A. One day, two friends happened upon each other walking down the street.
1. One of them looked sad and was almost on the verge of tears.
2. The other man said, “Hey my friend, what is making you so sad today?
3. The sad fellow said, “Let me tell you - three weeks ago, an uncle died and left me 50 thousand dollars.”
4. The other man replied, “I can see why your uncle’s passing would make you sad, but I would think that the inheritance would help to raise your spirits.
5. “Hold on,” the sad fellow said, “I’m just getting started. Two weeks ago, a cousin I never knew kicked-the-bucket and left me 95 thousand dollars.”
6. The other man replied again, “I am so sorry for your loss, but I am happy for your gain!”
7. The sad man continued, “Then last week, my grandfather passed away and I inherited almost a million from him.”
8. The other man was astounded, “So let me get this right. Three weeks ago you inherited 50 thousand. Two weeks ago you inherited 95 thousand. And last week you inherited 1 million. So, why are you looking so sad?”
9. The sad man replied, “So far this week, I’ve inherited nothing!”
B. Okay, okay, don’t groan too loudly!
1. I know that none of us would have that kind of reaction if we inherited about 1.2 million dollars in a three week period, right?
2. Most of us would be very sad for the loss of our family members, but would be very thankful for our financial gain.
3. So, let me ask you this question: Are you anticipating a substantial earthly inheritance?
4. Are you in line for a big windfall from the passing of a wealthy parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle?
5. If not, then you are in pretty good company, because most of us are not expecting a lucrative earthly inheritance.
C. But here is the awesome news I have for us today: If you are a child of God, then you have a priceless and limitless spiritual inheritance. (Let me say it again in case you missed it! Repeat)
1. This is one of the great promises that we have from God – every child of God will receive an inheritance.
2. Let’s see where that promise is clearly stated in Scripture.
D. Let’s start with Romans 8:16-17: 16 The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
1. If you and I are children of God, then we are heirs of God and coheirs with Christ.
2. Let’s let that reality sink into our hearts and minds – we aren’t merely slaves or servants of God, and we aren’t just saints of God – no, we are children of God and therefore heirs of God.
3. As God’s children, we have legal right to the family fortune of heaven; we are beneficiaries.
4. The heavenly will has been executed and our spiritual account has been fully funded.
E. Think about it this way: you and I are trust-fund kids.
1. Our Heavenly Father is rich beyond imagination with every kind of wealth imaginable.
a. 1 Chronicles 29 includes these truths about our Heavenly Father: “11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to you. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom, and you are exalted as head over all. 12 Riches and honor come from you, and you are the ruler of everything. Power and might are in your hand, and it is in your hand to make great and to give strength to all. 13 Now therefore, our God, we give you thanks and praise your glorious name.”
b. How’s that for a description of who God is, what kind of power He has and what God owns?
c. God has all power and glory, splendor and majesty.
d. God owns everything in heaven and on earth.
e. God is the one who gives riches and honor, and gives power and strength.
2. Our rich and powerful Heavenly Father has fully funded our trust-fund accounts.
a. Ephesians 1:3 says: Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ.
1. Notice that God has not blessed us with just a few spiritual blessings, or some spiritual blessings; no, God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing.
b. 1 Peter 1:3-4 says: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of 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 is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. (How about that!)
1. God has given us new birth into a living hope through Jesus’ resurrection.
2. And God has given us a new birth into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading.
3. The NIV says of our inheritance that it can never “perish, spoil, or fade.”
4. The NLT says that it is “pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.”
c. 1 Corinthians 2:9 describes our inheritance like this: “What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived—God has prepared these things for those who love him.”
1. Our imagination is too timid to understand God’s dream for us, we are too limited in our understanding of all that God wants to do for us and is providing for us.
2. Our spiritual inheritance is bigger and more wonderful than we can even imagine!
F. But is that typically how we view ourselves? Is that typically how we live our lives?
1. Do we see ourselves and God’s children with an unlimited trust-fund and inheritance?
2. No, unfortunately, we often think and act more like a man named Timothy Gray.
a. The 60 year-old body of Timothy Gray was found under a Wyoming overpass 2 days after Christmas in 2012.
b. There was no sign of foul play – no indication of crime or mischief.
c. He was simply a homeless cowboy who had died of hypothermia.
d. Timothy Gray was a victim of bad breaks and bad luck.
