Jesus Gives Us Power to Become God's Sons (John 1:9-13)
Introduction:
1. This morning we showed from Galatians 4:4-5 that God sent His Son so "that we might receive the adoption of sons." 2. According to John 1:12, Jesus is able to give us "power to become the sons of God" -- this is the subject we are studying. 3. Let us begin by making some observations from . . .
Discussion:
I. JOHN 1:9-13
A. (vs.9) John referred to Jesus as "the true light." 1. His light is available to everyone. 2. Jesus talked about this further in John 8:12. B. (vs.10) John mentioned the fact that the world was made by Christ. 1. According to vs.3, "all things were made by Him." 2. Even though Christ made the world at the beginning, He eventually came into the world (vs.14); unfortunately, the world did not know Him. C. (vs.11) Even those who were considered to be His own did not receive Him -- they missed out on the special blessings that He came to provide. D. There is, however, some good news in vs.12-13. 1. Jesus gives those who receive Him the right to become children of God. 2. Receiving Christ includes "believing on His name" and "being born of God." 3. This birth is not "of blood," "of the will of the flesh," or "of the will of man." 4. Being "born of God" is the new birth that Jesus described in John 3:3, 5. E. In Acts we are able to read about people from different ethnic backgrounds who were born of God so they could become His children. 1. (Acts 8) The eunuch of Ethiopia was an African man. 2. (Acts 9) Saul of Tarsus was a Jewish man. 3. (Acts 10) Cornelius was a Gentile man. F. Let us read about the eunuch of Ethiopia in . . .
II. ACTS 8:26-39
A. Philip played a key role in helping the eunuch become a child of God. 1. He had been a servant of the Jerusalem church (Acts 6:5). 2. (Acts 8:5) He went to Samaria and preached to the people there. 3. (vs.26) An angel directed Philip to go to a certain area that was deserted. B. (vs.27) We are introduced to the eunuch. 1. He was a man of authority. a. He was in charge of the queen's treasure. b. This position of authority did not make him a child of God. 2. He had gone to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home. a. He was a religious man. b. Being a religious man did not make him a child of God. C. When Philip came in contact with the eunuch he was reading from Isaiah. 1. He was reading Isaiah's prophecy about the suffering of Christ. 2. He did not understand Isaiah's message, and he needed some guidance. 3. He demonstrated his humility in admitting his need of assistance. D. (vs.35) Philip began at that Scripture and taught this man about Jesus. E. As they traveled they came to a body of water. 1. The eunuch wanted to know if there was anything that could hinder him from being baptized. 2. There was no hindrance because he believed that Jesus is God's Son. 3. (vs.38) Philip baptized the eunuch. F. (vs.39) The eunuch went on his way rejoicing -- he had become a child of God.
Conclusion:
1. According to John 1:12-13, did the eunuch in Acts 8 receive Jesus? 2. He received Jesus by believing on His name and by being born of God (of water and the Spirit). 3. If you would like to do what this man did so you can receive the blessing that he received we invite you to respond to the Lord's invitation.
