Historical Posts
Jesus Loves the Little Children
Introduction
A. At one time in our life we were children. Paul wrote, “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things (1 Corinthians 13:11).”
B. Growing up is part of life physically, and should be a part of life spiritually.
Body
I. Children are precious in the sight of God.
A. “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward (Psalm 127:3).”
B. Jesus said of such is the kingdom of God (Matthew 19:13-14).
II. One must be like a child to enter the kingdom of heaven.
A. One must be converted and become as a little child to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:1-5).
B. We must be born again in order to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3-7).
C. We become sons of God by faith in Christ (Galatians 3:26-27).
D. It is truly a blessing to be called children of God (1 John 3:1-3).
III. Children of God must grow.
A. We must desire the sincere milk of the word as newborn babes (1 Peter 2:2).
B. After Judas Iscariot went out to betray Jesus, He commanded His “little children” to love another as He was only going to be with them a little while longer (John 13:31-35).
C. Paul wrote to the Galatians, his “little children, for whom he labored in birth again until Christ was formed in them (Galatians 4:19).”
D. John wrote to his “little children,” encouraging them not to sin and reminding them that their sins are forgiven (1 John 2:1,12-13).
Conclusion
A. Have we become children of God?
B. Are we growing as Christians, serving God and loving one another?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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1 John 03:01-03 – The Children of God – audio
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Text: 1 John 3:1-3
Introduction
1. In 1 John 2:29, for the first time John speaks of Christians as those who are born of God
a. It is an expression that will be used time and again throughout the remainder of this epistle – 1 John 3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 18
b. It is a figurative expression, emphasizing that the Christian’s spiritual life is a result of the redemptive work of God – Colossians 2:12-13
c. As a result of this working of God in our lives, we have been born again, and can therefore be properly called God’s children
2. That we can be called children of God was amazing to John, and in our text (1 John 3:1-3) he desires that we consider:
a. The significance of being called the children of God
b. The news of what we shall be
c. The transformation that is to take place in our lives
Body
I. WHAT WE ARE AS CHILDREN OF GOD
A. WE ARE RECIPIENTS OF GOD’S LOVE – 1 John 3:1a
1. Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!
2. It is through the love of God that we can even become His children – John 3:16, 1 John 4:9-10
3. It is an honor for God to even take notice of us, how much love God must have to allow us to become His children!
B. WE ARE UNKNOWN BY THE WORLD – 1 John 3:1b
1. …the world does not know us…
2. That is, they do not truly recognize, appreciate or understand what we have become in Christ
3. They may even deem us as religious fanatics, fools – 1 Corinthians 4:9-13
4. But this is understandable:
a. For the world did not (and still does not) really know Jesus – John 1:11
b. And for now, our lives are hidden in Jesus – Colossians 3:3-4
5. Loved and honored by God, unknown and sometimes despised by the world; that is what we are today as the children of God.
II. WHAT WE SHALL BE AS CHILDREN OF GOD
A. IT HAS NOT YET BEEN FULLY REVEALED
1. Exactly what we shall be like has not yet been revealed
2. Which may be that due to our finite capability to comprehend
3. In general terms we have been promised a spiritual body and immortality – 1 Corinthians 15:42-44; 50-53
4. But there is something else, hinted at by both Paul and John
B. WE SHALL BE LIKE JESUS!
1. …we know that we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
2. Paul also says that we will be like Jesus when He comes…
a. We shall bear the image of the heavenly Man – 1 Corinthians 15:49
b. Our lowly bodies will undergo a wonderful transformation to become like Jesus – Philippians 3:20-21
III. WHAT WE SHOULD BE AS CHILDREN OF GOD (3)
A. OUGHT TO BE MOTIVATED BY OUR HOPE
1. “everyone who has this hope…”
2. The hope of which John writes, of course, is the earnest expectation that we will be like Jesus when He comes
B. DILIGENTLY INVOLVED IN PURIFYING ONE’S SELF
1. This involves the idea of being set apart for a holy purpose, which Christians are taught to pursue – Hebrews 12:14
2. How can Christians purify themselves?
a. First and foremost by appropriating the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus! – 1 John 1:9
b. Only then can we hope to be truly holy and without blemish – Ephesians 5:25-27
c. But we also have an obligation to remove ourselves from things that would defile us – 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1
Conclusion
1. By virtue of God’s love for us, and His working in us, we can truly be called the children of God!
2. However, to become a child of God, and truly remain such, we must be willing to cooperate with God
a. When our faith joins with the working of God, we can become His children! – Colossians 2:12-13; Galatians 3:26-27
b. As long as our faith remains strong, we have the assurance of receiving the promises God has made – Hebrews 3:12-14; 4:1-2; Revelation 2:10
3. Is the love our heavenly Father has shown in making us His children, serving to motivate us to remain faithful to Him!
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Home: As God Designed It – Children
Home as God Designed It
Husbands and Fathers - Wives and Mothers - Children
Children: An Heritage of the Lord
There is no doubt that children are a special blessing in any family. For the first seven years of our marriage, my wife and I struggled with the painful frustration of childlessness. We knew all too well the feeling expressed by Rachel, when she said to Jacob, in her desperation, “Give me children or else I die” (Genesis 30:1). But, when we adopted our son, sadness immediately turned to joy and we have always felt like we have had a special appreciation for the sentiment in Psalm 127:3-5.
If there is a role for children to play in the home, it is to be obedient to their parents and to learn all that they can from them. Ephesians 6:1-3 says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” The concept of children being obedient to their parents is described in the text as inherently “right.” In the natural world, the young look to the old for guidance and for a proper example of how to behave successfully. Parents owe it to their children to set a good example and to guide them in following the way of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Also, children are directly commanded to “honor” their parents, which goes to the concept of respect. Parents are owed respect from their children simply because they are the parents. A wise child learns to respect and appreciate his parents at an early age. If we take our parents for granted, we will find that they are gone from our lives much too soon.
In an almost instinctual way, children are prone to push their parents to the limits of their patience, but parents must not be faint of heart. It is only natural for children to test the boundaries of acceptable behavior and it is up to parents to keep those boundaries clear and consistent. Children must understand that most parents are not trying to ruin their lives, or take all the fun out of everything. Parents tend to want only what is best for their children. Kids would do well to keep this in mind.
“Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them”
– Psalm 127:3-5
Is God Part of Your Family?
Families everywhere are in crisis. The integrity of what was once considered an “average” family (husband/father with wife/mother and children all living together in one house) is under assault from numerous adversaries. Many have given up on the ideals of marriage and family life, in favor of modern sensibilities. But, we don’t have to settle for anything less than the Biblical model of what “home” is all about. If you want a truly Christian home, then the first thing you need to do is make God part of your family. This happens when families make God’s Word the central focus of their lives. When the Bible is read in the home, obeyed in the home, and reverenced in the home, then the home will be as God designed it. The problem with modern families is that they are not based on God’s design for the home. Let’s all dedicate ourselves to making God part of our families. Our lives will be better for having made the effort.
Content by Russell Kline
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