Becoming Children of God Through Christ
Summary
In the Gospel of John, we find a profound truth: those who receive Christ are given the power to become the children of God. This transformation is not of human origin but is a divine act. The essence of the Gospel is that through Christ, we, the sinful sons of men, are made the sons of God. This is the ultimate purpose of Christ's coming—to bring us into this divine family. Our joy, as believers, is rooted in this assurance, a joy that no one can take away.
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in affirming our identity as God's children. Being led by the Spirit is a testament to our status as God's children. The Spirit's leading is not about glorifying Himself or the gifts He bestows but about glorifying Christ. This is a foundational principle: the Spirit always points us to Christ, not to Himself or to our experiences.
In today's world, there are movements within the church that emphasize the work of the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts. While these are important, they must be examined in light of Scripture. The Spirit's primary role is to glorify Christ, not to draw attention to Himself or to the gifts He gives. This balance is crucial to avoid the pitfalls of fanaticism and heresy.
The Spirit's work is evident throughout the New Testament. From the Gospels to the Epistles, the focus is consistently on Christ. The Spirit inspired the writing of the Gospels, which glorify Christ, and the Epistles, which center on Him. Even the book of Revelation is a testament to Christ's glory.
The true test of being led by the Spirit is our focus on Christ, especially His death on the cross. The cross is central to our faith, and the Spirit leads us to glory in it above all else. This is evident in the history of revivals and the hymns that emerged from them, which consistently exalt Christ and His sacrifice.
Ultimately, being led by the Spirit means being Christ-centered. It means having a personal understanding that Christ died for us individually. This personal assurance is a hallmark of being a child of God. The Spirit translates the general truth of the Gospel into a personal reality for each believer.
Key Takeaways:
- The transformation into children of God is a divine act, not of human origin, and is the ultimate purpose of Christ's coming. This assurance brings us joy that cannot be taken away. [00:33]
- The Holy Spirit's role is to affirm our identity as God's children by leading us to Christ, not to Himself or to our experiences. This balance is crucial to avoid fanaticism and heresy. [08:49]
- The Spirit's work throughout the New Testament consistently points to Christ, from the Gospels to the Epistles and Revelation, emphasizing His glory and centrality. [25:50]
- The true test of being led by the Spirit is our focus on Christ, especially His death on the cross, which is central to our faith and the Spirit's leading. [28:09]
- Being led by the Spirit means having a personal understanding that Christ died for us individually, translating the general truth of the Gospel into a personal reality. [39:33]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Introduction to John 1:12-13
[00:33] - The Purpose of Christ's Coming
[01:09] - Assurance and Joy in Being God's Children
[02:06] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[03:33] - The Leading of the Spirit
[04:55] - The Spirit Glorifies Christ
[06:23] - Examining Modern Movements
[07:45] - The Balance of Scripture
[09:24] - The Trinity's Glory
[12:17] - The Spirit's Work in the New Testament
[13:35] - The Spirit and Spiritual Gifts
[16:57] - The Danger of Glorifying Gifts
[19:14] - The Spirit Points to Christ
[25:16] - The Spirit's Role in the Gospels and Epistles
[28:09] - The Centrality of the Cross
[31:54] - Personal Assurance of Christ's Sacrifice
[34:12] - Being Christ-Centered
[39:33] - Personal Understanding of Christ's Sacrifice
[42:57] - Conclusion and Hymn
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 1:12-13
- Galatians 6:14
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Observation Questions:
1. According to John 1:12-13, what is the source of the power to become children of God? How does this relate to the divine act mentioned in the sermon? [00:33]
2. In Galatians 6:14, what does Paul say he will glory in, and how does this reflect the sermon’s emphasis on the centrality of the cross? [04:29]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in affirming our identity as God's children? What is the Spirit's primary focus according to the sermon? [08:49]
4. What examples from the New Testament does the sermon provide to illustrate the Spirit's work in glorifying Christ? [25:50]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the transformation into children of God as described in John 1:12-13 impact a believer's understanding of their identity and purpose? [00:33]
