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1 John 3:1-3 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. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

CHILDREN OF GOD God shows His love for us by calling us His children. Galatians 4:4-7  But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5  to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6  And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" 7  Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Romans 8:15  For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." Since we are His children, John identifies three arenas in which every Christian should live while striving for Holiness as children of God: reality principle, future principle and expectation principle. Notice each of these principles…

1. PRINCIPLE #1 REALITY What we are (v 1. PRINCIPLE #1 REALITY What we are (v.1) Beloved, now we are children of God

1. WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD God has not only saved us through His Son, but He has made us a part of His family. What we are is God’s children according to the Father - 2 Corinthians 6:17-18  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

1. WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD God has not only saved us through His Son, but He has made us a part of His family. What we are is God’s children according to the Father - 2 Corinthians 6:17-18   the Son - Hebrews 2:10-11   For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11  For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

1. WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD God has not only saved us through His Son, but He has made us a part of His family. What we are is God’s children according to the Father - 2 Corinthians 6:17-18   the Son - Hebrews 2:10-11   and the Spirit - Romans 8:14-17  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15  For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." 16  The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17  and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

1. WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD God has not only saved us through His Son, but He has made us a part of His family. What we are is God’s children according to the Father - 2 Corinthians 6:17-18   the Son - Hebrews 2:10-11   and the Spirit - Romans 8:14-17 Galatians 3:26-27 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

2. PRINCIPLE #2 FUTURE What we shall be (v 2. PRINCIPLE #2 FUTURE What we shall be (v.2) It has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him,

2. WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM What we shall be is conformed to the image of Christ when we get to Heaven. Romans 8:29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 1Co 15:49 — And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Php 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. God’s ultimate goal is to make us like Jesus and John points to the fulfillment of the aim.

3. PRINCIPLE #3 EXPECTATION What we should be (v 3. PRINCIPLE #3 EXPECTATION What we should be (v.3) Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

3. PURE, JUST AS HE IS PURE. What we should be on the basis of the previous two are Christians who live pure lives! - Titus 2:11-14  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

3. PURE, JUST AS HE IS PURE. Christlikeness is our obligation: Philippians 2:5  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 1 Peter 2:21  For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 1 John 2:5-6 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6  He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. Eph 5:1 — Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

3. PURE, JUST AS HE IS PURE. When we know that our destiny will be conformed to the image of Christ, which motivates us to be more like Him right now, it should motivate us to be ready for His return, striving to serve and please Him now!

WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD The Bible repeatedly uses the example of birth as an illustration of salvation John 1:12-13  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13  who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD The Bible repeatedly uses the example of birth as an illustration of salvation John 1:12-13   John 3:3-5  Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4  Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5  Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD The Bible repeatedly uses the example of birth as an illustration of salvation John 1:12-13   John 3:3-5   1 Peter 1:22-23  Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, 23  having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD Only the child of God will receive the inheritance which is reserved in heaven Romans 8:16-17  The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17  and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Galatians 4:6-7  And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" 7  Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD Only the child of God will receive the inheritance which is reserved in heaven Romans 8:16-17   Galatians 4:6-7   1 Peter 1:3-5  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4  to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5  who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD Only the child of God will receive the inheritance which is reserved in heaven Romans 8:16-17   Galatians 4:6-7   1 Peter 1:3-5   Ephesians 1:13-14  In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14  who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased

WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD Only the child of God will receive the inheritance which is reserved in heaven Romans 8:16-17 Galatians 4:6-7   1 Peter 1:3-5   Ephesians 1:13-14 We received this seal at our baptism - Acts 2:38-39  Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39  For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." 1 John 3:1-3 answers the question: What does it mean to be in the Family of God?

TONIGHT’S SERMON LOOKING GOOD