An Identity Crisis

Sermon: An Identity Crisis

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

“One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 He summoned a man named Ziba, who had been one of Saul’s servants. “Are you Ziba?” the king asked. “Yes sir, I am,” Ziba replied. 3 The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.” Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.” 4 “Where is he?” the king asked. “In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.”

5 So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home. 6 His name was Mephibosheth; he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth. ”Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.” 7“Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!”

8 Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?” 9 Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. 10 You and your sons and servants are to farm the land for him to produce food for your master’s household. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, will eat here at my table.” (Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)

11 Ziba replied, “Yes, my lord the king; I am your servant, and I will do all that you have commanded.” And from that time on, Mephibosheth ate regularly at David’s table, like one of the king’s own sons. 12 Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. From then on, all the members of Ziba’s household were Mephibosheth’s servants. 13 And Mephibosheth, who was crippled in both feet, lived in Jerusalem and ate regularly at the king’s table.

Introduction: The message today is intitled “An Identity Crisis.” Knowing your true Identity is important to living a full and productive life. We all must answer the questions: Who am I? How do I see myself? Who are you and How do you see yourself? Do You love who you are and what you do? Do you love your Life? If we ever want to love who we are, we must first know who we are. As believers, we can discover our true identity in Jesus Christ. Whether you’re questioning your identity or just haven’t taken the time to develop your own identity to begin with, getting to know your true identity is an important part of living a full and happy life.

Identity answers the question “Who am I?” My identity is based on how I view myself, the foundation I build my life upon, and where I find my sense of worth, acceptance, and well-being. I’ve heard it said that character is what I do when no one else is watching. I’ve also heard it said that character is what I do when everyone else is watching. I think one’s identity is exposed in both scenarios and maybe more clearly when everyone is watching. If my identity is based on what others think or on the size of my audience, then what I do will change when people watching are more likely to give praise or criticism. If my identity is based on something else more essential, then I will be stable. My effort and performance will remain level and more consistent. What happens when your identity is stolen or hidden? This story is about a boy who Identity was stolen and hidden. Discovering his identity opens the door to new life.

In this striking story, King David shows Kindness and love showed to Mephibosheth, the crippled son of Jonathan. Mephibosheth has an identity crisis. He is living in Lodebar as a poor servant, living on the handouts of Ziba, a former servant of king Saul. David is a good man, full of gratitude toward his former friend Jonathan. David seeks out the family of Saul. Regardless of their rank and position, good men are generally grateful and kind.

The friendship between Jonathan and David is well documented in scripture. Jonathan, Saul’s son had shown David great kindness from David’s first visit to the palace. Now things had changed. Nearly twenty years after the Prophet Samuel anointed David as the new king of Israel, David ascended to the throne of Israel. Because of David’s love for God and His righteousness, David had refused promote himself or injure King Saul in any way to gain the throne. He waited on God, believing that what God has promised He will bring it to pass. In the process of time, King Saul and his sons had met their doom at the hands of the Philistines in Jezreel. After that battle, Saul’s descendants and servants scattered and went into hiding.