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Jack Graham: He loved us so much that he would include us in his eternal family. Now God is our Father through Jesus Christ.

Guest (Female): On today's PowerPoint, Dr. Graham brings a message about how your life changes when you know you're a child of God. Now here's Dr. Graham with his message, Who's Your Daddy?

Jack Graham: Take God's word and turn with me to 1 John chapter 3. And as you're turning, let me remind you that our greatest need in life is to be loved and to give love. But that love must be experienced in order to be enjoyed, and embraced in order to be experienced. And that's certainly true with the love of God, with our relationship with God. You no doubt have heard, God loves you and he has a wonderful plan for your life.

But every person must personally experience and embrace that love. Many know the facts of the Bible and the truth of the gospel that Jesus lived, he died, and he rose again because of the love of God. But we must believe and receive the love of God, embrace the gift of his love. 1 John 4:8 tells us that God is love. It is his very nature to love, and it is the character of love to give love. And what amazing love God has given us in Christ.

As a matter of fact, John picks up on this theme in verse 1 of chapter 3. "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him." Beloved, that is loved ones, we are God's children now. And what we will be has not yet appeared, but we know that when he appears, we shall be like him because we will see him as he is. And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself as he is pure.

The scripture says look at this love. What manner of love? What incredible love, amazing love, out of this world kind of love God has given us. What incredible love. It is so unique that there is nothing like it. It is incomparable, this love of God. Human love can be deep and powerful and emotional and sacrificial. The love of family, the love of friends makes life worth living. But there is no love like his love. There is no love like the love of Jesus.

His love is eternal. He said, "I've loved you with an everlasting love." The love of God, according to 1 Corinthians chapter 13, is forever. His love is unconditional. There is no one that God does not love. He loves the whole world. The grace of God has appeared to all men. His love is incomprehensible. Paul said that when you try to measure its height, its depth, its length, its breadth, it is the immeasurable love of God, without boundaries, this love of God.

This love of God is of course demonstrated in Jesus. It is declared at the cross. That love which is the greatest power on earth. We're told that nothing will separate us from the love of God. Nothing, no power on earth or below can separate us from the grip of God's grace, of his powerful love. Nothing at all. We're told that we're to keep ourselves in the love of God, that is we're to stay at home always in his love.

Above all, God made it possible because of his love as our Father to make us his children, that we would become the children of God. He loved us so much that he would include us in his eternal family. Now God is our Father through Jesus Christ. He loves us enough to accept us as his own, to bring us into his family and as our God, as our Father, as our savior, to provide for our every need. And this is in spite of the fact that we are not at all lovable.

He did not invite us into our family because we were lovable and so likeable that he couldn't live without us. No, in spite of the fact that we were of the children of the devil, in spite of the fact that we sinned against God and had broken his commandments, the love of God emerged out of the darkness of our own depravity. We were in Satan's family and now we have been brought into the family of God.

You see, not everyone is a child of God. In fact, no one is a child of God by natural birth. You say, "I thought everyone was made by God, created of God." Well, in the sense of creation, we're in the human family. But we're not in God's family until we experience the new birth. Jesus said, "You must be born again." It is a spiritual birth, not our physical birth that brings us into the family of God.

Jesus looked to a group of unsaved men on one occasion and said, "You are of your father, the devil." Down in verse 10 of chapter 3, it speaks of the children of the devil. So you are either a child of God or a child of Satan. I know that sounds harsh to some people. I know that sounds ridiculously cold to some people. But the clear teaching of scripture is this. We're in one of two families: either the family of Satan or the family of God. Thus the title of my message today, Who's Your Daddy?

So what does it mean to be a child of God? Let's talk first of all about the children of God and their identity, the identity of the children of God. It says in verse 1, "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called the children of God, and so we are." Notice that is present tense. Down in verse 2, we are God's children now. We become the children of God when we are born again, when we are immediately and instantaneously, right now, this moment.

We don't wait until we get to heaven or into eternity to find out whether or not we're God's children. We know we're God's children right now. Amen? It is today. And John says, "Look at this love. What manner of amazing love is this? What kind of love?" It will take all of eternity for us to explore the greatness of the love of God. It is impossible for us to get our human minds around it that God would love us so much. In fact, you have to wonder when you read John 3:16, "For God so loved the world."

