Children of God

Introduction:

· “A red duck quacks at midnight.”

· Our worldview is the “story” we attach our lives to – and this story is shaped by key questions

WHO ARE YOU? AND WHAT ARE YOU AIMING YOUR LIFE AT?

I) Who are we? God’s Beloved Children

A. Searching for an identity:

i. Our culture tells us to create our identity

1. First dates & HS Reunions: Job; degree; family; etc.

2. Our identity: Rooted in what we do (or what we fail to do)

ii. Our culture tells us that our identity is a means of love

1. Our identity is a way we fit in, find acceptance, love

2. Yet: what happens when you retire? Kids leave the nest? Cut from team?

B. An Identity to Sustain us: Children of God! (3:1-2, see vs. 9)

i. The Gospel gives an identity as God’s children.

1. Our identity is a gift of God’s “otherworldly” gift of love

2. Our identity is a gift that we receive, not earn

ii. Our Identity as God’s Children sustains us against all adversity (vs. 1)

1. As God’s children we belong to our loving Father (HC 1)

2. As God’s Children we have strength when… retire, children leave etc.

C. Living out our identity as God’s Children

i. John contrasts children of God & Children of Devil (vv. 9-10)

1. Since “sin is lawlessness” children of the devil are “lawless” (vs. 4)

2. Christians are born of God desire to please their Father (vs. 10)

ii. God’s children are loyal to their father

1. Obedience is difficult when we fear what others think (vs. 1):

2. As God’s children our father smiles on us when the world rejects us

iii. God’s children practice obedience.

1. “A thousand, ten thousand…” art, music, etc.

2. Righteous living is a disciplined practice

WHO ARE YOU? YOU’RE A CHILD OF GOD. THE SECOND QUESTION: WHAT IS YOUR HOPE?

II) What do we Hope For? The Appearing of Jesus

A. What We Hope In Shapes How We Live

i. Our hope is what we aim at

1. EXAMPLE: Saving Private Ryan – “Tell me I’ve lived a good life.”

2. At the end, what do you want: Applause? Wealth? Make a difference?

ii. Our hope shapes how we live

1. Your “hope” will order your priorities, determine how you treat people…

2. EXAMPLE: “Applause” – your work will be to draw attention to yourself; Money; you’ll be a workaholic, even step on people

B. Christians have hope because Jesus APPEARED

i. Jesus’ appearance is the hope for believers (vv. 28, 2-3)

1. Jesus’ “PAROUSIA” is like a celebratory return of a king (vs. 28)

2. Shame (foreign to us, but holiness of God) or confidence (vs. 28)

ii. Jesus appeared to destroy sin:

1. Sin is both lawlessness and following the devil

2. BUT Jesus takes away our sins and destroy the devil’s work (vs. 5)

C. Christians Live with Hope FOR Jesus’ Coming appearance

i. When Jesus “appears” we will be “like him” (vs. 2)

1. Today we are imperfect (!) representations of God’s Children

2. But: At PAROUSIA, we will be perfected children!

ii. Therefore: we strive to “purify ourselves” for that day (vs. 3)

1. As we wait for his return, we “abide in Jesus: :

2. As we wait his return, we purify ourselves as he is pure

SO: WHO ARE WE? GOD’S CHILDREN; WHAT IS OUR HOPE? PERFECTION THROUGH JESUS. HOW DOES THIS SHAPE THE WAY WE LIVE?

Conclusion

Living as God’s children in the world today