THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING (7 OF 14)

The Proof Is In The Pudding (7 of 14)
THE BOOK OF I JOHN
Dan Rodgers
1 John 3:1-10
Wednesday, October 4, 2006


INTRODUCTION: In our lesson last week, John warned about the antichrist (2:18), Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

This evening, we will pick up in chapter three with John's discussion concerning the differences between God's children and the devil's children. How do we know the difference? What is the litmus test? Let's put down three things:

I. The Manner of His Love
II. The Mystery Our Relationship
III. The Manifestation of Our Behavior

I. THE MANNER OF HIS LOVE

A. A profound privilege (vs. 1)

1. Think about the privilege that is ours—the
privilege to be called the "sons of God." In Galatians 4:6, the Bible says, And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

ILLUS: On Tuesday of this week, I received an e-mail from Chong Singsit, updating me on their ministry in India. At the close of the letter, Chong told me that they have adopted a little 3-year old Vietnamese boy named Kamlen. He and his wife, Rhoda, are leaving for Vietnam this week to pick him up.

Think about that for a minute. This little boy, who has either lost his parents or has been given up by his parents, has been taken into the home of two strangers. This little boy had no future and no parents. But now, because of the love of these two people, he has become their son, adopted into the family. I can't help but think of Ephes. 2:19, Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.

2. What love is this, that God would be willing to
take poor sinners like us and make us His children? We don't deserve it; we didn't do anything to gain it. It is all because o ...

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