This is the fifth sermon in a series of messages covering the New Testament book of First John. This sermon covers the first nine verses of chapter three and describes the awesome privilege of being a child of God as well as several characteristics of being a child of God. A video recording of the worship service in which this sermon was preached may be viewed by clicking here.
1 John 3:1 (NKJV) Behold what manner of love the Father has
bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world
does not know us, because it did not know Him.
Introduction:
A number of years ago I read an account that was presumed to be a true
story.
A soldier in the Greek army under the command of Alexander the Great was brought before the emperor to stand trial for conduct unbecoming to a soldier. During the proceedings the great emperor asked the soldier his name.
The soldier stated very quietly, “Alexander, sir.”
Alexander the Great responded in a louder tone of voice, “Soldier, what is your name?”
The soldier stated again somewhat louder, “Alexander, sir.”
The emperor repeated the question another time in a rage, “Soldier, what is your name?”
The solder again replied, “Alexander sir.”
Immediately the emperor demanded, “Soldier, either change your conduct or
change your name!”
As you may have noticed, the title of my message today is, “Children of
God – Part 1.”
We’re doing a study through the first letter of the Apostle John and today we’re ready to look at chapter 3. We are going to take two sermons to cover this chapter. Today, we will consider verses 1-9, and the next time (July 12) we will consider verses 10-24. As we focus on verses 1-9, John appears to introduce the subject of being children of God with four brief statements in verses 1-3, then in verses 4-9 he expounds on one of those statements by addressing the matter of sin.
I. Being
a child of God is an awesome privilege. (1a)
This chapter clearly continues developing
the subject being discussed at the end of chapter 2.
1 John 2:29 (NKJV) If you know that He
is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of
Him.
(John Stott, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) The mention of being ‘born of him’ leads John to an outburst of
wonder at God’s love in making us his children (tekna, derived
from tekein, ‘to beget’)…
“Behold” – The word “behold” always implies
astonishment. (Vic Reasoner, John & Jude: A Fundamental Wesleyan Commentary)
“manner” – literally means “what country.” (Reasoner
& Stott) This kind of love is so rare, where is it from?
“bestowed” – lavished; it is not earned, but
graciously afforded to us.
“Children of God” – not only “called” His
children, but we have become His children with His nature.
II. Children
of God experience rejection. (1b)
Compare: John 1:11 (NKJV) He came to
His own, and His own did not receive Him.
“Know” – not just acknowledgment but to
approve and know by experience.
John 15:18-20 (NKJV) 18 "If
the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19
If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because
you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world
hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant
is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also
persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
III. Children
of God have hope for the future. (2)
As children of God who are born of God and
have received the Spirit of God, the question is not just who we are now, but
what will we be?
“revealed” – manifested,
(Stott, TNTC) What we are does not
now appear to the world; what we shall be does not yet appear to us.
But, we are not completely ignorant. We know
this much – we shall be like Him.
Philippians 3:21 (NKJV) who will
transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body,
according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to
Himself.
IV. Children
of God strive for holiness. (3)
(Tom Thatcher, Expositor's Bible Commentary,
Revised) While childhood has benefits, it also carries responsibilities. These
are summarized, again in eschatological terms, at v.3. All those who hope to
see Jesus must “purify” themselves because Jesus is “pure.”
(Reasoner) Every major passage about the
return of Christ leaves unanswered questions and ends with an exhortation to
holy living…. A sinner cannot purify himself any more than a leopard can change
his spots (Jer. 13:23). When we are born again, the Holy Spirit begins this
process of sanctification… But after we are initially cleansed by the Spirit,
we maintain and grow in purity by remaining in Christ and walking in the light
(1:7).
It is a natural consequence of being
truly/genuinely born again to desire compatibility with Christ and His holy
nature. It is natural to have a passion and a desire to be clean, pure and
holy.
V. Holiness
encounters the problem of sin. (4-9)
The pursuit of holiness and purity
necessarily requires us to deal with sin.
A. Sin
is defined as rebellion. (4)
There are many places in the Bible that
provide definitions of sin in it various expressions and manifestations.
(Vic Reasoner provides 7 different
references that provide a definition of sin.)
Here, John defines sin as “a transgression
of the law,” or “lawlessness,” as in many recent translations.
Same Greek word is used for the KJV words,
“committeth” and “transgresseth.” It is the word ποιέω (poiéō), most commonly
translated “do” or “make.”
Lit. – “whoever does sin, does ‘anti-law’
(lawlessness), for sin is ‘anti-law.’
Willful intent is implied. It is rebellion at heart; a defiance against God’s authority and will. Sin, at its core, is an insistence to have my own way rather than God’s way. It is the most enticing suggestion the adversary (Devil) uses against us. Ultimately, every temptation is just like it was for Eve, “You don’t have to obey/ do it God’s way. You can do it your own way.” (Which is NOT really my own way – it’s the Devil’s way.)
B. Sin
has been effectively addressed. (5, 8b)
Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of God was
manifested/ revealed for the specific purpose of taking away sin and destroying
the works of the Devil.
C. Sin
and righteousness reveal our relations. (6-9)
Those who do righteousness, do so because they
“abide in Him” (v. 6a) and they are “born of God” (v. 9).
Those who do sin, do so because they do not
even “know” God (6b) and are “of the Devil” (v. 8).
Conclusion:
Today, we have been talking about what it means
to be a child of God.
First of all, it is a wonderful privilege
that is so awesome and amazing. What manner of love! That we should be called
the children of God!
Secondly, it means we don’t worry about
being rejected and unknown by the world, because that is exactly what the world
thought about and did to Jesus.
Thirdly, it means we have a hope that one of
these days we will be completely transformed so that we are just like him. It
will not only mean with a glorified, resurrection body, but we will be perfect!
Finally, it means we have been delivered
from the life and practice of sin and are striving to live a life of
righteousness and holiness. By the grace of God and the power of the Holy
Spirit, we have been divorced from our old father, the Devil, and now we are
the children of God, exhibiting a life that brings glory to Him.
Hallelujah!
There are a lot of people who get confused about what seems to be a contradiction between the words John wrote in chapter one compared to what he wrote here in chapter three. In chapter one he proclaims that anyone who says they have no sin or have not sinned is deceived and they make God into a liar. It would seem that he is reinforcing the mantra we have heard from some – “everyone sins everyday in word, thought and deed.” But here, John clearly condemns the practice of sin and says that the person who does sin is of the Devil, not a child of God. The child of God does not sin.
Some people think it is a sign of humility
and authenticity to say they sin every day. They imply that it is the epitome
of pride to claim to live above sin.
In chapter one, John is addressing those who
have either sanitized sin to the point that there is nothing wrong in their
minds anymore, or they have sanitized their own opinion of themselves until
they think they’re perfect. Both are wrong! We have all sinned and fallen short
of the glory of God.
But here in chapter three, John is addressing the very essence of sin – anti-law, rebellion, lawless spirit and attitude. Anyone who willfully and deliberately chooses to commit sin is of the Devil. It’s important to make a distinction between these two emphases. However, Jesus was manifested to the world so that he might take away sin and destroy the works of the Devil. So it is possible to be delivered from that sinful heart and sinful life.
We are called to be God’s people, so let’s
claim the grace that Jesus has provided and live like children of God!
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