In today’s sermon, we delved into the profound question posed by Jesus in John 8:42, “Who is your father?” This discussion is crucial because it addresses the fundamental identity of our spiritual lineage – is it rooted in God or aligned with the devil? In John 8:44, Jesus starkly contrasts those who follow God from those who follow the devil, underscoring the importance of our spiritual choices and allegiances.

The sermon explored seven specific ways we can demonstrate our love for Jesus, thereby affirming that God is indeed our Father:

1. Trusting in Jesus: Trust is the bedrock of any loving relationship. Believing in Jesus and placing our faith in Him is crucial. John 14:1 emphasizes this trust as foundational to our relationship with Jesus.
2. Obeying His Commandments: Jesus clearly stated that love for Him is demonstrated through obedience to His teachings (John 14:15, 21, 23; 15:10). Our commitment to following His commandments is a testament to our love for Him.
3. Delighting in His Company: Genuine love for Jesus is shown by our desire to be in His presence, through prayer, studying scriptures, and participating in congregational worship. This is a reflection of our eagerness to be close to Him.
4. Speaking About Him: Just as we naturally talk about those we love, speaking about Jesus to others demonstrates our affection for Him. The early church exemplified this through their evangelistic efforts.
5. Willingly Suffering for Him: Love for Jesus may entail enduring hardships for His sake. Paul’s exhortation in 2 Timothy 1:7-12 to join in suffering for Christ illustrates the depth of commitment and love for Jesus.
6. Longing to Be Like Him: Imitating Christ’s character and actions is a profound expression of love. As we strive to be more Christ-like, we demonstrate our devotion and desire to please Him.
7. Desiring to Please Him: Our love for Jesus is also shown in our eagerness to do things that please Him, aligning our lives with His teachings and desires.

The sermon emphasized that being a child of God involves more than just professing faith; it requires a transformative relationship with Jesus, marked by trust, obedience, desire for His presence, willingness to suffer for His cause, and a relentless pursuit to emulate His character.

The sermon presented a call to self-examination: Do we truly love Jesus? Are we demonstrating this through our actions and choices? If God is indeed our Father, our lives should reflect our love for His Son, Jesus Christ. The invitation is extended to anyone seeking to deepen their relationship with God, to come forward, reaffirm their commitment, and align their lives more closely with the teachings of Jesus Christ.