Embracing Our Identity as God's Adopted Children
Summary
### Summary
This morning, we concluded our series "Do You Know That You're My Child?" by focusing on the concept of adoption, which is the pinnacle of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Adoption is not just a legal term but signifies an intimate, personal relationship with God as our Father. Paul, in Romans 8, explains that those led by the Spirit of God are sons of God, and through the Spirit of adoption, we cry out, "Abba, Father." This adoption means we are no longer slaves to fear but are children and heirs of God, sharing in the inheritance with Christ.
We explored the distinction between being born again and adoption. Being born again signifies entering God's family as a baby Christian, needing growth and nurturing. In contrast, adoption places us in God's family as adults, with full privileges and responsibilities. This act of adoption is driven by God's infinite love, as exemplified in John 3:16, where God sent His only Son so that we might have eternal life.
Adoption also means that God disciplines us as a loving Father, shaping us to be more like Him. Hebrews 12 teaches that God's discipline is a sign of His love and is meant for our good, leading us to share in His holiness. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in our adoption, assuring us that we are God's children and guiding us to live righteously.
Finally, we are called to live out our faith as beloved children of God, imitating Him and walking in love. This understanding should reshape our thinking and motivate us to live according to the teachings of Jesus and the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Our adoption is a Trinitarian event that unites us with God and grants us eternal blessings.
### Key Takeaways
1. Adoption as the Pinnacle of Our Relationship with God:
Adoption is not merely a legal term but signifies an intimate, personal relationship with God as our Father. This relationship is the pinnacle of our faith, where we are no longer slaves to fear but children and heirs of God, sharing in the inheritance with Christ. This understanding should deepen our appreciation of our salvation and our identity in Christ. [01:51]
2. Distinction Between Being Born Again and Adoption:
Being born again and adoption occur simultaneously at salvation but signify different aspects of our relationship with God. Being born again emphasizes our need for growth and nurturing as new believers, while adoption places us in God's family as adults with full privileges. This distinction helps us understand our journey of faith and the responsibilities that come with it. [09:10]
3. God's Discipline as a Sign of His Love:
God's discipline is a sign of His love and is meant for our good, leading us to share in His holiness. Hebrews 12 teaches that discipline, though not joyful at the moment, yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Understanding this helps us embrace God's correction as a loving act that shapes us to be more like Him. [16:35]
4. Role of the Holy Spirit in Our Adoption:
The Holy Spirit assures us that we are God's children and guides us to live righteously. Romans 8 explains that the Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are children of God and leads us to life and peace. This assurance and guidance are crucial for living out our faith confidently and intimately with God. [20:57]
5. Living as Beloved Children of God:
We are called to live out our faith as beloved children of God, imitating Him and walking in love. This understanding should reshape our thinking and motivate us to live according to the teachings of Jesus and the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Our adoption unites us with God and grants us eternal blessings, both here on earth and in Heaven. [28:41]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:51] - Introduction to Adoption
[03:20] - Understanding Our Pre-Salvation State
[04:32] - Justification and Adoption
[05:48] - What Adoption is Not
[06:53] - Jesus as Our Brother
[07:46] - Clarifying Our Relationship with Jesus
[08:29] - Adoption vs. Being Born Again
[09:10] - The Need for Growth and Nurturing
[10:39] - Adoption as Full Privilege in God's Family
[11:21] - Adoption as an Act of Infinite Love
[12:05] - The Father's Love in Sending Jesus
[13:41] - Adoption and Eternal Life
[14:55] - Perfect Love from the Father
[15:35] - God's Discipline as a Loving Father
[16:35] - Embracing God's Discipline
[18:08] - The Process of Becoming Holy
[19:15] - The Beauty of Discipline
[20:28] - Role of the Holy Spirit in Adoption
[20:57] - Assurance of Being God's Children
[22:07] - Confidence in Our Relationship with God
[23:39] - Entering the Holy Place with Confidence
[24:31] - Direct Relationship with God
[25:19] - Intimate Relationship with the Creator
[26:39] - Direction from the Holy Spirit
[28:41] - Living as Beloved Children of God
[30:01] - Motivation Behind Living Out Our Faith
[32:14] - Authentic Christian Living
[33:07] - Final Definition of Adoption
[34:18] - Understanding Our Eternal Family
[35:17] - Praying the Lord's Prayer Together
[36:25] - Reflecting on Our Relationship with God
[38:14] - Communion
[39:52] - Examining Ourselves Before Communion
[41:22] - Reflecting on Being a Child of God
[42:20] - Affirming Our Identity in Christ
[43:01] - Closing Blessing and Encouragement
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Romans 8:14-17 (NIV)
> "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."
