God’s Adoption Plan
Romans 8:14-17, Galatians 4:4-7
Good morning,
Please open your Bibles to two places, turn to Galatians 4, place a bookmark there, and turn to Romans 8.
I want to share the top five things you’ll never hear Dad say…
5. You know, Pumpkin, now that you're thirteen, you'll be ready for unchaperoned car dates. Won't that be fun?
4. Here's a credit card and the keys to my new car -- GO CRAZY.
3. Your Mother and I are going away for the weekend ... you might want to consider throwing a party.
2. What do you want to get a job for? I make plenty of money for you to spend.
1. Father's Day? aahh -- don't worry about that -- it's no big deal.
Father’s Day is a big deal for most of us dads, but Father’s Day is bittersweet for me.
I have four sons, and three of them are fathers, so that makes Father’s Day sweet, but Father’s Day is also tough because I no longer have a father figure in my life.
My dad passed away over forty years ago, and one year later, my grandfather passed. My father-in-law passed away in 1997.
My stepdad passed away about 14 years ago, allow me to tell you about the unique relationship I had with my stepfather.
Bill and my mom started seeing each other while I was in my teens, and my dad was still alive, so I never considered Bill as my dad.
During the early years, things were tough, but Bill treated me as a son even though I didn’t treat him like a dad.
As the years went by, especially after I was an adult living on my own, Bill and I developed a friendship.
Bill eventually got saved, so we actually became brothers in Christ, and our relationship became almost like an adoption.
The neat truth about adoption is that the parents get to choose to become parents to the children. Like our relationship with Christ, He chose us, and we choose to follow Him.
Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
Ephesians 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
Ephesians 1:5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, NKJV
Today, we will learn about some of the privileges we receive with our adoption as children of the LORD.
I. No longer slaves of fear.
Read Romans 8:14-17
The NIV says, Romans 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, NIV
Many people are slaves to fear, especially as they watch the major news networks.
We have all been afraid at one time in our lives, but this passage is not speaking about the occasional fear we all experience.
Being slaves to fear has a direct correlation to being slaves to sin from Romans 6.
Romans 6:6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. NKJV
When we get saved, we are adopted into the family of God, so we do not have to go back to the life of fear and slavery to sin.
Ever since Adam rebelled against the LORD and sin entered the world, fear became part of the natural man. Before Adam’s rebellion against the LORD, Adam and Eve were innocent.
Adam and Eve stayed in the Garden, which included freedom, joy, and the absence of fear. However, after they sinned, fear came upon Adam and Eve.
Genesis 3:8 They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
Genesis 3:9 Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?"
Genesis 3:10 So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself."
Genesis 3:11 And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?" NKJV
Sin breeds fear and shame because sin separates us from the perfect love of God.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. NKJV
One commentator said about the Genesis passage that man has been hiding ever since, both from the LORD and others.
We are afraid people will see us as we are, instead of how we want them to see us. No wonder relationships are so hard; they involve two people hiding themselves from each other.
When we finally experience the perfect love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we no longer need to be afraid or ashamed.
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
John 8:35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.
John 8:36 Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. NKJV
II. The Spirit of Sonship.
Re-read Romans 8:16
If we receive the Spirit of Son-ship, this means the third member of the Trinity has taken up residence in our hearts.
Ephesians 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 1:14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. NKJV
The LORD has sealed us by His own Spirit as a promise and a down-payment of the redemption He has promised to His children.
Allow me to share with you some interesting things about Roman adoption during Biblical times, taken from Barclay’s Study Bible.
1. The adopted person lost all rights from their old family and gained all rights of a legitimate child in their new family.
John 1:11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
John 1:13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. NKJV
The adopted child received a new family; this adoption was legally binding, and it was performed by a Roman official.
2. The adopted child becomes a full-share heir to their new father’s estate.
No matter how many naturally born children the adoptive father had, the adopted child had the same rights.
Ephesians 2:19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, NKJV
3. The old life of the adopted person was completely removed, including any previous debt.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. NKJV
4. Once the adoption was complete, the adopted child became an absolute child of the new father.
1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! NKJV
When we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are adopted into a new family, and our old family of sin no longer has dominion over us.
Once we are adopted, we have a new Father, and we become a joint heirs to our Father’s estate.
Romans 8:17 and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. NKJV
Please turn to Galatians 4…
Our rightful inheritance before salvation was eternal death, but now in Christ, we are promised the Abundant life here and eternal life together with Him in heaven.
III. Abba, Father.
Read Galatians 4:4-7
Every person is made in the image of God and a child of God in the sense of being His offspring, but not every person is adopted as a true child of God.
When we receive Christ, we are adopted into the family of God with a close, adoptive relationship, as mentioned here.
People who don’t have Christ are, in one sense, are children of the devil.
Jesus said in Matthew 12:30, He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.
Jesus also said to the religious leaders in John 8:44, You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.
