From Nowhere to Somewhere
When the King Comes to Lo-Debar
Ephesians 2:4-8
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God
Romans 5:1-2
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Legal Paperwork of Heaven
- Atonement: The overarching concept of the removal of guilt and the restoration of a right relationship between God and humanity.
- Faith: Faith means much more than just believing God exists. It is confident trust in God’s character and promises, paired with a commitment to act on that trust
- Redemption: The act of "buying back" slaves of sin, paying the price for freedom using the blood of Christ
- Substitution: The doctrine that Jesus died on the cross in our place, taking the penalty for our sins.
- Propitiation: The turning away of God's righteous wrath against sin by Christ's atoning sacrifice, appeasing God's justice
- Justification: Justification is God’s legal declaration that a sinner is innocent and righteous. It is not making someone morally perfect, but rather acquitting them. It is a free gift received through faith in Jesus Christ, whose perfect righteousness is credited to the believer's account.
- Justification - Just as if I’d never sinned
- Reconciliation: The bringing together of enemies into a peaceful, restored relationship with God.
- God gives us a new heart (Regeneration)
- He then begins a lifelong process of cleaning up our lives to make us look like Jesus (Sanctification).
2 Samuel 9
Mephibosheth
- 2 Samuel 9
- Genealogy, I Chronicles 8 and 9
- Original name - Merib-baal (Baal contends or the Lord contends)
- His name became taboo
- Bosheth (“from the mouth of shame” or “dispeller of shame”
- Propitiation & Reconciliation: Mephibosheth fell on his face in terror, calling himself a "dead dog." But David said, "Do not fear." The wrath and judgment Mephibosheth expected were completely turned away. Enemies became friends.
- Justification & Adoption: David did not just spare his life. He restored all the land that belonged to his grandfather, Saul. Then David declared: "Mephibosheth shall eat at my table always, like one of the king's sons."
-
- If you are still in Lo-debar….
-
- If you are at the Table but still hiding your limp…
prayer
'Lord God, I admit that I am spiritually bankrupt.
I cannot pay the debt of my sin.
Today, I believe that Jesus died in my place as my Substitution.
I believe His blood bought my Redemption.
I receive Your verdict of Justification—not because of what I have done, but because of what Christ did for me.
Thank You for bringing me out of Lo-debar and adopting me into Your family.
Cover my brokenness with Your grace, and teach me to live as royalty.
In Jesus' name, Amen.'"