Our Adoption

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES?

1. There is the advantage of knowing beyond the shadow of a doubt that they were WANTED.

2. There is the advantage of having been personally SELECTED by their parents.

Illus: Have you ever seen anyone go to a dog pound and adopt a little puppy? Once that little puppy is selected, he immediately begins to lick his owner, and he wags his tail for joy.

As Christians, we know how that little dog feels.

In this passage of scripture, we are going to be talking about two things about being ADOPTED CHILDREN OF GOD.

1. How we can know we are the ADOPTED CHILDREN OF GOD

2. How GOD NOW WANTS TO LEAD US as His Children

HOW CAN WE KNOW we are the children of God? Paul says in verse 14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, THEY ARE THE SONS OF GOD.”

Many folks today say they are the children of God, but according to what this Bible teaches, they are not led by the SPIRIT OF GOD. So according to the Word of God, that means they are not the adopted children of God.

They might be TOLD THEY ARE, and they might THINK THEY ARE, but according to the scriptures, they are not! The Bible is explicit on this, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, THEY ARE THE SONS OF GOD.”

Notice some things about THE ADOPTED CHILDREN of God:

I. WE ARE LED BY HIM

All those who claim to be the adopted children of God are not led by Him. For example-

1. SOME ARE LED BY PREACHERS

Some of you might be saying, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT? Didn’t the apostle Paul say, “Follow me as I follow Christ." Yes, he did, and you can never go wrong following someone who is following Christ.

But the PROBLEM IS THIS; everyone who is saying, “Follow me as I follow Christ,” is not following Christ.

In all professions, SPORTS, POLITICS, DOCTORS, LAWYERS, PLUMBERS AND PAINTERS, you will find GOOD and BAD. And if you unfortunately get tangled up with these bad characters in a BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP, or a SPIRITUAL RELATIONSHIP, you are in for some serious trouble.

Illus: Some people have lost their entire life’s savings by getting involved with some of the Elmer Gantries that exist today.

Christians across this nation need to grow spiritually, so they can know scripture well enough to be able to recognize these “Hucksters” that are deceiving so many.

Some are led by the WRONG KIND OF PREACHERS, and …

2. SOME ARE LED BY PERSONALITIES

Illus: Years ago, Pepsi Cola signed a big contract with Michael Jackson to advertise their soft drinks.

NOW WHY WOULD THEY SPEND MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO DO THIS? Because they knew they would get that back and a lot more, because all across this nation, children have been brain-washed to follow WHATEVER IS POPULAR.

Many people are lead by BAD PREACHERS and by people who have great PERSONALITIES. This was something Paul was concerned about, so he tells us how we, the ADOPTED children of God, should be led.

Look again at verses 14-15, we read, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”

Notice, in these scriptures-

A. WE ARE LED BY HIS SAYINGS

Verse 14 says, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

The Spirit of God gives us the inspired Word of God. The Spirit of God and the Word are in UNITY. You cannot find any contradictions between the HOLY SPIRIT and the LORD JESUS. The adopted child of God knows this, and looks to the Spirit inspired Word of God for guidance.

Illus: Wilmington said, "There is one characteristic quality of all who are truly born again. That quality is that in their thoughts, behavioral patterns, and lifestyles, they are constantly and habitually led by the Spirit of God."

Some legitimate questions we need to ask ourselves are:

• HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT AND WHAT IS WRONG?

• HOW DO WE KNOW WHO TO FOLLOW?

To know what IS SIN and what is NOT SIN, we have to be led by God’s inspired Word.

Generally, we see two kinds of people.

(1) THOSE WHO ARE LED BY A PREACHER

In 1 Cor. 1, Paul instructs these carnal-minded Christians. He begins by pointing out, in verse 12, "...every one of you saith, I am OF PAUL; and I OF APOLLOS; and I OF CEPHAS; and I OF CHRIST."