Assured Inheritance: Strength in God's Unfailing Power

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we often grapple with feelings of inadequacy and doubt, questioning whether we possess the strength to reach the glorious inheritance promised to us. Yet, the Apostle Paul reassures us that it is not our power but God's mighty power that ensures our arrival at this divine inheritance. This power is the same that raised Christ from the dead, a testament to its immeasurable greatness and reliability. As heirs of God, we are assured that nothing within us or outside us can rob us of this inheritance. The world, with its decay and corruption, cannot compare to the treasures laid up in heaven, which are incorruptible and eternal.

Our security in this inheritance is absolute, as Jesus Himself declared that no one can pluck us from His hand or the Father's hand. This assurance is further echoed in the Apostle's words that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ—not tribulation, distress, persecution, or any other force. We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us, and this love is unbreakable and eternal.

Moreover, being heirs of God means we are privy to the intimate knowledge and secrets of God, much like a child who is let into the family secrets. This relationship allows us to experience glimpses of God's glory and presence even in this life, providing us with a foretaste of the inheritance to come. This is a privilege that the world cannot comprehend, as it remains ignorant of the divine mysteries revealed to us.

Finally, our status as heirs is not just with God but as joint heirs with Christ. This union with Christ is the foundation of our inheritance, as He is the appointed heir of all things. Our relationship with God is through Christ, and it is through Him that we receive the promises and blessings of God. This joint heirship assures us that our inheritance is secure, for it is tied to the unchanging and perfect relationship between the Father and the Son.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Unfailing Power: Our journey to the promised inheritance is not dependent on our strength but on God's mighty power, the same power that raised Christ from the dead. This assurance allows us to rest in the certainty of His promise, knowing that He will complete the work He began in us. [18:13]

2. Incorruptible Inheritance: The treasures of this world are fleeting and subject to decay, but our heavenly inheritance is incorruptible and eternal. This perspective encourages us to focus on storing treasures in heaven, where they are safe from all forms of corruption. [21:48]

3. Absolute Security in Christ: Our security in Christ is absolute, as nothing can separate us from His love. This assurance is a source of comfort and strength, enabling us to face life's challenges with confidence, knowing that we are more than conquerors through Him. [23:31]

4. Intimate Knowledge of God: As heirs of God, we are granted intimate knowledge and glimpses of His glory, which the world cannot comprehend. This privilege enriches our spiritual journey, providing us with a foretaste of the eternal inheritance that awaits us. [27:06]

5. Joint Heirs with Christ: Our inheritance is secured through our union with Christ, the appointed heir of all things. This relationship assures us of the promises and blessings of God, as we are joint heirs with Christ, sharing in His glory and inheritance. [31:44]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [16:34] - God's Unfinished Work
- [17:25] - Strength in God's Power
- [18:13] - The Power of Resurrection
- [19:31] - Assurance of Inheritance
- [20:50] - Treasures in Heaven
- [22:18] - Eternal Security in Christ
- [23:17] - Unbreakable Love of Christ
- [24:07] - Incorruptible Inheritance
- [25:15] - Enjoyment of God in Life
- [26:33] - Intimate Knowledge of God
- [28:30] - Foretaste of Glory
- [30:13] - Old Testament Saints' Experience
- [31:30] - Joint Heirs with Christ
- [34:22] - Christ's Promise to Us

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 1:18-20
2. Matthew 6:19-20
3. John 10:28-29

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Ephesians 1:18-20, what are the three things Paul prays for the Ephesians to understand? How does this relate to the power that raised Christ from the dead? [17:41]

2. In Matthew 6:19-20, what does Jesus instruct us to do with our treasures, and why? How does this relate to the concept of an incorruptible inheritance? [20:50]

3. What assurance does Jesus give in John 10:28-29 about the security of our eternal life? How does this relate to the sermon’s message of absolute security in Christ? [22:18]

4. How does the sermon describe the power that is at work in believers, and how is it compared to the power that raised Christ from the dead? [18:13]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does understanding the "exceeding greatness" of God's power toward believers impact their faith journey, especially when facing doubts about their strength? [18:13]

