How can we help others receive "an inheritance among the sanctified" today? Seeing the Commission in Acts 26:18 “ ‘…to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’ ” What the Inheritance Is • Eternal life with Christ (1 Peter 1:3-4) • Full inclusion in God’s family (Romans 8:16-17) • A share in Christ’s kingdom glory (Colossians 1:12-13) • The Holy Spirit as the down payment (Ephesians 1:13-14) Our Part: Four Action Verbs in the Verse 1. Open 2. Turn 3. Receive 4. Be Sanctified These verbs guide how we help others today. Opening Eyes: Presenting the Truth Clearly • Share Scripture plainly—God’s word carries its own light (Psalm 119:130). • Explain the gospel story from creation to resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). • Use personal testimony, like Paul did (Acts 26:9-23), to make the message relatable. • Depend on the Spirit to illumine hearts (2 Corinthians 4:6). Turning from Darkness to Light: Calling for Repentance • Define sin biblically (Romans 3:23). • Emphasize God’s kindness that leads to repentance (Romans 2:4). • Invite concrete steps—confessing sin, abandoning idols, making restitution (Acts 19:18-20). • Encourage public identification with Christ through baptism (Acts 2:38-41). From the Power of Satan to God: Engaging in Spiritual Warfare • Pray regularly for those you witness to (Ephesians 6:18-19). • Stand on Christ’s victory at the cross (Colossians 2:15). • Use the armor of God—truth, righteousness, faith, Scripture, etc. (Ephesians 6:10-17). • Cultivate an atmosphere of praise; darkness retreats where Christ is exalted (James 4:7). Receiving Forgiveness: Centering on the Cross • Make Christ’s atoning blood the focal point (Hebrews 9:22). • Stress grace, not works (Titus 3:5). • Encourage immediate trust—“Now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). • Offer assurance from God’s promises (1 John 1:9). Sanctified by Faith: Nurturing Ongoing Growth • Connect new believers to a Bible-teaching church (Acts 2:42). • Promote daily Scripture intake (Joshua 1:8). • Foster life-on-life discipleship (2 Timothy 2:2). • Model holiness—“Follow me as I follow Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Practical Ways to Participate Today • Host a neighborhood Bible study or open-home meal. • Volunteer in local ministries that meet practical needs while sharing Christ. • Support global missions financially and through short-term trips (Romans 10:14-15). • Use social media to post verses, testimonies, and gospel explanations. • Mentor younger believers; help them discover and use spiritual gifts (1 Peter 4:10). Living Proof: Demonstrating the Inheritance • Show joy in trials—evidence of a secure hope (James 1:2-4). • Practice generosity; heirs act like their Father (Luke 6:38). • Pursue unity with other believers (John 13:35). • Celebrate communion regularly—proclaiming the Lord’s death until He comes (1 Corinthians 11:26). A Closing Charge “And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” (Acts 20:32) Carry that same word of grace to others, and they too will enter the family and share the eternal inheritance prepared for the sanctified. |
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