Embracing Our Adoption: The Gift of God's Family

 

Summary

The message today centers on the profound theme of adoption, both in the earthly sense and through the lens of the Gospel. As we gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we are reminded that the Christmas story is fundamentally an adoption story. The Apostle Paul, in Galatians, speaks of how God sent His Son to redeem us so that we might receive adoption as His children. This is the highest privilege of the Gospel, a privilege that is not universally held but is available to all who receive Jesus.

The staggering statistics of those who have not yet received Jesus as their Savior highlight the urgency of this message. With billions worldwide and thousands in our own community still separated from God, the call to share the Gospel and invite others into God's family is more pressing than ever. The Gospel of John tells us that Jesus came into the world to give us the right to become children of God. This right is not based on our lineage or efforts but is a gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ.

The message challenges us to reflect on our own spiritual status: Are we children of wrath or children of God? For those who have not yet received Jesus, the invitation is open to believe in His name and be adopted into God's family. For those who have already received this gift, there is a call to rejoice in the closeness, affection, and generosity that come with being a child of God. This adoption into God's family is the greatest gift we can receive, and it is available to all who call on the name of Jesus.

Key Takeaways:

1. Adoption as the Highest Privilege: Adoption into God's family is the highest privilege of the Gospel. It is a family idea rooted in love, where God becomes our Father, and we become His children and heirs. This relationship is characterized by closeness, affection, and generosity. [53:49]

2. The Urgency of the Gospel: With billions of people worldwide still separated from God, the urgency to share the Gospel is immense. The Christmas story is an invitation to receive the greatest gift—adoption into God's family through faith in Jesus. [01:00:00]

3. The True Light of the World: Jesus is the true light that gives life to everyone. He came into the world He created to bring us from spiritual death to life. This life is not just physical but spiritual, offering eternal connection with God. [01:04:12]

4. The Reality of Spiritual Condition: Not everyone is a child of God by default. The Bible teaches that those who have not received Jesus are children of wrath. This stark reality calls for a response to receive Jesus and become part of God's family. [01:07:20]

5. The Invitation to Believe: The path to adoption into God's family is through receiving Jesus and believing in His name. This belief grants us the right to become children of God, transforming our spiritual status and offering us eternal life. [01:11:35]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [16:53] - Opening Prayer
- [17:50] - Celebrating the Savior
- [18:35] - Choir and Worship
- [53:49] - Adoption as the Gospel's Highest Privilege
- [58:44] - The Christmas Story as an Adoption Story
- [01:00:00] - The Urgency of the Gospel
- [01:00:48] - Jesus, the Eternal Word
- [01:01:38] - The True Light of the World
- [01:02:54] - Our Need for Spiritual Life
- [01:04:12] - Jesus as the Source of Life
- [01:05:01] - The Right to Become Children of God
- [01:07:20] - The Reality of Spiritual Condition
- [01:11:35] - The Invitation to Believe
- [01:17:33] - Response and Rejoicing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Galatians 4:4-5
- John 1:4-13

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Galatians 4:4-5, what was the purpose of God sending His Son into the world? How does this relate to the concept of adoption? [53:49]

2. In John 1:4-13, what does it mean that Jesus is the "true light" and how does this light relate to life? [01:04:12]

3. What does John 1:12 say about the right given to those who receive Jesus? How is this right described in the sermon? [01:05:01]

4. How does the sermon describe the difference between being a child of God and a child of wrath? [01:07:20]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean to be adopted into God's family, and why is this considered the highest privilege of the Gospel? [53:49]

2. How does the urgency of sharing the Gospel relate to the staggering statistics mentioned in the sermon about those who have not received Jesus? [01:00:00]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus being the "true light" impacts our spiritual condition? [01:04:12]

4. How does the sermon explain the process of moving from being a child of wrath to a child of God? What role does belief in Jesus play in this transformation? [01:11:35]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own spiritual status. Do you see yourself as a child of God or a child of wrath? What steps can you take to ensure your adoption into God's family? [01:10:35]

2. The sermon highlights the urgency of sharing the Gospel. Identify one person in your life who has not received Jesus. How can you share the message of adoption with them this week? [01:00:00]

3. Consider the concept of Jesus as the "true light." How can you allow His light to shine in areas of your life that feel dark or hopeless? [01:04:12]

4. The sermon mentions the closeness, affection, and generosity that come with being a child of God. How can you cultivate these qualities in your relationship with God and others? [53:49]

5. If you have already received Jesus, how can you rejoice in your adoption into God's family this week? What specific actions can you take to express gratitude for this privilege? [01:14:31]

6. The sermon challenges us to respond to the reality of our spiritual condition. What practical steps can you take to deepen your faith and trust in Jesus? [01:11:35]

7. How can you use the Christmas season as an opportunity to share the story of Jesus' birth as an adoption story with those around you? [53:49]

Devotional

Day 1: Adoption as the Highest Privilege
Adoption into God's family is the highest privilege of the Gospel. It is a family idea rooted in love, where God becomes our Father, and we become His children and heirs. This relationship is characterized by closeness, affection, and generosity. The concept of adoption in the Gospel is not merely a legal transaction but a profound transformation of identity and relationship. As adopted children, believers are invited into an intimate relationship with God, experiencing His love and care as a perfect Father. This adoption is a gift, not earned by human effort or merit, but freely given through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a privilege that brings believers into a new family, with God as their Father and fellow believers as brothers and sisters. [53:49]

Ephesians 1:5-6 (ESV): "He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved."

