Psalm 61.5
God Himself is that inheritance.
Can anything be better than that?! His people are described as fearing the Name of God; they are reverent worshippers; they stand in awe of the LORD's authority; they are afraid of offending him, they feel their own unworthiness in the sight of the Infinite One. To share with such men, to be treated by God with like that should result in endless thanksgiving. All the privileges of all the ones who have feared His Name are also the privilege of each believer.
We have responsibilities as believers. Conversation with Pastor Jerry that I am feeling more responsibility because of the younger pastors who are asking questions, looking to us. We all influence people. I saw that this week, being with friends on several occasions that I had grown up with. Make your influence good. Do not ever underestimate the influence of a life of faithfulness.
Generations are affected by our lives. My cousin did some digging and sent me genealogical records this week of our family back to the mid 1800's in Brooklyn. I thought of my grandmother who was born in 1902 and how she came to Christ and that side of my family was deeply affected (still is). I thought of my Dad's side of the family and how as far as we can go back they walked with God all the way back to the 1700's. My Dad and Mom met and married and raised their three kids to know Christ. I look at their lives and see faithfulness, strong hearts for God. I think of someone who died a few years ago and I was told by a relative, "Well he was a Christian, not a strong one, but he believed."
You can determine today to be a strong one! Maybe the first, like my grandmother was, on one side of our family. Your decision could affect generations to come.
We have responsibilities but this morning I want to share about the privileges we have. Fear God's Name, be spiritually responsible and you will inherit the heritage of those who fear the Name of God.
1. The Privilege of Prayer
Calling upon the LORD
Approaching the throne of Grace with confidence and presenting our requests with thanksgiving.
Hebrews 4:16King James Version (KJV)
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Philippians 4.6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Seeing Him answer... conversation with Rudy this week, how we have seen God answer prayer.
When you see Him work... when answers come
Conversations in prayer times in Bible Studies.
Skilled sailors are not made sailing calm seas.
Intercessory prayer
Standing in the gap
Bridging the gap
2. The Blessings of Being an Heir Together With Christ.
Romans 8.14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.
*It gives us peace... children of God... children are taken care of by their parents... no cares or worries, with friends on the block I grew up on this week.
*It gives us Hope.
*It causes us to look beyond this life.
*It makes us expectant.
Grayson's birthday, watching the DVD of the announcement. Exciting.
*It raises the desire to be ready, watch, be alert and pray.
*It motivates us to tell others about Jesus.
The heritage of those who fear Your Name...
The privilege of prayer
The blessing of being an heir together with Christ
And finally this morning...
3. The Honor of Sharing in the Fellowship of His Sufferings
Philippians 2.10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
I Peter 3.15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
*It is our heritage.
Joseph
Psalm 105.16He called down famine on the land
and destroyed all their supplies of food;
17and he sent a man before them—
Joseph, sold as a slave.
18They bruised his feet with shackles,
his neck was put in irons,
19till what he foretold came to pass,
till the word of the LORD proved him true. (13 years later)
20The king sent and released him,
the ruler of peoples set him free.
21He made him master of his household,
ruler over all he possessed,
22to instruct his princes as he pleased
and teach his elders wisdom.
*It is temporary
*It refines us.
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. I Peter 4.1
*It makes us like Jesus
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12.11
*It is a fellowship
Philippians 3.10 The fellowship of sharing in His sufferings
We share in the heritage of those who fear God's Name.
Psalm 103.1 Praise the LORD, Omy soul;
all my inmost being, praise His holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O , my soul,
and forget not all His benefits—
3 Who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 Who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
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