15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

I We are Called/Summoned/Invited to participate in the life of Christ

A. Jesus died for our sins to redeem/set us free, for a purpose, so that we might receive the promised blessings (Inheritance/Reward/ Bestowal of His power/glory) of the Messianic Age which results in the praise of His glory (Eph 1; Rm 5:10; Jn 10:10; 20:31; 1Jn  5:11-13)
Eph 1:4 He chose us 7...redemption 9...purposed 10...dispensation of the fullness of the times He might sum up in one all things in Christ 11  In Him also we have obtained an inheritance 13... sealed with the HS of promise, 14 the deposit of our inheritance...to the praise of His glory.

B. We will share 2Thess 2:13...God chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, stand fast and hold  traditions which you were taught

C. Faithfully and Patiently slug it out Heb 6:12 do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises

Faith is believing that God is who He said He is and will do what He said He’ll do - Heb 11:6

II. Redemption is not an end in itself, it is a prelude to further blessing

A. We are born again for the purpose of obtaining an inheritance that’s reserved for us in heaven. This is our living hope and our future salvation (glorification),  but it is not ours until we show up to claim it. We need to draw on the power of God by exercising faith in God’s present and future promises, so we don’t disqualify ourselves from receiving our inheritance.

1Pt 1:3 Blessed be the God...has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4  to an inheritance ...reserved in heaven for you, 5  who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Heb 11:6

B. Forgiveness in not the same as inheritance Acts 26:18`to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me

Qualified, not glorified Col 1:12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light

Inheritance is yet future Heb 1:14  Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?

C. People don’t automatically understand God’s plan for them Eph 1:18  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,

D. Salvation is best viewed as a reversal of the effects of the Fall, and can be seen in the Scriptures as having three areas of emphasis: 1) Justification = Accomplished escape from hell and the death penalty incurred by sin, and restoration of our relationship with God. (Tit 3:5; Rm 5:9) 2) Sanctification = Progressive deliverance from sin habits and restoration toward pre-Fall holiness and Christlikeness. (I Pt 2:2: Phil 2:12) 3) Glorification = Future restoration of glory and rulership with Christ in His kingdom. (Heb 9:28; I Pt 1:5)

III Our Inheritance is sharing in the future life of Christ to the degree that He has shared in our lives presently

Rom 8:17 if children, then heirs--heirs of God but joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we co-suffer with Him, that we may also be co-glorified together

A. Inheritance is our reward for faithful service of Christ Col 3:24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

B. The Great Exchange - we trade temporal: Power (security/significance), Pleasure, and Possessions, that we can’t keep to gain eternal  Power/Pleasure/Possessions that we can’t lose. Mat 19: 27 "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?" 28  So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. (=rulership/dominion) {See also rewards given to overcomers in Rev 2-3)

IV.  How to Obtain your Inheritance: forsake the temporal, faithfully follow Christ for the eternal

A. Don’t get Disqualified...Inheritance is not automatic Eph 5:5  For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (See 1Cor 10:1-12)

Don’t trade your future for a bowl of lentil soup Hebrews 12:17  For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

Don’t be Deceived re: Inheritance 1 Cor 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived...

Don’t be Cheated of Reward Col 2:18  Let no one cheat you of your reward... Loss of Reward 2Jn 8

B. Avoid Disqualification by Disciplined Sanctification 1Cor 9:24Run in such a way that you may obtain it...27  But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. (Cf. 10:11)

Transform your thoughts, values, attitudes, & actions by letting the Spirit of God use the Word of God to produce in you the Mind of Christ

Rm 12:1-2 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable/spiritual service of worship. 2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Accountability 2 Tim 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

C. Abide in the Word and Christ Acts 20:32  "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (see also John 15:5-11 Abiding in Christ)

Gal 5:24  And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 19  Now the works of the flesh are evident, ...of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

D. Obediently Deny yourself to Sow Christlike Actions

1. Follow God’s Command’s Mk 10:17 "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life/treasure in heaven/enter the kingdom

Cf Mt 19:17 If you want to enter life 21a If you want to be perfect, 21b have treasure in heaven.  23 enter the kingdom of heaven. 24  to enter the kingdom of God." 25 "Who then can be saved?"

2. Be an overcomer, not a underachiever Rev 21:7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

3. Trust that God is in control Mat 5:5  Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

4. Use present power to get future power Eph 1:14  who is the down payment/first installment of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

5. Draw on New Covenant power Heb 9:15

6. Pray and serve in secret Matthew 6:6  "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

7. Allow yourself to be abused in a Christlike manner 1Pt 3:9  not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

8. Get abused by hypocrites Luke 6:23  Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.

9. Welcome prophets & righteous, Mat 10:41  "He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.

10. Faithfully pursue Christlike actions Mat 25:34  "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, `Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: cf Lk 10 & 18

11. Love the unlovely Luke 6:35  "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

12. Build the Body 1 Cor 3:8 he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

13. Serve needs of Body Mat 10:42  "And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."

14. Be a working disciple Mt 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25  "For whoever desires to save his soul/life will lose it, but whoever loses his soul/life for My sake will find it. 26  "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul/life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul/life? 27  "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

Questions for Discussion/Reflection/Response:

1. If God frequently uses hope of reward to motivate NT Christians, and OT saints, why are some believers today turned off by rewards?

2. What causes someone to “buy into” eternal rewards? What thinking and behaviors follow? Why would anyone object? 

3. Do you think more people miss out on their inheritance/reward through disqualification or failure to lay up treasure in heaven?

4. Which of the inheritance gaining activities are most likely to be neglected among believers today? Why? Remedy?

5. What are you doing to ensure that you continue to follow Christ?