Living in Light of Our Eternal Inheritance

 

Summary

In Ephesians 1:18, Paul prays for the Ephesians to have their understanding enlightened, so they may grasp the hope of God's calling and the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints. This prayer is a profound reminder of the spiritual realities that await believers. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the necessity of having the Holy Spirit open our eyes to these truths, as they are beyond natural comprehension. The knowledge of God and His promises is not just an intellectual exercise but a transformative experience that shapes our lives and perspectives.

Paul's prayer is not merely about understanding our future inheritance but also about living in the light of that future now. The hope of our calling and the glory of our inheritance should inspire us to live holy lives, motivated by the eternal joy and glory that await us. This perspective is not escapism but a powerful motivator for engaging with the world in meaningful ways. History shows that those who have been most heavenly-minded have often been the most effective in bringing about positive change in the world.

The sermon challenges the modern disdain for focusing on the afterlife, arguing that a true understanding of our eternal destiny enriches our present life. It is not a call to ignore the world's problems but to address them with the hope and assurance that come from knowing our ultimate destination. The Apostle Paul himself, despite his sufferings, found comfort and encouragement in the glory that awaited him, and this should be our perspective as well.

Ultimately, the sermon calls us to set our affections on things above, to meditate on the glory that awaits us, and to live in a way that reflects our eternal hope. This is not just a future promise but a present reality that should shape our lives, encouraging us to live with purpose, holiness, and a deep sense of joy.

Key Takeaways:

- The enlightenment of our understanding is essential to grasp the hope and glory of our inheritance in Christ. This spiritual insight is a gift from the Holy Spirit, enabling us to perceive the unseen realities of God's promises. Without this divine illumination, the truths of Scripture remain hidden and inaccessible to us. [04:36]

- The knowledge of our eternal inheritance should inspire us to live holy and purposeful lives. This hope is not just a future promise but a present reality that transforms our daily living. It encourages us to forsake sin and pursue holiness, knowing that our ultimate reward is with God. [29:10]

- The focus on our eternal destiny is not escapism but a powerful motivator for engaging with the world. History shows that those who have been most heavenly-minded have often been the most effective in bringing about positive change. Our hope in the next world empowers us to live meaningfully in this one. [23:25]

- The comfort and encouragement of our future glory outweigh the sufferings of this present time. The Apostle Paul reminds us that our current afflictions are temporary and incomparable to the eternal weight of glory that awaits us. This perspective provides strength and resilience in the face of life's challenges. [27:40]

- Setting our affections on things above is a mark of true spirituality. The more we meditate on the glory that awaits us, the more we align our lives with God's purposes. This focus on the eternal is not only scriptural but also a test of our spiritual maturity and closeness to Christ. [31:39]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Ephesians 1:18
- [01:53] - The Apostle's Prayer for Enlightenment
- [03:46] - Assurance of Salvation
- [04:36] - Spiritual Enlightenment
- [07:17] - Understanding God's Inheritance
- [09:07] - Two Views of Inheritance
- [11:32] - The Nature of Our Inheritance
- [14:14] - Relevance of Eternal Perspective
- [19:18] - Historical Impact of Heavenly-Mindedness
- [23:25] - Spiritual Revivals and Social Change
- [27:40] - Comfort in Future Glory
- [29:10] - Motivation for Holy Living
- [31:39] - Setting Affections on Things Above
- [35:22] - The Glory of Being with Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 1:18

Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul pray for the Ephesians to understand in Ephesians 1:18, and why is this understanding important? [00:11]
2. According to the sermon, what role does the Holy Spirit play in enlightening our understanding of God's promises? [04:36]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between understanding our eternal inheritance and living a holy life now? [29:10]
4. What historical examples were given in the sermon to illustrate the impact of being "heavenly-minded" on worldly change? [23:25]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon suggest that a focus on our eternal destiny can motivate us to engage with the world's problems rather than escape from them? [15:57]
2. In what ways does the sermon argue that understanding our future glory provides comfort and encouragement in the face of present sufferings? [27:40]
3. How does setting our affections on things above serve as a test of our spiritual maturity, according to the sermon? [31:39]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between spiritual enlightenment and the ability to perceive the unseen realities of God's promises? [06:15]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when understanding your eternal inheritance influenced a decision you made. How did it change your perspective or actions? [29:10]
2. The sermon challenges the idea that focusing on the afterlife is escapism. How can you balance being "heavenly-minded" while actively engaging in social and community issues? [15:57]
3. Consider a current challenge or suffering you are facing. How can the hope of future glory provide you with comfort and strength to endure it? [27:40]
4. What practical steps can you take to set your affections on things above in your daily life? How might this change your priorities or actions? [31:39]
5. Identify one area in your life where you feel spiritually blind or lacking understanding. How can you seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to enlighten your understanding in this area? [04:36]
6. How can you incorporate regular meditation on your eternal inheritance into your spiritual practices? What impact do you hope this will have on your daily life? [29:42]
7. Think of someone in your life who might benefit from understanding the hope of God's calling. How can you share this message with them in a meaningful way? [23:25]

Devotional

Day 1: Enlightened Understanding Through the Holy Spirit
The enlightenment of our understanding is essential to grasp the hope and glory of our inheritance in Christ. This spiritual insight is a gift from the Holy Spirit, enabling us to perceive the unseen realities of God's promises. Without this divine illumination, the truths of Scripture remain hidden and inaccessible to us. The Apostle Paul prays for the Ephesians to have their understanding enlightened, emphasizing that this is not merely an intellectual exercise but a transformative experience. It is through the Holy Spirit that believers can truly comprehend the depth of God's calling and the riches of His glorious inheritance. This understanding shapes our lives and perspectives, allowing us to live in the light of our eternal hope. [04:36]

Ephesians 3:16-19 (ESV): "that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need the Holy Spirit to enlighten your understanding? How can you invite Him to open your eyes to the unseen realities of God's promises today?


