Sermon Notes: "The Chiildren of God" by Tom Hamilton

The Children of God

            I first heard the phrase “the Children of God”  when a college friend asked me to accompany him to visit his sister who was a member of commune church called “The Children of God” in 1972.   We had some apprehension as this church had a reputation by some for kidnapping and brain-washing some of its members.  While we did not see anything like this during our visit, the constant smiling and saying “I love you” every few minutes from the members we met was certainly out of the ordinary.  Overall the visit went well and we left.  I have since heard that this group sold all their property in the continental U.S. and moved to Hawaii 20-30 yrs ago to escape the destruction of the country by a comet.

           

            Surprisingly, I later found the phrase in the Bible.  This Bible study will look into just who are the “children of God?”  And who are the “sons of God?”  And also who are the “saints?”  What is the relevance of those terms to us as Christians today?

“Children of God” Scriptures

                John 1: 12  “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”  This scripture is quite interesting as the standard idea of most Christians is that those who are “saved” become angels.  This scripture indicates they become something else – God’s very children.  Is this idea confirmed by other scriptures?

                Romans 8:16  “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God…”

                Romans 8:21  “…because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”

                Philip. 2:15  “that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…”    

A companion scripture to this would be found in Christ’s Sermon on the Mount, where He likens us to “the light of the world..let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

(Mt. 5:14-16)

                I John 3:1  “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God.”

                I John 3:2  “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” 

The implication of this scripture is that right now, even though we are still physical beings with faults and weaknesses, we are considered to be children of God, and that even more is in store for us, for when Christ is revealed (at His return) we shall be spirit beings like Him.

                I John 3 :12  “In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.”

                I John 5:2  “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.”

            So we see  the phrase “children of God” used several times in scripture.   It was used much as we might use the term “brethren”.  Note that it is used to refer to the called out members of God’s church, physical people.  The Bible describes these people as those who practice righteousness and keep the commandments of God.

“Sons of God” Scriptures

                Job 1:6  “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan[fn] also came among them.”

The spirit beings referred to here are the angels.

                Luke 20:36  “…nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.”

Clearly refers to spirit beings.

                Rom. 8:14  “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”

A description of the sons of God.

 

                Rom. 8:19  “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.” 

This is referring to spiritual beings.   Compare to I Jn. 3:2 above.

                Gal. 3:26  “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Another definition or description of those who are called “sons of God”.

            Here we see the phrase “sons of God” used to describe both physical and spiritual beings.  Faith in Christ Jesus and being led by the spirit are attributes of those who are physical sons of God.

“Saints” in Scriptures

               

            The Catholic Church has used this term to signify Christians who were very righteous and deserved a special title.  Often miracle(s) are associated with them.  The following scriptures however show a somewhat different picture.  Here you will see the Bible referring to “Saints” as both physical and spiritual beings.  The term is also used in the Bible to describe church members, much as we might use the term “brethren”.

           

                I Sam. 2:9  “He will guard the feet of His saints,
But the wicked shall be silent in darkness.” 

The indication here is that they are physical, needing to be guarded.

                Ps. 16:3  “As for the saints who are on the earth,
‘They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.’” 

Note here that the saints are on the earth, not floating on clouds in heaven.  

                 Psa. 116:15  “Precious in the sight of the LORD
Is the death of His saints.” 

This scripture indicates that saints are physical human beings, as they can die.

 

                Dan. 7:18  “But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.” 

Here the indication is that the saints are also spiritual beings, as they possess the kingdom forever and ever.  They are  the resurrected Christians.

                Dan. 7:25  “He shall speak pompous words against the Most High,
Shall persecute the saints of the Most High,
And shall intend to change times and law.
Then the saints shall be given into his hand
For a time and times and half a time…”

This scripture talks about saints that are physical and will be persecuted.

               

                Acts 9:13  “Then Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.’” 

Ananias is referring to physical people.

                Rom. 16:15  “Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.”  

The term “saints” here is used much as we would use the term “brethren” today.

               

                 I Cor. 6:2  “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?” 

(spiritual beings referred to here).

                 I Cor. 14:33  “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” 

(brethren could easily be used here).

 

                 Jude 1:14  “Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints…”’

(resurrected children of God – spiritual beings).

               Rev. 14:12  “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those[fn] who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” 

This is a definition or description of those who are called “saints”.

               Rev. 17:6  “I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.”  

Once again the usage here refers to physical beings who can die.

            Thus we see the term saints used to describe both resurrected Christians as well as to describe those still alive physically.  It is used in the Bible for both.  The term is used in the Bible much more liberally than it is used by the Catholic Church.  Perhaps the terms “brethren” ,“Christian”, or “resurrected Christian” could easily be substituted for it with no change in meaning, depending on the scriptural usage.

           

 Miscellaneous Scriptures

                Rom. 8:29  “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

Note that Jesus is the Son of God.  If we are to be His younger brothers, we will also be sons of God or children of God.

                Titus 3:7  “… that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Servants are not “heirs”.  Children are heirs.

                 John 15:15   ^“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.”

                Isa. 46:10  Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things that are not yet done,
Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
And I will do all My pleasure,'…”

God sometimes describes things that are not yet as though they already are.  He as the Creator of the universe has the power to bring His prophecies and His word to fulfillment.

             

            One of the points Jesus came to show us was to look upon God as our Father.  God considers us His children, not just His servants.  As our Father He eagerly anticipates each of us and longs for us to turn to Him and follow His ways.   

 

Conclusion :

Thus we see the terms : saints, children of God, and sons of God used in the Bible to describe both Christians today and the resurrected Christians yet to come, depending on the passage.  They are often used as we might use the term “brethren” today.  Clearly the  term “saints” is used much more liberally than the Catholic Church uses it today.   Keep in mind that God looks upon things that are not yet as though they already are.  God’s love for us is shown in that He calls us His children.   As God’s children we have a powerful role to play spiritually that we often don’t realize.  It is a more important role than that of a servant.  Jesus Christ came as our elder brother to show us the way and pay the price for us to have everlasting life, and is the first-born of many brethren.  While we may not exactly know what we will be like, we do know that we shall be like Jesus when He is revealed at His return.