Revealing of the Sons of God Part 3 - 1 Jn. 3:1-4

Welcome those who are listening and we have people from the Facebook we've got Beatrice and Calvin Dolores of course Jeff Connie Michael Aaron Rick and Sam Anthony good morning to each of you And I know that others usually will be joining later And so we kind of got an early start on that but also to those in the Memphis and Shelby County area We appreciate your listening Tupelo, Mississippi Little Rock, Arkansas West Memphis Forest City Jonesboro and those on the east coast and then of course We have to say good morning to those who are listening from around the world who tune in on Facebook for the live stream We appreciate you and we appreciate the comments and the feedback that we get from you as well And so we're looking forward to to a great study this morning Hopefully that will help you to continue to see What is involved in 1st John chapter 3 verses 1 through 3 where the Bible says Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us that we should be called the children or the sons of God Therefore the world does not know us because it did not know him. And so we will be focusing on those passages and looking at Just what is involved at least to the best of our ability as we try to Present to you the Word of God now as we are underway we have talked a little bit about how these sons of God came about very very important for us to keep that in mind and That is from John the Gospel of John chapter 1 The scripture talks about the Lord coming to his own his own did not receive him But as many as received him to them The power that power was the power of the gospel as the Bible says Romans 1 verses 16 and 17 For I am NOT ashamed of the gospel of Christ was the power of God unto salvation To the Jew for to everyone who believes to the Jew first and also to the Greek And so the gospel is that power that God gave for one to become a son of God This was this means that they were not born of human Flesh or blood they were not born of human will nor of the will of the flesh But of God and so we were talking about people who have been born again We're talking about those who were born of God and in John 3 we touched on that just briefly. We'll say just thinking too about it where Nicodemus comes to Jesus and Says to him rabbi We know that you are a teacher who comes from God for no man can do these miracles that you do Except God is with him. And so Jesus said to Nicodemus that except he was born again He could not enter the kingdom of God and Nicodemus questioned him, which is something that happens often times you know, we get this so so many times and I just want to make a point about it and that is when we're talking about the things of the scriptures particularly spiritual things People often go in the opposite direction and talk about material things and if you study the gospel of John very carefully you will find that in almost every occasion where Jesus is into a debate or a conflict with his audience it is because he is speaking of something that is spiritual in nature and they are focused on something that is material in nature and Physical and this is why he is misunderstood This is why the scriptures are misunderstood this is why we have people talking about a physical coming of Christ and that he's going to burn up the world and All of these things that they're expecting this physical rapture concept all of these ideas come from the fact that people misunderstand Christ and I suggest just go through the gospel of John again and Study the gospel of John and just note that because you know, even As early as chapter 1 you have, you know References to it you have chapter 2 chapter 3 when he talks in chapter 2 when he talks about the temple The Jews are focused on the physical temple Jesus was talking about the temple of his body and he wasn't referring to his physical body even in that particular text as far as the temple that was going to be raised up and the same thing in John chapter 3 we've got the question about the physical birth versus spiritual birth and in chapter 4 about living water as opposed to H2o so you can just walk through the gospel of John and see these conflicts over and over and over again and yet we are often criticized because we talk about the spiritual nature of things as they are fulfilled in Christ and so the same thing is occurring when we talk about sons of God and Therefore people failing to understand these passages because they're looking for some type of physical fulfillment of these things and thereby ignoring all of the chronological parameters that are found in the text the temporal markers and indicators that Demonstrate that this is something which has already occurred and that these sons of God are not to be determined by any type of physical nature or a physical change But this is a soteriological that is a change that relates to their state of acceptance before God and being in the presence of God and so with that let us Continue on as far as the the message is concerned now as we look in first John we talked about the fact that the scripture says that there They were to be revealed and so we need to talk about what this revealing is all about we mentioned from Colossians chapter 3 That the Saints had died yet. That was not physical death We talked about the fact that they had risen from that death and again That couldn't have been a physical resurrection and yet the scripture says that their life was hidden now again We're not talking about their physical lives being