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Sermon #1005

Children of God

A Sermon on "the Right to Become Children of God" (John 1:12–13)

Originally preached Jan. 20, 1963

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Scripture

John 1:12-13 ESV KJV
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (ESV)

Sermon Description

What happens to a believer when they become a Christian? Are there benefits that belong especially to them? In this sermon on John 1:12–13 titled “Children of God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones focuses on one of the most astounding truths in the Bible, namely, a believer’s adoption as a son or daughter of God. Through believing in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, Christians join the family of Christ and now hold the benefits of adoption. These benefits are not universal but are only provided to believers. This immediate internal connection changes believers; it transforms them and provides a relationship and position of honor as Children of God. The greatest implication is that even those outside the fold can become the Child of God and this is the good news of the gospel. May God give us a living awareness that we are indeed His children and may we glory in the profoundness of our adoption.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The sermon focuses on John 1:12-13 which states that those who receive and believe in Jesus are given the right to become children of God.
  2. The sermon clarifies that "sons of God" in verse 12 should be translated as "children of God" to match the original Greek. This emphasizes a natural, internal relationship with God rather than an external adoption.
  3. The sermon explains that "power" in verse 12 refers to authority, right, privilege and honor - not ability or possibility. It means being reckoned worthy to become God's children.
  4. Becoming God's children involves a real change and transformation, not just a change in title or position. We partake in the divine nature.
  5. All people are not naturally God's children. We must be born again through faith in Christ to become God's children.
  6. This new birth is not of human origin or ability. It is not by natural descent, human will or effort. It is solely by God's will and work.
  7. The new birth is accomplished through the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. The Word is the seed and the Spirit gives new life.
  8. We should rejoice and glory in the amazing privilege of being called God's children through Christ.
  9. We should live lives worthy of this high calling and honor.

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.