Sermon Notes: "An Inheritance That Can Never Perish"

A Stable Word in an Unstable World

“An Inheritance That Can Never Perish”

Patuxent Presbyterian Church

California, Maryland

Sunday 3 May 2020

Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

Scriptures: Job 19:23-27; 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:5; 1 Peter 1:3-9

Stability: from Latin ‘to stand’ = to be firm, constant, steadfast, fixed; lit. ‘to be able to stand.’

The source of this ability to stand is the promise of “an inheritance that can never perish.”

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you.” 1 Peter 1:3-4

Q: How do we gain this stable inheritance in an unstable world?

1.      This inheritance involves a relationship that provides stability – Job 19:25.  

“I know that my redeemer lives…”  Eternal life is available only through Jesus Christ: John 17:3. “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”

Q: Do you know Him?

This inheritance involves a deposit that provides stability – 2 Corinthians 5:5. “… God … who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

This Holy Spirit enters our lives when we are ‘born again,’ ‘born anew,’ ‘born from above.’ “Unless one is born … of the Spirit, they cannot see the kingdom of God.” Jesus – John 3:5

Q: In what ways are you experiencing the Holy Spirit in your daily walk with Jesus?

This inheritance involves an affection that provides stability – 1 Peter 1:8-9.

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

And the source of our affection for the Lord? “We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19.

Q: Affection grows over time: how are you cultivating affection for Jesus in your life?

MONDAY MORNING

Each day this week spend your quiet time reflecting on each of these three

 themes and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how they are operating in your life.