2. The sermon mentions the danger of glorifying spiritual gifts over Christ. How might this imbalance manifest in a church community, and what are the potential consequences? [09:03]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that being led by the Spirit involves a personal understanding of Christ's sacrifice? How does this personal assurance affect a believer's faith journey? [39:33]
4. How does the sermon’s emphasis on the cross challenge or affirm your current understanding of what it means to be led by the Spirit? [28:09]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal experience of being led by the Spirit. How can you ensure that your focus remains on Christ rather than on spiritual experiences or gifts? [08:49]
2. The sermon emphasizes the joy that comes from being assured of our identity as children of God. How can you cultivate this joy in your daily life, especially during challenging times? [01:09]
3. Consider the balance between acknowledging the work of the Holy Spirit and keeping Christ at the center. How can you apply this balance in your personal worship and church involvement? [09:24]
4. The sermon warns against the pitfalls of fanaticism and heresy. What steps can you take to ensure your beliefs and practices align with Scripture? [09:03]
5. How does the understanding that Christ died for you personally change the way you live out your faith? What specific actions can you take this week to reflect this personal assurance? [39:33]
6. The sermon highlights the importance of the cross in our faith. How can you make the message of the cross more central in your conversations with others about your faith? [28:09]
7. Identify one area in your life where you might be tempted to glory in something other than the cross of Christ. What practical steps can you take to shift your focus back to Christ? [31:54]
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Transformation into God's Family
The transformation into children of God is a divine act, not of human origin, and is the ultimate purpose of Christ's coming. This assurance brings us joy that cannot be taken away. The Gospel of John reveals that those who receive Christ are given the power to become the children of God. This transformation is not something that originates from human effort or will but is a divine act of grace. Through Christ, we, who are sinful by nature, are made into the sons and daughters of God. This is the ultimate purpose of Christ's coming—to bring us into this divine family. As believers, our joy is deeply rooted in this assurance, a joy that no one can take away. This joy is not dependent on circumstances but is anchored in the eternal truth of our identity in Christ. [00:33]
"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12-13, ESV)
Reflection: How does knowing you are a child of God change the way you view your daily challenges and interactions with others today?
Day 2: The Spirit's Role in Affirming Our Identity
The Holy Spirit's role is to affirm our identity as God's children by leading us to Christ, not to Himself or to our experiences. This balance is crucial to avoid fanaticism and heresy. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in affirming our identity as God's children. Being led by the Spirit is a testament to our status as God's children. The Spirit's leading is not about glorifying Himself or the gifts He bestows but about glorifying Christ. This is a foundational principle: the Spirit always points us to Christ, not to Himself or to our experiences. In today's world, there are movements within the church that emphasize the work of the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts. While these are important, they must be examined in light of Scripture. The Spirit's primary role is to glorify Christ, not to draw attention to Himself or to the gifts He gives. This balance is crucial to avoid the pitfalls of fanaticism and heresy. [08:49]
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." (Romans 8:14, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to focus more on Christ in your daily life?
Day 3: The Spirit's Consistent Focus on Christ
The Spirit's work throughout the New Testament consistently points to Christ, from the Gospels to the Epistles and Revelation, emphasizing His glory and centrality. The Spirit's work is evident throughout the New Testament. From the Gospels to the Epistles, the focus is consistently on Christ. The Spirit inspired the writing of the Gospels, which glorify Christ, and the Epistles, which center on Him. Even the book of Revelation is a testament to Christ's glory. The true test of being led by the Spirit is our focus on Christ, especially His death on the cross. The cross is central to our faith, and the Spirit leads us to glory in it above all else. This is evident in the history of revivals and the hymns that emerged from them, which consistently exalt Christ and His sacrifice. [25:50]
"But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me." (John 15:26, ESV)
Reflection: How can you ensure that your focus remains on Christ and His sacrifice in your daily spiritual practices?
