|
Introduction:
The first two chapters of John’s epistle have as their theme the
subject of fellowship. The key verses are 1:5-7 “God is light.”
Fellowship with God is on the basis of our walking in the light as he is
in the light. The next three chapters deal with the subject of sonship.
The key verse is 4:8: “God is love.” You and I are children of God, in
the family of God, because of the amazing love of God. As we consider the
subject of the love of God I pray that we will come to a new experience of
God’s love, this love that is truly, “Out Of This World.”
A three-fold look at the child of God:
I.
OUR POSITION
(V.1)
If we know Jesus as Savior, we are children of God right now!
A.
Selected By The Father (1a)
Jn.3:16: “so” teaches us three things
about the love of God:
- This
love is undeserved
(love like a river: Illus: burned girl)
- This
love is unselfish
(Rom.5:8: Sons of men to sons of God)
- This
love is unique (What
manner = what quality or from what country).
Other places where this word occurs:
Mk.4:39-41 and 2Pet.3:11. The love God bestows on us, making us
children, is a love altogether otherworldly, unearthly. It is an out-of
-this-world kind of love. John did not try to define it, he did not try to
explain it; all he could do was thank God for it.
B.
Slighted By The World (1b)
(Illus: Missionary returning home)
We ought not be surpassed when we are not in the world’s hall of fame.
We ought not to be disturbed when we are not recognized, honored, and
given fame by the world.
II.
OUR POTENTIAL (V.2)
We are not what we were, not what we shall be...Great potential lies ahead
for the child of God.
A.
This Truth Anticipated (2a)
(Col 3:4)
"When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye
also appear with him in glory."
The lost have nothing to anticipate. Can
only look back on wasted life.
B.
This Truth Actualized (2b)
Two things; First “We shall see Him.”
(Isaac and Rebecca, Gen.24)
Second, “We shall be like Him.” What
does it mean to be like Jesus?:
- It
will mean Purity of Character
- It
will mean Glorification in Body
(Phil 3:21)
"Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned
like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able
even to subdue all things unto himself."
(Psa 17:15)
"As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I
shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness."
III.
OUR PRACTICE (V.3)
A.
We Are To Be Hopeful (3a)
Every man who has his hope set on Him.
The emphasis is not on the hope in your heart, but on that which your hope
is resting. If you hope is on anything but Jesus, it is wasted.
B.
We Are To Be Holy (3b)
“He is pure” = means a purity
maintained in the face of temptation, sustained through terrific trial and
strain. Our Savior loved us so much that He maintained His purity.
(Illus: Girl not wanting to hurt
Father.) We ought to want to maintain our purity lest we hurt Him. A PURE
LIFE IS A PROCESS. It’s like soap. It will cleanse you, but you must USE
it.
Conclusion:
(Illus: Soldier’s purity saved for his wife to be). Just over the
clouds there is a Savior who loves us and gave Himself for our sins. We
ought to want to keep ourselves pure and clean for Him. One day, when He
comes, the Bride of Christ will be joined to the Bridegroom at the
Marriage of the Lamb.
|
