Inheritors and God’s Inheritance in The Saints

1. Inheritors and God’s Inheritance in The Saints Vancouver, May 4-6 2007

2. The History and His Kind Intention In Christ (Ephesians 1) Canaan Our inheritance (v3,11); your inheritance (v13,14); and the glory of His inheritance in the saints(v18) Abraham Isaac, Jacob Joseph Moses Joshua & Caleb Ruth Samuel David 2 2

3. Inheritance according to the Psalmists • The psalmists expressed the heart of God’s people toward God in the purest way. They wrote when they: • were filled with love and adoration toward Him • had tears and joys in life • pleaded for deliverance in the midst of fears and despairs • pondered on the history of their people • saw the heart and mind of God toward them • “The Lord is the portion of my inheritance” (David, 16:5) • David’s treasure, his most precious possession • more precious than life (1Sam 26:19) • “…His people Jacob, His inheritance Israel” (Asaph, 78:11) • The name “Israel” carried something higher than “Jacob”: a purpose and expectation is given by God. • In their eyes the inheritance is not a thing; it is a Person, and a people bounded together with Him by love and by purpose, inseparable. 3 3

4. The Map

5. Those who had seen the inheritance • Canaan in the eyes of • Abraham • His calling (Acts 7:2-5), his alters, his tent, his conversations with the Lord, a small piece of land for Sara’s burial (Gen 23:12-20), a vow concerning his son’s marriage (Gen 24:5-8) • Jacob • His fleeing, the God of Bethel and Jacob’s vow (Gen 28:13-21, 31:13), his return, his journey to Egypt, a vow to be buried in Hebron (Gen 47:29, 49:29-32) • Joseph • Sold to Egypt but God was with him (Acts 7:9), “for God sent me here before you to preserve life” (Gen 45:5), a vow concerning his bones (Gen 50:24-25) 5 5

6. Those who had seen the inheritance (cont.) • Canaan in the eyes of (cont.) • Moses • Esteeming the approach of Christ greater riches than the treasure of Egypt (Heb 11:26), his call to deliver (Exodus 3), his plea to enter (Deu 3:23-28) • Caleb and Joshua • Their pleas for the whole Israel to enter (Num 14:4-10), another spirit wholly following the Lord (Num 14:24, 32:12) • The 2.5 tribes • who did not care (Num 32:5, 31)

7. Hebron in the eyes of Caleb • “An exceeding good land” - when he saw it the first time at 40 • The land… is an exceeding good land. • If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; … • Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; … the LORD is with us: fear them not. (Num 14:7-9) • “Now therefore give me this mountain” – when he saw it again at 85 • “I am this day eighty-five years old. I am still this day strong, as in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now” (Joshua 14:6-12) • Caleb saw Hebron at 40, and his life was never the same • Why was Hebron so valuable and so captivating to Caleb? • where God proved to be so faithful to generations of his ancestors, and where their hearts responded with an abiding love • Is there anything so valuable, so captivating to you and to me?

8. It pleases God to reveal His Son in us • Our inheritance is Christ, the riches in Christ, as Canaan represented (Eph 1:3) • Our inheritance is also Christ Himself, especially a fellowship in real life with Him, as Hebron represented • Those who appreciate the inheritance have an everlasting bound with God in Christ, precious and inseparable • Caleb saw it. And it is God’s will for each of us to also see it. • If you or I miss it, we would regret for life. • “If a man would give all the riches of his house for love, it would be utterly despised.” (Song 8:7)

9. The glory of His Inheritance in the Saints • The prayer in Eph 1: …that God may grant you the spirit of wisdom and revelation…that the eyes of your hearts be opened to know • The hope of our calling • So many witnesses • The riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints • Insignificant as we are, He expects us (His church) to manifest this glory. He has not entrusted it to another. • The surpassing greatness of His power toward us • He who calls you is faithful, who will also perform it. (1The 5:24) 9 9

10. Joshua the Inheritor • Possessing the possession • Moses died • The charge of the Lord • The crossing of Jordan • A man with a drawn sword • The battles • Dividing the land • Son of Nun, attendant of Moses, servant of the Lord • “As Jehovah had commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua: he let nothing fail of all that Jehovah had commanded Moses.” (v.11:15) 10 10

