In this series we have been examining the components of our earthly inheritance: what Jesus bequeaths to us through His death and resurrection. We have an inheritance laid up for us in Heaven and it cannot be stolen or fade away. But our earthly inheritance must be claimed to enable living life on earth in victory over sin and our enemy. The enemy desires to kill our joy, steal our inheritance, ruin our testimony and take others down with us. The component of our earthly inheritance we continue to examine today is knowledge of the one true God and Jesus Christ.

When Jesus prayed to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane He explained eternal life. John 17:¹These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: ²As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him^{. 3}And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Peter expands on that concept of eternal life. 2 Peter 1:¹Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: ²Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, ³According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: ⁴Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

First let’s reflect on Who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for us.

Jesus is the One true God. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Jesus is our Creator. Jesus is Messiah, our Savior, our Redeemer, the Captain of our salvation, our Bridegroom. Jesus has a specific good plan for each of our lives. Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Jesus is all powerful, all knowing, infinite, the Alpha and the Omega. Jesus is the Judge and our Mediator.

What else do you know about Jesus?

What have you learned recently about Jesus from your relationship with Him?

How much time do you share each day with Jesus?

Next, let’s look at who you and I are in Jesus.

We are sinners saved by His grace and His sacrificial death and His victorious resurrection because He loves us. We are His servants with free will. We are His new creation, created unto good works which He has ordained for us to accomplish through Him. We are His sheep and we know His voice as He provides, protects, directs and corrects us. We are destined to share eternity in His presence. For now we still have a sinful, rebellious nature. We make mistakes. We sin against His authority. But Jesus has a remedy and will forgive when we confess to Him.

Grace = God giving us what we do not earn or deserve

Peace =state of harmony between God and you

How can grace and peace be multiplied through the knowledge of God?

As we realize His grace is sufficient for all our needs, let’s ask Him more often for that grace.

Do you ask Jesus for more grace or do you just expect it?

Do you need His grace to forgive someone?

Do you need His grace to take the next step?

Do you need His grace to wait patiently for His solution?

Do you need His grace to wait for His answer to prayer?

Each of us has done things contrary to God. Each of us has sinned.

What does peace with the Judge mean to you?

Our focus – Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ²Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will  accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti