Adopted into Sonship

Adopted With Christ: Living as Children of the King

Bible Passage: 2 Co 6:14–7:4, Ro 7:1–13

Summary: These passages highlight the call for believers to live in holiness, reflecting their status as adopted children of God, and the transformative power of being united with Christ in His death and resurrection.

Application: This sermon encourages Christians to understand their identity as adopted children of God, motivating them to live lives that honor their heavenly Father and resist the temptations of sin and the world. It provides practical steps to embrace holiness in everyday actions and relationships.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that adoption into God's family is a profound transformation that necessitates a life of holiness and separation from sin. It emphasizes the believer's new identity in Christ and the moral implications that result from being united with Him.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the greater narrative of Scripture, Christ is the ultimate embodiment of God's redemptive plan, who not only enables our adoption but also serves as the perfect model of holiness and righteousness for believers to follow. His death and resurrection empower us to live in accordance with our new identity.

Big Idea: As adopted children of God, we are called to live lives of holiness that reflect our new identity in Christ, empowered by the Spirit to resist sin and embody the character of our Father.

Recommended Study: Consider studying the theological implications of adoption in Christ as presented in Ephesians and Galatians, examining how these texts inform our understanding of identity in Christ. Additionally, explore exegetical commentaries on 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:4 and Romans 7:1–13 to unpack the nuances of holiness and the law, utilizing Logos to examine original language aspects that may impact your interpretation.

1. Called to Covenantal Separation

2 Co 6:14-18

Begin with discussing the imperative of separation from darkness, emphasizing that as adopted children of God, believers are called to distinctiveness in holiness. You c

Paul speaks of the future resurrection as a major motive for treating our bodies properly in the present time (1 Corinthians 6:14), and as the reason, not for sitting back and waiting for it all to happen, but for working hard in the present, knowing that nothing done in the Lord, in the power of the Spirit, in the present time will be wasted in God’s future (1 Corinthians 15:58)

N. T. Wright

ould expound on how our new identity enables us to resist worldly influence. Highlight how this separation is not isolation but a covenantal reminder of whose we are, rooted in Christ's redemptive work. Perhaps encourage your audience to examine areas in their lives needing alignment with this holy calling. The presence of Christ anchors this separation, allowing us to be in the world but not of it.

2. Commit to Continual Cleansing

2 Co 6:19–7:1

Reflect on the promises of being God's people and the personal cleansing required. You might suggest that this involves not just inward renewal but outward transformation. Focus on the practical aspect of daily cleansing as a response to God's promise, empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Christocentric view underscores that Christ’s work enables this purification process. Encourage them to let go of habits or thoughts that hinder their being reflections of God’s holiness, trusting in Jesus’ sanctifying power.

3. Cultivate Community Reconciliation

2 Co 7:2-4

Consider Paul's appeal for reconciliation and mutual encouragement within the church. Here, you could emphasize that as adopted children, believers belong to a family where relationships matter deeply. Point out that living in holiness calls for unity in the body of Christ, supported by love and understanding. Reinforce that through Christ, believers are empowered to live in peace and confront conflicts with grace. It’s an opportunity to stress reconciliation—both with God and each other—as central to our identity in Christ.

4. Cherish the Liberty in Christ

Ro 7:1-6

Transition into discussing freedom from the law through union with Christ, shedding light on how this releases us from the demands of legalism to live by the Spirit. Perhaps articulate that believers, as God’s children, experience a new way of serving God—not in oldness but in new life. This union calls us to bear fruit for God, contrasting the previous bondage to sin. Christ’s victory provides the framework for not just adherence but joyful, Spirit-led obedience.

5. Confront Sin's Deception with Christ

Ro 7:7-13

Dive into the function of the law as revealing sin, which underscores the need for Christ’s redemptive grace. Here, you could explain that understanding the law’s role leads to a deeper appreciation of grace, driving believers to love obedience. Stress that the law is not the problem; rather, it points us to our need for Christ. Encourage believers to see challenges with sin as opportunities to rely on Christ’s power actively. This point highlights our constant need for Christ, who embodies holiness and enables us to pursue it.