Embraced by Grace: Our Adoption in Christ

 

Summary

In today's reflection on Ephesians 1:5-6, we delve into the profound concept of adoption into God's family through Jesus Christ. This adoption is not merely a legal transaction but a transformative process that elevates us beyond the consequences of sin and the fall. Initially, we were estranged from God, enslaved by sin, and alienated in our minds. However, through Christ's redemptive work, we are cleansed and adopted as God's children, granting us the privileges and inheritance of His kingdom.

This adoption is a testament to God's grace and His divine will, emphasizing that our status as God's children is not universal but specific to those who are in Christ. The notion of universal fatherhood and brotherhood, which suggests that all are inherently God's children, is refuted by scripture. Instead, the Bible delineates a clear division between those who are God's people and those who are not, underscoring the necessity of Christ's sacrifice for our adoption.

Furthermore, our sonship in Christ is distinct from Christ's own sonship. While He is the Son of God by eternal generation, we are sons by adoption, sharing in the divine nature but not becoming divine ourselves. This distinction is crucial to understanding our relationship with God and the unique position we hold as His adopted children.

The sermon also addresses erroneous teachings that create divisions among Christians, suggesting that only some are sons while others remain mere children. Such teachings are contrary to the scriptural truth that all believers are equally adopted as sons of God, sharing the same privileges and future glory.

Ultimately, our adoption signifies that redemption goes beyond merely undoing the effects of the fall. In Christ, we are elevated to a status even higher than Adam's original state, enjoying blessings that surpass what was lost. This promise of sonship is a foretaste of the eternal glory we will fully realize when we see Christ and are made like Him.

Key Takeaways:

1. Adoption into God's Family: Our adoption as God's children through Jesus Christ is a profound transformation that cleanses us from sin and elevates us to a new status, granting us the privileges and inheritance of God's kingdom. This adoption is a testament to God's grace and His divine will. [02:37]

2. Refuting Universal Fatherhood: The notion of universal fatherhood and brotherhood, which suggests that all are inherently God's children, is refuted by scripture. The Bible delineates a clear division between those who are God's people and those who are not, emphasizing the necessity of Christ's sacrifice for our adoption. [12:37]

3. Distinct Sonship: Our sonship in Christ is distinct from Christ's own sonship. While He is the Son of God by eternal generation, we are sons by adoption, sharing in the divine nature but not becoming divine ourselves. This distinction is crucial to understanding our relationship with God. [24:15]

4. Unity Among Believers: Erroneous teachings that create divisions among Christians, suggesting that only some are sons while others remain mere children, are contrary to the scriptural truth. All believers are equally adopted as sons of God, sharing the same privileges and future glory. [31:47]

5. Redemption Beyond Restoration: Our adoption signifies that redemption goes beyond merely undoing the effects of the fall. In Christ, we are elevated to a status even higher than Adam's original state, enjoying blessings that surpass what was lost. This promise of sonship is a foretaste of the eternal glory we will fully realize. [39:38]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Ephesians 1:5-6
- [00:32] - The Role of the Father in Redemption
- [01:39] - Adoption as Sons of God
- [02:37] - Cleansing from Sin and Adoption
- [03:57] - The Wonder of Adoption and Sonship
- [05:11] - Importance of Doctrine
- [07:56] - Predestination and Adoption
- [08:16] - Universal Fatherhood and Brotherhood
- [12:04] - Division in Mankind
- [19:40] - Necessity of Christ for Sonship
- [23:54] - Distinction in Sonship
- [27:15] - To Whom Does Sonship Belong?
- [31:47] - Unity Among Believers
- [36:09] - Redemption Beyond Restoration

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Adoption into God's Family

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 1:5-6

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Ephesians 1:5-6 say about the role of Jesus Christ in our adoption as God's children? How does this passage describe the purpose behind this adoption? [00:10]

2. According to the sermon, what are the consequences of sin and the fall that necessitate our adoption into God's family? [02:02]

