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The Messiah’s Secret – Our Inheritance in Jesus

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The Messiah’s Secret – Our Inheritance in Jesus

      Sketch.  Fulfilling our commission to share the good news about Jesus
         
Parts:   Narrator –  Mrs Smith –  Mrs Jones 


Narrator.  Two neighbours Mrs Smith and Mrs Jones were going shopping and they met on the Street. 

Mrs Smith on the left Mrs Jones on the right

Mrs Smith. “Hello Mrs Jones have you got a minute, I’m really upset, it was our Fred’s birthday and they didn’t invite me, I only found out when I bumped into Sally and she let it slip. They couldn’t careless about me and they won’t talk to me since we fell out over Albert’s will.”
Mrs Jones. “I know someone who will listen and bring healing between you and your family.
Mrs Smith. “Who can do that? 
Mrs Jones “God, when we bring our concerns before him, we know he listens because Jesus his Son said, when you pray ask anything in my name you will receive.” 
Mrs Smith. “ What do I have to do?”                                                                                      
Mrs Jones. “Talk to God, say a prayer, We believe that God hears us because God sent his Son Jesus to remove the sin that separates us from God, he bore sin and the causes of it on a cross which led to his death. God raised Jesus from the dead. So through faith believing that our sin has been forgiven, we know that God will hear our prayer to him.”
Narrator. “What Mrs Jones was telling Mrs Smith is true. History records that Jesus lived and died and rose again, it is a fact. It is also true that God sent his Spirit into the world for us to receive and he reveals to us that Jesus is God manifested in the flesh and in his love for us he listens and takes care of us.
Mrs Jones. “Call on Jesus now and say sorry to God and ask Jesus to come into your life and you won’t regret it.” 
Mrs Smith (in tears). “Okay, I’ll have a word with Jesus.”
2 Samuel 23: 1-5.  Mark 16: 14 – 20
After taking that step of faith thirty years later Mrs Smith looked back to the time when she first heard about Jesus and praised God.

In our reading King David was looking back to when he heard a prophecy from the prophet Nathan verse 5.“ Yea, does not my house stand so with God? For he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things secure.” 2 Samuel 23: 1-5
The prophecy that God gave to Nathan for David, ”When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body and I will establish his kingdom.. . . 16. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established for ever. 2 Samuel 7:12-16

During David’s life he continued to hear from God about his offspring, the Messiah, and he put the words into song, words that were sweet to David as he sang and played his lyre in the Spirit. Psalm 33: 2  
In the Anglican tradition at Evensong we used to sing the Psalms. 
A lady I knew when she came to know Jesus, she received the gift of composing songs, even though she could not sing or read music. She asked a friend who was able to write the music as she sang what the Lord had given her. 
David’s Psalms gave prophesies concerning the Messiah.
Psalm 2 God laughs in heaven as he knows his Messiah has the victory over his conspirators. David prophesied that the Lord’s anointed was born of God and his kingdom he will rule over the earth with Godly justice.
Psalm 16 he speaks of the resurrection his holy one would not see the corruption of his body
In 18 He sings of his own relationship with his Lord and God, David loved God, his strength was in God, who was solid as a rock. He knew to call on the Lord when he was in trouble and David praised the Lord for saving him from his enemies.

In Psalm 22 David foretold the Messiah’s agony of separation from God, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” and of his suffering. He was despised and mocked by the people. His body being ravaged and encircled by evil. The second half of the Psalm God has fulfilled his purposes those who seek the Messiah shall praise the Lord and their hearts live for ever.  
Psalm 22: 27 “All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord and all the families of the nations shall worship before him. For dominion belongs to the Lord and Jesus rules over the nations.” 

Psalm 24. David’s prophecy of the Ascension   “Lift up your heads, O gates!  And be lifted up you ancient doors! That the king of glory may come in. Who is the King of glory the Lord strong and mighty, .  .  The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory!                                                                                            
Last Thursday we celebrated the Ascension
What a welcome the Lord must have received on his return to heaven.
How the multitude of heavenly hosts must have praised God, just as we read they did at his birth. ‘Glory to God in the highest and peace to all men.”              
I can only liken it to the Queen’s coronation 1953 where the crowds lined the streets, cheering and singing ‘God save our gracious Queen’ flags waving, trumpets sounded (fanfare)and bands played and the church bells rang out throughout the land.
The Ascension is a crucial part of eternal salvation because Jesus united heaven and earth through his death, resurrection and his Ascension. His kingdom on earth within his believers as in heaven we have received eternal life.
At the time Some of Jesus followers still doubted they expected Nathan’s prophecy to King David to be fulfilled. 
The Jews expected to enter into their inheritance  from the covenants and promises God gave to Abraham and to his descendants and to David of inheriting God’s kingdom.
John the Baptist and Jesus both proclaimed the coming of the kingdom of God. 
The writer of Hebrews pointed out, that before a person can receive their inheritance, a person has to die then the will comes into force, those who are to inherit then receive their inheritance Hebrews 9: 17. 

