“Who are really ‘God’s Children’?”

May 3, 2009 1Jn.2:28-3:10; 5:18-21   Play AUDIO (mp3)  Play VIDEO (wmv)

●    MENACING MUTATION

    ○    tiny virus DNA has disastrous effects around globe
    ○    Bible says either children of God or of the devil (3:10; Jn 1:12f)
    ○    be on lookout for better genetic traits if want good offspring

●    SEVEN SIGNS OF THE SON

    ○    BEING: is righteous (2:29, 3:7)
    ○    is pure (3:3; 2Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15)
    ○    is true God / eternal life (3:20; Jn 14:6, 11:25)
    ○    DOING: takes away our sins (3:5; Col 2:13f)
    ○    destroys the devil’s work (3:8)
    ○    keeps those born of God safe (3:18)
    ○    gives understanding / can know God (3:20)
    ○    CONTRAST Satan: lawless, leads astray, controls whole world (4, 7f, 19; Rom 3:12; Gal 1:4; Jas 4:4)

●    PRIME PROGENY: THE SPITTIN’ IMAGE

    ○    family resemblances common
    ○    BEING: loved by God (3:1)
    ○    hope in Christ - will be like Him (3:2f)
    ○    purify ourselves, don’t keep on sinning (3:3,6)
    ○    DOING: do righteousness (2:29, 3:10; Ac 24:16)
    ○    love our brother / sister (3:10; Jn 13:35)
    ○    understand / know Him who is true (3:20)
    ○    keep from idols (5:21; Mt 6:21)

●    FINDING SONSHIP WITH A NEW FATHER

    ○    child prodigy troubled by addicted violent father
    ○    found relief from hate/worthlessness when God helped forgive