00:15:52.100

Who follows in his train? He who best can drink his cup of woe, triumph on all pain. He who patient bears his cross below. He follows in his train.

00:15:52.100 - 00:16:08.320

Why didn't you go with me? I said it's a searching question, it's an examination question. Why didn't you go with me?

00:16:08.320 - 00:16:25.860

Always disturbing when you have to face an examination. I had certain chores to do when I was a boy. I was to come home from school, I was to sweep the floor, clean the house and all of that,

00:16:25.860 - 00:16:38.900

and I was to wash the dishes. And if by chance, Mother came home unexpectedly, earlier than I thought she was gonna come, 'cause sometimes I'd be out shooting marbles,

00:16:38.900 - 00:16:59.800

time would pass away, and she'd come in, "Why didn't you wash the dishes?" sometimes you're almost speechless, you know, when you have to answer examination. Why? Well, this is not only an examination question, it's a question that deals with

00:16:59.800 - 00:17:16.920

expectation because, you see, there was some expectations. He was expecting the dishes to be washed. The king is expecting his friends to be with him in at a time of trial when he goes to battle. Whenever you're in a fight,

00:17:16.920 - 00:17:30.140

you certainly want people who are with you to show up. You say, "Why? "My baby said, 'Why didn't you go with me?'" Well,

00:17:30.140 - 00:17:46.560

why didn't you report for battle duty? The question that he asked to do with expectations. Somebody said, well, never expect too much

00:17:46.560 - 00:18:01.540

and you'll never be disappointed. Well, the king has certain expectations. This is the expectation of the reigning monarch, one who has spared his life.

00:18:01.540 - 00:18:15.040

And so the king has a right to expect Mephibosheth to be with him in his struggle. He's not expecting too much. I don't think he is.

00:18:15.040 - 00:18:29.320

This man who owes his life, his very life to the king is expected certainly to be identified with the king in his struggle. I know.

00:18:29.320 - 00:18:44.600

Mephibosheth is lame. You know, whenever you haven't done certain things according to what some expectation may be, the first thing you think about is the excuse.

00:18:44.600 - 00:19:00.940

And so, you know, my lord, I'm lame in both feet. You know, I wouldn't be of much service to you out there on the battlefield with my lame feet. I'd have to be carried wherever, that's not the question.

00:19:00.940 - 00:19:13.420

King knows he's lame. But the king asked the question, "Why did not you go?" He's looking at his lame feet when he asked the question. "Why didn't you go with me?

00:19:13.420 - 00:19:27.320

"Why didn't you show up?" That's the question. And every one of us is addressed with that question as we gather here around the king's table today.

00:19:27.320 - 00:19:42.780

King asked this question. in the battle that was being waged last week. Well, there was a need for someone to speak the truth and you were silent.

00:19:42.780 - 00:19:54.080

You know, some people say, "Well, I'm gonna sit this one out." You know, sit it out. But the king wants to know,

00:19:54.080 - 00:20:14.580

"Why didn't you go with me?" Because the king is going to battle every day the forces of wickedness. And those of us who claim to be friends of the King as we gather before him at his table must hear the question in our hearts, "Why

00:20:14.580 - 00:20:57.740

didn't you go with?" It's the King's question, not his servants. In the face of temptations why didn't you go with me why didn't you go with me well he's a well you know in discipleship those who said well Lord I I I just bought some man I can't go I've got to go check it out a new wife and suddenly I've got to

00:20:57.740 - 00:21:44.860

finish out my honeymoon but the question is why did not you go with me he was scandalized by Ziba he gave David a false report and so the king is expecting the Kibbusheth to be faithful in the time of trial even though he has lame He's expecting him to put forth his best efforts for the king at a time like this.

00:21:44.860 - 00:21:54.700

His best efforts. And you know, we are graded by our efforts. Not so much. It's what we try to do.

00:21:54.700 - 00:22:15.060

Many of the things we'll try to do, we'll never fully accomplish. But we try. And the Lord knows when we try, when we give our best, He knows. And in the end, when we stand before the King at that moment of judgment, and many times

00:22:15.060 - 00:22:29.700

we say, "Well, I didn't do much. I did all I could do, but I don't think that was much." The Lord will say, "In as much as you have done it to the least of these, my little ones, You've done it unto me.

00:22:29.700 - 00:22:44.540

Well, Zibber gave David a false report and when Mephibosheth finds himself before the king and faced with that question, he said, "Well, you know, Zibber hasn't told the truth on me.

00:22:44.540 - 00:22:59.560

"He has twisted the truth." So I was really in sympathy with you. I haven't shaved, I haven't changed clothes. been concerned about your return.

00:22:59.560 - 00:23:13.960

And I'm so glad, oh King, I'm so glad that you're back. That I don't care about you giving him the property, giving him half of the property. Say give it all to him.

00:23:13.960 - 00:23:39.200

I'm just so glad that you have returned to Jerusalem safely. It's the King of Kings and our Lord of Lords who asks of us question as we're gathered here this morning, why did not you go with me? You know what he's asking those persons, many of them, many are at home, comfortably at home,

00:23:39.200 - 00:24:07.760

and Jesus, you know, goes to church. He goes to church. That was his custom the Sabbath day, to go to church. And he's asking the question of those who stay at home, why didn't you go with me? He's asking the question of those persons, as you see him going to Gethsemane, going to prayer meeting in the Garden of Gethsemane.

