Released as Sons and Daughters

Out theme for 2024 is “Possessing the Land”

Last year I preached a series on 1 Corinthians entitled “The Spirit-filled church.

It was about this church in the Gentile world living at the intersection of spiritual reality and one of the darkest places on earth.

A year later, the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church again.

Paul’s encouragement to the Corinthian church is to not just be filled with the Spirit, but to release the Spirit.

We don’t just live in spiritual reality, we bring spiritual reality to bear in every situation that we find ourselves.

In this series we learn that we carry the Presence of God with us to change the atmosphere wherever we go.

We began by saying that we are released to bring the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

Then we heard that we are released to shine - brighter, bolder and like the stars - forever.

Last week we said that Paul calls us Ambassadors - citizens of heaven but living in and representing spiritual reality in the world.

This week we are going to build upon the idea of representing God - but even more than Ambassadors and citizens of heaven - we are His sons and daughters.

You can’t represent any better than being a son or a daughter of the one you are representing.

A child has the DNA of the parent - to be a son or a daughter is said to be a ‘carbon copy’ of the original.

And it is more than just the looks - we should have our father’s heart too.

And while it is not always the case, in the best of circumstances a son or a daughter of God should demonstrate the character of God.

God has not released the church to be people who just work for Him, but sons and daughters who know Him and make Him known.

Sons and daughters carry the presence of God.

When is comes to representing God, we are created in his image and likeness.

Genesis 1:27 ESV

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

When we did the teaching on The Unseen Realm and at other times in other sermons I have said that ‘image and likeness’ is a status.

In ancient times, important decisions were made in families.

Children have the authority to speak on behalf of the family.

A true son is one who carries on the family business and is trusted to conduct business on behalf of the family.

That is why Jesus could say-

John 14:9 NLT

9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you?

To say that Jesus is ‘the son of God’ is to say that Jesus is God.

Now that is not applied in quite the same way when we are called sons and daughters of God.

First of all, none of us are sinless or born of a virgin.

But we are working to become like Jesus.

We do not have His divine attributes.

But we do seek to conform to His divine character.

2 Peter 1:3–4 ESV

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

We get to ‘partake’ or participate in His divine attributes when we also demonstrate His divine character.

Our time here on earth is to learn what is means to be sons and daughters of God.

Children keep their hearts open.

2 Corinthians 6:11–13 ESV

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.

Part of the purpose of Paul’s letter is to correct some misconceptions about him and about God.

Some of the Corinthian believers are new since Paul was there, they may only know him as the guy who reprimanded a certain individual for their behavior.

Have you ever tried to introduce yourself to a child who doesn’t know you? Kids can be unpredictable that way. Sometimes they get really bashful and the more you try to talk nicely to them the more you seem like some creepy old person. It used to be you could offer candy to talk to a kid, now that makes you even more creepy.

What makes a person trustworthy to a child? Simply the fact that they are trusted by adults whom they also trust. A child will be comfortable around people whom their parents are comfortable with. As adults, we are there to protect the vulnerable - our children.

It is natural for a child to have an open heart toward people. Unfortunately, we have to teach them not to trust strangers and perhaps even others as well. And once they learn not to trust, it is hard to unlearn it. Once the heart closes, it take a lot of love to open it again.

The way to get someone to open their heart again is to open your heart to them.

Be transparent.

Show them you care.

Listen to them and answer their questions.

Paul is doing that for the Corinthian church and God does that with us through His people - people like Paul.

Children learn who to trust.

2 Corinthians 6:14–16 ESV

14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

What does it mean to be unequally yoked?

If you grew up in the church, you probably thought this verse was about dating or marrying an unbeliever - but that is just one possible application.

Being yoked to another person is about being in a committed relationship of trust.

That could be a marriage partner.

Or it could be a business partner.

It could be any kind of partner, a teammate or a best-friend.

In short, it is someone you are bound to by an agreement that effects your life choices.

Why is it a problem with being bound in a commited relationship to an unbeliever?

You make decisions together, right?

How do you decide?

What values or criteria do you use to make decisions?

Is God’s will for your life one of those criteria? Is it high on the list?

Now do you see the problem?

How are you going to explain God’s will to someone who doesn’t believe in God, let alone obey Him?

If you have commited your life to following Jesus Christ - that needs to take precedent over all of your other commitments.

Why can’t God be something that you do on the side?

Because God is God - either He is God or He is not.

The Creator of the world is not someone that you can ignore except when it is convenient.

You are a ‘temple of God’, not a trinket.

God is not your good luck charm.

You are a place set aside for His presence.

Sons and daughters are separate from everyone else.

2 Corinthians 6:17–7:1 ESV

17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” 1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

An ambassador can speak for God, but a son or a daughter represents God by their presence.

When they walk into the room, the presence of God enters the room with them.

That demands a certain commitment and consecration.

