Play

Heirs or Error: Last Will and Testament of Jesus

Bill Fix
12/21/14 - Sunday

• Intro
  • Will you or have you already received an inheritance? Do you have a will? If not, do you need one?
  • Analogy of preparing a will (covenant, testament, will) – use this to illustrate Biblical principles that are misunderstood
  • We can partake in the most precious inheritance, or we can err. Col. 1:12
• Drafting a will
  • Generally testator can draft however s/he wants.
    • Public policy exceptions (e.g., cannot marry, no illegal activity, pet gifts)
    • Some conditions ok (e.g., graduate college and age 25)
  • Jesus’ power: Mt. 9:6; Jn. 10:17-18.
  • Conditions on our inheritance: Acts 2:38; Rev. 2:10.
  • Error – predestination; faith only; “Once saved, Always saved”
• Revisions
  • Only testator can change will; No changes after testator dies.
  • New will invalidates any previous will.
  • No other gospel: Gal. 1:6-9, 3:15-16.
  • New covenant made the old obsolete: Heb. 8:13.
  • Error – Keeping parts of Law of Moses, subsequent revelations.
• Timeframe
  • Takes effect upon death
  • Must be death of testator: Heb. 9:16-17
  • Inter vivos gift: Lk. 23:39-43.
  • Error – Claiming ineligible inter vivos gift; Inheritance from another testator.
• Executing will
  • Executor – Carries out will of testator; close out estate.
  • In terrorem clause or No Contest Clause – Forfeit any inheritance if contest.
  • God is the executor: Rom. 14:10-12; Jn. 6:38.
  • Cannot contest God’s will: Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18-19.
  • Error – Using different executor; Contesting God’s will.
• Our inheritance?
  • By definition, an inheritance is not earned—it is a gift.
  • Heaven – 1 Pet. 1:3-4 – Imperishable, undefiled, unfading, in heaven.
  • Conditions – Mt. 7:21; Heb. 9:27-28
  • 1 Cor. 6:9-11 – Unrighteous will not inherit.
  • Inheritance for God’s children
    • Jn. 1:12-13 – Right to become children of God (receive, believe, born of God).
    • Gal. 3:26-29 – Faith, baptism, heirs.