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The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, Pt17

After Conversion . . . . What Then? Pt 4.

Scripture Ephesians 1:15-23.

Stream or download The unsearchable riches of Christ, Pt17

Paul lists three matters about which he desires the Lord to teach the Ephesians more fully.
1. The hope of God’s calling, verse 18.
2. The riches of the glory of God’s inheritance in the saints, verse 18.
3. The greatness of God’s power, verses 19-23.
We wish to look at the second of these topics.

These words need careful reading before we enter upon an exegesis of them.

I. GOD WOULD HAVE US TO BE INFORMED ABOUT OUR INHERITANCE
1 Cor 2:9-10.
1. It is a chief means of sustaining the saint. What comfort, what encouragement, what joy it will afford. God’s people have always had their eyes upon the world that is to come. Hebs 11:10; 13:14.
2. We are to set our affections on it. Col 3:2. You cannot set your love upon that of which you know nothing.
3. It is to occupy our thoughts. Isa 26:3.

II. EVERY CHRISTIAN IS GOD’S HEIR
1. Everything we have in Christ is by way of an inheritance. It is not of works or of merit but freely given. 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, Acts 26:18. See verses 11, 14.
2. As we have already noticed, we have received the down payment of our inheritance. A knowledge of sins forgiven and reconciliation with God and an assurance of heaven is the down payment.
3. The full inheritance will be entered upon in heaven. 1 Peter 1:3-5.

III. CONSIDER THE TITLE GIVEN TO OUR INHERITANCE
The riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. Paul labours to give expression to the magnifience of the inheritance of the saints.
1. It is a rich inheritance. It refers to the abundance of treasure.Mark 10:21.
2. It is a glorious inheritance. It is an inheritance that is brightened by the glory of God. It comes from His hand and bears His glory. The heavens declare the glory of God, Psalm 19:1. How much more that which has been purchased by the blood of Christ. 2 Cor 4:17.
3. It is God’s inheritance. It is prepared by His hand. John 14:1-3. It is to be like Christ, 1 John 3:2; Phil 3:21. 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, 1 Corinthians 2:9. Hebs 11:16;

Bright and Shining lights in the Bible #20

Scripture: “For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city,” Hebrews 11:14-16.

Stream or download Bright and shining lights in the Bible #20

Last week we considered why Abraham and his early descendants forsook the land Babylon and came, at God’s bidding, to the ‘Promised Land’. Today, as we look at these three verses, I want you to notice first of all:

I. THE SIMPLE TESTIMONY THEY BORE
The previous verse says: “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” This then was their testimony.
1. They made no secret of their hopes. They declared ‘plainly’.  The word means that they ‘made an exhibition of’ their hopes.
2. They were not ashamed to speak of their hopes. Paul was of the same spirit, Rom 1:16.
3. We are appointed as witnesses. Luke 24:48, Acts 1:8.

II. THE STEADFASTNESS OF THEIR PILGRIMAGE
1. The proof of the Christian is that they do not turn back. Hebs 10:38-39.
2. The reason for such steadfastness is that they were not ‘mindful’ of that which they had left. ‘Remember’ means  ‘make mention’. The old ways do not ‘fill our minds’! Same word in verse 22. Notice Joseph is thinking of the future and not the past!
3. Keeping our hearts and minds on Christ delivers us from temptation. Col 3:1-2. The old world should be a ‘dead’ thing to us, verse 3.

III. THE SUPERIORITY OF THEIR HEAVEN
1. They believed that heaven was better than all the world offered. Ashamed of what we were, Rom 6:20-21.
2. Such a view of heaven pleased God. He saw they were not ashamed of Him.
3. God is not ashamed of such but has a great reward for them. Verse 16. Remember Christ’s words, Luke 9:26.