CHOSEN IN LOVE: YOUR ADOPTION IN CHRIST
Ephesians 1:3-14
Sermon Objective: The show God’s people the special place they hold in Christ and the possibly stir a desire within the unconverted.
Supporting Scripture: Galatians 3:26-4:7; Romans 8:12-17
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
11In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
I need to read a related passage. It will be referred to over and over. It comes from Romans 8:12-17 (NASB).
So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh--for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
His name is Ron. Ron is a friend of mine who lives in Oklahoma. He was the youth pastor at another church in the community I lived in and we became very good friends. We played Racquetball together, we prayed together, we did ministry together, we had lunch together, and we even took a vacation together and went to a College Bowl game to watch University of Oklahoma Sooners whoop up on Ole Miss!
I knew Ron for many years before I discovered that Ron was … adopted. I was very surprised that he had never mentioned it before. He always talked about his Mom, Dad, and brothers but never added the footnote that they had adopted him as an infant.
The reason Ron never thought to add that footnote was that he never considered his family as anything less than his complete and official family.
Ron taught me a lot about the Biblical concept of adoption. Once he told me we talked about it often … usually at my request. He told me how his family situation had influenced his spiritual situation and how much security he had in God’s love and favor because of his experience. He told me how much gratitude it gave him for God’s grace too.
When God wanted to describe how He wants to relate to us, He used the imagery of “Adoption”. There was something about that imagery that so beautifully described salvation that God “adopted” the concept to describe how we have become part of His family.
Can I share with you some lessons I learned from Ron about adoption?
I LEARNED THAT ADOPTION FLOWS FROM A FATHER’S LOVE. (Ephesians 1:3-5)
I won’t share Ron’s story in detail this morning. Ron may read this sermon or listen to it online and I wouldn’t want to embarrass him. But Ron’s story is similar to millions of others …FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER HIS BIRTH PARENTS WERE UNABLE TO CARE FOR HIM.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY … ANOTHER FATHER LOVED HIM!
Life can be miserable for a child who is abandoned. But new life and a new start are given whenever someone comes along and embraces the child in love.
The Bible teaches us very clearly that our future was in peril until God chose to claim us.
God’s love is a purposed love. It is a love that made a choice … it is a love that picks YOU!!!!
In Romans 8:15-17 the Bible says (NASB)
FOR YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED A SPIRIT OF SLAVERY LEADING TO FEAR AGAIN, BUT YOU HAVE RECEIVED A SPIRIT OF ADOPTION AS SONS BY WHICH WE CRY OUT, "ABBA! FATHER!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Many of you know that “Abba Father” is an intimate term. It would be our modern day equivalent to “daddy.” When God adopted you he made you His. He says, I love you and I want you to love me. I want you to call me “Daddy.”
ADOPTION FLOWS FROM A FATHER’S LOVE (Eph. 1:3-5)
I ALSO LEARNED THAT ADOPTION RESULTS FROM A FATHER’S CHOICE. (Ephesians 1:4, 11-12)
Did you know that in many adoptions the child is never addressed? This adoption is wholly based upon the PROMISE of the adopting Mother and Father to care them as their own.
In order for our adoption to take place, God had to sacrifice His Son! Again, this wasn’t something he had to do; it was His choice to provide what we needed. John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
Too often, I don’t think we understand or even try to understand the sacrifice made to adopt us. But as we mature in the faith, our knowledge and appreciation of that sacrifice should be on the increase.
ADOPTION FLOWS FROM A FATHER’S LOVE (Eph 1:3-5)
ADOPTION RESULTS OF A FATHER’S CHOICE (Eph 1:4, 11-12)
I LEARNED THAT ADOPTION GIVES ONE A SENSE OF BELONGING. (Ephesians 1:10-13)
Until I talked with Ron I thought adoption meant something less than REALLY being in. That somehow the child was never really accepted as part of the family. But what I have discovered is that adoption is just another way to have a child of your own.
The Bible says:
But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
Galatians 4:4-7 (NASB)
Adoption is just another way for God to have more spiritual children. When you and I are brought into God’s family we are given the right and privilege to live with Him as His son Jesus does! That, my friends, is an incredible gift! We are given the kind of life Jesus has. We are given access to the family table, the family inheritance, the family name! You are not a guest in God’s house … you are his child. What God has is yours!
ADOPTION FLOWS FROM A FATHER’S LOVE (Eph 1:3-5)
ADOPTION RESULTS OF A FATHER’S CHOICE (Eph 1:4, 11-12)
ADOPTION GIVES ONE A SENSE OF BELONGING (Eph. 1:10-13)
I LEARNED THAT ADOPTION REMOVES THE CLAIMS OF A FORMER PARENT. (Ephesians 1:13-14)
We have all heard the stories of parents who gave children up for adoption returning to their lives later. Every once in a while those stories are horror stories and not healing stories. I know of one scenario where the adopted child and his family had to take legal measures to convince his birth mother that she had no right to the child or his privileges in the new family.
Satan also wants to keep a claim on you even though you no longer belong to him. But he has no right to you and can demand nothing of you. You are delivered from His tyranny and God gives you everything you need to live a life of victory out from under Satan’s authority.
