Sermon – “Who Are We?”

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, be-cause it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to. 2-3 But friends, that’s exactly who we are: children of God. And that’s only the beginning. Who knows how we’ll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we’ll see him—and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening puri-ty of Jesus’ life as a model for our own.

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not re-ceive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

12-14 So don’t you see that we don’t owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There’s nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go! 15-17 This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through ex-actly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adop-tion as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

31-34 “Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that’s charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that. 35-36 “I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I prom-ise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind. 37-38 “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” 39-40 He quoted a proverb: “‘Can a blind man guide a blind man?’ Wouldn’t they both end up in the ditch? An apprentice doesn’t lecture the master. The point is to be careful who you follow as your teacher. 41-42 “It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this I-know-better-than-you mentality again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your own part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Emmanuel God with us right why is God with us because He loves us so much so today we’re going to talk about how we see ourselves who we are what that perception means and inheritance that we have and what that means for all of us so who are you when you’re introducing yourself what do you say you know a lot of times it might depend where we are done it if somewhere like here someone new would come in I might say Hi I’m Karen on Pastor Ron’s wife or family one of the kids’ schools on might say Hi I’m Karen on which one of the gravel bring kids on their with on their grandmother or if I’m going to them that they know my girls but they don’t know me I might say have Karen on Jennifer Rosanna’s mom or or I might say Hi Do you remember me I worked here and there and you know I met you there that’s that’s how we introduce ourselves a lot of times isn’t it but is that who we really are certainly we are husbands and wives we’re brothers sisters we are mothers and daughters cousins and friends and relatives were workers and retirees were students and were children all of these things or roles that we play but they’re not who we are who we are is not of been a 5 by a stage of our life but it’s identified by our source of life and to understand who we are we have to be rooted in something that’s unchangeable Our So our. Courses of our life change we leave our babyhood and we become children and leave chilled trout Hood and we become teens and and then we become adults and then we become workers in a workplace and then we retire and we’re parents of more grandparents and we might be wives and we might be widows or you know our life course will change along the way what we are is seeing a life is not going to stay the same. Although Out of change we won’t always be a student and we won’t always be a worker But our source of life God is always the same he is always the same he will never change his are constant in this world and how does he identify is in 1st John Byrne John I’m sorry chapter one verses 12 through 13 and this is the New King James version but as many as received him to then he gave the right to become children of God to those who believe in his name who were born not of blood nor of the will of the flash nor the will of man but of God Did you catch that one 1st who were born born of God your identity my friends is birth it is not built it was birth through God we’re told by Jesus that we must be born again right we go through a natural birth and we go through a spiritual rebirth So Jesus says we must be worn again we must be born of the spirit born to a life not of this world therefore don’t try to live according to this world standards don’t do what the world says to do don’t put on the blinders that the world what have you blinded by the world may say you are a loser but guess what God says you have won the crown of life the world may say you’re a sinner but guess what God says you’re reading The world says you’re an orphan God calls you sons and daughters of the most high the world says you’re poor but God says you are rich in spirit the world says you are sick but God says by my stripes you are you are bought with a price you were bought with the blood Jesus came to restore our identity the same identity he lived the one in when he was in earth in human form. He came in love he lived in love and he died because of love the love that he had for each one of us God’s love Emmanuelle God come to earth God with us Jesus was known as many things wasn’t he was known of as the son of Joseph and Mary He was known as a brother he was known as a carpenter he was later known as a healer and a teacher and finally he was known as Savior his identity came from where it came from God his Father Jesus was love God is love we’ve been taught that since we were little God is love Jesus was love always and forever it’s unchanging another verse that tells us who we are isn’t 1st John 3 verses one through 3 and I’m to read this from the message what marvelous Love The Father has extended to us just look at it we’re called Children of God That’s who we really are but that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously because it has no idea who he is or just what he’s up to think about that but friends that’s exactly who we are children of God and that’s only the beginning who knows how will end up what we know is that when Christ is openly revealed we’ll see him in and seeing him become like him all of us who look forward to his coming stay ready with the gift with the glistening purity of Jesus’ life as a model of aren’t column lujah does that not get you excited look back at this one verse that says that’s exactly who we are children of God and it’s only the beginning. You know if we’re children of God What happens when we’re