hidden of course Paul didn't write the letter to the you know people in the graveyard He wrote it to living breathing people and yet. He says their lives were hidden so it's Necessary for us to understand in what manner their lives were hidden they had been raised with Christ their lives were hidden and This is demonstrating the kind of life that the Bible is focused upon so if you're going to talk about the life talk about one That's invisible talk about the one that was hidden, and you can't say that about yourself We've had so many people come in today, and I've I want to say good morning to all of you And we appreciate you so very much, and maybe I'll try to acknowledge a few of these names along the way, but they have really Proliferated over the past few seconds so once again good morning to all of you now in Romans chapter 8 Romans chapter 8 let's notice something that the Bible says and we're going to look at verses 18 and 19 because here the scripture is going to talk about the manifesting of The sons of God the manifestation of the sons of God in other words it's the same subject that we have in Colossians 3 and also in 1st John chapter 3 because it is about the revealing or the manifesting the making known of The sons of God some of this is a little bit of review, but it's okay because we're going to get beyond These points as we progress in the lesson so Romans chapter 8 and the verses are 18 and 19 Part consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory Which shall be revealed in us all right? Let's hold it right there for a second now notice that Paul is writing to people who were Undergoing persecution This was no common persecution This was not like your big toe being hurt or you know you bump your elbow or something of that nature or even It wasn't just common persecution of someone may be physically assaulting you these were Eschatological sufferings in other words they were the birth pangs that were to attend the End of the age in 1st Corinthians he spoke about them as the present distress So these were persecutions that were necessary and had to come about in order to usher in the new age the what is called in the Bible the age to come and So they were the sufferings of this present time this present age Jesus used that phrase I believe in either a mark or Luke where he talked about the present time versus the age to come And so that's what was being talked about these were sufferings of that present time And he says the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory and this is also very very important because there's a word in here that indicates the Eminence of this event. He says it is the glory which is about to be Revealed in us. So this was not a glory that was put off for some 2,000 years later It is a glory that was about to be revealed in that time. That was an tip and Excuse me Antithetical to the sufferings they were enduring. It's just like Jesus told them in John chapter 16 He told them that in the world they were going to have tribulation But that he had overcome that world that world was the age of Moses It was the age that was coming to its end as Paul said in 1st Corinthians chapter 10 in verse 11 These things are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the ages have come and so they were living at the very close of an age and The sufferings attended that particular age but the result of those sufferings that were largely being meted out by the Jews who were their persecutors and Those whom the Jews instigated to persecute the church The Bible says that they were going to receive this manifestation of glory As opposed to the tribulation that they were suffering. So it was something that was imminent. That was about to come in their Generation. All right verse 19 for the earnest Expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God now notice what the text says it says for the earnest expectation of the creation Eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God now I touched on this a little bit last week when we talked about the creation and how people You know go off into Materialism the physicalities the very things that I was talking about earlier as it related to the gospel of John and They fail to see that the creation here is the same creation It's the same word Catechesis that was mentioned in Mark chapter 16 verses 15 and 16 when Jesus gave the Commission to the Apostles and said go into all the world and Preach the gospel to all the creation to all the Catechesis and not only did he tell him to do that But the Apostles affirmed that they had done. So per Colossians 1 and verse 23 where Paul said that he had preached to Every creature which is under heaven to all the creation under heaven So they fulfill the gospel mission in the first century and remember what was supposed to happen as a result of that Matthew 24 in verse 14 that this gospel of the kingdom must be preached in all the inhabited earth as a witness to all the nations then The end would come and of course all of that would take place within that first century generation But nevertheless, this is what he is talking about when he mentions the creation the creation There would be the Old Covenant Saints for the most part It's those who were placed under the bondage of the law those who did not achieve any Results because it was not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sin sins. And so they were Desiring to be delivered from the bondage of creation into the glorious liberty of the sons of God in other words