Spreading God's Love Thru Prayer
HERITAGE
WHAT IS VALUABLE ABOUT OUR HERITAGE?
BIBLE READING: Isaiah 38:1-22
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Only the living can praise you as I do today. Each generation can make known your faithfulness to the next. (Isaiah 38:19)
OUR SPIRITUAL HERITAGE IS IMPORTANT TO PASS ON.
Hezekiah spoke of the significance of passing the joy of the Lord from father to child, from generation to generation. The heritage of our faith has come to us because of faithful men and women who have carried God’s message to us across the centuries. Do you share with your children or other young people the excitement of your relationship with God?
BIBLE READING: Luke 19:1-10
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a son of Abraham. And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those like him who are lost.” (Luke 19:9-10)
A GOOD HERITAGE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR A PERSONAL RESPONSE TO GOD.
When Jesus said Zacchaeus was a son of Abraham and yet was lost, he must have shocked his hearers in at least two ways. They would not have liked to acknowledge that this unpopular tax collector was a fellow son of Abraham, and they would not have wished to admit that sons of Abraham could be lost. But a person is not saved by a good heritage or condemned by a bad one; faith is more important than genealogy. Jesus still loves to bring the lost into his kingdom, no matter what their background or previous way of life. Through faith, the lost can be forgiven and made new.
BIBLE READING: Hebrews 11:1-12:3
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. (Hebrews 12:1)
BELIEVERS IN CHRIST HAVE A POWERFUL HERITAGE OF FAITH.
This “huge cloud of witnesses” is composed of the people described in chapter 11. Their faithfulness is a constant encouragement to us. We do not struggle alone, and we are not the first to struggle with the problems we face. Others have run the race and won, and their witness stirs us to run and win also. What an inspiring heritage we have!
A CHRISTIAN HERITAGE FOCUSES ON JESUS CHRIST.
The Christian life involves hard work. It requires us to give up whatever endangers our relationship with God, to run patiently, and to struggle against sin with the power of the Holy Spirit. To live effectively, we must keep our eyes on Jesus. We will stumble if we look away from him to stare at ourself or at the circumstances surrounding us. We should be running for Christ, not ourself, and we must always keep him in sight.
HERITAGE, GOD’S WORD ON
WHAT IS OUR HERITAGE AS GOD’S CHILDREN?
Ephesians 1:11, 13-14, 18 . . . Furthermore, because of Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us from the beginning, and all things happen just as he decided long ago . . . And now you also have heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us everything he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. This is just one more reason for us to praise our glorious God . . . I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people.
We have a wonderful future with a rich and glorious inheritance through our salvation in Christ Jesus. Think of it! We are God’s heirs when we become his children through faith in Christ.
1 John 3:1-2 . . . See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are! But the people who belong to this world don’t know God, so they don’t understand that we are his children. Yes, dear friends, we are already God’s children, and we can’t even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when he comes we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.
We have the privilege of being God’s children and of being Christlike. Eventually we will be like Christ in an even greater way that we cannot even understand now.
Psalm 91:14-16 . . . The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. I will satisfy them with a long life and give them my salvation.”
We have an ongoing relationship with God today and forever. Our relationship with God is a personal relationship, not merely a philosophical recognition of God. His love is the core of that personal relationship.
Romans 8:32 . . . Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?
God gives us everything he has. He gave first to us from a heart of love for us. We give in response to his love.
Matthew 25:34 . . . Then the King will say to those on the right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
We will inherit all that is part of the Kingdom of Heaven. If we were heirs to a wealthy earthly kingdom we would feel greatly privileged. How much more privileged to be heirs of God’s eternal Kingdom.
Proverbs 3:35 . . . The wise inherit honor, but fools are put to shame!
We will inherit honor. Honor inherited comes from a person of honor.
Hebrews 12:1 . . . Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.
Our faithful predecessors are a part of our heritage. Their legacy of faith (and their mistakes) shows that God is real and that he lives and works actively in the lives of his people.
HOW DOES GOD MANAGE OUR HERITAGE?
