The Bride is Blessed with an Inheritance
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TITLE: The Inheritance
SUBJECT: Blessings of the Bride
PROPOSITION: The Bride is blessed with a great inheritance and having that inheritance means 1) Hope, 2) Security, 3) Rest, and 4) Home.
OBJECTIVE: Each Christian should understand that only the bride has the blessings afforded to her and hope of eternal inheritance.
AIM: Each person should understand the great blessing of inheritance that the Christian has.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Ephesians 1:11-12
2. About the Text:
1) All spiritual blessings are in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3).
2) To have these blessings, we must be in Christ.
3) Those outside of Christ do not have these blessings.
4) They are ONLY for the bride.
3. The bride shares in the great inheritance given to the Son.
1) Jesus is the Son of God and God’s heir of all things.
2) “has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:2).
3) This means he will receive the inheritance.
4) But this inheritance is also for His bride.
5) “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” (Romans 8:17).
6) But those who do not belong to Christ will not be heirs.
7) “For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” (Ephesians 5:5).
8) Only the bride will share in the inheritance.
4. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION: Having an inheritance means having . . .
I. Hope
1. Having an inheritance means that there is hope for the future.
2. Hope is earnest expectation.
1) Something yet in the future and not seen.
2) “For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?” (Romans 8:24).
3) Something to look forward to – “that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:7).
4) Something to work for – “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).
5) Gives us a reason to stay faithful.
a. For the sanctified: “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” (Acts 20:32).
b. “For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” (Ephesians 5:5).
II. Security
1. Having an inheritance means that we have security.
2. It is guaranteed by the indwelling Holy Spirit: “who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:14).
3. It is mediated by Jesus Christ: “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” (Hebrews 9:15).
4. It is reserved by God: “to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4).
III. Rest
1. Having an inheritance means that we will have rest.
1) If one has a sizeable enough inheritance, he will no longer need to work.
2) Such is the case with the Christian’s inheritance.
3) It is an eternal inheritance – “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” (Hebrews 9:15).
2. We will cease from our work – “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His” (Hebrews 4:9-10).
3. We will have no more labor – “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Write: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” ‘ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them’ ” (Revelation 14:13).
IV. Home
1. Having an inheritance means that we will be at home.
2. “Man goes to his eternal home” (Ecclesiastes 12:5).
3. “For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:14-16).
CONCLUSION:
1. Having an inheritance means having . . .
1) Hope
2) Security
3) Rest
4) Home
2. Invitation