Embracing Our Comprehensive Inheritance in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Our Full Inheritance in Christ

Our inheritance through Christ is not limited to spiritual redemption; it encompasses a holistic restoration that includes healing, provision, and freedom. This inheritance is a gift, not a reward for our deeds, and it is made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. His crucifixion was not only about atonement for sins but also about breaking the chains of physical and material curses that bind humanity. As children of God, it is essential to understand and embrace the full scope of what has been bequeathed to us. This means actively claiming and living in the healing, prosperity, and liberty that are part of our heritage as believers. It is a call to stand firm in faith, recognizing that every aspect of the curse has been addressed through Christ's ultimate sacrifice. [37:05]

"But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." - Isaiah 53:5

Reflection: How can you actively claim and live out the healing and provision that are part of your inheritance in Christ today?

Day 2: The Eucharist: Proclaiming Our Worthiness in Christ

The Eucharist serves as a profound reminder of our worthiness to receive all of God's promises, not because of our righteousness but because of the sacrifice of Jesus. As we partake in communion, we do more than commemorate His death; we affirm our faith in the complete work of Christ. This includes believing in His power to heal our bodies and provide for our needs. The act of taking communion is a declaration that we are qualified to receive the fullness of God's blessings, a qualification that comes solely from Jesus' body broken and blood shed for us. It is a time to reflect on the magnitude of His sacrifice and to renew our faith in the promises that are rightfully ours. [24:01]

"By his wounds you have been healed." - 1 Peter 2:24b

Reflection: In what ways can you more deeply understand and honor the significance of the Eucharist in your daily walk with Christ?

Day 3: Jubilee: A Symbol of Restoration in Christ

The Year of Jubilee in the Bible is a symbol of the restoration that Jesus brings into our lives. It was a time when debts were forgiven, slaves were freed, and lost property was returned. Jesus embodies this Jubilee, proclaiming liberty and the restoration of what was lost or stolen. This principle highlights God's desire for His children to experience the fullness of their inheritance, which includes freedom from bondage and scarcity. As believers, we are called to live in the reality of this spiritual Jubilee, trusting that Jesus has restored our lives to God's original intent, where we are free and our needs are met in abundance. [54:59]

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed." - Luke 4:18

Reflection: What areas of your life do you need to trust Jesus to restore, and how can you begin to walk in the freedom He has proclaimed for you?

Day 4: Seeking God First: The Pathway to Abundance

Prioritizing our relationship with God above all else is not merely a principle; it is the pathway to a life of abundance. When we seek God first, we align ourselves with His kingdom and His righteousness. This alignment ensures that our needs are met according to His riches in glory. It is a reminder that our pursuit should not be the blessings themselves, but the Giver of all blessings. As we focus on God and His kingdom, we find that all other things are added to us, manifesting our inheritance in a way that glorifies Him and benefits us. [59:00]

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." - Matthew 6:33

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to prioritize your relationship with God over the pursuit of material blessings?

Day 5: Stewardship of Our Inheritance: Reflecting the Father's Heart

The story of the prodigal son teaches us about the proper stewardship of our inheritance. Our inheritance is not meant for selfish consumption but to bless others and advance God's kingdom. As recipients of God's grace and blessings, we are called to remain humble and generous, using our resources to reflect His love and grace to the world. This means being intentional about how we use what we have been given, ensuring that our actions and choices honor God and demonstrate His character to those around us. [01:02:20]

"Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor." - Proverbs 22:9

Reflection: How can you use your resources and blessings to reflect God's love and grace to someone in your community this week?

Sermon Summary

In today's teaching, we delved into the profound truth that our inheritance in Christ extends far beyond the forgiveness of sins. We are heirs to a legacy that includes healing, provision, and freedom from the curse of the law. This inheritance is not something we earn or qualify for through our own efforts; it is ours solely because of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. His body was broken and His blood was shed for us, not only to cleanse us from sin but also to heal us, to prosper us, and to liberate us from all forms of bondage.

We examined the concept of the Eucharist, which is a celebration of the body and blood of Jesus. The Eucharist reminds us that we are qualified to receive all that God has for us because of Jesus' sacrifice. We are called to remember both His shed blood, which forgives our sins, and His broken body, which was for our healing and well-being.

