The Principle of Inheritance

1. The Principle of Inheritance

2. Significance of inheritance An inheritance is a portion, birthright, or heritage that is established by a parent intended for the child

3. The Israelites • The Exodus from Egypt was all about God leading them to their inheritance • There were prerequisites to them receiving their inheritance, they needed to prove they were worthy of that inheritance • That generation failed. The next generation did better, but the children of Israel never completely received the inheritance

4. Receiving the inheritance • To receive the inheritance, they needed to kick out the current inhabitants of the land. • Judah (led by Caleb) had no issue, some of the others did. • Some of them embraced this, others just kept waiting (Joshua 18 – still 7 to go) • Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh

5. Those who understood the concept • 1 Kings 21 • Naboth recognized the value of his inheritance. He was not willing to give it up even for promises of better vineyards • Ahab initially respected it, but his wife did not • Naboth died with God’s blessing. Ahab died under God’s curse

6. Fast Forward 3000 years • So God has made you an offer. • Eph 1:7-23 – some of the verse was removed to highlight the words that reinforce my point • In Him we have redemption, forgiveness of sins, all wisdom and prudence, made known the mystery of His will, we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. You were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Eph 1:7-23 (NKJV)

7. We have an inheritance through Christ • We have been given: • A physical inheritance • All you have is His. This campground is His. You are part of a holy inheritance • A financial inheritance • If you are obedient financially, He has promised you an inheritance. • A spiritual inheritance • As Co-heirs with Christ, you have been given an inheritance of His power when dealing with things of a spiritual nature • A parental inheritance • When you need a Daddy, He receives you as the perfect parent does. Not to squander it, but to appreciate it.

8. Are you positioned to receive it? • Learn from the children of Isreal • Their disobedience cost them and the next generation, their inheritance • The inheritance was there, available, and ready to be received, but they were unworthy to receive it. • He has an inheritance stored up for you. Do what is necessary to receive it.