Revelation: Christ and the Churches

The Reasons we are Different - Part 2 of 2

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: New Testament Studies

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2025-04-23

Synopsis: In this sermon, Pastor John Weaver continues his exposition of 1 John 3:1-3, focusing on verses 2-3. He explains the present reality that believers are now the sons of God, the future manifestation when Christ appears and we shall be like Him, and the resulting mission of personal purification. The hope of seeing Christ as He is motivates believers to pursue holiness and obedience in this life.

[John Weaver] All right, let's open our Bibles then to 1st John chapter 3 and I'm going to bring the second part of a message I began two weeks ago. The reasons we are different. I covered verse 1 But I never got verses 2 and 3. So let's look, if you would, at 1 John chapter 3 and read the first three verses. The Word of God says, Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.

[John Weaver] Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God. It does not yet appear what we shall be. But we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."

[John Weaver] Now, the last time we dealt with this passage, I only made it through the very first verse. We looked at, first of all, the manner of love when he said, behold, what manner of love. In fact, it is talking there about a qualitative love, not a quantitative love. And by the way, the word behold means stop and think, stop and meditate, take notice of this, take notice of the manner of love.

[John Weaver] Now the Bible tells us that we really cannot even perceive the quantitative love of God, because Paul prayed in Ephesians chapter three that the saints might grasp in some manner the height and the depth and the breadth of the love of God. But here he's talking about the manner of God's love. So he says, behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us. So it's got to be a very quality, and that's what we're talking about. In fact, it's actually a qualitative interrogatory that is being presented here.

[John Weaver] But notice, secondly, the measure we covered. He said, behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God. So here's the measure of the love. made us the sons of God, we are now being called the sons of God. And then the third point that I covered in the first message was a misapprehension, which we see in the latter part of verse one.

[John Weaver] Therefore, the world knoweth us not because it knew him not. In other words, a misapprehension is a little different from a misunderstanding. A misapprehension is not that you misunderstand what was said. You just simply put the wrong interpretation upon it. You think things that are just simply not true based upon that which you heard. But the misapprehension here is this. Look carefully. Therefore, the world knoweth us not because it knew him not. In other words, the world is not going to be our friend. It misapprehends us.

[John Weaver] The fact is it does not appreciate honesty. It does not appreciate purity. It does not appreciate morality. It does not appreciate ethics. And so since the world despises Jesus Christ, then it also despises us as well. And the reason being is that we're different. We're peculiar. We are at odds with the world system and those that love and support that system. There is no fellowship between righteousness and unrighteousness.

[John Weaver] There's no agreement with the temple of God and infidel or an idol's temple. If you'll read 2 Corinthians chapter 6, the Apostle Paul makes it exceedingly clear how there are great differences between those that believe and those that believe not. So we are never ever going to be able to get along with the world, that is the world system, and the world system is not going to get along with us as well. They may hate us, they may persecute us, they may prosecute us, they may even try to eliminate us, but they're going to fail. there is a hope that lies within us that enables us to persevere in spite of everything the world can throw at us. In fact, the truth is there is a hope within us and there is a hope without us as well. So you're going to ask, what is that hope? Well, you look in verses two and three, you're going to see it because in verse two, he said, beloved, Now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear, but we shall be.

[John Weaver] But we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall seem as he is. And every man that had this hope in him purified himself, even as he is pure.

[John Weaver] Now, we're going to come to our fourth point this week, and that is the manifestation. We've seen the manner. We've seen the measure. We've seen the misapprehension. And here's the manifestation. Look at it. He says in verse two, behold, our beloved.

[John Weaver] Now are we the sons of God? Now, there are very good, many important truths that are revealed in verse two. However, what I'm going to do is emphasize only one. I'm going to mention the others, but I'm going to emphasize one particularly. So what is it? First of all, there is a reality. Look what he said. Beloved, now are we the sons of God. I want to call your attention to the word now. When we see that word, we normally do not think too much about it. But it's a very important word. It's the Greek word noon, N-U-N.

[John Weaver] We would pronounce it N-O-O-N. But it actually means now, at this time, right now in the present. So look at what he is saying, beloved. Right now, in this time, in the present, in time in history, we are the sons of God. So you need to let that thought sink in. We're now the sons of God. Now the word sons in verse two is the Greek word technon the same as it is in verse 1 which simply means that we are the children of God We're the offspring of God. We are now his children Listen to this We do not become the children of God in eternity If you're not a child of God now in time in history, you're not going to be a child of God in eternity Because now, he says, are we the sons of God. So, it is in time and history that God makes us his children. So, the world may not recognize us as the children of God, but that does not change the reality of this truth.

[John Weaver] When he said, beloved, now are we the sons of God. So now, there's a grave implication in this absolute reality. What is it? Well, if we are his children, if we are his sons and daughters, then that means that we must display evidence and manifest the characteristics of his children now in time and in history. In other words, God now has given us a present dignity. He's made us his sons. He's also given us a present duty, that is, we are to act like we are his children. The interesting thing is that children usually always look like and act like their father. Well, two of my grandchildren, two of my grandsons have sons of their own. And the amazing thing is when you see our great-grandchildren, they look exactly like their father. And they talk and act like him as well. Well, this is exactly what the scripture tells us.

[John Weaver] So here we have it in Matthew chapter 5 verses 44 through 46. I want you to listen. Our Lord said, But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless those that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you. Why? That you may be the children of your father who is in heaven. For he maketh the sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth the rain on the just and the unjust. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. So he tells us very clearly then, if we're his children, we must take on the characteristics of our father. In Matthew chapter 10 in verse 20, when our Lord is telling us how to respond when we're being prosecuted, he says, Don't necessarily think about what we're going to say in that in verse 20 said for it is not you that speak but the spirit of your father Which speak within you and then of course in Luke 6 and verse 36 He says be you therefore merciful as your father also is merciful so We are now the sons of God in time and history The fact that we are not perfect should not distract us from this present reality.

[John Weaver] God has bestowed upon us the honor and the dignity of being his children. He has regenerated us. He has converted us. He has given us repentance in faith. He has drawn us to himself. He has begotten us. We are his children. And therefore, we have a responsibility to bring our lives into conformity to the image of our Father. And the truth of the matter is, yes, we may still struggle with our flesh. We may still struggle with vain thoughts. We may still struggle with the pride of life and a lot of other things. But the reality is, God has saved us. He has made us his children.

[John Weaver] Now, I'm going to give you a quote by John Calvin. And I want you to listen very carefully, because as I read this quote, I thought, you know, this pretty well describes what goes on into the heart of the real child of God. Listen to what he says. He comes now to what everyone knows and feels himself. For though the ungodly may not entice us to give up our hope, yet our present condition is very short of the glow of God's children. In other words, we are not where we ought to be, and we know it.

[John Weaver] We're not shining forth the way we should shine forth. He goes on, for as to our body, we are dust and shadow, and death is always before our eyes. We're also subject to thousands of miseries, and the soul is exposed to innumerable evils, so that we also find a hell within us. I'll explain that momentarily. He says, the more necessary it is that all of our thoughts should be withdrawn from the present view of things, lest the miseries that are on every side of us surrounded and almost overwhelmed should shake our faith in that felicity which as yet lies hidden. For the apostles' meaning is this, that we act very foolishly when we estimate what God has bestowed upon us according to the present state of things, but that we ought with undoubting faith hold to that which does not yet appear. So what he is saying is very clear. We have fights within ourselves.

[John Weaver] We want that which is right. We want that which is holy. And yet we find our flesh longing for that which is unholy and that which is not right. And sometimes we begin to berate ourselves and condemn ourselves and think, well, I must not be saved. And what he's saying is, no, no, this is the hell within us. We are fighting. It's what it amounts to. There is a battle and it's going to continue like that.

[John Weaver] So here is the present reality. Behold, our beloved.

[John Weaver] Now are we the sons of God? We are, regardless of our faults and regardless of our failures, regardless of our sins, we are now in time and history, the sons of God.

[John Weaver] Now watch what he says next in verse two. He said, Beloved, now are we the sons of God. Here's the second reality. We're now the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be. Well, I cannot give you every detail about our glorified bodies, but we know that we're going to have a glorified body. We know that we're going to be able to serve and worship our Father without ignorance and without sin. We know that our state will be one of eternal happiness. We do not know exactly what our glorified bodies are going to be, but God gives us some great information. Now, I want you to hold 1 John chapter 3, and I want you to turn to 2 Corinthians chapter 5, and then we're going to go to 1 Corinthians chapter 15. So I want you to pay close attention to this. Look in Second Corinthians, chapter five, and let's begin reading there with verse one. Second Corinthians, chapter five. Note, if you would, verse one. Well, we know that of our earthly house of this tabernacle.

[John Weaver] So we're talking about our bodies. Well, we know that our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved. We have a building of God and a house not made with hands eternal in the heavens. So we know that when this old body drops off and we go to be with the Lord, we are going to have a new house, a new tabernacle.

[John Weaver] Now look what he says in verse two. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house, which is from heaven. If so, that being clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened, not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that morality might be swallowed up of life.

[John Weaver] Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame things, God, hath also given us the earnest of his Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith and not by sight, for we are confident on saying, willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore, we labor that whether we be present or absent, we may be accepted. So he's telling us very plainly, we're going to have a brand new body. We're going to have a new house, so to speak, a new tabernacle. And it's going to be totally different from the one that we have now.

[John Weaver] So I want you to look in First Corinthians, Chapter 15. It's 1 Corinthians chapter 15, beginning now with verse 35. Because here again, the apostle is making the contrast between what we are now and what we will be. So he says in verse 35, but some men will say, how are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quick, and except it die.

[John Weaver] Now here's a principle we don't like. But it's true, you can't get a new glorified body until you drop off this whole deceitful and wicked fleshly body, that's it. So we have to die to get a glorified body. And what he says in verse 37, and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain. It may chance of weed or some other grain.

[John Weaver] So he's using an illustration of a garden. But God giveth it a body as it has pleased him. and every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh. There is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, another of birds. Notice if you would, there are also celestial bodies and bodies terrestrial, but the glory of the celestial is one, the glory of the terrestrial is another. There's one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, another glory of the stars, for one star different from another in glory. So also is the resurrection. Now look carefully. So also is the resurrection of the dead.

[John Weaver] It is sown in corruption. It is raised in corruption. It is sown in dishonor. It is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness. It is raised in power. It is sown a natural body. It is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is a spiritual body. So we do not know exactly what our glorified bodies are going to be. But I'm going to tell you this, we are not going to be some little spirit floating around somewhere in the universe. No, we are going to have a glorified body.

[John Weaver] Now the Bible is going to tell us very plainly that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. So we know that our new glorified bodies are not going to be flesh and blood, but they are going to be flesh and bone. So if you'll just look in verse 50 of first Corinthians 15, he says, Now this, I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Neither does corruption inherit incorruption.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to turn to two passages. I want you to turn to John, chapter 20, and I want you to hold that passage because we're going to go from there to the book of Luke and then we're coming back to John. OK, so if you will turn in your Bibles to John, chapter 20, because we're still talking about our glorified bodies. He said it does not appear yet what we're going to be. But watch this. John, chapter 20.

[John Weaver] And let's begin reading there with verse 24. John chapter 20 and verse 24. Here it is. John 20 verse 24. But Thomas, one of the 12 called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said of him, we have seen the Lord. But he said, except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then said he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands, and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side, and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas entered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus said unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed. Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet they have believed.

[John Weaver] So I want you to know, if you would, Jesus Christ had a real body. He had hands, he had feet, and he told Thomas, feel my hands, thrust your hand into my side, see that it is I Myself now if you'll turn in your Bibles the Luke chapter 24 holding the book of John so Luke chapter 24 and Let's look there first of all at verse 39 Luke chapter 24 and verse 39 then we're going to go back and pick up several other verses John 24 verse 39 look at this our Lord said Behold my hands and my feet that it is I myself Look at this next part now Handle me and see For a spirit hath not flesh and bones as you see me have and Jesus is already resurrected from the dead He's been raised. He has a glorified body. It is flesh and bones. It is a real Genuine body now, let's begin reading with verse number 36. And by the way, I want you to understand in this new glorified body, which is flesh and bone.

[John Weaver] We will still be able to eat and to enjoy food. Wow. I love fish. In fact, I usually tell people I'd rather have fresh fish than I had a T bone steak. I prefer fish over steak any day of the week. But I want you to watch this, Luke chapter 24, beginning there with verse 36. Look at this. The Bible said, and as these of the spake, Jesus stood in the midst of them and said to them, Peace be unto you.

