2024.01.28. Sermon Notes. Walking in Our Inheritance
William Akehurst, HSWC
BIG IDEA: An inheritance is something received when someone dies. But we have a Greater Inheritance as Christians because Our Inheritance comes through the death and resurrection of CHRIST. We must learn to Walk in Our Inheritance.
Scriptures: 1 Peter 1:3-9, Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 12:32, Colossians 1:13-14, Hebrews 9:15, Ephesians 1:5-6, Ephesians 1:7-8, Ephesians 1:13-14, Romans 8:14-17, John 10:28-29, Ephesians 1:11-12, Psalms 16:5-6, Acts 20:32, Colossians 1:9-14
As Believers, we have a Great Inheritance from the Death of CHRIST, but even more through HIS Resurrection.
1 Peter 1:3-9 (NKJV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
OUR INHERITANCE IS
Incorruptible. Imperishable, Enduring, Everlasting, Eternal.
Undefiled. Unspoiled, Pure and Perfect. Holy
Never fading. In this world, colors and life fade, but this is an ETERNAL Inheritance.
Reserved. We may enjoy GOD’s Blessings here on earth, but our true inheritance is reserved in Heaven.
OUR INHERITANCE – RECEIVING THE END OF OUR FAITH – OUR SALVATION
A LIVING HOPE. OUR INHERITANCE IS LIFE AFTER DEATH.
Our Inheritance is everything that GOD has promised us in Salvation.
Our Inheritance is Reserved in Heaven. incorruptible, undefiled, and never fading. Forever.
AN INHERITANCE RESERVED IN HEAVEN…
WE ARE REMINDED TO STORE UP OUR TREASURES IN HEAVEN
Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV)
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
SO WHAT IS OUR INHERITANCE?
IN A WORD…HEAVEN
GOD’S KINGDOM
Luke 12:32 (NKJV) 32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
DELIVERED FROM…TO AN INHERITANCE
Colossians 1:13-14 (NKJV) 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
(NLT) 13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
OUR INHERITANCE COMES THROUGH JESUS
Hebrews 9:15 (NKJV)
15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
(NLT) 15 That is why He is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.
HEIRS FOR INHERITANCE THROUGH ADOPTION
WE PRAISE GOD FOR HIS GLORY AND GRACE
Ephesians 1:5-6 (NKJV) 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
(NLT) 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.
INHERITANCE BY REDEMPTION
Ephesians 1:7-8 (NKJV) 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
(NLT) 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
OUR GUARANTEE – SEALED WITH HOLY SPIRIT
Ephesians 1:13-14 (NKJV) 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
HOLY SPIRIT, THE WITNESS WITHIN OF OUR INHERITANCE FROM FATHER GOD
Romans 8:14-17 (NKJV) 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
(NLT) 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”
16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
OUR INHERITANCE - ETERNAL LIFE
John 10:28-29 (NKJV)
28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
THE PURPOSE OF OUR INHERITANCE
TO THE PRAISE HIM AND HIS GLORY
Ephesians 1:11-12 (NKJV) 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
(NLT) 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
WALKING IN OUR INHERITANCE IS TO BE TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY.
WE ARE TO GLORIFY GOD HERE AND NOW, WALKING IN OUR INHERITANCE.
KNOWING WHAT WE HAVE IN CHRIST NOW.
UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE IS FAR GREATER REWARDS RESERVED FOR US IN HEAVEN.
Psalms 16:5-6 (NKJV)
5 O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot.
6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance.
HOW CAN WE WALK IN OUR INHERITANCE NOW?
BY LIVING FOR GOD’S KINGDOM.
FOR HIS GLORY
TO HIS PRAISE
OUR LIVES ARE A LIVING TESTIMONY OF GOD’S MERCY AND GRACE
ARE YOU WALKING IN YOUR INHERITANCE?
Acts 20:32 (NKJV) 32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Colossians 1:9-14 (NLT)
9 So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.
11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. 13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
Amen!
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,
Bill
