Mephibosheth: A Picture Of God's Divine Grace And Undeserved Favor Series

5. 2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Grace Is A Dirty Word For The Devil. It¡¦s the power behind the gospel - not creed, religion or philosophy. Grace is that God would reach somebody like me. No other religion is based upon such a concept. Grace: God¡¦s favor that is unearned, undeserved, unrepayable. Too often we limit Grace to the work of Salvation only - but Grace is power for living the Christian life. 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Satan would have us leave the grace of God at the altar of salvation, but God¡¦s grace only starts there, enriching and enabling our lives. The devil will tell you that from that point on you must pull yourself up by your bootstraps and make it in your own strength. But no! Grace is God¡¦s continuous undeserved favor on our lives.

A FEW DIFFERENT TYPES OF GRACE BUT THE SAME GOD

To understand the magnitude of God¡¦s grace, see the kinds of grace He pours on us daily.

1. Common Grace: God loves everyone. So, there is a common grace that He gives all people whether they acknowledge Him or not. Matthew 5:45 He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

2. Saving Grace: Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith¡Vand this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works lest any man shall boast. By His saving Grace, God has paid the ransom for everyone who will receive His gift of salvation.

3. Sanctifying Grace: Immediately after we are saved, God¡¦s Grace goes to work to purify or sanctify us. You play a part through obedience, but ultimately you must count on His sanctifying grace. Philippians 1:6 He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.

4. Provisional Grace: Through His provisional grace, God provides for all our needs. James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights. When you get a better job or an unexpected gift, count it as grace from God.

5. Miraculous / Radical Grace: Miracles and deliverance - Acts 6:8 Stephen, a man full of God¡¦s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people¡¨. Through His grace, God still does miraculous things every day ¡V healing, interventions, etc.

6. Serving Grace: Every believer is freely given spiritual gifts to serve others and bolster their faith. 1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God¡¦s grace in its various forms. We each receive serving grace.

7. Sustaining Grace: In those times of trial and suffering, 2 Corinthians 12:9 says ¡§My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness¡¨. God Grace sustains us.

THE PASSAGE AND THE GRACE OF GOD ¡V DAVID AND MEPHIBOSHETH