But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.—John 1:12–13

Introduction: God’s Generosity and Our Generosity at Christmas

The song “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” reminds us of so much this Christmas. Last week we gloried in one truth that is poetically and powerfully stated in the song: “Come to earth to taste our sadness, he whose glories knew no end; by his life he brings us gladness, our redeemer, Shepherd, Friend.” Christmas means that God knows suffering and trials not by theory, but by experience. He came to taste earth’s sadness so that we could taste heaven’s joy.

The rest of that stanza powerfully testifies to another aspect of our worship this Christmas: “Leaving riches without number, born within a cattle stall; this the everlasting wonder, Christ was born the Lord of all.”

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.—2 Corinthians 8:9

That is the Bible’s appeal to gospel generosity. God’s generosity to us in Christ creates generous givers. The next verse is especially relevant for us.

And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.—2 Corinthians 8:10–11 

Many people made commitments and began giving last December. I realize that we have added over 250 members in 2017 and many more new attenders. We are talking about our 25 x ’25 vision. Our vision to see 25 unengaged people groups become engaged with the gospel, 25 churches be planted, the core of Bethlehem strengthened, and a South Campus building built.

Many of us started giving in a greater way a year ago last December. The doing and the desire were both there. My prayer now is that the desire and the doing will come together again at the end of this year so that Paul’s words will come true for us as well “so now finish doing it as well.” The end result: One can have desire but no means, and one can have means but no desire. We are praying for desire and means to come together in worshipful completion as a reflection of God’s great gift in Christ.

In other words, generous giving is a way that the children of God reflect our Father. One of our family’s favorite stories is the natural and even humorous way that children imitate their parents. I decided to test it out one time. I was raking leaves one day and I decided to test out that theory. I did the silliest thing I could think of. I pretended to get mad at a stick for being in our yard (“What are you doing here you stick?! You get out of here, stick!), and I threw it as far as I could. It sailed over the power lines and to the other side of the street. I was pretty pleased with myself. Then I watched my young child.

This child looked at me and literally did this (shrugged shoulders), found a stick, made a mad face at it, and then threw it as far as they could. It went a few feet, and it was incredibly cute. I took delight in the effort. God does too. The Bible says that we become imitators of God as dearly loved children and so we walk in love (Ephesians 5:1).

But all this talk of “children of God” raises the question—how does someone become a child of God? I am glad you asked because that is what our text is all about today.

The Text

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.—John 1:12–13

On this third week of Advent, let us review the reasons we have to rejoice thus far: (1) Jesus is God, (2) Jesus reveals God, (3) Jesus brings us to God, (4) his rejection was our acceptance, (5) he knows our pain, and (6) he will return to right every wrong.

This third week of Advent we turn to the flip side of the rejection theme: The surprise of rejection and the miracle of acceptance. Jesus came to his own, and his own people did not receive him … but some did. This is the story of those who receive—what they do, what they become, and how it happens. I want everyone to leave here today with a 13-word summary statement for this sermon. 

Main point: Those who receive Jesus become children of God who were born of God. 

I’ve broken the main point into three parts. These three parts are the three points of the sermon. 

Sermon Outline

1. Those Who Receive Jesus (conversion) (v. 12a–b)
2. Become Children of God (adoption) (v. 12c)
3. Who Were Born of God (regeneration) (v. 13)

1. Those Who Receive Jesus (conversion) (v. 12a–b)

 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name …

We know what rejection looks like, but what does it mean to receive him? John immediately explains what receiving Jesus looks like: “believed in his name” (John 1:12b). There are two words that need definition in that phrase: (1) believed, and (2) name. 

First, “believed” is the word for faith. Sometimes “faith” in John is not saving faith, but temporary attraction or interest. We still see that same kind of interest or attraction in our day. People go with Jesus for a little while until something else gets in the way and causes a wedge or separation in the relationship and they call it quits. Obviously, the issue is not intellectual assent—checking the box that says, “Jesus really existed.” Do not confuse this word with knowing about someone in general. This is more complete and comprehensive. It is saving faith.

Let me talk about this term according to the way the church has historically talked about the anatomy of saving faith. Saving faith must include at least three elements: (1) knowledge, (2) delight, and (3) commitment. These three things are essential in any marriage relationship. First, you have to get to know someone. What are they like? Are they the kind of person that would make a good spouse?

Second, there needs to be delight. This is sometimes called the “falling in love” stage. Not just head, but heart! You are not being theoretical. You suddenly are not thinking in general, “Would this person make a good spouse for someone else?” Suddenly you are saying, “I want this person to be my spouse and no one else’s!” 

