In today’s sermon, we examine Ephesians 1:11-14 which focuses on our inheritance in Christ. Tyler Briggs calls us to not be ignorant or indifferent to the riches of our inheritance, but to live intentionally in light of our inheritance. Ultimately, a right understanding of our inheritance allows us to view our present troubles and trials in this world with clarity, receive a glimpse of heaven and the incredible inheritance to come, and more clearly witness the glory of God.

Tyler’s Main Points

• We have received an inheritance in Christ to the praise of God’s glory.
• Our inheritance is the fullness of God and the forever removal from the troubles of this world.
• Our present pain is not pointless.
• We don’t have to wait to get a glimpse of our inheritance.
• Application: Live in light of your inheritance.

Key Takeaways

• Too often, professing Christians are either ignorant of their inheritance or indifferent to their inheritance, rather than living intentionally in light of their inheritance in Christ.
  
  
• Tyler’s definition of our inheritance: “Receiving the fullness of God and the forever removal from the troubles of this world.”
  
  
• In spite of our redemption through Christ, we are not immune to the troubles of this fallen world.
  
  
• Although temptation persists for the believer, we have the opportunity to experience victory as we yield to the Holy Spirit and follow Christ. In the future, we will be fully delivered from the bondage of our flesh, the Devil, and every ounce of evil.
  
  
• Although trials persist for the believer, we have the power to endure them as we trust in Christ and eagerly await a forever future without sickness, suffering, or death.
   
• Our inheritance includes “a return to the Garden,” where we will meet Christ face-to-face, be perfected by Christ, and dwell with Him in gladness forevermore.
  
  
• As Paul proclaims in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, God is so good that He is using our trials for our good, the good of others, and as a means of producing an eternal weight of glory beyond our comprehension.
  
  
• The Holy Spirit serves as a guarantee of our inheritance in Christ, while also providing a glimpse of our inheritance.
  
  
• All are welcome to share in Christ’s inheritance by grace through faith in Him.
  
  
• As described in Ephesians 1:13, the Holy Spirit seals all believers– marking their union with Christ as authentic, marking God’s ownership, and marking their eternal security.
  
  
• Your doubts can’t undo what the Spirit has done. Once you’ve been born again, you can’t be unborn. Once you’ve been saved, you can’t be unsaved.
  
  
• Paul also describes the Holy Spirit as a “pledge,” or a down payment and promise of more to come. The Spirit provides a glimpse of the freedom, joy, spiritual fruit, and fullness of God to be fully experienced by the redeemed in the future.
  
  
• The assurance and abundance of our inheritance should compel us to endure our trials and temptations in this life with an eternal perspective and the power of the Holy Spirit.
  
  

Discussion Questions/Application

Personal reflection:

• What are the most persistent temptations in your life?

• What have been the most difficult trials you’ve endured?

Personal reading:

• Read Isaiah 65:17-19, 1 Corinthians 13:12, 1 Corinthians 15:50-57, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, and Revelation 21:1-7 with the aim of dwelling on and delighting in the riches of your glorious inheritance in Christ.
  
  

Discuss with your community group:

• Share your most persistent temptations and difficult trials with your group. In light of these troubles, what help does the Holy Spirit offer to you? What hope and comfort does your certain inheritance in Christ offer to you?

Passages Referenced for Further Study

Ephesians 1:11-14, 2:14-18; John 16:33; Romans 7:18-25; 1 Corinthians 10:13, 13:12; 15:50-57; Revelation 21:1-7; Isaiah 65:17-19; Psalms 16:11; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; Galatians 5:22.