Adopted into God's Family

Illustration:

Imagine a child living in an orphanage. They have no family, and they're waiting and hoping for someone to take them home. One day, a couple walks in and chooses that child to be a part of their family. They say, "We've been looking for you. We want you to be a part of our family." The child is overjoyed because they're no longer alone. They're loved, wanted, and now have a family.

This is what happens to us when we put our faith in Christ. We are no longer alone. We are adopted into God's family, and that changes everything about how we live our lives.

Today, we will explore what it means to be adopted into God's family and how it impacts our identity. I'm excited to preach this message, and I hope you're ready to receive it with an open heart.

Are you ready to dive into our main theme for today?

The Incredible Truth of Adoption

Let's read Ephesians 1:5-6 together to understand the truth of adoption:

Ephesians 1:5–6 (NLT)

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.

God decided in advance to adopt us into His family through Jesus Christ. This was His plan, and it brought Him great pleasure. So, we praise God for His grace poured out on us, His children.

Before we talk about what adoption means to us, let's understand how adoption was viewed in the past.

Adoption, especially in Roman culture, had significant cultural and legal implications. When a family adopted a child, they treated them like their biological child. The child's past didn't matter anymore because they were part of a new family. This was a big deal in terms of family lineage and inheritance.

The original audience would have understood the concept of being adopted by God.

Highlight the significance of God choosing to adopt us as His children.

The same is true for us. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we become children of God. This changes everything. God loved us so much that He planned our adoption by sending His Son to die for us.

God loves you, and He chose you to be a part of His family. You are no longer defined by your past, but by your new identity in Christ.

Emphasize that adoption is not based on our merit but on God's grace and love.

Our adoption is not something we earn. It is based on God's incredible love for us. He is our Father, and we share in all the blessings and privileges of being part of His family.

Please don't confuse this with the idea of prosperity and wealth. Our privileges come from Scripture and belong to all of God's children.

Now, let's explore the blessings and privileges we receive as children of God.

Privileges and Blessings of Being Children of God

In Romans 8:14-17, we discover some of the blessings of being God's children:

Romans 8:14–17 (NASB)

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 bears witness 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 in order that we may also be glorified with Him.

All who are led by the Spirit of God are His children. We have not received a spirit of fear but of adoption. We can now call God "Abba, Father." The Holy Spirit affirms that we are God's children. And as His children, we are His heirs. We share in His glory but must also share in His suffering.

One of the blessings is that we have direct access to God our Father. We can call Him "Abba," which means "Father" or "Daddy." We have a deep and intimate relationship with Him, just like a child calling their father "Daddy." We can approach God with familiarity and openness, knowing that He loves and cares for us.

As children of God, we are no longer slaves to fear. We are led by the Holy Spirit, who guides us, helps us make good choices, and draws us closer to God. We have a close and joyful relationship with Him, not one filled with fear and strict rules.

We also become co-heirs with Christ. This means that we share in the blessings, benefits, and promises that Jesus received from God the Father. We have the opportunity to inherit eternal life, be reconciled with God, and have a relationship with Him. Being co-heirs with Christ shows the immense love and grace of God towards us.

Identification with Christ means that we share in His suffering and triumph over sin and death. This reminds us of our value and worth in God's eyes and encourages us to live in a way that reflects our identity as joint inheritors with Jesus.

Impact of Our Identity as Sons and Daughters:

- Share personal testimonies or stories of individuals who have experienced the transformative power of embracing their identity as children of God.

These stories reveal the profound impact that recognizing and embracing our identity as children of God can have on our lives. They showcase how individuals have experienced healing, restoration, and a renewed sense of purpose and direction when they fully embrace their identity as beloved children of God. These personal testimonies serve as powerful examples of the life-changing transformation that can occur when we wholeheartedly embrace our identity as children of God.

- Discuss how our identity as sons and daughters of the King impacts our confidence.

When we understand that we are children of the King of kings, it radically transforms our confidence and self-worth.

We no longer need to seek validation or approval from the world because we know that our identity and value come from our heavenly Father.

This realization empowers us to walk with confidence, knowing that we are deeply loved and accepted by God.

Our identity as children of the King gives us the assurance that we have inherent worth and significance, which fuels our confidence in all areas of life.

- Explain that our security is rooted in God's unchanging love and acceptance.

