Claim Your Inheritance
A Christian believer must come into possession of the riches of the Spirit, rather than simply holding the text of the will, in order to experience true spiritual prosperity.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that many Christians may possess the knowledge of their spiritual inheritance as outlined in Ephesians but fail to experience its fullness. He compares this to a son who holds a will but has not claimed his inheritance, living in spiritual poverty despite being an heir. Tozer challenges believers to move beyond mere acknowledgment of their status in Christ and actively claim the riches of their inheritance. He warns against complacency and encourages a deeper engagement with the promises of God. Ultimately, the sermon calls for believers to experience the abundant life that comes from fully embracing their identity in Christ.
Text
Did you know that it is possible for a Christian believer to live day after day, clutching the book of Ephesians, and still not realize that he is spiritually lean and hungry? If a pastor or evangelist suggests that this person could be in a more prosperous spiritual state, his reaction may be bristling: "Am I not accepted in the Beloved? Is not God my Father and am I not an heir with God?" Holding the text of the will is not enough. It is necessary to come into the possession of the riches. Suppose a rich man dies, leaving a will which passes on all of his millions to his only son. That boy borrows the text of the will from the attorney and carries it around with him.
He is satisfied with the text of the will, but it has never been properly executed.
Thus the son has never presented his legitimate claims to the inheritance. He may be going around ragged, hungry and weak. In actual experience he has received nothing. He simply holds the text of his father's will!
Sermon Outline
- The Problem of Spiritual Poverty
- The Importance of Possessing the Inheritance
- A Cautionary Example
- A rich man's son holding the text of his will
- The son's failure to present his claims
- The consequences of not possessing the inheritance
Key Quotes
“Holding the text of the will is not enough.” — A.W. Tozer
“It is necessary to come into the possession of the riches.” — A.W. Tozer
“He may be going around ragged, hungry and weak.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- As a Christian, it is not enough to simply hold onto the text of the Bible; I must come into possession of the riches of the Spirit in order to experience true spiritual growth.
- I must take the necessary steps to present my claims to the inheritance of God's riches in my life.
- Living a spiritually ragged, hungry, and weak life is not the will of God for me; I must seek to possess the inheritance of spiritual prosperity.