The Messiah had to die before the Jews could inherit the promises of eternal throne and kingdom promised to David. 
The Messiah’s Secret.
The death of the Messiah was hidden from the understanding of the Jewish leaders. They had taught from the Law that when the Messiah came he would remain for ever. John 12: 34                                                                              
Christians inherit eternal life through the death of Jesus. and as a result  we receive our inheritance, while living on the earth we are transferred into Christ’s eternal kingdom. Col 1: 13
St Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians, “We have been blessed with every spiritual blessings in heavenly places.” Ephesians 1: 3. 

What are the spiritual blessings? 

While we live on the earth: We are citizens of heaven. Philippians 2:20.
Children of God and joint heirs in Christ. Romans 8:16, 17.          
We are raised up and seated with Christ in heavenly places. Ephesians 2:6. Imitators of God, empowered to imitate Jesus by his Spirit and word in us. Ephesians 5: 1  Colossians 1: 27.
Ambassadors of the Kingdom of God. 2 Corinthians 5: 20.

In our sketch the neighbour who was a Christian shared the good news about Jesus to a neighbour who had no faith in Jesus. It was important for her to know that Jesus cares about every person, and through prayer will bring about healing of broken relationships and to those who repent and turn in faith to Jesus the ultimate God’s forgiveness and love. Also the gift of eternal life in fellowship with our Lord God.

In heaven after Jesus returns  
Reign and rule with Christ in his kingdom. Revelation 20: 4. Daniel 7: 22. 
Given authority over cities. Luke 19: 17 & Judge angels. 1 Corinthians 6:3  
One day we will look back to when we received our inheritance our salvation in Christ
double inheritance, eternal high priest, First-born of Mary, Fist-born of creation, Indestructible life, inheritance, Jesus first-born from the dead, Melchizedek

The Messiah’s Secret – Jesus the First-born

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Jesus the First-born       
Evening Service Luke 2: 22-40.  Hebrews 2: 14-18.

Waiting  for the promise of Jesus’ return to be fulfilled.
In our present day most Christians are looking to the fulfillment of the prophesies concerning Jesus’ return: the increase of knowledge, the communications through computers and satellites that take the gospel to every part of the world. The changing climate due to damage to the ozone layer. Daniel 12: 4. Matthew 24 All point to his return.

Simeon and Anna were waiting for God to fulfil his promises to them, like the prophesies from Isaiah, “For to us a child is born. to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom to establish it, and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” Isaiah 9: 6, 7. These words were familiar to Simeon and Anna and they were looking for their fulfillment.

First Simeon followed by Anna they discerned that this was the Christ –child the one who would redeem Israel.
When Mary and Joseph came into the temple with their offering for Mary’s purification.
In the reading they offered either a pair of turtle doves or two pigeons signifying that they were too poor to offer a lamb. Leviticus 12: 6-8
 They were also presenting Jesus their first-born to the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord.” Luke 2: 23, 24.
 “God declared “For the first-born are mine.” Numbers 3: 15
Jesus the Fist-born of all creation.
 “Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation.” Colossians 1: 15
Mirror image of God Tom Wright ‘Paul for Everyone’
 “If there is somebody sitting in the next room, I can’t see them because there is a wall in the way. But if there is a mirror out in the hallway, I may be able to look out of my door and see, in the mirror, the mirror image of the God who is there but who we normally can’t see.”
 
