Living Hope Fellowship Church...Sermons From the Pastor
SONS
OF GOD
by Pastor Kevin Badgley
Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom. He preached the kingdom of God . . . manifest among men. Men can press into it. There are a lot of gospels going out. Jesus said this gospel shall be preached. Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom of God. God has given gifts unto men, but it is more than that. It is the operating in the presence of God in this realm. I believe the rapture experience is the culmination of what the church is supposed to have been doing already. I believe God is wanting us to go into that place before the trumpet sounds so we can go and get our petitions met and come out, touch people here on earth, and say, yes, there is a gospel of the kingdom, and here it is.
When Jesus sent out the disciples two by two he said, "And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." He was saying to them that the kingdom of heaven was near them. It is operating in the presence of God in this realm. That is what he meant by that. We have had touches but we are not operating in that yet. We've had the Lord open the windows of heaven. We have comprehended the door that goes into the holy of holies. There is a whole line of devils to go through before you get there and flesh stands in the way all the time. I want to encourage you to press in, in a greater fashion than you ever have in your life.
John 1:12, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" As many as received him . . . means those that receive Jesus. Them that believe on his name would be you and me. We haven't seen him, manifest, at least not yet. I believe God right here is giving us a specific title that we should earnestly press toward the mark for. I believe that the fullness of the stature of Christ is becoming a "son of God." I believe when you are born again, you become a child of God. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:11, "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." So, we know that there is a fullness of maturity that every Christian, if they want to, can press into. God will put them into a position where they can fully mature and be called a "son of God".
Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. Now, we use the terms child of God, son of God, and offspring of God in a new fashion. If you want to get into the particulars of it, a "son of God" is a fully manifest child of God who is matured to the fullness of the stature of Christ. There is a promise here in John's gospel that says, ". . . as many . . ." That means anybody that would be born again and receive Jesus as Savior and Lord can receive the power . . . which I believe is the baptism in the Holy Ghost and all the yieldings over thereafter . . . to become a "son of God". Now don't let the word "son" throw you on gender because the Bible says, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
It doesn't matter if you're high up on the social ladder, a man, a woman, black, white, green, purple, or any other color. If you have received Jesus Christ, the Son of the living Most High God, then you have the ability, if you want it, by receiving power from God, to become a "son of God." Now, what does a "son of God" do? Well, what did the first one do? Hallelujah! He is our example. Whatever works the Son of God, the first begotten of the Father, did . . . we have potential to do. We are the firstfruits of his creatures. "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures."
The Bible declares all the way through that we have the power to become the "sons of God". It is the truth. I have not heard it preached in my generation. There is nothing new under the sun, but God has ordained that we know these things, especially in the last days. The power of God will be manifest on his mature people . . . not people running to and fro and carried about of every wind of doctrine . . . a people full of faith who look into the face of Jesus when storms are all around. That's the kind of people God will take in the rapture. Their voice will be ringing in the ears of the tribulation people. Their testimony will make many of them turn to God.
I believe God is wanting us to press in and translate now, not waiting till next week. We're going to believe God and we're going to get there. Every time I run into a drop of the anointing that a "son of God" carries perpetually, what they actually live in, I see marvelous things happen. When we pray in faith heaven opens up and people get what they need. We see a shaking. I believe it is the beginnings of the anointing of a "son of God".
In John 17:24 Jesus prayed and 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, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world."
Jesus said "I will": that means it is the will of the Word of God. "Whom thou hast given me" means those that have received him as in John 1:12. "Where I am" is present tense . . . that means the same glory that he had on him as he walked on the earth. He had not yet ascended. Jesus was also saying that he had power with God before the foundation of the world. He was talking about a specific glory that we, who have received Jesus, can come into as a child of God, and grow into maturity. It is Jesus' will then, that we should walk in the same anointing, same ability, and same power that he did. Hallelujah.
I'll show you more scripture to that effect. This goes with John 1:12: 1 John 3:1-2, "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." Your friends will turn to be your enemies. Jesus prayed in John 17:24, ". . . that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me. . . ."
Now then, if Jesus appears to us as we pray into the Spirit and have a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Bible says we shall be like him. Look at verse three, "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." "Even as he is pure" refers to Jesus. This is the reason to press in and get sanctified. This is why we purify ourselves and say "no" to the flesh. It is because we have the potential to pray into the Spirit in such a fashion that we can see Jesus now.
Matthew 5:8 says, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." The pure in heart can see Jesus now. If you are in heaven, you have got a purified heart. He is talking about those that have purified themselves. Why did they do it? So that they could see Jesus early on and get a sneak preview of glory just like the prophets of old.
In Numbers 11:27-29 a young man went out into the camp, came back, and told Moses that two men were prophesying in the camp. "And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!"
Joel 2:28-29, "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit." What does a prophet do? A prophet prays into the things of God . . . where God is. Jesus said in John 4:24, "God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." The previous verse says, ". . . the Father seeketh such to worship him."
God's children are not supposed to stay children! They are supposed to come to the fullness of the stature of Christ and become a son of the Most High God. Children are always bickering, fighting, and arguing. They are immature and want this and that and don't want responsibility. This has been the outline of the church for years. God wants a people who are a people out of a people, that were no people before. Today, he's wanting "sons." He's not wanting mere toddlers, runners about, and milk suckers . . . he wants those that are eating meat. "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil," Hebrews 5:14.
A "son", a mature Christian, knows the difference between good and evil. They would not ever say, I don't know if it was God or the devil. Only a child of God can say that. A "son of God" will know the difference: no more doubts, no more fears, no more what ifs, no more, I don't know if it was God hitting me or the devil hitting me, no more I'm just not sure about God. Jesus said his sheep know his voice and "a stranger will they not follow". He's looking for sons. Children can grow up to the stature of the fullness of Christ and be sons of God, if they want to, or they can be a stunted dwarf like most of the church world is.
He wants us to be sons of God. Children can't drive a car or shoot a machine gun. Children can't feed the sick, clothe the naked, or feed the hungry, and can't cast out devils. Only sons can do that. Children don't receive a full inheritance. They receive only a promise. Sons are old enough to operate the business. Amen! There is a certain age they've got to get to, plus a fullness of maturity in senses, with a sound mind and body, then they can be partakers of the inheritance.
Jesus inherited the universe. God, the Father, put all things under Jesus. "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." Matthew 28:18. Who is Jesus? He is the Son of the Most High God. What happens whenever you become a "son of God" then? In the instance that it is needed, behold, all power in heaven and in earth will be subject unto you. I'm not talking about the coming of Jesus. I'm not talking about "little gods" syndrome. I'm talking about somebody who has left servicehood and has gone on into sonship.
I'm excited. We have seen this thing for some time and it has perplexed us. I said, God, is this what I'm seeing? He said, YES, YES, YES. The only way that you can convince the people that these things are so is to do it. So, now we have a commission!
Some will not be won by a child of God but because of the power, they will be won by a "son of God". They will be won by someone who is mature in the Spirit (it is an every day occurrence that he sees his master). Even the Holy Ghost and the powers of the world to come are waiting for this to come about. This is the greatest move in the history of man. Romans 8:19-21, "For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope," The Holy Ghost was sent to earth to deal with man, who is vain, in hopes that man might hear God. "Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God."
Revelation 22:17 says, "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come..." The Spirit, with the capital S means the Holy Ghost. This creature desires to be delivered from the bondage of the corruption of this mortal flesh. This is a fallen world where Satan dwelleth but we can go on into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 2 Corinthians 3:17, "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." The liberty can get so powerful that you can go out into the spirit by prayer, into the presence of God, and you can see Jesus just as he is. Then you can begin to receive the earnest expectation of the sons of God. God is showing us by scripture that we can get into the deeper places with God. We're not keeping it hidden; we're showing it fully.
The book of Job is interesting. It comes right after the book of Esther. Esther was one that purified herself that she might be able to stand before the king, and was found worthy. By it she saved a whole nation. On the other side we see Job. Then on further we see Psalms that is all praises and glory to God. I think there is something to their location in the Bible. One purified herself, God prepared one through tribulation, then one praised the Lord for 150 chapters.
Job 1:6, "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them." There were people who asked Jesus a question. The Sadducees didn't believe in angels or spirits. They asked Jesus concerning the woman who was married seven times, and all the men died before she did and finally she died, ". . . whose wife shall she be of the seven? . . ." Then Jesus gave an explanation about the sons of God. Matthew 22:30, "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven."
Hebrews 2:6 says, "But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:" Angels desire to look into the Holy Ghost. We are set on this planet a little lower than the angels. We have received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, the anointing which even angels do not fully understand.
The Lord spoke to me in prayer. He said, SON, YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO GROW WHERE NEITHER SATAN NOR THE ANGELS HAVE THE ABILITY TO GROW. BECAUSE THOU ART OF FLESH, AND BLOOD, AND BONE YOU CAN GROW, EVEN IN THE SPIRIT, BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD. So, what do we find out here? There is a potential, not an empty promise and not a "name and claim." There is a potential for people who are sanctified by the blood of the Lamb, who are washed and every speck, sin, spot, and wrinkle are under the blood of Jesus, walking completely in the will of God . . . that they can be sanctified and purified and be a "son of God" with no more restrictions on them than an angel.
God can be in all places at once. We intercede in prayer for people continuously. God has honored it in an awesome fashion many times. Wouldn't it be glorious to be able to pray into the Spirit, be praying for the sick, and God heal them . . .and then you vanish? You go back to your prayer closet, or back to the church where services are being held, shouting the praises of God and glorifying God for what he has done. Do you see it? This is not anti-Christ doctrine. This is from the throne. We didn't get this the easy way. We got it from the school of hard knocks and the Holy Ghost.
He gave us power to become "sons of God." What is a "son of God"? It is one who has no more restrictions on him than the angels of glory. What did Elijah do? He outran Ahab's chariot. Now, how do you figure he did that? What was the chariot of fire that took him to heaven?
Luke 4:29 & 30 says they ". . . led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way." What happened? He prayed into the Spirit and literally was not there.
Job 2:1, "Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD . . . ." That means they do that every so often. I believe they do it every 12 hours or more. How would you like to see Jesus at least once every 12 hours? Do you think your faith would ride pretty high? I'm telling you that you can. The Bible says, ". . . the Father seeketh such to worship him." What better way to worship God than to get there with him in the throne room!
Revelation 1:10, "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day. . . ." He was out in the Holy Ghost . . . a common occurrence for the early church. How do you think they could be burned at the stake, or sawed into, or put to death by anything else other than they were looking right into the face of Jesus? Didn't Steven do it? When he was being stoned he saw Jesus. Acts 7:56, "And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." Then the Pharisees went bananas . . . which many will do now if you press in and become a "son of God".
I'm not talking about getting more saved than you ever were, but I'm talking about getting more people saved than there ever were. We've got to get into that place and then call many other sons unto glory. Jesus ordained that we should become more than children. He ordained that we should become sons.
Galatians 4:6-7, "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." Let's say you worked for a man that was rich and he had all the cattle on a thousand hills. You could operate in his working and be a part of it. When it came time to pass the scepter on, or the ownership papers-inheritance down, it would not go to you. It would go to the son. You would end up working for the son. It didn't matter if the son was just a ten year old kid or that you were a 99 year old man and knew more about the business than the kid. The son had the rights to the goods.
We can't just stay servants. Don't think you can skip over being a servant; you have to go through the process. But look at what is on the other side. If we can press on to the mark and become a "son of God" (look at verse 7) A. . . if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." In 1 Corinthians 9:13 it says, "Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?" It was talking about the Levites in the Old Testament, and reiterated the fact that those who waited on the altar should be partakers of the altar. It was talking about what they inherited. Those who worked for God in those days didn't have any properties. God made a decree that will not be made void. It will be enforced by the blood of Jesus and the power of the Holy Ghost. This is the decree: Those that work at the altar of God, pressing into God, used of God and ministering to God . . . God is their inheritance . . . not land and not money, which many preachers are preaching. It said that God is their inheritance.
We're talking about being an heir of God . . . being partakers of his glory and his divine nature. What an inheritance! What if you were at a meeting with a lawyer and your father was fixing to pass on the inheritance to you? You had to fulfill certain requirements such as sound mind and body, mature age, and so on in order to receive the fullness of this inheritance. The inheritance was the most awesome thing you ever saw. You would be flattered, wouldn't you? Oh boy! It's my day for the inheritance. It's my day.
Now, I'm not talking about a prodigal son who took his inheritance before his time. Hear me. Many have squandered it on harlots and the things of the world. I'm talking about one that is of full age and remained with the Father. Remember what the Father told the son that was angry later. All that I have is yours.
Let's go back to the lawyer's office. You know you have an inheritance. It has been decreed and promised and it cannot be made null and void. The promise is awesome; it's heaven and earth. You meet the criteria necessary, but if you are a servant you aren't going to get anything. You might keep your job but that's about it. If you are a son then you will become an heir of this inheritance. Those that are pressing in for God will become an heir of God.
