In The Family Series

•This past weekend our teenagers has a “Disciple Now” weekend and studied a curriculum entitled, “Logos”.

•The word is “logahs” not “logos”. The simple definition given for this word is “the word”, yet it is more. The internet dictionary says, “the divine word of God; the 2nd person in the Trinity, the incarnate Jesus”/ John’s gospel opens with, “In the beginning was the “logos”…”

•This weekend was about taking the word and making it become alive in their hearts and lives, thus it a “practical” place in their lives. Trusting it everyday to lead & guide.

•While in this room, we may consider this simplistic, have you come to understand that not everyone “knows” answers to important questions any longer?

•Some Christian movie makers went to the street with a camera and microphone & asked questions. Here are a few of the responses to 2 of those questions. Watch.

•Two questions asked; what do you think of the cross? What does it take to go to heaven? For all kinds of reasons, two very practical questions for us. Why?

•History tells us there was indeed a crucifixion and the Bible tells us there is a heaven, so it is essential for us to understand the cross and KNOW how to get to heaven.

•Please hear this truth: Heaven is a “family place” where only “family members” are allowed in. Nepotism at its highest. However, as its builder and ruler, God desires for every person to join His family and make it to heaven.

•Our TEXT today reveals to us some of the connections we share “if” we are indeed in the family of God. (TEXT)

•The word teaches us this truth: we come to know Christ in a personal way, we are a part of the family of God. We are “in” the family. What a thought!! 6 reasons to be excited about being “In the family.”

1)THE AFFECTION – verse 28 says “little children” and verse 2 calls us “dear friends”, both of these are terms of affection. To read this passage with any kind of empathy evokes some of the same emotions which John felt.

When we studied 1 John 2:15-17 one of the things we learned was that our “affections control us”.

We must get our hands around the truth that whatever or wherever we place our affection determines what has a hold on us. Illustration: The Dating Process

ohn gave His affections to the Family of God (FOG). He loved the redeemed & wanted the best for them.

Consider this: Before you judge someone, be careful, they may be one very you spend eternity with.

2)THE AIM – For the family the earthly aim is to “remain in Him”, be “ready for His return”, and “be rescued from the wrath.” These are interesting concepts and candidly, some which we seem to “want to” forget’.

Remain in Him – walk as HE walk, live, talk, tell, act

Be Ready and Rescued is found in 2 concepts – Boldness and Not Ashamed. OT prophets talked much about the “Day of the Lord” – Isaiah tells us “it comes like destruction from the Almighty”, “is coming, cruel, with rage and burning anger, to make the earth a desolation and to destroy the sinners on it.”

Joel 2:1 Blow the horn in Zion; sound the alarm on My holy mountain! Let all the residents of the land tremble, for the Day of the LORD is coming; in fact, it is near —

Joel 2:11Indeed, the Day of the LORD is terrible and dreadful who can endure it?

Read 2 Peter 4:10-14 and Revelation 6:15-17

ILLUS: The boy scout motto is “be prepared”, his should be the motto of every living person today.

3)THE ASSURANCE – The text gives us a concept & condition which requires our response.

The concept is taught repeatedly in this letter. It is knowing, assurance, and/or confidence. Verse 28 says, “if you KNOW He is righteous.”

ILLUS: UPS commercial, “if it absolutely, positively..”/ To be absolutely positive that Jesus is the way, you will receive Him and John write in his gospel, “to those who received him, to them he gave the power to become the sons of God.” If you know THAT, then you know THIS: to be truly born again is to have a life change that all can see.

The Logos (Jesus) gives us clear evidence that we can and should have assurance and confidence in Him.

•When John gets this “laid out” for His readers, he slips into the “motivation mode” and wants them to remember, recognize, & respond to life-changing truth.

4)THE ACCEPTANCE – It is unfortunate that the NIV chose not to translate the first word of chapter 3. The HCS says, “Look!” The KJV says, “Behold!” Several versions use the word “see!” ILLUS: Jonathon’s mentor. Charles Stanley will snap his fingers and say, “Listen Up”, “Don’t miss this”, “this is really important.”