The Family Of God

The Family of God

Series: The Gospel of John

John 1:10-13

Sermon by Rick Crandall

Grayson Baptist Church - March 30, 2016

(Revised June 14, 2019)

*Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote the words to this very well-known song:

"You will notice we say brother and sister 'round here,

It's because we're a family and these folks are so dear.

When one has a heartache, we all shed a tear

And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear.

From the door of an orphanage to the house of the King,

No longer an outcast, a new song I sing;

From rags unto riches, from the weak to the strong,

I'm not worthy to be here, but praise God I belong!

I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God,

I've been washed in the fountain,

Cleansed by His blood.

Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,

For I'm part of the family, the family of God." (1)

*There is nothing better in this world than being part of the family of God! And in tonight's Scripture, John introduces us to the amazing truth that all of us can be part of the family of God! Just think about it...

1. BEING IN GOD'S FAMILY IS A SPECIAL PRESENT.

*Being in God's family is a special gift from God. John pointed us to this great news in vs. 12, when he said, "But as many as received him, to them GAVE He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."

*All Christians have been given a part in the family of God. That's why in 1 John 3, the Apostle John rejoiced and said:

1. Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

2. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

*Christians: Right now, we are children of God, and this everlasting blessing always comes as a gift from God. The Bible also makes this truth clear in Romans 6:23, where Paul said, "The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

*1 John 5:10-12 puts it this way:

10. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.

11. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

12. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

*"God has given us eternal life!" Now, I've gotten some great presents in my life, but nothing that can touch this gift, or even come close.

*This eternal life, this being a part of the Family of God, it's a gift from God. Jesus Christ doesn't just give us a religion; He gives us a relationship with God!

*James Hewett told about an invitation at the end of a church service. A man came forward, and this man was a member of that church. It turned out that he had religion, but he didn't have Jesus.

*He was upset and moved by conviction for his sin. With tears flowing, he took Bro. Hewett's hand. And he meant to say that his life was full of sin, but what came out was, "My sin is full of life." (2)

*That's the problem we have when all we have is religion, but on that day that man got a relationship with God. He trusted in the death of Jesus Christ on the cross for his sins. And he was given a relationship with God the Father through our Risen Savior!

2. BEING IN GOD'S FAMILY IS A SPECIAL PRESENT. AND IT COMES FROM A SPECIAL POWER.

*Again, vs. 12 says: "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." When we believe in Jesus, God gives us the "power" or "right" or "authority" to become the children of God. Church: This is the power of the cross, the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ!

[1] AND THIS TRANSFORMATIONAL POWER IS EXCLUSIVE.

*There is only one way to get it. You could have enough money to fill this church up with hundred-dollar bills, but you could not buy this power. You could have all the weapons in the world, but you couldn't take it by force. You could be the smartest person in the world, educated in the finest schools, but you could never figure out how to get this power on your own.