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];"
B. Notice:
1. Gentiles once were aliens to the New Covenent.
2. Gentiles were without Christ ruling in their hearts.
3. They were strangers to the covenants of promise (that promised by God's Word).
C. But now...
1. In Christ made near by the blood of Christ
2. Both Jew and Gentile reconciled unto God
3. fellowcitizens in The Kingdom
IV. Practical Applications of What Believers Have Through Christ
A. John 1:12, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to
become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"
B. Romans 8:17, "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with
Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
C. Through Christ we are entitled to:
1. Blessings of earthly houses which are our physical bodies that
the Psalmist (Ps.139:14) declared are fearfully and wonderfully made.
2. Blessing of an earthly dwelling (Mark 10:29,30)
3. Blessings of the miraculous kind (Jer. 33:3)
4. Blessing of an Heavenly Home (John 14:2-3)
D. Prov 18:22 (MSG), "Find a good spouse, you find a good life—
and even more: the favor of God!"
1. Please do not take lightly this thought.
2. Many marriages in and out of the church are in big trouble.
3. God can and will bless Christian men who are married to Christian women.
4. Get on board with what God is doing.
E. Children
1. are an heritage (Ps. 127:3)
2. continue the family name
3. a defense for the family name (Ps. 127:5)
4. are ones to whom Godly wisdom can be imparted
5. potential sources of joy
V. Christ In Us, The Hope of Glory (Col. 1:27)
A. Christians given a measure of faith (Rom. 12:3)
1. to assist in the warding off enemy attacks
(Isa. 41:10, 54:17; Eph. 6:16; Heb. 13:5,6)
2. to give the believer direction via his acknowledgement
of the Lord and his trust in the Lord (Prov. 3:5, 6)
Conclusion: We have looked at some bright blessings that are available
to the children of God.
a new covenant
made to be more than conquerors
new position in Christ
reconciled to the Heavenly Father
blessings of family
blessings of faith
Saints be encouraged by these facts.
Sinners be challenged by these facts.
Turbulent times are upon all of us.
Something evil this way comes.
Through Christ we Christians are well able to lay hold on things eternal.