[John Weaver] And they were frightened and they were terrified and terrified and are frightened and suppose that they had seen the spirit. And he said to them, Why are you in trouble? And why do thoughts arise in your heart? Behold, my hands and my feet, it is I myself. Handle me and see, for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet.

[John Weaver] And while they yet believed not for joy and wondered, he said to them, Have you here any meat? And they gave him a piece of boiled fish and of a honeycomb, and he took it and did eat before them. Wow. So our Lord now Is eating and very plainly fish and honeycomb turn now if you would to john chapter 21 And let's begin reading there with verse 7 John 21 verse 7. We'll read through verse 14 Look at this therefore that disciple whom jesus loved said unto peter. It is the lord Now when simon peter heard that it was the lord he girded his fisher's coat upon him for he was naked and he cast himself into the sea And the other disciples came in a little ship, for they were not far from the land, but as it were about 200

[John Weaver] cubits, dragging the net with fishes. And as soon as they were come to the land, they saw a fire of coals there and fish laid their own in bread. Jesus said to them, bring in the fish which you have now caught. Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land full of great fishes, 153. And for all that, there were so many, yet the net did not break. Watch. Jesus sent him, come and dine.

[John Weaver] And none of the disciples thirst asking who art thou, knowing it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus showed himself to his disciples after that he was risen from the dead. So he has a body. Flesh and bones something that you can handle. He has a body that can still enjoy food Wow By the way, I hope you also note that there is going to be plenty of fruit in eternity as well because Revelation chapter 22 in verse 2 says in the midst of the street of it and on either side of the river There was a tree of life which bear 12 manner of fruits and yielded her fruit every month and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nation. So, yes, we will be able to eat in that glorified body as well.

[John Weaver] Moreover, the Bible tells us that we shall know even as we are known. And, you know, I have been asked so many times, it is almost humorous, Master, do you think we're going to know each other in heaven? And my stock answer, which you have heard me give so many times, is very simple. Yes, we will know each other. We're not going to be any more stupid there than we are here. And if we know each other here, then obviously we're going to know each other there.

[John Weaver] But this hour, Peter, James and John went with our Lord in Matthew chapter 17 to the Mount of Transfiguration. You remember that he was there transfigured before them. And there appeared with Jesus on that Mount, Moses and Elijah. Peter, James, or John had never met Moses or Elijah. And when Peter saw them, not knowing what to do or what to say, he said, Lord, it's good for us to be here. Let us build three tabernacles, one for thee, one for Moses, one for Elijah.

[John Weaver] And of course, there was a great cloud that came over them, and the father spoke from heaven, saying, this is my beloved son, hear ye him. But I want you to notice Jesus Christ did not say, Moses, I'd like to introduce you to Peter. Peter, I'd like to introduce you to Moses. And also, Peter, this is Elijah. No, no, no. Peter automatically knew who it was. So yes, we're going to know even as we are known.

[John Weaver] That's what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13 in verse 12. He says, For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face.

[John Weaver] Now I know in part, but then I shall know even as I am known. So, yes, we're going to know each other and we're going to know everything about each other.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to go back to first John, chapter three, because I'm still dealing with this present reality. And the present reality is is that we are now the sons of God associated with that is we are not sure exactly what kind of glorified body we're going to have, but we know we're going to have a glorified body. But I want you to notice now the third and fourth realities that are involved in this manifestation.

[John Weaver] So now watch carefully, verse two. He says, Beloved, now are we the sons of God. And it does not yet appear what we shall be. Here's the third one. But we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him. Here's the fourth one. For we shall see him as he is. Now, I want you to pay attention, because in the latter part of verse two, he says, but we know. That is, we perceive, we understand, we grasp this reality that when he appears, first, we shall be like him, and secondly, we shall see him as he is.

[John Weaver] So let me make a statement for you to consider. His manifestation, brings our manifestation to fruition. You remember two weeks ago, I quoted Romans 8 in verse 29 and told you that this is actually the purpose of our salvation. For in Romans 8 in verse 29, he says it this, for whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. So God then saved us and predestinated us to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.

[John Weaver] Now, contrary to what some people have thought and said and thought, I do not think that this verse means that everybody is going to be a 33 year old male. Some people say that, say there are no women in heaven because everybody's going to be a 33 year old male. No, I don't think that's what it means at all. In fact, the word like, when he says in verse two, we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him. The word like is homeos in the Greek, and it means similar, resembling, or corresponding to a thing.

[John Weaver] In other words, our bodies will correspond to his body, Our mind and our heart will correspond to his mind and his heart. In other words, his image will be perfected in us and we will no longer be defaced in any manner. We will be perfect. We will be holy. We will be undefiled. We will be righteous. We will have we will have and we will know the blessedness of God the Father.

[John Weaver] We will have immortality, incorruption, power, glory, spirituality. and a freedom from all imperfections and sorrows and afflictions and death so that we may worship and glorify him forever. We will also have to the ability that God gives us a perfect understanding and knowledge of everything.

[John Weaver] Now that does not mean that we're going to grasp God and know him. or in order to grasp God, we would have to be God ourselves, which is impossible. But it does mean that our understanding will be perfect. Our knowledge will be perfect as well.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to hold first John chapter three, and I want you to turn back in your Bibles to the book of Philippians chapter three and look at verse twenty one. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians. Look in Philippians three verse twenty one. Look carefully now. Because we're still talking about the manifestation for we shall see him. Now, what's this? He said, who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like in his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things to himself. So he is going to change our vile body to make it like into his glorious body.

[John Weaver] Now, listen to what he said. We, he said in verse two, but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him. How are we going to be like him? Because he's going to change our vile body like on his glorious body.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to understand that we must have a glorified body in order for our Lord's prayer to be answered. Remember John chapter 17 is the high priestly prayer of our Lord Well, there's one request that he made in verse 24 Listen to what he prayed. He said father. I Will that they also whom that was given me be with me where I am That they may behold my glory Wow That they may behold my glory which that was given me before the foundation of the world. I The only way that we could ever behold the glory of our Lord is with a glorified body. We could not behold His glory without the perfection, holiness, and righteousness which He gives and brings us unto. So clearly then, in verse 2, but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him.

[John Weaver] In other words, this in all probability is our real transformation now hang on this also brings me to the fourth reality or the fourth truth here in connection with this present reality and that is for we shall see him as he is stop and think about that we shall see him as he is so this passage then clearly implies that there will be an influence in beholding the Savior as he is, which will tend to make us like him and transform us into his likeness."

[John Weaver] Now, Peter referred to our love for Jesus Christ that we have now, even though we have not seen him, and yet he says even though we have not seen him, there is joy unspeakable and full of glory. Here it is in first Peter chapter 1 in verse 8. He said whom having not seen you love and whom though now you see him not yet believing You rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory So if we can love him without seeing him and Our love can be to the extent that we joy in him and we are full of glory unspeakable glory in one sense of the word. What in the world do you think it'll be like when we see him as he is?

[John Weaver] In all of his regal, royal splendor, majesty, holiness, sovereignty, power. You remember on the Mount of Transfiguration in Matthew chapter 17? His whole countenance was changed and he was glistening. Our Lord's flesh, in one sense, the word was hiding his deity. Because you remember, Isaiah 53, the Bible said, when we see him, there is no beauty in him that we should desire him. But on the Mount of Transfiguration, all of his glory and all of his deity and all its affections shone through.

[John Weaver] Therefore, Peter, James and John. And so the Bible is saying, when we see him, we will understand all of this. Beautiful wonderful Lord that we have now. I want you to notice 2nd Corinthians chapter 3. I want you to turn there because here's another truth in light of this That We should comprehend Look at this 2nd Corinthians chapter 3. I want you to look in verse 18 This is why You should be reading the Scripture every day. This is why you should be studying the Scripture every day. This is why you should be meditating and thinking about the Scripture every day. He says in verse 18, But we all with open face, beholding as in a glass, that is, as a mirror, the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of God.

[John Weaver] So Paul then is speaking then of the change in us in the present, that is in this time in history on earth, the change in us as we behold him in his word by the power of the Holy Spirit. Now, I want to give you a quote. I want you to listen to it carefully. And then I'm going to try to give a very simple illustration that may help you grasp this quote. The quote comes from Albert Barnes, and he's talking here about 2 Corinthians 3 in verse 18 about being changed into his image. Here's what he said. It is possible that there may be an allusion here to the effect which was produced by looking into an ancient mirror.

[John Weaver] Such mirrors were made of burnished metal and reflections from them would be intense. If a strong light were thrown on them, the rays would be cast by reflection on the face of him that looked on the mirror, and it would be strongly illuminated. And the idea may be that the glory of God, the splendor of the divine perfections, was thrown on the gospel, so to speak, like a bright light on a polished mirror, and that the glory was reflected from the gospel on him who contemplated it so that it appeared to be transformed into the same image. Locke renders it, we are changed into his very image by a continued succession of glory as it were streaming upon us from the Lord. The figure is one of great beauty, And the idea is that by placing ourselves within the light of the gospel, by contemplating glory that shines there, we become changed into the likeness of the same glory and conform to that which shines there with so much splendor. By contemplating the resplendent face of the blessed Redeemer, we are changed into something of the same image.

[John Weaver] In other words, his image will be reflected on us. We will imbibe his sentiments, catch his feelings, be molded into the image there of his own purity. So he is telling us that now on earth, in time and history, if we want to be pure and holy and change more and more into his image, we need to behold him and his truth in his word. So trying to explain the illustration that was just given to us about the mirror.

[John Weaver] Most of you know I've got a old Dodge Ram pickup. And I don't know if you ever noticed or not, and I suppose it's on every Dodge Ram pickup. But right in the middle of the windshield, up high, there's an image of a Ram. You know, it's a little cow that's, I guess, stuck on the windshield. Well, Claiborne, our pit bull, when he rides with me in the truck, he always sits on that seat right beside me. And when he sits right beside me, he's looking straight ahead. And I have noticed sometimes, and Alice has been in the passenger seat, I say, would you look at, would you look at Claiborne's head? And the sun is shining and it's shining. And the sun shines on that decal of that ram. And that decal of that ram is right on Claiborne's forehead.

[John Weaver] I mean, you can see it there. And I always look at him and say, no, no, no, Claiborne, we don't do tattoos, you know, but I know it's not a tattoo. But the point is, it was reflecting right on him. And this is what the Bible is teaching us. When we look in the word and the Holy Spirit of God shows us what is in the word comes and reflects upon us. and changes us. Now, I didn't change Claiborne into a ram, but at least there was the appearance of that ram on his forehead. So the Bible is telling us here we have the change.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to note so far what we've covered in this passage. Look back, if you would, in 1 John 3. In verse 1, we saw the manner. In verse 1, we saw the measure. In verse 1, we saw the misapprehension. In verse two, we have seen the manifestation, the present reality. OK, then only we're sons of God and we know we're going to have a glorified body. We don't know what it's going to be like exactly, but we know that when he appears, we're going to be like him and we shall see him as he is.

[John Weaver] Now, that brings me to the to the fifth point, and that is the mission. Look in verse three. And every man that had this hope in him purified himself, even as he is pure.

[John Weaver] Now, let me just tell you up front. Verse three is indeed the application of the doctrine that has been taught in verses one and two. So if you understand the doctrine in verses one and two. You're now going to understand the application or the mission that is given to us in verse three, when he's in every man that had this hope in him, purified himself even as he is pure. In other words, the manifestation will bring to us this mission. And this mission is going to be one of purity, holiness and obedience. Now, he said in verse three, and every man that had this hope in him. Well, what hope is he talking about? Well, it's the hope of seeing our Lord in his splendor, in his beauty, in his honor, in his glory. It is the hope of being transformed completely and entirely by His grace and by His mercy. It is the hope that, moreover, will motivate us to mortification and to purity in life. It is the true hope that runs us into holiness.

[John Weaver] Faith and hope purge us and will work in us a suitableness of the soul to follow after holiness and righteousness. So we are to be pure, qualitatively, as he is pure. Now we cannot be pure quantitatively as he is pure, but we can qualitatively. Remember the passage in Ephesians 5 in verse 25, if the men can't quote it, the ladies can, where it says, husbands, love your wives even as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it. Now, even as means equally or just as. So obviously, no man has the power or the ability to love his wife quantitatively the way Christ loves the church, but he can qualitatively. It would be the same manner of love, the same thing he's talking about in verse one, the whole what manner of love is the quality that he's talking about now.

[John Weaver] I'm pointing out the fact if we have this hope in us, then it's going to purify us. Since you're in First John, look in First John chapter two and verse six. Here's what we're talking about. First John two and verse six. Look at this. He that said he abided in him, ought himself also to walk even as he walked. Wow. So we not only have a dignity given to us, we are the sons of God, we have a duty given to us, and that is we are to walk even as he walked. We are to be pure even as he is pure. Now, when you look back in 1 John chapter 3 and verse 3, the Bible said every man that had this hope in him purified himself.

