Pastor Rockwell / OUR INHERITANCE IN CHRIST

Pastor Jerry Rockwell

OUR INHERITANCE IN CHRIST

 

Introduction: In the study of the word “inheritance,” it is essential to know that there are some conditions attached to receiving an inheritance. For instance, we “inherit” sin from Adam according to Romans 5:12 (KJV) Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. While the word “inherit” is not in the verse, when a person is born, they inherit specific characteristics such as hair color, eye color, skin color, etc. These come from the “gene” pool of your parents. One of the “genes” is that which was passed down to us from Adam when he sinned in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3). Romans 5:12 indicates this. The words “inherit” or “inheritance” are found in your King James Bible 310 times. Two hundred seventy-seven of those are in the Old Testament (OT) and thirty-three are in the New Testament (NT). The reason for this is that God chose Abraham to be the beginning of a race of people who became the “people of Israel” (Josh. 21:6; 2 Sam. 24:4; Ezek. 38:16, et al.) and have since been referred to as the Jewish People. The term “Jewish” originates from the word “Judah” (the Messianic tribe) and was also referred to as the “Judeans.” By the 6th Century bc, the term “Jewish” became the way to identify the descendants of Abraham. There is an interesting verse related to this transaction, as mentioned by Stephen in Acts. This is the sermon he delivered to several leaders of Synagogues who were disputing with Stephen (Acts 6:9). He gave a lengthy message to them, beginning with God’s calling and blessing on Abraham (Acts 7:2-4). Stephen made the following statement about Abraham moving from the “land of the Caldæans to Charran” (Acts 7:4) and then to the land where the Jews lived at that time. He then made the statement in Acts 7:5 (KJV) And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child. Stephen did not consider the land an “inheritance” but a “possession.” The people of Israel became idolatrous, and God disciplined them twice. One in 586 bc and the other in 70 ad. They were in exile until 1948 ad when they became a nation again. They are currently a “political” nation and not a “spiritual” nation. Jeremiah makes an interesting statement of prophecy about the nation. He said in Jeremiah 3:18 (KJV) In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers. Here it is an “inheritance” and this statement is prophetic and still in the future. 

The first time the word is used in the NT is Matthew 5:5, which is part of the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matt. 5-7). The first time it is applied to the Church is in Ephesians 1:10–11 (KJV) 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. This is actually an individual inheritance given to each member of the church. Note in vs. 10 the application is to those “in Christ.” This is the main subject of this study. The inheritance of believers “in Christ.”

  1. LORDSHIP SALVATION. One of the objectives of this study is to dispel one of the major heresies currently plaguing the church. This is a teaching that is not biblical. They hold to the position that a person must “repent of their sins,” to be saved. Then they teach that “repentance and faith must be given to a man before he can be saved.” Their position is that a person who believes will live a life of obedience and never fall into continual sin. 
  1. Repentance, a Definition. Many Christians think that once they are saved and 

sin, then they are no longer a Christian and they are no longer saved. It centers around the confusing word “repent” or “repentance.” It will serve this study well to determine the meaning of the Biblical word “repent.” The first time the word is found in the Bible is Genesis 6:6–7 (KJV) 6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7 And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. [Emphasis added.] You will find that here the passage presents God’s problem with man and his sinful ways. These two verses are in the context of when the “sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose” (Gen. 6:2). Genesis 6:4 indicates there were offspring born from this union. In another study it was determined that the phrase “sons of God” was a reference to angels (see: Job 1:6; 2:1). This is the narrative of when “the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them” (Job 1:6; 2:1). This scene took place in heaven. The conclusion is that these were angels. There were no saved people known as the “sons of God” in heaven at this time. When God “repented” of what He had created, he “changed His mind” because there is no sin in God (Job 34:10). The point being made is that when a person “repents” and believes in Jesus Christ for salvation, they change their mind about the life he/she had been living and want God to give them a new life, which is being “born again” (John 3:3, 7). 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. [Emphasis added.]

