Mephibosheth: A Picture of Grace

Text: II Samuel 9:1-13 Introduction: Have you ever wondered what the grace of God looks like? Through the story of Mephibosheth, we see a crippled man, hiding, and living in fear of his life in a desolate place with no hope. All but forgotten, until one day he is brought before King David. No doubt, he thought his life was about to end, but the king with a kindly face, tells him not to fear for he is going to show him kindness (grace). Look what grace does: 1. Grace searches out for anyone. It doesn't care who the person is (1,3). David after many years of being king, he finds himself thinking about his friend Jonathan. He remembers the oaths he gave to him and to his father, Saul. He asks if there is any family left, anyone. Grace, like David, it searches out for anyone to show kindness to. 2. Grace doesn't care about our condition or where we are at (4). Even when David was informed there was a crippled son of Jonathan left from the household of King Saul, who was living in obscurity, poverty, in a little desolate town called Lodebar. All David cared about was to show the kindnes of God to him. We are like Mephibosheth, living in obscurity from God in destitution, because of our sinful state. All grace cares about is showing us the loving kindness of God. 3. Grace makes us humble (5-6, 8). Mephibosheth finds himself before a sovereign king, fearful of his life all he could do was fall down before David as a humble servant. Soon the fear was gone, assurance from the king, no harm would befall him. He hears words of undeserving kindness. Still beyond belief, Mephibosheth asked why would the king consider a dead dog like him to be gracious to? Like Mephibosheth, we are like a dead dog before a righteous, sovereign God, deserving of nothing from Him. There is nothing in us that is desirable at all that He should be gracious to us. Grace is all His choice, and His alone. God is gracious toward us simply because He want to and we are humbled before Him. 4. Grace restores all that was lost (7, 9). When David became king all that was Saul's was gone. The kingdom, the palace and all the riches became David's. At the news of the death Saul and Jonathan, all their families fled for their lives. During the flight, the infant son of Jonathan was dropped by a nurse maid which crippled his feet. For the rest of Mephibosheth's life, he lived in fear, hiding and in poverty (I Samuel 4:4). With words of kindness from the king, all that had belong to the house of Saul was restored of to Mephibosheth. All was lost for mankind, when Adam sinned. In the Garden, Adam lost the blessings of paradise that was given to him by God. Through the sacrificial giving of His of Son, Jesus regain back all that was lost through Adam. We who have believed upon Him, have experienced God grace, have been restored to perfect fellowship with Him (Romans 5:12-21). 5. Grace brings privilege (10-12). Not only was Mephibosheth restored all the riches of Saul, but he was given royal privilege just as though he were King David's son. Mephibosheth, a lame man, who lived in poverty and obscurity is now living a life of a prince, eating at the king's table and living in his palace.  Through God's grace we have all the privileges of a child of God (John 1:12-13). 6. Grace is permanent (13). The promise of David to Mephibosheth, he would always eat at his table and he would always live in the king's palace. God grace is forever to those who have placed their trust in Him. Conclusion: Like Mephibosheth, we don't deserve grace, we can never earn it, nor are we ever able to pay for it. Grace is freely given, all we have to do is to accept it.

RELIGIOUS CHRISTIANS

Sad to say, most people who claimed to be christian are just religious, they have never accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. They look for a feeling or an experience. They attend church, maybe for the great music or because of the programs offered, maybe they go to be entertained. When you ask them about how their church service was and they reply "I was blessed", but fail to mentioned anything about God's Word that was preached, maybe it wasn't. They are into the latest so called christian fads, and go off to buy the latest christian "How To Books", but never study THE BOOK, God's Word.

Today with Christianity, it's "About Me" and no longer about Him. A religious christian knows nothing about Theology (bible doctrine), but can sing you the latest praise song. Don't dare asked what the Scripture says or means, the only answer you will get, "Here's what it means to me." You won't hear "Thus Says the Lord", but only a philosophy.

Christianity is not a religion but a RELATIONSHIP with God. Our life service (worship) is to Present ourselves as a Living Sacrifice to God (Rom. 12:1). Our goal is to Know Christ and to become like Him (Philp. 3:7-11), to be Transformed (Rom. 12:2) and to be a Worker for God, who is not ashamed, through the diligent Study of God Word (II Tim. 2:15). In every way our life should be a reflection of Christ (Gal.5:22).

WHAT IS FAITH

Hebrews 11:1-3, states, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible."

What Faith Is Not:
1. A mystical force.
2. Positive thinking.
3. Following a hunch.
4. A feeling of optimism.
5. Hoping for the best.
6. A mental conviction.

Webster defines faith as an unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence.

Faith from a biblical perspective is belief, confidence in the Person and or in the Word of God. It can refer to saving faith (at the moment of salvation), christian doctrine (The Faith) or to daily reliance, trust, and rest in the Lord.

