Christmas: A Story Of Adoption Series

*. I understand that tonight, on the Hallmark Station, they are beginning a new Sunday night television series called, “Adoption. They will share all kinds of heart warming stories about adoption.

*. I wish I could help them with the first story. I’ve got the perfect adoption story for them to hear. Now I may be a bit biased, but I’m sure my story will warm the hearts of millions.

*. This Thursday is Christmas and my family, like never before, is going to celebrate Adoption. And I would like to invite you to do the same! Now, you may never have thought about it like this, but Christmas is a story of Adoption!

Galatians 4:4-7: 4But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

Christmas is the story of the Predestination of the Incarnation for the purpose of Redemption and Adoption. In other words, God’s plan was to send his Son to this World for the purpose of our Adoption and Salvation.

I. Predestination: Christmas is God’s idea! Christmas was planned by God!

*. “When the time had fully come!” At just the right time Jesus came! What made it the right time?

" . . . having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will." -Ephesians 1:5

1. Humanly speaking.......

A. Pax Romana– a great time of peace.

B. Greek the Universal language–

C. Roman roads made travel and the spread of the gospel so much easier.

D. 400 + years of silence. No prophet, no Word from the Lord. Moral decadence. People were eagerly awaiting a Messiah!

2. Theologically speaking...... God’s plan was right. God’s plan of Christmas was from the beginning!

II. Incarnation: Christmas is all about God becoming flesh.

A. His Divinity... “God sent his son!”

B. His Humanity... “Born of woman”

C. His Sympathy.... “Born under law”

D. His Duty... “To redeem those under law”

III. Adoption: Christmas is all about our Adoption.

“But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.”

*. Full Rights of sons... Father’s Name, Father’s Love, Father’s Character, Father’s Relationship, Father’s Choice, Father’s Access, Father’s Provision, Father’s Discipline, Father’s Family, Father’s Estate

A Father–

Spirit of Jesus–

Intimate Relationship with God

Heir...

What does Micah have that no other child in this world have?

Adoption was the legal action by which a person takes into his family a child not his own with the purpose of treating him as and giving him all the privileges of his own natural child. An adopted child was legally entitled to all rights and privileges of a natural-born child.

When the Apostle Paul speaks of our spiritual adoption by God he uses the word huiosthesia - (huios - a son) (thesis - a placing), to place as a son, the place given to one to whom it does not belong.

*. Adoption is the result of Grace! We do not deserve a thing and it’s not a bad thing to be reminded of that fact! Our adoption highlights the Grace of God.

During the process of adoption there were seven witnesses required to be present. If anyone later accused a son of not being adopted then one of these seven witnesses were to step forward and declare his true sonship. Paul said that God’s Spirit witnesses with our spirit to declare that we really are God’s children. Because the Holy Spirit testifies on our behalf we can cry out to God with confidence and say to him, “Abba!”

What significance is there in the word “Abba?” Abba is a word that could not have been spoken by a mere slave, for it is a very intimate word reserved only for the closeness between a father and his son that is earned either after the child’s coming of age or after his adoption. Verse 6 tells us that the word Abba means, “father,” but Abba actually can be translated, “Daddy.” That’s a very special word, especially today, because there are many people who don’t know what it is to have a Daddy. If you want someone who will always be there for you and be a true father to you, then call upon the Lord as your Daddy. If you believe in Jesus as your Savior, then God will accept you as his own son or daughter.