Love of the FATHER…  

• 1^st – Defining LOVE… vs. 1
  • 1^st – What kind of LOVE… vs. 1
    • Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us!
      • BEHOLD [imperative] – we are commanded to LOOK and SEE…
      • What KIND [ποταπός] of LOVE has the FATHER given [perfect] to us!
      • LOVE is a very hard word to DEFINE – it has a LOT of meanings…
      • We might say that we LOVE sushi – we also LOVE our spouse – and we LOVE God…
      • But hopefully our LOVE for food is not the same as our LOVE for the LORD!

• We have ONE word in our language for LOVE – the Greek has FOUR!
  • [έρως]- sexual love – the only one of the FOUR kinds of love never mentioned in the Bible…
  • [στοργή] – family love – the love of a sibling – parent – or relative – Romans 12:10
  • [φιλέω]- brotherly love or friendship – used 25x in NT
  • [ἀγάπη] – perfect love – sacrificial love – used 117x in NT!
  • AGAPE is often [though not always] used to describe the LOVE of God – I John 4:8 
  • There is an ENTIRE chapter of the Bible dedicated to defining it – I Corinthians 13
  • Of all the word in the Bible – there is NONE more important than AGAPE…
  • That is why Satan has gone out of his way to DESTROY the meaning of the WORD…
  • He makes sure LOVE has MANY meanings – making it HARD to define!
• What is LOVE…
  • When Jen and I were dating – I recorded a music video for her…
  • I was singing and dancing on a beach and in the mountains – I was in LOVE!
  • Usually people equate LOVE to actions – if we LOVE someone we do things for them…
  • But LOVE is not WHAT we do – LOVE is the MOTIVE for our actions…
  • We can be KIND to someone – because we WANT something from them – that is not LOVE…
  • We can be HARD on someone – because they are making a bad choice – that is LOVE…
  • AGAPE is not WHAT the FATHER does – it is the REASON why He does it…
  • It was NOT nails that held Jesus on the cross – is was the AGAPE of our God…
  • The FATHER loved us so much – there was NOTHING He would not do to save us!

• 2^nd – Children of God… vs. 1
  • That we should be called children of God!
  • We SHOULD [subjunctive] be called [passive] His CHILDREN…
  • CHILDREN [τεκνίον] – 7x in the book – a term used by teachers for their disciples – John 13:33
  • The IDEA here is we have been ADOPTED by the Father!
  • Romans 8:15-17 – “You received the Spirit of adoption by whom… we are children of God.”
  • If someone has a CHILD – they do not get to CHOSE – you get what you are given…
  • But when someone is ADOPTED – there is a CHOICE – you get to PICK…
  • ADOPTION is a powerful picture – because it means we were CHOSEN!
  • Before we received the LOVE of God – we were the CHILDREN of Satan – I John 3:10
  • Yet God CALLED [passive] us – knowing everything about us – to be His CHILDREN…
  • I know how much of a challenge I can be – how many times I make mistakes…
  • I am always amazed – God also knowing exactly who I am – still CHOSE me!
  • And through His LOVE – He made us into the CHILDREN of God!
• 3^rd – Proof we are His Kids… vs. 1
  • Therefore the world does not know us – because it did not know Him!
  • How do we KNOW we are LOVED – that we are the CHILDREN of the FATHER…
  • If the WORLD [κόσμος] does not KNOW [γινώσκω] us…
  • KNOW [γινώσκω] – meaning to UNDERSTAND…
  • They do not UNDERSTAND us – because they do not KNOW Jesus!
  • John 15:19 – “If you were of the world – the world would love [φιλέω] its own. Yet because you are not of the world – but I chose you out of the world – therefore the world hates you.”
  • When we LIVE for Jesus – those who are in the WORLD will not UNDERSTAND us…
  • People in the WORLD are not walking with Jesus – their PRIORITIES are different…
  • They see going to church – studying the Bible – as a WASTE of time…
  • They argue we should LIVE for TODAY – make MONEY – not worry about  ETERNITY…
  • Because they do not KNOW Jesus – they cannot UNDERSTAND us…
  • Proving we are the CHILDREN of the FATHER – and NOT the CHILDREN of this world!