[John Weaver] It just so happens This verb is a present active indicative, which means it's a present it is happening now. It's a present active indicative, which means it is something that is continually happening. In other words, it's not that I just come up and say, well, Lord, I'm purifying myself right now. No, no, no, no. I have to purify myself by the grace of God. I'm going to explain that just a moment. But it's something that continues going on and on. In other words, it is a continual purification.

[John Weaver] Now, this is not saying that we save ourselves or not anything like that, but it's just pointing out our duty and our responsibility to be holy. We can only purify ourselves by the word of God and by the power of the Holy Spirit. You remember Jesus Christ said in John 17, now you're clean through the word which I've spoken to you. That's what he said. And may I remind you, he talked about in Ephesians chapter five, we are clean through the washing of the water of the word. You remember also the Apostle Paul said, I died. How often did he say he died daily? What would be renewed in the spirit of your mind? How many times you have to renew your mind? Sometimes a zillion times a day, it seems like I'm the one I'm trying to make is very simple.

[John Weaver] Every man that had this hope in himself is continually and constantly purifying himself, even as he is pure. In other words, he's fighting the good fight of faith is what it amounts to.

[John Weaver] Now, I want to give you a couple of quotes. And this one, I might have to explain one statement in it, but I want you to listen. This is from Matthew Poole, and he's talking about purified himself. He said, it is not only here obliged, that is, we're obligated, but by the efficacious influence of this hope, if it be of the same kind, that lively hope which Christians are said to be begotten into in first Peter one in verse three, is daily more and more transformed through a continual intention of the mind towards a holy God upon whom that hope is set. For it is said to be hope in Him rather than upon Him, into the image of the divine purity, knowing also, which must be a potent inducement to be very earnest in this way, that our Listen, that our future conformity to God in glory and blessedness hereafter depends upon our present vigorous and effectual pursuit of conformity to him in holiness here. Now I want you to stop and think about what he just said.

[John Weaver] He said that our future conformity to God in glory Depends upon our present vigorous and effectual pursuit of conformity to him in holiness here hmm What is he saying? Well, he's saying we have to be holy now in time in history if We expect to be holy in eternity He is not saying that we're saving ourselves. He's not saying that we're working our way into heaven What he is saying is the truth of Hebrews 12 and verse 14. When he said, follow peace with all men and holiness.

[John Weaver] Without which no man shall see the Lord. So what he is saying is, if you're not interested in being holy in this life, well, you're not going to be interested in being holy in the next life because you're not even going to make it to the place where you could be holy. In other words, Now is our duty and obligation to live a holy, godly, obedient life. That's what he's saying.

[John Weaver] Here's a second one from Adam Clark. Second quote, listen. He's still commenting on verse three. And every man that had this hope in him, all who have the hope of seeing Christ as he is, that is of enjoying him in his own glory, purified himself, abstains from all evil and keeps himself from all that is in the world, that is, the lust of the flesh and of the

[John Weaver] eyes and the pride of life. God, having purified his heart, listen now, it is his business to keep himself in the love of God, looking for that mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Now, hang on, listen to that again. God, having purified his heart, It is his business to keep himself in the love of God, looking for that mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. The apostle does not here speak of any man purifying his own heart, because that is impossible, but of persevering in the state of purity of which the Lord has brought him. The words, however, may be understood of a man's anxiously using all the means that lead to purity and imploring God for the sanctifying spirit to cleanse the thoughts of a heart by its inspiration that he may perfectly love him and worthily magnify his name.

[John Weaver] You know, I thought about another verse. I think it's in 1 Chronicles chapter 4. It's in relationship to a man by the name of Jabez. The Bible said that Jabez is more honorable than his brethren. And here's how he was more honorable. The next verse said that Jabez prayed, Lord, that thou mightest bless me indeed, that thy hand would be upon me, that thou wouldst enlarge my coast, and thou wouldst keep me from evil, that it might not grieve me. And the next verse says, and the Lord God granted him his request. Have you ever prayed about the Lord would be pleased to keep you from evil that he might not grieve you. I always try to add another thought, Lord, keep me from evil that I might not grieve thee.

[John Weaver] But this is what these men are talking about. Lord God has purified our hearts by faith. That's what the apostle said in the book of Acts. And so once he's purified our hearts by faith, it's our duty, it's our responsibility to continue therein. In fact, I've preached on this in times past. In fact, the verse that he quoted is found in the book of Jude, verse 21, where he said, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ into eternal life. Well, how in the world do you keep yourselves in the love of God? You see, the love of God is not some abstract thing floating around in the universe somewhere. What did our Lord say? And this is the love of God that you keep my commandments.

[John Weaver] He that loves me keepeth my sayings. He that loveth me not keepeth not my saying. And this is the love of God that we keep his commandments and they're not grievous unto us. So we keep our hearts in the love of God by obeying him and bringing our lives into conformity to his word. Now, hang on. There's another passage I want to quote.

[John Weaver] Second Corinthians chapter seven in verse one. Listen to this now, because we're still talking about holiness, being conformed, being pure. He said, having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. So it's not that we just cleanse ourselves from drunkenness and fornication and adultery, you know, the sins of the flesh and stealing and lying.

[John Weaver] No, no, no, no, no. We cleanse ourselves of that, but of the spirit also. That is, we are not walking around with a bitter spirit, an angry spirit, a haughty spirit, we're not walking around vindictively, we're not walking around with a bitter, hateful attitude. So he said, having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves, but only the lust of the flesh, but also the spirit. So we're to be clean, we're to be pure physically, mentally, and emotionally as well.

[John Weaver] Now, the passage in first Peter, Chapter 1, verses 13 through 16 is applicable to this as well. When he says, wherefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

[John Weaver] Now listen, as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lust of your ignorance, but as he who hath called you is holy, so be you holy in all manner of conversation, For it is written, be ye holy, for I am holy. So he that hath this hope in himself, purify himself even as he is pure. That's our mission. Our mission is to be as holy and as pure as we can be by his grace and his mercy, using the means that he has ordained prayer, studying the word, fellowshipping with people who can teach us and help us. Yeah. Keeping ourselves in the love of God, keeping ourselves obedient to his word. Now. Here's my application. Actually, verse three was the application. Because it is the application of verses one and two, the doctrine that's taught there. But here it is.

[John Weaver] Is your hope strong enough, biblical enough and godly enough to drive you to mortify the deeds of the flesh and walk pleasing unto the Lord? Is your hope one that is strong enough and biblical enough to drive you to make sure that you read the scriptures every day, that you meditate upon the scriptures, that you seek the Lord and ask him to teach you and to show you the way, and how you to walk and to glorify Him. Is your hope strong enough to motivate you to walk in the Spirit and not in flesh, and to walk by faith and not by sight? And does your hope motivate you to obedience, to worship, to adoration, to praise and to glorify our God?

[John Weaver] Stop and think about this. If your hope is a biblical hope, you will also be obedient. If you want to turn to the book of Hebrews, chapter five, I want you to see these last two verses in light of this message. Here is a passage in scripture I think is the only passage that has the two words eternal salvation in it in reference to Jesus Christ. And I want you to see what it says. Hebrews chapter 5, look if you would please at verse 8.

[John Weaver] Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. Now look at verse 9. And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey Him. He is not the author of eternal salvation to those who disobey Him. He is the author of eternal salvation to those that obey Him. If you love Me, keep My commandments, He said. The proof that we love him, the proof that we are in him, the proof that we are genuinely converted by his grace and mercy is that we're obedient. No, our obedience is not perfect, but we are obedient and we do want to purify ourselves even as he is pure. We want to strive for holiness. We want to strive for obedience. We want to strive for purity.

[John Weaver] And when we are not what we should be, it grieves us and hurts us. I don't know about you, but oftentimes I have a thought flash through my mind. I think, Lord, where in the world did that thought come from? And I think of that passage when David said, I hate vain thoughts, but by law do I love. And so we have to learn to hate those things and refuse them and reject them and refuse to even entertain them in our minds. Why?

[John Weaver] Because we've been called unto obedience, we've been called unto holiness. Now, go back, if you would, in your Bibles one last time, and look at these three verses together. Look at it. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now Are we the sons of God?

[John Weaver] And it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself even as he is pure. So if you have the hope of being made into the image of Jesus Christ, if you have the hope of seeing him in glory, you will purify yourself and live as obediently and holily as you can by the grace of God.

[John Weaver] Father, we do ask for your blessing, we ask for your help, and Lord, that you would make us holy, godly, and obedient. Make us more and more conformed to the image of Jesus Christ now, in time, in history, as well as eternity, where we will there be made perfectly into his image. Give us your grace, we pray in Christ's name, amen.

[John Weaver] you you

The Reasons we are Different - Part 2 of 2

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	78nRBCGUkm4
Subject	New Testament Studies
Course	Revelation: Christ and the Churches
Genre	Sermon
Date	2025-04-23
Dictation Name
Book	Book 142: The Reasons We Are Different — Chapter 2
Source Timed Segments	89

Formatted Transcript

Opening

All right, let's open our Bibles then to 1 John chapter 3, and I'm going to bring the second part of a message I began two weeks ago: "The Reasons We Are Different." I covered verse 1, but I never got verses 2 and 3. So let's look, if you would, at 1 John chapter 3 and read the first three verses. The Word of God says,

Scripture Reading — 1 John 3:1-3

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." "Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God. It doth not yet appear what we shall be. But we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."

Review of Part 1: Manner, Measure, and Misapprehension

Weaver recaps the first message covering the qualitative love of God, the measure of being called sons of God, and the world's misapprehension of believers.

Now, the last time we dealt with this passage, I only made it through the very first verse. We looked at, first of all, the manner of love when he said, "Behold, what manner of love." In fact, it is talking there about a qualitative love, not a quantitative love. And by the way, the word "behold" means stop and think, stop and meditate, take notice of this, take notice of the manner of love. Now the Bible tells us that we really cannot even perceive the quantitative love of God, because Paul prayed in Ephesians chapter 3 that the saints might grasp in some manner the height and the depth and the breadth of the love of God. But here he's talking about the manner of God's love. So he says, "Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us." So it's got to be a very quality, and that's what we're talking about. In fact, it's actually a qualitative interrogatory that is being presented here.

But notice, secondly, the measure we covered. He said, "Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God." So here's the measure of the love: made us the sons of God, we are now being called the sons of God. And then the third point that I covered in the first message was a misapprehension, which we see in the latter part of verse 1. "Therefore, the world knoweth us not because it knew him not." In other words, a misapprehension is a little different from a misunderstanding. A misapprehension is not that you misunderstand what was said. You just simply put the wrong interpretation upon it. You think things that are just simply not true based upon that which you heard. But the misapprehension here is this. Look carefully. "Therefore, the world knoweth us not because it knew him not." In other words, the world is not going to be our friend. It misapprehends us.

The fact is it does not appreciate honesty. It does not appreciate purity. It does not appreciate morality. It does not appreciate ethics. And so since the world despises Jesus Christ, then it also despises us as well. And the reason being is that we're different. We're peculiar. We are at odds with the world system and those that love and support that system. There is no fellowship between righteousness and unrighteousness.

The Manifestation: Present Reality as Sons of God

Believers are now, in time and history, the children of God, which carries both a present dignity and a present duty to display His characteristics.

"Now are we the sons of God." Now, there are very good, many important truths that are revealed in verse 2. However, what I'm going to do is emphasize only one. I'm going to mention the others, but I'm going to emphasize one particularly. So what is it? First of all, there is a reality. Look what he said. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God." I want to call your attention to the word "now." When we see that word, we normally do not think too much about it. But it's a very important word. It's the Greek word nun, N-U-N.

We would pronounce it noon. But it actually means now, at this time, right now in the present. So look at what he is saying, "Beloved, right now, in this time, in the present, in time in history, we are the sons of God." So you need to let that thought sink in. We're now the sons of God. Now the word "sons" in verse 2 is the Greek word teknon, the same as it is in verse 1, which simply means that we are the children of God. We're the offspring of God. We are now his children. Listen to this: We do not become the children of God in eternity. If you're not a child of God now in time in history, you're not going to be a child of God in eternity. Because now, he says, are we the sons of God. So, it is in time and history that God makes us his children. So, the world may not recognize us as the children of God, but that does not change the reality of this truth.

