Why do Christians believe and act differently from non-Christians? Christianity is a family, and it’s hard for those outside the family to understand.
Outline
1. We are God’s beloved children, therefore the world does not know us
2. Jesus died to defeat the Devil, therefore we do not sin
Quotes:
For we are not reconciled unto Him except through that love in virtue of which we are also called sons.
-St. Augustine, 5th c.
The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.
-C. S. Lewis
When you sit in front of a fire in winter — you are just there in front of the fire. You don’t have to be smart or anything. The fire warms you.
-Desmond Tutu
One who has been touched by grace will no longer look on those who stray as “those evil people” or “those poor people who need our help.” Nor must we search for signs of “loveworthiness.” Grace teaches us that God loves because of who God is, not because of who we are.
-Philip Yancey
Scripture Text: 1 John 3:1-9
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. 4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.
Liturgy bulletin link
Sermon transcript link
“Beloved Children of God” preached by Rev. Dr. Timothy R. LeCroy, Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 10:00AM at New Life Presbyterian Church in Ithaca, NY. Come see the beautiful Finger Lakes region, and worship God with us. www.newlifeithaca.org.
Sermon music is from “We Will Feast in the House of Zion” provided by Sandra McCracken and with her permission. www.sandramccracken.com.
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