HE GAVE THEM POWER TO BECOME SONS OF GOD
Study Text John 1:11 - 12
Introduction:
- It takes divine power to become a Son of God. This power is given to everyone who truly believes and receives Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
- There is no power in man that can produce a ‘son of God’. The word “become” implies a process of positive transformation. Whoever would become a son of God must access this power of transformation, by receiving Jesus as Lord and Saviour and believing on His Name.
- It takes the Power of God to be born-again, to grow, mature and be transformed into a son of God. Being a child of the devil or a child of God are two extremes, Supernatural power is involved in transforming a person from the former to the latter status. Colossians 1:13
- We shall be discussing the topic under three subheadings:
1. The Profile of the Sons of God
2. The Privileges of the Sons of God
3. The Power of the Sons of God
1. The Profile of the Sons of God
1. Sons of God are ambassadors from Heaven, sent to represent the Almighty on earth (2 Corinthians 5:20).
2. Sons of God have always been. They existed in God even before the foundations of the earth (Ephesians 1:4).
3. Sons of God are in the world, but not of the world (John 17:14). They must always live with this consciousness, in order to avoid getting caught up with worldly attractions.
4. Sons of God are the lights of the world and salts of the earth (Matthew 5:13-14).
5. Sons of God exist to bear testimony of the First Born (Jesus Christ) to the inhabitants of the earth (Revelation 12:17).
6. Sons of God are predestined for holiness. They have no other option but to live holy (Ephesians 1:4).
7. Sons of God are carriers of the Presence and Power of God (Acts 1:8). It is error to live below that.
8. Sons of God see to it that the great commission is carried out and fulfilled on earth (Matthew 28:18-20).
9. Sons of God are overcomers. Through Jesus Christ, they overcome Satan and the world (1 John 5:4).
2. The Privileges of the Sons of God
- When we receive Christ by faith, we have the privilege of becoming his children. We are adopted into His family.
- We now enjoy all the privileges, obligations, and inheritance rights of God’s children. Here are some of the benefits and privileges we enjoy from being adopted into God’s family.
1. Fellowship and Communion
- We are able to talk to God and relate to him as a good and loving Father. 1 John 3:1
- He understands us and has compassion on us as his children. As his children, He promises to take care of our needs. Luke 11:13.
- As a loving Father he promises us a great inheritance. Many of the benefits of that inheritance await us in the future.
2. Divine Guidance
- We are led by the Holy Spirit. Because of the saving work of Christ, we enjoy the new life of the Spirit. Romans 8:14-17.
3. Loving Disciplines
- God disciplines us as his children. The trials and tests we face in this life prove our sonship. It also requires us to respond with perseverance. Hebrews 12:5-6.
4. Caring Family
- We relate to other believers as members of one family. The church is a family. We relate to other followers of Christ as family members. 1 Timothy 5:1-2.
5. A Perfect Role Model
- We have Jesus Christ as our perfect role model in all manner of conversations. We imitate and honor our Father in heaven. Ephesians 5:1.
6. The Privilege of Prayer
- We have been given access to His presence any moment, any time to discuss our situations and needs with Him.
- This is an assured link to all His blessings meant for us to enjoy in this life. Jeremiah 33:3, Matthew 7:7
7. Eternal Life and Rewards
- Above all, only those that are His children and remain faithfully in His kingdom till the end will be entitled to eternal life and the glorious inheritance in heaven. Revelation 3:5
3. The Power of the Sons of God
- As a child of God, you have been given power to live an overcoming life, but you have to know what they are to be able to exercise them for your blessings.
- If Jesus is your Lord, then you have the righteousness of God. You have a right to everything God has and you have been given power to possess them.
- You have this power in the spiritual realm, but you have to take your place and exercise them. Romans 8:17
1. The Power to be Free Indeed John 8:36
- You have been given the power to be free from the bondage of Sins and Satan and from the power of this world. 1 John 5:4
- Free from sin, shame, guilt and condemnation. Free from your past, free from addiction, free from depression. Jesus took it all from you. You are free indeed. All you have to do is turn the key and walk out straight to freedom and victory.
2. The Power Over Sicknesses and Diseases Isaiah 53:5
- Jesus broke the power of the curse that came on Adam, and if you will exercise your authority in Christ Jesus by His Name, His blood, His Word and His resurrection, as a joint heir with Him, then that curse does not have any right or authority over you.
- God wants His people well, and the way you can be well and stay well is to find out what God says in His Word concerning your healing and concerning your right to be well.
3. The Power to Succeed and to Prosper 2 Corinthians 9:8
The power to succeed and prosper in all that you do is part of the package of the kingdom of God. You are not permitted to remain poor or as a failure.
- Why does God want us to prosper? Not only so that we might enjoy life abundantly, but so we will do something about the poverty in the rest of the world.
- The gospel not only gives people hope in the Kingdom to come, but it gives them hope in the here and now. 2 Corinthians 8:9
4. The Power to Live Above Fear. Romans 8:15
- All your fears, worries and anxieties must be turned to God in fervent prayers with faith.
- God didn’t give you a spirit of fear, He gave you a spirit of power. When you’re empowered, you don’t fear. Fear isn’t natural, and it is nothing but torment 1 John 4:18.
- And Jesus didn’t come so you would be tormented, He came to give you dominion, authority, peace and perfect love. What does perfect love do? It casts out fear permanently.
- Jesus came to break the power of the bondage of fear. There is not one thing in Satan’s agenda that the Word of God cannot overcome. So, don’t give in to fear in any situation.
- Satan is powerless as long as we refuse to open the door to him through fear. You don’t have to act on fear. You don’t have to practice fear. You don’t have to talk fear. Give it no place.
- If you sense it rising up within you, stop right then and take authority over it in Jesus Name and cast it out.
5. The Power Over Satan and his Kingdom Luke 10:19
- You have been given power by God to step over into that supernatural place. You have authority over demons, and you have a right to take your stand in the unseen world of the supernatural.
6. The Power to Live in and be at Peace Psalm 29:11
- True peace doesn’t come from the absence of trouble; it comes from the presence of God.
- Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and he has a covenant of peace with His children.
- Enter into peace by spending time praising God and resting in the truth of His Word. As you put your complete trust in Him, you will experience peace in the midst of even the most challenging circumstances.
7. The Power of the Name of Jesus Philippians 2: 5 - 11
- We have a commandment to believe on the Name of the Son of God. To believe on His Name is to put demand upon His ability. The mighty, powerful Name of Jesus is available to you. But, you must become aware of your right and privilege to use it.
- The Name of Jesus is the key to heaven’s storehouse. It can do anything in the will of God that we can believe Him for.
Conclusion:
- It is not enough to be called sons of God. We must carry out our assignments as the sons of God. We're not here on earth to play but to work.
- Our calling as “sons of God” is not a title, but a responsibility. Just as the Lord Jesus said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4), and went ahead to do just that, so should we.