How much love is in that little word, SO? "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son." This love of God is relentless and undeserved. It flows down from the heart of God and reaches us, no matter how far away we have been. God's love reaches down and finds us at the point of our deepest need. You are loved by God. And then God's love is released. It is redemptive. God demonstrated his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

He expressed his love. He exhibited his love according to Romans 5:8. Someone said that the Son of God became the Son of Man that you might become the sons of God. And it's true. And we who have experienced that love, we are now identified as the children of God right now. Right this moment. What dignity there is in that. What joy there is in that.

But while we are chosen of the Father that he would give us his love, we are also now, because of the love of God, condemned, censured by the world. That's what the end of verse 1 is about when it says, "The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him." Incredible that God's love would be given in Christ, and yet he came into his own and his own received him not. He was rejected and despised of men. The one who made men is now rejected by men. Imagine that.

The world turned their back on Jesus. They should have recognized him, should have known him. No one ever walked as he walked, talked as he talked, did what he did. And yet his very own rejected him. So don't be surprised, don't be taken back if you are a child of God, if you're of the family of God, the Father, don't be surprised when the world rejects you as well. Jesus said, "If the world hated me, it will hate you."

This world is not our home. We're just passing through. We're pilgrims on our way. We are chosen of God and called out of the world to be different. We are in the world but we are not of the world. And this world rejects Christ. And this system, this world system, those who deny Christ, those who reject him will also reject us. Don't be surprised by that.

The only way you'll not be persecuted in some way for your faith is if you live in some holy hole and never stick your head out. But if you stand boldly for Christ, you'll face the fire. In fact, Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount that you're the light of the world, you're the salt of the earth. But you don't take salt and keep it in the saltshaker. You don't take light and put a bushel over it. The only reason you may not be shining for Christ is you're keeping a cover, you're putting the lid on your light.

But the salt, you see, is for the decay of the earth. The light is for the darkness of this world. And when the darkness shines in the light, it may blind, it may burn some. And when the salt is salting the earth, it may sting. The Bible says we're not to approve of this world but rather we're to expose the deeds of this world. We are to be so different and so distinctive as the children of God that we stand out and stand up for what is truth. If you stand for Jesus Christ, you will be in the line of fire.

But don't fret over that. Get your head up. You're a child of God. You're in God's family. You're one of the King's kids. Be bold, be blameless for God. Paul said we're to shine as lights, Philippians 2:15, shine as lights as children of God in this world. Don't settle for the stuff of this world. We have been blessed by God. We have been highly favored by God. We have been graced by his love. So live that love.

Guest (Male): You're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and the message, Who's Your Daddy? We are excited to share that we have a new way to connect with us. It's our texting service designed to keep you connected with everything happening here at PowerPoint. You'll be the first to know about upcoming events, special announcements, and truly enriching content. To join, start a new text conversation by texting the word CONNECT to 59789. Again, text CONNECT to 59789.

Everyday people are hearing the truth of Jesus Christ through PowerPoint's broadcasts, podcasts, and digital outreach. And friends like you help make it all possible through your support. So this month, we want to say thanks for your gift of $10 or more to help share the biblical truth with more people around the world by sending you Dr. Jack Graham's book, Ask.

In this encouraging resource, Dr. Graham helps you discover that prayer is not about performance. It's about knowing God personally and learning to come to him with confidence, persistence, and faith. Text JULY to 59789 to give today and request your copy. Again, text JULY to 59789. So that everyone has a chance to receive this helpful resource, please limit one per household. Now, let's get back to today's message, Who's Your Daddy?

Jack Graham: But then look at our destiny as the children of God. John says what we are, we are now the children of God, and yet we're just getting started. Because just wait till the future, just wait till Christ comes and we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. That's our destiny. It's the possibility, the potential, the promise. We're not anywhere near where we need to be. I want to be like Christ, but I'm a long way away. There are times in my life that I'm thinking, "Lord, I am so far away where I need to be if I want to be like you."

We're not where we ought to be yet. But as children of God, as we grow in our faith, we can become more and more like him. I like what the old cowboy said. It's been said in a lot of ways. I like the way the old cowboy said it. He said, "Well, you know, I ain't what I ought to be. I ain't what I used to be. But thank God I ain't what I'm gonna be." And we have something in store for us. We're not yet there yet, but we're on the way.

