Introduction

Good morning, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. We gather here today, not as a disparate group of individuals, but as a family under the Lord, united by His love and grace. We gather to share in His word, to grow in understanding, and to be fortified in faith.

Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the powerful words of 1 John 5:1-5. The Apostle John, writing with a pastor's heart and a shepherd's care, imparts to us a message of faith, love, and victory. He tells us,

"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."

There is a richness here, a depth of truth that calls us to believe, to love, and to overcome. We are called to believe in the birthright we have as children of God, to bask in the love He has for us, and to become world overcomers through our faith.

Believing in the Birthright

When we consider the idea of birthright, we might think of it in terms of inheritance or lineage. In a worldly sense, a birthright is something that is inherently ours by virtue of our birth. It's a right, a privilege, or an entitlement that we didn't have to earn or work for. It's simply ours because of who we are.

The spiritual sense: Our birthright as believers is much the same. It's something that we didn't earn or work for. It's simply ours because of who we are in Christ. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are born again. We become children of God. And as His children, we have a birthright. We have an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and that does not fade away.

This birthright is not something that we can see or touch: It's not houses or lands or money. It's something far more valuable. It's eternal life. It's the promise of a home in heaven. It's the assurance of God's love and care for us, not just in this life, but for all eternity. But this birthright is not just about what we will receive in the future. It's also about who we are right now. As children of God, we are part of His family. We are loved, cherished, and valued. We have a purpose and a destiny. We have a role to play in His kingdom.

We are heirs of God's promises: In the Bible, God has given us many promises. Promises of His presence, His peace, His provision, His protection, and His power. As His children, these promises are ours to claim. But claiming our birthright is not just about receiving. It's also about believing. It's about believing in who we are in Christ. It's about believing in what He has done for us. It's about believing in what He has promised us.

Believing in our birthright is not always easy: There are times when we might feel unworthy or undeserving. There are times when we might doubt or question. There are times when we might be tempted to trade our birthright for something less, something temporary, something that seems more tangible or immediate. But our birthright is not something that can be taken away from us. It's not something that we can lose or forfeit. It's ours, not because of what we've done, but because of what Christ has done for us.

Basking in God's Love

As we move forward, let's turn our attention to the love of God ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO