Lancaster United Methodist Church - Sermon Resources

"Living with Our Father / Growing in Love
Living as Children of Our Heavenly Father: The Journey Through Spiritual Maturity"
–1 John 2:1-14

Sermon Resources

Title: "Living with Our Father / Growing in Love
Living as Children of Our Heavenly Father: The Journey Through Spiritual Maturity"

Sermon Summary: This powerful message explores what it means to live in relationship with our Heavenly Father through three distinct stages of spiritual maturity: children, young men and women, and fathers and mothers. Drawing from 1 John chapter 2, we discover that no matter how mature we become in faith, we must continually return to our identity as God's children. The sermon addresses a profound truth: God has made provisions for us to live without sin, not through our own strength, but by partaking in His divine nature. We learn about Jesus as our advocate, not pleading with an angry God to calm down, but rather representing us before a Father who fully understands our weaknesses because He experienced them in the flesh. The message challenges us with the seemingly impossible command to sin no more, while simultaneously offering hope that through dependence on God, we can experience His agape love flowing through us. A particularly compelling focus is on forgiveness, where we are called to withdraw our judgments against those who have hurt us, not in our own power, but by asking God to give us His eyes to see our perpetrators as He sees them. The mantra offered captures the essence beautifully: messy me and my messy church is where Christ's love is growing in our hearts, reminding us that our community is the training ground for learning to love as God loves.

Key Points:

God provides special intimacy and relationships for those who lacked good earthly fathers, fulfilling the promise to care for orphans and widows
Spiritual maturity progresses through three stages: children (foundational/dependent), young men/women (overcoming/applying truth), and fathers/mothers (multiplying/mentoring)
Believers must continually return to childlike dependence on God even as they mature in other areas
Jesus serves as both our advocate before the Father and the atoning sacrifice for our sins
Walking in the light means admitting we are sinners (chapter 1) and loving our neighbors, including enemies (chapter 2)
God's holiness, not His wrath, is what consumes sin—His pure nature cannot coexist with sin
Knowing God intellectually versus relationally is demonstrated through obedience to His commands
Forgiveness requires withdrawing judgment and asking God to give us His eyes to see our perpetrators
Partaking in God's divine nature is the only way to truly obey the command to "sin no more"
The church community serves as a safer training ground for learning to love and forgive before taking it into the world

Scripture Reference:

1 John 2:1-2 (primary focus)
1 John 1:5
James 1:27
2 Peter 1:3-4
Hebrews 4:14-16
1 Corinthians 2:5-7
The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)

Stories:

Personal reference to how earthly fathers always see their children as children, no matter their age or accomplishments
Humorous blonde nun joke about M&Ms being too hard to peel, used as a metaphor for the difficulty of God's command to "sin no more"
Illustration of ancient legal advocates (parakletes) who would speak to judges on behalf of the accused, paralleling Jesus as our advocate before the Father
Brief reference to Jesus welcoming children and telling disciples they must become like children to enter the kingdom
The woman caught in adultery whom Jesus told to "go and sin no more"
Personal mantra: "Oh, messy me and my messy church is where Christ's love is growing in our hearts"

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Discussion Questions

How does understanding God as our Heavenly Father who always sees us as His children change the way you approach Him in prayer and daily life?

The sermon mentions that we often cycle between the child, young adult, and parent stages of spiritual maturity. In which areas of your life do you find yourself needing to return to the 'child stage' with God?

What does it mean to you personally that Jesus serves as both our advocate and the atoning sacrifice, and how does this dual role impact your understanding of forgiveness?

The pastor states that God's holiness, not His wrath, cannot coexist with sin. How does this distinction affect your view of God's character and His response to human failure?

How can we practically 'partake in the divine nature' as described in 2 Peter 1:3-4 when facing daily temptations and struggles?

The sermon emphasizes that forgiving others is conditional on receiving God's forgiveness. What makes forgiveness so difficult, and how can we rely on God's strength when we cannot forgive in our own power?

What does 'walking in the light' mean in your current season of life, and how does this differ from merely acknowledging sin intellectually?

How does the concept of 'messy me and my messy church is where Christ's love is growing in our hearts' challenge or comfort you in your spiritual community?

The pastor says we need to withdraw our judgment of those who have hurt us while still acknowledging the wrong done. How can we practice this balance in real relationships?

In what ways have you experienced God making up for inadequacies in earthly relationships, as promised in James 1:27 for orphans and widows?

5-Day Devotional: Living as Children of Our Heavenly Father
Day 1: Our Identity as God's Children

Reading: 1 John 2:1-2; James 1:27

Devotional: No matter how mature, accomplished, or independent we become, we remain children before our Heavenly Father. This isn't a limitation—it's our greatest privilege. God doesn't see our résumés or achievements; He sees His beloved children who need Him desperately. For those who lacked earthly fathers or experienced broken relationships, God promises a special intimacy. He steps into the void with divine tenderness. Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more. Today, resist the urge to prove yourself worthy. Instead, come to your Father as you are—messy, needy, and beloved. He already knows your struggles, and Jesus stands as your advocate, speaking on your behalf with perfect understanding.

Reflection: What areas of your life are you trying to handle independently instead of bringing them to your Heavenly Father as His child?

Day 2: The Foundation of Confession

Reading: 1 John 1:5-10; Psalm 51:1-12

Devotional: Walking in the light begins with honest confession: "I am a sinner who misses the mark." This isn't self-condemnation but self-awareness that leads to freedom. God doesn't expect perfection; He invites transparency. When we admit our weaknesses, failures, and willful stubbornness, we position ourselves to receive His cleansing grace. The goal isn't to wallow in guilt but to mature in joy—a joy that transcends circumstances and remains steady even in suffering. Confession resets our relationship with God, bringing us back to that child-like dependence. Don't hide your struggles or convince yourself that sin doesn't matter because grace covers all. True grace transforms. Come clean today, and experience the Father's embrace.

Reflection: What sin or struggle have you been minimizing or hiding from God? Bring it into the light today.

Day 3: Partaking in Divine Nature

Reading: 2 Peter 1:3-4; Hebrews 4:14-16

Devotional: God's divine power has granted us everything we need for life and godliness. Not through our strength, but through knowing Him intimately. This knowledge isn't merely intellectual—it's relational, transformative, and empowering. We are invited to partake in His divine nature, to experience His righteousness flowing through us in areas where we're utterly weak. Jesus, our High Priest, understands every temptation because He faced them all. He doesn't stand distant from our struggles; He enters them with us. When you feel overwhelmed by old patterns or impossible commands, remember: you're not alone in this battle. Approach God's throne with confidence, not because you're strong, but because He is merciful and eager to help His children.

Reflection: In what specific area do you need to rely on God's divine nature rather than your own strength today?

Day 4: The Power of Forgiveness

Reading: Matthew 6:9-15; Colossians 3:12-14

Devotional: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." This isn't mere poetry—it's a conditional reality. Our ability to receive God's forgiveness is linked to our willingness to extend it to others. This seems impossible when wounds run deep, when betrayal still stings, when justice hasn't been served. That's precisely the point. We cannot forgive in our own strength. Forgiveness requires partaking in God's divine nature, asking Him to shed His love abroad in our hearts. It means withdrawing judgment, seeing perpetrators through God's eyes, and releasing our right to revenge. This doesn't mean reconciliation is automatic or that consequences disappear. It means freedom—for you. God will give you His eyes if you ask.

Reflection: Who do you need to forgive? Ask God to do in you what you cannot do for yourself.

Day 5: Maturing Through Obedience

Reading: 1 John 2:3-6; John 14:15-21

Devotional: We know we truly know God when we keep His commands—not perfectly, but persistently. This obedience isn't legalistic duty; it's the natural response of love. As children, we depend on God. As young believers, we apply His truth in the messy reality of daily life. As mature believers, we multiply ourselves by passing on this wisdom. But we constantly cycle through these stages, returning to childlike dependence when we reach our limits. "Messy me and my messy church is where Christ's love is growing in our hearts." Your struggles aren't disqualifications—they're classrooms. Every failure that drives you back to God's arms deepens your relationship with Him. Keep attempting obedience, keep confessing weakness, keep asking for His strength. This is how love matures.

Reflection: What command of God are you currently struggling to obey? Bring that struggle to Him today and ask Him to live through you.

Closing Prayer: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

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Small Group Guide: Living with Our Father

Opening Prayer

Begin by inviting God's presence into your group time. Ask for open hearts to receive what He wants to teach you today about living as His children.

Icebreaker

Share briefly: What's one quality you appreciated about your earthly father (or father figure)? If you didn't have that relationship, what quality would you have wanted?

Key Takeaways from the Sermon

God fills in the gaps: Where earthly fathers fell short, our Heavenly Father makes up the difference with grace that "abounds all the more."

We're always God's children: No matter our maturity level, God sees us as His beloved children—and this is good news, not limiting.

Three stages of spiritual growth:
Children (foundational stage) - learning dependence on God
Young men/women (overcoming stage) - applying God's commands
Fathers/mothers (multiplying stage) - passing wisdom to others

We have an Advocate: Jesus stands before the Father on our behalf, not to calm God's anger, but as one with the Father who fully understands our weaknesses.

The impossible made possible: We're called to "sin no more" by partaking in God's divine nature, not by our own strength.

Discussion Questions

Understanding the Message

The sermon mentioned that "wherever sin abounds, grace abounds all the more" (Romans 5:20). How does this truth speak to areas where you've experienced failure or disappointment in your earthly family relationships?

Pastor Greg explained that knowing God goes beyond head knowledge to a relationship. What's the difference between knowing about God and truly knowing God? Where are you in that journey?

The sermon distinguished between God's "wrath" and God's "holiness." How does understanding that sin is vaporized by God's pure holiness (rather than destroyed by His anger) change your view of God's character?

Personal Reflection

The three stages (child, young adult, father/mother) aren't strictly linear—we move back and forth. In what areas of your life do you need to return to the "child stage" of simple dependence on God?

"We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands" (1 John 2:3). Which of God's commands do you find most challenging to obey? What keeps you from surrendering that area to God?

The sermon emphasized that forgiveness requires withdrawing our judgment of others. Is there someone you're struggling to forgive? What would it look like to ask God to give you His eyes to see that person?

Going Deeper

"Messy me and my messy church is where Christ's love is growing in our hearts." How does this statement challenge or comfort you? Why is the church community important for our spiritual growth?

The Lord's Prayer includes "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." Why do you think Jesus made God's forgiveness of us conditional on our forgiveness of others? How does this connect to partaking in God's divine nature?

The sermon said we're called to "sin no more" while acknowledging we will still sin. How do you hold these two truths in tension without falling into either legalism or cheap grace?

Practical Applications

This Week's Challenge

Choose one of the following to practice this week:

Option 1: Child-like Dependence
Each morning this week, spend 5 minutes asking God, "Do for me and in me what I cannot do for myself today."
Journal about one area where you experienced His help.

Option 2: Forgiveness Practice
Identify one person you need to forgive (even partially).
Pray daily: "God, I withdraw my judgment of [name]. Give me Your eyes to see them. Shed Your love abroad in my heart."
Note any shifts in your heart or perspective.

Option 3: Obedience Experiment
Choose one command of Jesus you've been avoiding or struggling with.
Ask God to help you obey it for one week, confessing daily your inability and His sufficiency.
Share your experience with one trusted person.

Reflection Exercise (10-15 minutes)

Meditation on the Lord's Prayer

Read the Lord's Prayer slowly together (Matthew 6:9-13). Then spend time in silence, asking God:
"What phrase are You drawing my attention to today?"
"What do You want to teach me through this prayer?"
"Where am I resisting You as my Father?"

After 5-7 minutes of silence, invite anyone who wishes to share their insights.

Prayer Time

Guided Prayer Focus:

Thanksgiving: Thank God for being a Father who fills in all the gaps left by earthly relationships.
Confession: Confess areas where you've been trying to live in your own strength rather than as dependent children.
Intercession: Pray for group members who shared specific struggles with forgiveness or obedience.
Petition: Ask God to help each person partake more fully in His divine nature this week.

Close by praying the Lord's Prayer together, slowly and intentionally.

Before Next Week

Read 1 John 2:1-14 daily, asking God to reveal one new insight each day
Practice your chosen application challenge
Come prepared to share one way you experienced living as God's child this week

Leader Notes
Be sensitive to those who may have painful father wounds—create space for honest sharing without forcing it
Emphasize that spiritual maturity isn't about perfection but about honest dependence on God
If forgiveness discussions become intense, remind the group that forgiveness is a process and God meets us where we are
Keep the atmosphere grace-filled—this is about growth, not guilt