Our Eternal Inheritance

Temple Baptist Church - 5-20-2018

Romans 8:15-17

Introduction:

A.  Paul speaks of the position and possession of the child of God in these verses.  I want to break them down to get the full meaning of theses verses.  When I say, “full meaning,” I understand that we will never know the extent of either our position nor eternal possession in this life.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  (10)  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.  (Heavenly things are experiential!  They cannot be fully realized until they are fully experienced.  But verse 10 tells us that we can have somewhat of a grasp as to the blessings of both position and possession.)

B.  Three things in these verses that are so important to us.

1.  Our Position in Christ.  We have been given the “Spirit of adoption.”

a.  “Spirit” is capitalized because it is a direct reference to the Holy Ghost who lives within the child of God.  He indwells and seals God’s children.

John 14:16-17  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;  (17)  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neit

her knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Ephesians 1:13-14  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,  (14)  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.  (Part of the purchase money or property given in advance as security for the rest. It shows the buyer’s seriousness about wanting to complete the transaction.)

b.  “Adoption” means that we have been both chosen and accepted.  Adoption refers to the act by which an adult formally becomes the guardian of a child and incurs the rights and responsibilities of a parent. At the conclusion of the formal process, a legal relationship between child and guardian will have formed. The legal relationship results in the adoptee becoming the legal heir of the adopter and terminates any legal rights then in existence with the natural parents.

2 Thessalonians 2:13  But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (We believed the Word of God unto salvation and were set apart through the baptism of the Holly Ghost.)

Ephesians 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.  (We belong to God and are now hid with Christ in God.)

2.  Our Peace In Christ.  “Abba, Father” shows proof of the bonding.

a.  Our Lord Jesus Christ expressed His love of the Father.  Mark 14:36  And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

b.  The Holy Spirit expressed His love for the Father.  Galatians 4:6  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

c)  The child of God expresses his/her love for the Father.  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.

1 John 5:1-2  Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.  (2)  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

1 Corinthians 16:22  If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.

3.  Our Possession in Christ. 

Hebrews 9:14-17  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?  (15)  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.  (16)  For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.  (17)  For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

a.  As children, we are heirs.  The Holy Spirit gives light in the word “heirs.”  Every child has a potential in inheritance.  According to the ignorant so-called scientists of this world, there will be nothing left so we need to move to another planet.  Brilliant?  The world has no hope of the afterlife anyway, but we certainly do!  1 Peter 1:3-4  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,  (4)  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

b.  As God’s children, we are heirs of God.   The Holy Spirit gives more light in this statement.  Since God made the universe and all that is therein, He owns it so that, we as His children, inherit a portion of what God owns.  Romans 8:15-17 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.  (16)  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:  (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.

c.  As children in Christ, we are joint-heirs with Christ.  The Holy Spirit gives much light in this statement.  All that God owns, our Lord Jesus owns.  We are not just heirs with Christ but joint heirs with Christ.  This means that we equally share all that in Christ’s!  Galatians 3:27-29  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  (28)  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.  (29)  And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.