Entitlement

ENTITLEMENT

Text: Matthew 7:11, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"

Introduction: Today in America there is much discussion in the world of politics about the subject of entitlement(s) (ad infinitum, ad nauseum).

Carrying the thought of entitlement into the Christian realm is much more interesting.

The following definition of the word entitle can aid our understanding. According to Bookman's Merriman Webster Dictionary the word entitle means "to furnish with

proper authority for seeking or claiming something."

For the born again Christian the proper authority is the New Covenant of The Most High God of the universe (Heb. 12:24).

The grounds or basis for our entitlements is the effectiveness of the Cross of Calvary.

1 Cor. 1:18, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."

The New Testament is the New Covenant from God (Jer. 31:31; Heb. 8:8, 13). John 3:16 is found in the New Testament. It says, 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' Hence a repentant sinner has a promise from God of being saved from his sins and being saved unto God. It is not far fetched to consider salvation an entitlement given by the grace and mercy of God."

According to authorities such as Paul Meier, M.D., by the time a child is between

two to three years of age he is demanding "entitlements." Seemingly the child's

thinking is: "If I see it, it's mine."

"If it is in my house--it's mine" "

"If you had it and laid it down--it's mine.

"If it rolled across the floor in front of me--it's mine!"

Once there was a small child who could not pronounce correctly some of the words

in his young vocabulary. There was a certain object in his mother's hand. The child desired that object. He said, "Yet me have it" Again in a louder manner he yelled, "Yet me have it!" He was attempting to say, "Let me have it." Annoyed by his demands, the mother responded, "I'M GOING TO YET YOU HAVE IT!" Methinks he was going to receive something other than the object and that something would be unpleasant.

Theme: There are genuine and marvellous entitlements provided to the Christian.

I. The New Covenant described in chapter eight of Bible book of

Hebrews lists some wonderful rights.

A. God's Law in the minds and upon the hearts--Heb. 8:10

B. a firm relationship with God--Heb. 8:10

C. the knowledge of God--Heb. 8:11

D. the forgiveness of sins--Heb. 8:12

II. Entitled to be "more than conquerors" (Rom. 8:37).

A. More than conquerors: How is the Christian more than a

conqueror?

1. He is enabled by a greater power, the power of Jesus

2. He overcomes with a greater motive, the glory of Jesus

3. He overcomes with a greater victory, losing nothing even in

the battle

4. He overcomes with a greater love, conquering enemies

with love...___David Guzik

B. through Him that loved us

1. Not by our strength or power.

2. It is by the might of the Savior, and by His power pledged to

us, and confirmed by the love demonstrated clearly when

Christ gave himself for us.

III. Eph. 2:11-20 (KJV) Expands on This New Covenant

A. "Wherefore remember, that ye [being] in time past Gentiles in

the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is

called the Circumcision in the flesh

made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ,

being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers

from the covenants of promise,

having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in

Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by

the blood of Christ.

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and

hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us];

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of

commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in him-

self of twain one new man, [so] making peace; And that

he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross,

having slain the enmity thereby: And came

and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them

that were nigh.

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the

Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and

foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints,

and of the household of God; And are built upon the

foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself

being the chief corner [stone];"