Third, there needs to be commitment—like covenant. You have not just head and heart, but also the will (commitment, devotion, vows). You have the bonding together—the union together. You take the vows. “I, Jason take you, Cara, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health until death do us part.” And then she takes her vows. There is something similar in this relationship. I, Jesus take you sinner to be my eternal bride, to have and to hold—and not even death shall us ever part. Then we take our vows. And our name changes. No longer “Miss Sinner,” but Mrs. Christian—bride of Christ.

I emphasize those three aspects because it puts even more of a spotlight on the word name. “Name” means more than knowing what to call someone—it means knowing their character—all that stands behind the name. You could have two people with the same name, but that does not mean they are the same.

John uses this phrase many times and he always shows how much is at stake in believing. Consider just two examples:

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.—John 3:18

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.—1 John 5:13

Here in this passage, John brings out the benefits of believing in a different way. In fact, one could argue that the way he frames this makes salvation even bigger and more glorious.

2. Become Children of God (adoption) (v. 12c)

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

This text says that no one is born into this world with the right to be called a child of God. We are the opposite. Paul says that we were by nature children of wrath (Ephesians 2:2). John 3:36 says that the wrath of God rests on us. It is only through the Son that we become sons and daughters.

John’s word choices communicate a ton of meaning here. One commentator said it just right: “John is careful to distinguish believers, who become children (τέκνα, tekna) of God, from Jesus, who is the unique Son (υἱός, huios) of God” (Andreas Köstenberger, John, p. 39). 

The great theologian, J.I. Packer, said that this doctrine of adoption into God’s family has not been prized like it should in the past because it was always lumped together with justification or forgiveness of sins. Justification means that a guilty sinner can receive the verdict of “not guilty” on the basis of what Christ has done (provided a righteousness and paid the penalty for sin). But adoption is an over-and-above gift. Justification says, “You are not guilty;” adoption says, “You are family.” Forgiveness says, “You can go free now.” Adoption says, “You can live here always.” 

I could share so many stories here of people who were raised in home situations that were atrocious. The word “father” communicated and conveyed all the wrong things: absence, irritation, argumentative, red-faced, disinterested, demanding, never satisfied, never affectionate, performance-based, abusive, controlling.

That is not our heavenly Father. One of the greatest moments as a pastor is seeing the transformation for this word “Father” when believers meet the Heavenly Father. Knowing him fills that word with fresh wonder and it begins to heal the “father” wounds that ache within us. Too many people think the Father is the angry member of the Trinity and Jesus is the loving one. Try this theological quiz on for size. I will read a statement and you tell me if it is true.

God loves us because Christ died for us (true—but could be misleading on its own).

Because God loves us, Christ died for us (more complete in its truth—God sent his Son; salvation was all planned by the Father). 

Reason to Rejoice #7: Those who receive him become children of God.

Transition

Those who receive him “went against the current, who broke with the general pattern by which the world thinks, lives, and acts” (Ridderbos 1997:45). How did this happen? What makes someone a child of God? Are they just better people with better spiritual awareness and softer hearts?

3. Who Were Born of God (regeneration) (v. 13)

Who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

A. How they are not born …

They are not born of blood—physical birth. That kind of birth is determined by the will of the flesh or the will of man.

Here John eliminates every possible reason to boast or rejoice in anything other than God. Can we take credit for any of this? No! Spiritual birth is very distinct from physical birth. Physical birth involves blood relations (family). Physical birth is the result of “will of the flesh” or sexual desire—also called the will of the husband (assuming that the husband takes the lead in marital intimacy).

It does not matter what kind of family you were born into, it does not matter what part of the country or world you were born into; one could be royalty or beggarly—one thing is decisive: God.

B. How they are born …

Born of God—God determines the birth. Being a child of God requires a special birth that comes from God. We must believe because God does not believe for us. But we cannot and will not repent and believe unless God does a decisive work within us. The prophets presented this work as a heart change by talking about heart surgery in which God takes out the heart of stone and puts in a heart of flesh.

Paul presents it as the giving of light within.

 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.—2 Corinthians 4:4–6

In other words, here is the miracle of Christmas. The light of the world comes and shines into the darkness of the world, but then the light has to travel further. It has to penetrate into dark hearts or they will never receive the light.

That was Nicodemus. He came by night (in two senses—physical and spiritual). He thought he knew Jesus, but he did not. He said that Jesus was a teacher come from God (he had no idea how true that was or who Jesus really was). In order to see Jesus rightly, he needed to be born again. Listen to John 3:3, “Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” Three verses later, he says, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6).

