Living Out Our Faith Through Adoption and Obedience
Summary
### Summary
Today, we reflect on the profound act of adoption and its spiritual significance. Just as God adopted us into His family through Jesus Christ, we are called to mirror this love by caring for orphans and widows, as James instructs. We celebrate the obedience of Adam and Stephanie, who have adopted children, and we pray for their wisdom and strength in raising their family in the Lord. This act of obedience is a powerful testament to the gospel, and it challenges us to look at the needs around us and respond with Christ-like love.
Paul's letter to the Philippians serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience. He commends the church for their past obedience and urges them to continue living out their salvation with fear and trembling. This is not about working for salvation, but working it out—living in accordance with our new status as saved individuals. Paul emphasizes that God is at work within us, giving us both the desire and the ability to do His will. This divine partnership calls us to live a life worthy of the gospel, imitating Christ in our relationships and actions.
We are reminded that obedience is not just a past response but should be our present posture. Whether people are watching or not, we are to live out our faith with integrity and humility. This includes addressing any selfish ambitions or divisions within the church, seeking reconciliation, and putting others' interests above our own. The Spirit of God within us empowers us to overcome the desires of the flesh and produce the fruit of the Spirit.
As we work out our salvation, we are to read, study, and memorize God's Word, allowing it to transform us. For those who have not yet obeyed the gospel, the call is to repent and place their faith in Jesus Christ. For believers, the call is to continue in obedience, whether it be through baptism, reconciliation, or sharing the gospel with others. Our obedience is a witness to the world, shining as lights in the darkness, and it brings glory to God.
### Key Takeaways
1. Adoption as a Reflection of the Gospel: Just as God adopted us into His family through Jesus Christ, we are called to reflect this love by caring for orphans and widows. This act of obedience is a powerful testament to the gospel and challenges us to respond to the needs around us with Christ-like love. [22:46]
2. Obedience in the Present: Paul commends the Philippians for their past obedience and urges them to continue living out their salvation with fear and trembling. This is not about working for salvation but living in accordance with our new status as saved individuals. Our obedience should be a daily response to God's grace. [49:52]
3. God at Work Within Us: We can obey the Lord because He is at work within us, giving us both the desire and the ability to do His will. This divine partnership calls us to live a life worthy of the gospel, imitating Christ in our relationships and actions. [57:52]
4. Living Out Our Faith with Integrity: Whether people are watching or not, we are to live out our faith with integrity and humility. This includes addressing any selfish ambitions or divisions within the church, seeking reconciliation, and putting others' interests above our own. [56:18]
5. Empowered by the Spirit: The Spirit of God within us empowers us to overcome the desires of the flesh and produce the fruit of the Spirit. As we work out our salvation, we are to read, study, and memorize God's Word, allowing it to transform us and guide our actions. [01:02:12]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[22:46] - Adoption as a Reflection of the Gospel
[39:37] - The Importance of Obedience
[49:52] - Commending Past Obedience
[56:18] - Living Out Our Faith with Integrity
[57:52] - God at Work Within Us
[01:02:12] - Empowered by the Spirit
[01:06:38] - Call to Obedience
[01:15:07] - Baptism of Fisherman Dave
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Philippians 2:12-13: "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."
2. James 1:27: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
3. Galatians 4:4-5: "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he says to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling"? How does this relate to God's work within us? (Philippians 2:12-13)
2. According to James 1:27, what are the two key aspects of religion that God finds pure and faultless? How do these aspects reflect the gospel? [22:46]
3. How does Galatians 4:4-5 describe the purpose of Jesus' coming? What does it mean for us to receive "adoption to sonship"?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. In Philippians 2:12-13, Paul emphasizes both human responsibility and divine enablement in the process of salvation. How do these two aspects work together in a believer's life? [57:52]
2. James 1:27 calls believers to care for orphans and widows. How does this command challenge our current understanding and practice of faith? [22:46]
3. Galatians 4:4-5 speaks of adoption into God's family. How does this spiritual adoption influence our identity and actions as Christians?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the example of Adam and Stephanie's adoption. How can you personally or as a group support orphans and widows in your community? What steps can you take this week to show Christ-like love in this area? [22:46]
2. Paul commends the Philippians for their past obedience and urges them to continue in the present. What are some areas in your life where you have been obedient in the past but need to renew your commitment now? [49:52]
3. The sermon emphasized living out our faith with integrity, whether people are watching or not. Are there areas in your life where you struggle with integrity? How can you address these struggles and seek accountability? [56:18]
4. The Spirit of God empowers us to overcome the desires of the flesh and produce the fruit of the Spirit. Identify one specific desire of the flesh you struggle with. What practical steps can you take to walk by the Spirit and overcome this desire? [01:02:12]
5. The sermon calls us to read, study, and memorize God's Word. What is one specific passage you can commit to memorizing this week? How will you incorporate this practice into your daily routine? [01:06:38]
6. For those who have not yet obeyed the gospel, the call is to repent and place their faith in Jesus Christ. If you have not made this decision, what is holding you back? If you have, how can you share this message with someone in your life this week? [01:08:16]
7. Consider any selfish ambitions or divisions within your church or small group. How can you seek reconciliation and put others' interests above your own? What specific actions will you take to promote unity and humility? [56:18]
Devotional
Day 1: Adoption as a Reflection of the Gospel
Description: Adoption is a profound reflection of the gospel. Just as God adopted us into His family through Jesus Christ, we are called to mirror this love by caring for orphans and widows. This act of obedience is a powerful testament to the gospel and challenges us to respond to the needs around us with Christ-like love. The story of Adam and Stephanie, who have adopted children, serves as a living example of this principle. Their obedience in adopting children is a testament to the gospel, demonstrating the love and care that God has for each of us. This act of love calls us to look at the needs around us and respond with the same Christ-like compassion. [22:46]
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: Think of a way you can show Christ-like love to someone in need this week. How can you reflect the gospel through your actions?