Reflection: How does understanding your identity as an adopted child of God change the way you view your relationship with Him today? What specific actions can you take to embrace this identity more fully?


Day 2: The Urgency of the Gospel
With billions of people worldwide still separated from God, the urgency to share the Gospel is immense. The Christmas story is an invitation to receive the greatest gift—adoption into God's family through faith in Jesus. The reality of so many living without the knowledge of Jesus as their Savior underscores the critical need for believers to actively share the Gospel. This urgency is not just about numbers but about the eternal destinies of individuals who are loved by God. The call to evangelism is a call to participate in God's mission of redemption, inviting others to experience the transformative power of being adopted into His family. [01:00:00]

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the message of the Gospel? How can you intentionally create opportunities to share the love and truth of Jesus with them this week?


Day 3: The True Light of the World
Jesus is the true light that gives life to everyone. He came into the world He created to bring us from spiritual death to life. This life is not just physical but spiritual, offering eternal connection with God. Jesus, as the light of the world, illuminates the darkness of sin and separation from God, offering hope and redemption. His light reveals the truth of God's love and the path to eternal life. Embracing Jesus as the true light means allowing His presence to guide and transform every aspect of life, leading to a deeper relationship with God and a life that reflects His glory. [01:04:12]

John 1:9-12 (ESV): "The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need the light of Jesus to shine more brightly? How can you invite His presence to illuminate those areas today?


Day 4: The Reality of Spiritual Condition
Not everyone is a child of God by default. The Bible teaches that those who have not received Jesus are children of wrath. This stark reality calls for a response to receive Jesus and become part of God's family. Understanding the spiritual condition of humanity apart from Christ is crucial for recognizing the need for salvation. The Gospel presents a clear choice: remain in a state of separation from God or accept the invitation to become His child through faith in Jesus. This reality challenges individuals to examine their spiritual status and respond to God's offer of adoption and eternal life. [01:07:20]

Ephesians 2:3-5 (ESV): "Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."

Reflection: Reflect on your current spiritual condition. Have you fully embraced the gift of adoption into God's family? If not, what steps can you take to receive Jesus and experience this transformation?


Day 5: The Invitation to Believe
The path to adoption into God's family is through receiving Jesus and believing in His name. This belief grants us the right to become children of God, transforming our spiritual status and offering us eternal life. The invitation to believe in Jesus is an open call to all, regardless of background or past mistakes. It is an invitation to experience a new identity and a relationship with God as a loving Father. Believing in Jesus is not just an intellectual assent but a heartfelt trust that leads to a transformed life, marked by the assurance of being a beloved child of God. [01:11:35]

Romans 10:9-10 (ESV): "Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."

Reflection: What does it mean for you to truly believe in Jesus and receive Him as your Savior? How can you deepen your faith and trust in Him today?

Quotes

The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians chapter 4, verses 4 and 5, but when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who are under the law so that we might receive adoption as sons. [00:53:54] (19 seconds)


At this point in history there are a little over eight billion people in the world it is estimated that 4.6 billion of them have not received Jesus as their savior if we bring that closer to home there are 371 million people in North America it is estimated that 281 million of them have not received Jesus as their savior. [00:56:05] (25 seconds)


John talking about Jesus writes this in him was life and the life was the light of men the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it there was a man sent from John whose name was or from God whose name was John he came as a witness to bear witness about the light that all might believe through him. [00:58:18] (22 seconds)


The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him. Yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. [00:58:56] (0 seconds)


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. Father, this morning, remind us of this right that can only be given by your Son. [00:59:38] (28 seconds)


Jesus came into the world to give all who receive him the right to become children of God. If you were unable to be with us last Sunday, we looked at the first three verses of the Gospel of John. And through these three verses, we are taught that Jesus is the eternal Word. [01:00:43] (17 seconds)


John says he was with God in the beginning. He was God. He was God in the beginning. And he is the God who created everything. So he created the heavens. He created the world in which we live. John wants us to clearly see the divine identity of this man. [01:01:09] (19 seconds)


John makes it clear, in this Jesus is life. Are you getting the picture of how much we need? We need life. We need life. We need life. We need life. We need life. We need life. We need God the Son. In our sin, we are in a helpless, hopeless, dark condition, spiritually dead, in need of life, and Jesus is life. [01:04:02] (19 seconds)


Adoption in God's family comes only through receiving his son. Adoption into God's family comes only through believing in God's son. In order to become a child of God, children of wrath must repent of their sins, turn from them, and turn in faith to believing in Jesus. [01:11:50] (16 seconds)


It is good news because all the children of wrath who repent of their sins and place their faith in Jesus, believe in him, they're saved, and they're given the highest privilege that God's gospel offers, adoption into God's family. How is one adopted? John's answer is, simple. Receive Jesus, believe in his name, and he'll give to you the right to become a child of God. [01:12:48] (25 seconds)


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Transcript
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