You are Adopted in Christ

I did not think much about adoption when I was young. I suppose It had to do with lack of exposure. Families with two parents with their biological children was the norm In my world.

But I began to think about adoption when Stephanie and I Initially struggled to have children. The thought of adoption became more real In March 1999. Our nephew, the first grandchild, and one born several months before our oldest son, died.

• Here Is a picture of him a few months before he died. His name was Zachary.

No one knew It Initially, but he was born with a rare genetic disease that the medical community did not know how to treat. I remember the funeral, carrying the casket, and seeing grief like I had not experienced to that point.

The Lord often uses moments of grief to chart new paths. Today, almost 1 out of every two of our nieces and nephews are adopted by one or both parents. In addition, we have been around to see many other adoptions In our ministry.

Every time there Is an adoption, there Is a new opportunity, a new lease on life, and a new story waiting to be written. That is worth celebrating. So, here Is the deal.

• Today Is happy! Today Is exciting. We are talking about our "gotcha day" or some prefer the term "Finalization Day" or "Adoption Day." Pick the term you like. Today Is a party!

• I know that I have a unique skill -- I can make any party depressing. I seem to have a face that naturally says, "you're an idiot."

• I am going to do my best to smile this morning and you will do your best to have a party In your heart. Deal?

With that in mind, please turn In your Bibles to Ephesians 1. That Is on page _________ of the back section of the Bible under the chair In front of you.

Our annual theme Is Building Upon Our Heritage. The Lord has given us 60 years. We are asking how we can appreciate the past while also look forward to the future the Lord has for us. We thought the book of Ephesians was a great place to think about these ideas.

Ephesians begins with this astonishing truth - Praise God for blessing us with every spiritual blessing In the heavenly places In Christ (1:3).

• You read It and It stops you In your tracks. Wait a minute! What? If I know Jesus as my personal Lord and savior then I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing In the heavenly places.

• Praise God Is the right response! Or as my younger friends say It… Let's go!

The Lord chooses to describe several aspects of our salvation that make up who we are In Jesus. Our series Is called Remembering Our Identity as One In Christ. We are saints -- what a great title. We are chosen --- what a reminder of grace. This morning, we’re discussing verse 5 – We Are Adopted in Christ.

I am going to read vv. 3-12. Please follow along as I read. This Is the Word of the Lord. [Read the Text]

Spiritual adoption is the act, at salvation, whereby God places the believer in his family.

Don't you love seeing adoption day pictures on Facebook? There Is the judge and then each member of the family Is all dressed up.

• They celebrate because something amazing just happened (maybe we should make that plural and say "somethings amazing just happened."). For the purposes of this message, It Is our spiritual adoption made on the day of our conversion.

• A day the Bible tells us that even angels rejoice.

I would like us to consider 5 incredible truths about our spiritual adoption.

I. Our Adoption Welcomes Us into a New Family

Ephesians 1:5a – He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself…

Wait a second … If we are welcomed Into a new family … that Is God's family through Jesus, then I must have belonged to a different family to begin with.

• I realize that saying people are not born in God's family is a hard truth. We even have children's songs that can be misunderstood.

• "Father Abraham, had many sons, many sons had father Abraham, I am one of them, and so are you…so let's just praise the Lord."

Well, It Is true that all those who place their faith In Jesus are sons of Abraham (Galatians 3). That means they are descendants of Abraham's faith because we are all justified by faith.

• It does not mean however, that everyone born Is a son of Abraham.

• In fact, even biological descendants are not "children of Abraham" In a spiritual sense automatically.

• It does not mean that every child born to or adopted by Christian parents Is a child of Abraham.

• We have all heard Pastor Viars say that God has no grandchildren.

Part of what makes adoption such a wonderful thing Is remembering what you were and your family heritage before your conversion. Paul uses "son" terminology to explain It In Ephesians 2.

Ephesians 2:1-3 – And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

According to this passage, we were part of the sons of disobedience, the children of wrath, living according to the will of the devil.

• As a result, we were part of the family of God's wrath against sin along with everyone else who was In the same state as us.

In Paul's life and our own, we did not need compelled to sin. We were already willing. Sin was our nature. Our brothers and sisters did the same.