When he said, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God." So now, there's a grave implication in this absolute reality. What is it? Well, if we are his children, if we are his sons and daughters, then that means that we must display evidence and manifest the characteristics of his children now in time and in history. In other words, God now has given us a present dignity. He's made us his sons. He's also given us a present duty, that is, we are to act like we are his children. The interesting thing is that children usually always look like and act like their father. Well, two of my grandchildren, two of my grandsons have sons of their own. And the amazing thing is when you see our great-grandchildren, they look exactly like their father. And they talk and act like him as well. Well, this is exactly what the scripture tells us.

So here we have it in Matthew chapter 5 verses 44 through 46. I want you to listen. Our Lord said,

Scripture Reading — Matthew 5:44-46

"But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless those that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you. Why? That you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven. For he maketh the sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth the rain on the just and the unjust. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

So he tells us very clearly then, if we're his children, we must take on the characteristics of our Father. In Matthew chapter 10 in verse 20, when our Lord is telling us how to respond when we're being prosecuted, he says, "Don't necessarily think about what we're going to say," and in verse 20 said,

Scripture Reading — Matthew 5:44-46

"for it is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speak within you."

And then of course in Luke 6 and verse 36, he says, "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful." So we are now the sons of God in time and history. The fact that we are not perfect should not distract us from this present reality.

God has bestowed upon us the honor and the dignity of being his children. He has regenerated us. He has converted us. He has given us repentance and faith. He has drawn us to himself. He has begotten us. We are his children. And therefore, we have a responsibility to bring our lives into conformity to the image of our Father. And the truth of the matter is, yes, we may still struggle with our flesh. We may still struggle with vain thoughts. We may still struggle with the pride of life and a lot of other things. But the reality is, God has saved us. He has made us his children.

The Manifestation: Future Uncertainty and Glorified Bodies

It does not yet appear what we shall be, but Scripture reveals we will have glorified bodies like Christ's, capable of eating and recognizable.

So we're talking about our bodies. "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." So we know that when this old body drops off and we go to be with the Lord, we are going to have a new house, a new tabernacle. Now look what he says in verse 2. "For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life." "Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him." So he's telling us very plainly, we're going to have a brand new body. We're going to have a new house, so to speak, a new tabernacle. And it's going to be totally different from the one that we have now.

So I want you to look in 1 Corinthians chapter 15. It's 1 Corinthians chapter 15, beginning now with verse 35. Because here again, the apostle is making the contrast between what we are now and what we will be. So he says in verse 35, "But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die."

Now here's a principle we don't like. But it's true, you can't get a new glorified body until you drop off this old deceitful and wicked fleshly body, that's it. So we have to die to get a glorified body. And what he says in verse 37, "And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain."

So he's using an illustration of a garden. "But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead." Now look carefully. "So also is the resurrection of the dead."

"It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body." So we do not know exactly what our glorified bodies are going to be. But I'm going to tell you this, we are not going to be some little spirit floating around somewhere in the universe. No, we are going to have a glorified body.

Now the Bible is going to tell us very plainly that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. So we know that our new glorified bodies are not going to be flesh and blood, but they are going to be flesh and bone. So if you'll just look in verse 50 of 1 Corinthians 15, he says,

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 15:35-50

"Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption."

Now, I want you to turn to two passages. I want you to turn to John chapter 20, and I want you to hold that passage because we're going to go from there to the book of Luke and then we're coming back to John. OK, so if you will turn in your Bibles to John chapter 20, because we're still talking about our glorified bodies. He said it doth not yet appear what we're going to be. But watch this. John chapter 20.

And let's begin reading there with verse 24. John chapter 20 and verse 24. Here it is. John 20 verse 24.

Scripture Reading — John 20:24-29

"But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

So I want you to know, if you would, Jesus Christ had a real body. He had hands, he had feet, and he told Thomas, "Feel my hands, thrust your hand into my side, see that it is I myself." Now if you'll turn in your Bibles to Luke chapter 24, holding the book of John. So Luke chapter 24, and let's look there first of all at verse 39. Luke chapter 24 and verse 39, then we're going to go back and pick up several other verses. Luke 24 verse 39, look at this. Our Lord said, "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself." Look at this next part now. "Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." And Jesus is already resurrected from the dead. He's been raised. He has a glorified body. It is flesh and bones. It is a real, genuine body. Now, let's begin reading with verse number 36. And by the way, I want you to understand in this new glorified body, which is flesh and bone.

We will still be able to eat and to enjoy food. Wow. I love fish. In fact, I usually tell people I'd rather have fresh fish than I had a T-bone steak. I prefer fish over steak any day of the week. But I want you to watch this, Luke chapter 24, beginning there with verse 36. Look at this. The Bible said,

Scripture Reading — Luke 24:36-43

"And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you."

"But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet." "And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them." Wow. So our Lord now is eating, and very plainly, fish and honeycomb. Turn now, if you would, to John chapter 21. And let's begin reading there with verse 7. John 21 verse 7. We'll read through verse 14. Look at this. "Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes."

"As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine." "And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead." So he has a body. Flesh and bones, something that you can handle. He has a body that can still enjoy food. Wow. By the way, I hope you also note that there is going to be plenty of fruit in eternity as well, because Revelation chapter 22 in verse 2 says, "In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." So, yes, we will be able to eat in that glorified body as well.

Moreover, the Bible tells us that we shall know even as we are known. And, you know, I have been asked so many times, it is almost humorous, "Pastor, do you think we're going to know each other in heaven?" And my stock answer, which you have heard me give so many times, is very simple. Yes, we will know each other. We're not going to be any more stupid there than we are here. And if we know each other here, then obviously we're going to know each other there.

But this hour, Peter, James and John went with our Lord in Matthew chapter 17 to the Mount of Transfiguration. You remember that he was there transfigured before them. And there appeared with Jesus on that Mount, Moses and Elijah. Peter, James, and John had never met Moses or Elijah. And when Peter saw them, not knowing what to do or what to say, he said, "Lord, it is good for us to be here: let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias." And of course, there was a great cloud that came over them, and the Father spoke from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." But I want you to notice Jesus Christ did not say, "Moses, I'd like to introduce you to Peter. Peter, I'd like to introduce you to Moses. And also, Peter, this is Elijah." No, no, no. Peter automatically knew who it was. So yes, we're going to know even as we are known.

That's what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13 in verse 12. He says, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face." "Now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." So, yes, we're going to know each other and we're going to know everything about each other. Now, I want you to go back to 1 John chapter 3, because I'm still dealing with this present reality. And the present reality is that we are now the sons of God. Associated with that is we are not sure exactly what kind of glorified body we're going to have, but we know we're going to have a glorified body. But I want you to notice now the third and fourth realities that are involved in this manifestation.

The Manifestation: We Shall Be Like Him and See Him

When Christ appears, believers will be conformed to His image and see Him as He is, a transformation that brings our salvation to fruition.

So now watch carefully, verse 2. He says, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be." Here's the third one. "But we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him." Here's the fourth one. "For we shall see him as he is." Now, I want you to pay attention, because in the latter part of verse 2, he says, "but we know." That is, we perceive, we understand, we grasp this reality that when he appears, first, we shall be like him, and secondly, we shall see him as he is.

So let me make a statement for you to consider. His manifestation brings our manifestation to fruition. You remember two weeks ago, I quoted Romans 8 in verse 29 and told you that this is actually the purpose of our salvation. For in Romans 8 in verse 29, he says it this, "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." So God then saved us and predestinated us to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.

Now, contrary to what some people have thought and said, I do not think that this verse means that everybody is going to be a 33-year-old male. Some people say that, say there are no women in heaven because everybody's going to be a 33-year-old male. No, I don't think that's what it means at all. In fact, the word "like," when he says in verse 2, "we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him," the word "like" is homoios in the Greek, and it means similar, resembling, or corresponding to a thing. In other words, our bodies will correspond to his body. Our mind and our heart will correspond to his mind and his heart. In other words, his image will be perfected in us and we will no longer be defaced in any manner. We will be perfect. We will be holy. We will be undefiled. We will be righteous. We will have and we will know the blessedness of God the Father.

We will have immortality, incorruption, power, glory, spirituality, and a freedom from all imperfections and sorrows and afflictions and death so that we may worship and glorify him forever. We will also have the ability that God gives us a perfect understanding and knowledge of everything. Now that does not mean that we're going to grasp God and know him. In order to grasp God, we would have to be God ourselves, which is impossible. But it does mean that our understanding will be perfect. Our knowledge will be perfect as well.

Now, I want you to hold 1 John chapter 3, and I want you to turn back in your Bibles to the book of Philippians chapter 3 and look at verse 21. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians. Look in Philippians 3 verse 21. Look carefully now. Because we're still talking about the manifestation, "for we shall see him." Now, what's this? He said, "Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." So he is going to change our vile body to make it like unto his glorious body.

Now, listen to what he said. We, he said in verse 2, "but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him." How are we going to be like him? Because he's going to change our vile body like unto his glorious body. Now, I want you to understand that we must have a glorified body in order for our Lord's prayer to be answered. Remember John chapter 17 is the high priestly prayer of our Lord. Well, there's one request that he made in verse 24. Listen to what he prayed. He said,

Scripture Reading — John 17:24

"Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory."

Wow.

Scripture Reading — John 17:24

"That they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world."

The only way that we could ever behold the glory of our Lord is with a glorified body. We could not behold His glory without the perfection, holiness, and righteousness which He gives and brings us unto. So clearly then, in verse 2, "but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him."

In other words, this in all probability is our real transformation. Now hang on, this also brings me to the fourth reality or the fourth truth here in connection with this present reality, and that is "for we shall see him as he is." Stop and think about that. We shall see him as he is. So this passage then clearly implies that there will be an influence in beholding the Savior as he is, which will tend to make us like him and transform us into his likeness.

Now, Peter referred to our love for Jesus Christ that we have now, even though we have not seen him, and yet he says even though we have not seen him, there is joy unspeakable and full of glory. Here it is in 1 Peter chapter 1 in verse 8. He said,

Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 1:8

"Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory."

So if we can love him without seeing him, and our love can be to the extent that we joy in him and we are full of glory, unspeakable glory in one sense of the word, what in the world do you think it'll be like when we see him as he is? In all of his regal, royal splendor, majesty, holiness, sovereignty, power. You remember on the Mount of Transfiguration in Matthew chapter 17? His whole countenance was changed and he was glistening. Our Lord's flesh, in one sense, the word was hiding his deity. Because you remember, Isaiah 53, the Bible said, "when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him." But on the Mount of Transfiguration, all of his glory and all of his deity and all its affections shone through.

The Mission: Purification Motivated by Hope

Every believer who has the hope of seeing Christ purifies himself, a continual process of pursuing holiness through the Word and Spirit.

Now, let me just tell you up front. Verse 3 is indeed the application of the doctrine that has been taught in verses 1 and 2. So if you understand the doctrine in verses 1 and 2, you're now going to understand the application or the mission that is given to us in verse 3, when he says, "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." In other words, the manifestation will bring to us this mission. And this mission is going to be one of purity, holiness and obedience. Now, he said in verse 3, "And every man that hath this hope in him." Well, what hope is he talking about? Well, it's the hope of seeing our Lord in his splendor, in his beauty, in his honor, in his glory. It is the hope of being transformed completely and entirely by His grace and by His mercy. It is the hope that, moreover, will motivate us to mortification and to purity in life. It is the true hope that runs us into holiness.

Faith and hope purge us and will work in us a suitableness of the soul to follow after holiness and righteousness. So we are to be pure, qualitatively, as he is pure. Now we cannot be pure quantitatively as he is pure, but we can qualitatively. Remember the passage in Ephesians 5 in verse 25, if the men can't quote it, the ladies can, where it says, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it." Now, "even as" means equally or just as. So obviously, no man has the power or the ability to love his wife quantitatively the way Christ loves the church, but he can qualitatively. It would be the same manner of love, the same thing he's talking about in verse 1, the whole "what manner of love" is the quality that he's talking about now.

I'm pointing out the fact if we have this hope in us, then it's going to purify us. Since you're in 1 John, look in 1 John chapter 2 and verse 6. Here's what we're talking about. 1 John 2 and verse 6. Look at this.

Scripture Reading — 1 John 2:6

"He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."

Wow. So we not only have a dignity given to us, we are the sons of God, we have a duty given to us, and that is we are to walk even as he walked. We are to be pure even as he is pure. Now, when you look back in 1 John chapter 3 and verse 3, the Bible said, "Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself."

It just so happens this verb is a present active indicative, which means it's a present, it is happening now. It's a present active indicative, which means it is something that is continually happening. In other words, it's not that I just come up and say, "Well, Lord, I'm purifying myself right now." No, no, no, no. I have to purify myself by the grace of God. I'm going to explain that just a moment. But it's something that continues going on and on. In other words, it is a continual purification.

