I. Jesus Merges Spirit with Truth (John 4:19-26)

A. Her diversion (19-20) – “The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. [20] Our fathers worshiped on this mountain (Gerizim); but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.”

B. Her deception (21-22) – “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know…”

C. His declaration (23-24) – “But the hour is coming and is now here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit {worship’s flight} and truth {worship’s foundation}, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. [24] God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

 

II. Holy Spirit Revealed as God’s Truth

• John 14:16-17: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”

• John 15:26: “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.”

• John 16:13: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”

In these verses, Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of truth who:

• Dwells with and in believers.

• Testifies (bears witness) about Jesus.

• Guides believers into all the truth.

• Speaks what He hears (from the Father and Son) and reveals future things.

 

III. Holy Spirit People Must Remain Truth People

A. Holy Spirit is always concerned about truth (1 John 5:6) – “This is he who came by water and blood – Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.”

B. Holy Spirit preserves truth in Scripture (1 John 4:6) – “We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”

C. Holy Spirit teaches you (John 14:26) – “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (The Spirit as teacher of truth.)

D. The Spirit reveals truth about God (1 Corinthians 2:10-13) – “These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. [11] For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. [12] Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. [13] And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.”

 

IV. The Urgency for Truth in Days of Deception

• “But the hour is coming, and is now here…” – John 4:23

Spirit without truth leads to subjectivism, experience/encounter based idolatry, and vulnerability to lying spirits or self-deception. Not every spiritual experience is from the Holy Spirit.

Truth without spirit produces dead orthodoxy, legalism, pride in knowledge, and powerless religion (a form of godliness without the power). We can be biblically accurate yet spiritually dry and vulnerable to a heartless, passionless cold commitment to a God we really have never met.

• “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” – John 4:24

 

 

I. Protecting Your Mind-Gate (8)

“Think about these things…” – Denotes a constant thought process

A. Focus on that which is biblical – “…whatever is true…”

B. Focus on that which is superior – “…whatever is honorable…” Reverent, dignified, noble C. Focus on that which is holy – “…whatever is just…pure…lovely…”

D. Focus on that which is worthy – “…whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise…”

 

II. Protection Over Who Influences You (9)

A. Accept the role of a life-long student – “What you have learned…”

B. Choose your role models wisely – “…received and heard and seen in me…”

C. Live out your beliefs consistently – “…practice these things, and the God peace will be with you.”

 

 

I. TRUE WISDOM IS REVEALED BY OUR CONDUCT (v. 13) –  “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.”

Wisdom shows up:

In how you respond when someone criticizes you

In how you treat your spouse

In how you talk to your children

In how you behave when nobody is watching

In how you handle pressure

In how you respond to disagreement

Scripture References:

• Numbers 12:3 – “Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.”
• Colossians 4:2-6 – “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

 

II. EARTHLY WISDOM PRODUCES CHAOS (v. 14-16) –  “But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”

Scripture References:

• Matthew 16:24 –  “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him DENY himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”
• Romans 12:15 – “Rejoice with those who rejoice.”

 

III. HEAVENLY WISDOM HAS DISTINCT CHARACTERISTICS (v. 17) – “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”

 

Characteristics of Christlikeness:

A. PURE – God cares about motives

• Psalm 24:3–4 – “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart.”

B. PEACEABLE – Godly wisdom pursues peace

• Matthew 5:9 –  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

C. GENTLE – Gentleness is strength with compassion

D. WILLING TO YIELD –  Teachable. Approachable. Open to correction

• Proverbs 12:15 – “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.”

E. FULL OF MERCY AND GOOD FRUITS – Compassion towards people who don’t deserve it

• Lamentations 3:22-23 – “His mercies are new every morning.”

F. WITHOUT PARTIALITY – Godly wisdom does not play favorites

• James 2:8-9 – “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

G. WITHOUT HYPOCRISY – Wisdom is genuine

 

IV. GODLY WISDOM PRODUCES RIGHTEOUS FRUIT (v. 18) – “Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

Scripture References:

• Galatians 6:7 – “Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”

 

 

We can become men convicted of the need to raise and release royalty.

We can become men commissioned and skilled to raise and release royalty.

 

Prevalence of Father Absence

• Nearly 1 in 4 children (about 17–19 million under age 18) live in homes without a biological, step, or adoptive father—roughly 20–25% of U.S. children. This is among the highest rates in the developed world.
• The share of children living with married parents has declined significantly: from about 77% in 1980 to around 63% in recent years. Single-mother households are the most common alternative.

 

Key Impacts on Children and Society

• Poverty: Children in father-absent homes (especially single-mother homes) are about 4 times more likely to live in poverty
• Education: Fatherless children are twice as likely to drop out of high school, more likely to repeat grades, have behavioral issues in school, and lower academic performance.
• Crime and Delinquency: Strong links to higher juvenile delinquency, incarceration (up to 20x higher risk in some data), and antisocial behavior. Boys are often particularly affected. Approximately 65% of incarcerated males come from fatherless homes.
• Mental/Emotional Health and Other Risks: Higher rates of depression, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, suicide, homelessness/runaway behavior, and behavioral problems.
• Generational/Cultural Effects: These outcomes contribute to cycles of instability, reduced social mobility, economic strain on communities, and broader societal challenges

 

One in four children in our nation are growing up without this irreplaceable gift… and the data shows the cost is staggering. But the Church has an answer in the biblical pattern of fatherhood.

 

Ephesians 6:4 – “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

Final two verses in the Old Testament (Malachi 4:5-6) – “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. [6] And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”

Today, let’s contrast these bleak statistics with what Scripture offers as a biblical vision of legacy.

 

Psalm 45 is a royal/messianic psalm prophetically celebrating King Jesus and His bride – this particular verse is about succession and multiplication by Kingdom men.

Psalm 45:16 – “In place of your fathers shall be your sons;

you will make them princes in all the earth.”

God is calling every Christian man to stop merely existing and start purposing himself as a father, husband, leader, and kingdom man – so that in our place, our sons (and daughters) become princes and princesses who influence the earth for Jesus.

Psalm 45:16 isn’t a promise of automatic success.

It’s a vision that demands intentionality.

Today we will be convicted… and then commissioned.

 

I. Let’s Get Honest: Where We Have Fallen Short

• Many men have abdicated: passive in the home, distracted in mission, compromised in the marketplace, and absent (physically or emotionally) as dads.
• Reference biblical warnings: Eli’s failure (1 Samuel 2-4), David’s domestic chaos, the generational curses seen in the loves of Israel’s kings in Scripture.

I gave my children my DNA but am I giving them their destiny?

Am I building a legacy or just maintaining a lifestyle?

Are my children seeing a man who is purposed by God or pulled by the world?

Motivation pivot: “The good news? God is a Redeemer of time and a Restorer of legacies. Today is the day to repent and rise.”

 

II. Let’s Get Motivated: Purpose Yourself in Four Key Realms

A. Purposed in Your Home (as Husband and Spiritual Leader)

• Your home is the first kingdom you steward. Ephesians 5:25-28 – love your wife sacrificially as Christ loves the Church.
• Practical conviction: Is your home a place of peace, order, and discipleship, or chaos and distraction?
• Motivation: When a man leads his home with humility and strength, he creates the soil where “princes” grow.
• Fathers must build the structure that provides for intentional raising of children for the Kingdom
• Will your children view you as a man of the world/flesh or Kingdom/Spirit?

B. Purposed as Godly Dads to Your Children

• It is our responsibility – Psalm 45:16 – “You will make them princes.”

Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Deuteronomy 6:7- “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise”

Joshua 24:15 – “Choose this day whom you will serve…as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

• Conviction: Many fathers provide materially but starve their kids spiritually. We train them in sports and academics but not in Kingdom. Sons learn manhood by watching you; daughters learn what to expect from a man by watching you.
• Commissioned: Your investment now produces “princes in all the earth” – goldy citizens, Kingdom influencers, leaders, reformers, revivalists.

C. Purposed in Your Life’s Mission (Kingdom Assignment)

1. Every man has a “why” beyond survival – your unique calling in the Kingdom (5-fold ministry gifts, marketplace calling, community impact).
2. Examples – Moses (leading a generation out of bondage), Nehemiah (wall-builder), Paul (finishing the race), John Baptist (preparing a generation for Messiah), Jesus (finishing the work the Father gave Him).
3. Conviction: Busyness, comfort, or fear has sidelined too many men from their mission. The “me first” repetition of Mark 9.
4. Motivation: When you live on mission, your sons/daughters see a father who exchanges his life for something eternal. They inherit not just DNA but destiny.
5. Commissioned: action steps – Clarify your calling, steward your time/energy, disciple other young men.