children in a human form we learn and we grow and we we we get more power for what we do we we we get a power and we get a presence in this children God we do the same thing we have to grow and we have to get more powerful not in our selves but through him through the Spirit of God that’s in us we are to be like him we’re to imitate him so that if we are children of God We can go another step further can’t wait and say that we are heirs with Christ so he is our big brother you know we often say watch it when it was like to be Jesus’ brother well guess what he is our big brother Romans 812317 says therefore brother and we are debtors not to the flesh to live according to the flesh for if you live according to the flesh you would die but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live for as many as are led by the Spirit of God These are the sons of God for you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear but you re speak receive the spirit of adoption by whom we cry out Abba Father the seared himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God and if children then heirs heirs with God and joint heirs with Christ if indeed we suffer with Him that we may also be glorified together I’m going to read that again but this time we’re going to read it through the Message Bible which just reads a little bit different and it brings a little bit different perspective to that so don’t you see that we don’t know this whole do it yourself life one red cent there’s nothing in it for us nothing at all the best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. The born again life I will add in there God Spirit beckons there are things to do and places to go this resurrection life you receive from God is not a timid or grave tending life it’s adventurous Lee expected God with a child life what’s next Papa God Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are we know who he is and we know who we are fathers and children and we know we are going to get what’s coming to us an unbelievable inheritance we go through exactly what Christ goes through if we go through the hard times with him then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with Amen you know where we’ve been talking this morning about children and child life faith down and Sabbath school and I went to say well he’s. Just pure kitten or must all my words here but you know we hear that all the time children have a way of living this full throttle it’s all or nothing then well guess what we’re to live like a child we’re to live this Christian life that full throttle no hard halt no holds barred way we’re not to step back and be tempted we’re not to worry about what anybody’s going to say or what they’re going to think we’re to go out and we’re to live this Christian life reflecting Jesus because if we are children of God and Joiners with Christ then our inheritance is the entire universe papers 12 says that the Son of God has been appointed to err over all things so if we as our CO wears we are heirs of all things we were adopted were God’s children were his share in that same inheritance that you know what belongs to Jesus it’s going to belong to us this is an inheritance that cannot fade away it’s not the spoil it’s not riches it’s not gold it’s never going to change. And John 1722 Christ gives us his glory in 2nd Corinthians he gives us his reconciliation and then a fish and Swan 6 he has made us accepted and beloved and aphasia is to 13 it says in Christ you who are once far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ Amen God took poor little orphans like you and me and he made us heirs in the never last thinking you know is that the spirit in here today might be a little heavy but this is good news you know it’s good news to get up here and and be able to say yeah somebody might not have this life and they have a better were a little bit sad but there are better things way that should get us excited think about that what that means means you Hellen or an air you Scott or an air Bob you’re an air Jay and your name Cynthia Wayne your name where you’re an heir to an everlasting kingdom the kingdom of God the Father the kingdom of God Everlasting is something that will never end just as the work the Christ didn’t across the river in that blood that he shed the life that he gave once and for all it stands forever and that’s how we were determine our lives our lives need to stand for something that will stand forever now we may never asked be asked to die for someone although many have you may say wait no Only Jesus start no many die for you Christ gave you his eternal salvation he showed his life his blood that you could have eternal life but many have died so that this body we live in can go on living our soldiers and our police our young teaser of fire fighters they give for load their lives for each of us every day but that’s just this temporary shelter that we’re living it’s not going to last forever what Jesus is feeling as we’ll you’re never going to be asked or you may never be asked to die for someone maybe you will we don’t know. But what are you what you are asked to do is to love you to love your brother and your love your enemy love that’s the model Jesus live for us and that’s the law the model were to fashion our lots after that’s what we’re meant to be parents out there we always want what’s best for our kids Don’t we sometimes we may give them a little more than a me because we want we always want what is it parents we always want our kids to have better than what we had I don’t know why that is when we didn’t any of us suffer I’m sure but we think that we have to give them everything they need and everything that we want but you know what our father God has a better way he knows what’s best for us and sometimes that might mean we need to suffer a little bit Romans 817 alluded to that when we spoke about suffering with Christ now I’m sure most of us have lost a loved one somewhere along the line and maybe somewhere along that line you’ve inherited something from that maybe it was an article of furniture or Pisa jewelry or maybe you inherited some cash or some property I don’t know but you probably all most of you all of have inherited something along the way but it’s nothing you earned was it the only reason you got that was because of the relationship to the person it belonged to before you inherit because of a relationship aren’t heritance