Brotherly Love

It's Going to Take More Than Faith – Brotherly Love

Main Text: 2 Samuel 4:4-12 (AMP)

LET'S REVIEW:

1. FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD

JAMES 2:17 (AMP) So too, faith, if it does not have works [to back it up], is by itself dead [inoperative and ineffective].

2. EXERCISE YOUR FAITH

2 PETER 1:5 (AMP) For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises], make every effort in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding),

3. LOVE ACTIVATES FAITH

GALATIANS 5:6 (AMP) For [if we are] in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only faith activated and expressed and working through love.

4. WE SHOULD BE MORALLY PURE

2 PETER 1:5 (AMP) For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding),

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2 PETER 1:5-7 (AMP) For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding), and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, steadfastness, and in your steadfastness, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly affection, and in your brotherly affection, [develop Christian] love [that is, learn to unselfishly seek the best for others and to do things for their benefit].

Developing brotherly affection, also known as "Philadelphia" in the original Greek, refers to the deep, familial love and care Christians are called to have for one another.

We must realize that it is impossible to do this on our own. No amount of self-will and personal resolve will work. Our sinful nature works against us and causes breakdowns in our relationships with others. This sinful nature makes us cold and indifferent even towards our own family members. It breeds brotherly rivalry instead of brotherly love.

• It made Cain murder his own brother. - God asked Cain about his brother
• It made Jacob scheme to obtain his brother's birthright and blessing.
• It made Joseph's brothers sell him into slavery.
• It made the Prodigal Son's elder brother refuse to come into the house to rejoice over his return.

Therefore, the very first thing you need to do is to deal with this sinful nature within by making sure that you are truly saved.

David and Jonathan's Covenant

1 Samuel 20:11-17 (AMP) Jonathan said to David, "Come, let us go out into the field [to talk]." So they went out to the field. Then Jonathan said to David, "The Lord, the God of Israel, is my witness! When I have sounded out my father about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if he has a good feeling toward you, shall I not then send word to you and make it known to you? But if it pleases my father to do you harm, may the Lord do so to Jonathan, and more if I do not let you know about it and send you away, so that you may go in safety. And may the Lord be with you as He has been with my father. If I am still alive, will you not show me the lovingkindness and faithfulness of the Lord, so that I will not die? You shall never cut off your lovingkindness and faithfulness from my house, not even when the Lord cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth." So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David. [He added,] "May the Lord require it at the hands of David's enemies. [that is, hold them accountable for any harm they inflict on David]." Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, for Jonathan loved him as himself.

David's Kindness to Mephibosheth

2 Samuel 9:1 (AMP) And David said, "Is there still anyone left of the house (family) of Saul to whom I may show kindness for Jonathan's sake?"

A. When David became king, notice the first thing he thought of, who can I help?

B. When you get your promotion, what's your first thought?

C. God elevates us so we can elevate others

D. Bible says that we are blessed to be a blessing

E. David remembers his covenant with Jonathan

2 Samuel 9:2 (AMP) There was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, so they called him to David. And the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" He said, "I am your servant."

A. Most kings in David's day tried to wipe out the families of their rivals in order to prevent any descendants from seeking the throne.

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

2 Samuel 9:3 (AMP) And the king said, "Is there no longer anyone left of the house (family) of Saul to whom I may show the goodness and graciousness of God?" Ziba replied to the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan, [one] whose feet are crippled."

A. He was five years old when the report came from Jezreel that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. When the child's nurse heard the news, she picked him up and fled. But as she hurried away, she dropped him, and he became crippled.)

2 Samuel 4:4 (NLT) (Saul's son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was crippled as a child. He was five years old when the report came from Jezreel that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. When the child's nurse heard the news, she picked him up and fled. But as she hurried away, she dropped him, and he became crippled.)

A. It was not his fault but yet he's crippled because of who he was related to.

B. Do I have anybody in here today who is caught up for something you didn't even do?

C. Do I have anybody in here who reaped the consequences of other peoples actions?

D. People often identify us by our handicap

E. Truth be told, we all have handicaps, some are just more obvious than others

F. On Sunday mornings we comes to God house to find peace and in the midst of our storms to find solace

G. Truth be told we are all going through some, abuse, abandonment, addiction

H. Truth be told you have a going into a store in the middle of a storm coming out of the store.

From Lo-Debar to the King's Table

2 Samuel 9:4-5 (AMP) So the king said to him, "Where is he?" And Ziba replied to the king, "He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar."