2. Hebrews 12:5-11 (NIV)
> "And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, 'My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.' Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
3. John 3:16 (NIV)
> "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 8:14-17, what does the Spirit of adoption allow us to cry out, and what does this signify about our relationship with God? [01:51]
2. In Hebrews 12:5-11, what is the purpose of God's discipline, and how should we respond to it? [16:35]
3. How does John 3:16 illustrate the infinite love of God in the context of adoption? [11:21]
4. What distinction does the sermon make between being born again and adoption? [09:10]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding our adoption as children of God change our perspective on fear and our identity? [01:51]
2. What are the implications of being co-heirs with Christ as mentioned in Romans 8:17? How does this affect our daily lives and responsibilities? [01:51]
3. How can we see God's discipline as a sign of His love rather than a punishment? What does this reveal about His character? [16:35]
4. In what ways does the Holy Spirit assure us of our adoption and guide us in our daily walk with God? [20:57]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's discipline. How did it shape your faith and character? How can you embrace His discipline in the future? [16:35]
2. How can you live out your identity as a child of God in your daily interactions? What specific actions can you take to reflect this identity? [28:41]
3. In what areas of your life do you struggle with fear? How can the understanding of your adoption by God help you overcome these fears? [01:51]
4. How can you cultivate a more intimate relationship with God, recognizing Him as your "Abba, Father"? What steps can you take this week to deepen this relationship? [01:51]
5. Think of a situation where you need to show love like Christ. What practical steps can you take to demonstrate this love? [12:05]
6. How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit for guidance in your daily decisions? Identify one area where you need His direction and commit to seeking His counsel. [20:57]
7. What does it mean for you to be a co-heir with Christ? How can this understanding influence your goals and priorities? [01:51]
Devotional
### Day 1: Adoption as the Pinnacle of Our Relationship with God
Adoption is not merely a legal term but signifies an intimate, personal relationship with God as our Father. This relationship is the pinnacle of our faith, where we are no longer slaves to fear but children and heirs of God, sharing in the inheritance with Christ. This understanding should deepen our appreciation of our salvation and our identity in Christ.
In Romans 8, Paul explains that those led by the Spirit of God are sons of God, and through the Spirit of adoption, we cry out, "Abba, Father." This adoption means we are no longer slaves to fear but are children and heirs of God, sharing in the inheritance with Christ. This understanding should deepen our appreciation of our salvation and our identity in Christ. [01:51]
Galatians 4:6-7 (ESV): "And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."
Reflection: How does knowing you are an heir of God change the way you view your daily struggles and fears?
### Day 2: Distinction Between Being Born Again and Adoption
Being born again and adoption occur simultaneously at salvation but signify different aspects of our relationship with God. Being born again emphasizes our need for growth and nurturing as new believers, while adoption places us in God's family as adults with full privileges. This distinction helps us understand our journey of faith and the responsibilities that come with it.
Being born again signifies entering God's family as a baby Christian, needing growth and nurturing. In contrast, adoption places us in God's family as adults, with full privileges and responsibilities. This act of adoption is driven by God's infinite love, as exemplified in John 3:16, where God sent His only Son so that we might have eternal life. [09:10]
1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV): "Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good."
Reflection: In what areas of your spiritual life do you need to grow and mature? How can you actively seek that growth this week?
### Day 3: God's Discipline as a Sign of His Love
God's discipline is a sign of His love and is meant for our good, leading us to share in His holiness. Hebrews 12 teaches that discipline, though not joyful at the moment, yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Understanding this helps us embrace God's correction as a loving act that shapes us to be more like Him.
