1. Galatians 3:23-29 “Children of God” 1

2. Galatians 3:23-29 “23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise: 2

3. Introduction Paul outlines how the Galatians became children of God Not according to the Law of Moses Law was a schoolmaster to bring them to Christ for justification by faith Had to believe the prophecies concerning Christ Taught the need of repentance and obedience Christ brought an end to the law - Luke 24:44 Gal. 2:16; Acts 13:38-39 “…ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” - vs. 26 Rom. 10:17 Vs. 27 “For (gar- GK), as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” Gar - “primary particle; properly, assigning a reason…” - Strong. 3

4. Many claim to be children of God Not all who make this claim are One is not a child of God by their own wishes All who claim to be doctors are not doctors Many and varied beliefs in the religious world We must follow the teaching of Scripture God’s word tells us who is a child of God And who is not! A “Child of the Devil” - Acts 13:10 We will go to the Bible for the answer! 4

5. Children of God Do Not Persist in Sin! “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin” - John 8:34 1 John 1, 2, 3 written to refute the error of “Gnosticism” The false idea that sins of the body did not interfere with the spirit’s relationship with God - Ezekiel 18:4, 20 One who sins, lies and does not the truth 1 John 1:6-10 This error continues today “Continuous Cleansing” - teaches that children of God can habitually practice every sin except full rebellion and be in fellowship with God. Adultery, liberal activities (instrumental music, supporting human institutions, using church funds for a “good work” - Matt. 7:21-23 Must repent & pray when we sin Acts 8:22, 1 John 1:6-10; James 5:16; 1 John 2:1. 5

6. Children of God Hear God’s Word! “He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God” - John 8:47 A child of God vs. a child of the devil One can see the difference by their actions - 1 John 4:6; Children of the devil reject the truth - John 8:44-45; 1 John 3:9-10 Children of God genuinely love the truth 2 Thessalonians 1:10-12 They search the scriptures for truth - Acts 17:11 They believe and know the truth 1 Timothy 4:1-5 They obey the truth Romans 6:17, cf. Romans 2:8 & Galatians 3:1. 6

7. Children of God Love Christ! “Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me” - John 8:42 Must love God to love Christ - vs 42 John 14:6 Many claim to love God but deny Christ! Jews Muslims Agnostics Unbelievers To love Christ, we must keep His commandments! John 14:21, 23; 15:10, 14; 1 John 5:3 7

8. Children of God Believe Christ! “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” - John 8:24 Believe in Christ is essential for salvation & being a child of God The follow are revealed in John 8 concerning Christ: He was sent from the Father - 8:23 He was before Abraham, declaring His eternal nature - 8:56-58 He never sinned - 8:46 That belief in Him would free the believer from sin - 8:21, 24 Belief in Him would prevent spiritual death - 8:51 Those who do not believe Christ cannot be a child of God! 8

9. Children of God Abide in Christ’s Word! “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” - John 8:31 Just to believe in Jesus alone does not make one a child of God Some who believed, did not love Christ - John 8:30, 42-44 Called children of the devil - 8:44, 1 John 3:10 “Abiding in Jesus” involves: Perseverance in obedience Doing works of Abraham - 8:39 Is not momentary involvement - Luke 8:11-14 Requires endurance to the end - Matthew 24:12-13 Respecting the bounds of Divine authority Does not go beyond or transgress - 2 John 9 No involvement in unauthorized practices - Matthew 7:21-23 oAre content to abide in His word without question 9

10. Conclusion Are you a child of God? You must… Not Persist in Sin! Hear Christ’s Words! Love Christ! Believe in Christ! Abide in His Word! 10 “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother” - 1 John 3:10