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John 1:6-13 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. (7) This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. (8) He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. (9) That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. (10) He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. (11) He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. (12) 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.

BEING SONS OF GOD

CHILDREN OF GOD A.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. B.Do you understand the significance of God’s love being shown by His calling us His children? C.The creator of all things in existence, in spite of our sinfulness, chose to adopt us into His family. D.Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

I. CHILDREN GET FATHER’S LOVE A.The first thing that makes it a blessing is that we get the love of the Father. B.The moment you become a child, the Father loves you. C.This is shown in what Christ said to Mary: 'I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.' - John 20:17. D.Christ here intimated, that we have the same love he had. E.Christ plainly shows that in John 17:23b and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have LOVED THEM as You have loved Me. F.What a privilege it is to be under the love of God, than under the wrath of God!

II. GOD’S SPIRIT DWELLS IN HIS CHILDREN A.A second blessing we have is the Spirit of the Son dwells in us. Romans 8:9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLS IN YOU. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. B.The Spirit is given at our baptism. Acts 2:38 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. C.The Spirit is given to God’s Children. Galatians 4:6, 'And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts,crying, Abba, Father.' D.What a blessing to have the Spirit of Christ.

III. CHILDREN GET TO BE LIKE FATHER A.A third part of the blessing of being a son of God is that you get the likeness of the Father. 1 John 3:2-3 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. B.2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being TRANSFORMED INTO THE SAME IMAGE from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. C.Are you becoming more like God and Christ each day?

IV. CHILDREN GET CORRECTED BY THE FATHER A.A fourth blessing is one that may surprise you, we get the chastisement of the Father. B.Hebrews 12:5-8 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; (6) For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives." (7) If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? (8) But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. C.God disciplines us to encourage us to do what is right. D.God disciplines us to help us do those things which are best for us to be doing anyway. Best for us and those around us.

V. CHILDREN RECIEVE THE INHERITANCE A.The last blessing is that we receive the inheritance as heirs. B.Romans 8:15-17 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. If we are Christ's we get all things with him. C.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. D.If you become a child of God you will be made heirs of God.

ARE YOU A CHILD OF GOD? A.Revelation 21:3-7 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and THEY SHALL BE HIS PEOPLE. God Himself will be with them and be their God. (4) And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (5) Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." (6) And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. (7) He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and HE SHALL BE MY SON.

ARE YOU A CHILD OF GOD? B.What a blessing to be sons of God C.Are you a child of God? D.Have you been born into the family of God. 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.

HAVE AN OBEDIENT WEEK