The Sons of God

I directed our thoughts to John chapter 1 and tonight it is not my intention to do an exposition of those 13 verses but to look at one verse in that section and build my message around the phrase that we see in this verse and in five other verses in our New Testament little different approach tonight, but was reading my devotions in this phrase jumped out at me and my mind began to think of other places that the same phrase is found in begin to think about the phrase in relationship to the Lord's table in our focus upon Christ and the salvation we have in him, that phrase is found in verse 12.

The context here is speaking of Christ coming in and tells us that he came unto his own and his own received him not.

But as many paths that's the phrase that I want to focus on tonight, but as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in his name who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God, and I trust as we make our way through these six texts of Scripture tonight that will be helped in a number of ways. 12 be reminded as to the author of our salvation to answer the question for whom did Christ die to answer the question who who has legitimate right to the claim of being a son or daughter of God and we should not leave that question up to sentiment or what our sense of fairness might be. But what the Scriptures declare so tonight let's begin to look at this verse in verse 12. Again, again, the phrase is as many as who are the children of God who are the sons of God in the text answers that question force is those who have received him, verse 12 for as many as received him to them and only to them he gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in his name. So there's two clauses that answer the question. Who are the children of God. It is those who have received him and it is those who believe in his name unless we rush off. There is verse 13 tells us who are not the children of God, who were born, not of blood has nothing to do with your ethnicity has nothing to do with your ancestry nor the will of the flesh is nothing to do with what you want what you desire is not of the will of man is not a decision you make. But if you are a child of God even made a child of God, because you been born of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God seems so clear doesn't. Why is it that probably more than three quarters of those who profess to be Christians don't understand that very elementary truth that if you're a child of God. God is made you one you are a child of God because you are born of God has nothing to do with anything you have said and done, prayed any decision you've made, how we need to continue to return to the simplicity that is in Christ. That's what I'm attempting attempting to do tonight who are believers. According to verse 13. It's those who been born of God, to those who have received him, to those who notice he says, verse 12, to those who believe in his name doesn't say have believed, past tense but those who believe in his name so when we come to the Lord's table. It's an opportunity for those who are children of God, to affirm a fresh our faith, our confidence, our trust, our belief in God promises that he's made in his son. People get concerned at times because they cannot look back in their past to nail down a time when they were saved. But the Bible puts emphasis not on something we've done in the past five years ago 10 years ago 20 or 30 years ago.

But what is going on in your life right now. So here we are tonight together around the Lord's table and is an opportunity to address the question have I received this, he says here who are the children of God. Those who have received him. Have you received him do you are you believing in his name. As you sit here tonight is your posture toward God and his word.

One of submission or is it one of abstinence of disobedience.

Thus, those are hard questions to entertain, but is to help us gain some assurance that we rightly related to God so that's the first passage turn with me. Secondarily, the Matthew chapter 14 Matthew 14 and of the six verses that were gonna look at this is the only one that does not have a strong salvific context, but it's using that same phrase as many as and it helps us understand how it's being used in the Scriptures Mark chapter 14 what I cite? Matt Matthew 14 I'm sorry. Matthew 14 to references. It's also in Mark chapter 6 and verse 56, but I want to look at it in Matthew 14 verse 36 we have these words beginning at verse 34 when it crossed over, they came to the land of Nasser and when the men of that place recognized him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to him all who were sick and begged him that they might only touch the hem of his garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well how many people were brought, how many sick people were brought to Jesus. Well, it says there in verse 35. They sent out into all into all that surrounding region, brought to him all who were sick large number of large multitude and begged him that they might only touch the hem of his garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

So who was cured, according to the text of verse 56 those who touched the him of his garment and only those who touched him of his garment. Those who came who were sick and didn't touch the hem of his garment were pure.

That's pretty clear right, not everyone was cured, but only as many as touched the hem of his garment.

The third passages in acts chapter 2. Turn with me. There is so you can follow the direction I'm going tonight were going to land on six texts of Scripture spend five or six minutes make an explanation. Looking at that as many as and then when were done. I'm gonna make some application to prepare us for the Lord's table so acts chapter 2. Let me begin to read at verse 36 asked to verse 36. This is Peter preaching on the day of Pentecost. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, men and brethren, what shall we do then Peter said to them, repent, and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit for the promise is to you and to your children and to all who are afar off, and here's the phrase as many as the Lord our God will call when asked three questions of this short passage, and let the text of Scripture answer the questions. Three questions number one what is the promise question number two. Who are the recipients of the promise and number three, who was baptized. What is the promise. Let me draw your attention to a couple of verses in the context verse 17 of Peter's sermon, he says, and it shall come to pass in the last day. Set says God that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams.

Verse 17 and then verse 33 therefore being exalted to the right hand of God and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he poured out this which you now see and hear and then verse 38 Peter said to them, repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit what is the promise.

The promise is the gift of the Holy Spirit and the salvation that accompanies him. That's the promise pretty straightforward.