2. What does it mean to have an "incorruptible inheritance," and how should this perspective influence a believer's priorities and actions in daily life? [21:48]

3. How does the assurance of being unable to be plucked from Jesus' hand provide comfort in times of tribulation or distress? What practical implications does this have for a believer's life? [23:31]

4. What is the significance of being joint heirs with Christ, and how does this relationship affect a believer's understanding of their inheritance and identity in God? [31:44]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt inadequate in your faith journey. How can the understanding of God's mighty power working in you change your perspective and response to such feelings? [17:25]

2. Consider your current priorities and where you are storing your "treasures." What practical steps can you take to focus more on storing treasures in heaven rather than on earthly possessions? [21:48]

3. In what ways can you remind yourself of the absolute security you have in Christ during challenging times? Are there specific scriptures or practices that help reinforce this assurance? [23:31]

4. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation of the intimate knowledge of God that is available to you as an heir? What practices or disciplines can help you experience glimpses of God's glory in your daily life? [27:06]

5. Reflect on your relationship with Christ as a joint heir. How does this understanding influence your identity and purpose as a believer? What changes might you need to make to live more fully in this truth? [31:44]

6. Identify one area in your life where you struggle to trust in God's power and promises. What steps can you take this week to surrender that area to Him and rely on His strength rather than your own? [18:13]

7. Think of a specific challenge or trial you are currently facing. How can the assurance of being more than a conqueror through Christ empower you to approach this situation differently? [23:31]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Power, Not Ours, Secures Our Inheritance
In our spiritual journey, we often feel inadequate, questioning our ability to reach the divine inheritance promised to us. However, it is not our strength but God's mighty power that ensures our arrival. This power, the same that raised Christ from the dead, is immeasurably great and reliable. As heirs of God, we are assured that nothing can rob us of this inheritance. The world, with its decay and corruption, cannot compare to the treasures laid up in heaven, which are incorruptible and eternal. This assurance allows us to rest in the certainty of His promise, knowing that He will complete the work He began in us. [18:13]

Ephesians 1:18-20 (ESV): "Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel inadequate? How can you rely on God's power rather than your own strength to overcome these feelings today?


Day 2: Our Heavenly Inheritance is Eternal and Secure
The treasures of this world are fleeting and subject to decay, but our heavenly inheritance is incorruptible and eternal. This perspective encourages us to focus on storing treasures in heaven, where they are safe from all forms of corruption. Our security in this inheritance is absolute, as Jesus Himself declared that no one can pluck us from His hand or the Father's hand. This assurance is a source of comfort and strength, enabling us to face life's challenges with confidence, knowing that we are more than conquerors through Him. [21:48]

1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."

Reflection: What earthly treasures are you holding onto that may be hindering your focus on your heavenly inheritance? How can you begin to shift your focus today?


Day 3: Unbreakable Love and Security in Christ
Our security in Christ is absolute, as nothing can separate us from His love. This assurance is a source of comfort and strength, enabling us to face life's challenges with confidence, knowing that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. This love is unbreakable and eternal, providing us with the strength to overcome tribulation, distress, persecution, or any other force. [23:31]

Romans 8:38-39 (ESV): "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Reflection: What current challenge are you facing that makes you doubt God's love? How can you remind yourself of His unbreakable love today?


Day 4: Privileged Intimacy with God
As heirs of God, we are granted intimate knowledge and glimpses of His glory, which the world cannot comprehend. This privilege enriches our spiritual journey, providing us with a foretaste of the eternal inheritance that awaits us. Much like a child who is let into the family secrets, we are privy to the intimate knowledge and secrets of God. This relationship allows us to experience glimpses of God's glory and presence even in this life. [27:06]

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (ESV): "But, as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him'—these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper intimacy with God in your daily life? What specific steps can you take to seek His presence today?


Day 5: Joint Heirs with Christ
Our inheritance is secured through our union with Christ, the appointed heir of all things. This relationship assures us of the promises and blessings of God, as we are joint heirs with Christ, sharing in His glory and inheritance. Our status as heirs is not just with God but as joint heirs with Christ, and this union is the foundation of our inheritance. [31:44]

Hebrews 1:2-3 (ESV): "But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power."