It does not yet appear what we shall be. We're excited about the future because one day when we see him, when he appears and we see him in his glory, face to face, we will be, listen to this, we will be Exhibit A of his grace. And the angels will fold their wings. And the saints of the ages will watch as the sons of God and the daughters of God are paraded by as Exhibit A of God's glory and of his grace.

We're told that when Christ comes, Colossians 3:4, that we shall share in his glory. In Christ, life keeps getting better and better and better. Now if you're in the family of Satan, if you're in his family, it just keeps getting worse and worse. We love that verse, Romans 8:28, "For we know that all things are working together for the good to them who love the Lord, who are called according to his purpose."

For the believer, the child of God, that's all in Romans 8, it's talking about our sonship in Christ and the Father who blesses us and provides for us and cares for us. He's working with his hands everything together for good. He's orchestrating and originating everything for us, all for our good. It's all working together for good to them who love the Lord and called according to his purpose. But if you're not in God's family, let me tell you something. Everything is working together for bad.

So who's your daddy? Is God your Father through the Lord Jesus Christ? When he appears, you will be like him, for we will see him as he is. We will be transformed, immortalized in the presence of Jesus. We will be like him. Again I say, there are so many ways in which I am not like him now. But one day we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. These eyes will behold him. And though we have not seen him physically, we love him. I've never seen the face of Jesus. There's no picture drawn for us in the Gospel of John, physical picture of Jesus. We wonder about that.

But when we see him, we will see him as his glory. John, the last time he saw him was in the resurrection and as he ascended into the heights. He would remember the words of the angel who said, "He will so come in like manner as you've seen him go." And John was looking forward. He's an old man by now writing these words and he's looking forward to seeing Jesus again.

While we did not have the privilege of walking with him when he walked upon terra firma, when he walked upon the earth, we're going to see something better than the physical Jesus. We're going to see something greater, and that is Jesus in his glory. We will see him as he is. We have glimpses of him in the gospels: of his character, of his personality, of his words, of his power, of his miracle. There are times we have of course looked to him by faith.

But one of these days when Christ comes, our faith will be turned to sight and we will see him. And let me tell you something, as the song says it, it will be worth it all when we see Jesus. To live is Christ, to die is gain. I love Psalm 17 and verse 15. It says, "As far as I'm concerned, I will behold your face in righteousness, and I will be satisfied when I awake in your likeness." In heaven we will be completely and totally satisfied, in complete content in him, in his presence forever there will never be a need.

So that is our destiny. But one final word and that is the children of God and our integrity. Because in verse 3 he says, "If you have this hope in you, you will purify yourself even as he is pure." That means that you will live a life of purity. It means that you will live a life of hopefulness. "He that has this hope in him." I know the plans that I have for you, plans to give you a future and a hope. It is the blessed hope that Christ is coming for us.

This world has no hope. The world puts its hope in money or power or government or politics or people. But our only hope, the only hope of this world is Jesus Christ. No wonder we sing, "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. On Christ my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness." So we live in a state of hopefulness. But we also live in a state of godliness. "He that has this hope in him purifies himself." This hope produces holiness in our lives.

You see, the hope of heaven, the hope of being with Jesus is not only a destination, but it is a motivation. And as children of God, like father, like son, we are to live even in the power of his spirit as he lived. So the second coming of Christ keeps us on our toes. It keeps us ready and responsive for his grace. And our lives are different because we know that Christ is coming soon. And therefore we don't want to be doing anything in our lives that displeases him.

Earlier, the scripture says, "Now little children, abide in him, that when he shall appear, you may have confidence and not be ashamed at his coming." Is there anything in your life that would bring shame to the name of Christ, personal shame to you, if Christ were to come today? One of my favorite stories in the Bible is the story of David, King David, and Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was the grandson of Saul, the king who fought David off as David was given the throne of Israel.

And all of these battles took place and a big battle ended the life of Saul along with Jonathan, David's friend who was the son of Saul. And as David assumed the power of Israel and the throne, he then said to those around him, he said, "Is there anyone left of the household of Saul, the enemy of David? Is there anyone left of the household of Saul that I might show favor, kindness, grace for the sake of Jonathan?" And someone said, "Yes, there's Mephibosheth." He's living out in the desert in a low place called Lodebar, which means desert place.