• It came easy and without guilt. It was our core Identity.

But God did something. He had predestined us to be part of his family (a subject Pastor Aucoin explained last Sunday). When the time was right, the Lord moved.

• We were outside of God’s household and family and Christ compelled us with an invitation to join HIS family.

• Ephesians describes what happened:

Ephesians 1:13-14 – In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

Think for a moment about your conversion. Consider the day that It all clicked. One day you hear about Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection and It Is like "yeah, okay." But on that day of your conversion; you are compelled to act.

• This time you believe. You realize that this Is so much more than believing In Jesus as a historical figure and It Is about trusting Jesus as your savior and only hope of heaven.

Last Sunday that happened during the 9:30 service. A person who attends regularly heard the message of the gospel many times. But that day, January 28, was the day of his adoption Into the Lord's family.

Friends, you might be In that same situation today. You have heard the message of truth, the gospel, but you have not believed. Today could be that day for you. This week the author of I don't have enough Faith to be an atheist came to Purdue to demonstrate that faith Is not something only Christians exercise. The atheist exercises his religious convictions (that there Is no God) on the basis of faith.

• I appeal to you, It Is Impossible to live without faith. The only question Is which faith.

• The only compelling argument Is faith In the God of the old and new testaments.

• He says we were born as sons of disobedience doing the will and works of our father the devil. Our sin separates us from a holy God, but God being rich and mercy, loving us with great love sent him who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might be the righteousness of God In him.

• I urge you to acknowledge your sin and unworthiness. I Implore you to see yourself as small before the creator of the universe and to place your faith and trust In the D/B/R of Jesus Christ for your salvation.

When that day happened (or happens)…

Ephesians 2:19 – So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household

Suddenly, your core identity changed. You got a new father and new siblings.

• We are no longer aligned with the “sons of disobedience”—we are now brothers and sisters in Christ, with Jesus Himself as the first among many brethren.

• And Jesus’s reprimand to the Pharisees in John 8 no longer applies to us:

• · John 8:44 – You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father.

• § John 1:12-13 – But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

We received a whole new family and It Is way better than the our previous dysfunctional home where we all were sons of disobedience living for whatever we desire.

What implication does this have on our lives today?

A. Our new family is a present reality and independent of our own thoughts, words, and deeds

At first this might sound strange. But sometimes believers struggle with who they are. They get lost and begin to wonder their purpose or value.

• These believers often struggle with worry, anxiety, discouragement, and despair.

Here Is the reality, my children are Greens. There Is nothing they can do to change that.

• We love them as our children whether they do things that please and encourage us or whether they do things that disappoint us.

• If that Is true for us, how much more true Is It for the family of God?

John 10:27-30 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 “I and the Father are one.”

You are part of the Lord's family because he set his affections on you. Rather than live as a ball of discouragement, worry, or despair, you can rejoice that the Lord has blessed you with adoption --- one of the blessings In the heavenly places.

We ought to be the most happy, joy filled, knowing how to process our success and our failure, and trusting the Lord In the midst of difficult circumstances.

B. It should be obvious that we’re a part of a different family

If you’re in Christ, nothing you can think/say/do or fail to think/say/do will change your status. Once a person is "in Christ" there is no removing that person. However, If you are In Christ, then our thoughts and behavior should change.

It would be odd, for an adopted son living exactly as he did in his previous life—a slave of sin and Satan, aligning himself with everything the world values.

Romans 8 shares the importance of living faithful to our new Identity … again using the Imagery of sonship.

Romans 8:14-17 – For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 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 with our spirit that we are children of God, and if 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.

Don't you just love that?

The term “abba” was a term of endearment … maybe closer to daddy. It designates the closeness of the relationship. In the story line of the Bible this is totally amazing. Prior to Christ and adoption:

• You related to God understanding his holiness. Moses removed his shoes because he stood on holy ground.

• Isaiah proclaims that he is “undone” because he is standing in the presence of God.

• The average person worshipped God from a distance.

• The holy of holies was only allowed to be entered one day per year and only by the high priest.

• The holy place was restricted to the priests.