with crisis that much different we didn’t earn it we received it because of our relationship with Christ he paid for with his blood and because he loves us so much he made sure we had a way to join his family and become accepted in the beloved. If Asians 1336 says bless and be the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ just his he chose us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be wholly without blame before him in love having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ himself according to the good pleasure of his will to the praise of the glory of His grace by which he has made us except that in the beloved What’s that mean except that in the beloved anybody means is made as part of the family are you part of the family I hope so I hope you can all say that we’re part of the family of God and man that’s love to be made part of a family where Bob and I were just talking during the greeting when you’re part of a church family you’re part of them and those that don’t have that they’re missing some part of the family not just this church but part of the God God’s Church is. OK Only members tend to spread love to one another don’t we but I gotta tell you something I don’t want you to think to go out with this attitude that oh I’m special because if you think you’re special than that would mean you think somebody else isn’t just right I can’t be more special than this one because that would mean that that they aren’t a special you can’t be more special than this one because that would mean he isn’t a special do you get what I’m sayin we’re all special in God’s eyes we’re all the same in his eyes he loves us all so much you are special to him but you know what So was the guy on death row so as a homeless person out on the street he loves us all and he loves none any more than the other he loves the one who does evil as much as the one he does good and the only thing separating us is the blood we didn’t shed it we didn’t suffer for all we did was accept. And each one of us had that option we just need to make sure everyone knows what that option is God doesn’t want any to perish we talked about that in Sabbath school this morning we’re talking about the one in the 99 he doesn’t want anyone to perish he despises a sinful ugliness but he doesn’t despise the person if he can love those that who do evil enough to die for CAN’T way love him enough to tell him about Jesus forgot to bring the message Bob did not put the 63142 in the all right we’re going off there as I forgot to bring my. Apartment. I don’t see the script and I don’t see it running doesn’t leave it up here. Straight off here pardon my bare feet Here’s a simple rule of thumb for behavior ask yourself what you want people to do for you then grab the initiative and do it for them if you only love the lovable do you expect a pat on the back run of the mill sinners do that if you only help those who help you do you expect the metal garden variety sinners do that if you only give for what you hope to get out of it do you think that’s charity this thingee is the part pawnbrokers does that I tell you love your enemies help and give without expecting a return you’ll never I promise regret it live out this god created by Dennehy the way our father loves lives towards us generously and graciously even worn out wear out our worst Our father is kind you become kind you know the more I look this week indifference reverses I read us kept I kept at numbers there was probably getting targeted tax of A at the open air out of and there were fast track into Christmas and I’m doing that Luke thing where I’m reading a chapter a day so that by Christmas Eve I’m done you know the book of Luke and I read through Jesus’ life and Christmas morning go back to the Christmas story so you know. If this this time school by so fast had Can you believe it’s December already you know we’re coming Christmas is coming so fast and in a blink it’s going to be gone but this is a time of year when Hearts are a little bit softer towards God they’re a little softer to him to hear about his love so be aggressive take the opportunity and run with it. Use it for use it for all it’s worth to reach out the lost in the dying of the world because they need to hear about that love John 812 says Jesus Jesus says I am the light of the world and whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. Matthew 514 through 16 not that one I do have. Matthew 514 through 16 you are the light of the world you are the light of the world a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden nor do they lay in the light a lamp and put it under a basket on the lamp stand and it gives light to all who are in the house let the light shine Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven you are the light of the world you are the light of the world show the world that light show the world that Christ that is in you don’t hide it share it be the light in the darkness take off those blinders they keeps us from loving each other take off the blinders that makes us see someone as less important than us that lets us see someone is not as lovable or not as were the or whatever I don’t know but it seems like the though when we grow up from being a child we start to see things differently we start to see things through the eyes of the world only We’re more cynical when we’re not is coming maybe we’re not as charitable take off the blinders. And I’m not just talking about us I’m talking to the whole church the whole Church of God you know if we would see everyone the way crises them we might have a different world because the more we would treat people like we would be seeing them the more they would become those people that we’re seen to hear what I’m saying and does it make sense if we view people as more than what they may think they are are more than make maybe you it originally originally thought they were they’re going to be people that are those people they’re going to be more they’re going to be what you see you know there’s a saying If you treat a woman or your husband or wife like the right one they’re going to be the right one but if you’re treated as the wrong one they’re going to be the wrong one. How you treat people is how they’re going to see themselves so treat them like the beloved that they are treat him like you would want to be treated treat them through the eyes of God as God sees them through love Amen.