We Are a Part of the Family of God bsed on 1 John 3:1-3

I. Today we observe All Saints’ Day. All Saints’ Day was November 1st, but we observe All Saints’ Day on the Saturday or Sunday after November 1st. Each All Saints’ Day we remember the families and friends of those who have been called to their heavenly home in the past year. Today we pray for God’s comfort and peace to be with the family and friends of Steve Niswander, Jim Hesebeck, John Swanson, Tony Glade, Wilbur Boeke (members of St. Peter Lutheran Church), Lois Wichmann, Cleone Ellingson, and Brent Tiedemann (members of St. John Lutheran Church).

II. I was born a citizen of the United States of America.

III. I was born into a family.

IV. All Saints’ Day is a day to remember we are a part of God’s family.

V. Read 1 John 3:1 and comment. 1 John 3:1 tells us, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”

VI. We are sinners saved by God’s Son.

VII. We have some great privileges as children of God and Romans 8:16-17. We were once slaves to sin, but Jesus has set us free to serve God as members of His family. We have received the gift of the Spirit of God to guide and direct us in ways to live as sons and daughters of God. God promises to be with us always. God the Father listens to our prayers as a good earthly father listens to his children’s requests. We have an amazing inheritance awaiting us. Heaven is that inheritance. Romans 8:16-17 tells us, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”

VIII. We have a great responsibility as members of God’s family and 1 John 3:2-3. 1 John 3:2-3 points to our responsibility, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”

IX. Instead, we are to be more like Jesus and Matthew 5:3-9. Jesus told people the truth about God and the kingdom of God even though people did not want to hear that truth all of the time. Jesus showed compassion to the social outcasts of the world (such as, the tax collectors and others considered terrible sinners) and many of them believed in His saving name. Jesus taught the people in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:3-9 with the following words: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Jesus was pure and sinless. Jesus is still pure and sinless.

X. We will not be pure and sinless in this life. Still we are encouraged to purify ourselves on a regular basis and Ephesians 6:14-17. When we are tempted to sin and do wrong, we pray to God for His help to resist each temptation. When we are tempted to be impure in our lives, we pray for the Holy Spirit’s help to help us to do what is right in God’s sight. We regularly purify ourselves by taking up the full armor of faith in the Lord. Ephesians 6:14-17 tells us, “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

XI. Conclusion. The German reformer, Martin Luther, from the sixteenth century gives us good food for thought about one of the great blessings of being a child of God in his Large Catechism: “Thus we must regard Baptism and make it profitable to ourselves, that when our sins and conscience oppress us, we strengthen ourselves and take comfort and say: Nevertheless I am baptized; but if I am baptized, it is promised me that I shall be saved and have eternal life, both in soul and body” (LC IV 44). Amen.