Day 2: Living in the Light of Our Eternal Inheritance
The knowledge of our eternal inheritance should inspire us to live holy and purposeful lives. This hope is not just a future promise but a present reality that transforms our daily living. It encourages us to forsake sin and pursue holiness, knowing that our ultimate reward is with God. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that understanding our future inheritance is not about escapism but about living in the light of that future now. This perspective motivates us to engage with the world meaningfully, driven by the eternal joy and glory that await us. [29:10]

Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to live in the light of your eternal inheritance? How can this perspective help you forsake sin and pursue holiness in your daily life?


Day 3: Heavenly-Mindedness as a Catalyst for Change
The focus on our eternal destiny is not escapism but a powerful motivator for engaging with the world. History shows that those who have been most heavenly-minded have often been the most effective in bringing about positive change. Our hope in the next world empowers us to live meaningfully in this one. The Apostle Paul, despite his sufferings, found comfort and encouragement in the glory that awaited him, and this should be our perspective as well. By setting our affections on things above, we align our lives with God's purposes and become agents of change in the world. [23:25]

Hebrews 11:13-16 (ESV): "These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city."

Reflection: How can your hope in the next world empower you to make a positive impact in your community today? What steps can you take to become more heavenly-minded in your daily interactions?


Day 4: Comfort in the Promise of Future Glory
The comfort and encouragement of our future glory outweigh the sufferings of this present time. The Apostle Paul reminds us that our current afflictions are temporary and incomparable to the eternal weight of glory that awaits us. This perspective provides strength and resilience in the face of life's challenges. By focusing on the promise of future glory, we can endure hardships with hope and assurance, knowing that our ultimate reward is with God. This eternal perspective allows us to navigate the trials of life with a sense of peace and purpose. [27:40]

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV): "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: What current afflictions are you facing that need to be viewed in light of the eternal glory that awaits you? How can this perspective provide you with comfort and encouragement today?


Day 5: Setting Affections on Things Above
Setting our affections on things above is a mark of true spirituality. The more we meditate on the glory that awaits us, the more we align our lives with God's purposes. This focus on the eternal is not only scriptural but also a test of our spiritual maturity and closeness to Christ. By setting our minds on things above, we cultivate a deeper relationship with God and live in a way that reflects our eternal hope. This practice encourages us to live with purpose, holiness, and a deep sense of joy, knowing that our ultimate reward is with God. [31:39]

Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV): "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

Reflection: What practical steps can you take to set your affections on things above today? How can this focus help you grow in spiritual maturity and deepen your relationship with Christ?

Quotes

The enlightenment of our understanding is essential to grasp the hope and glory of our inheritance in Christ. This spiritual insight is a gift from the Holy Spirit, enabling us to perceive the unseen realities of God's promises. Without this divine illumination, the truths of Scripture remain hidden and inaccessible to us. [00:04:36]

The Apostle Paul prays that we may know what is the hope of our calling and the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints. This prayer is a profound reminder of the spiritual realities that await believers, urging us to live in the light of that future now. [00:19:18]

The knowledge of our eternal inheritance should inspire us to live holy and purposeful lives. This hope is not just a future promise but a present reality that transforms our daily living. It encourages us to forsake sin and pursue holiness, knowing that our ultimate reward is with God. [00:29:10]

The focus on our eternal destiny is not escapism but a powerful motivator for engaging with the world. History shows that those who have been most heavenly-minded have often been the most effective in bringing about positive change. Our hope in the next world empowers us to live meaningfully in this one. [00:23:25]

The comfort and encouragement of our future glory outweigh the sufferings of this present time. The Apostle Paul reminds us that our current afflictions are temporary and incomparable to the eternal weight of glory that awaits us. This perspective provides strength and resilience in the face of life's challenges. [00:27:40]

Setting our affections on things above is a mark of true spirituality. The more we meditate on the glory that awaits us, the more we align our lives with God's purposes. This focus on the eternal is not only scriptural but also a test of our spiritual maturity and closeness to Christ. [00:31:39]

The Apostle Paul emphasizes the necessity of having the Holy Spirit open our eyes to these truths, as they are beyond natural comprehension. The knowledge of God and His promises is not just an intellectual exercise but a transformative experience that shapes our lives and perspectives. [00:04:36]

Ultimately, the sermon calls us to set our affections on things above, to meditate on the glory that awaits us, and to live in a way that reflects our eternal hope. This is not just a future promise but a present reality that should shape our lives, encouraging us to live with purpose, holiness, and a deep sense of joy. [00:31:39]

The Apostle Paul himself, despite his sufferings, found comfort and encouragement in the glory that awaited him, and this should be our perspective as well. It is not a call to ignore the world's problems but to address them with the hope and assurance that come from knowing our ultimate destination. [00:27:40]

The more spiritual we are, the more we shall think about heaven. The nearer we are to Christ, the more we shall meditate upon the glory which he has prepared for us. It is an invariable test of true spirituality. [00:31:39]

The Apostle Paul prays for the Ephesians to have their understanding enlightened, so they may grasp the hope of God's calling and the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints. This prayer is a profound reminder of the spiritual realities that await believers. [00:04:36]

The sermon challenges the modern disdain for focusing on the afterlife, arguing that a true understanding of our eternal destiny enriches our present life. It is not a call to ignore the world's problems but to address them with the hope and assurance that come from knowing our ultimate destination. [00:23:25]

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Transcript
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