I understand that some adopted children struggle with ATTACHMENT DISORDER. This is the inability to bond or make strong relationships due to the neglect and abuse in the past. Others struggle with ADJUSTMENT DISORDER. This is the inability to adapt to a new environment.
Satan wants you to experience similar disorders when you become a Christian too. He wants you back! He wants you to feel more at home in His presence that you do in God’s presence. He is trying to reclaim you.
It’s a losing ploy once the believer realizes that there is a battle going on for his soul and he/she rests in the Father’s love and security. You see, “we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11).
You do not have to live like the Devil! You do not have to live with the Devil! You are not his anymore.
The Bible says so in Romans 8:12-15 (NASB).
So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh--for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"
Satan has no claim on you. Tell him to leave you alone. “Resist the Devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7.
ADOPTION FLOWS FROM A FATHER’S LOVE (Eph 1:3-5)
ADOPTION RESULTS OF A FATHER’S CHOICE (Eph 1:4, 11-12)
ADOPTION GIVES ONE A SENSE OF BELONGING (Eph. 1:10-13)
ADOPTION REMOVES THE CLAIMS OF A FORMER PARENT (Eph. 1:13-14
I LEARNED THAT ADOPTION REQUIRES A FINALIZATION PROCESS. (Ephesians 1:14)
God offers you an inheritance and a new life. Just like a human family expects the adopted child to adopt their values and lifestyle, so God expects us to adopt His values (righteousness).
In adoption, finalization is a must! The adoption isn’t official until it is finalized by the Judge.
It is true spiritually too. There are many people who are “close to the kingdom” (Mark 12:34) but not yet IN the Kingdom. Entering the family is a very definitive act. It is not vague or nebulous. It comes with a matter-of-fact type of certainty. YOU KNOW when you are part of the family!
The Bible says: For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, (Romans 8:14-16)
In Ephesians 1 it says:
13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
You know … that same loving Father that has chosen others to be part of His family wants you to be part of His family too. He wants to finalize the event this very day. He offers you his name, his family, his privileges, and deliverance for a tyrannical lord.
Wrap-Up
ADOPTION FLOWS FROM A FATHER’S LOVE (Eph 1:3-5)
ADOPTION RESULTS OF A FATHER’S CHOICE (Eph 1:4, 11-12)
ADOPTION GIVES ONE A SENSE OF BELONGING (Eph. 1:10-13)
ADOPTION REMOVES THE CLAIMS OF A FORMER PARENT (Eph. 1:13-14
ADOPTION REQUIRES A FINALIZATION PROCESS (Eph. 1:14
For some of us, the imagery of Father is not filled with pleasantry. That is an unfortunate by-product of the human condition. Thinking of God as Father is difficult for you.
I have good news … God is willing to prove His faithfulness and love to you if you are willing to give Him the chance. When you think of being adopted by God you have the opportunity to redefine Fatherhood. Instead of filling it with what your human father exhibited you can fill it with what a PERFECT father would be like. When you do that you are beginning to get a glimpse of the goodness of your Heavenly Father.
This sermon is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
Potsdam (New York) Church of the Nazarene
www.potsdam-naz.org
* Special Thanks to my friend Ron and to Rev. Mark MaGee, pastor in Lewes, Delaware for the insights into adoption.
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Children’s Sermon
Adopted by God
Ephesians 1:4-6 {NIV}
Props: (1) Pictures of puppies (2) A copy of a Pet Adoption Certificate that you can make or get from an animal shelter.
Hello everybody!
Hey, let me ask you some questions.
Do you like puppies? I have some pictures of puppies for you to look at.
Do any of you have a dog?
Where did you get your dog?
Did you buy it from a pet store?
Was it given to you by a friend? Perhaps you got it as a gift.
I’ll tell you a really great place to get a pet -- from the animal shelter or animal rescue. That is where I got one of the best dogs I’ve ever had. Her name was Ginger and she was a bulldog … like these in this picture.
I had heard that they had some really nice dogs at the animal shelter. Some had strayed away from home and some had been brought there by their owner because they didn’t want them anymore. There were all types and breeds of dogs. There were big dogs, little dogs, pure bred dogs, and plain old mutts, but they all had one thing in common. They were without anyone to care for them and if no one wanted them -- well, their future wasn’t very bright.
I decided that I wanted Ginger the moment I saw her. I just couldn’t help myself when she looked at me with those big, sad eyes. I told the person in charge that I had decided which dog I wanted and was told that I could adopt her.
I think there is something special about adopting a pet, because you know that because of you, that pet now has a future.
Did you know that you and I can be adopted by God? “Adopted” means that God want you to be part of His family and he wants to take care of you. He does that because he loves you.
The Bible says (Ephesians 1:5-6)
In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
The Bible tells us that God loves us and wants us to be his own. His plan, from the very beginning, was to adopt us and to make us a part of his family through his Son, Jesus Christ. When we put our faith and trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are adopted into God’s family.
Without God, we don’t have much of a future, but as his child, our future is bright. We praise him for the wonderful kindness he has poured out on us as his adopted children. He gives us everything we need.
Dear Father, thank you for loving us and adopting us into your family. We love you too! Amen.
This sermon is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
Potsdam (New York) Church of the Nazarene
www.potsdam-naz.org