they wanted to be sons of God in the same body as Those who were members of the body of Christ and those who had the firstfruits of the Spirit which would have been New Testament Saints because they were the ones who were given the firstfruits. And so from that perspective we have the creation desiring to Also be a part of this liberty of the sons of God now in if you will turn to 2nd Peter chapter 2 verses 19 and 20 2nd Peter chapter 2 verses 19 and 20 and let's look at 2nd Peter as he talks about this particular bondage so we can you know At least identify a little bit more in terms of who they are 2nd Peter 2 verses 19 and 20 Okay, let me let me begin he says while they promised them Liberty Peter is talking about these false teachers Who were plaguing the church time? He says while they promised them Liberty. They themselves are slaves of corruption or by whom a person is overcome by him also is he brought into bondage for if after They have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They are again Entangled in them and overcome the latter end is worse for them than the beginning now If you recall the message of Christ in Matthew chapter 12 When he is, you know, when they come to him demanding of him a sign To demonstrate whether or not he was the Son of God, etc And he gave them the sign of the Prophet Jonah But one of the things that he told them in that context of Matthew chapter 12 that as a result of their Being able to hear the gospel and their house being cleaned and swept and then he says after that they They fall away and he says the latter end of them is worse than the beginning This I believe is what Peter is referring to in 2nd Peter chapter 2 again referring to those who had refused to obey And therefore they were the ones who were under the bondage of corruption And of course Jesus's audience in that case, you know was the Jews and so That would demonstrate that the creation that he's talking about is the Old Covenant creation You can also look at Hebrews chapter 9 and verse 11 for that particular point now That being stated in Romans 8 again as we look in Romans 8 You will see that the context is all about the revealing of the sons of God And so as we read just a couple more verses in that context and then we'll move on if you'll notice in verse 14 of Romans 8 Romans 8 and verse 14 What does it say for as many as are led by the Spirit of God? These are the sons of God. So what separated the believers in the New Testament was the Holy Spirit This is what they were given to distinguish them from others who were claiming to be sons of God They were given the Holy Spirit the Holy Spirit was poured out on those who had become believers and This was the distinguishing Characteristic and when we say the Holy Spirit was poured out on them. We're not talking about Some better felt than told type of experience we're talking about the Holy Spirit that was attended to by these wonders and signs and Miraculous gifts that they were given. These were the miracles etc That were performed in the church that are vindicated those who were the true sons of God I'm gonna ask for Galatians chapter 3 in just a moment Galatians chapter 3 We'll be looking at verses 2 through 5 in that connection to demonstrate that but notice again for as many as are Led by the Spirit of God These are the sons of God now in essence What he's saying is those who were not led by the Spirit of God are not The sons of God, so this is how they're distinguished Remember, however, he said that the sons of God were hidden those who had received life in Colossians 3 and in 1st John they were hidden, but they had been given something to authenticate them to demonstrate that they were in fact sons of God and that was the Holy Spirit through the miracles that And the signs and the wonders that were conferred on them as the body of Christ, and so he says For it you did not receive the Spirit of bondage you see there's that contrast Between those who were without the Spirit you did not receive the Spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption By whom we cry out by whom we cry out Abba father and Thus the Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children or the sons of God now I mentioned to you that the Benefit of being a son of God was that they had the right to the inheritance Those who were sons of God would receive the right to inheritance and so those therefore who received the Spirit Were those confirmed as the sons of God and they would be the ones who would inherit and that's why he says if children Then heirs heirs of God and join heirs with Christ if we indeed suffer with him you see he hasn't changed this topic Those were the sufferings of that present time if we suffer with him that we also may be what? Glorified together and that's what goes into verse 18 That we started on the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared So the sufferings go along with those who had received the Holy Spirit now if you go to Galatians notice once again how Paul makes a distinction between those who receive the Spirit compared to those who did not Galatians chapter 3 and The verses are 2 and 3 This only I want to learn from you Did you receive the Spirit of the works of the law or by the hearing of faith? All right. Now notice he's writing to them He's asking who had bewitched them and he said this only I want to learn from you Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith now? That's a rhetorical question The implied answer is no you you did not receive