3. Except for this important detail: Timothy Gray stood to inherit millions of dollars.
a. Gray’s great-grandfather was a wealthy copper miner, railroad builder, and the founder of a small Nevada town you might have heard of: Las Vegas.
b. The old man’s fortune was passed down to his daughter, Huguette, who died in 2011 at the age of 104.
c. She left a $300 million fortune.
d. At the time of Timothy Gray’s death, the execution of the will was tied up in court.
e. And as things turned out, the man found dead under the railroad overpass wasn’t poor after all, he may have been worth $19 million.
4. So, how does the heir to a fortune die like a pauper?
a. Surely Timothy Gray knew his family history.
b. Had he been in touch with his great-aunt over the years?
c. Did it ever occur to him to investigate a potential inheritance?
5. I think it would occur to me.
a. I think I would camp on the doorstep of my dear old great-aunt.
b. I would turn over every stone and read every document, wouldn’t you?
c. Wouldn’t we make it our aim to access our inheritance?
d. Wouldn’t that be our right as a family member?
G. I think that would be our attitude about earthly, physical, financial matters, but what about with regard to spiritual matters?
1. Do we have an appreciation for our spiritual inheritance?
2. Are we intent to access our spiritual trust-fund and employ its riches?
3. You and I are children of God and as people of God’s promises, we are blessed with an abundance of supernatural resources.
4. Then why is it that we often live like spiritual paupers under a bridge?
H. Max Lucado tells about a time when he spent the better part of an hour reciting the woes of his life to his wife.
1. He told her that he felt overwhelmed by his commitments and deadlines.
2. He had been sick with the flu and he still wasn’t back to 100%.
3. There was tension at church between some of his coworkers.
4. He had just returned from an international trip and had jet lag.
5. They had just received word of friends getting a divorce.
6. And then to top it off, he had received his manuscript back from his editors and it was bloody with red ink.
7. There wasn’t a chapter that didn’t need to be rewritten – it was a train wreck.
8. After several minutes of listening to her husband, Max’s wife interrupted him with a question: “Is God in this anywhere?” (Max says, he hates when she does that)
I. But isn’t that exactly what Max needed and what we need when we get into that mode?
1. In those moments when life and circumstances and commitments become overwhelming, we often find ourselves focusing only on our strength and resources.
2. In those moments we sometimes forget about God and His strength and resources.
3. Whenever we don’t consult God, and turn to God, and depend on God, we come to the end of ourselves, because we are so limited.
4. If we limit our life and our world to our own strength and wisdom, then no wonder we go into a tailspin!
5. In those moments especially, we must remember God’s promise: We are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ!
6. In those moments, we must remind ourselves that my fuel gauge may be on empty, but God never runs out of fuel – He does not grow tired or weary (Isaiah 40:28).
7. We must remind ourselves that we are children of the living and loving God, and help is available and help is on the way.
8. Let’s return to Romans 8, and look a few verses before the verses that talk about us being heirs: 14 For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ. (Rom. 8:14-17a)
a. Don’t you love the truths of these verses?!
b. As God’s children, we don’t have to be slaves of fear.
c. Rather, as adopted children, we can cry out to our “Daddy” (Abba, Papa).
d. And we know that our daddy will hear and help because we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.
J. Let’s think for a minute about what it means that we are co-heirs with Christ.
1. Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, and is the natural “heir” of the Father.
2. In Hebrews 5:5, the Bible says: “God said to him, ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father.”
3. In Hebrews 1:2, the Bible says: In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him.
4. Jesus’ inheritance is the whole universe; all that is in existence.
5. As God’s adopted children we are co-heirs with Christ, and as co-heirs, we will share in the inheritance of Jesus.
6. Therefore, whatever belongs to Jesus, belongs to us.
7. Everything that Jesus has a share of, we can have a share of as well.
a. Jesus’ peace can be our peace.
b. Jesus’ joy can be our joy.
c. Jesus’ love can be our love.
d. His faith can be our faith.
e. His hope can be our hope.
f. His rest can be our rest.
g. His life can be our life.
h. His wisdom can be our wisdom.
K. Think about the times when Jesus was most “in need” while on the earth.
1. Do you remember how Jesus received what He needed from heaven’s storehouse at those times?
2. After the temptation time of Jesus, the Bible says: “Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” (Mt. 4:11)
a. How about that – angels from heaven came and attended to Jesus in His time of need.