Ephesians 1:11 . . . Furthermore, because of Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us from the beginning, and all things happen just as he decided long ago.
Colossians 3:24 . . . Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ.
Hebrews 9:15 . . . That is why he is the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, so that all who are invited can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.
God has planned and promised our inheritance. So it will happen.
Psalm 31:19 . . . Your goodness is so great! You have stored up great blessings for those who honor you. You have done so much for those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.
Matthew 25:34 . . . Then the King will say to those on the right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
1 Corinthians 2:9-11 . . . That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” But we know these things because God has revealed them to us by his Spirit, and his Spirit searches out everything and shows us even God’s deep secrets. No one can know what anyone else is really thinking except that person alone, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit.
God has prepared our inheritance. So it must be something beyond human understanding.
Psalm 61:5 . . . You have heard my vows, O God. You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear your name.
1 Peter 1:4 . . . God has reserved a priceless inheritance for his children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.
God has made his inheritance available to all, but reserves it for those who love him.
HOW CAN WE LEAVE A SPIRITUAL HERITAGE?
2 Timothy 1:5 . . . I know that you sincerely trust the Lord, for you have the faith of your mother, Eunice, and your grandmother, Lois.
Psalm 112:1-3 . . . Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord. Yes, happy are those who delight in doing what he commands. Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will never be forgotten.
Proverbs 20:7 . . . The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children after them.
We can live our lives exemplifying faith, obedience and integrity. Those who love and respect you will follow in your footsteps.
Acts 16:14-15 . . . One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. She was baptized along with other members of her household, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am faithful to the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we did.
Acts 16:30-34 . . . He brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
They replied, “Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with your entire household.” Then they shared the word of the Lord with him and all who lived in his household. That same hour the jailer washed their wounds, and he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. Then he brought them into his house and set a meal before them. He and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.
We can encourage others in our family to experience a personal relationship with God beginning with salvation through Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 . . . You know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children. We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you into his Kingdom to share his glory.
We can encourage our children to live godly lives. Our example and gentle encouragement increases the likelihood that they will.
2 Chronicles 20:13 . . . As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children.
Nehemiah 12:43 . . . Many sacrifices were offered on that joyous day, for God had given the people cause for great joy. The women and children also participated in the celebration, and the joy of the people of Jerusalem could be heard far away.
We can worship God together as families. The joy of united worship echoes far away.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 . . . You must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
Proverbs 6:20-23 . . . My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s teaching. Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck.
Wherever you walk, their counsel can lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up in the morning, they will advise you. For these commands and this teaching are a lamp to light the way ahead of you. The correction of discipline is the way to life.
Proverbs 4:1-10 . . . My father told me, “Take my words to heart. Follow my instructions and you will live. Learn to be wise, and develop good judgment. Don’t forget or turn away from my words. Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do! And whatever else you do, get good judgment. If you prize wisdom, she will exalt you. Embrace her and she will honor you. She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown.” My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life.
Proverbs 22:6 . . . Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.
We can give our children godly, parental instruction based on Scripture. They will rise up to bless us for that some day.
Hebrews 12:11 . . . No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
Proverbs 22:15 . . . A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but discipline will drive it away.
Proverbs 13:24 . . . If you refuse to discipline your children, it proves you don’t love them; if you love your children, you will be prompt to discipline them.
We can discipline our children. The momentary pain of discipline will bring long-lasting joy of discipleship.
Isaiah 59:21 . . . “This is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit will not leave them, and neither will these words I have given you. They will be on your lips and on the lips of your children and your children’s children forever. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
Psalm 145:4-7 . . . Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy of your righteousness.
Joel 1:3 . . . Tell your children about it in the years to come. Pass the awful story down from generation to generation.
Exodus 10:2 . . . You will be able to tell wonderful stories to your children and grandchildren about the marvelous things I am doing among the Egyptians to prove that I am the Lord.
Exodus 12:26-27 . . . Then your children will ask, ‘What does all this mean? What is this ceremony about?’ And you will reply, ‘It is the celebration of the Lord’s Passover, for he passed over the homes of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he killed the Egyptians, he spared our families and did not destroy us.’ Then all the people bowed their heads and worshiped.
