Text: 1Pe 1:3-4
Introduction
A. It’s National Day: “This is my country, this is my flag. This is my future, this is my life
This is my family, these are my friends. We are Singapore, Singaporeans.”
B. It is good to belong to a country; especially a good country like Singapore. We are the envy of many. It’s great to call this country my home. “This is home truly, where I know I must be. Where my dreams wait for me, where the river always flows. This is home surely, as my senses tell me. This is where I won't be alone, for this is where I know it's home.”
Discussion I
A. National Day significance.
A Birth – Birth of a nation. a. Christians are a holy nation. 1 Pet 2:9 b. We have been born again. 1 Pet 1:23
New Identity – A new name. Acts 11:26
Freedom – Free to start anew. Rom 6:4
Home – A country to call home. a. How terrible it must be to be homeless. Yet, Abraham did not have a country to call home. Heb 11:8-9
Discussion II
A. This world is not our home.
We are only pilgrims here. Heb 11:13-16
Our soul resides in this temporary body. 2 Cor 5:1
Our soul will return to God who gave it. Eccl 12:7
God has prepared an inheritance we can call home. Eph 1:11
Our Lord Jesus has gone to prepare a home for us. John 14:1-6
We have a better country than this country we are in now. Heb 11:16
B. The promised inheritance. 1 Pet 1:3-4
A GIFT from God - Blessed be the God. God is the source of the Christian’s inheritance. a. Heaven is a gift from God. Acts 20:32
The result of God’s ABUNDANT MERCY - according to his abundant mercy. a. It’s not something we earn.
Because we are CHILDREN - hath begotten us again. a. None can inherit eternal life except those who are children of God. Eph 5:5; John 1:12
It is ETERNAL – lively. a. Hope in this earth is transient; but not heaven.
It is the REASON of our faith - unto a lively hope a. Hope keeps our faith alive. Heb 10:35-36
It is GUARANTEED - by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. a. Because He lives, so we live with Him. 1 Cor 15:13-20
C. The characteristics of our inheritance according to 1 Peter 1:4
It is INCORRUPTIBLE – It does not decay: "moth and rust doth corrupt," (Matt 6:19). All corruption is a change from better to worse, but heaven is without change and without end.
It is UNDEFILED – It is without flaw; there is no impurities in it. Sin corrupts this world and mars its beauty. But the heavenly inheritance is holy, pure, and undefiled. Rev 21:4; 22:5
It FADETH NOT AWAY –"The grass withereth, the flower falleth away" (1 Pet 1:24). The heavenly inheritance will always retains its vigour and beauty. There is no old age there, but perpetual youth. We won’t get tired of it and hope for something else better. The best joys of earth fade into weariness; there is no weariness in heaven. It is a flower which cannot wither. All human glory is transient. The heavenly inheritance is TIMELESS.
It is RESERVED IN HEAVEN - None, but the children of God will possess it; all the rest will be shut out for ever (Eph 5:5; Rev 21:8). Our Lord Jesus who has gone before to make it ready said, "I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2).
Its BUILDER and ARCHITECT is God (Heb 11:10). Therefore, its beauty is guaranteed. Rev 21:18-19
D. The object of the Christian's hope is the inheritance.
Peter calls it a “lively hope.” 1 Pet 1:3 a. It is also the reason that keep our faith alive. Rom 8:24 b. It is lively because it does not fade with time.
The Patriarchs lived for the hope of the inheritance. a. The Old Testament Patriarchs searched for it. Heb 11:14-16 b. The Christians are assured of it and know the way to it. John 14:1-6
The Inheritance is Heaven. Matt 5:3, 10 a. Paul said Christians are her citizens. Phil 3:20 b. God is the Architect and Builder of Heaven. Heb 11:20 c. Heaven is a perfect place. Rev 21:4
E. Why I want to go to heave.
I Don’t Want To Go To Hell. Matt 13:50; Mark 9:43-48
Heaven Is A Beautiful Place. “But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city” (Heb 11:16).
My Loved Ones Are There. The Old Testament recognizes this truth and often uses the expression that one “was gathered unto his people” Gen 25:8, 17; 35:29; 49:33; Num 20:24
The Old Testament Faithfuls Are There. Heb 12:1
God Is There. Matt 6:9
F. The preciousness of our inheritance.
The Daughters of Zelophehad valued their inheritance. Num 27:1-8
Naboth valued his inheritance. 1 Kings 21:1-3 v He guard it with his life. a. He would not sell it. b. He would not even trade it for any price, even for something better.
Hanameel despised his inheritance and sold it. Jer 32:6-12 a. Hanameel evidently thought it was better to dispose of his inheritance, and have money instead.
We inherit heaven the day we become a child of God. Eph 1:11
G. The inheritance keeps us going.
A LIVELY HOPE - The eternal heavenly inheritance is the thing that keeps the early Christians going in spite of persecutions (1 Pet 1:7). a. Paul looks forward to receiving it. 2 Tim 4:7-8 b. Jesus confirmed it. Rev 2:10
Never Give Up. Phil 3:13-14; Heb 12:1-2 - It is sad when Christians lose sight of the heavenly inheritance and desire the perishable treasures of this earth. a. Mother Eve fell for the temporary glory. (Gen 3:6) b. Many fell for the earthly treasures. Matt 13:22
HEAVEN WILL SURELY BE WORTH IT ALL. All Rev 21:1-8 a. Even for a few years of service, and with hardship. b. The Temporary hardship is nothing compared to the eternal glory. Rom 8:18 "Heaven Will Surely Be Worth It All"! c. God promises us the eternal inheritance. It has been reserved for us. Paul wrote: “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Col 3:24). Read Rev 3:10
Conclusion
A. Is the hope of heaven beautiful or boring?
B. Are you looking forward to the eternal home? “That is home truly.”