Pastor Rockwell / OUR INHERITANCE IN CHRIST

Pastor Jerry Rockwell

OUR INHERITANCE IN CHRIST

 

Ephesians 1:13-14

Introduction: Ephesians 1:11 (KJV), “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.”

John Graham of Claverhouse [1648-89] was known as “Bonnie Dundee” and won his spurs as a handsome soldier of fortune in France and the Netherlands. He then led a Scottish uprising to support the deposed Roman Catholic monarch, James II of Britain.

On his return to Scotland, he was made captain of the dragoons and was sent to suppress the Presbyterian Covenanters fighting for the right to worship God according to their own consciences. The Covenanters, however, came from a fighting breed. When the Claverhouse cavalry tried to break up one of their meetings, the Covenanters turned on their enemies and soundly defeated them. The enraged Claverhouse returned three weeks later and thrashed the Covenanters at Bothwell Bridge. Scotland then experienced a wretched time.

Claverhouse sent his dragoons to comb the heather and search the moss-hags for outlawed preachers. Some they shot on sight. Others, they hauled to prison and treated with utmost barbarity. Not a week passed without the name of “Bloody Claverhouse,” as he was called, being roundly cursed by Covenanters.

The Covenanters met for worship where they could—in dens, on the hills, in hideouts. One day a Scottish lass was making her way to one such meeting, following by-paths through the heather, when she was overtaken by a troop of Dundee’s dragoons. The leader demanded to know where she was going so early on a Sunday morning. She knew her danger and the danger she posed to her fellow saints if she told the truth. But she could not lie. She looked the captain in the eye. “Sir,” she said, “My Elder Brother has died and they’re reading his will, ye ken. I want to be there to see what he has left for me.”

Believers in Christ have an inheritance, according to scripture. Anyone who has been the recipient of a family member’s will know what an inheritance is. The verse in Ephesians 1:11 introduces us to the fact, and Ephesians 1:13 gives us the basis of God’s inheritance. We have encountered the phrase “In whom” earlier (Eph. 1:7) and understand that it references the Lord Jesus Christ. Note these “in whom” verses:

Ephesians 1:7, 11; 2:21, 22; 3:12. You and I have access to the Lord Jesus Christ as children of God in a way that no other human has; we can approach Him “boldly.” That results from being a part of the “. . .whole family in heaven and earth is named” (Eph. 3:15). One writer gives an excellent perspective of our inheritance. He says, “One must remember that the focal point is Christ, for it is in him that God accomplishes his purposes and the believers receive those benefits.”

  1. THE ISRAEL’S INHERITANCE WAS A PIECE OF REAL ESTATE, Exodus 15:17. Looking at the pictures of the Old Testament, God made a covenant with Abraham, and that included a promise to Abraham of a large section of the land where he resided (Gen. 15:18-21). It covered land from Egypt to what is today Iraq. This land is what is under dispute today between the nation of Israel and the Arab nations and people now residing in the land that was originally given to Abraham and his descendants. When God removed the nation from Egypt and set them free of the Egyptian bondage, He gave them some descriptions of what they would receive when they entered the land God had given to them. It says in Deuteronomy 6:10-12 (KJV), “10 And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not, 11 And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; 12 Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.” Again, God gave them another description of what they would receive when they entered the land promised them by God. He said in, Deuteronomy 8:7-11 (KJV), “7 For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; 8 A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; 9 A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass. 10 When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. 11 Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day.” This was a great promise, and the people had a God who wanted the best for them. They could trust God to provide for them, and there would be provisions that did not require work. Yet, to draw a parallel to our text, look at what God said to Israel in Deuteronomy 4:20 (KJV), “But the Lord hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.” Again, God told them in Deuteronomy 14:2 (KJV), “For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.” Israel was to be a “peculiar people” to the Lord. It was a gift based on their relationship with the Creator. We are to be the same to the Lord. Note 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV), “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” We often overlook the provisions God has made for the “church,” which is the “body” and “bride of Christ” (2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:23-24, 30-32). Look at what is said in Titus 2:14 (KJV), “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
  2. THE BELIEVERS’ INHERITANCE IS BEING IN CHRIST, Ephesians 11, 13-14. It has been pointed out that the “inheritance” in vs. 11 is referring to those who are “in Christ” (vs. 10). Here are some verses which address the inheritance believers have:

Acts 26:18 (KJV), “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” This was part of Paul’s testimony of when the Lord captured his will and he became the catalyst of mission around the world.

Colossians 1:12 (KJV), “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.” 