• 2^nd – Transformed by LOVE… vs. 2
  • 1^st – Hidden… vs. 2
    • Beloved – now we are children of God!
      • BELOVED [ἀγαπητός] – those who have RECEIVED the AGAPE of the Father…
      • We are [indicative] the CHILDREN [τεκνίον] of God…
      • Not a QUESTION [subjunctive] – it is a statement of FACT [indicative]
      • But being a CHILD of God is not the CONCLUSION – it is just the BEGINNING!
      • I can remember as a KID being asked – what will you be when you GROW up…
      • I had all kinds of ideas – I was going to be a fighter PILOT – or an ASTRONAUT…
      • But the truth was – I had no idea what I would be as an ADULT! 
    • It has not yet been revealed what we shall be!
      • What will we be like when we GROW up in Jesus…
      • In the same way – it has not been REVEALED [φανερόω] what we will be [future]
      • But God is WORKING in our lives – to make us into something AMAZING!
      • Canvas and paint are nothing special – until the painter makes it a work of art…
      • A lump of clay is nothing – until it is TRANSFORMED by the skillful hand of the potter!
      • God does NOT want to us to stay the same after we are saved…
      • But being TRANSFORMED does NOT happen in a MOMENT – the day we are saved…
      • It is a PROCESS of growing in Jesus – LEARNING to follow after Him…
      • We are the clay on the potters wheel – God is making us His masterpiece – Ephesians 2:10
  • 2^nd – Like Jesus… vs. 2
    • But we know that when He is revealed – we shall be like Him – for we shall see Him as He is!
      • What we do KNOW [εἴδω] – to see with our eyes NOW…
      • When Jesus is REVEALED [φανερόω] – speaking of the RETURN of Jesus…
      • On that day – we will be LIKE [ὅμοιος] Jesus – because we will SEE Him…
      • How will we be LIKE Jesus – there are TWO thoughts:
    • In what we KNOW…
      • I Corinthians 13:2 – “Now we see through a glass darkly – but then face to face. Now I know in part -but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
      • Ancient mirrors were much different from the ones we have today…
      • They were made of polished metal – the reflection would be distorted and dark!
      • Our understanding of Jesus NOW is like that mirror – dark and distorted…
      • Our sinful nature – and the limits of our understanding keep us from seeing clearly…
      • But when we get to heaven – see Jesus face to face – we will see perfectly…
      • Then we will UNDERSTAND everything – just as Jesus understands does!
    • In a new BODY…
      • A caterpillar is lowly creature – forced to crawl around all its life in the dust…
      • It might longingly look up and think how wonderful it would be to fly – but it cannot…
      • But God has a great plan for the caterpillar – one day it will be buried in a cocoon…
      • When it emerges – it will have changed into a beautiful bitterly – with magnificent wings!
      • II Corinthians 5:1 – “We know [εἴδω] that when… we die and leave this earthly body – we will have… an eternal body made for us by God himself.” [NLT]
      • Our physical – sinful – corrupt bodies cannot inherit eternal life – I Corinthians 15:50
      • They were NOT designed to live forever – they were NOT meant to go to heaven…
      • But God has a new body – a MUCH better one – prepared for us…
      • When we are resurrected we will be just LIKE Jesus – when He was resurrected…
      • Jesus who could walk right through walls – John 20:19 – who could fly – Acts 1:9
      • No need to knock on the door – who cares if it is locked – we can walk right in…
      • No need to own a CAR – no need to take a PLANE – we will be just fly…
      • There will be no more pain – no more sickness – no more tears – Revelation 21:4
      • And this is just the LITTLE we know about our resurrected bodies!

• 3^rd – Victory though LOVE… vs. 3-6
  • 1^st – Purified… vs. 3
    • Everyone who has this hope in Him…
      • ALL [πᾶς] who HOPE [ἐλπίς] – 54x in NT – what we EXPECT to happen…
      • What is our HOPE – that we will be LIKE Jesus when He is REVEALED…
      • WHEN is He REVEALED – at the RAPTURE of the church!
      • I Corinthians 15:51-52 – “I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep – but we shall all be changed – in a moment – in the twinkling of an eye – at the last trumpet.”
      • No one knows the exact day or hour – only the Father in heaven – Mark 13:32
      • It will happen in a moment [ἄτομος] – in the blink of an eye – like a thief in the night…
      • The BELOVED – the church – will be snatched up into heaven!
    • Purifies himself – just as He is pure!
      • PURIFIES – [ἁγνίζω] – from the ROOT word HOLY – to be separate for God…
      • If we are LIVING [present] our LIVES like Jesus could come back at ANY moment…
      • It will cause us to be HOLY – so we are ready to meet God who is HOLY [ἁγνός]!
        