11. Preparation of the inheritor • A different victory , a personal experience • Victory is of the Lord (Exodus 17:8-11) • An attendant to Moses • “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:3) • Would not leave the tent (Exodus 33:11) • “Abide in me and I in you….bears much fruit” (John 15:4-5) • Corrected, and corrected again (Exodus 32:18, Num 11:28-29) • “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the Earth” (Matt 5:5) • Kedesh-Barnea (Num 14:1-10) • Another spirit wholly following the Lord (Caleb and Joshua) • 38 years in the wilderness • Israel was humbled …to know that man live not by bread alone (Deut 8:3) • The sorrow of his generation; the waiting with the new generation • He that dwells in the secret place of the most high …..(Psalm 91:1) 11 11

12. Final testimony of Joshua the inheritor • Joshua’s testimony of Israel’s history (v.24:2-13) • As to our forefathers • As to all our enemies and battles • As to our land, our cities • As to our vineyards and olive groves • As to all the promises of the Lord (v.23:14) • You may choose for yourselves (v.15) • As for me and my house we will serve the Lord (v.15) • Did he regret over his own life? • What did he see in the future of his children? Was he hopeful? • How could he be so sure? • What would Joshua say to you and to me today? 12 12

13. 1405 1445 ~1085 Eli died Red sea Jordan David died 1010 1050 970 Saul enthroned David enthroned The Time Line

14. Ruth – Her Time • Israel was spiritually desolate, morally corrupt • “They did not know the Lord nor the works which He had done for Israel.” (Judges 2:11) • “There was no king in Israel. Every one did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6, 21:25) • The land of Canaan was under the shadow of shame and tragedy • including Bethlehem of Judah • There was a farm outside the city of Bethlehem: the field of Boaz • an oasis of life in the midst of desolation • a light of hope shining in the darkness 14 14

15. Ruth the Moabitess, a widow • Naomi’s misery • The call to return to Canaan • Ruth must choose • Naomi could offer nothing of this world except poverty • No hope in claiming her late husband’s inheritance • Moabites not admitted in the meetings of Israel • “Turn, my daughters, go your way”, “Return after your sister-in-law” • On the other hand, Moab had much to offer: her own kindred, own people, own gods, marriage, prosperity, etc. 15 15

16. Ruth’s choice • Naomi, her people, her God, her eternity (v.1:16-17) • Where you go I will go • Where you lodge I will lodge • Your people my people • Your God my God • Where you die, will I die and be buried • Why would Ruth choose Naomi’s God? • What if Naomi had despised the name of the Lord at home? • What if Ruth chose the promise of the world? 16

17. What Ruth saw at Boaz’s farm • The name of the Lord honored • Abundance of wheat • The servants were blessed, the owner respected • Lively, orderly, joyful • Feast daily at the owner’s table 17

18. What Ruth saw at Boaz’s farm (cont.) • Grace shown to a stranger, a widow (v.2:8-12) • Accepted • “Hear, My daughter, go not to glean in another field, neither go from here, but abide here closely by my maids. “ • Protected • “I have charged the young men not to touch you. When you are thirsty drink the water they draw.” • Appreciated • “It has been fully shown me all that you have done to your mother-in-law….. and let your reward be full from the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” • A place at the table • “At meal time come and eat”…She sat beside the reapers. • and wheat to bring home • “Let her glean.. and rebuke her not.” 18

19. What Ruth wanted for the rest of her life • “ Spread your wings (as in v.2:11) over me, for you have the right of redemption” (v.3:9) • that she might possess the inheritance the Lord had given to the children of Israel • Boaz was willing • “Your have shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, for you followed not young men, poor or rich.”(v.3:10) • A union and a beginning • Boaz begot Obed, and Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David (v.4:22) 19

20. Precious gifts Ruth’s story left us • A single-minded quest for the inheritance of God despite obstacles • Her eyes were opened to the glory and virtue of the God of Israel • “..the Lord, who has called us by His glory and virtue” (2Pet 1:3) • She followed Naomi with love and obedience • “...who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:4) • She refused to be attracted (or distracted) by the lust of the world • “The world passes away, and the lust thereof, but he that does the will of God abides forever.” (1John 2:16) • The surpassing love of Boaz and the riches of his grace shown in his field • Where can we find this today? 20