Day 4: The Centrality of the Cross in Our Faith
The true test of being led by the Spirit is our focus on Christ, especially His death on the cross, which is central to our faith and the Spirit's leading. Ultimately, being led by the Spirit means being Christ-centered. It means having a personal understanding that Christ died for us individually. This personal assurance is a hallmark of being a child of God. The Spirit translates the general truth of the Gospel into a personal reality for each believer. The cross is central to our faith, and the Spirit leads us to glory in it above all else. This is evident in the history of revivals and the hymns that emerged from them, which consistently exalt Christ and His sacrifice. [28:09]
"For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to deepen your understanding and appreciation of Christ's sacrifice on the cross?
Day 5: Personal Assurance of Christ's Sacrifice
Being led by the Spirit means having a personal understanding that Christ died for us individually, translating the general truth of the Gospel into a personal reality. The Spirit's work is to make the truth of the Gospel a personal reality for each believer. This means understanding that Christ's sacrifice was not just a general act for humanity but a personal act for each individual. This personal assurance is a hallmark of being a child of God. The Spirit translates the general truth of the Gospel into a personal reality for each believer, leading to a deeper, more intimate relationship with Christ. This personal understanding of Christ's sacrifice is what transforms our faith from a set of beliefs into a living, breathing relationship with our Savior. [39:33]
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper personal relationship with Christ, recognizing His sacrifice for you individually, in your daily life?
Quotes
The whole object of the coming of the Son of God into this world was that we might be made the sons of God are the children of God also that is the most wonderful thing I say that is conceivable that we the sinful sons of men should be made and become the sons of God. [00:00:57]
Our Lord's great word at the end of his life to his followers as we saw in the reading at the beginning was that they might have his joy a joy which nobody could ever take away from and that is the great central purpose of the preaching of the gospel that we should all come to such a realization of these things that we shall rejoice in them. [00:91:53]
There is none more important than this idea that those that are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God so that if we are quite sure that we are being led by the Spirit of God well then we can be quite certain that we are the children of God. [00:154:97]
He shall glorify me he the Spirit of Truth about whom he's speaking when he shall come he tells them of a number of things that he will do but he says he shall glorify me for he shall receive of mine and show it unto you. [00:244:36]
The Spirit is going to be sent not in order to glorify himself he shall glorify mises he shall not speak of himself which doesn't mean that he won't speak about himself but it means more he will not speak from himself he won't merely express his own ideas. [00:473:42]
The Holy Spirit in his work does not primarily lead us to himself for call attention to himself but always to the Lord Jesus Christ now this is I say a basic and a foundational principle and it has always been throughout the centuries that when men and women have gone astray into some false fanaticism and have become guilty of a false fire it has generally been the case that they have done so because they have forgotten this particular statement he shall glorify me. [00:507:98]
The Spirit always glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ always he shall glorify me now that he was sent in order to do so there it is his place in the great economy of salvation this great work divided up the father plans that son comes to execute to work it out the Spirit comes and he applies it and therefore his primary work is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:1141:52]
The Holy Spirit always points to him now let me give you some proof of this there are those disciples in the upper room on the day of Pentecost in the morning suddenly sound of mighty rushing wind is heard and the Spirit comes upon them and they are baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost and he begins to lead how does he lead well he led the Apostle Peter you remember to deliver a sermon to the assembled company at Jerusalem. [00:1184:07]
The Spirit has been sent to glorify Him and the moment he comes and leads men in this manner that is what he leads them to do well now then there is very evidence and it goes on right through the book of the Acts of the Apostles but you know there's something else which we often tend to forget I think who is the real author of the Gospels the four Gospels and the answer is the Holy Spirit. [00:1455:89]
The Spirit will lead you to that very well then I say we must know this in an experimental manner and know something of the amazement and the astonishment and the further good test is this god forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom the world was crucified unto me and I unto the world as the world been crucified unto you have you been crucified unto the world. [00:2423:33]
The man who is truly led of the Spirit he's a man who knows that Christ has died for him personally the Apostle you see is able to put it like this to the Galatians in the second chapter verse 20 there he puts it in these memorable words I through the law am dead to the law that I might live unto God I am crucified I was crucified with Christ nevertheless I live yet not i but Christ liveth in me. [00:2220:07]
The man who is led of the Spirit of God is a man who glories in nothing but in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ let every men examine himself. [00:2572:23]
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