D. Purposed in the Marketplace (Influence and Integrity)

• Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord.”
• Conviction: Compromise, laziness, or idolatry of success has dulled our witness. Men are called to be salt and light where they earn their living.
• Motivation: Marketplace princes are raised by fathers who model diligence, honesty, generosity, and bold faith at work. Your integrity there trains your children to be “princes in all the earth.”
• Practical: Excellence in your job, witnessing, ethical decisions, mentoring others, generosity to Kingdom work.

 

III. Let’s Get it Settled: A Legacy of Princes

• Imagine your sons and spiritual sons walking as princes – confident in their identity in Christ, walking in authority, transforming culture, advancing the Gospel.
• Messianic tie-in: Psalm 45 points to Jesus, the ultimate King whose sons (us, the Church) are made royalty. We are raising the next generation in His image.
• Encouragement: It’s never too late. God redeems lost years (Joel 2:25). Start today with repentance, dependence on the Holy Spirit, and small consistent steps.

Psalm 45:16 – “In place of your fathers shall be your sons;

you will make them princes in all the earth.”

Call to action:

1. Repent of passivity and abdication.

2. Commit to purposing yourself in home, church, mission & marketplace

3. Altar/ministry time: Invite men forward for prayer—specific to fatherhood, marriage, calling, or legacy.

 

 

Protection of Your Internal Atmosphere (4-7)

 

A. Treasure joy in your soul (4)

– “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”

B. Wean yourself from agitation (5)

– “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.”

C. Refuse to nurture anxiety (6)

– “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

D. Prioritize a peaceful heart (7)

– “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

 

 

Protection Against Relational Bitterness (1-3)

Concerning relationships at the end of the age, Jesus says in Matthew 24:10 – “Many will be offended.”

Jesus warns that in the last days, intense pressure, persecution, deception, and rampant lawlessness will cause many who once professed faith to become deeply offended – at God, at the church, at circumstances, or at the cost of following Christ.

WE MUST MILITANTLY GUARD OUR HEARTS AGAINST EVERY FORM OF BITTERNESS

 

A. Something to remember together (1) – “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.”

We are spiritual siblings, called unto family love in Jesus

 

B. Something to pursue together (2) – “I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.”

We must submit the tension of our disagreements to the greater strength of our unity in the Lord. Those who have denied themselves, taken up their crosses, and are following Jesus do not fight for self.

 

C. Something to guard together (3) – “Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.”

We should be agents of reconciliation wherever division appears in the Body of Christ

 

I. Become Vigilant (1-2)  “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.”

Today, many are unsettled by sensational end-times predictions, conspiracy theories, or false prophecies. Paul’s pastoral heart calls us to become steadied and readied by Kingdom truth in truth.

 

II. Become Informed (3-7)

A. We are warned (3a) – “Let no one deceive you in any way.”

Jesus explicitly commands us not to be deceived three times. Paul explicitly warns us not to be deceived five times. John commands us not to be deceived and test the spirit of everything twice. James commands us to be on guard to not become self-deceived. There are at least four other passages that clearly inform us and warn us to be alert against the forces of deception in the world.

B. We are informed (3) – “Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction…”

Paul writes here that the coming Day of the Lord and our being gathered together with Him will not precede a time of great apostasy and the revealing of the man of lawlessness, the antichrist.

C. We are alert (4, 8-10) – “…who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God… (8) And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. (9) The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, (10) and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.”

 

III. Become Aligned (11-15)

A. God’s Judicial Response (11-12) – “Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, (12) in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

– Satan empowers the antichrist with counterfeit miracles, but his doom is certain. Those who reject truth by not believing it and not loving it face divine delusion sent from God himself. At this point, there is no hope for redemption for these people.

This underscores the seriousness of loving and believing the truth of God’s Word now.

B. Our hope and comfort (13-14) – “But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

C. Our response to God’s sovereign work (15) – “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold {take into custody} to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.”

The use of the Greek word translated traditions is one of the only times in the NT where the word is used in a positive light. The word indicates the passing down of something to be held closely. Paul was charging Timothy to keep himself arrested by the truths Paul had taught him about Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.

