Seeing Beyond

Romans 8:16-17  (NLT)

16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.

For most of us, our earthly parents form our perspective of God.  For me, it was work. We must see God as He really is.   

17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. 

If we are an heir, we can see beyond our present situation because someday we will be the boss.  

We can see today differently if we can grasp what's ours tomorrow.  The outside does not change, but our perspective within us does.

In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

This life is tough.  If we can see what's ahead, we can get by what's now.  

  

Galatians 3:26-4:7  (NLT)

26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 

Forgiveness is a free gift.  It is not based upon performance.  

27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.

28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile,slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 

29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.

4 Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had. 

2 They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set. 

3 And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world.

4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 

5 God sent him (Jesus) to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.

6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 

7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

1. You are loved.  

Christianity is not about fearing an angry ruler, but following a loving father. 

2. You are adopted.   

Christianity is not a religion to join, but a family to belong to.

3. You are a heir.  

We receive something that we didn't earn.  This life is not about this life.  

Christianity is not about an earthly payment, but an eternal reward.  

If we can't see tomorrow accurately, we can't see today accurately. 

1. See beyond faults. 

Heirs are family first. 

Ephesians 4:1-4  (NLT)

4 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 

2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 

3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 

2. See beyond correction. 

Heir embrace feedback.  We won't enjoy it. It doesn't feel good. Encouragement makes us feel good.  Correction makes us grow if we embrace it.  

Hebrews 12:7 (NLT)

7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?

Hebrews 12:11 (NLT)

11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

3. See beyond opinion.   Opinion has created a generation of dishonor.  Heir honor. Speak kindly of people.

Hebrews 12:10  (NLT)

10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.

  

We must see correction not as rejection.  Correction is redirection. Heirs honor everyone.   

1 Timothy 5:17  (NLT)

17 Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well,especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching.  

4. See beyond yourself.  

 We are heirs.  We must build God's house.  

Ephesians 4:15-16  (NLT)

15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Layne Schranz, Church of the Highlands
https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/seeing-beyond