What have we learned about rewards?

We are commanded to pursue rewards We are accountable for the way we live To get rewards we need to live a rewardable life Our Judge is just, but also merciful Those who show mercy will receive mercy

We will be judged on how much we achieve our God-given potential Faithful believers will rule with Christ forever Everyone will face an evaluation before God You decide which judgment you will face We must decide if we are ready to face the Lord

To understand the responsibility, we must appreciate the privilege.

“To inherit” (English) “Receive money, property, or a title as an heir at the death of the previous holder.” Ex. – “She inherited a fortune from her father.” Synonyms: Succeed to, assume, take over, come into; ‘Richard inherited the title.’”

All were eligible to inherit because they were all in the family - they were all sons. However, all of the sons didn’t behave the same way and that impacted their future and the future of their families. Historically, the sons of Joseph were given more when they inherited the land even though Joseph was the eleventh son. Sons of Jacob (Israel)

Sons of Jacob (Israel) Reuben Simeon Levi Judah Issachar Zebulun Dan Naphtali Gad Asher Joseph Benjamin Incest Vengeance, Deception Profane, unspiritual Sons of Jacob (Israel) Sold their brother into slavery Ephraim Manassah Double-portion

In other words, heirship was meritorious! Inheriting for Israel involved an “automatic” aspect; they were eligible to inherit because they were children of Israel. But, to actually inherit the land involved their performance, as they learned so vividly when they didn’t act on faith at Kadesh-Barnea. So, for Israel, possessing or inheriting the land had to be earned by their obedience and faithfulness. In other words, heirship was meritorious!

In the OT, “entering” the land is not the same as “possessing” or “inheriting” the land. I can enter my father’s house and even live there, but it is not mine to possess. To “inherit” has the idea of possession, ownership, and/or ruling rights. Synonyms

Synonyms For Israel, certain words all had similar ideas: Possession/property (Num. 18:20, 24; 36:7-9; Dt. 12:9-11a; Josh. 21:43-45; Neh. 9:15) Inheritance (Dt. 12:9-11) Rest (Dt. 3:18-20; 12:9-11a) Salvation (rest from/victory over enemies) – (Dt. 29:25-29; Josh 10:6; 1 Sam. 4:3; 7:8; Psalm 18:3) Synonyms

John 3:1-16

John 3:1-16: Entering the Kingdom

Romans 4:1-5

We enter the Kingdom by believing. John 3:1-16 But, entering the Kingdom, living there, is not the same as inheriting. 1 Cor. 15:50 People will die there and people will be converted there. But, they will be mortal. Isa. 65:20; Rev. 20:7-10; Mic. 4:1-3 New Testament

New Testament All Christians are heirs in one sense. For example, we all get resurrection life. John 6:40; Rom. 8:17, 29-30; But, Jesus is the Firstborn and possesses the Kingdom! Dt. 21:15-17; Ps. 2:6-8; 89:27; Lk. 1:32-33 And, we get to share that with Him! Rom. 8:17b = “with Him”! New Testament

However, heirship can be forfeited To share the Kingdom rule with him as co- heirs involves merit and faithfulness. 2 Tim. 2:11-13; Jas. 2:5; Rev. 2:25-27; 3:21 Beatitudes Matt. 5:3, 5, 10 However, heirship can be forfeited 1 Cor. 6:9-11, 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5-6; Esau! – Heb. 12:15-17 “birthright” = special inheritance rights of the firstborn New Testament

We are invited to share in that rule! Salvation for the King, the Messiah, was to have victory over His enemies. Ps. 2; 18:3; 20:6, 9; 21; 22:21; 24; 45 We are invited to share in that rule! New Testament

Hebrews 12:25-26 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.”

For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:27-29 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.  For our God is a consuming fire.

Imagine not just “getting in” …but ruling forever with Him!

No wonder ignoring that privilege matters so much to God!

To understand the responsibility, we must appreciate the privilege.