The Christian’s Sonship
by James A. Stewart
1) We are not Children of God by nature (Eph. 2:1-3; Jn 8:44)
2) The Source of Sonship
– The Father’s love (1 Jn. 3:1)
– The grace of God (1 Cor. 15:10; Eph. 1:5-6)
3) The Means of Sonship
– The new birth (Jn. 1:12-13, 3:3)
– by the Word (1 Pet. 1:23; James 1:18)
– by the Holy Spirit (Jn. 3:5)
– by Faith (Jn. 1:12-13; Gal. 3:26)
4) The Proof of Sonship
– Witness of the Spirit (Rom. 8:16)
– We know that we are of God (1 Jn. 5:19-20)
– We received the Spirit of adoption (Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6-7)
– Led by the Spirit (Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:18)
– Love (Jn. 13:34-35; 1 Jn. 4:7, 3:14)
– Righteousness (1 Jn. 2:29, 3:9-10)
5) The Purpose of Sonship
– For His heritage (Eph. 1:11-12)
– To become like the Son (Rom. 8:29)
– Reveal riches of His grace (Eph. 2:7)
– Show forth His excellencies (1 Pet. 2:9)
6) The Character of Sonship
– Children of God (1 Jn. 3:1-2, 4; Phil. 2:15)
– Children of light (Eph. 5:8; 1 Thess. 5:5)
– Children of obedience (1 Pet. 1:14)
7) The Responsibility of Sonship
– To be separate from evil (2 Cor. 6:17-18, 7:1; 1 Thes 4:3)
– Imitators of God (Eph. 5:1-2)
– Blameless and harmless (Phil. 2:15)
– Holy and obedient (1 Pet. 1:14-16; Eph. 1:4)
– Walk in the Spirit worthily (Gal. 5:16; Eph. 4:1, 5:1-15)
8) The Privileges of Sonship
– We have His own Spirit within us (Rom. 8:11; Gal. 4:6-7)
– We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17; Gal. 4:7)
– We are disciplined as sons (Heb. 12:5-7)
– We have sonship liberty (2 Cor. 3:17; Gal. 5:1, 13; James 1:25; 1 Pet. 2:16)
2ProphetU is an online magazine/website, started by Warren Wiersbe and Michael Catt, to build up the church, seek revival, and encourage pastors.
