Adoption

Main Them

Adopted into God’s Family.

Welcome

Welcome to House of Bethany. My name is Samuel Teka, I serve as the pastor here. 

If it’s your first time, I’m are glad you are here. And if you’re already part of the family, happy to see you guys again. 

Our what and why is very simple here: We create a space for people to encounter Jesus and be transformed. 

Regardless of who are or whatever your beliefs or background is, I believe one encounter with Jesus can change everything.

You don’t have to have it all figured out to have a place here.

My/our hope is that you would experience the love and presence of Jesus in a real way as you keep on coming. 

Main Passage

Ephesians 1:1–14 ESV

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Title

Adoption

Prayer

In Jesus name, amen!

Introduction

Story

Explanation

Illustration

Matthew 3:16–17 ESV

“And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Application

Context

Historical Background

Author:

Paul, the Apostle.

Audience:

Gentile Believers

Place:

Scholars believe this letter was encyclical, which means it was distributed to several house churches in Asia with Ephesus being the primary church addressed.

Probably because (1) Ephesus was the capital city of Asia during that period of time and (2) Paul stayed in Ephesus for 3 years, which is the longest he’s ever stayed in a city during his missionary trips (Acts 19-20).

Time:

The letter was written in 60-62 AD, which is around the time Paul was imprisoned in Rome and later on martyred.

Ephesians is what scholars call the “Prison Epistles” along with Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

Purpose:

Unlike Pauls other epistles, there is no particular problem he’s addressing, instead the main theme is unity IN Christ.

Historical background for Ephesians 1.5:

Ephesians 1:4–5 ESV

In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

Adoption in the ancient world wasn’t rescuing kids like it’s seen and practiced today. You adopted a child because you found someone who exceeded in their capabilities.

It was the child’s ability to represent the family well, particularly to perpetuate the fathers name, to manage the families future and to inherit the families estate to take it further and make it better than it was. It was truly first class adoption.

In Roman family law there is what’s called - “Patria - Protestas” (Latin for: power of the Father)

It meant that the Father has absolute power and authority over the Son, no matter how old.

In those days, if the adopting Father wanted the son of another family, the biological father would go through a negotiation to Pass on the Patria Protestas (pass on the power and authority to the adopting father).

This happened in two steps:

ēmancipātiō" - to take out of someones hand.

Symbolic (3 times): Scales & pieces of copper: (a) Here’s the boy, (b) money would be put on a scale, and (c) Father would take him back again to demonstrate reluctance. 3rd time, the father didn’t take him back. It’s then that the Patra- Protestas would be transferred to the adopting Father.

Vindicatio - which means to bring legal action to assert formal ownership over something or someone. Adopting Father would go to the pretor (roman official or magistrate) to complete the process of adoption.

Transitional Sentence

When the adoption takes place, there are 4 incredible realities that take place for that child.

Today, we are going to look at these 4 together and learn what it means for God to adopts us into His family.

Points

1st reality: Transferred

Explanation

The adopted son lost all rights in his former family and then is transferred to have all the rights of his new family.

Illustration

Colossians 1:13 ESV

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

Application

ME:

WE:

2nd reality: An Heir

Explanation

Illustration

Romans 8:16–17 ESV

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Luke 15:31 ESV

And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

Application

ME:

WE:

3rd reality: Record is Erased

Explanation

The old life of the adopted person was completely gone. It was as if he never lived. As if born the day he/she was adopted. new life. All the records and debts the child formally had in their past is completely erased

Illustration

2 Corinthians 5:17–18 ESV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

Colossians 2:14 ESV

by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Application

ME:

WE:

4 reality: Permanent Sonship

Explanation

Illustration

John 1:12–13 ESV

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Application

ME:

“Adoption gives us the name, status, and privileges of God's family; regeneration gives us the nature of our new family.” - John Macarthur

WE:

Call to Action

Unbeliever:

Believer:

Communion

Matthew 26:26–29 ESV

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Prayer/Blessing

Numbers 6:24–26 ESV

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. In Jesus name, Amen!