21. Israel had settled in Canaan for 2 centuries, weak, puzzled and in shame We kept the sheep and oxen to sacrifice to the Lord your God. (1Sam 15:21) Get us a king to judge us like the nations, and fight our battles. (1Sam 8:20) Did they find real rest in Canaan? Did they own the inheritance? What was lacking? The Reality of Inheritance the fact => the thoughts => the question =>

22. Israel when Samuel was born • A nation in spiritual desolation for centuries • In their hearts the Lord was not king • Eli the Judge was spiritually old, weak and dim • The sacrifice and worship are an abomination to God • Sacrifices were but outward formality • The priests were corrupt • God’s words were few, His revelation rare • Israel dominated by the Philistines for decades in the central and southern part of Canaan • They could not freely gather • No ironsmiths allowed 22

23. Samuel’s early years • His unusual birth • His mother asked for a son and dedicated it to the Lord. (1Sam 1:11) • His childhood and growing-up • Protected from the evil hands of Eli’s sons (1Sam 2:12-19) • Abiding, depending, asking, hearing, and praying • Child Samuel grew up in favor of God and men (1Sam 2:26) • His training • Diligence (1Sam 3:15) • “Speak, Thy servant hears” (1Sam 3:8-10) • When he grew up, the Lord was with him • and let none of his words fall to the ground (1Sam 3:19-21) • The whole Israel knew that God had raised Samuel as His prophet. 23

24. A nation Returned, Repented, Restored(1Sam 7) • Samuel told Israel to abandon the idols and return to the Lord, serving Him only, • 20 years after Eli’s death • They repented for having sinned against the Lord • They poured water on the ground and fasted • “Pray to the Lord to deliver us from the hands of the Philistines” • Through Samuel’s prayer, and with Israel in unity, the Lord broke the power of the Philistines once for all • and restored all the cities occupied for 4 decades 24

25. Obedience better than sacrifice • Samuel rebuked Saul in both the beginning and in the end of his reign, on the issue of obedience • Saul was gifted and brave, but he did not like the Lord’s commands; had no heart to truly and gladly obey. • Samuel uttered a most profound truth on sacrifice, the only sacrifice pleasing to God: • Obedience is better than sacrifice; attention better than the fat of the rams (1Sam 15:22) 25

26. Spiritual Reality Restored in Samuel’s lifetime • In his long life of 90 some years • The word of the Lord returned to Israel. • The hearts of the whole house of Israel restored to God • He taught them to return, to repent, and to pray • The yoke of the Philistines was broken once for all • through prayer and in unity • He restored spiritual reality, instead of outward appearance, as true worship to God 26

27. Learning from Samuel’s life • How should we grow up? • Abide in the Lord in all circumstances • The vine and the branches (John 15) • How can our inheritance be real? • Return to spiritual reality • “The time has come, and now is, he who worship the Father shall worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23) • “I came to bear witness to the truth, …” (John 18:37) • Obedience better than sacrifice • Have a life of prayer • Pray for His kingdom • That we would fear the Lord and serve Him with sincerity • That we be a people after God’s heart 27

28. I have found David....a man after My own heart his Lord his repentance his throne his tribulations his heart

29. David the Young Man • Private time with the Lord • The Lord is my shepherd (psalm 23) • Bear and lion • What he said to Goliath • The name of the Lord • The testimony of the Lord • Another young man said: the Lord is with him (1Sam 16:18) • Skilled in playing harp (later quieting Saul’s spirit) • Valiant (fearless because of the Lord) • Prudent in speech (fellowship with the Lord; later in his psalms) • Handsome • The Lord looks at the heart. (1Sam 16:7) • We are made according to God’s image. (Gen 1:26) 29

