Freedom in Jesus: The Real You (1 John 3:1-3)

Series: Freedom in Jesus

Sermon: The Real You

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-3

Date: September 23, 2018

 

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.  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.  And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.  (1 John 3:1-3)

 

What is true about you?

Are we willing to believe what God says about us?

In order to have freedom in Christ, we need to believe what God says is true about us.  Let's believe what God says about us in these three areas:

1. Know and believe who you are
   • 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.  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. (1 John 3:1-2)
   • Who I Am in Christ
     • ...God's child (John 1:12)
     • ...a friend of Jesus Christ (John 15:15)
     • ...justified (Romans 5:1)
     • ...united with the Lord, and one with Him in Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17)
     • ...bought at a price and belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
     • ...a member of Christ's body (1 Corinthians 12:27)
     • ...chosen by God and adopted as His child (Ephesians 1:3-8)
     • ...redeemed and forgiven of all my sins (Colossians 1:13-14)
     • ...complete in Christ (Colossians 2:9-10)
     • ...direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:14-16)
     • ...free from condemnation (Romans 8:1-2)
     • ...assured that God works for my good in all circumstances (Romans 8:28)
     • ...free from any condemnation brought against me and cannot be separated from the love of God (Romans 8:31-39)
     • ...established, annointed and sealed by God (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
     • ...hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:1-4)
     • ...confident that God will complete the good work He started in me (Philippians 1:6)
     • ...a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)
     • ...not afraid, but have power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)
     • ...born of God and the evil one cannot touch me (1 John 5:18)
     • ...a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life (John 15:5)
     • ...chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)
     • ...God's temple (1 Corinthians 3:16)
     • ...a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
     • ...seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm (Ephesians 2:6)
     • ...God's workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)
     • ...may approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12)
     • ...can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)
   • If you think you are a loser, you will act like a loser.  If you think you are a child of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, you will act differently.
2. Know and believe where you are
   • Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.  (Romans 8:30)
3. Know and believe who you are becoming
   • 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.  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.  And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.  (1 John 3:1-3)
   • And everyone who has this hope [confidently placed] in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure (holy, undefiled, guiltless).  (1 John 3:3, AMP)
   • We cannot consistently live in a way that is inconsistent with how we see ourselves - our self-perception.  When we change how we see ourselves, our actions change.
   • We love God for what He's done for us and also for who He has made us.  The more we believe who we really are in Jesus, the more we will become like Jesus.