  1. What Happens When a Christian Sins?  Luke 15:11-32. This story has come to be known as the “Prodigal Son.” It is a passage that helps us understand the “father-son” relationship and gives insight into the relationship we have with the Father of the Bible, God. The story is not preached as much as it should be. It is a story about a wealthy man who had two sons. We will focus on vss. 17-24. The story tells of the younger son asking his father for his portion of the inheritance (the word, inheritance¸ is not used in the text but is represented by the word “substance”). It was given him, and he went into a “far country” and spent the money in “riotous” living (vs. 13). While being without money he took a job feeding “swine” and even “filled his belly with the husks” and came to himself and decided to return to his father and be a servant (vss. 16-17). The boy returned and found that his father was watching for him. The son told his father “I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight and am no more worthy to be called thy son” (vs. 21). The father did the unexpected, he clothed his son with the “best robe,” placed a “ring on his hand” and shoes on “his feet” (vs. 22). Then he told his servants to kill the fatted calf and let us be merry” (vs. 23). Now note what is said in Luke 15:24 (KJV) For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. The father received his son and did not make him a servant as the boy requested. The father said, “My son.” The position of those who hold to “Lordship Salvation” will often suggest that the “prodigal son” was lost spiritually, and when he came to his father, he was given salvation. That may be a simplification, but it is the gist of what they teach. If the parable portrays the “prodigal” as a son, that would be an indication of being a part of the family. A saved person is part of the family of God. This is stated in Ephesians 3:14-15 (KJV) 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. A person who is part of God’s family is a son. We can be out of fellowship, but we are still children of God. Here is a note for future exposition. The boy “lost his inheritance” through “riotous” living (Luke 15:3). As stated earlier, the word “substance” in Luke 15:3 is his “inheritance.” 
  2. Security of Salvation. Those of the Reformed Tradition contend that salvation is by faith, but one must “persevere.” In other words, a Christian must accept Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord at the time of being saved and maintain a life with little or no sin. That is called “perseverance.” John MacArthur defines the Reformed view of what he calls “security of the believer.” He says, “The point is not that God guarantees security to everyone who will say he accepts Christ, but rather that those whose faith is genuine will prove their salvation is secure by persevering to the end in the way of righteousness.” What MacArthur means is that a believer will not become a “carnal” Christian and live according to the flesh. A Christian will always avoid sin in their life and not engage in anything contrary to the word of God. If they engage in sin, that would be an indication that they were not saved to begin with. Upon reading the writings of Reformed Theology, it becomes clear to me that the phrase “Lord Jesus” is the key to their understanding of salvation. When a person is saved, they accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord. In other words, they are committed to living a life that will never engage in activity foreign to or forbidden by the word of God. They will never reject Jesus Christ as their Lord (i.e., Master). Dr. Vance points out that there are two views of “perseverance” among Calvinists. He says, “The first thing that some Calvinists emphasize is that it is God who perseveres in keeping the believer saved. . .If this is how all Calvinists defined Perseverance of the Saints then we would have no argument with them. . .” As Christians, we need to realize that the believer is secure in Christ when they believe in Jesus and accept/receive Him as their Saviour. Remember what the Bible says a person must do to be saved. It says in    

     Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV) 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that  

     not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should   

     boast. 

Acts 16:31 (KJV)  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 

John 6:29 (KJV) Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. 1 Timothy 1:16 (KJV) Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 

1 John 5:13 (KJV) These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. [Emphasis added.]

The simplicity of salvation by these verses cannot be overstated. Vance cites Lewis Sperry Chafer who says, “This one word ‘believe’ represents all a sinner can do and all a sinner must do to be saved.” Jesus had something to say about the security of believers in John 10:27-30 (KJV) 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one. 

  1. THE LOSS OF INHERITANCE BY A BELIEVER, Ephesians 5:5. Several passages indicate the Christian will have an inheritance. They are: Acts 20:32 (KJV) And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. If a believer is saved and sanctified, they will receive an inheritance. Acts 26:18 (KJV) To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Colossians 1:12 (KJV) Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. Christians have a fantastic future in heaven. John the Baptist came preaching the “. . .the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 3:2). After John baptized Jesus and Satan tempted him, we read in Matthew 4:17 (KJV) From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The phrase “kingdom of heaven” is found only in Matthew and occurs 32 times there. The “kingdom of heaven” is a reference to the Millennial Kingdom explained in Revelation 20:4-6. Some attempt to equate the phrases “kingdom of God” and “kingdom of heaven” as the same thing. Paul defines the “kingdom of God” in Romans 14:17 (KJV) For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. The “kingdom of heaven” and “kingdom of God” are not the same. Heaven and God are spelled differently and refer to two different entities. One is a spiritual kingdom and one is an earthly kingdom. Every believer will have an inheritance, but there is one teaching that many overlook. WE KNOW THAT A CHRISTIAN CANNOT LOSE THEIR SALVATION. A person who has received Christ Jesus as their Saviour cannot ever live under the threat of going to hell. They are saved forever. Yet there is something that they can lose. That is their inheritance. Do you remember our discussion of the “Prodigal Son” of Luke 15 and he spent (lost) his inheritance through “riotous living” (Luke 15:13)? He was a “son” when he left and he was still a “son” when he returned to his Father. He did not lose his status as a son. He “wasted his substance [inheritance] in riotous living.” LOOK AT Ephesians 5:5 (KJV) For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Go to vss. 3-4, 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. These two verses address believers who evidently had been engaging in these activities. He provides another warning in Ephesians 5:6 (KJV)  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Why would he say “the children of disobedience” if he was not addressing believers? Would this not refer to believers? The following verses enhance these admonitions in Ephesians 5:7-8 (KJV) 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light. These believers have been saved to live for God and not the flesh. The danger of a carnal lifestyle (1 Cor. 3:1-3) is that you will not lose your salvation, but you will lose your rewards of inheritance. You will not “reign” with Christ in the Millennium (see: Rev. 20:4-6. Paul warned the Christians in Romans 6:12 (KJV) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Christians can sin as lost people sin. In light of the things studied we should consider what one of the items of inheritance is in Revelation 5:10 (KJV) And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. Revelation 20:6 (KJV)  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. It is my conviction that the “inheritance” will be in these two verses of Revelation 5:10 and Revelation 20:6. A CHRISTIAN CAN LOSE THEIR INHERITANCE BY RIOTOUS BEHAVIOR.