Who are the recipients of the promise who are the recipients of the promise and Peter identifies three groups of people notice with me there in verse 39. He identifies three groups of individuals who are recipients of the promise you for the promise is to you. That's the first group and to your children. The second group and to all who are afar off, Peter doesn't stop there.

Does it he qualifies these three groups with the clause, as many as the Lord our God will call. So let me let me try and emphasize this to the degree I think it needs to be emphasized. In other words, to how many of you has God promised the Holy Spirit as many as the Lord shall call to himself to how many of your children has God promised the Holy Spirit as many as the Lord shall call to himself to how many of those who are afar off, have the promise of the Holy Spirit. How many as many as the Lord shall call to himself God has promised the Holy Spirit to those whom he affectionately calls and draws to himself in salvation. This includes Peter's immediate hearers. He says you. This includes succeeding generations.

Your children in whom else does it include Gentiles in distant places all who are afar off to as many as what we make of that.

That qualifying statement limits the recipients of the promise to those whom God calls to himself in salvation.

I'm amazed as I read behind some man and how they can build a doctrine and completely ignore that qualifying statement that completely shapes our understanding of what's being communicated. The third question is who was baptized who was baptized.

Notice again with me.

Verse 39 for the promise is to you and to your children and to all who are far off as many as the Lord our God will call. Verse 40 and with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, be saved from this perverse generation, then those who gladly received the word were baptized in that day about 3000 souls were added to them.

What strikes me here is the description of those who were baptized those who had received the word, not those who had received his word and their children, just those who had received his word. Only those who repented in response to the gospel were baptized is at present to clear any confusion were not reading what you were trying to avoid reading something into the text were simply trying to exegete the text and answer the question, according to what the Bible says that's all were interested in. So that's our third passage again. That phrase for the promise is to you and to your children and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call. Now, what's our next passage.

Turn to Romans chapter 8 Romans eight when read verses 12 and 13, Paul's run to the church in Rome and he says therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.

For if you live according to the flesh, you will die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

For as many as are led by the spirit of God. These are the sons of God.

Verse 14 contains that phrase were camping on and emphasizing for as many as are led by the spirit of God, these are the sons of God. Paul is contrasting between living according to the flesh and living according to the spirit and he says there in verse 14 for as many as are led by the spirit of God, these are the sons of God, only these that are led by the spirit of God have legitimate right to be. To claim that they are the sons of God to get into what it means to be led by the Spirit of God but I don't have the time for that would just stopping here to see this emphasis again as many as not everyone. Only those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God's turn to acts chapter 13 acts chapter 13 Paul and Barnabas are preaching ministering the word I want to begin to read in verse 42, so when the Jews went out of the synagogue Gentiles bag that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God on the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitude they were filled with envy and contradicting and blaspheming. They oppose the thing spoken by Paul and Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said it was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first. But since you rejected and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles for so the Lord has commanded us.

I've said she was a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth. Here's our verse, verse 48 now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord, and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed as many as as many as had been appointed or ordained to eternal life believed. That seems pretty clear.

Doesn't that salvation that we have in Christ predates our existence that is in as many as had been ordained or appointed to eternal life believed. That's the mystery is in it of sovereign grace that God in eternity past, said his affections on the people before we were born before we done anything good or bad, God determined appointed that we would be a recipient of his great salvation. I did quite a bit of reading about men who tripping all over themselves to disavow what seems very very clearly stated there in verse 48.

Well I know it seems to say this but really it doesn't say this. It says and they go on thinking really. It's amazing when you have blinders on when you cannot see the truth as it's clearly taught the ends. Men will go to excuse away the truth that so clearly set before us. Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord, and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. You know what fuels worship you know what sends the hard to soaring in desire to glorify God. Understanding that we are not the author of on salvation that our salvation is sourced in God you notice the connection there when the Gentiles heard this heard what the gospel as it was set before them. They were glad and they glorified the word of the Lord, and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

Sure does enhance our worship when we understand who the author of our salvation is that I'm safe tonight. Not because of anything I've done. I'm safe tonight because what God has determined to do me do for me and do because of his son you the same as your Savior tonight. One more passage from Revelation chapter 3 Revelation chapter 3 preps are familiar with the extended passage in Hebrews chapter 12 verses three through 11 that speaks of the fatherly discipline and chastening of the Lord with all of his children… What's behind this verses, Paul, or is John is writing and we have the record of the words of the Lord Jesus to the seven churches in this is to the Laodicean church. Notice chapter 3 in verse 19 just one verse again that phrase as many as as many as I love I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent as many as I love I rebuke and chasten. How many does God rebuke and chasten. According to the text as many as he loves say well I thought Jesus loved everybody in the world told the story number of times but comes to my mind, and it's I think appropriate. This place Abigail wrestled with her relationship with Daniel hemming Hemmings. She was home one weekend and was crying and I went upstairs to talk to her I said what's the matter, she said God brought a wonderful man into my life, but I could never marry someone is not a Calvinist.