A Description of Faith (Heb. 11:1-3):
1. Substance- Solid ground! "We are not walking on eggshells or pudding. We are standing upon the Solid Rock." (Adrain Rogers)
2. Evidence - Proof of unseen reality.
3. Understanding. "Faith goes beyond what we can perceive with our physical senses, so it does not work by the rules of science. Faith allows us to believe that the invisible God can do what is physically impossible." (Bible Study Guides.org)

Faith Is What We Don't See!
"The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. By faith, we see the world called into existence by God's word, what we see created by what we don't see." (Heb. 11:1-3, The Message by Eugene Peterson)

Faith Is Spiritual Sight
"We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal....We walk by faith, and not by sight." (II Cor. 4:18; 5:7) It is not walking blindly in the dark, but a step into the light!!

Faith Is Pleasing To God
"Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Heb. 11:6)

Faith Is Action
Hebrews 11 is know as "The Hall of Faith." It reveals that faith, in order to be valid, must act. By faith Abel “offered” a sacrifice (v. 4), Noah “prepared” an ark (v. 7), and Abraham “obeyed” the Lord (v. 8). Faith, divorced from works (obedience), is dead (Jas. 2:26).

Faith Comes By Hearing
"Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." (Rom. 10:17) To grow our faith, we must read and study the Scriptures. Through them we gain knowledge and our faith increases.

The Hope of Resurrection (I Corinthians 15)

"In Christ all shall be made alive" (I Cor. 15:22)

One thing is for sure, all of us have an appointment with death (Heb. 9:27). Our life is like a "vapor" that appears for a little while and poof it "vanishes away" (James 4:14). There's just no way to cheat it. Scripture states, death entered the world through one man's (disobedience) sin, Adam and because of him, death spreads to all men, because all of us, like Adam our father, are sinners (I Cor. 15:21; Rom. 5:12). The "grave" and "sting of death" are morbid thoughts....Our bodies will be separated from life and be buried in the ground. Death is an ending of life and then we must face God's judgement.

Paul begins with the gospel...The Good News!! "Christ died for our sins (on the cross) according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried and that He arose again (came back to life) the third day according to the Scriptures" (I Cor. 15:1-4). Then he states that Christ was "seen" alive by Peter, James , the Apostles, and over five hundred believers at one time. Last of all, Paul exclaims, "He was seen by me" (I Cor. 15: 5-8). This is what we believed and have placed our trust in, the gospel (I Cor. 15:11; Rom. 10:9).

Imagine all the preaching over the years and all those who have professed faith in Christ and have died with the hope of eternal life. If all the stories of Jesus and His resurrection are a total fabrication..."Our preaching (of the gospel) is vain and your faith is also vain (nothing to stand on). Those who have fallen asleep (with a false hope) in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have (this made up) hope in Christ (that He is alive), we are of all men the most miserable and pitable" (I Cor. 15: 14,18-19).

But the fact is, Paul says, "Christ is risen from the dead and has become the firstfruits" of those who have died believing in this Hope of Resurrection. This is our hope, all who have placed their trust "in Christ" shall be made to live again (I Cor. 15:22). Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep (die), but we shall all be changed (transformed)—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory" (I Cor. 15: 51-54).

Is There A God?

"Who made the heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them" (Ps. 146:6)

Science says unless we can see it or touch it....It doesn't exist. To some, people who believe that there is a God, are simply foolish in thinking so. The Psalmist declares a person is a "fool" who says, "No God!" (Ps. 14:1) The Bible doesn't try to prove the existence of God, but just takes it for granted that He does, "In the beginning God...." (Gen. 1:1) According to Scripture, in order to please God, we must believe that "He is" (Heb. 11:6).

The fact is, there is no laboratory experiment that can prove the existence of God or not. But what proof do we have that there is a God?

CREATION!

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard, their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world" (Ps. 19:1-4)

God has shown Himself to mankind through His creation of the world, "His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power..." (Rom. 1:19-20) As we observe nature, we see Design, we see Order and we see Life. Either "nothing" made the world or "something" or "someone" made the earth. It's just common sense....A watch has a watchmaker and a building an architect. Man has a creator! We are "...fearfully and wonderfully made..." (Ps. 139: 13-14) The Genesis account, God "formed man" from the "dust of the ground" and "breathed" into him the "breath of life." (Gen. 2:7) Life comes from life (Gen. 1:24) and life came from God (Acts 17:25). Scripture states, "All things (all matter, living and non-living) were made through Him and without Him nothing was made that made (that exist)." (Jn. 1:3) Even the "invisible" things we can not see with our eyes or touch with our hands, "...were created though Him. " (Col. 1:16) The atom, the molecule, and the air we breath were created by God!

Conclusion: Is there a God? How can we know? The answer is simple....Through images of creation we can see that there is a God.

THE BIBLE: THE GREATEST BOOK

This book contains: The mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and the happiness of believers. It's doctrines is holy, it's precepts are binding, it's histories are true and it decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you and comfort to cheer you. It's the traveler's map, the pilgrims staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword and the Christian's charter. Here, Heaven is opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good design, and the glory of God it's end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart and guide the feet.

Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the Judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward faithful labor, and condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.