it by the works of the law That means those who were under the law did not receive the Spirit but those who obeyed the gospel through faith So then faith comes by hearing hearing by the Word of God They were the ones who received the Spirit and that's what determined them as sons of God as both Romans and Galatians Says those who are led by the Spirit of God. These are the sons of God now watch verse 3 Are you so foolish having begun in the spirit? Are you now being made perfect in the flesh? All right, I wish I had time to talk about this in You know extensively but notice what he says. Are you so foolish having what be gone in the spirit now? Why did he focus on the term begun? Because they have entered into a process that was not complete at the time that he wrote This is the problem ladies and gentlemen with the study of eschatology. This is the problem with futurism Futurism is all about Saying or acknowledging that they began in the spirit, but they want them to end in Something physical they want them to end in Being some type of or manifesting sons of God in a physical way. No, no, no, no the Bible says Are you so foolish having begun in the spirit now? What's the question? Are you now being made perfect in the flesh the word perfect is the idea of Completing something of obtaining a goal of reaching the end or the consummation of what has already Started now if you get that you got the lesson This is what being a son of God is all about. It was about completing what had begun Hold your Your text there flip over just a couple of pages to the book of Philippians and you will see the very same thing Indicated in Philippians chapter 1 verses 5 & 6 All right Read Philippians 1 5 & 6 For you fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now here is Paul thanking the Philippians or thanking God For the fellowship now, what is fellowship all about? It's about coming into Christ being joint participants in Christ Christ. It's about receiving their salvation. It's about the beginning of their walk with God as Sons of God, but remember they were hidden so he says I Thank my God upon every remembrance of you always in every prayer of mine making requests for you all with joy for what reason For your fellowship in the gospel from what now watch from the first day on Till now. All right So if you go back to Acts chapter 16, you will see where the Philippians had their first day in The gospel and yet Paul says that he thanked God for their fellowship from the first day on Till now, so what is it that he's thanking them for for that same? Relationship in Christ their fellowship from the first day on Till now, all right up to the point where he wrote them the letter in To Philippi. All right now read the next verse Being confident of this very thing that he who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus All right now now get that ladies and gentlemen Get that we've identified what the work was. It was their fellowship in the gospel But he says and it was from that first day until now up to that point That means it was it had started and that it was still going on but in verse 6 he says being confident of this very thing that he who has begun a Good work in you will Complete it not a different work. That's the same point of Galatians chapter 3 When he asked him having begun in the spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? No, he says he who has begun a good work in you. What work did he begin a work in the spirit? so what work was he going to complete that same work in the spirit and How long was he going to complete it? until the day of Christ That's the coming of the Lord. That is the revealing of The sons of God he was going to complete that work until the day of Christ So it's not a different work. It's not a work in the flesh. It's not about physical bodies coming out of the ground it's about the confirmation and the manifestation of What was hidden in the saints that he would perfect until the day of Christ and that's why you have this emphasis on a beginning on a Continuation point up to the time that he's written wrote these epistles and then saying that that same work would continue Until the day of Christ and so that should be the end of the story as far as that is concerned But we definitely want to want to go further and continues All right So let's look at again verse 4 in the same text of Galatians verses 4 and 5 and you will see what this work of the spirit was for reads and this Galatians 3 and verse 4 have you suffered have you suffered so many things in vain if indeed it wasn't vain All right. See he's referring to the persecution again The persecution the sufferings of the present time have you suffered so many things in vain If indeed it was in vain verse 5 therefore he who supplies the spirit to you and works miracles among you Ah, that is how Does the spirit was supplied to them? Therefore he who supplies the spirit to you and works miracles among you go ahead Does he do it by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith? all right, does he do it by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith, so the Line of demarcation between those who had a claim or considered themselves sons of Abraham if you please Remember John the Baptist told him when they came to his baptism. Don't think to call yourselves sons of Abraham We're well They were as far as their blood was concerned as far as their natural descent from Abraham was concerned. They were But in terms of their relationship to the father they were