Reflection: How does knowing you are a joint heir with Christ impact your view of your identity and purpose? What changes can you make in your life to live more fully in this truth today?

Quotes


God never has left anything incomplete he never will he which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ and another way of putting that which I rather like is this and it's the most comforting thing that he will do this even in spite of us because oftentimes we hear about this inheritance and about the glory and then oh but we say how can I ever get there I'm weak I'm frail I'm fallible I'm changeable. [00:16:39]

The Apostle says look here if you only knew something about the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe well what sort of power is it well he says it's like this it's the power according to the working of his mighty power this is the description of this power it's like the power which he employed when he which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the Heavenly places. [00:18:09]

We are HS of God and because we are of God this is the power that is working in us and which will perfect the work that has been begun until eventually we shall be faultless and blameless without spot or wrinkle or any such thing standing before him in the glory all right but let's go on to something that follows as it were from that because of this we are entitled to say that uh there is nothing outside us either that will ever be able to Rob us of this. [00:19:24]

Lay not up for yourselves Treasures upon Earth where moth and rust does corrupt and where thieves break through and steal perfectly true isn't it you can't hold on to anything in this world M and rust insidiously without observation creep in there's Decay going on when you don't see it you look at a solid block of wood you say that'll last forever then you hear the the next day that the whole thing was suddenly collapsed. [00:20:56]

Lay up instead Treasures for yourselves in heaven where neither moth nor rth corrupt and where thieves do not break break through nor steal and they never will there's no moth in heaven there's no rust In Heaven There Are No thieves in heaven they can never make an entry Heaven is shut to them they can never get in well there it is at the beginning but then you remember our Lord adds to that in John 10:28 and 29 in just that we may know this absolute safety and Assurance of our position. [00:21:51]

I gave unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand my Father which gave them me is greater than all and no man is able to pluck them out of my father's hand it's absolute you see it's absolute security this arees of God and God our heavenly father takes that kind of care of us no man no power nothing at all will ever be able to pluck us out of his hand. [00:22:55]

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ in the light of all he's been saying who then shall separate us from the love of Christ shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or Peril or sword n in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us I am persuaded he certain that neither death nor life nor angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our lord. [00:23:17]

We are hes of God so we can be quite sure that nothing from within us or without or anywhere else shall in any way be able to Rob us of this inheritance which is going to be ours because we are The Heirs of God and then my last Point concerning this matter is this the fact that we are hes of God implies of necessity that we are given the enjoyment of God himself even while we are in this life and in this world. [00:25:02]

An air is always L into certain knowledge and certain secrets that are not always divulged even to other children in the same family because it's a part of his training a part of of his instruction a part of his preparation for the day when he'll enter into the inheritance and there's nothing more wonderful in life than that I'm sure all of us who are old enough to do so looking back across life will treasure as perhaps some of the most wonderful moments in our experience when our parents saw somebody in that position began to tell us certain things. [00:25:43]

God tells his certain of his own Secrets nobody else knows them I was referring to that a few weeks ago the white stone you see in the Book of Revelation the hidden manner the world knows nothing about them the world is utterly ignorant of these things you remember how one of our hymns puts it very well let me just read it to you it comes to my mind as I'm speaking that him which begins behold the amazing love of God the father has bestowed on us the sinful sons of men to call us sons of God. [00:26:46]

We are being L into the secrets here our heavenly father is treating us as AES and what he does is he reveals things about himself to us as the human father does on an infinitely greater scale he lets us into views of aspects of his own Glory now all that happens to us in this life you see the air is given a forest he's given something well we've already referred to that the holy spirit is not only sealed but is earnest. [00:28:04]

We are not only HS of God we are joint HS with Christ it means this you see the devil will come to us and tempt us and he'll try to shake our confidence and say oh you yes you say that God has given you an earth that he's going to give you this that and the other because you are his children but you know God can't give blessings to people who are sinners and who fail and who have broken their vows and their pledges so often. [00:38:00]

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Transcript
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