WELCOME
Written with love by - Betty Strickland
We have all probably read stories or seen movies where folk are arguing and bickering over "who gets what at the death of a family member." Well, here is one inheritance you do not have to argue over or go to court to receive. That is not to say you just sit back and say "Bring it to me, Lord, I deserve it." Never, never in a thousand years could we deserve the promise of eternal life. So, just how or why do we receive this inheritance?*Because God loves us -
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
*By the grace of our Father in heaven.
"Justified by His grace" from our text.
"And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" " (Galatians 4:6)
"Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." (Galatians 4:7)*We must be "in Christ for that is where all spiritual blessings are found, including "our inheritance according to the Hope."
"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27).*We are no longer in the "bondage of sin."
"knowing this, that our old man was crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin;" (Romans 6:6 ASV). Jesus came and suffered on this earth that we may have 'life' more abundantly. "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) And that life is "eternal life in heaven." "and this is the promise that He has promised us--eternal life." (I John 2:25)*We must store up a "good foundation" to be able to lay hold on eternal life.
"storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." (1 Timothy 6:19)*No matter what we face on this earth, it can never compare to the life promised to the "heirs with Christ."
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)*Do not forget, this life is passing away -
"And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:17)
Life on earth is but for a little while -
"whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." (James 4:14).
What then....
*We have not received our "inheritance of eternal life" therefore, it is still HOPE.
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22)*So how do I become an heir with Christ?
Hear and believe the gospel -
"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Roman 10:17) "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)Repent of sins -
"Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."" (Acts 2:38)
Confess Christ as the Son of God -
"Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."" (Acts 8:37)Be baptized into Christ -
"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27)
The Lord adds us to the church -
"praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." (Acts 2:47)Remain faithful til death -
"Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelation 2:10)
*Lay hold on your inheritance of hope by obeying our Lord and Savior. Be at peace with God.Questions:
1. Do we "deserve" anything from God?
No
2. Why is our inheritance called hope?
We have not received it yet.
3. We are heirs through _________.
(Christ) Scripture Gal. 4:7
4. Can we "earn" out inheritance?
No. Give scripture Titus 3:5
5. We are "justified" by ____ ________.
His grace
6. Any "suffering" of the _____________ time cannot ________ with the ________ to be revealed.
Present; compare; glory. Found in Romans ___ ___ (8:18)
7. Before we obeyed the gospel we were in bondage to _____.
Sin;
Romans 8:________.
15-17
8. True or False We have all the time we want to become right with God.
False
9. & 10. Give scripture for the "plan of salvation": Hear the word ______; Believe the word _________; Repent of sins __________; Confess Christ as the Son of God __________; Be baptized ___________; Remain faithful ____________
Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6; Acts 2:38; Romans 10:10; Galatians 3:27; Revelation 2:10