 

 

 

I. The Curious Question We Want Answered (1-3)

A. The shocker from Jesus (1-2) – “Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

B. The desire for clarity from the disciples (3) – “As He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?”

 

II. The Emerging Signs We Must Not Ignore (4-12)

A. False christs (4-5) – “And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.”

B. International conflict (6-8) – “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.”

C. Increasing persecution (9) – “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.”

D. Abandoning of the faith (10-11) – “And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.”

E. Hardening of hearts (12) – “And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.”

 

III. The Promised Victory for All Who Overcome (13-14)

A. The characteristic of the victorious (13) – “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

B. The care for the lost (14) – “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

 

 

I. The Blessing Of Motherhood (1-2)

A. The beginnings of a family (1) – “Now a man from the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman.”

B. The birth in the family (2a) – “The woman conceived and bore a son…”

C. The bond in the family (2b) – “…and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months.”

 

II. The Burdens Of Motherhood (3-4)

A. Physical demands (3a) – “When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch.”

B. Emotional vulnerability (3b) – “…She put the child in it…”

C. Spiritual release (3c) – “…and placed it among the reeds by the river bank.”

D. Circumstantial dangers (4) – “And his sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him.”

 

III. The Broadening Of Motherhood (5-6)

Pharoah’s daughter was not the birth mother but was given the role of a mother

A. This lady had an opportunity (5) – “Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her young women walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her servant woman, and she took it.”

B. This lady had a vision (6a) – “When she opened it, she saw the child…”

C. This lady had a heart (6b) – “…behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”

The law of Egypt demanded death. The heart of this woman demanded mercy!

 

IV. The Breakthroughs In Motherhood (7-10)

A. When God’s plan becomes clear (7-8) – “Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” [8] And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother.”

B. When God’s grace is experienced (9) – “And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him.”

God’s grace to the mother, God’s grace to the child

C. When God’s reward becomes evident (10) – “When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, “Because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.”

The investment of two women results in one of man’s greatest heroes – Moses The Deliverer!

 

OPENING THOUGHTS:

#1

The Big Idea: All who have turned to faith in Jesus Christ are no longer positional sinners, slaves or outsiders. They, both male and female, are relational and legal sons, fully adopted heirs into God’s family, secured and led by God the Spirit, and sharing in Christ’s inheritance both now and for eternity.

#2

Adoption provides every believer with: deep relationship, positional security, full inheritance, and transformation in the image of the Father

 

 

I. Chosen and beloved (Ephesians 1:5) – “He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.”

• Adoption was the deliberate choosing act of the new father (not earned in any way by the adoptee). It was irrevocable – the adopted son actually had a stronger legal position than a natural son in some respects and could not be disowned.
• Complete legal transfer: The adoptee was formally emancipated from the old family (a ceremonial “sale” or release). All previous ties, debts, and obligations were severed. The person was then placed under the new father’s full authority and responsibility.

 

II. Positioned via salvation (Galatians 3:26) – “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.”

• Paul stresses that all Christians – without distinction – are sons of God solely through faith in Christ. Roman law treated adoption as a deliberate, binding legal act that transformed status, identity, family, and inheritance. Paul harnesses this to explain how believers move from slavery (to sin, the law, or fear) into full sonship in God’s family through Christ and the Spirit.

 

III. Led in relationship, not religion (Romans 8:14-15) – “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’”

• The Holy Spirit confirms and enables this intimate father-child relationship for believers. Slaves relate to masters by duties, work, and fear of failure/punishment. Sons are led by love, confidence in their acceptance, a desire to bring delight to the Father, and a partnership with the Father in his will.

 

IV. Emboldened with confidence (Romans 8:16-17) – “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ…”

• This truth underscores the internal assurance from Holy Spirit of our sonship and the resulting inheritance shared with Christ. Upon adoption, the person immediately became a legal heir to the father’s entire estate, wealth, name, power, and family rights. Inheritance was not delayed until death; the adopted son shared in the family’s resources and responsibilities right away.

 

V. Overwhelmed and amazed (1 John 3:1) – “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”

• John highlights the amazing love of God that bestows this identity on believers. An adopted son had the same legal standing, name, and privileges as a natural-born son – there was no second-class status. Jesus is the Only Begotten Son, and we are the adopted sons. Yet we are as fully accepted and acceptable to the Father as the only begotten.

 

VI. Living in tension (Romans 8:23) – “And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”

• The adoptee received a new name and place in the family. Believers gain a new identity as “children of God” (with the Spirit confirming it internally) and the responsibility to live as led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14). While we are assured that we are fully His sons NOW, we also recognize that there are realities of this sonship which will not be fully experienced until we are resurrected and glorified.

 

VII. Invited into the family (John 1:12) – “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

• Salvation results in sonship for all who believe. God has always been committed to creating an eternal family. In essence, He asks each of us, “Would you like to become my son? Would you like to become a part of my family?” His desire is that each person would say yes to His invitation. We come through the Only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.