not because they did not have the Spirit of God the Miraculous gifts were not poured out on those under the law. That's the point But it was poured out on those who had the faith in Jesus Christ. And so that's the distinguishing characteristic about them now That we understand a little bit more about these sons of God We need to ask ourselves, you know, why is this important because in 1st John chapter 3 the text is telling us that there is some correlation between the sons of God and between Jesus Christ and How they're going to be revealed, you know I had a conversation with a very good friend on Facebook this past week and we were talking about Jesus Christ and how he's going to be manifested at his return and I say how he was manifested at his return But because some of these people are looking for a you know physical appearance of Christ they're thinking that 1st John 3 is Talking about Christ is going to appear in some physical way and thus the Saints are going to be manifested in some physical way Well, can't you see yourself already? I mean, don't you know what you look like? As far as your physicality is concerned, that's not what the text was all about. Ladies and gentlemen, so let's read again in 1st John 3 verses 1 through 3 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us that we should be called the children of God Therefore the world does not know us because it did not know. All right. So now watch this the world does not know us Now they knew who Peter and John and James and all the Apostles were But it says the world does not know us in other words The world did not know their status before God is the point that he's making the world did not know their covenant relationship with God they did not know that being a part of Christ and in his body is What determined their stature or state as sons of God this the world did not know? And that's why they were considering Christ as a blasphemer and thus all of his farmers Followers as apostates and And this is why and so they didn't know that and so he's telling him the world does not know us because it did not Know him now. I pointed out last week. They knew Jesus's name. They knew what city he lived in. They knew his trade they knew his family his mother his alleged stepfather Or at least his stepfather Joseph they knew all of that about him They knew many things about his teaching But they didn't know who he was They didn't understand that he had a relationship with the father and it was this relationship that they did not know that was the cause of Their putting him to death. It was their ignorance of this particular fact which was the cause of their putting him to death and Let's look at a couple of passages that demonstrate that we're going to go to the fifth chapter of the gospel of John the fifth chapter of the gospel of John now Jesus is having a conversation with the Jews and He makes a statement in Verse 17, but we're gonna notice something in verse 16 Where the Bible says if you have John 5 and 16 read for this reason The Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to kill him. All right for this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to kill him as because he was healing people on the Sabbath, etc and As the scripture says because he had done these things what? Because he had done these things on the Sabbath All right, verse 17, but Jesus answered them My father has been working until now and I have been worked. All right. Now that statement was radical He said my father has been working until now and I Have been working. All right. Now what happens after that state? See, that was the straw that broke the camel's back as far as they're listening to him. Look at verse 18 Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill. Okay, the word therefore Indicates the reason why which they or for which they sought to kill him It was because of that statement my father Because he's indicating he has a relationship with the father. That is different from anything else from any claim That has been made before He's claiming something in that statement. All right, therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill him. Why? Because he not only broke the Sabbath see it wasn't just because of the Sabbath Because not only he broke the Sabbath But what else also said that God was his father also said that God was his father Making himself equal with God King himself Equal with God now, do you think that they understood that? Did they believe that? That was the point of contention Throughout his ministry all the way down to the very end It was his miracles that he was doing in Order to persuade them that he was the Son of God That's why Nicodemus came to him and said rabbi rabbi We know you are a teacher come from God for no man can do these miracles that you do except God is with him But the Jews the unbelieving Jews didn't get it Even when he did miracles that they could not deny like raising Lazarus from the dead They couldn't deny that one And yet they still sought to kill him So this is very very important that we see what the issue was It was that Jesus said he was the Son of God Even if you go to chapter 8 you have the very same concept the very same idea Look in John chapter 8 He made a statement. This is another one of these statements where people You know Where Jesus is misunderstood? when he says if the man keeps my word, he shall never see death and Jesus is not talking about physical death there, but that's where the Jews go and they start to talk about Abraham