1 JOHN 3:1-24
September 28, 2008
with Adam Waters
INTRO
How many of you have ever lied to your parents? How many of us have ever had our children lie to us? Right now, my son–either through his shyness or misunderstanding–answers no to just about everything. When we ask him if he wants a cookie or ice cream, he shrinks back and says “no.” When we ask him if he’s tired (especially when we know he is), he says no and gets frustrated with us. The only time we can get him to say yes is when we throw our hands up in the air… “YES!”
TRANSPARENT CHILDREN are constantly approaching the Father!
1. Approach him as one who is ADOPTED 3:1 See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.
2. Approach him with PURITY (or to receive it!) 3:3 And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.
3. Approach him because you’ve remained PRINCIPLED 3: 6 Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.
4. Approach him as RIGHTEOUS even when you don’t think you are! 3:7 Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous.
5. Approach him as an OBEDIENT child without fear. 3:14 If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead.
6. Approach him because you are people of ACTION! 3:18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
o But if we are the body, Why aren't His arms reaching? Why aren't His hands healing? Why aren't His words teaching? And if we are the body Why aren't His feet going? Why is His love not showing them there is a way? There is a way
7. Approach him with CONFIDENCE because of a clean CONSCIENCE. 3:21-22 Dear friends, if our conscience is clear, we can come to God with bold confidence. And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.
8. Approach him because the HOLY Spirit is alive in you! 3:24 Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.
WRAP IT UP
The truth is that none of us will ever be fully worthy of approaching God face to face… and that is what hinders us too often… we think we have to be perfectly pure, righteous or obedient. We ALL are works in progress.
· Approach your Father honestly, and everything will begin to fall into place.
· There is no purity or true obedience without spending honest time with God first.
· Let the Holy Spirit “fill and control you (Eph).”
· Let your actions show yourself redeemed (see James)!
· Live WIDE AWAKE with the knowledge that GOD IS HERE and desperately wants to be involved whether you want him to or not.
How many of you have ever lied to your parents? How many of us have ever had our children lie to us? Right now, my son–either through his shyness or misunderstanding–answers no to just about everything. When we ask him if he wants a cookie or ice cream, he shrinks back and says “no.” When we ask him if he’s tired (especially when we know he is), he says no and gets frustrated with us. The only time we can get him to say yes is when we throw our hands up in the air… “YES!”
TRANSPARENT CHILDREN are constantly approaching the Father!
1. Approach him as one who is ADOPTED 3:1 See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.
2. Approach him with PURITY (or to receive it!) 3:3 And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.
3. Approach him because you’ve remained PRINCIPLED 3: 6 Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.
4. Approach him as RIGHTEOUS even when you don’t think you are! 3:7 Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous.
5. Approach him as an OBEDIENT child without fear. 3:14 If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead.
6. Approach him because you are people of ACTION! 3:18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
o But if we are the body, Why aren't His arms reaching? Why aren't His hands healing? Why aren't His words teaching? And if we are the body Why aren't His feet going? Why is His love not showing them there is a way? There is a way
7. Approach him with CONFIDENCE because of a clean CONSCIENCE. 3:21-22 Dear friends, if our conscience is clear, we can come to God with bold confidence. And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.
8. Approach him because the HOLY Spirit is alive in you! 3:24 Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.
WRAP IT UP
The truth is that none of us will ever be fully worthy of approaching God face to face… and that is what hinders us too often… we think we have to be perfectly pure, righteous or obedient. We ALL are works in progress.
· Approach your Father honestly, and everything will begin to fall into place.
· There is no purity or true obedience without spending honest time with God first.
· Let the Holy Spirit “fill and control you (Eph).”
· Let your actions show yourself redeemed (see James)!
· Live WIDE AWAKE with the knowledge that GOD IS HERE and desperately wants to be involved whether you want him to or not.