      • I doubt any of us woke up this morning thinking Jesus will come back today…
      • But we are in the last HOUR – Jesus could come right NOW…
      • Are we READY – if the RAPTURE happened – what would Jesus find in us doing…
      • We might think – PLEASE come back NOW – I am in CHURCH…
      • But what if He came this AFTERNOON – or TOMORROW morning…
      • When we CHOOSE [active] to live our LIVES – like Jesus could come at any moment…
      • It causes us to be HOLY – set apart and ready to see our LORD!
  • 2^nd – The SIN… vs. 4
    • Whoever commits [the] sin…
      • WHY be HOLY – because ALL [πᾶς] who commit SIN – are LAWLESS…
      • SIN [ἁμαρτία] – the word SIN is SINGULAR – it is THE [τὴν] SIN…
      • What is THE sin – rejecting the LOVE of the FATHER given through Jesus Christ…
      • Because there is only ONE way to be SAVED – ONE way to be FORGIVEN!
      • There are a lot of different ideas about how to get to heaven…
      • The WORLD tries to convince us – ALL roads lead to heaven…
      • Partially true – ALL roads lead to the White Throne Judgement – Revelation 20:11
      • Wide is the path that leads to destruction – many go in by it – Matthew 7:13
      • If ALL roads lead to heaven – then the cross was a waste of time…
      • Jesus suffered and died for no reason – and the Gospel is just news – not GOOD News!
      • Galatians 2:21 – “If we could be saved [another way], there was no need for Christ to die.”
    • Also commits lawlessness – [the] sin is lawlessness!
      • Anyone who COMMITS [present] the SIN – rejecting the LOVE of Jesus – is LAWLESS…
      • LAWLESS [ἀνομία] – to be WITHOUT the LAW of God!
      • Because it is NOT possible for us to live a HOLY life on our OWN…
      • No matter how hard we try – we are doomed to FAIL – we will BREAK the LAW…
      • We are not SINNERS because we SIN – we SIN because we are SINNERS!
      • Romans 7:14 – “The trouble is not with the law – for it is… good. The trouble is with me – for I am all too human – a slave to sin.” [NLT]
  • 3^rd – No more SINS… vs. 5
    • And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins…
      • We KNOW [εἴδω] – Jesus was REVEALED [φανερόω] the FIRST time – to take away SINS…
      • SINS [ἁμαρτίας] – this time the word SIN is PLURAL…
      • Jesus came to REMOVE [carry off] ALL of our SINS – bring us FORGIVENESS…
      • He did so by KEEPING the LAW of God [תּוֹרָה] – all 613 commandments…
      • Then Jesus – the ONLY perfect man – PAID the price for our SIN – Romans 6:23
      • Giving us one of the great mysteries of the ages – God gave us the righteousness of Jesus!
      • II Corinthians 5:21 – “[God] made [Jesus] to be sin for us – who knew no sin – that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
    • And in Him there is no sin!
      • Only in Jesus – we have lived a perfect life – we have fulfilled the requirement of the Law…
      • Now when God looks down on us – He does not see our sinful mistakes or flaws…
      • He instead sees the perfect life of His Son Jesus – He sees NO sin!
  • 4^th – Abide… vs. 6
    • Whoever abides in Him does not sin!
    • ALL [πᾶς] – who ABIDE – to be CONTINUALLY [present] connected to Jesus…
    • The RESULT of ABIDING in Jesus – is we will NOT CONTINUALLY [present] SIN!
    • The moment you cut off a branch from the tree – it dies…
    • The branch knows separation means DEATH – so it CLINGS to the tree!
    • The only way we will have VICTORY over SIN – is to stay CONNECTED to Jesus…
    • Only as we spend time with Jesus – are we are truly alive – and bear FRUIT…
    • That is why it is so important to STAY in the WORD – PRAYER – and FELLOWSHIP!
    • John 15:4 – “Abide in me – and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself – unless it abides in the vine – neither can you – unless you abide in me.”
  • 5^th – Know God… vs. 6
    • Whoever…
      • WHOEVER comes from [πᾶς] – meaning ALL – also translated as EVERYONE…
      • This is the FOURTH time in this passage we find the word ALL!
      • Meaning the LOVE of the FATHER – is for EVERYONE…
      • Becoming a CHILD of God – is for EVERYONE…
      • The HOPE of being like Jesus – is for EVERYONE…
      • The PROMISE to overcome SIN – is for EVERYONE…
      • Because God wants EVERYONE to be SAVED – II Peter 3:9
      • Romans 10:13 – “Whoever [πᾶς] calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
    • Sins has neither seen Him nor known Him!
      • But there is also a NEGATIVE side to WHOEVER…
      • ALL who SIN – will NEVER [perfect] see Jesus – because they NEVER [perfect] KNEW Him…
      • KNOWN [γινώσκω] – to have a RELATIONSHIP with someone!
      • This verse had caused a LOT of confusion for people…
      • Does this mean if there is SIN in our life – it is the PROOF that we are NOT saved…
      • Yes – but do NOT miss – the word SIN is in the PRESENT tense…
      • If we are LIVING in a CONTINUAL [present] lifestyle of SIN…
      • Then we are cannot be ABIDING [present] CONTINUALLY in relationship with Jesus…
      • It is ONE or the OTHER – we ALL have to CHOSE – how do we LIVE our LIVES!
    • Look at the FRUIT…
      • Matthew 7:2-23 – “Many will say to Me in that day – Lord – Lord – have we not prophesied in Your name – cast out demons in Your name – and done many wonders in Your name! And then I will declare to them – I never knew you. Depart from Me you who practice [present] lawlessness [ἀνομία].”
      • Jesus gives the same warning as John – look at the FRUIT…
      • Those who PRACTICE – continually live – a LAWLESS [ἀνομία] life…
      • Not matter what they may SAY – Lord [κύριος] – you are my MASTER…
      • The FRUIT from their lives tell a different story – they NEVER knew Jesus!

• Just because someone goes to church – does not make them a Christian…
• We can say all the right things to sound like a Christian – come to church every Sunday…
• But it is not about what we SAY – it is about the FRUIT from our lives…

So that we can become the CHILDREN of God – and experience the LOVE of the FATHER!

We will make OCCASIONAL mistakes – we are not PERFECT…

But we CANNOT live a life DEFINED by sin – that would show we do NOT know God…

Instead – let us CHOOSE to ABIDE in Jesus – and OVERCOME our SINS…