In this message from 1 John 3:1-10, Pastor Kevin reminded the church of the incredible love of our Heavenly Father. Those who believe in Christ are not just forgiven sinners. They are children of God. As God’s children, our lives should increasingly reflect the character of our Father. We do not become God’s children by acting righteous. Rather, righteous living becomes evidence that we belong to Him. John calls believers to live as children of God by being holy, humble, and wise.
Be Holy
The first defining characteristic of a child of God is a dedication to personal holiness.
Pastor Kevin explained that children often resemble their parents. They may share facial features, habits, mannerisms, or values. In the same way, God’s children should begin to resemble their Heavenly Father. The Christian life is not about pretending to be perfect. It is about growing to look more like Christ each day.
Because God is holy, His children should desire holiness. Scripture often describes God as “holy, holy, holy,” emphasizing that He is the holiest of all. If we belong to Him, our lives should reflect His purity. (1 John 3:3)
Our words matter, but so does our lifestyle. If we claim to follow Christ on Sunday but live differently throughout the week, people will notice. A holy life gives credibility to the message we proclaim.
Be Humble
Sin is rebellion against God’s order, authority, and holiness. (1 John 3:4) Humility is necessary because none of us like being corrected. When someone points out our sin, we often want to defend ourselves, change the subject, or hide what we have done. But God sees everything. The sins we try to hide, cover up, or sweep under the rug are never hidden from Him.
The good news is that Jesus came to take away sin. (1 John 3:5) Under the Old Testament sacrificial system, the shedding of blood temporarily covered sin. But Jesus, the perfect and sinless Son of God, went to the cross and permanently paid for sin. When He said, “It is finished,” He completed the work of redemption.
God is a God of order, not chaos. Pastor Kevin pointed to the feeding of the 5,000, where Jesus instructed the disciples to seat the people in organized groups before distributing the food. This showed both God’s provision and His order.
Humility means recognizing that God’s authority is good. God places parents, leaders, pastors, teachers, and other authorities in our lives to help maintain order and guide us. A prideful heart resists correction, but a humble heart receives instruction and submits to God’s truth.
Be Wise
Pastor Kevin explained that wisdom helps believers recognize deception and avoid the schemes of the devil.
The devil has been sinning from the beginning. He knows how to tempt, distract, and deceive. But Jesus came not only to take away sins, but also to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). Because of Christ, believers do not have to remain trapped in patterns of sin.
This does not mean Christians never struggle with sin. Believers still have a sinful nature and still need conviction, repentance, and growth. But a child of God should not be comfortable continuing in sin as a lifestyle.
Wisdom comes from God’s Word and from asking God for it. When believers face confusion, temptation, or difficult decisions, they should seek God’s truth. God is not a God of chaos. He gives wisdom, guidance, and clarity through His Word and His Spirit.
Pastor Kevin summarized the message with this reminder: God’s love gives us a new name. God’s Son gives us a new life. God’s Spirit gives us a new way to live.
*Note: There was an audio technical issue during the live stream. We are working hard to get this corrected!
Watch This Week's Sermon
To watch other past sermons, visit our Sermon Page