00:24:07.760 - 00:24:30.120

He's asking those who don't have time to pray, "Why did not you go with me to the Garden of Gethsemane and cultivate your prayer life and your relationship to God? Why did not you go with me? Went on to Pilate's judgment hall.

00:24:30.120 - 00:24:44.900

There he was criticized, he was scandalized, he was brutalized, and when Christ is being criticized and scandalized and brutalized

00:24:44.900 - 00:25:17.140

in our midst, he's asking of us to question, didn't you go with me?" He went on to the cross. His disciples forsook him and fled. But the question comes during the time of trial, during the crucifixion, why did not you go with me? Well Mephibosheth had to answer that question for

00:25:17.140 - 00:25:55.100

himself. You have to answer that question for yourself and I've got to answer it for myself. Why did not you go with me? And the difference is our response. If somehow we can answer that question by saying, "Well Lord, when I heard your invitation, I received it." When I heard the minister say, "Whomsoever will, let him come," I got up and I gave my life to you.

00:25:55.100 - 00:26:08.100

I answered the question, "Lord, when the opportunity came, oh Isaiah says, 'Lord, here am I. Send me wherever you want me to go. I'm ready. Take me.'"

00:26:08.100 - 00:26:29.900

And he's asking, that's what makes the difference. He's asking of us, someone here today, he's asking the question, "Will you make a decision for me and to be able to answer the question, "I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord. I'll do what you want me to do. I'll say what you want me to say, dear Lord.

00:26:29.900 - 00:26:57.460

Whatever it is, here I am. Take me and use me. I'll go wherever you need." Mountains may be high, but I know you'll give me the strength to go over the mountain. Valleys may be deep, but I know you'll be able to lead me through those dark valleys. Whatever it is, no matter what the weather may be, in the rain, I'll

00:26:57.460 - 00:27:28.900

go because I know you'll be with me. When the floods come, I'll be secure because I I know that you'll be with me to help me to sustain the currents. I'll go where you want me to go, and I'll do what you want me to do. Aren't you glad that you answered that question years ago in your heart?

00:27:28.900 - 00:27:55.980

And somehow as the opportunities come and go, to be able to rededicate yourself to Jesus Christ and to seek to do more and more what he wants us to do. Savior more than life to me. That's the way Mephibosheth felt about David when he was willing to give up all of the property, take everything, all of them, I'm just glad

00:27:55.980 - 00:28:16.360

that you're back. Jesus is more than life, he's our salvation, he's our all in all. And as we sing the hymn of invitation we extend the blessed privilege if you really believe that in your heart of hearts I want you to take the hymnal and sing it and make it your prayer. A time of rededication and a time of commitment

00:28:16.360 - 00:28:43.840

a time of invitation for those who will accept Jesus as Lord of your life. confession of your sins, your commitment to be baptized, combine your faith in Jesus Christ, your Christian experience by letter, by restoration. This is an invitation to Christian discipleship. We invite you to come.

00:28:43.840 - 00:29:14.840

[MUSIC] Chicago. Clinging close to thee, at my breast, ♪ Trust the Lord, my King ♪

00:29:14.840 - 00:29:42.500

♪ He's the love of my life ♪ ♪ He's the love of my life ♪ ♪ Every day, every hour ♪ ♪ Let me be thy cleansing ♪

00:29:42.500 - 00:30:08.000

♪ Heart, may I be ♪ ♪ Oh, love to thee ♪ ♪ I'll be closer, closer ♪ ♪ Lord to thee ♪

00:30:08.000 - 00:30:25.440

♪ Through this country ♪ ♪ We will be low ♪ ♪ Be gentle ♪ ♪ Gently ♪

00:30:25.440 - 00:30:45.060

♪ As I go ♪ ♪ Trust in me ♪ ♪ I cannot say ♪ ♪ I am never ♪

00:30:45.060 - 00:31:06.200

♪ Never lose my way ♪ ♪ Every day ♪ ♪ Every hour ♪ ♪ Let me hear ♪

00:31:06.200 - 00:31:26.020

♪ Thy cleansing power ♪ ♪ May thy gift ♪ ♪ The love to me ♪ ♪ Find me closer ♪

00:31:26.020 - 00:31:44.420

♪ My soul closer ♪ ♪ To thee ♪ ♪ There's peace on earth ♪ ♪ Peace on high ♪

00:31:44.420 - 00:32:05.520

♪ tender, deep, deep peace ♪ ♪ Life is old ♪ ♪ In my soul ♪ ♪ Is a single ♪

00:32:05.520 - 00:32:18.340

♪ In the present ♪ ♪ Present ♪ ♪ World ♪ ♪ Of hope ♪

00:32:18.340 - 00:32:36.320

♪ Every day of joy ♪ ♪ Every day of life ♪ ♪ God is with you ♪ ♪ Life lives in you ♪

00:32:36.320 - 00:33:09.960

♪ Nature's king ♪ ♪ God loves you dearly ♪ I'll be no man, no man more to me. [BLANK_AUDIO]