Now, this is not saying that we save ourselves or anything like that, but it's just pointing out our duty and our responsibility to be holy. We can only purify ourselves by the word of God and by the power of the Holy Spirit. You remember Jesus Christ said in John 17, "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." That's what he said. And may I remind you, he talked about in Ephesians chapter 5, we are clean through the washing of the water of the word. You remember also the Apostle Paul said, "I die daily." How often did he say he died daily? "Be renewed in the spirit of your mind." How many times you have to renew your mind? Sometimes a zillion times a day, it seems like. The point I'm trying to make is very simple.

Every man that hath this hope in himself is continually and constantly purifying himself, even as he is pure. In other words, he's fighting the good fight of faith is what it amounts to.

Application: The Necessity of Obedience and Holiness

A biblical hope drives believers to mortify sin, obey God's commandments, and strive for purity, evidencing genuine salvation.

Is your hope strong enough, biblical enough and godly enough to drive you to mortify the deeds of the flesh and walk pleasing unto the Lord? Is your hope one that is strong enough and biblical enough to drive you to make sure that you read the scriptures every day, that you meditate upon the scriptures, that you seek the Lord and ask him to teach you and to show you the way, and how you to walk and to glorify Him? Is your hope strong enough to motivate you to walk in the Spirit and not in flesh, and to walk by faith and not by sight? And does your hope motivate you to obedience, to worship, to adoration, to praise and to glorify our God? Stop and think about this. If your hope is a biblical hope, you will also be obedient. If you want to turn to the book of Hebrews chapter 5, I want you to see these last two verses in light of this message. Here is a passage in scripture I think is the only passage that has the two words "eternal salvation" in it in reference to Jesus Christ. And I want you to see what it says. Hebrews chapter 5, look if you would please at verse 8.

"Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered." Now look at verse 9. "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." He is not the author of eternal salvation to those who disobey Him. He is the author of eternal salvation to those that obey Him. "If ye love me, keep my commandments," He said. The proof that we love him, the proof that we are in him, the proof that we are genuinely converted by his grace and mercy is that we're obedient. No, our obedience is not perfect, but we are obedient and we do want to purify ourselves even as he is pure. We want to strive for holiness. We want to strive for obedience. We want to strive for purity.

And when we are not what we should be, it grieves us and hurts us. I don't know about you, but oftentimes I have a thought flash through my mind. I think, "Lord, where in the world did that thought come from?" And I think of that passage when David said, "I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love." And so we have to learn to hate those things and refuse them and reject them and refuse to even entertain them in our minds. Why? Because we've been called unto obedience, we've been called unto holiness. Now, go back, if you would, in your Bibles one last time, and look at these three verses together. Look at it. "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God."

"And it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." So if you have the hope of being made into the image of Jesus Christ, if you have the hope of seeing him in glory, you will purify yourself and live as obediently and holily as you can by the grace of God.

Study Guide

Major Themes

Present Reality of Sonship

Summary: Believers are currently the children of God, not just in eternity, and this status demands a life that reflects the Father's character.

Evidence: Weaver emphasizes the word 'now' in 1 John 3:2, stating, 'Beloved, right now, in this time, in the present, in time in history, we are the sons of God.'

Future Glorification and Transformation

Summary: At Christ's appearing, believers will receive glorified bodies like His and be fully conformed to His image, seeing Him as He is.

Evidence: Weaver explains, 'we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is,' and discusses the nature of the resurrection body.

Hope as a Motivator for Purity

Summary: The genuine hope of future glory actively purifies believers, leading them to pursue holiness and obedience in the present.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure,' and explains this is a continual, present-tense action.

Obedience as Evidence of Salvation

Summary: Christ is the author of eternal salvation to those who obey Him; obedience, though imperfect, is the proof of genuine love and conversion.

Evidence: Weaver cites Hebrews 5:9 and John 14:15, saying, 'He is not the author of eternal salvation to those who disobey Him.'

Key Arguments

Sonship is a present reality with present responsibilities

Summary: Since believers are now God's children, they must manifest His characteristics now, not wait for eternity.

Evidence: Weaver argues, 'if we are his children, if we are his sons and daughters, then that means that we must display evidence and manifest the characteristics of his children now in time and in history.'

The glorified body will be physical and recognizable

Summary: Jesus' post-resurrection appearances show that glorified bodies are tangible, can eat, and retain personal identity.

Evidence: Weaver points to Luke 24:39 where Jesus says, 'Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have,' and the disciples' recognition of Moses and Elijah.

Beholding Christ's glory transforms believers now

Summary: Through Scripture and the Spirit, believers are progressively changed into Christ's image as they behold His glory.

Evidence: Weaver quotes 2 Corinthians 3:18 and uses the illustration of a mirror reflecting light to explain how contemplating the gospel changes us.

Purification is a continual, active duty

Summary: The verb 'purifieth' indicates an ongoing, present action; believers must constantly use God's means to pursue holiness.

Evidence: Weaver notes the Greek present active indicative and says, 'it is something that is continually happening... I have to purify myself by the grace of God.'

Future conformity to God depends on present pursuit of holiness

Summary: Without a present pursuit of holiness, one will not see the Lord; holiness now is necessary evidence of salvation.

Evidence: Weaver quotes Matthew Poole and Hebrews 12:14, stating, 'if you're not interested in being holy in this life, well, you're not going to be interested in being holy in the next life.'

Scripture References

1 John 3:1-3

Context: Primary text of the sermon, describing the love of God, sonship, future transformation, and purification.

Ephesians 3:18-19

Context: Paul's prayer that believers may comprehend the dimensions of God's love, referenced to contrast quantitative vs. qualitative love.

2 Corinthians 6:14-16

Context: The incompatibility of righteousness with unrighteousness, used to explain the world's misapprehension of believers.

Matthew 5:44-46

Context: Jesus' command to love enemies and be perfect as the Father, illustrating the duty of God's children.

Matthew 10:20

Context: The Spirit of the Father speaking through believers during persecution, showing familial relationship.

Luke 6:36

Context: Command to be merciful as the Father is merciful, another example of reflecting God's character.

2 Corinthians 5:1-9

Context: Description of the earthly body as a tabernacle and the heavenly body as a building from God, supporting the future glorified body.

1 Corinthians 15:35-50

Context: Paul's teaching on the resurrection body, contrasting natural and spiritual bodies, and stating flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom.

John 20:24-29

Context: Thomas's encounter with the risen Christ, demonstrating Jesus' tangible, glorified body.

Luke 24:36-43

Context: Jesus appears to disciples, shows His hands and feet, and eats broiled fish, proving His physical resurrection body.

John 21:7-14

Context: Jesus cooks and eats fish with disciples by the Sea of Galilee, further evidence of His glorified body's capabilities.

Revelation 22:2

Context: The tree of life bearing twelve fruits monthly, indicating eating in the eternal state.

Matthew 17:1-5

Context: The Transfiguration, where Peter recognized Moses and Elijah, showing we will know each other in glory.

1 Corinthians 13:12

Context: Now we see dimly, but then face to face; we shall know fully even as we are known.

Romans 8:29

Context: Predestination to be conformed to the image of Christ, the purpose of salvation.

Philippians 3:21

Context: Christ will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body.

John 17:24

Context: Jesus' prayer that believers may behold His glory, requiring a glorified body.

1 Peter 1:8

Context: Believers love Christ without seeing Him, rejoicing with joy unspeakable; seeing Him will be greater.

2 Corinthians 3:18

Context: Beholding the glory of the Lord transforms believers into His image from glory to glory.

1 John 2:6

Context: Whoever abides in Christ ought to walk as He walked, emphasizing imitation of Christ.

Historical References

John Calvin

Context: Weaver quotes Calvin on the present condition of believers being short of the glory of God's children, and the necessity of faith in hidden felicity.

Albert Barnes

Context: Barnes's commentary on 2 Corinthians 3:18 is quoted, describing the ancient mirror illustration of being transformed by beholding Christ's glory.

Matthew Poole

Context: Poole's commentary on 1 John 3:3 is cited, emphasizing that future conformity to God depends on present pursuit of holiness.

Adam Clarke

Context: Clarke's commentary on 1 John 3:3 is quoted, explaining that believers keep themselves in purity by using means and imploring the Spirit.

Important Quotes

Beloved, right now, in this time, in the present, in time in history, we are the sons of God.

Significance: Emphasizes the present reality of sonship, countering any notion that it is only a future status.

We do not become the children of God in eternity. If you're not a child of God now in time in history, you're not going to be a child of God in eternity.

Significance: Stresses the necessity of present conversion and the continuity of sonship.

His manifestation brings our manifestation to fruition.

Significance: Connects Christ's appearing with the completion of believers' transformation.

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Significance: The key application verse, linking hope with personal holiness.

He is not the author of eternal salvation to those who disobey Him. He is the author of eternal salvation to those that obey Him.

Significance: Underscores the inseparable connection between salvation and obedience.

If you have the hope of being made into the image of Jesus Christ, if you have the hope of seeing him in glory, you will purify yourself and live as obediently and holily as you can by the grace of God.

Significance: Summarizes the sermon's central exhortation.

Discussion Questions

What does it mean that believers are 'now' the sons of God, and how should this present reality affect our daily lives?

Context: Weaver emphasizes the present tense of sonship in 1 John 3:2, arguing it demands present evidence of God's character.

How does the hope of seeing Christ as He is motivate you to pursue personal holiness?

Context: The sermon's main application is that the hope of future glory purifies believers in the present.

In what ways can we 'behold the glory of the Lord' today, and how does that transform us?

Context: Weaver discusses 2 Corinthians 3:18 and the mirror illustration, emphasizing Scripture and the Spirit's role in transformation.

Why is obedience described as the evidence of eternal salvation, and how does this align with salvation by grace through faith?

Context: Weaver cites Hebrews 5:9 to argue that Christ is the author of salvation to those who obey, raising the relationship between faith and works.

What does it mean to 'purify yourself' as a believer, and what practical steps can you take to do this continually?

Context: The sermon explains purification as an ongoing, active duty using God's means like prayer, Scripture, and fellowship.

Applications

Live as God's child now

Summary: Recognize your present identity as a son or daughter of God and intentionally display His characteristics in your conduct.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'if we are his children... we must display evidence and manifest the characteristics of his children now in time and in history.'

Pursue holiness through beholding Christ

Summary: Regularly engage with Scripture and prayer to behold Christ's glory, allowing the Spirit to transform you into His image.

Evidence: Weaver explains, 'if we want to be pure and holy and change more and more into his image, we need to behold him and his truth in his word.'

Continually purify yourself

Summary: Make purification a daily, ongoing practice by confessing sin, renewing your mind, and using God's appointed means of grace.

Evidence: Weaver notes the present active indicative verb 'purifieth' means 'it is something that is continually happening.'

Obey God as proof of love

Summary: Demonstrate your love for Christ and the genuineness of your hope by keeping His commandments and striving for obedience.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'The proof that we love him, the proof that we are in him, the proof that we are genuinely converted... is that we're obedient.'

Examine your hope

Summary: Evaluate whether your hope in Christ is strong enough to drive you to mortify sin and walk pleasing to the Lord.

Evidence: Weaver asks, 'Is your hope strong enough, biblical enough and godly enough to drive you to mortify the deeds of the flesh?'

