1 John 3:1-6 Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knows us not… I. WHAT GOD'S LIVING FAMILY ARE CALLED UPON TO BEHOLD. "What manner of love," etc. 1. It is covenant love. 2. Unchangeable love. 3. Incarnate love. 4. Redeeming love. 5. Pardoning love. 6. Restoring love. II. WHAT THEY, UPON WHOM THE FATHER'S LOVE IS BESTOWED, ARE CALLED. "The sons of God." 1. It is not a fictitious name. 2. It is a name which shows the peculiar relation they sustain to God. 3. It is a name which gives them a title to all things in the whole universe of God. III. WHAT THE SONS OF GOD SAY OF THE WORLD. "Knoweth us not." 1. The world knoweth not the life which they live — even a life of faith on the Son of God, and a life hid with Christ in God. 2. The world knoweth not their inward conflicts; the flesh lusting against the spirit, etc. 3. The world knoweth not their doubts and fears. 4. The world knoweth not their joys and sorrows. 5. The world knoweth not the doctrines which the children of God are taught by the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot receive. IV. THE REASON WHY THE WORLD KNOWETH NOT THE SONS OF GOD. "Because it knew Him not" — the Incarnate God. (J. J. Eastmead.) Parallel Verses KJV: Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. |
    |