Being a son or a daughter is a 24/7/365 responsibility.

An ambassador can resign - but you can never stop being a son or a daughter - it’s not just a job, it’s who you are.

Changing the way you see yourself, should change the way you carry yourself.

And that should change the way you carry His presence.

My Dad used to say something to us whenever we would go out that would remind us of how to behave. He would say, “remember whose child you are!” Now of course, that was a reminder that my behavior in public was a reflection on him. But we knew that he meant more than that - our behavior is a reflection on God. We don’t want to to anything that would diminish His reputation.

It is a big deal to be a son or a daughter of God, not just in terms of status, but in responsibility!

Sons and daughters show the heart of God.

An ambassador is an official title - they handle the business side of things - but a son or a daughter is like royalty, it’s more personal.

When royalty represent, they may discuss policy or politics - but that not usually their primary purpose.

Their primary purpose is the be there and to relate to people.

We don’t have royalty in America, we have celebrities. Celebrities are people we admire because of a role that they played in a movie or a song that they sing that touches our heart. We secretly want to be them.

Royalty is sometimes like that, but more often it is the way they embody cultural values and tradition. They represent to soul of a nation and the aspirations of its people.

As royal children of God, whether we like it or not, the whole world is watching us and we can either inspire the best aspirations in people or become the latest gossip.

Regardless of what we do, people will find a way to relate.

By getting to know us, they are really hoping to know something about God.

The heart of God is for relationship.

2 Corinthians 7:2–4 ESV

2 Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. 4 I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.

I find that people are often disappointed in relationships because they are looking for affirmation and not finding it.

Some of the Corinthians probably thing Paul is a harsh critic because their only experience is hearing him set some people straight.

But they don’t really know Paul’s heart - he would die for them!

They need to hear Paul say that he is proud of them - or at least most of them - his disciplinary remarks were only directed toward a few.

He say that in his suffering, thinking of them brings him joy.

That is the heart of God.

He loves us.

He is proud of who we are and what we are becoming.

Jesus endured the cross because he saw us as redeemed sons and daughters and that brought him joy.

Hebrews 12:2 NLT

2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

How much does it mean to you to know that you bring Him joy?

If it means that much to you to know what you mean to Him, how important is it that people in your life should know what they mean to you?

For some people, the first step to knowing how much God cares about them is going to be knowing that you care about them.

You show the heart of God by caring for people.

The heart of God is seen through empathy.

2 Corinthians 7:5–7 ESV

5 For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.

Paul is writing from Macedonia.

Macedonia is north of Corinth and modern day Greece.

It would contain cities such as Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea.

You may remember that Paul and Silas were put in jail in Philippi and then rescued by and earthquake.

That was after they were beaten by a mob and accused of starting the riot.

But it ended with the salvation of the Philippian jailer and an apology from the city officials.

That’s a great story, but it was still traumatic to go through it.

Somewhere in the middle of that story - we don’t know how the timing all went - Titus arrives with news from Corinth.

Maybe Titus was able to visit them in prison.

When we read about it in the book of Acts we imagine it all happening in the course of a day, but the text doesn’t actually say how long they were in jail.

Maybe that is why they were rejoicing and praising God?

We don’t know how it all worked out.

What we do know is that Titus arrived and the same comfort of the Holy Spirit that we talked about in the first two chapters arrived with him.

And it wasn't just Titus, but he brought word that the churches of Corinth were praying for them.

Somebody knew about their suffering and cared.

They were concerned, they were engaged and they were in a sense, with him in that circumstance.

Paul and Silas are in solitary confinement but they are not alone.

That is another way that we can convey the heart of God - by being there.

Yes, we know that God is with us, but when we are suffering sometimes that knowledge is too abstract.

Romans 12:15 AMP

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief].

Knowing that someone else cares helps us to realize that God cares.

I know it is uncomfortable to be around people who are hurting.

What am I supposed to say - you don’t have to say anything.

Sometimes it is better if we don’t say much - just be there.

Your presence is worth more than words - especially when your presence conveys God’s presence.

It has been said that “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

The heart of God produces repentance.

2 Corinthians 7:8–9 ESV

8 For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. 9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.

There are different kinds of sadness.

Sometimes we are sad and there is nothing we can do about it.

Like Paul in prison for something he didn’t do.

That’s sad; and its just nice to know that other people are sad too - it means they care.

But then there is the kind of sad like when Paul confronted the guy in 1 Corinthians for sleeping with his step-mother.

That is pretty sad too! - but you can do something about it.

Like just stop it! - don’t do that!

Paul says, “I’m not sorry for that.”

“I’m not going to apologize for saving you from hell.”

Sometimes we are afraid to say something when we really should say something because we don’t wan’t to make people feel bad.

Caring and comfort is more that just making people feel better.

Caring means we are also thinking about outcomes.

It is not caring to help someone destroy their life and their future.