This next example is very trite in view of what we are talking about. There is a famous movie star who has a corporation that is nothing more than his existence. This corporation is a multi-million dollar industry. As long as this man lives, this corporation will exist. It is formed entirely in a man. If someone buys stock in this corporation, a portion of a man they will be purchasing: his ability to make movies, sell wares, etc. by his name. This is how it functions. What a greater glory whenever by the blood of the Lamb and receiving Jesus you can press into a deeper place! You can get a piece of God, becoming an heir of God. You can get a hold of the Rock. What a Rock, the Rock of my salvation. It is possible.
In Revelation 12:10 it says, "...for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night." Every twelve hours Satan accused man before God. In Job it says the "sons of God" are continually coming before him. Not only can you become a "son of God" and stand before God in prayer, if we'll do it . . . Satan cannot stand beside you there. No place was found for him in heaven. He was cast down to the earth. Once you go through that veil . . . once you go through that holy of holies . . . there ain't no devil there. There ain't no sickness there. There ain't no power of hell there. There's only the power that's in the name of Jesus Christ. There is no sickness, no hindrance, no tiredness, no weariness, no forlornness, no melancholy babyness. Why do you think the devil throws all of that at you now? Because one . . . that is an angel, and I believe it was the devil . . . said in a certain place, "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?" What is this, God? What are you doing with this man? And then you send Jesus?" He sends all hell against you. You can expect him to fight you now harder than ever. Many of you, just by hearing this message, by whatever means, will either come on for God or you are going to backslide. You know why? Because the word is out. God is fixing to do something. The potential for everyone is there. Oh, that all the children of God would become sons of God!
There is a place we must get. We ain't there! I said we ain't there because Jesus said, "And these signs shall follow them that believe. . . ." In 1 Corinthians 13:9-10 & 12 it says, "For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." Verse 12, "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." When you become a "son of God", there won't be a glass between you and Jesus. There won't be any dimness. If you become a "son of God", pressing into the deep things of God, you are going to be looking at Jesus like you're looking at me. There won't be any devils in the way, no smoke in the way, you can see the color of his eyes, how long his hair is, whether he is angry or sad, or whatever. You'll know if it is the devil or if it is Jesus; you'll be looking at him. 1 John 3:2, "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."
This message was made to encourage you. This is not all there is. Many of us have played around and played around. Jesus is wanting us to press on in. This is the final work. I believe this is the highest place that a person can get. I'm not saying you will become Jesus . . . you will not, but you can become a "son of God". "For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God." That is God's greatest desire. The deep things of God are revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit doesn't like living in you. There is only so much he's gonna take and then he ain't gonna live there. Then the devil will come and you will have a counterfeit.
When someone turns their flesh down and turns their eyes toward Jesus, the Holy Ghost will help him. If you become a "son of God", he will take you right on to glory. He'll get his commission from Jesus and come back and ordain more. That is revival with the gospel of the kingdom. I'm convinced this is it. Let's believe God. I pray a hunger has been put in your heart. Search these scriptures and get the tape. God is in the business now of maturing his people. Let's go.
Father, in Jesus name, touch this people with this word. Lord, I rebuke and bind every devil that would try to say that I said >thus and such= when I did not say it. Let not your word be corrupted in the ears of this people or anyone that hears it. Let this word come forth true, concise, and complete in every facet that the people would understand its clear meaning and come into maturity. Let us lay aside every sin that doth so easily beset us. Help us more than just run with patience the race that is set before us. Help us to press on to the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus.
I believe God to do it in us if we will yield to him. I believe this is the word for the hour. If I didn't, I wouldn't preach it. God is wanting us to walk in this perpetually.
Many times I have felt the anointing come on me when I was afflicted. I would be so blessed that the pain would be gone. When the anointing wears off, oooooh. We need to walk in the anointing. There is a place. 3 John 1:2, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." How do you prosper? Become a "son of God" and obtain the inheritance. That is a prosperity message! Glory to God.
References: John 1:12, Matthew 10:7-8, Luke 10:1, James 1:18, Ephesians 4:13-14, Numbers 11:27-29, Joel 2:28-29, John 4:23-4, Hebrews 5:14, John 10:3-5, 2 Timothy 1:7, Matthew 28:18, Matthew 5:8, Joel 2:28-29, Romans 8:19-21, 2 Corinthians 3:17, Matthew 22:30, 1 Peter 1:12, Job 1:6, Revelation 22:17, Luke 4:29, Acts 7:55-58, 2 Peter 1:4, Hebrews 2:6-10, Galatians 4:6-7, Mark 16:17, 1 Corinthians 13:9-12, 1 John 3:1-3, 1 Corinthians 2:10.
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