Part I
1 John 3:1-3,9-10 [ESV]
1See 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. 2 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. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
Memory Verse: 1 John 3:3
3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
Matthew 22:36-40 [LEB]
36 “Teacher, which commandment is greatest in the law?” 37 And he said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.”
TO BE GOD’S CHILDREN IS TO LOVE GOD MORE THAN THE WORLD .
1 John 3:1-2 [ESV]
GOD’s children live in opposition to the world’s lifestyle
1 John 3:1a
1See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. He indwells us with His Spirit.
2 Corinthians 6:16
He makes us share in His divine nature. 2 Peter 1:4He makes us co-Heirs with CHRIST.
Romans 8:17
He makes us His friends.
John 15:14
He hears and answers our prayers. Psalm 65:5He destines us for eternal glory.
1 Thessalonians 5:9
He enables us to live free from sin’s control.
Romans 6:11-14
1 John 3:1b
The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
All born again believers in JESUS CHRIST are Children of GOD not all people are children of GOD.
John 8:44 [ESV]
44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Everyone who is not a follower of JESUS CHRIST comprises the”world” which does not know or respect GOD.
John 15:19 [ESV]
19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
GOD’s children look forward to a glorious life with GOD
1 John 3:2
2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared;
but we know that when he (CHRIST) appears we shall be like him (CHRIST), because we shall see him (CHRIST) as he is.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.