Eternal Love: God's Adoption and Redemption Plan

 

Summary

The essence of God's love is deeply intertwined with His other attributes, such as holiness and eternity. God's love is not a mere sentiment but a profound, eternal truth that has existed before the creation of the world. This love is rooted in God's self-existence, or aseity, meaning He derives His being from no other source. Unlike the world, which has a beginning, God has always been, and His love has always been a part of His nature. Before creation, God existed in a state of perfect love within the Trinity, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit shared a covenant of redemption. This eternal plan was not an afterthought but a deliberate act of love, with each member of the Trinity playing a distinct role in the redemption of humanity.

The Father's love for the Son is the primary object of divine affection, and it is through this love that we are included in God's redemptive plan. The New Testament frequently highlights the Father's love for the Son, reminding us that our inclusion in God's family is through our union with Christ. This is not a natural state but a supernatural privilege granted through adoption. By nature, we are not children of God but children of wrath. However, through the Spirit of adoption, we are brought into God's family, becoming heirs with Christ.

The story of Mephibosheth beautifully illustrates this principle of adoption. Just as David adopted Mephibosheth out of love for Jonathan, God adopts us out of love for His Son. We are brought into the royal family, not because of our merit, but because of the Father's love for the Son. This adoption is a testament to the incredible love God has for us, a love that evokes astonishment and gratitude. It is a reminder that our identity and worth are found in our relationship with Christ, the beloved of the Father.

Key Takeaways:

- God's love is eternal and self-existent, rooted in His nature and not dependent on creation. This love existed before the world began, highlighting the profound depth and constancy of divine love. [02:32]

- The covenant of redemption within the Trinity underscores the collaborative and eternal nature of God's plan for humanity. Each member of the Trinity willingly participates in this plan, demonstrating the unity and love within the Godhead. [06:21]

- Our inclusion in God's family is through adoption, a supernatural act that transforms us from children of wrath to children of God. This adoption is a profound privilege, rooted in the Father's love for the Son. [16:23]

- The Father's love for the Son is the primary object of divine affection, and it is through this love that we are included in redemption. Our identity and worth are found in our union with Christ, the beloved of the Father. [09:38]

- The story of Mephibosheth illustrates the principle of adoption, showing how we are brought into God's family out of love for Christ. This adoption is a testament to the incredible love God has for us, a love that evokes astonishment and gratitude. [21:48]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:27] - Correcting a Mistake
- [00:56] - God's Love and Holiness
- [01:24] - The Eternal Nature of God's Love
- [02:01] - Understanding God's Aseity
- [02:55] - The Beginning and God's Self-Existence
- [03:49] - The Object of Divine Love
- [04:27] - Creation, Redemption, and God's Plan
- [05:32] - The Covenant of Redemption
- [06:21] - The Trinitarian Work of Redemption
- [08:12] - God's Love for Creation
- [08:58] - The Father's Love for the Son
- [10:16] - The Transfiguration and Divine Love
- [14:13] - Astonishment at God's Love
- [16:23] - Adoption into God's Family
- [19:07] - The Story of Mephibosheth
- [21:48] - Adoption Through Love for Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

1. 1 John 3:1-2
2. Romans 8:9-17
3. 2 Peter 1:16-18

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Observation Questions:

1. According to the sermon, what is the significance of God's love being eternal and self-existent? How does this relate to His nature? [02:32]

2. How does the sermon describe the covenant of redemption within the Trinity? What roles do the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit play in this plan? [06:21]

3. In the story of Mephibosheth, what actions did David take to show his love for Jonathan, and how does this illustrate the principle of adoption? [21:48]

4. What does the sermon say about the primary object of the Father's affection, and how does this affect our inclusion in God's redemptive plan? [09:38]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of God's aseity, or self-existence, deepen our understanding of His eternal love? Why is this important for believers to grasp? [02:01]

2. The sermon mentions that our inclusion in God's family is a supernatural privilege. How does this understanding impact the way believers view their identity in Christ? [16:23]

3. In what ways does the story of Mephibosheth serve as a metaphor for our adoption into God's family? How does this story enhance our appreciation of God's love for us? [21:48]

4. The sermon highlights the Father's love for the Son as the primary object of divine affection. How does this perspective influence the way believers understand their relationship with God? [09:38]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the eternal nature of God's love. How does knowing that God's love is not dependent on creation change the way you perceive your relationship with Him? [02:32]

2. The sermon discusses the covenant of redemption within the Trinity. How can understanding this collaborative plan encourage you to trust in God's purpose for your life? [06:21]

3. Consider the story of Mephibosheth and how David's love for Jonathan led to Mephibosheth's adoption. How can you show love and kindness to others, not based on their merit, but out of love for someone else? [21:48]

4. The sermon emphasizes that our identity and worth are found in our union with Christ. How can you remind yourself of this truth in moments of self-doubt or insecurity? [09:38]

5. The Father's love for the Son is central to our inclusion in God's family. How can you cultivate a deeper appreciation for this love in your daily spiritual practices? [09:38]

6. Reflect on the privilege of being adopted into God's family. How can this understanding motivate you to live out your faith more boldly and authentically? [16:23]

7. The sermon evokes astonishment at God's love for us. How can you express gratitude for this love in your interactions with others this week? [14:13]

Devotional

Day 1: The Eternal Nature of God's Love
God's love is not a fleeting emotion but an eternal truth that has existed before the creation of the world. This love is rooted in God's self-existence, or aseity, meaning He derives His being from no other source. Unlike the world, which has a beginning, God has always been, and His love has always been a part of His nature. This profound depth and constancy of divine love highlight that God's love is not dependent on creation but is an intrinsic part of who He is. Understanding this eternal nature of God's love can transform how we perceive our relationship with Him, knowing that His love for us is unwavering and timeless. [02:32]

Psalm 90:2 (ESV): "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God."