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-06T01:19:51Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T15:21:47Z

Clean Transcript

The Reasons we are Different - Part 2 of 2

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

All right, let's open our Bibles then to 1 John chapter 3, and I'm going to bring the second part of a message I began two weeks ago: "The Reasons We Are Different." I covered verse 1, but I never got verses 2 and 3. So let's look, if you would, at 1 John chapter 3 and read the first three verses. The Word of God says, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God."
#1 | 0:11 to 0:46 | cleaned
"Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God. It doth not yet appear what we shall be. But we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
#2 | 0:47 to 1:09 | cleaned
Now, the last time we dealt with this passage, I only made it through the very first verse. We looked at, first of all, the manner of love when he said, "Behold, what manner of love." In fact, it is talking there about a qualitative love, not a quantitative love. And by the way, the word "behold" means stop and think, stop and meditate, take notice of this, take notice of the manner of love.
#3 | 1:10 to 1:38 | cleaned
Now the Bible tells us that we really cannot even perceive the quantitative love of God, because Paul prayed in Ephesians chapter 3 that the saints might grasp in some manner the height and the depth and the breadth of the love of God. But here he's talking about the manner of God's love. So he says, "Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us." So it's got to be a very quality, and that's what we're talking about. In fact, it's actually a qualitative interrogatory that is being presented here.
#4 | 1:38 to 2:13 | cleaned
But notice, secondly, the measure we covered. He said, "Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God." So here's the measure of the love: made us the sons of God, we are now being called the sons of God. And then the third point that I covered in the first message was a misapprehension, which we see in the latter part of verse 1.
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"Therefore, the world knoweth us not because it knew him not." In other words, a misapprehension is a little different from a misunderstanding. A misapprehension is not that you misunderstand what was said. You just simply put the wrong interpretation upon it. You think things that are just simply not true based upon that which you heard. But the misapprehension here is this. Look carefully. "Therefore, the world knoweth us not because it knew him not." In other words, the world is not going to be our friend. It misapprehends us.
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The fact is it does not appreciate honesty. It does not appreciate purity. It does not appreciate morality. It does not appreciate ethics. And so since the world despises Jesus Christ, then it also despises us as well. And the reason being is that we're different. We're peculiar. We are at odds with the world system and those that love and support that system. There is no fellowship between righteousness and unrighteousness.
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There's no agreement with the temple of God and infidel or an idol's temple. If you'll read 2 Corinthians chapter 6, the Apostle Paul makes it exceedingly clear how there are great differences between those that believe and those that believe not. So we are never ever going to be able to get along with the world, that is the world system, and the world system is not going to get along with us as well. They may hate us, they may persecute us, they may prosecute us, they may even try to eliminate us, but they're going to fail. There is a hope that lies within us that enables us to persevere in spite of everything the world can throw at us. In fact, the truth is there is a hope within us and there is a hope without us as well. So you're going to ask, what is that hope? Well, you look in verses 2 and 3, you're going to see it because in verse 2, he said, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear, but we shall be."
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"But we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
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Now, we're going to come to our fourth point this week, and that is the manifestation. We've seen the manner. We've seen the measure. We've seen the misapprehension. And here's the manifestation. Look at it. He says in verse 2, "Beloved."
#10 | 5:02 to 5:19 | cleaned
"Now are we the sons of God." Now, there are very good, many important truths that are revealed in verse 2. However, what I'm going to do is emphasize only one. I'm going to mention the others, but I'm going to emphasize one particularly. So what is it? First of all, there is a reality. Look what he said. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God." I want to call your attention to the word "now." When we see that word, we normally do not think too much about it. But it's a very important word. It's the Greek word nun, N-U-N.
#11 | 5:20 to 6:02 | cleaned
We would pronounce it noon. But it actually means now, at this time, right now in the present. So look at what he is saying, "Beloved, right now, in this time, in the present, in time in history, we are the sons of God." So you need to let that thought sink in. We're now the sons of God. Now the word "sons" in verse 2 is the Greek word teknon, the same as it is in verse 1, which simply means that we are the children of God. We're the offspring of God. We are now his children. Listen to this: We do not become the children of God in eternity. If you're not a child of God now in time in history, you're not going to be a child of God in eternity. Because now, he says, are we the sons of God. So, it is in time and history that God makes us his children. So, the world may not recognize us as the children of God, but that does not change the reality of this truth.
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When he said, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God." So now, there's a grave implication in this absolute reality. What is it? Well, if we are his children, if we are his sons and daughters, then that means that we must display evidence and manifest the characteristics of his children now in time and in history. In other words, God now has given us a present dignity. He's made us his sons. He's also given us a present duty, that is, we are to act like we are his children. The interesting thing is that children usually always look like and act like their father. Well, two of my grandchildren, two of my grandsons have sons of their own. And the amazing thing is when you see our great-grandchildren, they look exactly like their father. And they talk and act like him as well. Well, this is exactly what the scripture tells us.
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So here we have it in Matthew chapter 5 verses 44 through 46. I want you to listen. Our Lord said, "But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless those that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you. Why? That you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven. For he maketh the sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth the rain on the just and the unjust. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." So he tells us very clearly then, if we're his children, we must take on the characteristics of our Father. In Matthew chapter 10 in verse 20, when our Lord is telling us how to respond when we're being prosecuted, he says, "Don't necessarily think about what we're going to say," and in verse 20 said, "for it is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speak within you." And then of course in Luke 6 and verse 36, he says, "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful." So we are now the sons of God in time and history. The fact that we are not perfect should not distract us from this present reality.
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God has bestowed upon us the honor and the dignity of being his children. He has regenerated us. He has converted us. He has given us repentance and faith. He has drawn us to himself. He has begotten us. We are his children. And therefore, we have a responsibility to bring our lives into conformity to the image of our Father. And the truth of the matter is, yes, we may still struggle with our flesh. We may still struggle with vain thoughts. We may still struggle with the pride of life and a lot of other things. But the reality is, God has saved us. He has made us his children.
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Now, I'm going to give you a quote by John Calvin. And I want you to listen very carefully, because as I read this quote, I thought, you know, this pretty well describes what goes on in the heart of the real child of God. Listen to what he says. He comes now to what everyone knows and feels himself. For though the ungodly may not entice us to give up our hope, yet our present condition is very short of the glory of God's children. In other words, we are not where we ought to be, and we know it.
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We're not shining forth the way we should shine forth. He goes on, "For as to our body, we are dust and shadow, and death is always before our eyes. We're also subject to thousands of miseries, and the soul is exposed to innumerable evils, so that we also find a hell within us." I'll explain that momentarily. He says, "The more necessary it is that all of our thoughts should be withdrawn from the present view of things, lest the miseries that are on every side of us surrounded and almost overwhelmed should shake our faith in that felicity which as yet lies hidden. For the apostles' meaning is this, that we act very foolishly when we estimate what God has bestowed upon us according to the present state of things, but that we ought with undoubting faith hold to that which does not yet appear." So what he is saying is very clear. We have fights within ourselves.
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We want that which is right. We want that which is holy. And yet we find our flesh longing for that which is unholy and that which is not right. And sometimes we begin to berate ourselves and condemn ourselves and think, well, I must not be saved. And what he's saying is, no, no, this is the hell within us. We are fighting. It's what it amounts to. There is a battle and it's going to continue like that.
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So here is the present reality. "Beloved."
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"Now are we the sons of God?" We are, regardless of our faults and regardless of our failures, regardless of our sins, we are now in time and history, the sons of God.
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Now watch what he says next in verse 2. He said, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God." Here's the second reality. We're now the sons of God, "and it doth not yet appear what we shall be." Well, I cannot give you every detail about our glorified bodies, but we know that we're going to have a glorified body. We know that we're going to be able to serve and worship our Father without ignorance and without sin. We know that our state will be one of eternal happiness. We do not know exactly what our glorified bodies are going to be, but God gives us some great information. Now, I want you to hold 1 John chapter 3, and I want you to turn to 2 Corinthians chapter 5, and then we're going to go to 1 Corinthians chapter 15. So I want you to pay close attention to this. Look in 2 Corinthians chapter 5, and let's begin reading there with verse 1. 2 Corinthians chapter 5. Note, if you would, verse 1. "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle."
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So we're talking about our bodies. "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." So we know that when this old body drops off and we go to be with the Lord, we are going to have a new house, a new tabernacle.
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Now look what he says in verse 2. "For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life."
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"Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him." So he's telling us very plainly, we're going to have a brand new body. We're going to have a new house, so to speak, a new tabernacle. And it's going to be totally different from the one that we have now.
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So I want you to look in 1 Corinthians chapter 15. It's 1 Corinthians chapter 15, beginning now with verse 35. Because here again, the apostle is making the contrast between what we are now and what we will be. So he says in verse 35, "But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die."
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Now here's a principle we don't like. But it's true, you can't get a new glorified body until you drop off this old deceitful and wicked fleshly body, that's it. So we have to die to get a glorified body. And what he says in verse 37, "And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain."
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So he's using an illustration of a garden. "But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead." Now look carefully. "So also is the resurrection of the dead."
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"It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body." So we do not know exactly what our glorified bodies are going to be. But I'm going to tell you this, we are not going to be some little spirit floating around somewhere in the universe. No, we are going to have a glorified body.
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Now the Bible is going to tell us very plainly that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. So we know that our new glorified bodies are not going to be flesh and blood, but they are going to be flesh and bone. So if you'll just look in verse 50 of 1 Corinthians 15, he says, "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption."
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Now, I want you to turn to two passages. I want you to turn to John chapter 20, and I want you to hold that passage because we're going to go from there to the book of Luke and then we're coming back to John. OK, so if you will turn in your Bibles to John chapter 20, because we're still talking about our glorified bodies. He said it doth not yet appear what we're going to be. But watch this. John chapter 20.
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And let's begin reading there with verse 24. John chapter 20 and verse 24. Here it is. John 20 verse 24. "But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."
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So I want you to know, if you would, Jesus Christ had a real body. He had hands, he had feet, and he told Thomas, "Feel my hands, thrust your hand into my side, see that it is I myself." Now if you'll turn in your Bibles to Luke chapter 24, holding the book of John. So Luke chapter 24, and let's look there first of all at verse 39. Luke chapter 24 and verse 39, then we're going to go back and pick up several other verses. Luke 24 verse 39, look at this. Our Lord said, "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself." Look at this next part now. "Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." And Jesus is already resurrected from the dead. He's been raised. He has a glorified body. It is flesh and bones. It is a real, genuine body. Now, let's begin reading with verse number 36. And by the way, I want you to understand in this new glorified body, which is flesh and bone.
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We will still be able to eat and to enjoy food. Wow. I love fish. In fact, I usually tell people I'd rather have fresh fish than I had a T-bone steak. I prefer fish over steak any day of the week. But I want you to watch this, Luke chapter 24, beginning there with verse 36. Look at this. The Bible said, "And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you."
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"But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet."
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"And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them." Wow. So our Lord now is eating, and very plainly, fish and honeycomb. Turn now, if you would, to John chapter 21. And let's begin reading there with verse 7. John 21 verse 7. We'll read through verse 14. Look at this. "Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes."
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"As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine."
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"And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead." So he has a body. Flesh and bones, something that you can handle. He has a body that can still enjoy food. Wow. By the way, I hope you also note that there is going to be plenty of fruit in eternity as well, because Revelation chapter 22 in verse 2 says, "In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." So, yes, we will be able to eat in that glorified body as well.
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Moreover, the Bible tells us that we shall know even as we are known. And, you know, I have been asked so many times, it is almost humorous, "Pastor, do you think we're going to know each other in heaven?" And my stock answer, which you have heard me give so many times, is very simple. Yes, we will know each other. We're not going to be any more stupid there than we are here. And if we know each other here, then obviously we're going to know each other there.
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But this hour, Peter, James and John went with our Lord in Matthew chapter 17 to the Mount of Transfiguration. You remember that he was there transfigured before them. And there appeared with Jesus on that Mount, Moses and Elijah. Peter, James, and John had never met Moses or Elijah. And when Peter saw them, not knowing what to do or what to say, he said, "Lord, it is good for us to be here: let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias."
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And of course, there was a great cloud that came over them, and the Father spoke from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." But I want you to notice Jesus Christ did not say, "Moses, I'd like to introduce you to Peter. Peter, I'd like to introduce you to Moses. And also, Peter, this is Elijah." No, no, no. Peter automatically knew who it was. So yes, we're going to know even as we are known.
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That's what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13 in verse 12. He says, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face."
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"Now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." So, yes, we're going to know each other and we're going to know everything about each other.
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Now, I want you to go back to 1 John chapter 3, because I'm still dealing with this present reality. And the present reality is that we are now the sons of God. Associated with that is we are not sure exactly what kind of glorified body we're going to have, but we know we're going to have a glorified body. But I want you to notice now the third and fourth realities that are involved in this manifestation.
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So now watch carefully, verse 2. He says, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be." Here's the third one. "But we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him." Here's the fourth one. "For we shall see him as he is." Now, I want you to pay attention, because in the latter part of verse 2, he says, "but we know." That is, we perceive, we understand, we grasp this reality that when he appears, first, we shall be like him, and secondly, we shall see him as he is.
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So let me make a statement for you to consider. His manifestation brings our manifestation to fruition. You remember two weeks ago, I quoted Romans 8 in verse 29 and told you that this is actually the purpose of our salvation. For in Romans 8 in verse 29, he says it this, "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." So God then saved us and predestinated us to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
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Now, contrary to what some people have thought and said, I do not think that this verse means that everybody is going to be a 33-year-old male. Some people say that, say there are no women in heaven because everybody's going to be a 33-year-old male. No, I don't think that's what it means at all. In fact, the word "like," when he says in verse 2, "we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him," the word "like" is homoios in the Greek, and it means similar, resembling, or corresponding to a thing.
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In other words, our bodies will correspond to his body. Our mind and our heart will correspond to his mind and his heart. In other words, his image will be perfected in us and we will no longer be defaced in any manner. We will be perfect. We will be holy. We will be undefiled. We will be righteous. We will have and we will know the blessedness of God the Father.
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We will have immortality, incorruption, power, glory, spirituality, and a freedom from all imperfections and sorrows and afflictions and death so that we may worship and glorify him forever. We will also have the ability that God gives us a perfect understanding and knowledge of everything.
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Now that does not mean that we're going to grasp God and know him. In order to grasp God, we would have to be God ourselves, which is impossible. But it does mean that our understanding will be perfect. Our knowledge will be perfect as well.
