Birthmarks
"Ye are of God, little children 1 John 4:4
• There is always a search for the real thing…
• The question of who is a genuine Christian is a very important one
• Jesus warned us about imitation Christians
• In a world of imitations and fakes we want to be sure we are buying the real thing
• Antiques are faked…. diamonds can be imitation….
• When it comes to our standing with the Lord Jesus Christ we want to be sure we are the real genuine thing….
Born of God……. You see with God you must be born into the family of God…..you cant join…or pay your way in
• Are you a genuine born again Christian today is the question you should be asking?
• You say but Pastor Steve I go to church…I give in the offering…. My parents were Christians
• John 3:3 says EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN AGAIN he can not see the kingdom of God
• IF YOU ARE A GENUINE CHRISTIN YOU WILL HAVE A BIRTH MARK…. That is there are certain things are evident
in a born again believers life that you can check against your own life
1. First of all, a true believer is one who believes on and has received, and has put his whole trust in Jesus Christ
as his or her savior and Lord.
1 John 5:1 says: "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and everyone that loveth him
that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
• Jesus is presented to mankind by the Holy Spirit through the word of God
• Then by faith you must make a decision…. accept or reject the truth you have heard
• The moment any individual by faith choses to accept Jesus Christ as the only begotton Son of God they are
quickened
• John 1:12,13 tells us, “But as many as many as received him, to them gave he power (birth) to become the sons
of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor
of the will of man, but of God.
• Do you understand fully what I am telling you?
• From the moment you ask Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sins and say by faith I am trusting Jesus Christ as
my Lord and my savior you are born……again….That’s your birth mark
2. Second a genuine child of God is one who will want to do, and will do to the best of their
ability, with God's help what is right in God's sight
• Look at 1 John 2:29 "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that everyone that doeth righteousness is born
of him."
• Genuine Christians have God's disposition
• They reflect their heavenly father
• 2 Peter 1:4 says that we are "partakers of the divine nature"
• Listen other should be able to spot you a mile away..if you’re a genuine Christian you will do the right thing
because God does the right thing….Like father ……like son and daughter
• Don't get me wrong…I am not saying you will never make mistakes
• I am saying you will live in harmony with God…doing what pleases Him
# Let me give you an example….In Luke 19 we have the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector
• Remember how wee little Zacchaeus lived selfishly until He meet Jesus
• After meeting Jesus, He said in verse 8…The half of all my goods I give to the poor; AND (not a but which
negates all that goes before it) if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him
fourfold.
• Jesus knew what happened to Zacchaeus…Jesus said to him…
This day is salvation come to your house in verse 9
# Then look at the story of the Philippian Jailer in Acts 16:33, 34
• When he was introduced to Jesus his motives changed
• He took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, and he and all his
straightway (or likewise) …
• Then he feeds them meat…and we see him happy….He is rejoicing
• He entertains them and administers first aide to them
• Something inside this man changed…. He wanted to do the right thing
• Knowing it might cost him his very life and endanger his family
A TRUE CHILD OF GOD WILL ALWAYS DO THE RIGHT THING…. EVEN AT THEIR OWN HURT
• The Psalmist asked, “Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
• In verse 4 he says, “He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
3. A true child of God is one who does not habitually practice sin
• 1 Jn 3:9 says, " Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot
sin, ( or it is against his nature to sin) because he is born of God.
• A genuine Christian does not make a practice or habit of sin
• He or she can not commit sin without it being so uncomfortable they can’t stand it
• If you can sin and it doesn’t bother you brother or sister your walking on the edge or you’re over the side and
don’t even know it
• Now understand if a Christian does fall…sin that is 1 John 1:9 says If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness
• There is always a need for forgiveness and cleansing in every true believer
• verse 8 says And if any man sin we have an advocate with the Father (a defense attorney) ….be careful about
attorney jokes
• Jesus is our defense attorney….He is our go between….
• 2 Cor. 5:17 says Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all
things are become new"
• That’s Gods standard……True Christians will not make a habit of Sinning
• If they fall they will run to Jesus and ask forgiveness
4. Fourth a true child of God loves every other child of God
• 1 Jn. 4:7 says Beloved let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and
knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
• Here is a birth mark of the genuine Christian….Do you love your brother in Christ
• Listen John doesn't stop here….He puts and exclamation mark on his statement
• He says in 1 Jn 3:14, 15 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He
that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that
no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
• When your genuine…….have the birth mark of being Born again…..you will love your brothers and sisters in
Christ
• You will love your poor brethren…..you will love your uneducated brethren…..you will love your educated
brethren……you will love your black, yellow, brown, red, white, green and purple brethren…..any color size or
shape…..you will love them
• vs 18 says let us not love in word, neither in tongue: but in deed and truth
5. A fifth birthmark of a true child of God OVERCOMES THE WORLD
• They don't whine and and grumble and complain and find fault
I Jn 5:4-5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the
world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
• Jesus said in Jn, 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye
shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
• John 15 :18, 19 says, "These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know
that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are
not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
• Let me ask you something do you overcome the world or does the world overcome you
• What is your motive…..what’s your language like…..what’s your desire like….what’s your ambition like
• ARE YOU VICTORIUOS IN JESUS OR DOES THE WORLD TRIP YOU UP OFTEN
Now look at 1 John 5;18….I want you to see something awesome
I Jn 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God (that Jesus) keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
• Literally the verse reads like this: He that is begotten of God (Jesus) watches over and protects him….Christ’s
divine protection within him preserves him against all evil and the wicked one does not lay hold (or get a grip)
on him or touch him
• Jesus is your savior that is true……. Also, do not ever forget He is your shepherd
• Jude 24,25 in the Amplified reads Now to Him who is able to keep you without stumbling, or slipping, or falling,
and to present you unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the presence of his glory---with unspeakable,
ecstatic delight…in triumphant joy and exaltation, to the only God our savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be
glory (splendor)majesty, might and dominion, and power and authority, before all time and now and forever…
unto all the ages of eternity. Amen
• Jesus is going to present a company of genuine Christian…. who have the birth mark if you please
• Born again……
• And it will be a might company of true believers…. not a few like some would have us to believe
• Rev 7: 9,10 says After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and
kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes,
and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the
throne, and unto the Lamb.
• I want you to know Jesus is taking better care of you than you think
• You will make it…..you will survive the attack…..that is if you are born again….there is power in the new birth
• You and I are a product of HIS seed …we can look to Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith
• Millions have made it…..many more will also
• Put your faith and confidence in Jesus Christ today……check yourself by the five birthmarks I have given to
you…..then memorize and trust in the words of Paul in Romans 4:21
• Being fully persuaded, that what he promised, He was able to perform.
• He has promised to take you through all this world would send your way
Conclusion Altar service,
A. DO YOU KNOW HIM--Salvation?
B. Is there an area you need fine-tuned…?
• are you trusting Jesus…Is he you Savior and Shepherd who leads you?
• Do you do the right thing…or have you been slipping in this area
• Do you love the brethren or have you been finding fault with them…? criticizing them…
• Are you overcoming the world….or has the world over come and overwhelmed you
• Are you practicing sin….then stop it…repent (turn around your direction)
Prayer: for above areas
