“The Reward and Inheritance Factor” Pt 2
(The Fatherhood of God Message 16)
X. The Reward and Inheritance Factor
We inherit our Dad’s riches and resources
A. REWARD
Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
Our Heavenly Father is a rewarding Father. Just because rewards. Rewards for faithful service.
Remember! Our Dad doesn’t miss a thing!
The promise of reward is a proper motivation for faithful service. Our Dad promises reward so serve faithfully. Serve faithfully and He will reward abundantly
Work hard
Engage in deeds of kindness.
Pray privately
Give secretly
Fast unannounced
Obey
Endure
Lead others to Christ
Invest generously
Remember! The best rewards come later.
Serve patiently and expectantly and confidently for God to keep His promise. He will reward eventually.
Remember! God doesn’t always reward in the way we might expect.
Serve faithfully for He will reward perfectly.
B. INHERITANCE
Introduction
We are all familiar with inheritance. An inheritance is the passing of wealth and resources within the family from elder to younger. Sometimes it involves the death of the elder but not always. Sometimes the inheritor is aware of the value, sometimes not. The terms of the inheritance or the distribution of the wealth is regulated by the last will and testament.
Most of us are familiar with the “reading of the will” scenes from movies. The will stipulates terms and amounts related to the division of earthly assets. Some are complicated and involved.
Some are simple and direct.
“Being of sound mind we spent it all.”
Sometimes inheritance is based on merit. Other times inheritance is based solely on relationship. Issues over inheritance stand at the top of the list of issues that divide families.
Even Jesus was asked to settle and inheritance issue. Luke 12:13-15
Since we have become children of God, what inheritance if any can we expect? What are the terms of our Father’s will? Welcome to the reading of our Heavenly Father’s will.
1. The Father’s wealth
Psalms 24:1-2 Psalms 50:10-12 Deuteronomy 10:14 Jeremiah 27:5
Everything in this universe belongs to God. He holds the patent on everything. All the gold is His. All the silver is His. All the precious metals and jewels are His. All the land is His. All the animals are His. Everything material is His because it was all made from resources that belong to Him. Technically the world’s wealth is only loaned by God. He can increase resources.
He can dry up resources. He can shift resources.
2 Corinthians 9:10-11
He warned the Israelites not to forget that God is the one who enables to make wealth.
Deut 8:18
God is not only the source and giver of all material things but the source of the immaterial as well. He is the source of life and all that enriches life. He is the source of ability, grace, love, joy, peace, virtues of all kinds, family, spiritual vitality, growth, hope. These belong to God and are his to distribute to whoever He wills. Who does He choose to share His wealth with?
2. The only begotten Son’s Inheritance
First and foremost He chooses to share His wealth with His only begotten Son.
Psalms 2:7-8 Daniel 7:13-14 Hebrews 1:1-2
The Father appointed Christ to share in all of the Father’s wealth.
3. The inheritance of the saints
Romans 8:14-17
By reason of our adoption we share in the same inheritance as Christ. For now we look at the wealth of the pagans and wonder what is up. One day even their wealth will be shared among the saints.
Proverbs 13:22
Even all the blessing and land promised to Abraham will be shared among the true saints of God.
Galatians 3:26-29
Don’t get hung up on comparing or trying to get ahead in the world of men.
1 Corinthians 3:21-23
What is this inheritance? Everything! The whole enchilada! We will inherit every material and immaterial blessing that belongs to God. Kingdoms, cities, houses, lands, gold, silver, precious jewels, love, peace, life as it was meant to be. It is all ours.
Paul considered the inheritance to come not even worthy to compared to the present suffering.
Romans 8:18-19
In Corinthians he called it momentary suffering and eternal weight of glory.
By reason of relationship we enter into God’s family and become heirs according to promise.
Ephesians 1:8-14 Titus 3:4-8 Col3:23-24 Revelation 21:1-7
Peter further described this incredible inheritance.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Not only do we receive and inheritance through adoption but also through new birth.
It is God’s action.
God birthed us to share His infinite wealth with His children.
We were born again to obtain an inheritance
Peter recorded four characteristics of this inheritance
which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
1. Imperishable
This speaks of the durability of our inheritance.
Damaged or destroyed.
2. Undefiled
This speaks of the purity of our inheritance
It cannot be defiled or corrupted.
3. Unfading
This speaks of the lasting nature.
Its value will never decrease.
It cannot be diminished.
4. Reserved in heaven
This speaks of the security.
It cannot be stolen
Peter used a perfect passive verb. It has been safely locked away at a point in time and is still safe and secure. It meant to guard or watch over carefully to prevent injury or loss. Our inheritance in not the only thing God protects until its possession. The inheritors are protected.
who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Here he used a present passive verb meaning a continual garrison and guard placed around us.
The entire heaven and earth belong to God and all they contain. God decreed they all belong to His Beloved Son. God promised that all who embrace His son will become a joint heir of all things with Christ. He became poor that we might become rich. It is a glorious inheritance far beyond our ability to comprehend fully. It is imperishable, undefiled, unfading and reserved in heaven. All creation longs for the revealing of the sons of God when they receive their glorious inheritance.
RESPONSE
? Embrace His Son
? Take courage and hope in God
Jeremiah took courage in the a most traumatic circumstance by realizing that his hope did not lie in the present circumstances but in the future promise that GOD alone was his “portion”, his plot of land, his inheritance.
The LORD is my portion, says my soul, Therefore I have hope in Him. The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:24-26
? Trust God and follow His path
By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8
"And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Acts 20:32
? Work for God and not men
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Col 3:23-24
? Walk in purity
For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Ephesians 5:5
? Give thanks
giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. Colossians 1:12
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5
Blessed assurance Jesus is mine. O what a foretaste of glory divine.
Heir of salvation, purchase of God. Born of His Spirit. Lost in His love.
This is my story, this is my song, praising my savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song, praising my savior all the day long.
