Our Heavenly Father

Introduction

Adoption papers as Christmas gifts.

Why so exciting? Just a piece of paper?

Romans 9:4–5 NIV

Theirs is the huiothesia; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

We are not NATURAL heirs of God—we have to be ADOPTED. (Romans 9:4-5)

We can already tell that there is some benefit of being God’s heir, but what does it really mean?

Adoption means we will RECEIVE the BLESSINGS of God. (Ephesians 1:3-14)

READ EPHESIANS 1:3-12

Redemption

Forgiveness

Revelation of his plan

Being part of the praise of his glory

But this promise is not just for the Jews.

READ EPHESIANS 1:13-14

We also have been adopted when we put our faith in Jesus Christ—and the proof is the spirit.

But how are we to the praise of his glory, on this side of our inheritance?

Inheritance makes a difference in our lives.

READ ROMANS 8:5-17

Because we know we will inherit righteousness and eternal life, we are freed from the power of death and sin.

Adoption means we are free from the power of DEATH and SIN. (Romans 8:5-17)

Paul says that this inheritance does something the law could not do. It makes it so we no longer need the guide of the law.

READ GALATIANS 4:1-7

Apparently Jesus changes our status from slave to heir.

In this case, the difference is in our ability to take on responsibility.

We needed the law to guide us before, because we were enslaved to death and sin.

Now we are ready to inherit. We can be trusted with the family business.

Adoption means we are entrusted with the FAMILY BUSINESS. (Galatians 4:1-7, 5:13-26)

What does the family business look like?

READ GALATIANS 5:13-26

Loving neighbor, living according to the Spirit.

Living this way makes something new possible:

READ EPHESIANS 2:8-22

Because we are all adopted, we are equal members of one family.

We are able share together in the family business because we have equal, undeserved status.

Adoption means we are a FAMILY of GRACE. (Ephesians 2:8-22)

This is why Paul could say, back in Galatians,

Galatians 3:26–29 NIV

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Daily Readings

Mon, Dec 1: Psalm  79–80 |  2 Kings 22:1–10 ( God’s Word Reclaimed)

Tue, Dec 2: Psalm  81–83 |  2 Kings 22:11–20 ( God’s Word Leads to Repentance)

Wed, Dec 3: Psalm  84–86 |  Luke 24:25–32 ( God’s Word Touches Hearts)

Thu, Dec 4: Psalm  87–88 |  Nehemiah 8:1–8 ( God’s Word Interpreted)

Fri, Dec 5: Psalm 89 |  John 5:37–47 ( God’s Word Testifies of Jesus)

Sat, Dec 6: Psalm  90–92 |  John 17:14–19 ( God’s Word Is Truth)

Sun, Dec 7: Psalm  93–95 |  Psalm 19:7–13 ( God’s Word Is Perfect)