-
After Four Years Of Marriage And No Offspring To ...
Contributed by Aldo Rivellino on Apr 13, 2009 (message contributor)
After four years of marriage and no offspring to show for it, my wife and I (mostly my wife) decided that we would like to adopt a child. Not long after the tedious process of filling out papers, being investigated for any criminal activity, going to interviews to authenticate true intent, having meetings with Social Services and the Adoption Agency, etc. etc., we were informed that our five-week old baby girl was ready for us to pick up. Two years later our two-week old son arrived.
What a joy it was to possess, nurture, and bring up those two adopted children, who were now part of our family. Of course, all infants are cute, cuddly, and charming when small, but they soon grow up and in need of correction. Quite often, as toddlers, both Denise and Joey would have to be told “No”, don’t touch, or “Naughty”, you should not do that?
Evidently, it was difficult for them to adjust to the many rules and regulations which were imposed on them for their own good. But, did Denise and Joey have to make all those changes in order to become a part of the family? No. They were made a part of the family simply by the grace of my wife and me. Did they then have to do a lot of hard work because they were in the family? You betcha!. It was tough for them to change, and they had to work at it. But they were motivated by gratitude for the incredible love they had received. Do you have a lot of hard work to do now that the Spirit has adopted you into God’s family? Certainly. But not in order to become a son or a daughter of the heavenly Father. No, you make those changes because of the amazing grace and love that made you a son or daughter. And every time you start to revert back to the old addictions to sin, the Holy Spirit will say to you, "No, that’s not how we act in this family."
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
Once We Were In Bondage Satan And Sin. But ... PRO
Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jun 19, 2004
Once we were in bondage Satan and sin. But Jesus set us free. A story told by Paul Lee Tan illustrates the meaning of redemption. He said that when A.J. Gordon was pastor of a church in Boston, he met a young boy in front of the sanctuary carrying a rusty cage in which several birds fluttered ...read more
-
On The Shore Of Beautiful Lake Como, Nestled In ...
Contributed by Kenneth Henes on Jun 23, 2004
On the shore of beautiful Lake Como, nestled in the Italian Alps, is a lovely old villa, perhaps two or three hundred years old. For years the grounds have been immaculately kept by a trusted old gardener. One day some tourists were complimenting him on his work. “The owner must come here ...read more
-
The Impact Of The Sexual Sins On This Society: ...
Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 12, 2005
The Impact of the sexual sins on this society: Noel Hornor states: Sex is everywhere. It permeates the movies and the television programs we watch, the music we hear, the magazines and books we read, the talk shows we listen to. Society, it seems, is obsessed with sex. Perhaps never has society had ...read more
-
The Clock Of Life Is Wound But Once, And No Man ... PRO
Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Sep 28, 2004
The clock of life is wound but once, And no man has the power To tell just when the hands will stop. At late or early hour. To lose one’s wealth is sad indeed. To lose one’s health is more. To lose one’s soul is such a loss that no man can restore. Thirty-nine people died while you read this ...read more
-
James Fallow, Until Recently The Far Eastern ...
Contributed by Brad Bailey on Aug 2, 2004
James Fallow, until recently the Far Eastern correspondent for the Atlantic Monthly, reports that Americans have exported this confusion of symbols. In one large Japanese department store he came across a display featuring Santa Claus holding the infant Jesus, behind a sleigh pulled by the seven ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Power Of Obedience
Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 25, 2017
Obedience is inherit in the relationship of man (as a created being) with God, the Creator. The New Covenant does not do away with the need for obedience to God. In fact, it supply the strength to live that way. Heaven will be a place of obedience to God.
-
Don't Waste Your Most Precious Possession Series
Contributed by David Dykes on Jan 25, 2018
You haven't always existed; only God is eternal in both directions. Your soul will exist long after your physical life is over, either in heaven with God or in hell separated from God.
-
The Obedience Of Obed-Edom
Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jul 18, 2016
Obedience and faith are essential to our Christian lives and witness before others. There is great benefit in following the Lord, and as we do, we have the potential to make an impact on the lives of others.
-
What Shall I Render
Contributed by David Radcliff on Jul 1, 2016
“What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” (v. 12). This is a deeply personal and sensible consideration.
-
Marah Is Not The End Of Life's Journey. Series
Contributed by Peter Silway on Nov 5, 2014
At one time or the other we all come to a place of Marah (bitter).but then bitter or better, is really our choice. We cannot choose what comes to us, but we can choose how we respond to it, and that is what determines whether we become bitter or better.