The flesh has the ability to produce according to its kind. Seals give birth to seal pups, not sharks. Bears give birth to bear cubs, not kittens. Here Jesus makes the point that only the Holy Spirit has the ability to produce spiritual life, not the flesh. The Holy Spirit is the decisive mover. His work enables a person to see Jesus rightly and respond with faith because they have spiritual life and light, not darkness and death. The Spirit shows the Son who takes them to the Father.

Reason to Rejoice #8: Family Members are Miracles

Let us review all the reasons we have to rejoice thus far: (1) Jesus is God, (2) Jesus reveals God, (3) Jesus brings us to God, (4) his rejection was our acceptance, (5) he knows our pain, (6) he will return to right every wrong, (7) those who receive him become children of God, (8) family members are miracles.

Transition 

To Believers ...

If you are a believer here today, I call you to stand in awe once again at the marvel and miracle of your salvation and your status. The good news of the gospel shines in this text with three “s” words: the scope of faith, the status faith gives, and the sovereign source of faith. Faith is universal in scope (any and all who receive him), offers an amazing status (children of God), and the source of faith is sovereign grace (born of God).

Be amazed! One of the great moments in movie history is in Star Wars when Darth Vader says, “Luke, I am your father.” Luke cries out … nooooo! One of my friends had the good sense to take a picture of the look on his child’s face when that revelation was made.

It was a surprising moment for all of us and an agonizing moment for Luke. But it is an amazing, awe-inspiring, transformative moment for us to hear God say, “I am your Father.”

John 20:17 captures the stunning moment after Jesus rose from the dead:

Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 

If your awe is asleep, let it wake up again the way it did for the apostle John when he wrote these words:

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.—1 John 3:1 

B.B. Warfield said it is almost as if the apostle John falls off his chair writing those words: That is what we are—can you believe it? Joy!

To Unbelievers ...

So many people assume that the opposite of sin is virtue. When they hear about the problem of sin, they assume that they must do the opposite: Stop being bad and start being good. The good news is so much better and richer and deeper and freer than this assessment. The Danish Christian philosopher, Søren Kierkegaard, said it well:

“And this is one of the most crucial definitions for the whole of Christianity; that the opposite of sin is not virtue but faith.”
―Søren Kierkegaard, The Sickness Unto Death: A Christian Psychological Exposition for Upbuilding and Awakening

Don’t make the deadly mistake of assuming that you can earn your way to adoption by good behavior. You don’t perform your way into his family. Jesus did it all and paid it all. Believe!

The Call for Faith: The Great Blondin Story

Charles Blondin was the first person to cross Niagara Falls on a tightrope, a 3” hemp rope, 1,100 feet long. In 1859 and 1860 he walked across it 160 feet above the Niagara River, just below the falls, several times, each time with a different, daring feat: dressed in a sack, walking on stilts, pushing a wheelbarrow full of potatoes, riding a bicycle. One time he stopped in mid-section and cooked an omelet on a small portable stove.

The story is told that then he asked if people really believed that he could push people across Niagara Falls in this wheelbarrow. Everyone had seen him do it. They all said “yes.” But then he asked, “OK, any volunteers?”

We are talking about “believe” in two different ways. I am not asking you if you intellectually and casually believe that Christ can save you from your sins. I am not asking you if you believe that Christ can take across the great divide between earth and heaven. You have heard him say that he can. Will you come to him? Will you give yourself to him? Abandon yourself to him? Confess him as your only hope of salvation? Say to him, “Yes, carry my across! You alone can save!”

I still remember the first Christmas that my eyes were really open and my heart was bursting with thanksgiving. I sang differently. I didn’t just sing melodies and traditional lyrics – I sang like I was there. Believers say, “He came for me.” 

Sermon Discussion Questions

Main point: Those who receive Jesus become children of God who are born of God.

Outline

1. Those Who Receive Jesus (what they do) (v. 12)
2. Become Children of God (what they become) (v. 12)
3. Who Are Born of God (how that happens) (v. 13)

Discussion Questions

• What does it mean that someone “receives” Jesus by believing in his name? How would you explain these concepts to a non-Christian? What is the difference between saving faith and other forms of “belief”?
• Why is spiritual adoption an even better, over-the-top gift than justification or forgiveness?
• According to John’s Gospel, how does spiritual birth (i.e., the new birth) happen?

Application Questions

• In your own words, what does spiritual adoption mean to you? How can we grow in our ability and capacity to prize it as we ought?
• Are you believing in the name of the Jesus? How do you know? Are there aspects of the sermon that you need to share with others? Commit that to prayer.

Prayer Focus
Pray for a grace to receive and prize the gift of faith and spiritual adoption into God’s family.