Sometimes the caring thing to do is exactly what they don’t want you to do.

Insisting that someone see a doctor, go to the hospital or go to rehab.

Taking away someone’s keys if they are drunk.

Taking their gun if they are depressed.

Or taking their kids if they are abusive.

They’re going to hate you now, but when they are back in their right mind, they will know that you love them - they might even thank you.

Godly discipline is out of love.

Proverbs 3:11–12 CEV

11 My child, don’t turn away or become bitter when the Lord corrects you. 12 The Lord corrects everyone he loves, just as parents correct their favorite child.

This is also part of being sons and daughters of God.

We learn to accept correction as a sign of God’s love.

And we learn to give correction as a demonstration of God’s love.

Sons and daughters demonstrate the character of God.

What are the character attributes of God?

He is good.

He is Holy.

He is righteous/ just.

He is love.

How do we know what any of these things look like if we have never seen God?

We know them because we have seen other people demonstrate His character.

All of these attributes are abstract - we do not have a concrete understanding of them until we see them demonstrated.

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV

12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

No one can argue with your example.

They might find fault in what you say, but don’t let them find fault in what you do.

In the final analysis, your preaching doesn’t save as many people as your example does.

1 Timothy 4:16 ESV

16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

God’s ultimate purpose is salvation.

2 Corinthians 7:10 ESV

10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

It’s OK to be sad - it is good to grieve.

But you want your grief to be productive.

If I am visiting with someone who is depressed - I don’t blame them for that- life is hard!

I want them to be able to express their sorrow freely.

But if I visit them repeatedly and hear the same story each time, now I’m worried because they are stuck.

I want to see people getting better, not worse.

Part of helping people get unstuck is trying to figure out what needs to change.

Are they in denial about what is happening about what has happened?

Are they believing a lie about themselves, others or God?

Most of our problems come from sin:

Sin that we commit or sins that are commited against us.

For sins that we commit, there is repentance.

For sins that are commited against us, there is forgiveness.

I know that sounds too simple, but that’s the essence of it - working through it takes time.

The point is that God’s purpose is the restoration of the world.

His plan for you is for healing and wholeness.

There may be some pain in the process of getting there.

But you have to know that God is good and He is working toward a good outcome.

Romans 8:28 CEV

28 We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose,

God loves you - He is passionate about restoration.

When you know that about God, it makes you passionate about helping others.

Sons and daughters share God’s passion.

2 Corinthians 7:11–12 ESV

11 For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. 12 So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God.

Paul’s last letter made people sad.

It may have made some people angry, which made even more people sad.

But Paul commends them on how they moved through that emotion.

They didn’t just blame Paul, they took it to heart and did something about it.

Sometimes when people say things that upset us we want to shoot the messenger.

We would do well to at least consider what they are saying that we might need to hear.

Maybe some of what they are saying is false.

Maybe some of it doesn’t really apply to us.

But maybe there is some of what they are saying that we need to hear?

When you are passionate about following Christ, you are willing to hear what you might not want to hear.

Why? Because you have a strong desire (earnestness) to know the truth.

And sometimes the truth hurts.

But you don’t care about that because you know that if it is true it will also be healing.

John 8:32 TPT

32 For if you embrace the truth, it will release more freedom into your lives.”

That is the mark of a true son or daughter of God - they have a hunger for truth.

Like they have a hunger for God’s word.

And they have a passion to apply that truth to their own hearts and minds.

And in doing so, the show others how they can be free.

Sons and daughters represent God well.

2 Corinthians 7:13–16 ESV

13 Therefore we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. 14 For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true. 15 And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. 16 I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.

Titus is likely the carrier of the letter here.

Paul is saying that he gave Titus a favorable report of the Corinthian churches and they did not disappoint.

That is a little different than what we might have expected from his first letter.

But that was dealing with specific issues and people - the Corinthian church as a whole gets high marks for representing Christ well.

How do you know when you are representing well?

You are refreshed in spirit and refresh the spirit of others.

God’s Spirit in you resonates with His Spirit in other believers and the result is mutual encouragement.

You faithfully receive the Word of God and his servants.

In the world there is a hierarchy and people at the top of the food chain don’t want to hear from people at the bottom.

In God’s Kingdom we receive from each other.

We learn from each other and we grow together.

The people who are the most mature in Christ are the people who find it most natural to learn and obey.

You have a genuine love for God and for his people.

When someone is a believer, you recognize them as a brother or a sister in Christ.

It doesn’t matter who they are or where they are from; God loves them and so do you.

Questions for reflection:

Do we inspire confidence in God? How does our behavior impact His reputation? Do you remember whose child you are?

How do you relate to people who are sad or lonely? Do you avoid those people, or can you empathize? What do you contribute by your presence? Do you bring the comfort of His presence?

How are you with corrections? Can you receive it with gratitude? Can you be truthful and do it out of love? How does receiving corrections help you to do it well?