• There was a certain distance between you and God that demonstrated that God is not like you. You are not divine buddies.

Now that Christ has come adoption is available and the distance between God and his children has been closed.

• We no longer relate to God through the intercessory work of the priest, we no longer relate to God through barriers of walls and curtains to the holy and holy of holy places, we no longer relate to God through the killing of animals as an atonement for sin.

One of the gifts that God gave us was to invite us to come directly to him through the cross of Jesus Christ. Because Jesus satisfied the wrath of God against sin that has opened the door to you and I to come directly. He invites us to call him “abba” – a term of affection.

When a person is adopted into the family of God they not only close the distance between themselves and the Lord, but they also have an attentive father who is concerned about them.

That changes our attitude and our actions. We are the best employees, spouses, roommates, children, and citizens. We have an “abba – father”

As If that were not enough,

C. We become more like our new Father

I have used the glory of human adoption In this message, but even It falls short of the glory of spiritual adoption.

John MacArthur explains…

“Human parents can adopt children and come to love them every bit as much as they love their natural children. They can give an adopted child complete equality in the family life, resources, and inheritance. But no human parent can impart his own distinct nature to an adopted child. Yet that is what God miraculously does to every person whom He has elected and who has trusted in Christ. He makes them sons just like His divine Son. Christians not only have all of the Son’s riches and blessings but all of the Son’s nature.” – MacArthur, Ephesians: MNTC, 15-16.

We are told that the Lord is conforming us to the image of his son. In the end, John tells us

1 John 3:1-3 – See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

Isn’t spiritual adoption awesome?!?! The first truth Is that we receive a new family. Truth #2…

II. Our Adoption Came at a High Price

Ephesians 1:5a – He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself…

The text says through Jesus Christ to himself. Only a few words, but full of meaning.

I, at times, have bristled when I hear the cost of adoption. I realize that sometimes adoptions occur for free and society continues to pay after the adoption Is final. However, a quick google search said the low end for adoptions was $25,000.

• We know that when a family chooses to adopt they choose to make sacrifices of various kinds. There Is a cost. Adoptive parents might struggle If their adopted child Is not appreciative.

Let's consider our spiritual adoption. What price had to be paid for you and I to adopted and made sons and daughters of God?

Ephesians 1:7a – In Him we have redemption through His blood,

There was no other way. How can God's wrath against sin -- against our sin -- be satisfied? How can a holy God be just in rescuing anyone? Hebrews says It this way …

Hebrews 2:10 – For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.

Isaiah 53 says it pleased the Lord to bruise him. On the cross Jesus cries out My God, My God Why have you forsaken me?

Our spiritual adoption was not paid for In cash. It had to be through his death because our adoption could only occur through Jesus Christ to Himself.

What are some implications of this truth?

• I believe that when we appreciate the cost that Jesus had to pay in order to secure our adoption

• (1) it elicits gratitude in our hearts resulting In us using our voices to thank him

• Ever received a gift you knew hurt the person to give It to you?

• We are tempted to take our sin lightly. Even though the price paid for the worst sinner (by our definition) was the same as ours -- the life of our savior.

• How deep the father's love for us. How vast beyond all measure. That we would give his only son to make a wretch his treasure…. as wounds which mar the chosen one bring many sons to glory.

Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

• But the end of v 7 and the beginning of v 11 discuss the third incredible truth surrounding our spiritual adoption…

III. Our Adoption occurs because of his kind Intention

Ephesians 1:5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will

Have you ever received a gift and wondered If the person was compelled to give It to you? It Is my duty to give this to you.

• Let's say that you buy a person a Christmas present two years ago and they got you nothing. That Is perfectly fine … you did not care anyway. However, the next year comes and they buy you something.

• You just wonder about motivation. You appreciate the gift, but still wonder.

I love this about v. 5. No part of this adoption process was forced or coerced. The Lord was not regretting his decision to put this plan In motion. The Lord was not forced to bring It about. The Lord was not even coerced once he started It.

Your adoption and my adoption and the adoptions that we hope to see this year are a direct result of God's kindness.

• God delights In his plans. Yes, there was a cost, but the cost was well worth It.

Also because of God's purpose. He Is doing exactly what he Intended.

