梦想。。

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A Child of God

Nearing the end of 2010, I have been challenged to get to know what does my identity as a Child of God means. I guess I can't be one unless I know what it is. So I did some research, and preached it as a sermon to end the year with my beloved cell members. If you're eager to know and you desire to live as one radically, this will help you. (P/s: It's in a sermon form k!)

So You Think You’re a Child of God?

How many of you are very very sure that you are a child of God?

How do you know that?

Which verse of the bible says that? Which chapter? Why did God say that?

Your Pastors and Leaders always preached to you saying “You are a child of God.”

If you don’t know, may I suggest to you that you are only carrying that identity because people told you so and you never really knew what God said about being His child.

You may not have a personal conviction about that precious identity of yours.

1 John 3:1-3

¹ Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!^[a] Therefore the world does not know us,^[b] 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. ³ And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

To be a child of God means to be like Jesus.

So as we live each day, we are to observe and do things how Jesus did. We are to ask ourselves, what would Jesus do?

And one of the best ways to do that is to read your bible. If you don’t read, you will never know how Jesus is like, and you can’t be a child of God.

Tell your neighbor: Read your bible! *big wide smile*

Now, I want you to notice this. When you first receive Christ into your life, you are first called a child of God instead of a man God.

So you need to first be a child before you can be a man. And this is a process that you should not miss out. In fact, it is the process that will determine your destiny.

A man of God must first be a child of God. In fact, he is a man and a child at the same time.

So that leads me back to my question: What does it mean to be a child of God?

This has been the question that I’ve been pondering upon the past few weeks.

Mark 10:14-16 (New King James Version)

¹⁴ But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. ¹⁵ Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” ¹⁶ And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

Matt 18:3

Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

3 Characteristics of a Child

1. A child is fearless.

Illus: When a child sees a snake in front of him, he will by all means go and play with it without fear. Unless you scare him and tell him that it is dangerous, he is fearless.

A lot of times we are defeated by fear. We fear…

- Humiliation

- Disgrace

- Failures

- Disappointments

Conclusion: We fear people.

A child is not even afraid of deadly real danger. But we as adults are afraid of our own kind, which the harm that they can cause us would only be words and perspectives.

Everyone say uh-oh!

Tell your neighbor: Do not be afraid of me! *big wide smile*

Fear destroys your dreams and destiny.

Fear causes disbelief and confusion.

The reason why people failed to pursue their dreams is because of fear.

If you fail to start, you will never succeed.

Faith overcomes fear.

So tell your neighbor, don’t be fearful, be faith-filled!

Now, of course it’s not enough just to be fearless. Being fearless blindy is a kind of foolishness.

So that leads me to my second point.

2. A child is teachable.

A child is always curious. They would touch anything that they see, let their imaginations run wild and even put it in their mouth.

They observe the things the adult does and imitates them.

They are constantly learning and picking up new things.

And that is a function of a disciple. The word disciple means forever a student. Our primary purpose is to learn.

Ps 53:2

² God looks down from heaven upon the children of men,
To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.

God is not looking for a man with gifts, talents and achievements.

But God is looking for a heart that seeks Him, a heart that constantly desires to learn more about Him.

Matt 7:21-22

²¹ “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. ²² Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ ²³ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Now, it’s not enough to gain a lot of knowledge. Knowledge remains knowledge if it is not applied and practied. And that leads me to my last point.

3. A child needs to be obedient.

Pro 8:32 Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my commandments.

A good father is one who loves and correct.

Pro 22:15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him.

God loves and disciplines.

Just like a father, He enjoys seeing us adventure in life, showing us the ways and teaching us new things everyday. But because He loves us, He disciplines us when we are wrong to protect us from greater harm and damage.

My question for you today is, what is the condition of your heart today? Are you open when God rebukes you of your sins? Those that pleasures you. Perhaps it’s a relationship, someone you know you shouldn’t dwell with any longer. Or perhaps it’s certain habits and addictions. The word of God says “STOP!”, but you heard and ignored it.

Obedience means let go and let God!

1 John 2:3-6 (New King James Version)

The Test of Knowing Him

³ Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. ⁴ He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵ But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. ⁶ He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Conclusion:

A child of God is one who is fearless, one who is teachable and one who is obedient, one knows His father and keeps His commandments.

Story from a father:

I remember my daughter when she began toddling, then walking. She was a little bundle of energy! Our house was her whole world. She didn't know what was outside it, at least not past her yard. She didn't understand the vastness and complexity of what was beyond her own little world.

Well, she and I began going for walks around the neighborhood, ranging far and wide. Once the house was out of sight, she could not return on her own. She was lost. She had no idea where to go or what to do, or even if she was safe.

Yet as we crossed one street after another, she held my hand and knew deep in her heart that she was safe. She knew her father loved her and would always do what was best for her. She knew her father would protect her from all harm and guide her in the best way to go, every single time. All she had to do was hold his hand and do what he told her to do and she would have fun along the way, whether she knew where she was going or not!

She didn't get scared or hesitate. She embraced the trip down strange new streets as an adventure, with full confidence in her father. That's how Jesus said we should be; like a child. It's called faith.

Do you have what it takes to be a true and real child of God?