SEPTEMBER 10, 2024
READ: John 1 (Focus vs. 9-13)
MEMORY VERSE
“To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12
BACKGROUND
When Jay Speights of Rockville, Maryland, took a DNA test, nothing could have prepared him for the results he received. They contained a big surprise—he was a prince of the West African nation of Benin! Soon he boarded a plane and visited the country.
When he arrived, the royal family greeted and showered him with a festive homecoming—dancing, singing, banners, and a parade.
Jesus came to earth as God’s good news announcement. He went to His own people, the nation of Israel, to give them the good news and to show them the way out of darkness.
Many received the message with apathy, rejecting the “true light” (John 1:9) and refusing to accept Him as Messiah (v. 11). But unbelief and apathy weren’t universal among the people.
Some people humbly and gladly received Christ’s invitation, accepted Him as God’s eventual sacrifice for sin, and believed in His name. A surprise awaited this faithful remnant. He “gave [them] the right to become children of God” (v. 12)—to be royal children of His through spiritual rebirth.
When we turn from sin and darkness, receive Jesus, and believe in His name, we discover we’re children of God, adopted as royalty into His family. May we enjoy the blessings as we live up to the responsibilities of being the King’s kids.
By: Marvin Williams
INSIGHT
In the New Living Translation, John 1:1-18 has the heading, “Prologue: Christ, the Eternal Word.” This section has been called a theological masterpiece, for its brilliance calls us to worshipful reflection and a desire to know and serve the one described.
The term that John uses for Jesus before He entered the world is “the Word” (vv. 1, 14)—the creative self-expression of God through which all things came to be. A good subheading for verses 1-5 would be: “The Existence and Experience of the Word.”
He existed as God and with God (vv. 1-2) and functioned as God (vv. 3-5). What God is credited with in Genesis 1—all of creation—is attributed to the Word as the active agent (see also Colossians 1:15-17). What follows in John 1:6-14 could be titled, “The Entrance of the Word into the World.”
How was (and is) He received? With mixed reviews. But all who receive Him are welcomed into His family.
By: Arthur Jackson
APPLICATION
How should being a child of God affect you? What will you do this week to live out your status and responsibility as His child?
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“When we turn from sin and darkness, receive Jesus, and believe in His name, we discover we’re children of God, adopted as royalty into His family. May we enjoy the blessings as we live up to the responsibilities of being the King’s kids.”
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
1Peter 2:9
PRAYER
“Father, it’s amazing that through Jesus’ death You invite me into spiritual royalty. I’m humbled and grateful.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“I AM REDEEMED BOUGHT WITH A PRICE” Jessie Dixon
I am redeemed, bought with a price,
Jesus has changed my whole life.
If anybody asks you, just who I am,
Tell them I am redeemed.
Where there is hate, love now abides,
Where there was confusion, peace now reigns.
I’m a child, child of the King,
It’s all because I am redeemed.
I am redeemed, bought with a price,
Jesus has changed my whole life.
If anybody asks you, just who I am,
tell them I am redeemed.
I’ll tell of His favor, I’ll tell of His love,
I’ll tell of His goodness to me.
He purchased my redemption
With His own precious blood,
And from sin I’ve been set free.
I am redeemed, bought with a price,
Jesus has changed my whole life.
If anybody asks you, just who I am,
Tell them I am redeemed.
There’s no shackles on me,
I’m as free as I can be;
Because Jesus changed my life.
He died up on the cross,
That’s why I can tell the world that
I am redeemed.
I am redeemed, bought with a price,
Jesus has changed my whole life.
If anybody asks you, just who I am,
Tell them I am redeemed.
If you run across anybody that used to know me,
Tell them I’m doing fine.
The last time that you saw me,
I was lifting up holy hands,
I’ll tell them I’ve been redeemed.
I am redeemed, bought with a price,
Jesus has changed my whole life.
If anybody asks you, just who I am,
Tell them I am redeemed.
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR
ACTS 21
