Heirs of God

  1. INTRODUCTION:
    1. SCRIPTURE READING:

      2. Romans 8:16-17 = "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the
      children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with 
      Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.      "

    2. SEVERAL QUESTIONS COME TO MIND REGARDING THE "HEIRS OF GOD".
      1. Who are the heirs of God?
      2. What are they heirs of?
      3. With whom will they be heirs?
      4. How does one become an heir?
      5. What does adoption involve?

  2. DISCUSSION:

    1. WHO ARE THE HEIRS OF GOD?
      1. They will not be just God’s creatures for it is not written: "If creatures, then heirs".
      2. They will not be the descendants of saints; for it is not written: "If Abraham’s children,
        according to the flesh, then heirs.

        3. Romans 9:7-8 = "Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all
        children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the
        children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the
        promise are counted for the seed.        "

      3. They will be the children of God: "If children, then heirs".
    2. WHAT ARE THEY HEIRS OF?
      1. Their Father’s estate.
        1. He is the Lord of heaven and earth and all that he has, He bestows upon his
          children.

          2. Matthew 11:25 = "At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, 
          O Father, Lord of heaven and earth          , because thou hast hid these things
          from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.          "

        2. The inspired Word of God has this to say about this inheritance.

          3. 1 Peter 1:3-5 = "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
          which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a
          lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an
          inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away,
          reserved in heaven for you          , Who are kept by the power of God through
          faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.          "

          1. The inheritance is described:
            1. It is "incorruptible" -- Immortal in its nature, that is, imperishable,
              unending in its existence.
              1. The Greek is Aphthartos, pronounced (af'-thar-tos); meaning
                undecaying (in essence or continuance); Translated: not
                corruptible, incorruptible, or imortal.
            2. It is "undefiled" -- Not tarnished by sin.
              1. The Greek word is amiantos, pronounced (am-ee'-an-tos);
                meaning that which is unsoiled, or pure: Translated: undefiled.
            3. It "fadeth not away" -- Unfading in beauty.
              1. The Greek Word is amarantos, pronounced (am-ar'-an-tos);
                Meaning that which will not fade away but be perpetual:
                Translated "That fadeth not away".
          2. The inheritance is kept for the heirs – "Reserved in heaven for you".
            1. Prepared and reserved in heaven, set apart for them.

        John 14:2-3 = "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I
        would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you .And if I go and prepare a
        place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am,
        there ye may be also.        "

        I Peter 1:4 = "To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth
        not away, reserved in heaven for you.        "

      2. The heirs are preserved for it – Like heirs in a royal house, they are never left without an
        attendant.

      I Peter 1:5 = "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to
      be revealed in the last time.      "

      Matthew 28:20 = "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded
      you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.      "

    3. WITH WHOM WILL THEY BE HEIRS?

      4. Romans 8:17 = "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;
      if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.      "

      1. Christ shared our temptations, and we shall share His glory.

        2. Hebrews 2:18 = "For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to
        succour them that are tempted.        "

        Hebrews 4:15 = "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with
        the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet
        without sin.        "

        John 17:21-22 = "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in
        thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast
        sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may
        be one, even as we are one:        " John 17:24 = "Father, I will that they also, whom
        thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory,
        which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the
        world.        "

      2. We shall share in:
        1. Christ’s resurrection:

          2. John 14:19 = "Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see
          me: because I live, ye shall live also.          "

          2 Timothy 1:10 = "But is now made manifest by the appearing of our
          Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life
          and immortality to light through the gospel:          "

        2. Christ’s nature:

          3. Philippians 3:21 = "Who shall change our vile body, that it may be 
          fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby
          he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.          "

          1 John 3:2 = "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet
          appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we
          shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.          "

        3. Christ’s joy:

          4. Matthew 25:21 = "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and
          faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make
          thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.          "

        4. Christ’s eternal home:

      John 14:1-3 = "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In
      my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to
      prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, 
      and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.      "

    4. HOW DOES ONE BECOME AND HEIR?

      5. Comment: God’s inheritance goes to His children. The only way that we can become his heirs
      is to be His children, how is this possible.

      1. By adoption:

        2. Romans 8:15 = "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but
        ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.        "

      2. The adoption into God’s divine family is through faith:
        1. Faith that brings forth a change – repentance.

          2. Acts 2:38 = "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one
          of you in the Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive 
          the gift of the Holy Ghost..          "

        2. Faith that is unashamed.

          3. Matthew 10:32-33 = "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men,
          him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But
          whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my
          Father which is in heaven.          "

        3. Faith that is obedient to the Father.

      Galatians 3:27-29 = "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on
      Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither
      male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye
      Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.      "

    5. WHAT DOES THE ADOPTION INVOLVE?
      1. A change of abode -- We must dwell in the Father’s house.

        2. Psalm 23:6 = "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
        and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.        "

      2. A new name -- We take His family name.

        3. 1 John 3:1 = "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us,
        that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not,
        because it knew him not.        "

        1 Peter 4:16 = "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but
        let him glorify God on this behalf.        "

      3. Put on Christ:

        4. Galatians 3:27 = "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put
        on Christ.        "

      4. We now have a spiritual relationship and can cry out "Father" and His spirit and our spirit bears witness that we are " children of God".

        5. Romans 8:15-16 = "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear;
        but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The
        Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:        "

          1. Comment: A spirit that involves gratitude of freedom, understanding and assurance.
          2. A new relationship has begun: The adopted calls upon God as "Father". The children are His brethren. The Father’s house now had become his house.

  3. CONCLUSION:

    1. ARE YOU AN HEIR OF GOD?
    2. YOU CAN BE AN HEIR OF GOD?
    3. YOU KNOW HOW TO BECOME AN HEIR OF GOD?
    4. THE FATHER IS READY TO ADOPT YOU INTO HIS FAMILY SO WHY DO YOU DELAY?

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