We also explored the Year of Jubilee, a time when all debts were forgiven, slaves were set free, and lost property was returned. Jesus proclaimed the acceptable year of the Lord, indicating that He came to restore all that was lost and to ensure our inheritance is fully realized. This inheritance includes not only spiritual blessings but also physical and material blessings, as evidenced by Jesus' own ministry of healing and doing good.

However, we must be cautious not to pursue the gifts over the Giver. Our primary pursuit should be God Himself, and as we seek Him first, all other things will be added to us. We were reminded of the importance of seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that our needs will be met according to His riches in glory.

The story of the prodigal son served as a powerful illustration of our inheritance and the danger of valuing the gifts over the relationship with the Father. The son desired his inheritance for selfish gain, which led to his downfall. In contrast, we are called to use our inheritance to be a blessing to others, reflecting the heart of our Heavenly Father.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Colossians 1:12, what has the Father made us qualified to be partakers of?
In Matthew 26:26-28, what two elements does Jesus use to represent His body and blood during the Last Supper?
What does Galatians 3:13-14 say Christ has redeemed us from, and what is the purpose of this redemption?
In the sermon, what does the pastor say the Eucharist reminds us of? ([24:01])

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of inheritance in Colossians 1:12-14 relate to the finished work of Jesus on the cross? ([33:03])
What is the significance of Jesus referring to His blood as the "blood of the new testament" in Matthew 26:28? How does this relate to the idea of a covenant? ([29:07])
According to Galatians 3:13-14, what are the blessings of Abraham that come upon the Gentiles through Jesus Christ? How do these blessings manifest in a believer's life? ([40:10])
The pastor mentioned the Year of Jubilee as a foreshadowing of the restoration Jesus brings. How does this concept deepen our understanding of our inheritance in Christ? ([54:59])

Application Questions

Reflect on the comprehensive nature of our inheritance in Christ, which includes forgiveness, healing, provision, and freedom. How can you stand firm in faith to claim these promises in your daily life? ([37:05])
During communion, we remember Christ's death and proclaim our faith in His work. How can you make the practice of the Eucharist more meaningful in your spiritual life? ([24:01])
The Year of Jubilee was a time of restoration and freedom. Are there areas in your life where you need to experience this kind of restoration? How can you invite Jesus into those areas? ([54:59])
The sermon emphasized seeking God first over material things. What practical steps can you take to prioritize your relationship with God over the pursuit of material blessings? ([59:00])
The story of the prodigal son illustrates the danger of valuing gifts over the relationship with the Father. How can you ensure that your focus remains on your relationship with God rather than the blessings He provides? ([01:02:20])
The pastor mentioned that our inheritance is not just for selfish consumption but to be a blessing to others. How can you use your resources and blessings to reflect God's love and grace to those around you? ([01:03:30])
Think about a time when you felt unworthy to receive God's promises. How does understanding that our qualification comes from Jesus' sacrifice change your perspective? ([30:22])

Sermon Clips

1) "The Eucharist is what qualifies us for everything that you and I can receive in Christ. It qualifies us for salvation, the part that has to do with forgiveness of sins, but Salvation is even bigger than forgiveness of sins." [32:22](Download | Download)

2) "Our inheritance is Way Beyond just forgiveness of sin... Forgiveness of sin is huge, it's everything. But our inheritance in Christ is comprehensive, including safety, Deliverance, perseverance, healing, and rescue." [43:41](Download | Download)

3) "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us... that the blessings of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the spirit through faith." [40:10](Download | Download)

4) "Jesus went around blessing people... One of the parts of our inheritance is that God has also provided for us to be prosperous. That's also one of the pieces of our inheritance." [52:16](Download | Download)

5) "The story of the prodigal son... shows us what happens when we have a disproportionate interest in what God has provided for us than we do in God himself." [01:02:20](Download | Download)

6) "The reason for the inheritance is so that you could be a blessing. When you use it only on selfish ambition, you waste your inheritance, and it doesn't have the effect that it's supposed to have." [01:03:30](Download | Download)

7) "The inheritance that we have comes from the price that Jesus Paid. Because of the broken body and the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, you and I have been qualified for an inheritance." [01:06:16](Download | Download)

8) "The reason why you and I can receive anything from God has nothing to do with us, has everything to do with what Jesus did for us. Jesus is enough, and that's the theme of the book of Colossians." [33:41](Download | Download)

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