May 14

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT PART 12

THE CHILDREN ( SONS ) OF GOD

-Matthew 5:9 states, … for they shall be called the children of God … WHAT AN HONOR! WE SHALL BE CALLED THE CHILDREN OF GOD! This word "children" ( sometimes translated as "sons" ) comes from the Greek word "huios", which means: a fully mature son. This is to be distinguished from the Greek word "teknon", which means: a child.

-There is a difference between a child and the placing of a full grown son. Both could be classified as a son, but a child is to be looked at as a son in training. A fully mature son is one that is ready to speak and to act on his Father’s behalf. The word "huios" ( a fully mature son ) gives evidence of the dignity of one’s relationship and likeness to God’s character. The word "teknon" ( a child ) refers to a new believer ( babe ) in Christ who is but a child. A new believer is one that is in need of much maturing. The new believer is a son of God, but must grow up into the character and nature of his Father. This PROCESS of maturing is referred to as SONSHIP, and does show us that salvation IS INDEED A PROCESS!

According to Bill Britton:

-"Sonship begins with a new birth! In order for there to be a new birth, there must be a death of the old life. In order for there to be a resurrection out of that watery grave of baptism, you must first go down. The flesh doesn’t want death and God says sonship can not come by the will of the flesh, nor the will of man, nor of blood. It cannot come by being born to a certain family. It doesn’t come by being one of the sons of Aaron or one of the sons of David or because your blood happens to be the right nationality. SONSHIP COMES BY THE WILL OF GOD. The birthing of a son comes by the will of God. And the making of a son has something beautiful in it - it is relationship with the Father." ( The Making Of A Son, Bill Britton )

-Romans 8:19 states, … For the earnest expectation of the creature ( creation ) waits for the manifestation of the sons ( "huios" ) of God … What a journey! We are going from a "teknon" to a "huios"!

-WE SHALL BE CALLED THE SONS ( "HUIOS" ) OF GOD!-