Claming your Inheritance.

Intro

Today, we begin unpacking the UFGC vision verse of Ephesians 3 14-19.

This is our vision, to see the truths of these verse fully realised in the life of UFGC and every one in it.

Key to these blessings and promises is what God tells us in v 18.

Ephesians 3:18 AV

18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

This verse speaks to us of the inheritance we have in Christ.

When Abraham had to claim his inheritance he was told,

Genesis 13:17 AV

17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.

We as partakers of the New Covenant have extra dimensions to our inheritance!

Not only do we have the length and breadth, but we also have depth and hight!

All thanks to the Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:11 AV

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 inheritance is vital for all christians to know!

Ephesians 1:18 AV

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

in fact if you look at v 18 again:

Ephesians 3:18 AV

18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

God wants us to “comprehend” our inheritance.

That word translated comprehend comes from the Latin word Prehensale.

Its where we get our word prehensile. When a monkey is said to have a prehensile tail, that means that its tail is able to wrap around and hold on to a branch.

Thats exacally what God wants us to do with his inheritance.

He was us to wrap our minds around it and hold on to it by faith!

And its absolutly vital because you can be saved and yet NOT enjoy your inheritance.

Israel is our prime example of this:

They spend 400 years in slavery in Egypt - muh as we were in slavery in sin.

But God delivered them!

It was not God’s will that Israel remain either in Egypt or in the wilderness.

His desire was that the people enter their glorious inheritance in the land of Canaan.

But when Israel got to the border of their inheritance, they delayed because they doubted the promise of God.

Numbers 13:31 AV

31 But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.

“We are not able” wept the ten spies and the people.

“We are able with God’s help!” said Moses, Joshua, and Caleb.

Because the people went backward in unbelief instead of forward by faith, they missed their inheritance and died in the wilderness.

What does Canaan represent to us as Christians today?

It represents our spiritual inheritance in Christ.

Ephesians 1:3 AV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Israel had to cross the river by faith and claim the inheritance by faith.

They had to “step out by faith” and claim the land for themselves, just as believers today must do.

Joshua 1:3 AV

3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

Now we can understand what the wilderness wanderings represent: the experiences of believers who will not claim their spiritual inheritance in Christ, who doubt God’s Word and live in restless unbelief.

To be sure, God is with them, as He was with Israel; but they do not enjoy the fullness of God’s blessing. They are “out of Egypt” but they are not yet “in Canaan.”

Out of slavery - Amen! But in barren wilderness of lack.

Not yet entered into the Land of Milk of Honey.

Church: Do you have the faith to cross the river? Do you have the faith to recieve what God has given you in Jesus?

Let me make this plainer: If you have the faith in God to get you out of egypt, why does your faith falter when its time to get you into Canaan?

Our Inheritance

I hear you in your spirit say : Pastor i have faith, what is my inheritence?

Well remember that our inheritence is in multiple dimensions - not just length and bredth, but also in depth and hight!

For now lets look at the length and bredth of your inheritence:

The length and breadth speak of that part of the inheritance that God’s children can enjoy here nd now.

The Depth and hight is that part of our inheritence that we will enjoy in the life to come.

The Part we enjoy now gives us the power to overcome the world, the flesh and devil.

The part we enjoy leter gives us the power to overcome trials and tribulations.

What is the length and breadth of our inheritence?

1: Pardon of Sin

Acts 2:38 AV

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

2: The Baptism of the Holy Ghost

The presence of the Holy Spirit is a chain reaction of grace!

Romans 15:13 AV

13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

3: Assurance

This is the assurance of our faith.

The assurance that we are saved.

The assurance that we are God’s.

The assurance of His promises.

Hebrews 10:22 AV

22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

4: Communion with God

1 John 1:3 AV

3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

What can we face in face that we cannot have victory over when we fellowship with the Omnipotent God of all creation?

Conclusion:

Your inheritance in Christ is precious, powerful and purposeful.

It is precious because for it to come into effect the holy Lamb of God had to die.

It is powerful because it cannot be stopped or taken away as it is enforced by the risen Lord Jsus Himself.

And it is purposeful because it is given to you with purpose: That purpose is so that you can live in freedom and victory in Jesus name.

Today i ask you: Who is ready to leave the wilderness and enter into the land of milk and honey?