The Children of God
A Sermon on John 1:12-13
Originally preached Feb. 10, 1963
Scripture
12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Sermon Description
Can Christians know that they are the children of God? Can they know that they have been forgiven of all sins and made new in Christ? The answer given by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in this sermon on John 1:12–13 is a resounding yes. Part of the gospel hope is the peace in the full assurance that God is for His children. The Bible gives a number of different ways that Christians can test themselves to see if they are truly in the faith. Dr. Lloyd-Jones presents these tests to see if Christians are truly in a relationship with God or if they are self-deceived. He asks “how do you respond to your sin? Is it to fall back in legalism?” If so, this might be a sign of resting in works rather than in what Christ has done. Another sign is questioning if there is interest in the church and the things of God. Just as a natural child is interested in what their parents find interesting, so also spiritual children are interested in the things of God. This sermon calls all to believe in Jesus, and that those that do can know that they have been truly saved by Him!
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon focuses on what it means to be a child of God according to John 1:12-13.
- To be a child of God, you must receive and believe in Jesus Christ.
- The most important question is whether you are a child of God. You must examine yourself to make sure you have a genuine experience of faith.
- The first test is your relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Without him, you cannot become a child of God.
- The second test is your relationship with God the Father. As his child, you will instinctively love him, be proud of him, and be concerned for his affairs and kingdom.
- Another test is how you feel and react when you sin. A child of God will feel like they have hurt their Father and will run to him for forgiveness. They know he will show them mercy.
- The third test is your relationship with the Holy Spirit. A child of God has the Holy Spirit living inside them. They are aware of the Spirit's presence and leading in their life.
- One evidence of the Spirit is understanding spiritual truths. The Holy Spirit gives Christians insight into the meaning of Scripture and doctrines like the incarnation.
- Another evidence of the Spirit is occasional special illuminations of Scripture. The Holy Spirit sometimes gives sudden new insights into familiar Bible passages.
- If you have experienced the Holy Spirit in your life, you can be assured you are a child of God. God will not abandon you, even if you go through times of difficulty.
- In summary, the three tests of whether you are a child of God are your relationship with the Son, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. Examine yourself to make sure you meet these biblical tests.
Sermon Q&A
What Does Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Teach About How Christians Should Respond to Sin?
In this sermon, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explores the Christian's response to sin as a key indicator of true salvation. Here are thoughtful questions and answers based on his powerful teaching.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the primary purpose of John's Gospel?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, John wrote his gospel to strengthen the faith of early Christian believers who faced discouragements, temptations from the devil, and false teachers. The purpose was "that they might enter into a fuller enjoyment of what has been made possible for us in Christ Jesus." He emphasizes that salvation doesn't stop at forgiveness but culminates in believers becoming children of God.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones distinguish between the reaction of a true Christian and a non-Christian when they sin?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that when a true Christian sins, they don't feel that they are lost or no longer a Christian. If someone does feel entirely lost after sinning, it indicates they're still trying to justify themselves by works rather than grace. The true Christian experiences grief over breaking relationship with God rather than merely fearing punishment or feeling they've failed to maintain their own standards. They feel they've "hurt love" and "wounded someone who loves us and whom we love."
What example does Dr. Lloyd-Jones use from the Old Testament to illustrate the true Christian response to sin?
He uses David's response in Psalm 51 after committing adultery and murder. David's primary concern wasn't just that he broke laws, but rather "against thee, thee only have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight." David was grieved because he had wounded and sinned against the God who had blessed him so abundantly. This demonstrates the personal relationship aspect of true Christianity versus mere legalism.
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, what surprising action does a true child of God take after sinning?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that a true child of God, after sinning, rushes to the very Father they have offended. This "mystery of love" defies philosophical logic - we would expect the sinner to avoid the one they've offended, but the true child knows that their heavenly Father loves them more than anyone else and is willing to forgive. He contrasts this with Judas, who, after betraying Jesus, went to the authorities and then hanged himself rather than returning to Christ for forgiveness.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the work of the Holy Spirit in confirming that someone is a child of God?
He identifies several aspects of the Holy Spirit's work that confirm true salvation: 1. The awareness of "something in us which is not ourselves" - a presence that makes us conscious we are what we are by God's grace 2. The experience of "desertions" - times when a believer feels the Spirit's presence has withdrawn, which only those who have known His presence can experience 3. An "unction" or "anointing" that gives understanding of spiritual truth that natural minds cannot grasp 4. The ability to discern false teaching and recognize "antichrists" 5. Special moments of illumination when Scripture suddenly opens up with unusual clarity
What comfort does Dr. Lloyd-Jones offer to Christians who struggle with assurance of salvation?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones assures his listeners that "if you've ever been a child of God, you're still a child of God. And you'll always be a child of God." He explains that if any of these proofs demonstrate you've ever been a child of God, you remain God's child even through periods of unhappiness or spiritual dryness. His advice is to "Rush back to him, thank him, fall at his feet, hold on to him, and he'll turn his face back to you."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the difference between relating to God under law versus under grace?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrasts the person under law who focuses on "watching himself" and "trying to accumulate merit" with the person under grace who experiences a personal relationship. The person under law feels they've failed when they sin because they've broken rules and damaged their record. The person under grace grieves because they've wounded love and interrupted an intimate relationship with their Father. One is mechanical; the other is personal.
The Book of John
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.