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“Living as God’s Beloved Children”
1 John 3:1-24
i. Quick review from my last sermon (5 mins.):
A. Light and Darkness
1. God IS Light, and that light is:
2. The result/benefit is fellowship:
a. with God – what does this look like?
b. with one another – what does this look like?
c. and with yourself – assurance of purification by the blood of Christ Jesus
B. Dealing with Sin
1. Acknowledge it personally to yourself
2. Confess it to others (see James 5:16) and to God (see Nehemiah 1:6)
3. Jesus is our defense attorney
Let’s learn from Job’s experiences:
a. Job 9:33-34 Job longs for a mediator with God
b. Job 13:19 Job doesn’t acknowledge or understand sin
c. Job 38:2-4 God corrects Job
d. Job 42:5-6 Job finally confesses and repents
4. The Great Goal:
Sanctification, growing in holiness – God will do it! (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)
I. God’s great love! (3:1-3:3)
A. God is love (4:16)
B. He considers us his children
1. Lavished love! (3:1)
2. We are HIS inheritance (Ephesians 1:18)
3. Lavished grace (Ephesians 1:7-8)
C. We are maturing in Christ and are destined to be like him (3:2)
1. Christ is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15)
2. If you’ve seen Him, you’ve seen the Father! (John 14:9)
3. We too created in His image, and one day shall be again, as human beings
II. Dealing again with sin (3:4-3:15)
A. Jesus is sinless and has taken our sin away (3:5)
B. What is it to “continue in sin”?
1. If it remains a lifestyle in all its forms
2. If you promote and endorse sin
3. Sins mentioned herein:
a. breaking the law
b. not doing what is right
c. not loving others
d. murder and hate (do see the envy involved in 3:12)
C. Jesus destroyed the Devil’s work (3:8)
III. What love is (3:16-24)
A. Jesus’ example (3:16)
B. Meeting others’ needs (3:17)
C. Seen in action; NOT words only (3:18)
D. An un-condemning heart
1. at rest in His presence (3:19)
2. understanding God’s grace is greater than our sin (3:20)
3. Is your heart feeling condemned over sin of commission OR omission?