Rooted In Your Wealth Series #2

Inheritance & Investment

Text: Ephesians 1:1-3

Introduction

True Story: Hetty Green died in 1916 while leaving an estate valued at over $100 million! She ate cold oatmeal because it cost money to heat it up. Sadly her son suffered a leg amputation because she delayed so long trying to find a free clinic. She was very wealthy, yet she decided to live as a pauper. She was actually so foolish to bring about her own death more quickly by bringing on an attack of apoplexy while arguing about the value of drinking skimmed milk!

I share this story because many Christian believers today choose to live just as poorly spiritually as Hetty Green lived physically. Every Christian has limitless wealth at their disposal and yet they live as if they are bankrupt. This series is to help you as the body of Christ to rediscover YOUR WEALTH in Jesus Christ! God has not given you Heaven’s greatest riches just to be ignored. His desire is for you to ROOT IN & LIVE THROUGH your riches.

1) Authorship & Audience

It is none other than the former anti-Christian persecutor Paul the apostle (formerly known as Saul)

Acts 9:1-2 “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.”

Galatians 1:13-14 “For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.”

Paul was converted by the eternal sufficient and securing grace of Jesus Christ.

Paul’s audience was those SAINTS who made up the strong church he founded during his third missionary journey; those who are faithful in Christ Jesus.

This church was located in a city that was dedicated to the worship of the goddess Diana.

This letter was written nearly 10 years later

What about this word SAINT???

One who has trusted Jesus Christ as Savior.

One who has been “set apart” in Jesus Christ.

That person has been taken out of the world and PLACED IN CHRIST.

You are actually an alien in a strange environment. You are however able to function in this world through the Holy Spirit.

This word gives us insight on the miraculous change that happen to give us entrance into that can only be found in Jesus.

You once were “dead” now you are “alive.”

You once were “blind” now you can “see.”

What about the word FAITHFUL???

It carries the meaning “believers in Christ Jesus.”

Not a people who were saved by living faithful lives, but saved by the placement of the faith in Jesus Christ.

2) The Believer’s Riches (theme v3)

A. The origin of your blessings

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”

Illustration: The California Gold Rush was sparked by the discovery of gold nuggets in the Sacramento Valley in early 1848 and was arguably one of the most significant events to shape American history during the first half of the 19th century.

In the words of the famous red bearded gun slinger Yosemite Sam, “There gold in them thar hills.”

When you were born into God’s family, you were born rich!

Illustration: Bro. Robert saying, “You can’t have anything.”

Illustration: I was just talking with the person we have our home and auto insurance through concerning the climb in cyber and identity theft.

Paul is in no way talking about the kind of riches one might be born into in the physical sense.

Those riches can always disappear or expire.

Here are some verses to consider: 1:7; 2:7; 1:18; 3:16; 2:4; 3:8.

Paul is explaining to you what these riches are and how you may draw on them in order to live for Him.

B. The abundance of your blessings

“all spiritual blessings” or “all blessings of the Spirit”

Always keep in mind, these blessings are for the Christian life; a life set of pleasing God above all others.

Let me give you an example of how we are living in the most rich time in Christendom:

God had promised the people of Israel material blessings as a reward of their obedience — Deut. 28:1-4 “1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: 2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. 3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. 4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.”

Post Jesus’ resurrection — Philippians 4:19 “19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

However not absent of pain or poverty.

Who says the Christian cannot live a satisfying life?!

Let me challenge you believer to appreciate the Holy Spirit more than what you do.

He channels your riches to you.

Quote: Not to know and depend on the Holy Spirit’s provision is to live a life of spiritual poverty. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 9.

Do you know what leading question Paul used when beginning his ministry in Ephesians? — Acts 19:2 “2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.”

Romans 8:9 “9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

C. The sphere of your blessings

“in heavenly places in Christ” or “in the heavenlies in Christ”

It makes sense for an unbeliever to search the world over for their riches…they are of this world.

Philippians 3:20 “20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”

Luke 10:20 “20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”

The believer’s attentions and affections should be centered on things in Heaven — Col. 3:1-2 “1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

LISTEN…Spiritually, you are actually seated with Christ in heaven.

Illustration: The President of the United States is not always seated at his desk in the White House, but that executive chair represents the sphere of his life and power. No matter where he is, he is the President, because only he has the privilege of sitting at that desk. Likewise with the Christian: no matter where he may be on this earth, he is seated in the heavenlies with Jesus Christ, and this is the basis of his life and power. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 10.

Illustration: When she was young, Victoria was shielded from the fact that she would be the next ruling monarch of England lest this knowledge spoil her. When her teacher finally did let her discover for herself that she would one day be Queen of England, Victoria’s response was, “Then I will be good!” Her life would be controlled by her position. No matter where she was, Victoria was governed by the fact that she sat on the throne of England. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 10.

These writings about wealth were significant to his readers:

Ephesus considered the bank of Asia.

Temple of Diana (one of the seven wonders of the world)

Center of idolatrous worship and the greatest depository for wealth.

Paul knew the vulnerability for a mind to start shifting to think about earthly treasure over spiritual.

Conclusion

In closing let me share with you the message the Apostle Paul is pleading for you to embrace in two word: BE RICH!

In order for you to invest in the kingdom, you must know what you have inherited by faith in Jesus.