He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. NKJV
The word “Abba” is an Aramaic term for father, and it only appears three times in the NKJV of the Bible.
Two of the times “Abba” appears are in the passages we have looked at this morning: Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6, and then it appears again in Mark 14:36.
“Abba” would be one of the first words a young Jewish child would learn; it speaks of intimacy, trust, love, and respect.
“Abba” is often translated into our English word, daddy.
Jesus used this word in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of His arrest.
Mark 14:35 He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him.
Mark 14:36 And He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will." NKJV
We not only hear the plea from Jesus to His Father, but we also hear the intimacy in their relationship with each other!
When my sons were younger and I would get home, they would run to me and yell Daddy, daddy. Because of the relationship between my kids and me, they had full access to me.
Because of our relationship with the LORD after our adoption into His family, we also have full access to come before Him.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. NKJV
Because of our adoption into the family, we have high-speed, wireless access directly to the Father and our Daddy.
When I think of calling the LORD Daddy, it almost seems irreverent, referring to Him with such a familiar term.
But this is the kind of intimate relationship we are granted if we belong to Him.
No religion in the history of the world knows their “god” as Father, let alone as Daddy. Only in Christ can someone claim that kind of access.
Because of the sacrifice of Jesus and the Promise of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we are sons and daughters of God.
Think about little kids and how, when they get hurt, and run to their Dad for comfort. Our Heavenly Dad cares, and I can come before Him anytime I desire.
1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
1 Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. NKJV
IV. Heirs share in Christ’s suffering.
Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
Romans 8:17 and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. NKJV
If we are children of God, we will experience some suffering.
2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. NKJV
As long as we are here on Earth, we are going to be in a battle.
The famous Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Roger Staubach, once said, “If you’re not playing hurt, you’re not playing football.”
If you are an effective Christian, you have an enemy, and he will attack you.
When it comes to trials, we must remember, if you are a child of God, the LORD disciplines His children and punishes His enemies.
Punishment is punitive, which is reserved for the enemies of Christ.
NIV, 2 Thessalonians 1:8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. NIV
Correction and discipline (discipleship) are for the follower of Christ.
Hebrews 12:5 "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
Hebrews 12:6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." NKJV
The LORD allows moments of suffering in the life of His children in order to help us grow spiritually.
With our children, there are times when people say things like, “They look just like their father,” or just like their mother.
Maybe we hear your son has your sense of humor or the same mannerisms.
But when a child is adopted, we know these attributes do not come through genetics, but from spending time with the parent.
Since we have been adopted into the family of God, people should be able to tell that we look like our Father as well, because we have spent time with Him.
And suffering can help transform us into His image.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. NKJV
V. Practical Application.
As children of the Most High God, people should be able to see the family resemblance in us.
Ephesians 5:1 Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children.
Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. NKJV
1. God’s adopted children should walk in love.
The word “walk” here speaks of our behavior and attitude.
We walk in love when we behave like Jesus and are empowered by His Holy Spirit.
Just as children imitate their parents, we are to imitate Jesus with our behavior.
The word “love” in this passage is agape, the sacrificial, unselfish, unconditional love which is shown through our actions and attitudes.
The LORD’s nature, essence, and behavior are selfless, sacrificial, and demonstrate unconditional love.
2. God’s adopted children share in His divine nature.
2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
2 Peter 1:3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
2 Peter 1:4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. NKJV
3. God’s adopted children were bought with a great price.
1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
1 Corinthians 6:20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. NKJV
4. God’s adopted children should have the attitude of Jesus.
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
Philippians 2:6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
Philippians 2:7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. NKJV
People in the world should recognize the family resemblance within our lives if we are truly adopted children of God.
The LORD’s purpose to redeem and adopt us was to free us from slavery to sin, but also to transform us into sons and daughters of the King.
He achieved this by taking the curse upon Himself on the Cross and giving us resurrected lives in Christ.
Is there anything in your life that you are a slave to today?
If you are in Christ, you are no longer slaves:
• We are no longer slaves to the guilt of our past failures.
• We are no longer slaves to the bitterness of past wrongs done to us.
• We are no longer slaves to have to obey sin.
• We are no longer slaves to fear of the LORD’s wrath or physical death.
Making Christ Lord of your life guarantees your inheritance from a loving Heavenly Father.
Once we are in Christ, we are given many gifts:
• Adopted as God’s children, we are given Sonship, His righteousness, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
• Adopted as God’s children, we are given forgiveness of sin, regeneration, justification, and everlasting life.
• Adopted as God’s children, we are given spiritual gifts.
• Adopted as God’s children, we are given a special relationship with the Lord and His other children.
• Adopted as God’s children, we are given opportunities to watch the LORD work and for us to be able to join Him.
Today, if you have been adopted into the family of God, you have a lot to be thankful for.
If you have never been adopted into the family of God, today is a good day to ask the LORD to forgive you of your sin, receive Him, and become a child of God.
