Mephibosheth and us

1. At one time, Mephibosheth enjoyed fellowship in the king's household.
Man had all the privileges of complete fellowship with God. (Genesis 1:27)

2. Disaster led to great fear. Mephibosheth's fall would leave him crippled for the rest of his life.
Sin led to fear. As a result of the fall, humanity became spiritually crippled. (Romans 5:12)

3. Mephibosheth was extended love because of the relationship and the covenant David had previously
established with Jonathan.
God extended His own love toward us. Jesus' death was sufficient cause for God to remember his covenant.
(Romans 5:8)

4. Mephibosheth did nothing to win David's favor.
There is nothing we have that could pay for our salvation. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

5.David restored Mephibosheth to a place of honor, from Lo Debar to the palace.
God brought us back home again and offers us spiritual life and closeness to Him. (Ephesians 2:4-5)

6. David accepted Mephibosheth as part of his own family.
We, too, have been adopted. (Ephesians 1:4)

7. Mephibosheth could always eat at the king's table.
We have been granted the right to be treated as a child of God. (Revelation 19:9)

8. Mephibosheth was still crippled.
Where sin abounds, God' grace abounds even more. (Romans 5:20)

There's nothing missing with God.

Everything we can put into the context of time finds its beginning and end with God.

1. God is the Alpha and Omega of salvation.
a. as an entity: redemption, justification, regeneration, sanctification, glorification
b. in the context of time: Salvation was God's idea.
There will be a day when it will no longer be possible to receive salvation.

2. God is the Alpha and Omega of religion.
a. as an entity: pure and undefiled religion, worthless in and of itself, has been made complete by the Lord.
b. in the context of time: Religion is man responding to Who was already there.
There will be a day when there will be no more need for religion.

3. God is the Alpha and Omega of history.
a. as an entity: History is the gradual unveiling and unfolding of God's eternal purposes.
b. in the context of time: “In the beginning, God....”
I Cor. 15:24-27a- There will be no more events which have to happen to fulfill God's purposes.

4. God is the Alpha and Omega of human life.
a. as an entity: created in His image, we have an eternal soul.
b. in the context of time: Beginning-Acts 17:8; Job 31:15; Is. 44:2
                                       End – II Cor. 5:10; Rev. 22:12-15

5. God is the Alpha and Omega of the believer's life.
a. as an entity: God makes us complete.
b. in the context of time: beginning- going out
                                       end - coming in

The New Birth
1. WHAT?
What it is not- a. a second biological birth
                       b. baptized with water
                       c. an external reformation

What it is – a. implanting of a new heart (Col. 3:9)
                   b. a new creation (II Cor. 5:17)
                   c. a resurrection (Eph. 2:1, 4-6; Rom. 6:6-8)
                   d. a translation (Col. 1:13)
                   e. a transformation (Rom. 12:2)

2. WHY?
a. necessary to have fellowship with God (I John 1:5-6, II Cor. 6:14)
b. necessary to be a part of the family of God ((Rom. 8:14-17)
c. necessary for us to know holiness (I Peter 1:3-4)
d. the only way our obedience can be acceptable (Prov. 21:27)
e. only way to have eternal life (John 3:3)

3. HOW?
a. It is a miracle (I Peter 3:18)
b. by the power of God's Word (I Peter 1:23)

4. WHEN?
a. there is faith ( I John 1:5a)
b. victory over the world ((I John 5:4-5)
c. a difference in how you live (I John 5:18; 3:8-10)
d. a love for God and people (I John 4:7-8, 5:1b)

5. WHO?
Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord

The resurrection indicated who knew Jesus.

Just as the body of Jesus was raised and glorified, so we have the assurance that our bodies will one day be.

Christians will be able to recognize and relate to one another in heaven.

Your belief in Christ's resurrection enables you to say that you know Him. (Phil. 3:10)

Four Incidents
1. Mary Magdalene (John 20:10-16)

Only those who know Him can recognize His voice. (John 10:1-5, 14-15, 25-28)

2. The Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-16)

We know Jesus because we have fellowship with Him. (I John 1:3-4)

3. The Disciples on the Sea (John 21:1-14)

We know Jesus because of what He has done.

4. The Ten Disciples (Luke 24:36-47)

We can know Him by His scars.