Embracing God's Lavish Love as His Children

Devotional

Day 1: God's Love as a Transformative Gift

God's love is a lavish, undeserved gift that transforms us into His children. This love is not something we can earn or deserve; it is a generous outpouring of grace that calls us into His family. Embracing this love requires humility and a willingness to receive it as a free gift. Many struggle with this concept due to pride, which insists on earning love, or disbelief, which questions it due to life's hardships. However, God's love is steadfast and patient, gently breaking down these barriers over time. As we accept this love, it changes us, making us more like Jesus. [02:37]

1 John 3:1 (ESV): "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself trying to earn God's love? How can you practice receiving His love as a free gift today?

Day 2: Overcoming Barriers to Experiencing God's Love

Pride, disbelief, and the passage of time can hinder our understanding of God's love. Pride whispers that we must earn God's love, while disbelief can arise from personal pain or tragedy. Over time, these barriers can obscure our perception of His love. Yet, God patiently works to reveal His love to us, breaking down these barriers and inviting us to experience His love more fully. Understanding and accepting this love changes us, making us more like Jesus. [06:57]

Psalm 103:13-14 (ESV): "As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust."

Reflection: What personal pain or disbelief might be hindering your experience of God's love? How can you invite God to gently break down these barriers?

Day 3: Living as Distinct Children of God

Our identity as God's children sets us apart from the world, which may not recognize or understand us. This distinction is not about cultural Christianity but about living a life that reflects biblical truths. As children of God, we are called to love one another, reflecting the unity and love within God's family. This love is a testament to the depth of God's love for us and a witness to the world of His transformative power. [17:19]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: How can you demonstrate the love and unity of God's family in your interactions with others today?

Day 4: The Hope of Future Transformation

Our current status as God's children is secure, but our future is even more glorious. When Jesus is revealed, we will be transformed to be like Him, seeing Him as He truly is. This hope purifies us, motivating us to live lives that honor Him. Our ultimate hope is not in earthly things but in Him, and as we see Him more clearly, we become more like Him. [23:31]

1 John 3:2-3 (ESV): "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure."

Reflection: What earthly hopes might be distracting you from the hope of becoming like Jesus? How can you refocus on this ultimate hope today?

Day 5: Seeing Jesus Clearly to Become Like Him

Seeing Jesus as He is transforms us into His likeness. The more clearly we see Him, the more we become like Him. We must remove anything that hinders our vision of Jesus to grow in His likeness. This process of transformation is ongoing and requires intentionality in seeking Him and allowing His love to shape us. [35:23]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: What is one thing that might be hindering your vision of Jesus? How can you remove this obstacle to see Him more clearly and grow in His likeness?

Sermon Summary

Behold the incredible love that God has lavished upon us, calling us His children. This love is not a mere trickle but a generous, one-sided gift that we could never earn or deserve. As we delve into 1 John 3, we are reminded of the profound truth that being called children of God is a testament to the depth of His love. This love is not just a feeling of pity but a deep, genuine affection that transforms us and invites us into His family.

Many Christians struggle to fully embrace this love due to pride, disbelief, or simply the passage of time. Pride can subtly whisper that we must earn God's love, while disbelief can arise from personal pain or tragedy. Yet, over time, God gently breaks down these barriers, allowing us to experience His love more fully. Understanding and accepting this love changes us, making us more like Jesus.

Our identity as God's children sets us apart from the world, which may not recognize or understand us. This distinction is not about cultural Christianity but about living a life that reflects biblical truths. As children of God, we are called to love one another, reflecting the unity and love within God's family.

Our current status as God's children is secure, but our future is even more glorious. When Jesus is revealed, we will be transformed to be like Him, seeing Him as He truly is. This hope purifies us, motivating us to live lives that honor Him. Our ultimate hope is not in earthly things but in Him, and as we see Him more clearly, we become more like Him.

Key Takeaways

1. God's love is lavish and undeserved, a generous gift that calls us His children. This love is not based on our worthiness but on His grace and generosity. Embracing this love requires humility and a willingness to receive it as a free gift. [02:37]
2. Pride, disbelief, and time can hinder our understanding of God's love. Pride insists on earning love, disbelief questions it due to life's hardships, and time may obscure it. Yet, God patiently works to reveal His love to us. [06:57]
3. Our identity as God's children distinguishes us from the world. This distinction is not about cultural Christianity but about living according to biblical truths. Our love for one another should reflect our unity as God's family. [17:19]
4. Our future transformation into the likeness of Jesus is our ultimate hope. This hope purifies us, encouraging us to live lives that reflect His character. Our hope is not in earthly things but in the promise of becoming like Him. [23:31]
5. Seeing Jesus as He is transforms us into His likeness. The more clearly we see Him, the more we become like Him. We must remove anything that hinders our vision of Jesus to grow in His likeness. [35:23]
** [35:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:24] - Introduction to 1 John 3
[00:56] - Behold God's Love
[02:10] - The Lavishness of God's Love
[03:19] - Understanding God's Love
[04:45] - The Impact of God's Love
[05:36] - Pride and Receiving God's Love
[06:57] - Barriers to Experiencing God's Love
[08:25] - Called Children of God
[11:09] - Adoption into God's Family
[13:18] - More Than Adam Lost
[15:32] - Who Are the Children of God?
[17:19] - Distinction from the World
[20:41] - Our Present and Future as God's Children
[23:31] - Transformation into Jesus' Likeness
[27:53] - The Glory of Seeing Jesus
[33:49] - Hope in Him and Its Purifying Effect

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 John 3:1-3
- John 1:12
- Romans 8:29

Observation Questions:

What does 1 John 3:1 say about the manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us? How does this relate to our identity as children of God? [00:24]
According to the sermon, what are some barriers that can prevent Christians from fully experiencing God's love? [06:57]
How does the sermon describe the difference between God's love and mere pity? [09:11]
What does the sermon suggest about the world's recognition of us as children of God? [16:19]

Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of being "lavished" with God's love challenge common perceptions of earning love or worthiness? [02:37]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that our identity as God's children should distinguish us from cultural Christianity? [19:00]
How does the hope of future transformation into Jesus' likeness influence our current lives, according to the sermon? [23:31]
What does the sermon imply about the relationship between seeing Jesus as He is and becoming like Him? [35:23]

Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when pride or disbelief hindered your ability to fully embrace God's love. How can you address these barriers in your life? [06:57]
The sermon mentions that our identity as God's children sets us apart from the world. How can you live out this identity in a way that reflects biblical truths rather than cultural Christianity? [17:19]
Consider the hope of being transformed into Jesus' likeness. What specific steps can you take this week to align your life more closely with His character? [23:31]
The sermon suggests that seeing Jesus as He is transforms us. What practical changes can you make to remove distractions that hinder your vision of Jesus? [35:23]
How can you cultivate a deeper understanding and acceptance of God's love in your daily life, especially when faced with life's hardships? [07:10]
In what ways can you demonstrate the love and unity of God's family in your interactions with others this week? [16:32]
Reflect on the idea that our ultimate hope is in Jesus, not earthly things. How can you shift your focus from temporary concerns to eternal promises? [34:07]

Sermon Clips

You see how John begins this section he says behold what manner of love the father has bestowed on us that we should be called the children of God now just in the previous verse that's the last verse of chapter 2 he's brought up to us the idea of being born of God uh 1 John 2:29 says if you know that he is righteous you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of him. [00:00:56]

He wants us to carefully look at the love of God to study it I'm sure every one of us this morning would really benefit from a good intense look of the love of God that's been bestowed on us well let's just start with that word there bestowed he says behold what manner of love the father has bestowed on us first of all it speaks of a measure of God's love we're talking about something being bestowed on somebody you're talking about an abundant giving. [00:01:49]

God hasn't given us just a trickle or just a little bit of his love he's bestowed it on it he's lavished it secondly it speaks of the manner of God's giving of love when we talk about somebody bestowing something it's a very one-sided giving isn't it it's a giving that isn't really disturb uh deserved it's it's a giving that's that's given purely out of generosity and love and grace and that's how God's giving is to us. [00:02:41]

Pride now it's a very subtle kind of Pride it's a kind of Pride that does doesn't wear itself out with a big chest and say I'm so great everybody should think I'm wonderful it's not that kind of Pride it's a very subtle kind of Pride but it's Pride nonetheless it's the kind of Pride that says I'm not going to receive God's love until I can consider myself worthy of it when I can consider myself lovable by God then I'm going to receive it. [00:05:55]

Another thing that keeps people from receiving God's love is belief they find it difficult to believe maybe they've had some pain or some tragedy in their own life maybe there's been a pain or a tragedy in the life of somebody close to them and they say I don't know if I can really believe that God loves if God really loved me how would he allow this to happen to me or why would he allow this to happen to the other person. [00:07:00]

The greatness of this love is shown that by it we are called children of God and friends if you understand what's being said here it should blow your mind it should just uh startle you that God calls us calls us his children and what this means about his love for us let me put it to you this way God could have looked upon lost Humanity not with love but with pity said I feel sorry for those guys. [00:08:30]

He didn't just save us from hell he just didn't buy us out of our slavery to sin on top of all of that it's pure extra it's the whipped cream and the cherry on top it's just the extra he said I'm going to make you my child I'm going to invite you into my family and you're going to be my son you're going to be my daughter my friends there's a sense in which this is totally unnecessary for God to do and the only reason why he does it is because he loves you. [00:11:16]

God's goal has never been to restore us back to the innocence of Adam and Eve in the garden because as great as it was for Adam and Eve and let me tell you it was great as great as it was Adam was never adopted into the family of God nowhere in the Bible does it say that Adam and Eve were Sons and Daughters of God in the sense that the Apostle John says it right here so as great as Adam's state was he didn't have that father son that daughter father relationship with God that he wants us to have. [00:12:39]

Now everyone has the right to become a child of God God isn't pushing some people away and saying no you can't be one of my children everyone has the right to be a child of God if they will receive him and Believe on his name it's that simple God has given every person that right and so my friends that's the sense in which God means it and that's a sense in which we can say that not everyone is a child of God even though God does love everyone. [00:15:32]

If we're truly children of God then it should show in our love for our siblings right for our brothers and sisters now parents you know this in your own lives what's one of the most frustrating things for any parent it's when your kids are fighting right brother and sister brother and brother sister and sister whatever they're fighting I know speaking as a parent one of the most annoying things you can have when the kids are fighting with each other. [00:16:36]

The Bible speaks of God's great plan for our lives ready God's great plan for our lives to make you comfortable in every circumstance no no no that's not God's great plan for your life um to to bring you happiness in every relationship in your life no that's not God's great plan for your life uh to to make sure you got plenty of money in your life no that's not God's great plan for your life you know what God's great plan for your life is it's in Romans chapter 8: 29. [00:23:45]

When we see him we shall be like him because we'll see him as he is so John makes the connection between seeing Jesus and being like Jesus now every one of you here this morning see Jesus to some degree or another and I'm not talking about with your physical but you see him you know who he is you know what he's about and I suggest to you this morning that to the degree that you see Jesus as he is to that same degree that's how much you like him. [00:35:23]

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