A. The name, Lo Debar meant, place of no pasture, no hope, total desolation

B. The literal meaning of Lo Debar is "the place of no bread."

C. But to that place comes Jesus --- who is the bread of life.

D. All of us and one time or another have been in a season in Lo Debar

E. A place of no pasture, no hope, total desolation

Then King David sent word and had him brought from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar. Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David and fell face down and lay himself down [in respect]. David said, "Mephibosheth." And he answered, "Here is your servant!"

A. Mephibosheth was afraid to visit the king, who wanted to treat him like a prince.

B. Although Mephibosheth feared for his life and may have felt unworthy, that didn't mean he should refuse David's gifts.

C. When God graciously offers us forgiveness of sins and a place in heaven, we may feel unworthy, but we will receive these gifts if we accept them.

D. A reception even warmer than the one David gave Mephibosheth waits for all who receive God's gifts through trusting Jesus Christ, not because we deserve it, but because of God's promise (Ephesians 2:8-9).

2 Samuel 9:7 (AMP) David said to him, "Do not be afraid, for I will certainly show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you shall always eat at my table."

A. His treatment of Mephibosheth shows David's integrity as a leader who accepted his obligation to show love and mercy.

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

C. Are you able to forgive those who may have wronged you?

D. Can you be generous with those less deserving?

E. Each time we show compassion, our character is strengthened

2 Samuel 9:8 (AMP) Again Mephibosheth lay himself face down and said, "What is your servant, that you would be concerned for a dead dog like me?"

A. Much like Mephibosheth we will often feel unqualified

B. Your qualification is not based on who you are, what you have done, or who you know

Remember it's not about what you did, it's all about what Christ has already done

A. Your qualification is based on what Christ has done on the cross

B. Christ blood qualifies the unqualified

C. The only question is, Do You Believe?

D. As, your neighbor, Are You A Believer?

2 Samuel 9:9-13 (AMP) Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, "I have given your master's grandson everything that belonged to Saul and to all his house (family). You and your sons and your servants shall cultivate the land for him, and you shall bring in the produce, so that your master's grandson may have food to eat; but Mephibosheth, your master's grandson, shall always eat at my table." Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. Then Ziba said to the king, "Your servant will do according to everything that my lord the king commands." So Mephibosheth ate at David's table as one of the king's sons. Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba's house were servants to Mephibosheth. So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he always ate at the king's table. And he was lame in both feet.

How to Develop Brotherly Affection

The Bible provides clear guidance on how to cultivate this kind of love. Here are steps to help you develop brotherly affection based on biblical principles:

1. UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF LOVE

JOHN 13:34-35 (MSG) "Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other."

2. SEE OTHERS AS FAMILY IN CHRIST

ROMANS 12:10 (AMP) Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor;

3. FORGIVE AND BEAR WITH ONE ANOTHER

COLOSSIANS 3:13-14 (AMP) bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive. Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in [unselfish] love, which is the perfect bond of unity [for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others].

• Be quick to forgive and patient with others, understanding that love covers a multitude of sins.

Every believer must master these 2 things to have victory:

1. Forgiveness
2. Confession of sins

1 John 1:9 (AMP) If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].

Discussion Questions

1. David's first thought when he became king was "who can I help?" When you receive a promotion or blessing, what's your first thought?
2. Mephibosheth was living in Lo-Debar, "the place of no bread" with "no pasture, no hope, total desolation." Have you ever experienced your own Lo-Debar season? How did God bring you out?
3. The message states, "we all have handicaps, some are just more obvious than others." What handicap (physical, emotional, spiritual) are you carrying that others might not see?
4. Mephibosheth was crippled because of someone else's actions, not his own fault. Have you suffered consequences from someone else's mistakes? How do you respond to that injustice?
5. David asked, "Are you able to forgive those who may have wronged you? Can you be generous with those less deserving?" How would you answer these questions?
6. Mephibosheth called himself "a dead dog," feeling completely unqualified. In what areas of your life do you feel unqualified to receive God's blessings?
7. The message emphasizes "Christ's blood qualifies the unqualified." How does understanding this truth change how you approach God and your service to Him?
8. David showed brotherly love by honoring his covenant with Jonathan, even after Jonathan's death. What commitments or covenants have you made that you need to honor?
9. The passage lists biblical examples of brotherly rivalry: Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers. What relationships in your life have been damaged by rivalry or jealousy?
10. First John 1:9 emphasizes confession of sins. Is there sin you need to confess to God or wrongdoing you need to make right with a brother or sister in Christ?

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