Because of Jesus I Am...Sample

In Christ, I Am an Heir

Verse - “This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” (Ephesians 3:6)

Think - Most people love a good mystery! The suspense, the intrigue, the twists and turns keep you going to the end. Imagine the story of an obscure, poor factory worker who lived quietly and simply within his means and raised a family. Tragically, his life is cut short when he is suddenly killed in a work accident. At the reading of his will, his family discovers a secret he kept for his entire life. He is actually a multi-billionaire who not only owned the factory at which he worked but also owned many factories across the world! Each family member is now also a billionaire!

As if that wasn’t enough of a shock, he also bequeaths billions of dollars to his community’s poorest and most forgotten families. Suddenly, not only are the members of his immediate family among the richest of the rich but also many of those outside his family with whom he had no relationship! What will they all do with the money? Will they take one another to court to have even more? Will everyone get along and live happily ever after, or will greed and vice prevail? That, of course, will have to wait until the next book.

Jesus came as a Jew to the chosen people of God. He offered them true life and a way to God their Father. All of the Bible (our Old Testament) had been given to them. Promises had been made to their forefathers. The Jews had been specially selected as God’s people. But what about the rest of the world? Did those who were “outside the family” get nothing?

Apply - The good news is that through His death and resurrection, Jesus provides life not only for those who are Jewish but also for the entire world! The Bible makes it clear that “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). Jew and non-Jew alike are “fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise” (Ephesians 3:6). God’s grace has been poured out to all peoples, and salvation is freely available to anyone simply by trusting in Jesus to save.

Pray - Lord, we thank you that you do not show preference or play favorites but that you extend grace, forgiveness, and kindness to all who humbly come to you. Thank you for loving the whole world and being the Savior of everyone who seeks and loves you above all else. Amen.

Bio line - Clint Shondelmyer is privileged to serve as Lead Pastor of Pequea Baptist Church. He is happily married to Tammy, his wife of 34 years, and loves being Poppy to his three grandchildren.