Day 2: Obedience in the Present
Description: Paul commends the Philippians for their past obedience and urges them to continue living out their salvation with fear and trembling. This is not about working for salvation but living in accordance with our new status as saved individuals. Our obedience should be a daily response to God's grace. It is essential to understand that obedience is not a one-time act but a continuous posture. Whether people are watching or not, we are to live out our faith with integrity and humility. This includes addressing any selfish ambitions or divisions within the church, seeking reconciliation, and putting others' interests above our own. [49:52]
Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV): "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
Reflection: Reflect on your daily actions and attitudes. Are there areas where you need to align more closely with your new status as a saved individual?
Day 3: God at Work Within Us
Description: We can obey the Lord because He is at work within us, giving us both the desire and the ability to do His will. This divine partnership calls us to live a life worthy of the gospel, imitating Christ in our relationships and actions. Understanding that God is actively working within us provides both comfort and motivation. It reassures us that we are not alone in our efforts to live a godly life. Instead, we are empowered by God's presence and strength, enabling us to overcome challenges and grow in our faith. [57:52]
Colossians 1:29 (ESV): "For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me."
Reflection: In what ways do you see God working within you to shape your desires and actions? How can you cooperate more fully with His work in your life?
Day 4: Living Out Our Faith with Integrity
Description: Whether people are watching or not, we are to live out our faith with integrity and humility. This includes addressing any selfish ambitions or divisions within the church, seeking reconciliation, and putting others' interests above our own. Living with integrity means being consistent in our faith, regardless of external circumstances. It involves a commitment to honesty, humility, and selflessness, reflecting Christ's character in all we do. By doing so, we become a powerful witness to the world, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel. [56:18]
1 Peter 2:12 (ESV): "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you struggle to maintain integrity? How can you address these areas and live more consistently with your faith?
Day 5: Empowered by the Spirit
Description: The Spirit of God within us empowers us to overcome the desires of the flesh and produce the fruit of the Spirit. As we work out our salvation, we are to read, study, and memorize God's Word, allowing it to transform us and guide our actions. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in our spiritual growth, providing the strength and guidance we need to live a godly life. By immersing ourselves in God's Word and relying on the Spirit's power, we can overcome our sinful tendencies and bear fruit that glorifies God. [01:02:12]
Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper reliance on the Holy Spirit in your daily life? What steps can you take to immerse yourself more fully in God's Word?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "When the fullness of time came you sent forth your son to be born of a woman to redeem us as Paul says in Galatians so that we could receive adoption father we thank you for adopting us into your family we thank you for the example that you give to us as christians as well in that just looking at that and looking around the world and seeing countless children who need to be adopted and father how we can display that gospel through this beautiful act." [22:46] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Salvation is always and only by God's grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, and nothing of our own. Ephesians, Paul said, for by grace you've been saved through faith. This is not your own doing. It is a gift from God, not a result of work, so that no one may boast." [53:10] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Obedience to the Lord should be our response because the Lord is at work in his people. I love verse 13, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. We can do good godly works. We can obey the Lord because the Lord is working in Christians." [57:52] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God lives in us and gives us a desire to know his will and do his will. So he's telling these Christians, hey, I want you to know, man, I want you to do God's will. I want you to live it out. And guess what? God's living in you and he's giving you, he's producing in you a desire to know God's will and to do God's will. And not only that, he's giving you the ability to do it." [01:00:53] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you're not a Christian and he's calling you, the response is obedience. Obey the gospel. Repent and place your faith in Jesus Christ for your salvation. If you're a Christian and you're reading it and he commands you to do something, do it." [01:06:38] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Paul wanted the Christians in that church to imitate Jesus, to have his mind in their relationships with one another. He wanted them to work out their disagreements as an act of obedience to Christ by reflecting the humility of Christ. So after putting Jesus's humiliation and exaltation on display for them to obey, Paul commanded them to be obedient." [48:07] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Therefore, my beloved, as you have obeyed in the past, obedience to the Lord should be our response in the present. He says, so now, not only as in my presence, but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." [54:43] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So with fear and trembling, as you've obeyed the Lord in the past, I pray you'll obey him in the present. Humble yourself, consider the interests of others, see them as more significant, love them like Christ, go to them and seek to reconcile with them." [56:18] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Work out our salvation with fear and trembling because God is working in us both the will and to work for his good pleasure. Application is pretty easy, but I'll just give you two. Like those employees, read that letter, study that letter, and memorize those letters. Do the same with God's word. Read it. Study it. Memorize it." [01:04:45] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you're a Christian walking in one of those deeds of the flesh that I just read, the response is obedience. Repent. Turn from your sin. Turn in faith to Jesus. Again, just turn away from that. He'll forgive you. If you're a Christian, he's putting someone in your heart that needs to hear the gospel. He gave a command to all of us. Make disciples of Christ. Go to that person. Share the good news with them. And call them to obey that gospel." [01:08:16] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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