Reflection: How does knowing that God's love is eternal and self-existent change the way you view your relationship with Him today?


Day 2: The Collaborative Plan of Redemption
The covenant of redemption within the Trinity underscores the collaborative and eternal nature of God's plan for humanity. Each member of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—willingly participates in this plan, demonstrating the unity and love within the Godhead. This eternal plan was not an afterthought but a deliberate act of love, with each member playing a distinct role in the redemption of humanity. The Father initiates, the Son accomplishes, and the Spirit applies redemption, showcasing a divine harmony that reflects the depth of God's love for us. [06:21]

Ephesians 1:9-10 (ESV): "Making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth."

Reflection: In what ways can you participate in God's redemptive plan in your community, reflecting the unity and love within the Trinity?


Day 3: Adoption into God's Family
Our inclusion in God's family is through adoption, a supernatural act that transforms us from children of wrath to children of God. This adoption is a profound privilege, rooted in the Father's love for the Son. By nature, we are not children of God, but through the Spirit of adoption, we are brought into God's family, becoming heirs with Christ. This transformation is not based on our merit but on the Father's love for the Son, and through our union with Christ, we are granted this incredible privilege. [16:23]

Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV): "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."

Reflection: How does the understanding of being adopted into God's family change your perspective on your identity and worth today?


Day 4: The Father's Love for the Son
The Father's love for the Son is the primary object of divine affection, and it is through this love that we are included in redemption. Our identity and worth are found in our union with Christ, the beloved of the Father. This divine love is not just a theological concept but a reality that shapes our lives, reminding us that our worth is not based on our achievements but on our relationship with Christ. As we embrace this truth, we can live with confidence and assurance, knowing that we are loved by the Father because of our union with His beloved Son. [09:38]

John 17:23 (ESV): "I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me."

Reflection: How can you live out your identity as someone loved by the Father through your union with Christ in your daily interactions?


Day 5: The Story of Mephibosheth and Divine Adoption
The story of Mephibosheth beautifully illustrates the principle of adoption, showing how we are brought into God's family out of love for Christ. Just as David adopted Mephibosheth out of love for Jonathan, God adopts us out of love for His Son. This adoption is a testament to the incredible love God has for us, a love that evokes astonishment and gratitude. It is a reminder that our identity and worth are found in our relationship with Christ, the beloved of the Father. This divine adoption is not based on our merit but on the Father's love for the Son, and it calls us to live with gratitude and humility. [21:48]

2 Samuel 9:7 (ESV): "And David said to him, 'Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you express gratitude for your adoption into God's family, and how can this gratitude be reflected in your actions towards others?

Quotes

"When we talk about God's being eternal, we're talking about something greater than the simple duration of his existence. When we say that God is eternal, we are saying with that, that God is self-existent. That is, that God has no beginning. He derives his existence or his being from no other source, but rather he has the power to be, in and of himself." [00:01:41]

"And what the Scriptures make clear is that as he existed from all eternity, there was already in his nature from all eternity the attribute of love. So that God didn't become a God of love at the time of creation, but he has always been a God of love." [00:03:49]

"So from all eternity, God has had a plan of redemption. And that plan of redemption included within it God's understanding of his triune character and of the work of redemption that would be carried out among all three members of the Godhead." [00:05:32]

"And so in theology we talk about the covenant of redemption, which refers to a covenant that God makes not with us, but the covenant that God makes -- which God the Father makes with God the Son and with God the Holy Spirit from all eternity." [00:05:58]

"And so this agreement reaches back before creation between the Father and the Son that the Father would send the Son and the Son would willingly descend from heaven and take upon himself the cloak of a human nature, subject himself to humiliation, become a servant obedient even unto death in order to redeem his people." [00:07:00]

"And the point is that they are in agreement about this from all eternity. Now, the Bible tells us also that one of the things that motivates God from all eternity to implement a plan of redemption is his love for his creation. It's because God so loves the world that he gives his only begotten Son." [00:08:29]

"It's certainly true that God loves us, and it's through his love that he has sent Christ as John told us to be a propitiation for our sin, but the primary object of the Father's affection is the Son. And that's something that is often overlooked in our study of the Scriptures." [00:09:08]

"We are included in Christ and that the whole work of redemption is a work in which we are seen by the Father as belonging to the Son, and it's because of his great love for his Son that we are included in redemption." [00:10:05]

"And yet at the same time the Scriptures speak of God's love for us, an eternal love for us that is rooted and grounded in the Father's love for the Son. This is not so clearly self-evident as the love of the Father is for the Son, and in fact, this love for us evokes apostolic astonishment." [00:13:27]

"He understands that to be counted a member of the family of God is a privilege that is granted by grace and by grace alone, and it is the greatest privilege that any mortal could ever experience. And again the New Testament labors the point that our being called the children of God as an expression of the amazing and incredible love of God is rooted and grounded in our adoption." [00:15:39]

"To be a son of God is not natural. To be a son of God is supernatural. And no one who is unregenerate, no one who lacks the presence of the Holy Ghost in his soul is accorded the privilege of being a son of God. But all who are indwelt by the Spirit of God are numbered in the family of God." [00:18:07]

"Because of his love for Christ, he has adopted us into the royal family, and has made us heirs with Christ, joint heirs with Christ, as God loves us because of Jesus. We are beloved of the Father because he's beloved of the Father, and we ought never to forget that." [00:22:17]

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Transcript
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