Sunday 28 April 2019

A HEAVENLY INHERITANCE



A Heavenly Inheritance
1 Peter 1:1-4
We thank God for the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (Rom 1:12). Otherwise, we would have become mere talkers, vain preachers and our faith would have been nullified.
Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are the begotten of the Father and we are begotten unto a lively hope (James 1:8). We are begotten into an inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled and that does not fade by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This inheritance is not time-bound. This is because the inheritance was perfected before the advent of time, and so it cannot be corrupted in the process of time. We have access to this heavenly inheritance through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This Heavenly Inheritance includes everything that pertains unto life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3). When you become a partaker of the Kingdom of God, you are already experiencing heaven on earth, i.e. having a preview/foretaste of eternal while on earth. (Eph. 1:3).
Every good and perfect gift comes from above and from the Father of all lights in whom there is no variableness or shadow of turning (James 1:17).
1 Cor. 15 states that “If Christ had not risen, then our faith would have been in vain”. Today, our faith would have been reduced to the old Levitical religious structure (with reference to Acts 17). The power of resurrection on the one hand, and religion (which Apostle Paul referred to as superstition) on the other hand are two parallel lines. This power carries within it endless life. As a result, you cannot be bound by the limitations of men (1 Cor. 15:19).
Like a man once said, “I have been configured to be envied by angels and not to be pitied by men”. That is where the resurrection power of our Lord Jesus Christ has taken us. This power has taken us beyond the realm of flesh and blood. The Bible says that flesh and blood can never inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 15:50). If in this world, all our perceptions as Christians stem from the physical and the logical and are not borne of faith as in Romans 4:17, then we are setting ourselves for a life void of the power of God. In Daniel chapters 1-6, we see Daniel operating on a far higher realm than the magicians, wise men and highly placed officials in Babylon. How much more we as Christians who are operating under a higher platform and better covenant, for the bible describes us in 1 Cor. 15:45 as quickening spirits (fashioned after the similitude of Christ, the last Adam).
The Riches and Benefits of the Resurrection
Through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are the seed of God. By reason of this resurrection, we have become the sons of God (Rom 8:29). It is this resurrection that enables the ministry of the apostles, prophets evangelists, pastors and teachers in us. We have received the spirit of sonship, whereby we cry Abba Father (Rom 8:15). The Spirit of God bears witness with our spirit that we are the sons of God (Rom 8:16). We are also stewards of Christ and custodians of the mysteries of God by reason of Christ’s resurrection. We are trustees of God’s riches as faithful stewards. We are also soldiers of Christ. Thus, we do not serve at our own expense, but at Christ’s expense. Anywhere we are deployed to, we live on heavenly resources. Christ is our sufficiency and the supplier of our needs.
By His resurrection, we are stakeholders in God’s kingdom (Rev 1:5-6; 5:10). 

Apostle Paul proclaimed, ‘For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain’ (Phil. 1:21). In other words, in life and in death, one keeps being an effective resource and a channel of blessing in God’s kingdom…
We are also shining stars (Matt 13:43, Daniel 12:3). In addition, we are soul winners through the power of His resurrection. It takes the power of God to make a man a soul winner (Acts 1:8, 1 John 1:1). Without the power of God, we are at best, reporters.
We are also seated with Christ in heavenly places (2 Cor. 5:15).
1 Peter 5:4: We would be a reference point in our generation and when the chief shepherd shall appear, we shall receive a crown that would not fade away in Jesus Christ’s name. Declare that you are a seed, son, soldier, steward, servant, shining star, soul winner, stakeholder, sanctified, a saint, secured, sold out and seated with Jesus Christ in heavenly places... Amen.


PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA

Resident  Pastor

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