Adoption also means that God disciplines us as a loving Father, shaping us to be more like Him. Hebrews 12 teaches that God's discipline is a sign of His love and is meant for our good, leading us to share in His holiness. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in our adoption, assuring us that we are God's children and guiding us to live righteously. [16:35]
Hebrews 12:10-11 (ESV): "For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
Reflection: How have you experienced God's discipline in your life? How can you see it as an act of love and a path to holiness?
### Day 4: Role of the Holy Spirit in Our Adoption
The Holy Spirit assures us that we are God's children and guides us to live righteously. Romans 8 explains that the Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are children of God and leads us to life and peace. This assurance and guidance are crucial for living out our faith confidently and intimately with God.
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in our adoption, assuring us that we are God's children and guiding us to live righteously. Romans 8 explains that the Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are children of God and leads us to life and peace. This assurance and guidance are crucial for living out our faith confidently and intimately with God. [20:57]
Romans 8:16-17 (ESV): "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."
Reflection: How can you be more attentive to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily life? What steps can you take to cultivate a deeper relationship with Him?
### Day 5: Living as Beloved Children of God
We are called to live out our faith as beloved children of God, imitating Him and walking in love. This understanding should reshape our thinking and motivate us to live according to the teachings of Jesus and the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Our adoption unites us with God and grants us eternal blessings, both here on earth and in Heaven.
Finally, we are called to live out our faith as beloved children of God, imitating Him and walking in love. This understanding should reshape our thinking and motivate us to live according to the teachings of Jesus and the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Our adoption is a Trinitarian event that unites us with God and grants us eternal blessings. [28:41]
Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to imitate God and walk in love? How can you show the love of Christ to those around you?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "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 within our spirit that we are children of God. And of 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." [01:51](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Adoption is the gracious act of the Father where we become His children through the redeeming blood of the Son and learn to live like Him through the power of the Holy Spirit. Our adoption makes us the righteous children of God in whom receive blessings here on earth and equal inheritance in Heaven." [33:07](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Adoption is an action of the Father done out of infinite love. The greatest example comes from Jesus himself in John 3.16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world but that the world might be saved through him. Our salvation is an act of infinite love." [11:21](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The Holy Spirit assures us that we are God's children. We already read it this morning. Let me take us back to Romans 8 verse 16. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God and of 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." [20:57](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We do not behave a certain way to earn God's favor as some religions would teach rather we behave according to the teachings of Jesus and the prompting of the Holy Spirit because we have already received the father's approval and love." [31:57](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Adoption goes beyond legality to establish an intimate, personal relationship to God as our Father. That's one of the key points that I want to drive home today. This is more about, this isn't about legality like last week. Justification is about legality. This is about the relationship. This is about having a close, intimate, personal relationship with God as Father. Adoption is seen as the pinnacle of blessings and privileges enjoyed by God's people." [05:48](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Being born again and adoption are not the same thing. Sometimes those get treated as if they are the same concept. They are not. Both being adopted and being born again occur at the moment of our salvation. But they indicate different aspects of our relation to the family of God. Being born again emphasizes the idea of coming into God's family as a baby Christian with the critical need for growth, development, and nurturing, much like a baby needs." [09:10](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Discipline is a wonderful action of God because it shows that he loves you. He loves you enough not to just condemn you and throw you in the trash like well, Michael messed up. Throw him away. It's not that. He's saying be more like me. Here, I'm going to correct you but this is what you have to do. I think the problem in the church is that we have not seen discipline lived out well if I'm going to be honest. Discipline when done right is a beautiful thing. God is shaping you to be something more. Don't be afraid of it because it makes us holy." [19:15](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The Holy Spirit also allows us to have a close intimate relationship with the Father. We think about pre-salvation and last week I read from Romans 3 where Paul gives this long exhortation where he more or less says yeah, you were unworthy. You were children of wrath. Sons of disobedience. And he dwells on that for a while. If we really understand that we come to understand that we are at odds with God. Part of our journey for some of us it was part of my journey was to have turmoil between God and myself for 15 years. Struggled to have peace in that relationship." [23:04](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So often we focus on the Father and the Son and we negate to look at what the Holy Spirit is doing in us now that we are adopted. So I want to focus on the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit assures us that we are God's children. We already read it this morning. Let me take us back to Romans 8 verse 16. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God and of 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." [20:28](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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