30. David the Fugitive (from 20 to 30) • From hero to fugitive: trusting that the Lord judges between righteousness and iniquity (1Sam 18-19, Psalm 59:2-3), • “Deliver me from those who do iniquity,…Fierce men launched an attack against me, not for my transgression nor for my sin, O Lord” • “Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness” (Psalm 4:1) • “But as for me, I shall sing of Thy strength” (Psalm 59:16) 30

31. David the fugitive (cont.) • Ahimelech the priest and his family were slain by Saul because of him: he felt helpless and guilty (1Sam 21, Psalm 52:1,8) • “I trust in the loving kindness of the Lord forever” • At Gath he must pretend to be a lunatic to escape: no light on his face (1Sam 21:13, Psalm 34:2,5) • “My soul shall make its boast in the Lord...The humble shall hear and rejoice…They look to Him and were radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.”

32. David the fugitive (cont.) • Cutting off a corner of Saul’s robe: (1Sam 24:5-6) • David’s heart smote him. • “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed.” • Sparing Saul’s life again, he pleaded: (1Sam 26:19-20) • “Dead dog”, “flea”, “partridge”, • “Inheritance”, “Israel”, “Jehovah”

33. A Refuge for the 400 • In distress, in debt, or discontented (1Sam 22:1-2) • David, a fugitive hiding in the desert, had nothing of the world to offer them • Why did they come to David? • Was it because of his bravery? Or his prudence? Or something else? • And why did you and I come to Jesus? 33

34. From the Wilderness to the Throne • What did the fugitive years do to David? • What kind of person would he become if he were a hero in the king’s court in these years instead of a fugitive? • Could he have served the 400? • What does the way-of-the-cross mean to us? • To be stripped, to learn not depend on the flesh (Phi 3:3) • To learn obedience through suffering (Heb 5:8) • To be encouraged in tribulation, that we may be able to encourage others who are in any tribulation (2Cor 1:3) • Death works in us, and life in you (2Cor 4:12) • To learn the way of the Master 34

35. The Servant King • Saul’s house • According to the kindness and righteousness of the Lord • Jerusalem • Where the name of the Lord must reside • The Ark • I will not give sleep to my eyes… until I found.. (Psalm 132:4-6) • The House of the Lord (2Sam 7) • I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent. (v.2) • The Lord must rule, then my house can be established • “Let this be known: The Lord of hosts is the God over Israel, and let the house of Thy servant David be established before Thee (v. 7:26)

36. A Broken and a Contrite Heart (Psalm 51) • Have mercy upon me, O God • Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin • My sin is ever before me • Create in me a clean heart, O God • Do not cast me away from Your presence • Do not take Your Holy Spirit from me • You do not desire sacrifice, or else I will give it • The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit • A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise

37. Disciplined and Restored • “Now, therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house” • “because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife” • Psalm 51: a true repentance, a cry for restoration • God disciplined him for about 15 years, ending with the rebellion of his favored son against him • During this time David walked before the Lord with a contrite heart • In old age, people called him “The lamp of Israel”

38. David’s Lord: God’s eternal King on the Throne • The Lord said to my Lord (Psalm 110) • “sit at my right hand until I make your enemies as footstool at your feet” (v.1) • You are priest forever after the order of Melchisedeck (v.4) • I have set the Lord continually before me (Psa 16:8-10) • because He is at my right hand I will not be shaken • Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoice, my flesh also will dwell in hope..For Thou will not leave my soul to Sheol, neither will Thou allow thy Holy One to see corruption. • David lived and served with that eternal King in view

39. Although my house is not so • David’s last words concerning God’s eternal ruler: (2Sam 23:2-5) • “The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me….The ruler among men shall be just, ruing in the fear of …And as the light of the morning…the rising of the sun…a morning without clouds…from sunshine after the rain the green grass springs from the earth… Although my house is not so before God, yet He has made with me an everlasting covenant..” • In Israel’s history David was actually an exemplary king • loved by Israel, • admired by the nations, • a standard the Lord use to measure later kings

40. “A man after My heart” • I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who shall do all my will. (Acts 13:22) • David indeed, having served the will of the Lord in his own generation, fell asleep. (Acts 13:36) • Or David served his own generation according to the will of God. • He died at the age of 70. In latter scriptures, God calls him “My servant David”