Adoption Through Jesus, Why?

November 2023: National Adoption Month

Message Two

Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:26-38; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Peter 2:21-24; Matthew 4:1-11.

ETS: Jesus was the only means for humans to become children of God.

ESS: Jesus is the only way for humans to become children of God.

OSS: [Doctrinal] {I want the hearers to understand why Jesus is the only way to God, and I want them to worship Him because of His sinlessness.}

PQ:

Why is Jesus qualified to be the one through whom we are adopted?

UW: Reasons

Intro.:

TS: Let us examine a few reasons that Jesus is qualified to be the one we are adopted through:

Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit. [Is. 7:14; Mt. 1:18-23; Lk. 1:26-38]

Isaiah 7:14 “14 Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.”

Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:26-38.

It was not only prophesied that Jesus would be born of the virgin Mary, but it is fulfilled in the New Testament.

The virgin birth of Jesus is important to our theology and understanding of who He is for the following reason:

Jesus was born supernaturally through the Holy Spirit rather than natural intercourse, thus avoiding the curse and inheritance of the sin nature that all humans inherit.

Takeaway: Jesus is qualified to be the one through whom we are adopted because He was conceived supernaturally through the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, thus avoiding the curse of sin.

Jesus was sinless. [2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:14-16; 1 Pt. 2:21-24; Mt. 4:1-11]

As a result of Jesus avoiding the curse of sin, He remained sinless even as a human upon the earth. Consider the following Passages with me:

2 Cor. 5:21 “21 He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” - Jesus did not know sin.

Heb. 4:14-16 “14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.” - Jesus was yet without sin.

1 Pt. 2:21-24 “21 For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth; 23 when he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” - Jesus did not commit sin.

Though only a few, these Passages support that Jesus was sinless.

Considering such, lets examine one other Passage today, gleaning from the important aspects of the Passage:

Mt. 4:1-11.

Aspects:

Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan.

The nature of the temptation was the same as that which Adam and Eve encountered in the Garden of Eden.

Remember Genesis 3:6-7? Specifically the following phrases: The woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. Present in this passage are seemingly the three chief temptations of the flesh, as John describes them “that are not from the Father, but from the world” (1 Jn. 2:16) In the temptation encounter between Satan and Jesus, notice these key phrases: tell these stones to become bread; had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple…throw yourself down; the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor and said to him I will give you all these…” ---The importance of this is that inasmuch as Adam and Eve faced the same temptations (and the Israelites) and failed, Jesus resisted the enemy. Thus, whereas one failed and sinned, Jesus redeemed their sinfulness through His sinlessness.

The duration of the days of Jesus in the wilderness directly corresponds to the number of years the Israelites were in the wilderness.

The Israelites grumbled, complained, doubted and failed to trust; Jesus stood strong, fully trusted God, and remained sinless throughout.

Takeaway: Jesus is qualified to be the One through whom we are adopted because He remained sinless in temptation whereas we are sinful; He redeems our sinfulness in His own sinlessness.

CONCLUSION:

[1] Have you considered the importance of Jesus in your story?

You cannot be a child of God without Him being part of your story.

[2] Do you realize the importance of Jesus’ virgin birth and sinlessness?