3. How does the sermon describe the distinction between our sonship in Christ and Christ's own sonship? [24:15]

4. What erroneous teachings about the universal fatherhood of God are addressed in the sermon, and how are they refuted using scripture? [12:37]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of adoption in Ephesians 1:5-6 challenge the idea of universal fatherhood and brotherhood? What implications does this have for understanding our relationship with God? [12:37]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our adoption as God's children elevates us beyond the original state of Adam? How does this affect our view of redemption? [39:38]

3. The sermon mentions that all believers are equally adopted as sons of God. How does this understanding promote unity among Christians, and what are the potential dangers of teachings that suggest otherwise? [31:47]

4. How does the sermon explain the necessity of Christ's sacrifice for our adoption? What does this reveal about the nature of God's grace and divine will? [19:40]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your understanding of being adopted into God's family. How does this change your perspective on your identity and purpose as a believer? [02:37]

2. The sermon refutes the idea of universal fatherhood. How can you engage in conversations with others who hold this belief, using scripture to explain the necessity of Christ for our adoption? [12:37]

3. Consider the distinction between Christ's sonship and our own. How does this understanding impact your relationship with God and your view of Jesus as both Savior and brother? [24:15]

4. The sermon emphasizes unity among believers. How can you actively promote unity in your church community, especially in the face of teachings that create divisions? [31:47]

5. Redemption is described as elevating us beyond the original state of Adam. In what ways can you live out this elevated status in your daily life, reflecting the blessings and privileges of being a child of God? [39:38]

6. How does the understanding of adoption as a testament to God's grace influence your approach to sharing the gospel with others? What specific steps can you take to communicate this message effectively? [19:40]

7. Reflect on any erroneous teachings you may have encountered in your faith journey. How can you ensure that your beliefs align with scriptural truth, and what resources or practices can help you in this pursuit? [07:56]

Devotional

Day 1: Adoption as Transformation
Our adoption into God's family through Jesus Christ is a profound transformation that cleanses us from sin and elevates us to a new status, granting us the privileges and inheritance of God's kingdom. This adoption is not merely a legal transaction but a transformative process that elevates us beyond the consequences of sin and the fall. Initially, we were estranged from God, enslaved by sin, and alienated in our minds. However, through Christ's redemptive work, we are cleansed and adopted as God's children, granting us the privileges and inheritance of His kingdom. This adoption is a testament to God's grace and His divine will, emphasizing that our status as God's children is not universal but specific to those who are in Christ. [02:37]

Ephesians 2:12-13 (ESV): "Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ."

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you feel distant from God. How can you invite His transformative power into that area today?


Day 2: The Necessity of Christ's Sacrifice
The notion of universal fatherhood and brotherhood, which suggests that all are inherently God's children, is refuted by scripture. The Bible delineates a clear division between those who are God's people and those who are not, emphasizing the necessity of Christ's sacrifice for our adoption. This distinction highlights the importance of being in Christ to be considered a child of God. It is through His sacrifice that we are brought into the family of God, and without it, we remain outside of His promises and inheritance. [12:37]

John 1:12-13 (ESV): "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God."

Reflection: Reflect on the significance of Christ's sacrifice in your life. How does it shape your identity and relationship with God today?


Day 3: Distinct Yet United in Sonship
Our sonship in Christ is distinct from Christ's own sonship. While He is the Son of God by eternal generation, we are sons by adoption, sharing in the divine nature but not becoming divine ourselves. This distinction is crucial to understanding our relationship with God and the unique position we hold as His adopted children. It reminds us of the grace that allows us to partake in the divine nature without assuming divinity, maintaining a humble posture before God. [24:15]

2 Peter 1:4 (ESV): "By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."

Reflection: In what ways can you embrace your identity as an adopted child of God while acknowledging the unique sonship of Christ?


