A LOVING FATHER

Introduction:

A. How Would You Feel If Someone Promised To Always Pay All Your Bills?

1. Would you be grateful?

2. Would you feel relieved?

3. Would you want to do anything you could to please them?

B. God Has Paid For Our Judgment Bills By Christ’s Death!

Body: 1 John 3: 1 - 3

I. Children Of God.

A. This is a blessing bestowed by God.

1. We had united ourselves with His enemy.

2. God was not obligated to adopt us.

3. God did not have to love us.

B. This is the result of God's love.

1. His love goes beyond our actions to what we can do.

2. His love goes beyond what we are to what we can be.

C. The world will not understand our response to God.

1. Like Christ, we will be compassionate.

2. Like Christ, we will serve.

3. Like Christ, our treasure will be in heaven.

II. Seeing Jesus.

A. He became like us.

1. He became flesh and blood (Hebrews 2: 14).

2. He lived in subjection and learned to obey (Hebrews 5: 8).

B. We will be like Him.

III. Purifying Themselves.

A. Hope leads to preparation.

1. Someone says they will call - you wait by the phone.

2. Jesus says He will return - we prepare for His coming.

B. A desire to please.

1. As our Lord, He is pure.

a. He is not corrupted by sin, worldliness, or lust.

b. He is chaste and holy.

2. As His servants, we must be pure.

a. We must cleanse ourselves from all unrighteousness (1 John 1: 9).

b. We must be holy (1Peter 1: 15, 16).

Conclusion:

A. Have You Accepted God’s Gift Of Adoption?

B. Are You Waiting And Ready For Christ's Return?