We will be like Jesus
In our society today there are many people that will cross our paths of life. We identify each other by name or some characteristic unique to that person. We might identify that person with the gray beard or maybe that young lady with the red hair. As we look in the Bible we even see our Lord Jesus identifying the Apostle Peter as Simon Barjona (son of Jona). Maybe a son or daughter of a blacksmith would have a last name of Smith. Years ago we had the Tilley name traced, to make a long story short they traced the name to a town in Northern France. A person from that town eventually moved to Scotland and was referred to as being such and such from Tilley.
In old times, and maybe also in some circles today, there is an heirship that is passed down with that name. There might be privileges that go with a particular identity like king queen etc.
Many people will search to find their family tree, the Jewish people are very diligent to keep their family tree
Regardless of what your last name is today, regardless of your race or country of origin, if one has been Born Again, he or she is now a Child of God.
Adopted into the royal family of God by a new birth, a spiritual birth with all its benefits. We become a joint heir with Jesus Christ.
1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
1 John 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
I. We have a position in Him (abide )1Jn.2:28 abide in him
a. We have the privilege to abide or dwell in Him.
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
b.We will not be ashamed
Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
II. We have a Name ( sons of God )1Jn.3:1sons of God
a.given because of Love
b. adopted as sons
c. purchased
d.a name that Sanctifies us..sets us apart from the world
III. We have a future ( be like Him ) 1Jn.3:2 we shall be like him
a.we are not there yet
b pbpginfwmy ( please be patience God is not finished with me yet )
IV. We have a hope ( hope in Him ) 1Jn.3:3 hope in him
a. we can grow in faith -- Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
He has set our goal and gives us ability
b. Because we have that name of God's children we know He's coming and I'm going
1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.