Isn't that just amazing that God would delight In his purpose to crush his son so that he can bring many sons to glory? Wowzers.

• Are you rejoicing In your heart?

• Are we keeping this glorious truth amazing?

IV. Our Adoption Results in Astounding Blessings

We have already realized that we have a new family, a loving father who allows us to call him father rather than one who hates us and wants to destroy us, and a loving father who Is continually conforming us Into the Image of God. We are not done.

A. Adoption is a unique privilege

I did not know how to exactly express this idea. Wayne Grudem, in his systematic theology, says that we could have been saved without adoption. It was not a necessary condition of salvation, but rather an unexpected bonus. Listen to his argument.

“Although adoption is a privilege that comes to us at the time we become Christians (John 1:12; Gal 3:26; 1 John 3:1 – 2), nevertheless, it is a privilege that is distinct from justification and distinct from regeneration. In regeneration we are made spiritually alive, able to relate to God in prayer and worship and able to hear his Word with receptive hearts. But it is possible that God could have creatures who are spiritually alive and yet are not members of his family and do not share the special privileges of family members — angels, for example, apparently fall into that category. Therefore, it would have been possible for God to decide to give us regeneration without the great privileges of adoption into his family. Moreover, God could have given us justification without the privileges of adoption into his family, for he could have forgiven our sins and given us right legal standing before him without making us his children. It is important to realize this because it helps us to recognize how great are our privileges in adoption.

Regeneration has to do with our spiritual life within. Justification has to do with our standing before God’s law. But adoption has to do with our relationship with God as our Father, and in adoption we are given many of the greatest blessings that we will know for all eternity. When we begin to realize the excellence of these blessings, and when we appreciate that God has no obligation to give us any of them, then we will be able to exclaim with the apostle John, “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1).” – Grudem, Systematic Theology, 738-739.

This Is mind blowing. God could have redeemed us (something we will discuss later In this series) and could have forgiven us (again, something we will discuss more later) without making us part of the family.

The more I thought about It, the better adoption sounded. We might find many ways to bless people around us, but to be adopted that Is different. Here Is one personal story.

• In fact, this year Stephanie bought new Christmas stockings and she wanted them all to match (our previous ones were hodge podges of purchases through the years).

• But there were two very significant questions that had to be answered. How many? 4, 5, or 6. I guess you could ask whether we would anticipate our other two children marrying.

• Who would get their name on them?

• We decided to buy 6. We thought that was the prudent thing to do. But only 4 got names.

• We decided that to get a name on your stocking, you had to be part of the family. You must be a son or daughter.

Using my little analogy, Isn't It amazing that God not only saved us, but gave us a stocking with our name on It? We also see …

B. We receive an inheritance

Ephesians 1:11a – [In Him] also we have obtained an inheritance…

It is truly amazing that the Lord also gives us a stake in his heaven. This truth occurs in Galatians 4 as well. It says.

Galatians 4:1-7 – Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

What then does an heir receive? All that God has promised.

Romans 8:32 – He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

I have a difficult time Imagining what heaven will be like. I relate to the song, "I can only Imagine." The Bible describes heaven In terms that I cannot experience living In a sin cursed world. But It sounds amazing.

The final truth about adoption, which, I have hinted at before, but would now like to make explicit Is …

V. Our Adoption is Final

“Finalization day” Is the day when the family goes to the courthouse for a judge to declare an adoption “final.” Family and friends celebrate together the finalized adoption.

In heaven it is much the same …

Luke 15:10 – In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

Once It Is final, Romans 8 tells us that there Is nothing that can separate us from the love of God In Christ. John 10 says that no one can snatch us from the father's hand. When he makes us his, he makes us his permanently.

So brothers and sisters—fellow adoptees and family members—let’s rejoice (be happy … have a party) that…

• Our adoption welcomes us into a new family

• Where we have a compassionate and loving father

• It only came through Jesus and his sacrifice

• It was not out of coercion, but rather joyful purpose

• Our name Is on the Christmas stocking and our Inheritance lasts forever.

• He keeps us his forever

What an Identity that frees us to live faithfully for him and most Importantly results In v. 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.