RECEIVING AN INHERITANCE

PROCLAMATION

“When they had made and end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them.  According to The Word of The Lord they gave him the city which he asked …”  Joshua 19:40-50 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Joshua under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In chapter fourteen, Joshua details the division of the promised land among the tribal clan of Israel. (Joshua 14:1-15)  In chapter fifteen, he details the allotment for the tribe of Judah. (Joshua 15:1-63)  In chapter sixteen, he details the allotment for Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph, but focuses on Ephraim. (Joshua 16:1-10)  In chapter seventeen, he details the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh, Joseph’s firstborn son. (Joshua 17:1-18)  Chapters eighteen and nineteen details the division of the rest of the land to the remaining seven tribes including the allotment to Benjamin (Joshua 18:11-28) and Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan.  (Joshua 19:1-48)  When they had finished dividing the land into allocated portions, the Israelites gave Joshua the son of Nun an inheritance among them. (Joshua 19:49-51)  Those who were faithful were rewarded.

 

APPLICATION

The children of Israel finally received the land which had been promised to them as an inheritance because they were heirs of Abraham.  One day we will receive that which is our inheritance that The Lord God has promised us.  Our inheritance has our name on it and it will not be given to anyone else.  And, it has been written that the “… eye hath not seen … neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)  Believers whose faith has been tried and who endured temptation will receive the crown of life which The Lord has promised to them that love Him. (James 1:12)  “And this is the promise that He promised us, even eternal life.” (1 John 2:25)

 

AIM TO PLEASE GOD IN ALL THAT YOU DO

Proclamation:

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for The Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from The Lord as a reward.  It is The Lord Christ you are serving.  Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism."  Colossians 3:23-25 (NIV)

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom ... The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.  Moreover, no man knows when his hour will come … " Ecclesiastes 9:10-12 (NIV)

Explanation:

These two passages of scripture basically make the same point.  Both passages were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The first was written by the Apostle Paul to the believers in Colossae.  The second was written by King Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, (2 Chronicles 1:11-12) to all of the people of God who would listen.  Both passages of scripture encourage believers to do their best when they work whatever the task, "... do it with all your might ..." and "... work at it with all your heart ..." as if they were working for The Lord.

Application:

Everyone who is old enough to have even a vague understanding of life knows that they will die, they just don't know how, when, or where it will happen.  There is a purpose for our life, and a purpose for everything that we say and do.  However, if that purpose was not to give God glory, then it was a wasted effort.  We should do our best at everything that we do, because ultimately we are doing it to please God.  Man's abilities do not guarantee good results or a positive outcome during life, or at life's end.  In the end, God will judge our efforts, and the reward for our labor will come from God, not from man.

The Word Of God Can Build Us Up

"Now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." Acts 20:32 (NIV)

On his way to Jerusalem, the Apostle Paul spoke to the Ephesian Christians. He warned them of the attack on the church that would come after he left. He said false prophets would come, wolves in sheep's clothing, from without and from within their ranks, twisting and distorting The Word of God. Therefore he was committing them to God and to The Word of God.

Today we need to understand that we are under attack by evil forces, and that only God and The Word of God can build us up, strengthen us, and protect us. Praying, reading and studying The Bible will provide us with the spiritual growth, knowledge, and understanding that we will need to guide and direct us in this world of many sinful distractions and pitfalls.

Joy And Joyous Anticipation

"Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise The Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set The Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices ... You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." Psalm 16:5-11 (NIV)

Here King David seeks preservation and a blessing from God. He is grateful and expresses his gratitude. He praises God for His counsel and His instruction. In life and facing death he is hopeful. He knows that God has chosen his path and that it leads to joy and eternal life with Christ.

We should be content with our portion and with God's provisions and promises. We should delight in God's constant presence. We should daily reflect on God's council and instruction should intentionally keep His Word before us. The steps we take and the walk that we walk should be directed by The Lord. We should run this race with joy and joyous anticipation knowing that we are headed for eternal life with Christ.

Our Inheritance

"Blessed be The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:3-5

We, who are saved by faith, by the power and mercy of God, through Jesus Christ, we have a treasure reserved for us in heaven.

We have our inheritance waiting for us in heaven. Earthly inheritances can be collected after some one on earth dies. Our heavenly inheritance will be collected when we die. The death, burial , and resurrection of Jesus has already set our inheritance aside for us in heaven. We just have to get there to claim it.