Deuteronomy 6:20-24 . . . In the future your children will ask you, ‘What is the meaning of these stipulations, laws, and regulations that the Lord our God has given us?’ Then you must tell them, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with amazing power. Before our eyes the Lord did miraculous signs and wonders, dealing terrifying blows against Egypt and Pharaoh and all his people. He brought us out of Egypt so he could give us this land he had solemnly promised to give our ancestors. And the Lord our God commanded us to obey all these laws and to fear him for our own prosperity and well-being, as is now the case.
Isaiah 38:18-19 . . . The dead cannot praise you; they cannot raise their voices in praise. Those who go down to destruction can no longer hope in your faithfulness. Only the living can praise you as I do today. Each generation can make known your faithfulness to the next.
We have a responsibility to tell our children about God. But the responsibility is also a privilege and an opportunity.
WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A STRONG SPIRITUAL HERITAGE?
Psalm 100:5 . . . The Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
Psalm 103:17-18 . . . The love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!
Psalm 119:90 . . . Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created.
God’s faithfulness is intended for generation after generation. The blessings of one generation can flow over to the next, then to the next, and so on.
Psalm 71:5-6, 17-18 . . . O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood. Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you! . . . O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I have constantly told others about the wonderful things you do. Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.
Our spiritual heritage can serve as a spiritual foundation and confidence for further spiritual growth.
Psalm 44:1-3 . . . O God, we have heard it with our own ears-our ancestors have told us of all you did in other days, in days long ago . . . it was not their own strength that gave them victory. It was by your mighty power that they succeeded; it was because you favored them and smiled on them.
Our spiritual heritage reminds us to give God credit for the successes of today and tomorrow.
Psalm 78:1-7 . . . We will not hide these truths from our children but will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord. We will tell of his power and the mighty miracles he did. For he issued his decree to Jacob; he gave his law to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them-even the children not yet born-that they in turn might teach their children. So each generation can set its hope anew on God, remembering his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.
Our spiritual heritage can foster our personal hope in God and encourage us to obey him.
Hebrews 12:1 . . . Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.
Our spiritual heritage encourages us to focus on Jesus Christ.
Numbers 14:24 . . . My servant Caleb is different from the others. He has remained loyal to me, and I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will receive their full share of that land.
1 Kings 11:9-13 . . . The Lord was very angry with Solomon, for his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. He had warned Solomon specifically about worshiping other gods, but Solomon did not listen to the Lord’s command. So now the Lord said to him, “Since you have not kept my covenant and have disobeyed my laws, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your servants. But for the sake of your father, David, I will not do this while you are still alive. I will take the kingdom away from your son. And even so, I will let him be king of one tribe, for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, my chosen city.”
We are the beneficiaries of blessings because of our spiritual ancestors.
3 John 1:4 . . . I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children live in the truth.
2 John 1:4 . . . How happy I was to meet some of your children and find them living in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father.
Proverbs 17:6 . . . Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.
A rich spiritual heritage produces joy in family relationships.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE DANGERS OF HERITAGE?
Matthew 8:11-12 . . . I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. But many Israelites-those for whom the Kingdom was prepared-will be cast into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Luke 3:8 . . . Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say, ‘We’re safe-we’re the descendants of Abraham.’ That proves nothing. God can change these stones here into children of Abraham.
Luke 19:9-10 . . . Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a son of Abraham. And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those like him who are lost.”
We are not to rely on our rich spiritual heritage to replace our own personal relationship with God.
Jeremiah 2:5-8 . . . This is what the Lord says: “What sin did your ancestors find in me that led them to stray so far? They worshiped foolish idols, only to become foolish themselves. They did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord who brought us safely out of Egypt and led us through the barren wilderness-a land of deserts and pits, of drought and death, where no one lives or even travels?’ And when I brought you into a fruitful land to enjoy its bounty and goodness, you defiled my land and corrupted the inheritance I had promised you. The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord?’ The judges ignored me, the rulers turned against me, and the prophets spoke in the name of Baal, wasting their time on nonsense.”
