Evening journal., 1916-02-11
The Children of God
Sermon preached in Tabernacle last night by Dr. Lyon

First John iii:1 OR. y1--~BehOld,
What Manner of Love the Father
Hath Bestowed Upon Us. That We
should Be Called the Children OF
God"
There are some truths so great, that
their consideration seems like looking
into the face OF the blazing sun. we
are blinded by the brightness, and IN
stinctively our eyes turn to objects OF
less brilliancy. So It is when we stop
10 consider such a theme as thls'
"Tbe Children OF God" The very
magnitude Of its possibilities stagger
fhe imagination. This thought must
have been in the mind Of the shepherd
King Of Israel. when he exclaimed
when I consider Thy heavens ths
work OF Thy fingers. the moon ana
stars. which Thou hast ordained
what is man that Thou art mindtui OF
him. for Thou hast made him little
lower than the angels, and hast
crowned him with glory and honor. .
This same thought must have hlled
the mind Of the great Apostle When
he said "The earnest expectation OF
the creation waiteth for the mani
festation OF the children OF Cod
Imagine a young father and moth
er. sitting by the cradle Of their hrst
born thinking OF the possibilities OF
that young life. II seems they can
scarcely wait the fulfllment Of their
homes. SO the Apostle says, An
gels and Archangels. Cherubim and
Seraphim are eXpectantly awaiting
the realization Of the possibilities and
movers Of the children OF the most
High" It was this same thought that
must have thrilled the mind and heart
OF the Apostle Of love- when lie eN-
claimed. in the language of our text
"Behold what manner OF love the
Father hath bestowed upon us How
amazing that VIC, who arc by nature
poor. weak. unworthy creatures OF
The dust. should be given that sub
lime honor OF being called "Chil'
drcn Of Cod
7 wish tonight TO direct your
thoughts 10 three lines Of Scriptural
truth. The first. some OF the bless
ings that belong TO children OF God
The second. that all are not the chill
drcn Of God, and the third, how may
we know whether We are. and no"
We may become children Of God.
One OF the blessings that belongs tc
Gods children is protection and care
"For He careth for us So many arc
saying they would like to become
Christians il they thought they couic
live the Christian life. n an earthl,
government will care for the soldiers
that enlist in it's service, feed them
clothe them. given them attention
when sick. and pension them whei
they are old. do you not suppose ina
God will take care OF all that enlis
in His service? Jesus has said. M
one shall pluck them out OF My hand
also "No one shall pluck them on
OF My Fathers hand The Father
hand is beneath the believer. and IN
Sons hand above and when you ~
yourself into that kind Of care yo
may be sure you will be protecte
from harm. Satan will not get yor
soul. The promise is. My God sha
supply all your need"
Moreover freedom is a blessing ths
belongs 10 the children of God. Pau
speaks Of being delivered out Of IN
bondage of sin into the glorious lib
erty Of the children of God. The onl
truly free person upon the earth ]
the Christian. He is subject TO tn
moral law. but is not hound by IT,
true Christian can do just as b
pleases. One young man said to an
other. who had recently begun thu
Christian life. Il thought you salt
that now you could do as you pleased
There are a good many things yo'
used 20 do that you do not do any
more" 81 know it. but now I d.
not please to do them"
II has been we'll said that there ar
three classes Of people in ever
church. ! do not mean that familia
division that is often presented, th
workers. and shirkers and the jerl
ers. It seems in many cases there al
hut two divisions. those that lift an
those that lean. and there seem to /
about ten leaners 10 one litter. Their
are the workers that do things. Ihel
are the shirkers that have TO be ca
ried around like corpses. and thei
are also the Jerkers VINO not only
not do anything themselves, but col
stantly object II any one else do'
anything. This class is always muS
IN evidence when there is a great r
vival in progress. Their stock phrai
is. "But that is not my way" fo
ask them. Then what is your wa,
Have you some better method TO brir
souls 70 Christ and salvationg II ye
have let US have IL. We are alwa,
looking for improved methods" Whe
you press them for an answer you m
that they have no way at all. Th
only thing they can do is 10 objec
Now II you can do nothing yourse
for the cause OF Christ, do not get
the way OF others that are putin
forth earnest efforts. Either get yot
old carcass out of the road, or God
chariot will certainly run over you