Message Five

By Dr. Michael Guido, D.D.
1st Peter 1:4

The Roman Senate appointed Pliny the Younger to investigate a sect known as Christians, for these folk were accused of being disloyal to the Roman Government. After an exhaustive investigation he reported to the Senate, "All I can find out about this sect called Christians is that they pray to one called Jesus as God, they sing hymns, and they pay their taxes." What a testimony - to sing hymns when you pay your taxes. But Christianity is the only religion that sings, for it was born in a song. Is your religion a burden or a blessing, a sigh or a song? The very thought of God's measureless mercy should cause thanksgiving. So it's written in 1st Peter 1:3 and 4, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance." The hope is for the present, and the inheritance for the future.

Let's look at the hope. The Bible calls it a "living hope." It's a "living hope" because it's based on the resurrection of our Lord from the dead. But not all hopes are living. Some are dead. And when hope is dead, man ceases to act. Dr. Louis Banks told of an Indian on Lake Erie who had fallen asleep in his canoe and drifted into the rapids above Niagara Falls. He didn't wake up until the current was sweeping his canoe to destruction. But when he saw that his doom was inevitable he didn't touch the paddle, but with despair he folded his arms across his chest, and was dashed to destruction. Hope had died out in his heart. Something like this happened to the followers of our Lord when He died on the cross. This is seen in the lives of two that our Lord met one day. He came onto them and asked, "What manner of communication are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?" They stopped, their faces full of gloom, and one told Him about the crucifixion, and how they had hoped He'd redeem Israel. Then their eyes were opened, and all this darkness of doubt and despair was dissipated by the resurrection. Now everyone who takes hold of this living, loving Lord by faith is electrified by the life-giving Savior, and is given a living hope. That's what led D. L. Moody to say, "As I go to a cemetery I like to think of the time when the dead shall rise from their graves. Thank God, our Christian friends aren't buried. They're only sown. I like the Saxon name for cemetery - 'God's acre.'"

Now let's take a look at our inheritance. It's described in 1st Peter 1:4 as being "incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you." The word "inheritance" means "a settled and secure possession," and it refers to a place and a possession in heaven. Our inheritance is death-proof, for it's incorruptible. Thank God
"There'll never be crepe on the doorknob, no funeral train in the sky
No graves on the hillsides of glory, for there we shall nevermore die.
The old will be young there forever, transformed in a moment of time;
Immortal we'll stand in His likeness, the stars and the sun to outshine."
Our inheritance is dirt-proof, for it's undefiled. It's beyond the taint of sin and its sorrow, wickedness and its weariness, transgression and its trouble. Bless God
"There's no disappointment in heaven, no weariness, sorrow, or pain;
No hearts that are bleeding and broken, no song with a minor refrain.
The clouds of our earthly horizon will never appear in the sky,
For all will be sunshine and gladness, with never a sob nor a sigh."

Our inheritance is decay-proof, for it fadeth not away. On this earth the loveliest flower fades and the fairest blossom dies, but not in heaven. There nothing will ever decay, and it will always be day. And
"Well never pay rent for our mansion, the taxes will never come due;
Our garments will never grow threadbare, but always be fadeless and new;
We'll never be hungry nor thirsty, nor languish in poverty there,
For all the rich bounties of heaven His sanctified children will share."
Our inheritance is devil-proof. It's reserved in heaven for the believer. The word "reserved" means "to watch, to guard, to protect." So the Lord who is greater than the greatest, and stronger than the strongest is guarding our inheritance.
"I have a heritage of joy that yet I must not see.
The hand that bled to make it mine, is keeping it for me."

A wealthy man said to his clerk, "I've put your name in my will, and you'll get ten thousand dollars when I die. Now I'm in good health, and I don't intend to die soon. So I'll help in the meantime by paying you legal interest on the amount. Here's a check for $600 to pay for the first year's interest." This, but in a far higher sense, is our position. Day by day the Lord pays on the interest by providing grace for our trials, a solution for our problems, and supplies for our needs. Do you, my friend, have this hope and inheritance? You may - by coming to Christ now.

copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association

All Scripture verses are quoted from the New King James Version.

This series of messages on the books of the Bible were originally written for broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The Sower." They are collected and reprinted here for your enjoyment and spiritual edification. Go to the Sower's site for more at www.TheSower.com.