Children of God, Heirs

5-26-24

Hoonah-Hadley

Romans 8:12-17

Call to Worship Psalm 29

Daily Verse Romans 8:16-17

“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ…” You’ve heard it in daily conversations, standard questions, “what do you do?” “Where are you from?” “What denomination is that?” “Are you married?” “Do you have any children?” And so on, and so forth. How often in these conversations have you heard the reply, “I’m a child of God, His heir”? When we come to this place personally, there is nothing, absolutely nothing in the world that can stand in the way of all that God has in store for us. An heir is one who receives property or something other than property from a parent or predecessor. A person inheriting or continuing the legacy of a predecessor. There are those that put all their stock in their earthly parents, some wouldn’t take that stock if you gave it away, and then again there are all points in between. As an annual disclaimer, most notions we present are generalizations, you can craft yours accordingly. For example, our recent Mother’s Day, some have godly mothers, others not so much. Father’s Day is the same, some may have been blessed and some never knew their father. Stu Weber, special forces Vietnam, pastor and author of the best selling “Tender Warrior” said this, “We don’t have a problem with women and children in this country, we have a problem with men.” In fact, the sub-title to the book is very telling, “Every Man’s Purpose, Every Women’s Dream, Every Child’s Hope”. What’s God’s purpose for man?

-2-

There is a card in my study leaning on the lamp on my desk: “Those who walk with God are always moving in the right direction.” God’s purpose for humanity is to be like His Son. 1 John 2:6 “Those who say they abide in Him ought themselves also to walk just as He did.”  1 Corinthians 11:1 “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” 1 Peter 2:21 “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” A general consensus would likely lean in favor of having parents that care for us, that love us, treat us with respect, have a genuine concern for our wellbeing, that protect us, supply our needs until we are able to stand on our own. There are enough surveys out there that paint the picture of our need for a mother and father, the evidence, as they say, is in. Romans 8:16 says “…we are children of God.” If we are his children, then He is our Father. Psalm 68:5 “A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows is God in His holy habitation.” Isaiah 9:6 “…and His name will be called…Everlasting Father…” Isaiah 63:16 “You, O Lord, are our Father…” 1 Peter 1:17 “And if you call on the Father…” Luke 2:49 “I must be about My Father’s business.” When we come to the place of understanding that God is our Father then we can join the hallelujah chorus singing, “it is well, it is well, with my soul.” When we trust, when we believe, when we stand in the light that shines down from above, then and only then will “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding…guard our hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.” Every good gift comes down from the Father of lights. He breathed life into us, He loves us, gave His Son for us, heals us, forgives us, consecrates us, blesses us, walks with us, holds our hand, feeds us, prepares a place for us, offers us eternal life, guards us, goes before us.

-3-

There is much to do in the flesh about our earthly parents and no shortage of teachings on that in the bible, where not denying any of that, but before we can proclaim we’re Bill and Linda’s daughter, or we’re cut from a certain cloth, we’re children of God, and if children, then heirs. We put God first in our lives, cry out “Abba, Father”, then all else will fall into place. Galatians 4:6-7 “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’ Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” When we open our mouths and say so and so are our parents, that’s not wrong, but when we say we’re such and such denomination, I’m this or that, we’ve royally stuck our foot in our mouth. Exodus 20:5 “For I the Lord your God am a jealous God.”  Exodus 34:14 “for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” Deut. 4:24 “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” 2 Cor. 11:2 “For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy.” In the 10 Commandments, “you shall have not other gods before Me” comes before “Honor your father and mother.” It’s hard to say which we idolize more, our pickup trucks or our football team but Jesus did say, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children…yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:26) I’ll give you Maurice’s number to help you along with this one, but God is not contradicting Himself, He is saying, put Me first, I will be your God and you will be my children. (people) You can decide what your idols are, but worshipping  parents or  children is likely higher on the list of idols than the best selling Ford F-150. “The Spirit Himself bears witness that we are children of God.” Remember the order.

-4-

To proclaim that we are children of God, there should be some trace of His character about us, in our walk, in our conversation. The true mark of a child of God is our belief in His Son, our faith that Jesus Christ is our Savior. When we say we are so and so’s son or daughter, we can see the likeness in our physical traits, our behavior may be a different story all together. But when the Spirit bears witness to our spirits that we are children of God, how does our likeness to God shine forth in our character, our soul, in the desires of our heart?  “If children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.” The hope we have as an anchor for the soul is found in Hebrews 6:17, “Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise…” We are heirs according to His promise and a promise made by God is a promise fulfilled because “it is impossible for God to lie.” So, then, we have this hope, we are heirs according to His promise. Now that we have settled the matter of being heirs of God, what is it that we inherit? Rev. 21:7 “Those who overcome shall inherit all things…” All of what things? All the promises of God. 1 Cor. 3:21-23 “…For all things are yours…things present and things to come—all are yours. And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” Heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Hebrews 1:14 “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” We inherit salvation. Titus 3:7 “… we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” We inherit eternal life. James 2:5 “…and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him.”  Suppose your poor father leaves you an old pickup truck. Perhaps he is wealthy and leaves you a nice estate. Take hold of this, we are heirs to all that God has. 

Think what God has. “Children of God…heirs of God.” 

Amen.