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Now, I want you to hold 1 John chapter 3, and I want you to turn back in your Bibles to the book of Philippians chapter 3 and look at verse 21. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians. Look in Philippians 3 verse 21. Look carefully now. Because we're still talking about the manifestation, "for we shall see him." Now, what's this? He said, "Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." So he is going to change our vile body to make it like unto his glorious body.
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Now, listen to what he said. We, he said in verse 2, "but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him." How are we going to be like him? Because he's going to change our vile body like unto his glorious body.
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Now, I want you to understand that we must have a glorified body in order for our Lord's prayer to be answered. Remember John chapter 17 is the high priestly prayer of our Lord. Well, there's one request that he made in verse 24. Listen to what he prayed. He said, "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory." Wow. "That they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world." The only way that we could ever behold the glory of our Lord is with a glorified body. We could not behold His glory without the perfection, holiness, and righteousness which He gives and brings us unto. So clearly then, in verse 2, "but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him."
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In other words, this in all probability is our real transformation. Now hang on, this also brings me to the fourth reality or the fourth truth here in connection with this present reality, and that is "for we shall see him as he is." Stop and think about that. We shall see him as he is. So this passage then clearly implies that there will be an influence in beholding the Savior as he is, which will tend to make us like him and transform us into his likeness.
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Now, Peter referred to our love for Jesus Christ that we have now, even though we have not seen him, and yet he says even though we have not seen him, there is joy unspeakable and full of glory. Here it is in 1 Peter chapter 1 in verse 8. He said, "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." So if we can love him without seeing him, and our love can be to the extent that we joy in him and we are full of glory, unspeakable glory in one sense of the word, what in the world do you think it'll be like when we see him as he is?
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In all of his regal, royal splendor, majesty, holiness, sovereignty, power. You remember on the Mount of Transfiguration in Matthew chapter 17? His whole countenance was changed and he was glistening. Our Lord's flesh, in one sense, the word was hiding his deity. Because you remember, Isaiah 53, the Bible said, "when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him." But on the Mount of Transfiguration, all of his glory and all of his deity and all its affections shone through.
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Therefore, Peter, James and John. And so the Bible is saying, when we see him, we will understand all of this. Beautiful, wonderful Lord that we have now. I want you to notice 2 Corinthians chapter 3. I want you to turn there because here's another truth in light of this that we should comprehend. Look at this, 2 Corinthians chapter 3. I want you to look in verse 18. This is why you should be reading the Scripture every day. This is why you should be studying the Scripture every day. This is why you should be meditating and thinking about the Scripture every day. He says in verse 18, "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
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So Paul then is speaking then of the change in us in the present, that is in this time in history on earth, the change in us as we behold him in his word by the power of the Holy Spirit. Now, I want to give you a quote. I want you to listen to it carefully. And then I'm going to try to give a very simple illustration that may help you grasp this quote. The quote comes from Albert Barnes, and he's talking here about 2 Corinthians 3 in verse 18 about being changed into his image. Here's what he said. "It is possible that there may be an allusion here to the effect which was produced by looking into an ancient mirror."
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"Such mirrors were made of burnished metal and reflections from them would be intense. If a strong light were thrown on them, the rays would be cast by reflection on the face of him that looked on the mirror, and it would be strongly illuminated. And the idea may be that the glory of God, the splendor of the divine perfections, was thrown on the gospel, so to speak, like a bright light on a polished mirror, and that the glory was reflected from the gospel on him who contemplated it so that it appeared to be transformed into the same image. Locke renders it, 'we are changed into his very image by a continued succession of glory as it were streaming upon us from the Lord.' The figure is one of great beauty, and the idea is that by placing ourselves within the light of the gospel, by contemplating glory that shines there, we become changed into the likeness of the same glory and conform to that which shines there with so much splendor. By contemplating the resplendent face of the blessed Redeemer, we are changed into something of the same image."
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In other words, his image will be reflected on us. We will imbibe his sentiments, catch his feelings, be molded into the image there of his own purity. So he is telling us that now on earth, in time and history, if we want to be pure and holy and change more and more into his image, we need to behold him and his truth in his word. So trying to explain the illustration that was just given to us about the mirror.
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Most of you know I've got an old Dodge Ram pickup. And I don't know if you ever noticed or not, and I suppose it's on every Dodge Ram pickup. But right in the middle of the windshield, up high, there's an image of a Ram. You know, it's a little cow that's, I guess, stuck on the windshield. Well, Claiborne, our pit bull, when he rides with me in the truck, he always sits on that seat right beside me. And when he sits right beside me, he's looking straight ahead. And I have noticed sometimes, and Alice has been in the passenger seat, I say, "Would you look at Claiborne's head?" And the sun is shining and it's shining. And the sun shines on that decal of that ram. And that decal of that ram is right on Claiborne's forehead.
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I mean, you can see it there. And I always look at him and say, "No, no, no, Claiborne, we don't do tattoos," you know, but I know it's not a tattoo. But the point is, it was reflecting right on him. And this is what the Bible is teaching us. When we look in the word and the Holy Spirit of God shows us what is in the word, it comes and reflects upon us and changes us. Now, I didn't change Claiborne into a ram, but at least there was the appearance of that ram on his forehead. So the Bible is telling us here we have the change.
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Now, I want you to note so far what we've covered in this passage. Look back, if you would, in 1 John 3. In verse 1, we saw the manner. In verse 1, we saw the measure. In verse 1, we saw the misapprehension. In verse 2, we have seen the manifestation, the present reality. OK, then only we're sons of God and we know we're going to have a glorified body. We don't know what it's going to be like exactly, but we know that when he appears, we're going to be like him and we shall see him as he is.
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Now, that brings me to the fifth point, and that is the mission. Look in verse 3. "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
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Now, let me just tell you up front. Verse 3 is indeed the application of the doctrine that has been taught in verses 1 and 2. So if you understand the doctrine in verses 1 and 2, you're now going to understand the application or the mission that is given to us in verse 3, when he says, "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." In other words, the manifestation will bring to us this mission. And this mission is going to be one of purity, holiness and obedience. Now, he said in verse 3, "And every man that hath this hope in him." Well, what hope is he talking about? Well, it's the hope of seeing our Lord in his splendor, in his beauty, in his honor, in his glory. It is the hope of being transformed completely and entirely by His grace and by His mercy. It is the hope that, moreover, will motivate us to mortification and to purity in life. It is the true hope that runs us into holiness.
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Faith and hope purge us and will work in us a suitableness of the soul to follow after holiness and righteousness. So we are to be pure, qualitatively, as he is pure. Now we cannot be pure quantitatively as he is pure, but we can qualitatively. Remember the passage in Ephesians 5 in verse 25, if the men can't quote it, the ladies can, where it says, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it." Now, "even as" means equally or just as. So obviously, no man has the power or the ability to love his wife quantitatively the way Christ loves the church, but he can qualitatively. It would be the same manner of love, the same thing he's talking about in verse 1, the whole "what manner of love" is the quality that he's talking about now.
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I'm pointing out the fact if we have this hope in us, then it's going to purify us. Since you're in 1 John, look in 1 John chapter 2 and verse 6. Here's what we're talking about. 1 John 2 and verse 6. Look at this. "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." Wow. So we not only have a dignity given to us, we are the sons of God, we have a duty given to us, and that is we are to walk even as he walked. We are to be pure even as he is pure. Now, when you look back in 1 John chapter 3 and verse 3, the Bible said, "Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself."
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It just so happens this verb is a present active indicative, which means it's a present, it is happening now. It's a present active indicative, which means it is something that is continually happening. In other words, it's not that I just come up and say, "Well, Lord, I'm purifying myself right now." No, no, no, no. I have to purify myself by the grace of God. I'm going to explain that just a moment. But it's something that continues going on and on. In other words, it is a continual purification.
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Now, this is not saying that we save ourselves or anything like that, but it's just pointing out our duty and our responsibility to be holy. We can only purify ourselves by the word of God and by the power of the Holy Spirit. You remember Jesus Christ said in John 17, "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." That's what he said. And may I remind you, he talked about in Ephesians chapter 5, we are clean through the washing of the water of the word. You remember also the Apostle Paul said, "I die daily." How often did he say he died daily? "Be renewed in the spirit of your mind." How many times you have to renew your mind? Sometimes a zillion times a day, it seems like. The point I'm trying to make is very simple.
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Every man that hath this hope in himself is continually and constantly purifying himself, even as he is pure. In other words, he's fighting the good fight of faith is what it amounts to.
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Now, I want to give you a couple of quotes. And this one, I might have to explain one statement in it, but I want you to listen. This is from Matthew Poole, and he's talking about "purifieth himself." He said, "It is not only here obliged," that is, we're obligated, "but by the efficacious influence of this hope, if it be of the same kind, that lively hope which Christians are said to be begotten into in 1 Peter 1 in verse 3, is daily more and more transformed through a continual intention of the mind towards a holy God upon whom that hope is set. For it is said to be hope in Him rather than upon Him, into the image of the divine purity, knowing also, which must be a potent inducement to be very earnest in this way, that our future conformity to God in glory and blessedness hereafter depends upon our present vigorous and effectual pursuit of conformity to him in holiness here." Now I want you to stop and think about what he just said.
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He said that our future conformity to God in glory depends upon our present vigorous and effectual pursuit of conformity to him in holiness here. Hmm. What is he saying? Well, he's saying we have to be holy now in time in history if we expect to be holy in eternity. He is not saying that we're saving ourselves. He's not saying that we're working our way into heaven. What he is saying is the truth of Hebrews 12 and verse 14. When he said, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness."
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"Without which no man shall see the Lord." So what he is saying is, if you're not interested in being holy in this life, well, you're not going to be interested in being holy in the next life because you're not even going to make it to the place where you could be holy. In other words, now is our duty and obligation to live a holy, godly, obedient life. That's what he's saying.
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Here's a second one from Adam Clarke. Second quote, listen. He's still commenting on verse 3. "And every man that hath this hope in him, all who have the hope of seeing Christ as he is, that is of enjoying him in his own glory, purifieth himself, abstains from all evil and keeps himself from all that is in the world, that is, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life."
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"God, having purified his heart," listen now, "it is his business to keep himself in the love of God, looking for that mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." Now, hang on, listen to that again. "God, having purified his heart, it is his business to keep himself in the love of God, looking for that mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. The apostle does not here speak of any man purifying his own heart, because that is impossible, but of persevering in the state of purity of which the Lord has brought him. The words, however, may be understood of a man's anxiously using all the means that lead to purity and imploring God for the sanctifying Spirit to cleanse the thoughts of a heart by its inspiration that he may perfectly love him and worthily magnify his name."
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You know, I thought about another verse. I think it's in 1 Chronicles chapter 4. It's in relationship to a man by the name of Jabez. The Bible said that Jabez was more honorable than his brethren. And here's how he was more honorable. The next verse said that Jabez prayed, "Lord, that thou mightest bless me indeed, that thy hand would be upon me, that thou wouldst enlarge my coast, and that thou wouldst keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me." And the next verse says, "And God granted him that which he requested." Have you ever prayed that the Lord would be pleased to keep you from evil that he might not grieve you? I always try to add another thought, "Lord, keep me from evil that I might not grieve thee."
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But this is what these men are talking about. Lord God has purified our hearts by faith. That's what the apostle said in the book of Acts. And so once he's purified our hearts by faith, it's our duty, it's our responsibility to continue therein. In fact, I've preached on this in times past. In fact, the verse that he quoted is found in the book of Jude, verse 21, where he said, "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." Well, how in the world do you keep yourselves in the love of God? You see, the love of God is not some abstract thing floating around in the universe somewhere. What did our Lord say? "And this is the love of God, that ye keep my commandments."
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"He that loveth me keepeth my sayings. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings. And this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." So we keep our hearts in the love of God by obeying him and bringing our lives into conformity to his word. Now, hang on. There's another passage I want to quote.
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2 Corinthians chapter 7 in verse 1. Listen to this now, because we're still talking about holiness, being conformed, being pure. He said, "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." So it's not that we just cleanse ourselves from drunkenness and fornication and adultery, you know, the sins of the flesh and stealing and lying.
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No, no, no, no, no. We cleanse ourselves of that, but of the spirit also. That is, we are not walking around with a bitter spirit, an angry spirit, a haughty spirit, we're not walking around vindictively, we're not walking around with a bitter, hateful attitude. So he said, "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves," not only the lust of the flesh, but also the spirit. So we're to be clean, we're to be pure physically, mentally, and emotionally as well.
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Now, the passage in 1 Peter chapter 1, verses 13 through 16 is applicable to this as well. When he says, "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
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Now listen, "As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." So he that hath this hope in himself purifieth himself, even as he is pure. That's our mission. Our mission is to be as holy and as pure as we can be by his grace and his mercy, using the means that he has ordained: prayer, studying the word, fellowshipping with people who can teach us and help us. Yeah. Keeping ourselves in the love of God, keeping ourselves obedient to his word. Now, here's my application. Actually, verse 3 was the application. Because it is the application of verses 1 and 2, the doctrine that's taught there. But here it is.
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Is your hope strong enough, biblical enough and godly enough to drive you to mortify the deeds of the flesh and walk pleasing unto the Lord? Is your hope one that is strong enough and biblical enough to drive you to make sure that you read the scriptures every day, that you meditate upon the scriptures, that you seek the Lord and ask him to teach you and to show you the way, and how you to walk and to glorify Him? Is your hope strong enough to motivate you to walk in the Spirit and not in flesh, and to walk by faith and not by sight? And does your hope motivate you to obedience, to worship, to adoration, to praise and to glorify our God?
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Stop and think about this. If your hope is a biblical hope, you will also be obedient. If you want to turn to the book of Hebrews chapter 5, I want you to see these last two verses in light of this message. Here is a passage in scripture I think is the only passage that has the two words "eternal salvation" in it in reference to Jesus Christ. And I want you to see what it says. Hebrews chapter 5, look if you would please at verse 8.
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"Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered." Now look at verse 9. "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." He is not the author of eternal salvation to those who disobey Him. He is the author of eternal salvation to those that obey Him. "If ye love me, keep my commandments," He said. The proof that we love him, the proof that we are in him, the proof that we are genuinely converted by his grace and mercy is that we're obedient. No, our obedience is not perfect, but we are obedient and we do want to purify ourselves even as he is pure. We want to strive for holiness. We want to strive for obedience. We want to strive for purity.
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And when we are not what we should be, it grieves us and hurts us. I don't know about you, but oftentimes I have a thought flash through my mind. I think, "Lord, where in the world did that thought come from?" And I think of that passage when David said, "I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love." And so we have to learn to hate those things and refuse them and reject them and refuse to even entertain them in our minds. Why?
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Because we've been called unto obedience, we've been called unto holiness. Now, go back, if you would, in your Bibles one last time, and look at these three verses together. Look at it. "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God."
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"And it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." So if you have the hope of being made into the image of Jesus Christ, if you have the hope of seeing him in glory, you will purify yourself and live as obediently and holily as you can by the grace of God.
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Father, we do ask for your blessing, we ask for your help, and Lord, that you would make us holy, godly, and obedient. Make us more and more conformed to the image of Jesus Christ now, in time, in history, as well as eternity, where we will there be made perfectly into his image. Give us your grace, we pray in Christ's name, amen.
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You.
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-06T01:19:51Z