As children of God, our security does not depend on our circumstances or the opinions of others. Our security is firmly rooted in the unchanging love and acceptance of our heavenly Father.

He loves us with an unconditional and everlasting love, regardless of our flaws, mistakes, or failures.

This knowledge provides us with a deep sense of security, knowing that we are eternally held and cherished by God.

We can rest in the assurance that His love for us will never fade or waver, giving us peace and stability in every season of life.

- Discuss the inheritance we receive as children of God, including eternal life and the promise of a future with Him in His kingdom.

Embracing our identity as children of God grants us a remarkable inheritance.

Not only do we receive the gift of eternal life, but we also have the assurance of a future spent in the glorious presence of God in His kingdom.

This inheritance is not based on our own merit or achievements, but rather on the grace and love of our heavenly Father.

It is a promise that surpasses all earthly treasures and offers us hope, purpose, and an eternal destiny that far exceeds anything we could ever imagine.

Living Out Our Identity in Christ

- Understanding our identity in Christ as the foundation for our actions: Our identity in Christ should shape how we live our lives.

We develop an understanding of who we are in Christ, knowing that we are loved, accepted, and chosen by God.

This understanding serves as the foundation for our actions, guiding us to live in a way that aligns with our identity as children of God.

- we will Walk-in obedience and love, reflecting our Father's character:

As children of God, we are called to walk in obedience and love, just as Jesus did.

We are called to reflect our Father's character in everything we do, showing love, kindness, forgiveness, and compassion to others.

Our actions should mirror the love and grace that God has shown us.

- we will serve others with humility and compassion, as Christ did:

Following the example of Jesus, we are called to serve others with humility and compassion.

As children of God, we are called to love and care for others, meeting their needs and showing them God's love through our actions.

We should serve others selflessly and sacrificially, just as Christ served us.

- we will Share the truth of our adoption with others and inviting them into God's family:

As children of God, we have the privilege and responsibility to share the truth of our adoption with others.

We should share our testimonies and the transformative power of embracing our identity as children of God.

We should invite others into God's family, sharing the love and grace of God with them and encouraging them to accept Jesus as their Savior.

By living out our identity in Christ, we not only experience the fullness of God's love and grace in our own lives but also become ambassadors for Christ, reflecting His character and inviting others into a relationship with Him.

Recognizing our identity as children of God enables us to live with a sense of anticipation and joy, knowing that our ultimate inheritance awaits us in the loving embrace of our heavenly Father.

Conclusion

As we wrap up today's message, I want to extend a call to action to both those who have already accepted Jesus as their Savior and those who have yet to do so.

For those who have already embraced their identity as sons and daughters of God, I encourage you to continue living out your faith with confidence and boldness.

Let the truth of your adoption into God's family shape every aspect of your life. Seek to deepen your relationship with Him, allowing His Spirit to lead and guide you.

For those who have not yet accepted Jesus as their Savior, I invite you to consider the incredible opportunity that awaits you.

God is extending His loving arms, ready to welcome you into His family. If you desire to experience the joy and security of being adopted into God's family, I encourage you to pray and invite Jesus into your heart.

Acknowledge your need for Him and His forgiveness, and embrace His gift of salvation.

We should all respond to this message by fully embracing our identity as sons and daughters of God.

walking with confidence, knowing that we are loved, accepted, and chosen by our Heavenly Father.

And as we live out this truth, may our lives become a testament to His grace and love, drawing others into the family of God.

Illustration:

Imagine, if you will, a child living in an orphanage. They have no family, no one to call their own. They live day by day, waiting and hoping for someone to come and take them home. One day, a couple walks in, they look around, their eyes scanning the room. Suddenly, their gaze falls on this child and their faces light up. They walk over, kneel down to the child's level and say, "We've been looking for you. We want you to be part of our family."

This is the joyous moment the child has been waiting for. They are no longer alone. They are wanted, they are loved, and they have a family.

Just like that child, we have the opportunity to be adopted into the family of God. The invitation is extended to each and every one of us. Will you accept His love and grace? Will you choose to embrace your identity as a beloved son or daughter of the King? The decision is yours.

May we all respond to this call with open hearts and a willingness to surrender to God's love. Let us experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from being part of His family. And as we do, may our lives be a testament to His goodness and grace, drawing others into the loving embrace of our Heavenly Father.

Together, let us walk in the truth of our adoption as sons and daughters of God, embracing our identity in Christ and sharing His love with the world.