OUR INHERITANCE IN CHRIST

We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Jesus. Vs 3. In chapter 1, we have seen some of the blessings, and these we know are only for those in Christ and are ours because of His glorious grace. Vs 4: He has chosen us in Christ  Vs 5: He adopted us in Christ  Vs 7: He has redeemed us in Christ  Vs 7: He has forgiven us in Christ  Today, we look at OUR INHERITANCE IN CHRIST VS 11, VS 14. We will study it under three headings. ||||| SOURCE OF THE INHERITANCE An inheritance may be money, property, or title that belongs to someone and has been bequeathed at death to someone else.Vs 11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,  Vs 14 The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.  This inheritance is in Him—in the Lord Jesus. The source is the Lord Jesus. We receive this inheritance because He purchased it for us and then gives it to us.Rom 8:15-17 We believers are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.  Gal 4:4-7 We are no longer slaves, but sons, and heirs with Jesus.  The source of this inheritance is the Lord Jesus. He is the One who came when we were in the depths of our sin. He gave us faith to believe and made us children of God and heirs of this inheritance.  Not our parents, not our church. The source is Christ alone. Do you know if you are a child of God? ||||| SUBSTANCE OF THE INHERITANCEIf you are told that your great aunt has died and left you an inheritance, the first question that might come to you is: What has she left me? Here too, we must consider what the substance of this inheritance in Christ is.  Also, have we received our inheritance? The answer is both Yes and No. In one sense, we have already obtained it (Eph 1:11) and in another sense, it is yet in the future (Eph 1:14).  Prince Charles, the son of Queen Elizabeth, has been waiting on the wings for many many years. He is over 70 years old. He is first in line to the throne. He enjoys all the privileges. But he is not yet king. He is in the family, he is an heir. When his mother dies, he will become king. He is not yet king. One day, maybe, with great pomp and ceremony, he will be crowned King of the commonwealth. He is heir to the throne but he is not sitting on the throne yet.  So as heirs with Christ, we will see all the privileges. We are NOW children of God. But we are heirs of a future inheritance.  1Pet 1:3-4 born again to a living hope . . . to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. Sometimes people get an inheritance, but a few years later, the money is all gone. But our inheritance in Christ that is kept in heaven for us is safe, and each day I pitch my moving tent a day’s march nearer my inheritance.  1Cor 13:12 Now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Then shall we know fully . . .  1John 3:2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.  John 14: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God;[a] believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” That is our inheritance.John 17:24 “that they may be with Me where I am, to see My glory that you have given Me . . .” Our inheritance is that we may see the glory of the holy holy holy God.  Rom 8:22-23 The creation has been groaning. We believers also groan inwardly as we eagerly wait for the adoption of sons, the redemption of the body.  Phil 1:22-23 For me to live is Christ. For me to die is gain . . . My desire is to depart and be with Christ which is far better. Heaven will be so wonderful. So perfect. No sin. All this is a wonderful part of the great inheritance. But the most wonderful thing is that we will see Jesus and will live in the presence of the triune God. The bride eyes not her garment, /  But her dear Bridegroom’s face; / I will not gaze at glory / But on my King of grace. /  Not at the crown He giveth / But on His pierced hand;/ The Lamb is all the glory / Of Emmanuel’s land. [Anne Ross Cundell Cousin] ||||| Oh, that will be glory for me, / Glory for me, glory for me, / When by His grace I shall look on His face, / That will be glory, be glory for me.[ Charles H. Gabriel]  ||||||SECURITY OF THE INHERITANCE  People sometimes have big fights over inheritance. The inheritance we see in this world is insecure. People contest the will. But our inheritance in Christ is not like that. 1Pet 1:3,4 inheritance that is KEPT FOR US. Our inheritance is kept in heaven for us. Eternal security. Absolutely safe. This inheritance has been purchased for you by God and has been kept for you by God.  Now can you understand why the Holy Spirit said: Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed you with every spiritual blessing,” and included in it the “inheritance reserved in heaven” for us.Job 19:25-26 “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God.” This is not hoping against hope, but it is a “Knowing.” That is why Paul said: “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord (2 Cor 5:6-8).  All these blessings are in Him in Him in Him in Him.