The Reasons we are Different - Part 2 of 2

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

In this sermon, Pastor John Weaver continues his exposition of 1 John 3:1-3, focusing on verses 2-3. He explains the present reality that believers are now the sons of God, the future manifestation when Christ appears and we shall be like Him, and the resulting mission of personal purification. The hope of seeing Christ as He is motivates believers to pursue holiness and obedience in this life.

Opening

Scripture Reading — 1 John 3:1-3

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." "Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God. It doth not yet appear what we shall be. But we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."

Review of Part 1: Manner, Measure, and Misapprehension

Weaver recaps the first message covering the qualitative love of God, the measure of being called sons of God, and the world's misapprehension of believers.

The Manifestation: Present Reality as Sons of God

Believers are now, in time and history, the children of God, which carries both a present dignity and a present duty to display His characteristics.

So here we have it in Matthew chapter 5 verses 44 through 46. I want you to listen. Our Lord said,

Scripture Reading — Matthew 5:44-46

"But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless those that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you. Why? That you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven. For he maketh the sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth the rain on the just and the unjust. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

Scripture Reading — Matthew 5:44-46

"for it is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speak within you."

The Manifestation: Future Uncertainty and Glorified Bodies

It does not yet appear what we shall be, but Scripture reveals we will have glorified bodies like Christ's, capable of eating and recognizable.

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 15:35-50

"Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption."

And let's begin reading there with verse 24. John chapter 20 and verse 24. Here it is. John 20 verse 24.

Scripture Reading — John 20:24-29

"But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

Scripture Reading — Luke 24:36-43

"And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you."

The Manifestation: We Shall Be Like Him and See Him

When Christ appears, believers will be conformed to His image and see Him as He is, a transformation that brings our salvation to fruition.

Scripture Reading — John 17:24

"Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory."

Wow.

Scripture Reading — John 17:24

"That they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world."

Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 1:8

"Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory."

The Mission: Purification Motivated by Hope

Every believer who has the hope of seeing Christ purifies himself, a continual process of pursuing holiness through the Word and Spirit.

Scripture Reading — 1 John 2:6

"He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."

Every man that hath this hope in himself is continually and constantly purifying himself, even as he is pure. In other words, he's fighting the good fight of faith is what it amounts to.

Application: The Necessity of Obedience and Holiness

A biblical hope drives believers to mortify sin, obey God's commandments, and strive for purity, evidencing genuine salvation.

The Reasons we are Different - Part 2 of 2

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	78nRBCGUkm4
Subject	New Testament Studies
Course	Revelation: Christ and the Churches
Genre	Sermon
Date	2025-04-23
Dictation Name
Book	Book 142: The Reasons We Are Different — Chapter 2
Source Timed Segments	89

Lecture Guide

Outline

Review of Part 1: Manner, Measure, and Misapprehension: Weaver recaps the first message covering the qualitative love of God, the measure of being called sons of God, and the world's misapprehension of believers.
The Manifestation: Present Reality as Sons of God: Believers are now, in time and history, the children of God, which carries both a present dignity and a present duty to display His characteristics.
The Manifestation: Future Uncertainty and Glorified Bodies: It does not yet appear what we shall be, but Scripture reveals we will have glorified bodies like Christ's, capable of eating and recognizable.
The Manifestation: We Shall Be Like Him and See Him: When Christ appears, believers will be conformed to His image and see Him as He is, a transformation that brings our salvation to fruition.
The Mission: Purification Motivated by Hope: Every believer who has the hope of seeing Christ purifies himself, a continual process of pursuing holiness through the Word and Spirit.
Application: The Necessity of Obedience and Holiness: A biblical hope drives believers to mortify sin, obey God's commandments, and strive for purity, evidencing genuine salvation.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

Sonship is a present reality with present responsibilities

Since believers are now God's children, they must manifest His characteristics now, not wait for eternity.

Weaver argues, 'if we are his children, if we are his sons and daughters, then that means that we must display evidence and manifest the characteristics of his children now in time and in history.'

The glorified body will be physical and recognizable

Jesus' post-resurrection appearances show that glorified bodies are tangible, can eat, and retain personal identity.

Weaver points to Luke 24:39 where Jesus says, 'Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have,' and the disciples' recognition of Moses and Elijah.

Beholding Christ's glory transforms believers now

Through Scripture and the Spirit, believers are progressively changed into Christ's image as they behold His glory.

Weaver quotes 2 Corinthians 3:18 and uses the illustration of a mirror reflecting light to explain how contemplating the gospel changes us.

Purification is a continual, active duty

The verb 'purifieth' indicates an ongoing, present action; believers must constantly use God's means to pursue holiness.

Weaver notes the Greek present active indicative and says, 'it is something that is continually happening... I have to purify myself by the grace of God.'

Future conformity to God depends on present pursuit of holiness

Without a present pursuit of holiness, one will not see the Lord; holiness now is necessary evidence of salvation.

Weaver quotes Matthew Poole and Hebrews 12:14, stating, 'if you're not interested in being holy in this life, well, you're not going to be interested in being holy in the next life.'

Scripture References

1 John 3:1-3: Primary text of the sermon, describing the love of God, sonship, future transformation, and purification.
Ephesians 3:18-19: Paul's prayer that believers may comprehend the dimensions of God's love, referenced to contrast quantitative vs. qualitative love.
2 Corinthians 6:14-16: The incompatibility of righteousness with unrighteousness, used to explain the world's misapprehension of believers.
Matthew 5:44-46: Jesus' command to love enemies and be perfect as the Father, illustrating the duty of God's children.
Matthew 10:20: The Spirit of the Father speaking through believers during persecution, showing familial relationship.
Luke 6:36: Command to be merciful as the Father is merciful, another example of reflecting God's character.
2 Corinthians 5:1-9: Description of the earthly body as a tabernacle and the heavenly body as a building from God, supporting the future glorified body.
1 Corinthians 15:35-50: Paul's teaching on the resurrection body, contrasting natural and spiritual bodies, and stating flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom.
John 20:24-29: Thomas's encounter with the risen Christ, demonstrating Jesus' tangible, glorified body.
Luke 24:36-43: Jesus appears to disciples, shows His hands and feet, and eats broiled fish, proving His physical resurrection body.
John 21:7-14: Jesus cooks and eats fish with disciples by the Sea of Galilee, further evidence of His glorified body's capabilities.
Revelation 22:2: The tree of life bearing twelve fruits monthly, indicating eating in the eternal state.
Matthew 17:1-5: The Transfiguration, where Peter recognized Moses and Elijah, showing we will know each other in glory.
1 Corinthians 13:12: Now we see dimly, but then face to face; we shall know fully even as we are known.
Romans 8:29: Predestination to be conformed to the image of Christ, the purpose of salvation.
Philippians 3:21: Christ will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body.
John 17:24: Jesus' prayer that believers may behold His glory, requiring a glorified body.
1 Peter 1:8: Believers love Christ without seeing Him, rejoicing with joy unspeakable; seeing Him will be greater.
2 Corinthians 3:18: Beholding the glory of the Lord transforms believers into His image from glory to glory.
1 John 2:6: Whoever abides in Christ ought to walk as He walked, emphasizing imitation of Christ.

Historical References

John Calvin: Weaver quotes Calvin on the present condition of believers being short of the glory of God's children, and the necessity of faith in hidden felicity.
Albert Barnes: Barnes's commentary on 2 Corinthians 3:18 is quoted, describing the ancient mirror illustration of being transformed by beholding Christ's glory.
Matthew Poole: Poole's commentary on 1 John 3:3 is cited, emphasizing that future conformity to God depends on present pursuit of holiness.
Adam Clarke: Clarke's commentary on 1 John 3:3 is quoted, explaining that believers keep themselves in purity by using means and imploring the Spirit.

Important Quotes

Beloved, right now, in this time, in the present, in time in history, we are the sons of God.

Emphasizes the present reality of sonship, countering any notion that it is only a future status.

We do not become the children of God in eternity. If you're not a child of God now in time in history, you're not going to be a child of God in eternity.

Stresses the necessity of present conversion and the continuity of sonship.

His manifestation brings our manifestation to fruition.

Connects Christ's appearing with the completion of believers' transformation.

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

The key application verse, linking hope with personal holiness.

He is not the author of eternal salvation to those who disobey Him. He is the author of eternal salvation to those that obey Him.

Underscores the inseparable connection between salvation and obedience.

If you have the hope of being made into the image of Jesus Christ, if you have the hope of seeing him in glory, you will purify yourself and live as obediently and holily as you can by the grace of God.

Summarizes the sermon's central exhortation.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

What does it mean that believers are 'now' the sons of God, and how should this present reality affect our daily lives?

[Context]

Weaver emphasizes the present tense of sonship in 1 John 3:2, arguing it demands present evidence of God's character.

[Question]

How does the hope of seeing Christ as He is motivate you to pursue personal holiness?

[Context]

The sermon's main application is that the hope of future glory purifies believers in the present.

[Question]

In what ways can we 'behold the glory of the Lord' today, and how does that transform us?

[Context]

Weaver discusses 2 Corinthians 3:18 and the mirror illustration, emphasizing Scripture and the Spirit's role in transformation.

[Question]

Why is obedience described as the evidence of eternal salvation, and how does this align with salvation by grace through faith?

[Context]

Weaver cites Hebrews 5:9 to argue that Christ is the author of salvation to those who obey, raising the relationship between faith and works.

[Question]

What does it mean to 'purify yourself' as a believer, and what practical steps can you take to do this continually?

[Context]

The sermon explains purification as an ongoing, active duty using God's means like prayer, Scripture, and fellowship.

Applications

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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T15:21:47Z