Well, you know, are you greater than our father Abraham who is dead and the prophets who are dead? And so they want to rebut his argument by appealing to physical death and that's not what he was talking about. But nevertheless Let's read in verse 54 started verse 54 and let's read Jesus answered if I honor myself My honor is nothing if it is my father who honors me of whom you say that he is your God all right, there's that statement again if it is my father who honors me of Whom you say that he is your God. All right read on Yet you have not known him. Oh, no, they have not known God Jesus said this They have not known God now I want you to think about that they have not known him All right, read on but I know him but I know him and if I say I do not know him I shall be a liar like you and if I say I do not know him I will be a liar like you read on but I do know him and keep his word But I do know him and keep his word read on your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day and he saw it and was glad. All right. Now Jesus is making another bold radical statement He says your father Abraham Rejoiced to see my day and he saw it and was glad now He's affirming something here about himself and about what Abraham saw read on Then the Jews said to him you are not 50 years old. And have you seen Abraham? Look at what they said See, they knew as so much about Jesus that they knew that he wasn't even 50 years of age they knew all the physical stuff about him and yet they said You are not yet 50 years old and have you seen Abraham now how in the world was a man Who had not yet reached 50 years of age? Able to have seen Abraham Okay, there's some of you listening to me today I'm looking at someone who is not yet 50 years of age a couple of people They haven't seen Abraham How was Jesus able to see Abraham? read on Jesus said to them most assuredly I say to you before Abraham was I am Abraham was I Am do you see what he is declaring there that he is Divine that he existed before Abraham and He appeared to Abraham in those Theophanies in the Old Testament and Before Abraham was I am now watch what happens when he makes the statement look at the next verse Then they took up stones to throw at him then they took up stones to throw at him But Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple going through the midst of them and so passed by All right, so they did not know who he was They didn't know that he existed before Abraham was They knew everything about his physicality. They could estimate how tall he was how broad he was What his complexion looked like what his hair looked like they could see his eyeballs they knew all that stuff But they didn't know who he was All right. Now, let's go all the way down to the end where he's under oath on trial Just before his death and let's see how much they had learned in the process go to Matthew chapter 26 Matthew the 26th. Yeah, and we're gonna look at verse 61 We'll start there Matthew 26 verse 61 and said This fellow said I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days All right See, there's one there's that statement that they got confused they thought they their response was 40 and six years have this temple been in building and You're gonna raise it up in three days. They were thinking about the physical temple heritage temple It wasn't what Jesus was talking about He was talking about the house not made with hands But nevertheless, let's go on and the high priest arose and said to him. Do you answer nothing? What is it these men testify against you? All right, the high priest arose and said to him now Jesus is on trial now and he says do you answer nothing? What is it these men testify against you? We don't but Jesus kept silent and the high priest answered and said to him I put you under oath by the Living God. Tell us if you are the Christ the Son of God, right? Look at what their concern was. They didn't want to know. Are you Joseph the carpenter's son is Mary your mother? do you have brothers James and Joseph and What about your sisters and don't you live in Nazareth they didn't want to know any of that stuff What they wanted to know was the claim that Jesus made and that he declared through the performance of his miracles and When he used those terms my father and I am Etc That's what they wanted to know. That's where their ignorance was Listen Jesus kept silent and the high priest answered and said to him I put you under oath by the Living God Tell us if you are the Messiah the Son of God They wanted to know not about his physicality But about his spirituality Are you the Son of God? That's what they didn't know now Listen to what he said to them verse 64 Jesus said Jesus is going to tell them How they are going to know? That he is the Son of God So don't miss it and I believe that everyone out there knows What this text is all about? Listen to verse 64 Read Jesus said to him it is as you said Nevertheless. All right. Now the first thing he tells them it is as you said in other words Jesus said I am the Son of God. That's his reply under oath. He wasn't gonna lie anyway But that's his reply under oath. Yes. I am the Son of God I am the Messiah now, they knew that the text that he's referring to is the one in Daniel they understood that and Watch what happens? Read on nevertheless. I say to you hereafter You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right here after you will see the Son of Man Sitting at the right hand of the power That's the father and what Coming on the clouds of