"Tis the book that has for ages,

Lifted man from sin and shame,

That great message on it's pages, Will forever be the same"

Never compare the Bible with other books. Comparison are dangerous. Books speak from the earth; the Bible speaks from Heaven. Never think or say the Bible contains the Word of God. It IS the Word of God. Supernatural in origin, eternal in duration, inexpressible in value, infinite in scope, divine in authorship, regenerative in power, infallible in authority, universal in interest, personal in application, inspired in totality. Read it though. Write it down. Pray it in. work it out. Pass it on. It is the Word of God! (Aurthor Unknown)

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"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Tim. 3:16-17) "Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven." (Ps. 119:89) "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You." (Ps. 119:11)

WHAT IS LOVE?

Without love - “I am nothing.”

(I Corinthians 13: 2)

All of us think we know what love is. We all desire it. We long and search of it. Our songs sing about it. “Is this love that I'm feeling? Is this love that I've been searching for? Is this love or am I dreaming?” Another song says, “I want to know what love is. I want you to show me. I want to feel what love is.”

Where can we find the meaning of true love? The answer is found in the Scriptures....

THE EXAMPLE OF LOVE

The writer of First John states what real love is - It's “God!" (I John 4:8) He doesn't stop there, but gives his readers an example of Real Love being shown through the sacrificial gift of His Son, “God has sent his only begotten Son!”(I John 4:9,10) In his gospel account, the Apostle John, again, shows us that “God So Loved, He gave His only begotten Son.” (John 3:16) In the Letter to the Romans, Paul proclaims, “God Demonstrated (proved) His Own Love toward us...Christ (sacrificially) died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Jesus said there is “no Greater Love than is this, that someone lays down his own life for his friends.” (John 15: 13) Real love can be seen by giving.

THE ACTION OF LOVE

Many people think love is just a feeling, it's more than that. Love is not something you say, but it's something that you do by choice. Love is an action word. Next to Psalm 23, John 3:16 is the most quoted verse in the Bible. It has been called “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written.” It is know as the “Miniature Gospel” The best interpreter of the love of God is His love for man. From this wonderful verse we see God's love in action:

1.) The Vastness of His Love. God “so” loved. How much did God love....He love us soooo much!! The magnitude of his love is beyond describing or comprehension.
2.) The Object of His Love. Who did God love? The “world” - all of mankind.
3.) The Expression of His Love. How did God say I love you? He didn't just say it, but He showed it through the giving of His “Son,” Jesus, on the cross at Calvary.
4.) The Recipients of His Love. Who can receive God's love? John simply states, “Whoever Believes” - Anyone!! To receive God's love (salvation), we must accept it by faith (Eph. 2:8), simply to trust and obey. Scripture says, “But as many as received Him (accepted His sacrificial love), to them He the right to become the children of God, to those who believe ( place their trust) in His name.” (John 1:12)
5.) The Benefit of His Love. All love stories end wth a “happy ever after.” What else can be said? “Whoever believes in Him....(not someday, but now) has Everlasting Life!” How long is everlasting...It's fovever! Romans 8:35-36, 38 - “Can anything separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? Nothing can ever separate us from His love! Death can't and life can't. The angels can't and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away!” (NLT)

THE BEHAVIOR OF LOVE

I Corinthians 13 is one of the famous chapters in all the Scriptures, and is considered by many Christians as their favorite. It has come to be know as the “Love Chapter.” The writer, the apostle Paul, mentions several facts about love. Without love, we are just a loud noise with no meaning. Even if we have all knowledge, understanding, power, faith and even to the point of martyrdom...Without love – We are nothing!! Verses 4 through 7, Paul gives us the behavior of love:
1.) Love is Patient - Suffers long.
2.) Love is Kind.
3.) Love is not Envious nor Jealous.
4.) Love is not Boastful nor Brags - “Does not parade itself.”
5.) Love is not Arrogant nor Conceited – “Puffed up.”
6.) Love is not Rude - “Behave rudely.”
7.) Love is not Selfish - “Does not seek it's own.”
8.) Love is not Irritable or easily Angered – “Is not provoked.”
9.) Love doesn't Keep Record or wrongdoing.
10.) Love is not Sin-Loving - “Does not rejoice in sin.”
11.) Love is Truthful -”Rejoices in the Truth.”
12.) Love Bears all things – Protects and Supports.
13.) Love is Trusting nor Suspicious -”Believes all things.”
14.) Love is Hopeful.
15.) Love is Enduring.
Paul concludes by urging us to pursue (the behavior of) love above all. (I Cor. 14:1)

THE COMMAND TO LOVE

The opposite of love is hate. Both are natural emotions. One is positive and the other, negative. One can bring about good and joy, while the other brings sadness and destruction. All the Ten Commandments are hinged on what is know as “The Two Great Commandments” 1.) To love God with all our heart, and 2.) To your love your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:28-34) From the Parable of the Good Samaritan, “Who is my neighbor” - Illustrates that love is expressed in actions, dedicated for the good of of others regardless of who they are. (Luke 10: 25-37) Jesus commanded us to “love one another” and by doing this all people will know we are his followers. (John 13:34,35; 15:12,17) I John 3:18. “Let us stop saying we love love each other: let us really show it by our actions.” (NLT)

Conclusion: What is love? Love is an Action. Love is Sacrifice. Love is a Lifestyle and Love is a Choice. Without it, we are nothing!!