3. Just before Jesus was arrested and crucified, He was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, the Bible says: 39 He went out and made his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 When he reached the place, he told them, “Pray that you may not fall into temptation.” 41 Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. (Luke 22:39-43)
a. Isn’t that amazing, as Jesus faced the anguish of His impending death, an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him.
4. Jesus is a Son of God, just as we are sons and daughters of God, and the same heavenly inheritance and trust-fund that He has is also ours.
5. The same angels of heaven that helped Him will also help us.
6. Speaking of angels at the end of Hebrews 1, the Bible says: Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation? (Heb. 1:14)
L. Had we known Timothy Gray, and had we known about his inheritance, we could have said to him: “Hey, Mr. Gray, you are a descendent of great wealth. You are an heir to a fortune, so get out from under this bridge and go call upon your resources.”
1. And in our time of struggle and need, the angels of heaven want to say to us:
a. “Hey, you with the rotten attitude, you are an heir to the joy of Christ. Why not ask Jesus to help you?”
b. “Hey you, mr. or miss. Without-a-clue, aren’t you an heir to God’s storehouse of wisdom? Why not solicit some guidance?”
c. “Hey you, mr. or miss. Worrywart, aren’t you a beneficiary of God’s trust-fund? Don’t let fears steal your sleep. Jesus has an abundant supply of peace. Why not put in your request?”
2. We must never forget our place in the family of God – we are children of God and heirs of God.
3. We don’t approach God as strangers, but as heirs to the promises of God.
M. The musical play “Annie” contains a wonderful illustration about becoming an heir of God.
1. When little orphan Annie moves from the orphanage to the Warbucks Mansion, it’s an incredible change for her.
2. She leaves behind a spiteful, alcoholic caretaker and enters a relationship with a caring father.
3. She goes from having no possessions to having a fortune at her disposal.
4. The hard-knock life is overcome by the brightness of a sunny tomorrow.
5. Seen from a Christian perspective, Annie pictures what being a co-heir with Christ looks like.
N. Let’s return to Ephesians 1, a passage we looked at earlier in this sermon, but let’s go further into the chapter than we went before: 3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to
the riches of his grace 8 that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding… 11 In him we have also received an inheritance… 13 In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. 14 The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory. (Eph. 1:3-8, 11, 13-14)
1. From this glorious section, we learn so many things.
a. We learn that God has made available to us every spiritual blessing.
b. We learn that God adopted us as His children through Jesus Christ according to His good pleasure and will.
c. All this is by His glorious grace that He lavished on us in Jesus.
d. Through Jesus we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our sins – again according to the riches of His grace.
e. Through Jesus we have also received an inheritance.
f. The Holy Spirit is our seal and the down payment of our inheritance – to the praise of God’s glory.
2. In other words, God took us, poor orphans in this lost world, and made us a part of His family through faith in Jesus Christ.
3. God has showered us with blessings and promised us an eternal inheritance, based on the grace of God that He has lavished on us.
4. This may sound too good to be true, but it is true.
5. You and I don’t have to be orphans any longer – we don’t have to sleep under the overpass anymore.
6. We have been adopted by the King of the universe, and we have moved into the mansion.
7. We have new and abundant life, and it is time to live out our inheritance, to draw upon the provisions of our heavenly trust-fund – provisions of wisdom and power.
O. Here’s the assignment for this week: Write this statement on a piece of paper where you can see it each day: “I have a priceless and limitless spiritual inheritance.
P. Let me end by praying for us the prayer that Paul prayed for the Ephesians at the end of Ephesians chapter 1: 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength. 20 He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens… (Eph. 1:17-20)
1. May God open our eyes to the wonder of our spiritual blessings.
a. The hope of our calling.
b. The wealth of our inheritance.
c. The power for us who believe.
2. We are somebody special – God has made us in His image, and we are special to Him.
3. And we have something special – we are heirs of God and coheirs with Christ.
4. How blessed we are! You can take that to the bank!
Resources:
Unshakable Hope, Max Lucado, Thomas Nelson, 2018
What does it mean to be co-heirs/joint-heirs with Christ? https://www.gotquestions.org/co-heirs-with-Christ.html
What is a Trust-funder? https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-romans-817-co-heirs-with-christ/
