Weekly Sermon Insights: 1 John 3:1-10

We are the children of God!

July 12, 2026

Tim Bower

Message Notes

Study Notes: 1 John 3:1–10 — Children of God & the Practice of Righteousness

Main Theme

    •    The astonishing love of the Father makes us His children.

    •    This identity calls us to practice righteousness and reject a lifestyle of sin.

    •    John weaves together our new identity (children of God) with the practical outworking (holy living).

1 John 3:1–3 — The Father’s Love & Future Hope

    •    “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are!”

    •    The world does not know us because it did not know Him.

    •    Present reality: We are God’s children now.

    •    Future hope: When He appears, we shall be like Him because we shall see Him as He is.

    •    Effect: Everyone who has this hope purifies himself as He is pure.

1 John 3:4–10 — Righteousness vs. Sin

The Nature of Sin (vv. 4–6)

    •    Sin = lawlessness (deliberate, habitual rebellion).

    •    Christ appeared to take away sins — in Him there is no sin.

    •    No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning.

    •    Whoever keeps on sinning has neither seen Him nor known Him.

The Nature of Righteousness (vv. 7–10)

    •    “Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as He is righteous.”

    •    Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil (the devil has been sinning from the beginning).

    •    Christ appeared to destroy the works of the devil.

    •    No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him.

    •    Test: “By this it is evident who are the children of God and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.”

Three Reasons to Live a Holy Life

    1    The Father’s Love (vv. 1–3) — We are His children; this love motivates purity (not fear of punishment).

    2    The Son’s Work (vv. 4–8) — Christ came to remove sin and destroy the devil’s works.

    3    The Holy Spirit’s Indwelling (v. 9) — God’s seed abides in us; we cannot continue in habitual sin.

Practical Applications & Safeguards

    •    Abiding in Christ (and in the Word) is key to victory over sin.

    •    Habitual, unrepentant sin is incompatible with being born of God.

    •    Discernment test: Look at the fruit — righteousness vs. ongoing lawlessness.

    •    Counterfeits and deception exist — do not be misled.

    •    The Christian life is not sinless perfection, but a new direction: sin becomes the exception, not the rule.

Closing Prayer Emphasis

    •    Thanks for the Father’s amazing love that calls us children.

    •    Prayer for soft hearts, discernment against deception, and strength to practice righteousness.

    •    Gratitude for the Holy Spirit who teaches and empowers holy living.

These notes provide a clear, balanced summary of 1 John 3:1–10. The sermon highlights identity in Christ as the foundation for holy living, contrasts the lifestyles of God’s children vs. the devil’s, and offers practical encouragement for believers.