Confident As His Child

Text: 1 John 3:1-3

Introduction

We have all grown up with a particular sonship or daughter-ship.

Examples: loved, passed on a talent, taught you a skill, took you places, maybe abandoned, no memories, etc.

You earthly sonship may not carry much promising hope, but the sonship that comes from the Gospel provides a hope that changes everything about your life.

John is pulling back the curtain on the sonship of every believer in Jesus Christ. He is revealing this truth to comfort and encourage these believers as well as remind them that their Heavenly Father will soon come after them to bring them before judgement and enjoy them for eternity.

John begins by standing in awe of the glorious and indescribable love of God, the believer’s new love for God and our high calling as sons and daughters of God.

1) Our Sonship Of God’s Love

A. There is no greater love

Out of all the wonderful experiences that filled John’s life, ALL FAILED in comparison to experiencing the love of God!

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us”

“…what manner of love...”

How great, wonderful, glorious, incredible, un-earthy...

John is speaking of God’s gospel.

This love gospel is God’s NOT YOURS!

Some have assumed the right to tinker with it.

Jesus ALONE is our reconciling atonement; He was born in the flesh so we might be born again in the spirit, He came down so that we might be caught up, He died so we could die, He lives so we can live, Jesus was forsaken so we could be accepted...

B. The adoption of His love

“bestowed on us” = spiritual adoption

Romans 5:8 (KJV 1900) — 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

2 Corinthians 6:18 (KJV 1900) — 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

“called the sons of God” (or children)

John is talking about the “born ones”

Think about what John just previously said, “what manner of love”

God sought you, drew you to himself and saved you! WHAT LOVE!!!!!!!

God has permitted for you to be called “children of God------you are really HIS CHILD.

The greatest title in the world you can have is CHILD OF GOD!

C. Unknown by the world

“Knoweth” = to grasp (intellectually) v. — to get the meaning of something.

This explains why the world has dubbed Christians as: haters, intolerant, unloving, bigots, racists, unjust, etc.

To “KNOW” us, they must first KNOW the Father.

If the world did not recognize Jesus in the flesh, you must not be surprised if they don’t recognize you.

Here is the root of the world’s rejection of Christians; their rejection of Jesus.

John 15:18 (KJV 1900) — 18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

2) Our Hope In God’s Love

A. You have a witness of your hope

Illustration: When I tell my wife about a gift that I have purchased for her, she can’t stand the wait.

Illustration: Presents under the tree.

Illustration: As a kid, traveling to a amusement park or the beach-----ARE WE THERE YET?

“Hope” = a confident expectation

How could John confidently appropriate this claim to himself and to other genuine believers?

Romans 8:16–17 (KJV 1900) — 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Now, there is however some withholding of details regarding what we will be and experience. WHY?

1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV 1900) — 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

This provides and opportunity for faith.

The believer’s hope is the seeing and being made likened unto their Savior.

The Spirit will NEVER let you forget this hope!

The believer’s future glory is centered and fixed solely upon Jesus’ return!!!

B. Your HOPE will be materialized

First, Jesus WILL come again!

“when he shall appear”

Illustration: Has anyone ever promised you they would meet you at a particular place and a particular time and never show up?

The apostles had to deal with those who simply mocked this claim due to nothing happening now to resemble such an event.

Second, we will see Him and be like Him!

Exploring the Epistles of John: An Expository Commentary (3) Its Consummation in the Future (3:2b–D)

The great work of the Holy Spirit right now is to conform us, as much as may be, to the image of God’s Son, in anticipation of the time when we shall be like Him in body and holiness for all eternity

A new spiritual body:

incorruptible, immortal, invincible...

Never get old, get sick or ever be tempted by Satan again!

Exploring the Epistles of John: An Expository Commentary ((3) Its Consummation in the Future (3:2b–D))

We shall be like Him, too, in absolute holiness, able to dwell where He dwells, in a light unapproachable, basking in the blazing aurora of the righteousness, holiness, and perfection of God.

Revelation 1:17 (KJV 1900) — 17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Quote: “I am not today all that I hope to be, yet I see Jesus, and that assures me that I shall one day be like him” - C.H. Spurgeon

Conclusion (v3)

Here is the place and time Jesus wants you to meet Him:

The place: believing and abiding in him (pulling from his strength, purity, obedience, hating sin…)

The time: When He comes (eminent)