Jesus is the Son of God revealed in the flesh, born of a virgin woman Mary, her first-born son.
Under Jewish law the first-born belonged to God.
 The first-born were consecrated to the Lord .  This was in memory of the preservation of the first-born Israelite and the death of the first-born Egyptians.
On the eve of the Passover the blood of the lamb was brushed onto the door-posts and lintels of their houses saving them from the angel of death slaying the first-born man and beast.
The first- born in every Jewish family were consecrated to God for service in the temple.
Two years after leaving Egypt after the construction of the ‘Tent of the Meeting’ God instructed Moses that the Levites first-born should now serve in it instead of the first-born from the families of every tribe. The first-born of the other families were consecrated to God, but paid a redemption price for exemption from serving in the temple, 5 shekels.
 “And the Lord said to Moses, Number all the first-born males of the people of Israel, from a month old and upward, taking the number by names. And you shall take the Levites for me – I am the Lord – instead of all the first-born among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the people of Israel. . . . And for the redemption of the two hundred and seventy three of the first-born of the people of Israel, over and above the number of the male Levites, you shall take five shekels apiece; reckoning by the shekel of the sanctuary, the shekel of twenty gerahs, you shall take them, and give the money by which the excess number of them is redeemed to Aaron and his sons.”  Numbers 3: 40-48.
It was no co-incidence that Joseph and Mary could not afford to purchase a lamb for her purification; God had made that provision in Jesus the Lamb of God, in his sacrifice paying in full the requirement of the law for purification rites and the redeeming price for the first-born.
Jesus was born as one of us to accomplish total redemption for the sins of the whole of humanity
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself like wise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage.”
Hebrews 2: 14, 15.
Jesus grew up strong and filled with wisdom and the favour of God was upon him. Luke 2: 40.
In his ministry he showed compassion, honesty, dedication to his calling as he had the heart of God and the signs that he manifested showed the power and sovereignty of God in his life.
God had prepared a body
Jesus in his humanity defeated the devil, in his death and resurrection. The sinless life of  Christ brought in the new covenant, the old covenant  had been brought in by angels. Hebrews 10: 5. Deuteronomy 33: 2. Acts 7: 53
Jesus was from the line of Judah not of Aaron or Levi.
The writer of the letter to the Hebrews reveals to us that Jesus was a high priest after the order of Melchizedek , who had no beginning or end.
 “This becomes more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek who has become a priest, not according to legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, “Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek. Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God.”  Hebrews 7: 15-17 Psalm 110: 4.
Jesus holds his high priesthood permanently, he has an indestructible life.
As High Priest Jesus made the sacrificial offering of himself.
Jesus was prepared to take all sin, against God, upon himself on the cross, thereby taking the penalty of sin which leads to eternal death and In his resurrection the forgiveness of sin and newness of life.  Death had no more dominion over those who in faith confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
 “He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead.” Colossians 1:18
Jesus the first-born of the church, his risen body  .Every believer bears that title of being ‘first-born ‘children of God because we are in Christ, his living presence within each believer.
Just as the Israelite first-born  served in the Temple, we serve Jesus in the temple of his body, the church. We are a heavenly people.
Paul wrote to the Ephesians 1: 3  “We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places.”
“The eyes of our hearts have been enlightened, that we may know the hope to which he has called us.”
 
We may have to wait to see its fulfilment of what he has called us to do.  
The promises that we receive on our Christian journey we may find ourselves waiting for them to be fulfilled.
My sister Irene a number of years ago she believed that the Lord was calling her to live and work in Ainsdale.    After she qualified as a chiropodist she went to Ainsdale looking at properties there, but at that time she found nothing suitable. Irene still has it upon her heart, it has yet to be fulfilled.
“Also we may know what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.”  Ephesians 1: 3, 18.
Under Law the first-born received double inheritance. Deuteronomy 21: 15-17
The prophet Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “I pray you, let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” Elijah consented.
After Elijah was translated into heaven, Elisha using Elijah’s mantle struck the water and the water parted proving that he had received a double share of Elijah’s spirit.” 2 Kings 2: 9,10, 14.
 
Our inheritance under grace
 We receive a double share receiving both the Spirit of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We inherit all that belongs to Jesus, we receive his nature: love in all its diversity, knowledge, wisdom, discernment, counselling, healing, prophecy, administration, anointed skills and bearing responsibility of doing the Lord’s will.
Under law the first-born as head of the household 2 Chronicles 21:3
The first-born according to patriarchal custom was expected to provide for his mother and sisters if they were unmarried.  Unger’s Bible Dictionary page 368.
Jesus fulfilled this duty of the first-born when on the cross said to John, “Behold, your mother,” and he said to his mother, “Behold, your son!” John took Mary the mother of Jesus to live with him.  John 19: 26, 27.
Under grace the Lord looks after us and in one of the many ways is shown to us in our reading.
 “Through Jesus’ suffering and being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted”.
We may be tempted to give up on waiting for God to fulfil his promise to us.
Don’t give up on God, he will not give up on you