Eph 1:11-14 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (NKJ)

Today I would like to discuss a most important topic; the topic of a Christian's inheritance in Jesus Christ. While such a subject no doubt sounds a bit self serving, it is none the less Biblical and needs to be explored for our edification as well as the growth of others.

Our primary inheritance as Christians is at least tri-fold in nature. The promise of eternity in the presence of God is an inheritance that we all look forward to. Next, we can add the promise of the Holy Spirit. Finally, we can look at the various promises in God's Word that apply to His children. Today, with God's grace, we will endeavor to discuss more fully a few of the promises found in God's Word that are made to us as His children.

First we see that all the promises of God in Christ are yes and amen. That means that it is God's will to perform them and to grant them unto those of us in Christ Jesus. However, there are oftentimes conditions to God's promises; obedience to God and love towards others are two immediate conditions that come to mind. We do well to endeavor to be what Christ would have us to be so that we might more fully enjoy and experience the many promises of God's Word.

2 Cor 1:20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

Further confirmation of the above verse is found in the 2 Peter. We have been given all things pertaining to life and godliness. We have also been given EXCEEDINGLY GREAT and PRECIOUS promises. However, it seems that a good many of God's promises must be believed upon and received before they can be enjoyed.

2 Pet 1:2-4 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (NKJ)

God made a promise to Abraham in regards to him having a son; Abraham then made a decision to believe God. The promise was some twenty five years in its arrival, but Abraham was fully convinced, as we should be today, in regards to believing upon God. I am convinced that many if not most of God's promises only come about by believing upon God and the truth of His Word with unwavering faith!

Rom 4:20-22 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore "it was accounted to him for righteousness." (NKJ)

We must always remember that NOTHING is too difficult for our God to perform.

Jer 32:27 "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? (NKJ)

Matt 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (NKJ)

Without question, the greatest promise of the Word is that concerning the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Until one accepts Christ as their risen Lord and Savior, nothing else really matters!

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (NKJ)

1 Cor 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (NKJ)

Once we are Christians, we find great comfort in our promise of everlasting life in Christ.

John 3:14-16 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (NKJ)

John 6:47 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. (NKJ)

John 10:27-29 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. (NKJ)

I Jn 2:25 And this is the promise that He has promised us-- eternal life. (NKJ)

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NKJ)

We find a place is even now being prepared for us by Christ.

John 14:1-3 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (NKJ)

1 Cor 2:9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." (NKJ)

Matt 25:32-36 "All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. "And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 'for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 'I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' (NKJ)

Rev 21:3-5 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." (NKJ)

For the "here and now" we find a great number of promises as well. The first of these promises to be considered is that of spiritual enlightenment.

Spiritual light:

John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

John 8:31-32 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)

John 12:46 "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.

Acts 26:18 'to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.' (NKJ)

John 16:13-14 "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. "He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. (NKJ)

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (NKJ)

Spiritual Fullness:

John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. (NKJ)

John 7:37-38 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." (NKJ)

Acts 20:32 "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (NKJ)

Answered Prayer:

Ps 4:3 But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly; the LORD will hear when I call to Him. (NKJ)

Ps 50:15-17 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to declare My statutes, or take My covenant in your mouth, Seeing you hate instruction and cast My words behind you? (NKJ)

Prov 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous. (NKJ)

Mark 11:23-24 "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says. "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. (NKJ)

John 15:7 "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. (NKJ)

John 15:16 "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. (NKJ)

I Jn 5:14-15 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (NKJ)

Peace:

Ps 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; he shall never permit the righteous to be moved. (NKJ)

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (NKJ)

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (NKJ)

Phil 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (NKJ)

Ps 94:18-19 If I say, "My foot slips," your mercy, O LORD, will hold me up. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, your comforts delight my soul. (NKJ)

Prov 3:1-2 My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. (NKJ)

Isa 48:18 Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea. (NKJ)

Isa 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

Direction:

Ps 73:24 You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. (NKJ)

Ps 25:9 The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way. (NKJ)

Ps 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.

Ps 48:14 For this is God, our God forever and ever; he will be our guide even to death. (NKJ)

Ps 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (NKJ)

Prov 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (NKJ)

Isa 48:17 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go. (NKJ)

Healing:

Ps 41:1-3 Blessed is he who considers the poor; the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. The LORD will preserve him and keep him alive, and he will be blessed on the earth; you will not deliver him to the will of his enemies. The LORD will strengthen him on his bed of illness; you will sustain him on his sickbed. (NKJ)

Exod 15:26 ...If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you. (NKJ)

Isa 53:4-5 Surely He has borne our grief and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. (NKJ)

Ps 103:2-3 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, (NKJ)

Phil 2:27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. (NKJ)

James 5:14-15 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (NKJ)

Prov 3:7-8 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. (NKJ)

Provision:

Ps 37:3-5 Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. (NKJ)

Prov 28:25-27 He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered. He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered. He who gives to the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will have many curses.

Matt 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (NKJ)

Ps 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. (NKJ)

Prov 11:24-25 There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself. (NKJ)

2 Cor 9:6-8 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. (NKJ)

Gal 6:7-10 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (NKJ)

Phil 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (NKJ)

God's provision in regards to financial and material increase is included as well. I understand that there are a good many folks today who teach against tithing to God. This seems to be fairly simple to me, one can either choose to sow their resources in a way that is honoring unto God, or one can simply store and hoard up for themselves all that they can, and take their chances without God's blessing upon their finances...the choice is yours to make.

Prov 3:9-10 Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. (NKJ)

Mal 3:8-11 "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field," says the LORD of hosts; (NKJ)

Protection:

Josh 1:8-9 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." (NKJ)

Ps 91:1-4 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust." Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; his truth shall be your shield and buckler. (NKJ)

Ps 91:9-12 Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. (NKJ)

Ps 34:7 The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. (NKJ)

Ps 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

Isa 41:10-13 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' "Behold, all those who were incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced; they shall be as nothing, and those who strive with you shall perish. You shall seek them and not find them-- those who contended with you. Those who war against you shall be as nothing, as a nonexistent thing. For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'

Matt 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (NKJ)

Favor:

Ps 5:12 For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield.

Ps 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (NKJ)

Ps 25:10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. (NKJ)

Ps 32:10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him.

Prov 12:2 A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.

Prov 16:7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Deliverance:

Ps 34:17-19 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. (NKJ)

Ps 32:10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him.

Ps 33:18-19 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. (NKJ)

Prov 3:25-26 Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught. (NKJ)

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (NKJ)

Strength:

Ps 29:11 The LORD will give strength to His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace. (NKJ)

Power:

Eph 6:10-12 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

John 14:12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. (NKJ)

Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (NKJ)

Matt 21:21 So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. (NKJ)

Mark 16:17-18 "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; "they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (NKJ)

Luke 10:17-20 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." (NKJ)

1 Cor 12:7-10 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. (NKJ)

Rom 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (NKJ)

Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (NKJ)

I Jn 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (KJV)

I am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus AND I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me AND greater is he that is in me, than he that is in the world!

Well, as you can see, there are a tremendous number of promises in God's Word. We have only scratched the surface of what you will find by prayerfully studying God's Word. Have a goal to memorize a new verse every week, or maybe even every day! You will be blessed, your mind will be renewed. Stand upon God's Word, it's true and everlasting. To God be the glory.