She said that in tears. So would you remember what you told me when I ask you what was about him that attracted you to them in the first place so that I don't remember I said well let me remind you what you told me you said you were attracted to them because he loved Jesus if he loves Jesus when I got a hold it against that he doesn't believe the doctrines of grace that is not a Calvinist because never been exposed to.

But I think we can trust him in that matter to the Lord.

He keeps coming around us will see what happens.

They were engaged. He was coming here worshiping with us on Sunday and on Sunday night and we go back to the house and get a bite to eat and he go back to Kinston where he was working in the driveway one Sunday night he said to me, I think the light bulb came on for me tonight. I said well about what said we are preaching from Romans eight on foreknowledge. He said I never heard that explained that way. That's got to be correct possibly keep keep studying. Keep praying's keepsake in the Lord we call me that week on a Tuesday or Wednesday and I can't recollect him ever calling me to have a theological conversation.

He says seven thinking about this.

He says this is really big is in it. I said a big is he said will wait we sing Jesus paid it all. I always thought Jesus died for everybody. I said so. He says he couldn't say why not. What if what we sing is true. Jesus paid it all. What are people doing and how Jesus paid for their sin.

Why is God requiring payment for their sin by sending them to hell. Something's not right, is that Jesus couldn't diver everybody I said no, he couldn't have and he didn't.

He died for a particular people.

What amazed me about that conversation was of the five points of Calvinism particular redemption is the one that most people have the most difficulty with, he got that one right out of the gate when it's the one that he was dealing with straight up settled in his mind so back to our text as many as I love I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent whom does God chasten those he loves, and only those he loves.

Right.

So how should a believer respond to the rebuke in the chastening of a loving father were told here be zealous and repent. Sometimes we struggle to give definition to our part in the salvation equation that we encountered there in Philippians chapter 2 verses 12 and 13, which tells us in verse 12 mine just went blank verse 13's fresh in my mind. So let me very quickly find Philippians chapter 2 first 12 I don't have a mind like Dr. Jim Oracle tell you that right now. What amazed me about talking with him. He said this conference was a little more than I bargained for in a civil what you mean said the only message that I've ever preached. He says, was a message on Sunday morning on the moth everyone of these other messages are prepared and some of them while I've been here this week made me feel lower than I was feeling for pulses here in Philippians chapter 2, he says. Therefore, my beloved is you've always obeyed notice in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. That's our part work out our salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to do according to his good pleasure.

As I said sometimes we have difficulty bringing definition to this work out your salvation with fear and trembling, but I think Revelation 319 helps us with that. What is he say as many as I love I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Working out our salvation with fear and trembling is repenting of sin that the Holy Spirit puts his finger on the do it zealously means an awful lot more things, but it means at least that so we looked at six passages of Scripture or verses of Scripture that have that phrase as many as he tried to glean truth from those six passages to help us to know who are the sons of God. And there's three verses three to those texts that really emphasize God's pardon salvation.

It's we we are passive in the process is something that is done to us one as their next chapter 2, which speaks of God effectually calling and drawing the Christ acts chapter 2, verse 39. Another is the acts chapter 13 verse 48 passage would puts the emphasis on as many as you were appointed or ordained to eternal life again and then there's the first passage there. John chapter 1 and verse 12 who are born not of what not of blood, not of the will of the flesh, not of the will of man, but born of God were son of God, a daughter of God.

God is made us one were born of him so there's three of the six passages that clearly speak of God's pardon salvation, but there's two others in all omit the one from touching the hem of his garment with the other two. Put emphasis on our part. What is that to receive him to believe in him right and as we step back and understand salvation in a God centered way it causes us it motivates us.

It provokes us to delight in God to be glad in him to glorify him for what he's done in Christ and that's the opportunity we have as we come around the Lord's table to give thanks to God for the salvation that is wrought in Christ for us always to set his affections on's always drawn us to himself. How is done that apart from our participation and then the fact that we are now daughters sons of God. We rejoice, we received the word of God.

We've received Christ, and we come together as the people of God to affirm our allegiance to King Jesus as thrilling as an we think about what God is done for us.

So I hope that's helpful tonight as we've thought about this limiting phrase as many as thought about in relationship to salvation we have in Christ. Let's bow and pray.

Father, we thank you tonight for your son, the Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you that he came to the sin cursed earth that he went to the cross of Calvary, and he bore our sins in his own body on the tree in your wrath against us was satisfied in him. We thank you for his propitious Tory sacrifice, the sacrifice that he offered of himself that turned your wet wrath away from us. We thank you tonight were accepted in the beloved.

And we are indeed glad we heard. Glad you have made is glad we glorify you for such a great and glorious salvation because the people of God to rejoice afresh tonight. I pray and drawing any who are here this evening who are strangers to your grace Coogan striving and working and trying to earn merit with you. Help them to understand. Maybe time that their acceptance before you is not based on their merit, but on his merit.

Help them to have a heart to receive him home to receive is to be son or daughter of God, pray in Jesus name and