My Incredible Inheritance

My Incredible Inheritance

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Pet. 1:3-5 (NIV)

Three Buddies discussing death and one asked the group: What would you like people to say about you at your funeral?

First, thought what would I want them to say? He said, "He was a great humanitarian, who cared about his community."

Second one said, "He was a great husband and father, who was an example for many to follow."

The third and final fellow thought and finally said, "I hope someone says, Look, he’s moving!!"

1. Most men see only a hopeless end, but the Christian rejoices in an endless hope. Gilbert Beenken

2. Those who know Him have a witness in the Word and inside of their own selves

3. The promise is of a real physical resurrection of Heaven and a renewed body.

4. Promise is based on “inheritance” (acquired possession based on relationship = covenant)

5. “By God’s mercy…new birth to a life of hope through Jesus’ resurrection.

Several incredible attributes of the believer’s inheritance because of Christ’s resurrection

1- The Believer’s Inheritance In Christ Is Never Ending.

1- “Living” – Life without death. (Immortal – Hope with a heart beat)

2- Everything in us cries out for immortality. (Aging process)

3- This is not true of the animals!

4- There will be no more separation. (Do you have treasure in Heaven?)

2- The Believer’s Inheritance In Christ Is Unspoiled.

1- Literally- pure and free from any deformity (What if it was never-ending but spoiled?)

2- Illus. Use the various places I’ve seen unspoiled by man.

3- It also means that the force or vigor of life is unimpaired.

4- Heaven is a pure place for pure people. (Holiness- most would hate it, but not like hell!)

3- The Believer’s Inheritance In Christ Is Never Fading.

1- Never diminishing – not losing quality

2- Like perennial flowers that don’t die back with the seasons.

3- The second law of thermodynamics (entropy) will be stopped altogether.

4- There will be no more weakness, sickness, etc.

4- The Believer’s Inheritance In Christ Is Kept in Heaven.

1- Talking about location – Heaven, There is no better place.

2- Literally- to guard, protect by a military guard, to prevent hostile invasion.

3- Protected by God’s own power!

4- Illus. Unlike returning to find possessions looted! (Life without God)

5- The Believer’s Inheritance In Christ Is On It’s Way

1- It is on God’s timetable. These promises are as sure as God is!

2- “apokalupto”- reveal to uncover, to disclose, to make bare

3- The Inheritance is being kept in Heaven to be fully revealed at the 2nd coming Jesus.

4- Every one of us is about to enter eternity and some eternal reward, but what is it?

These promises are based on “inheritance” (acquired possession based on relationship)

It is through the “new birth” man enters into this “living hope”.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Jn 3:3 (KJV)