Mephibosheth as a little child during a particular stringent time in Israel was dropped by his nurse. And as a result of that fall, he was crippled. And so Mephibosheth is crippled, living out in the desert in fear of his life, knowing that, "I'm a dead man now because I'm a member of the family of Saul. David surely will come and find me. He will get me." So the day came and the knock came to Mephibosheth's door and he dragged his legs to the door on his crutch or on his cane. And there were these men representing the king.

He thought, "This is it." But then they said, "Are you Mephibosheth?" He said, "Yes, I am." Said, "The king wants you. King David wants you." So they took him to the palace of the king. And rather than facing death and judgment, David said, "I welcome you to my house. I bring you into my family. I want you at my table for Jonathan's sake. He was a friend that stuck closer than a brother. And because you are of the household of Saul, for Jonathan's sake, you're my family too."

Here's Mephibosheth who deserved nothing but death. He was crippled by the fall. Now he's sitting at the table with the king, his crippled legs under the linen cover of the table. He's now a child of the king. What a picture of all of us. We were living at Lodebar. We were targeted for judgment and death. We were crippled by the fall of sin and the failure of our own lives. But God our Father for Jesus' sake graced us and brought us under his authority and into his identity and family.

And we're now, one day, we're going to sit at his table in glory. And we're going to celebrate forever our God and our King. And we will be embraced forever as the children, the sons, the daughters of God. That's how much God loves you. And that's how much God loves me. So who's your daddy?

Guest (Male): You're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and the message, Who's Your Daddy? We want to remind you about a powerful resource Dr. Jack Graham has created to help strengthen your prayer life. It's his book, Ask. This practical and encouraging book explores Jesus's invitation to ask, seek, and knock, helping you discover that prayer is not about saying the right words, but about growing closer to your heavenly Father through faith-filled relationship.

When you give today to support the outreach of PowerPoint Ministries, you'll help share biblical truth and the life-changing hope of Jesus with people around the world through broadcasts, podcasts, and digital ministry. Text JULY to 59789 to give your gift of $10 or more and request your copy of Ask. Again, text JULY to 59789. So that everyone has a chance to receive this helpful resource, please limit one per household. We're excited to share that we have a new way to connect with us.

It's our texting service designed to keep you connected with everything happening here at PowerPoint. You'll be the first to know about upcoming events, special announcements, and truly enriching content. To join, start a new text conversation by texting CONNECT to 59789. Again, text CONNECT to 59789. Pastor, what is your PowerPoint for today?

Jack Graham: All right, here it is. If you're a child of God, there are four things about God's love that I want to remind you about today. First, God loves you. Now let me repeat that. God loves you. Not only does God love the whole world, he loves you. He loves you more than anyone else could possibly love you. Secondly, God's love for you is eternal. The scripture says in Jeremiah 31:3, God loves you with an everlasting love. Time can't change it or erase it. God loves you and he will always love you.

Let that sink in. He will never stop loving you. Third, God's love for you is unconditional. Now this is hard to understand because at times we know how conditional human love can be. But remember, we're talking about God's love. Human love can be dependent upon how we feel about someone, or it's dependent upon someone loving us back. But God's love is unconditional. Nothing you can do can alter that love. He loves you perfectly. He always loves you.

Lastly, God's love is incomprehensible. It really is immeasurable. I love the words of the old hymn that describe the love of God. "Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the skies of parchment made, were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade, to write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry. Nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky."

Those are great words, aren't they? And what's more wonderful about God's love is that in spite of our sin, despite our failure and brokenness and worthlessness, Jesus reached down and showed us his love. He died on the cross for our sins. He took our place on the cross. And then here's the good news. Jesus rose again, proving his love forever to us. It's my prayer that you will remember today just how much God loves you. And as a result, you'll be motivated to live in that love and share the love of Jesus with others.

Guest (Male): And that is today's PowerPoint. Remember, when you give a gift to PowerPoint, we'll send you Dr. Graham's book, Ask. Just text JULY to 59789. And join us again next time when Dr. Graham brings a message about the victory that's yours today through Jesus Christ. That's next time on PowerPoint with Jack Graham. PowerPoint with Jack Graham is sponsored by PowerPoint Ministries.