A. REASONS SOME LIVE BELOW THEIR INHERITANCE
1. Physical problems. The grandson was not strong as his father and grandfather. “Jonathan . . . had a son that was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came (of grandfather and father’s death) and his nurse took him up and fled: and it came to pass and she made hast to flee, that she fell, and he became lame” (II Sam. 2:2).
a. An accident.
b. Not one foot, but both feet.
c. Kept the boy from physical activity.
d. Kept the boy from growing physically strong.
e. Negative self-perception.
2. Name problems. The name Mephibosheth means, “Shame that destroys.”
3. Heritage problems. His grandfather Saul disobeyed God, tried to kill David, and visited a witch. His father Jonathan was godly, but died with Saul under the judgment of God (I Sam. 28:18-19).
4. Geographical problems. He was living out of the Promised Land, east across Jordan in Lodebar (means no pasture).
5. Indigent. He was being taken care of by Machir. No home, no money, and no way to make a living.
B. LIVING LESS THAN CHRISTIAN
1. Ignore our new position. “Made us alive together with Christ . . . raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:5-6).
2. Not enjoy heavenly things. Jesus Christ has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3).
3. Obsessed with temptation. “For the good that I will do, I do not do, and the evil that I will not do, that I practice” (Rom. 7:19).
4. Defeated. Thanks be unto God who always leads up in triumph in Christ” (II Cor. 2:14).
C. WHY THE GRANDSON WAS ELEVATED
1. Another’s work. “David said, ‘is there yet any that is left in the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake’” (II Sam. 9:1).
a. Jonathan gave up his “rights” for David. Jesus gave up his “right” for us. Christ Jesus . . . being in the form of God . . . taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of man” (Phil. 2:5-7).
b. Gratitude is the least remembered of all virtues, and the acid test of your character.
2. God uses people. Mephibosheth would have been forgotten except a servant remembered. “And Ziba said unto the king, ‘Jonathan hath yet a son’” (II Sam. 9:3).
3. Right motivation. David didn’t do this for himself or his reputation. “That I may show the kindness of God to him” (II Sam. 9:3).
D. HOW TO BE ELEVATED
1. Realize you are not worthy. “And he (Mephibosheth) answered, ‘Behold your servant’” (II Sam. 7:6).
2. Recognize you are dead. “And he bowed himself and said . . . that thou shouldest look upon a dead dog” (II Sam. 9:8).
3. Know all things that are yours. “The king said . . . I have given you . . . all that pertaineth to Saul and to all his house” (II Sam. 9:9).
a. Spiritual things. “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above” (Col. 3:1).
b. Heavenly goals. “Set your aim on things above, not on things on this earth” (Col. 3:2).
If God has given us all spiritual things,
why are we living with only a few things?
4. Appropriate daily food. Mephibosheth didn’t have another worry about food, “But Mephibosheth . . . shall eat at my table” (II Sam. 9:11).
a. Our needs. “My God shall supply all your needs” (Phil. 4:19).
b. Our desire. “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desire of your heart” (Psa. 37:4).
5. Get help. “You Ziba and your sons and your servants shall work the land for Mephibosheth to bring in the harvest that Mephibosheth’s sons will have to eat” (II Sam. 9:10).
a. The Holy Spirit. “And I will pray the father, and he will give you another helper” (John 14:16).
b. Believers. We have the “communion of saints.”
6. Enjoy the king’s presence. “Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem for he ate continually at the kings table and he was lame in both feet” (II Sam. 9:13).
a. Daily fellowship. “That I may dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psa. 23:6).
b. Daily worship. “That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord” (Psa. 27:4).
E. TO TAKE AWAY
1. You may lose your fellowship with God, but you can never lose your relationship to God.
a. You will always have your forefather’s blood in your veins.
b. A prodigal son is still a son.
2. Your forefathers love you more than you realize.
3. You must change your thinking about your forefathers to enjoy their benefits.
4. You must claim the benefits that are yours.
5. You can restore lost fellowship with forefathers.
6. You can benefit from your forefathers, even after their death.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
All PBC lessons are available online at trbc.org/pbc. Go to www.Hopenow.tv for the current program schedule.
www.itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-elmer-towns
Dr. Towns' email is ELTowns@liberty.edu
Dr. Towns’ web address is www.elmertowns.com
