Prayer and Bible Band

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Background Reading:  

Acts 20:32-35; Ephesians 1:15-22; Romans 8:14-17; Colossians 1:11-14

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Devotional Reading:

Psalm 106:4-43 

 

​Central Verse

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“And if ye be Christ’s then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according  to the promise.”  Galatians 3:29, KJV

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“And now that ye belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham, You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham.”  Galatians 3:29, NLT 

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Key Terms

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Covenant—A usually formal, solemn, and binding agreement. 

Legacy—Something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past. 

Spiritual Inheritance—A gift that believers receive through faith when they are adopted into God’s family. It is a guaranteed inheritance for eternity that includes salvation, eternal life, and other rights. 

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Introduction

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Inheritance is the practice of receiving private property, titles, debts, entitlements, privileges, rights, and obligations upon the death of an individual. The rules of inheritance differ among societies and have changed over time. In the law, an heir is a person who is entitled to receive a share of the deceased’s property, subject to the rules of inheritance in the jurisdiction of which the deceased was a citizen or where the deceased died or owned property at the time of death. 

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Inheritance also refers to the way that genetic information is passed from a parent to a child. Members of the same biological family have similar characteristics, including physical appearance and the likelihood of developing certain genetic conditions. The word of the Lord tells the believers that “a good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” (NKJV, Proverbs 13:22). 

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Discussion

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The word of God lets believers know that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. All human creation became sinners because of Adam’s sin. The first Adam caused all men to inherit sin and the penalty of sin, but the second Adam, Jesus, made it possible for men to be delivered from the curse of the broken law. Romans chapter 5 tells us that through Jesus’s obedience, many were made righteous. 

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Galatians told believers that if we belong to Christ, we are the seed of Abraham, and this causes us to become an heir of salvation. It puts believers in a place where they can enjoy spiritual rights and privileges as children of God. Accepting Jesus as Lord of their lives positions them to become joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Just as Joshua and the Israelites were given a Promised Land inheritance when GOD made a covenant with Abraham. He has also given each believer a promised inheritance. It is an inheritance worth fighting for. It's worth denying yourself and following Jesus. 

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It is worth passing down the spiritual heritage of the Ancient Faith and leaving a spiritual legacy. The believer must remember that Jesus won every battle on the cross, and because of His victory, we have our inheritance. Each believer only has a limited time upon this earth, so, they must make defining decisions about acquiring their inheritance, so they can leave a lasting legacy for their future progeny. 

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It does not matter what a person has made arrangements to leave to you upon their death, you must claim the inheritance. But if you do not have any idea that you are in line for an inheritance, sometimes you just miss out on it. 

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There is the natural and then there is the spiritual. A spiritual inheritance is a divine legacy and blessings that believers receive from God. Believers are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ Jesus. Promises of spiritual inheritance include being chosen, enlightenment, eternal possession, and Spiritual blessings in Christ. 

Believers must submit their lives to God by renewing their mind, heart, soul and all strength to our Lord and Savior. After receiving Jesus as their Lord and savior, they must receive the precious gift of the Holy Ghost and allow Him to renew them. They must acknowledge God in everything by learning to lean and depend on Him. Believers’ lives must reflect trust in and obedience to God. 
 

This special inheritance comes through Jesus because He was born of a virgin, lived, died on a cruel cross, was put into the grave, and rose out of the grave on the third day. Now, because He lives, the believer can receive their inheritance both now and throughout eternity. 

God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall have everlasting life (John 3:16). God made it possible that every child who believes and accepts His Son can inherit eternal life. The believer’s inheritance is preserved for them in heaven; they have been born of imperishable seed, through the living, enduring word of God (1 Peter 1:23). The inheritance believers receive in Christ is Holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. No one or nothing can claim or steal this inheritance. It is secure in heaven and is unspoiled, where it is free from anything on earth that can deform, debase, or degrade it. 

Though believers may enjoy many wonderful blessings while here on earth, their real inheritance in Christ is the crown of glory, that has their names on it and is preserved in glory for them. The Word tells believers that “when he believed, he was marked in Jesus with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance” (Ephesians 1:3-4). Believers receive the promise of His inheritance by hearing the word of truth and believing in Christ (Ephesians 1:13). 
 

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​Conclusion

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David knew the importance of receiving the inheritance even when he knew how rebellious and disobedient Israel had been. So he told God to visit him with salvation so that he may glory with His inheritance. He admitted that they had sinned, but God had preserved them, provided for them, protected them, even when they rebelled against Him and served other gods. The Israelites’ behavior was so bad that God gave them over to their enemies, but in the end, they cried unto God and He heard them. He remembered His covenant and repented according to the multitude of His mercies. 

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Just as God forgave Israel for their sins and allowed them to claim their inheritance, He will do the same for each of His children. Repent, for the remission of your sins, and receive the Lord and He will receive you. 

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​Questions

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1. What is a believer’s inheritance?

2. What is so important about this inheritance? 
 

3. What can they do to claim their inheritance? 
 

4. What are some of the things that a believer can do to forfeit their inheritance? 

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​Essential Thought

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Only what a believer does for Christ will last.

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