Jeremiah 3:16 . . . “When your land is once more filled with people,” says the Lord, “you will no longer wish for ‘the good old days’ when you possessed the Ark of the Lord’s covenant. Those days will not be missed or even thought about, and there will be no need to rebuild the Ark.”
Our spiritual heritage can be clear to everyone, but we can ignore or forget it.
2 Kings 17:41 . . . While these new residents worshiped the Lord, they also worshiped their idols. And to this day their descendants do the same.
Jeremiah 16:11-12 . . . Tell them that this is the Lord’s reply: It is because your ancestors were unfaithful to me. They worshiped other gods and served them. They abandoned me. They did not keep my law. And you are even worse than your ancestors! You stubbornly follow your own evil desires and refuse to listen to me.
Ungodly heritages can also be passed on to the next generations.
WHAT IF WE DIDN’T HAVE A STRONG SPIRITUAL HERITAGE?
Hebrews 7:1-3 . . . This Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. When Abraham was returning home after winning a great battle against many kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him. Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had won in the battle and gave it to Melchizedek. His name means “king of justice.” He is also “king of peace” because Salem means “peace.” There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors-no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God.
A strong spiritual heritage is not a prerequisite for a good relationship with God. Some rise above their ungodly heritage.
Ezekiel 18:2-22 . . . Why do you quote this proverb in the land of Israel: “The parents have eaten sour grapes, but their children’s mouths pucker at the taste”? . . . For all people are mine to judge-both parents and children alike. And this is my rule: The person who sins will be the one who dies.
Suppose a certain man is just and does what is lawful and right, . . . and faithfully obeys my laws and regulations. Anyone who does these things is just and will surely live, says the Sovereign Lord.
But suppose that man has a son who grows up to be a robber or murderer and refuses to do what is right . . . and lends money at interest. Should such a sinful person live? No! He must die and must take full blame.
But suppose that sinful son, in turn, has a son who sees his father’s wickedness but decides against that kind of life . . . helps the poor, does not lend money at interest, and obeys all my regulations and laws. Such a person will not die because of his father’s sins; he will surely live. But the father will die for the many sins he committed-for being cruel and robbing close relatives, doing what was clearly wrong among his people.
“What?” you ask. “Doesn’t the child pay for the parent’s sins?” No! For if the child does what is right and keeps my laws, that child will surely live. The one who sins is the one who dies. The child will not be punished for the parent’s sins, and the parent will not be punished for the child’s sins. Righteous people will be rewarded for their own goodness, and wicked people will be punished for their own wickedness. But if wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey my laws and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die. All their past sins will be forgotten, and they will live because of the righteous things they have done.
Regardless of our ancestors’ decisions, each of us must make our own decision about following God’s way.
Psalm 106:6 . . . Both we and our ancestors have sinned. We have done wrong! We have acted wickedly!
Nehemiah 9:2 . . . Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners as they confessed their own sins and the sins of their ancestors.
We can recognize, confess and repent of our own sins, just as our ancestors had to do.
Deuteronomy 5:2-3 . . . While we were at Mount Sinai, the Lord our God made a covenant with us. The Lord did not make this covenant long ago with our ancestors, but with all of us who are alive today.
Psalm 27:10-11 . . . Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close. Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the path of honesty, for my enemies are waiting for me to fall.
Despite our heritage, God can start his covenant relationship with us. He is able to teach us how to live for him, whether our ancestors were godly or ungodly.
Acts 20:32 . . . Now I entrust you to God and the word of his grace-his message that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.
Psalm 119:111-112 . . . Your decrees are my treasure; they are truly my heart’s delight. I am determined to keep your principles, even forever, to the very end.
We can immerse ourselves in God’s Word to begin the foundation for the next generation’s spiritual heritage.
PROMISES FROM GOD:
Psalm 71:5-6, 17-18 . . . O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood. Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you! . . . O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I have constantly told others about the wonderful things you do. Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.
Psalm 100:5 . . . The Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
Psalm 103:17-18 . . . The love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!
Psalm 119:90 . . . Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created.
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