and coming on the clouds of heaven. He quotes Daniel chapter 7 and They blew a gasket they knew that this text was talking about a divine being and Jesus claimed to be that Son of Man and He tells them that they Were going to see Him sitting at the right hand of the power now, wait a minute. Let's think about this for just a moment He's gonna be sitting at the right hand of God No man has seen God at any time Jesus told I think it was Philip When they asked him in John chapter 14 the gospel of John Show us the father How do you show a? Being that no man has seen at any time Nor can see How do you show what is invisible? Brothers and sisters ladies and gentlemen, I hope that you are following along with the message this morning in John 14 and verse 8 What does the Bible say Philip said to him Lord show us the fire. Listen to what they said Lord show us the father Now, do you think? That Jesus was gonna you know Sit down and draw them an image or pull out a snapshot or something and say here's what the father looks like The Bible says no man has seen God at any time. He is the invisible God Please get that and then what did he say in verse 9? Jesus said to him have I been with you so long and yet you have not known me Philip he who has seen me has seen the father. All right He says have I been with you so long and yet you've not known me He says he who has seen me has seen the father in other words Jesus is saying in the demonstration of everything you've seen by teaching my work, etc You're seeing the father you're seeing what the father is like in other words He was manifested through the works and acts of Christ Through the things Jesus did and say he says so, how can you say what show us show us the father? He says do you not believe? That I am in the father that I am in the father and the father and the father in me The word the words that I speak to you. I do not speak on my I do not speak on my own authority Dwells in me does the word does the work and so Jesus is saying the work is what's manifesting the father So my point is this in order to manifest what is invisible you need something physical or Tangible something in the material world that appeals to the senses of man To let us know About something is that invisible, you know, I worked as a lineman for the local utility company for years prior to going into seminary and As a lineman I worked on live wires handling 12,000 votes and 23,000 votes and You know, I never saw electricity the whole time. I worked on it. I never saw it but I guarantee It was there. I Had several close calls Had buddies who got electrocuted But I never saw the electricity just like when you flip on that lights with you never see it. It's invisible The current running through those wires is invisible But the effect of it is what runs everything electrical in your home You see it's those gadgets and everything that you plug in The light switches that you turn on that manifest the current that's running through Those wires so it has to be something physical that manifested Christ as the Son of God now the event that he mentioned was The destruction of the temple, that's why if you will get Matthew 24 30, which is a parallel to Matthew 26 in verse 64 And I'm not saying anything that people who are informed of the scriptures do not know and do not believe They just don't understand how it relates to first John chapter 3 All right read then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sign of the Son of Man Will appear in heaven then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven and then all three all the tribes all the tribes of the earth of the earth will mourn and they will see The Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. That's the very statement Jesus made in Matthew 26 64 But here's the point ladies and gentlemen Jesus in his second appearing Was not coming to reveal himself in the flesh anymore They already knew what that was He was coming to reveal himself as the divine Son of God and in doing that he made a prophecy That if the prophecy came true That would demonstrate to them that he was the divine Son of God That's why they wanted to put him to death Because he said that now I'm gonna pick up on this on next week to further clarify Some statements about this because we need to see Some things about the Lord himself in relation to this So just think about what I've said this morning and go back to first John chapter 3 And read the statement from that perspective Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us that we should be called sons of God Therefore the world Does not know us Because it did not know him Ask yourself. How did they not know him? And if that is how the world did not know him, how do you think He was going to reveal himself. What do you think he was going to reveal? He was going to reveal something that would allow the world to know That he was Now we're gonna have to pick up on that on next week because I don't have the time to cover it any further Let me thank all of you who tuned in today We're just about out of time, but let me see if I can run back through a few names Sam Anthony Leslie Anthony Rick Jamie Stewart Elvin Philip Leora, yeah Jerem Jeremiah Rick, let's see here Paul show Shelby and Antonia I think I got that right. I hope it did Solomon all the way from Cape Coast Robert we're out of time. Ladies and gentlemen, good morning to you. Have a very pleasant day This is William Bale and the soccer room with the all things field broadcast. We will see you on next week