Colossians 3:24 (KJV), “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

Hebrews 9:15 (KJV), “And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”

  1. The Sure Inheritance: The believers in Corinth were reminded of the “things” God has prepared for us in 1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV), “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” You can be sure that you will never be excluded from your inheritance. God will not disinherit you. Remember Ephesians 1:6, which told us we were “accepted in the beloved?”  God has accepted us because we are “in him,” as stated in 1 Corinthians 8:6 (KJV), “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” [Emphasis added.] Our security is because of Jesus Christ and our being “in him.”
  2. The Eternal Inheritance, 1 Peter 1:4 (KJV), “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.” John Phillips brings this to reality: “From all eternity, God has had our well-being in mind. His eternal purpose was to bring into existence human beings upon whom He could bestow all the inexhaustible riches of His grace.” Many elderly people who have physical difficulties and are saved by accepting Jesus as their Saviour often long for their “inheritance.” A person with that mindset also understands what is in store for those who love God and await His appearing. Peter again understood this and encourages us in 1 Peter 1:7 (KJV), “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” We have a “glory” in the future that is difficult to understand now. Our carnal nature often stands in the way of our perception of spiritual things. Being earth-bound, we often translate spiritual things according to natural things.
  3. C.The Riches of the Inheritance, Ephesians 1:18 (KJV), “The eyes of

your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.” We don’t usually attribute the matter of “glory” as a commodity containing wealth. My mother gave each of her children (which included me) an inheritance. My family was not wealthy, but my mother was a saver. She sold her part of the farm her parents left to her and her sister. She never spent it but put it in CDs to give to her children at her death. It wasn’t much, and did not take us long to spend. God’s inheritance for us in our relationship with Jesus Christ will last forever.

  1. III.THE INHERITANCE SECURED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, Ephesians 1:13-14. Most Christians are not fully aware of their relationship with the holy Spirit. It is a point of interest to note that the phrases “Holy Spirit” and “holy Spirit” are different, with the word “holy” being lowercase three of the four times it occurs and “Holy” only one time (Luke 11:13). There seems to be no major issue with the word “holy” not being capitalized (see Eph. 1:13; 4:30; 1 Thess. 4:8). The phrase is found in the New Testament four times. On the other hand, the phrase “Holy Ghost” is found in the New Testament 90 times, and in every occurrence, both words are capitalized. This is the Bible’s primary terminology to designate the third person of the Godhead. The scripture indicates believers are “adopted” into God’s family (Eph. 1:5; cf Gal. 4:5). This became possible through Jesus Christ and made a reality to the believer by the work of the Holy Spirit.  In these two verses, we are given the work of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead in securing the Christian’s salvation.
  1. The Holy Spirit’s Sealing of the Believer, Ephesians 1:13. This verse states the process of salvation and becoming a believer. Note the steps given: (1) you trusted; (2) after hearing the “word of truth, the gospel of your salvation”; (3) then you “believed;” and (4) you were “sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.” It is important to note the word “with.” Some mistakenly tell a new believer they are sealed “by” the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the “seal,” and He dwells in you, assuring you that you belong to God. Look at Romans 8:8-10 (KJV), “8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” The Christian needs to understand that the Spirit “dwells in” them (vs. 9). It is essential to see what the Bible says to avoid confusion. It says in vs. 8 that to live in the flesh, one cannot please God. Christians everywhere are trying to please God by the works of the flesh. Tithing, witnessing, church attendance, et al. These are all good, but you engage in them because you are saved. This was Cain’s problem (Gen. 4:3-5) when he brought the works of his hands, which were the crops he had worked to produce. The believer can gain victory over the flesh by the work of the Holy Spirit in them. The Spirit’s goal is to aid you in overcoming the flesh. The flesh is dead if the Holy Spirit is in you (see Rom. 6:6-13). As a believer, you are “sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise” (Eph. 1:13). Note this parallel in 2 Corinthians 1:22 (KJV), “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” [Emphasis added.] This verse clearly says that God “sealed” us, and the Holy Spirit is the seal. What more do you need? We have many promises related to this principle. Read Romans 8:1 (KJV), “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
  2. The Holy Spirit is the Earnest of Our Inheritance, Ephesians 1:14. Anyone who has purchased a house or property knows what “earnest” money is. The word “results from or showing sincere and intense conviction.” A parallel verse says the same thing, 2 Corinthians 1:22 (KJV), “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” These two verses confirm that God has given us the presence of the Holy Spirit to confirm that what He has promised, He will fulfill. We are the “purchased possession,” and our God never throws away a possession. Go to 2 Corinthians 5:1 and look at how this works in the believer who has trusted Christ for eternal life. God wants us to have the assurance of our relationship with Him. This passage confirms what we have seen in Ephesians 1:14 and 2 Corinthians 1:22. Follow the progression here: 2 Corinthians 5:1-2, 3-5, 6-8. These verses emphasize what we have been discussing.