Day 4: Unity in Adoption
Erroneous teachings that create divisions among Christians, suggesting that only some are sons while others remain mere children, are contrary to the scriptural truth. All believers are equally adopted as sons of God, sharing the same privileges and future glory. This unity in adoption calls us to embrace one another as equals in the family of God, fostering a spirit of love and acceptance among believers. It challenges us to reject divisive teachings and to celebrate the shared inheritance we have in Christ. [31:47]

Galatians 3:26-28 (ESV): "For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: How can you actively promote unity and equality among your fellow believers today?


Day 5: Redemption Beyond Restoration
Our adoption signifies that redemption goes beyond merely undoing the effects of the fall. In Christ, we are elevated to a status even higher than Adam's original state, enjoying blessings that surpass what was lost. This promise of sonship is a foretaste of the eternal glory we will fully realize when we see Christ and are made like Him. It encourages us to live with hope and anticipation, knowing that our current struggles are temporary and that a greater glory awaits us. [39:38]

1 John 3:2 (ESV): "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is."

Reflection: What is one way you can live today in light of the future glory promised to you as a child of God?

Quotes


The first thing that was necessary before we could truly be delivered from the ravages and the appalling consequences of the fall and of sin was that we be cleansed from sin from its guilt and from its pollution, the Apostle tells us that we have been chosen to be holy and without blame before God in love. [00:01:49]

The Apostle tells us that we have been chosen to be holy and without blame before God in love but what God has done for us in Christ doesn't stop at that in addition to that he has adopted us as his children now that is the matter which we are considering at the moment. [00:02:17]

We are set in this world and we are surrounded by enemies and antagonists the New Testament itself proves that the fact that we become Christian does not mean that from there on everything is going to be perfectly plain and clear and that we shall have no difficulties and that there shall be no dangers and pitfalls along our pathway. [00:05:30]

Surely nobody can read the Bible without seeing very clearly that there is a great and essential division in mankind taught in the scriptures there are two groups there are those who belong to God there are those who don't belong to God there are God's people there are those who are outside his covenant. [00:12:39]

God is the father of all men in the sense that he is the creator of all men he is the originator of the whole of mankind in that way and when we are told that we're all his offspring it means that we are all the result of his work his activity we're all the result of his creation. [00:13:56]

We rejoice in the fact that we are the sons of God and that we are the sons of God in Jesus Christ and yet we must be very careful to draw distinction between his sonship and our sonship lest again we go astray on the other side I mean something like this that we are the sons of God but we are not the sons of God in exactly the same way as the Lord Jesus Christ is the son of God. [00:23:44]

He is the son of God by eternal generation we are the sons of God by adoption have you ever wondered why our law been speaking in the upper room to the disciples used language like this he said I ascend to my father and your father and to my god and you are God why didn't he turn to them and say I ascend to our Father and to our God. [00:24:22]

Our sonship is derivative we derive it from him it is because we have been adopted in him may I put it like this speaking carefully and with reverence we are not made gods we don't become divine in that sense though we are partakers of the divine nature we are still human beings who are adopted into the family of God. [00:25:16]

There is a teaching which says that all Christians are the children of God but that only certain special Christians become the sons of God again I say that I dearly wish that I hadn't to deal with such a teaching but there is such a teaching being propagated today by certain people who claim for themselves an unusual degree of sanctity. [00:27:44]

All Christians are sons of God and they share the same privileges on earth they shall enjoy the same privileges in heaven and throughout eternity there are none of these artificial traditions we are all thank God by the grace of God in Christ the sons of God and in the same privileged position. [00:35:27]

Redemption does not stop it merely undoing the effects of the fall and sin it goes beyond it now I started off by saying you remember that what we are told here is that Christ and his work have been designed to undo the effects of the fall end of sin he has done that but what we are told here is that he's done even more than that he's gone beyond it and he's gone beyond it in giving us this adoption of son. [00:36:29]

In Christ the tribes of Adam boast more blessings than their father lost in Christ I not only get back the blessings which Adam lost for me I'm giving all them but I'm given more I am adopted as a son of God I spend in a higher position than had instead I haven't his perfection but I have something that he hadn't got I am in Christ and in this new relationship to God where sin abounded grace did much more abound. [00:40:27]

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Transcript
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