Preparing for Glory

How does God view you? As one who always needs to be kept in line. One who needs to keep trying to do better. One who he constantly needs to correct and

Intro

Do you love your family?

Most of us would say “yes” but mainly because we have to. We are born into the family and since blood is thicker than water we

Illus: Fight with family

Sisters -

Changed the relationship drastically

Have you ever a such a drastic change in relationship

Drama

Mary arrives at the tomb after Peter and John

Mary was also a disciples - “My Lord”

She is visited by two angels

All of heaven was interested in this great turning point in the History of Mankind - Resurrection

Then Jesus appears - Resurrected Lord

There is a change in the fellowship with Jesus than what she originally had

Jesus begins with the words “Woman”

John 20:15 ESV

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”

John 20:15

But, Jesus responds in a very unique way:

He calls her - Mariam

An enduring name that only friends and family would call her

She calls him - Rabboni

Kistimaker makes a case for this term being used elsewhere to refer to a very special Rabbi - Teacher

It is also used in reference to God

There is value in a name

Jesus reveals himself through word not sight

Jesus makes sure she knows that he will departing soon

He is preparing for glory - The ascension

He is ascending to God the Father

John 20:17 ESV

Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”

Mary’s relationship with God had changed

Jesus calls the disciples - Brothers

God now becomes Father - “my Father and your Father”

God’s new name to be used by us is Father

The relationship all of God’s elect had with Him changed

Doctrine

When you become a Christian you receive a new name - Conversion

Not literally, but the name by which we are called is a name that shows we have a new status with God

John 20:17 ESV

Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”

It was no longer to be a material fellowship

Heaven was greatly interested in Jesus Resurrection

Everything turned from wordly or earthly to heavenly

This name is given by Jesus

Angels became involved in the message to Mary

Jesus himself shows up

Revelation 2:17 ESV

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

Jesus reveals himself to whom he desires

Those of Satan

Rev.

Those who are conquerors

Mary did not know who he was when she saw him

She knew who he was by his voice

The saints are given new names who are part of the seven churches

Conversion - ordo Salutas

Jesus calls men to himself

When we become a Christian we are given a new family

Preached Word of God

Jesus reveals himself in a very personal way

Mary - Mariam

This is how she would have been known by her closest friend and family

Disciples - brothers

The relationship with God and His people restored

He will ascend to be glorified and has won for us a new fellowship with God called adoption

1 Corinthians 15:20–23 ESV

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

1 Cor

The Westminster Confession of Faith: Edinburgh Edition Chapter XII. Of Adoption

CHAPTER XII. Of Adoption

ALL those that are justified, God vouchsafeth, in and for his only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption: by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God;b have his name put upon them, receive the Spirit of adoption;d have access to the throne of grace with boldness; are enabled to cry, Abba, Father;f are pitied, protected,h provided for, and chastened by him as by a father;k yet never cast off, but sealed to the day of redemption,m and inherit the promises, as heirs of everlasting salvation.o

vouch·safe verb - give or grant (something) to (someone) in a gracious or condescending manner.

vouCHˈsāf,ˈvouCHˌsāf/ verb give or grant (something) to (someone) in a gracious or condescending manner.

Benefits of adoption/took place in the moments of the resurrection

Acces to the throne of Grace -

Doxology

able to cry, Abba, Father

pitied and protected and chastened by the Father

Never cast off

Sealed until the end

inherit the promises

heirs of everlasting salvation

Doxology

Wow,

Illus:

Do you believe it?

Do you believe you are adopted by God the Father

Jesus is the firstfruits, who calls you brother

Paul on the road to damascus

Equal to all rights and privileges in this new fellowship

Have you accepted it?

Praise God that your relationship has changed with God

You have been given a new name

This is how you should then love your life

as a conquerer and child of God

App: Live life as a child of God

People know whose kid you are and you act based off of that

You have been given a new status with God

adopted -

“I have to love you” versus “I chose to love you”

Christ’s glory - firstfruits will be our glory

Christ calls us brothers, fellow heirs

Are you living it?

App: This is the story we should be sharing with our neighbors

You have been adopted into a fellow body of believers

Are you sharing it with others?

You are a part of the church

App: Our love for one another should be long-suffering based off of this fact alone.

Illus: American’s are once again divided on many fronts aren’t we.

Read the news - School in Maryland fighting over Native American Headdress worn at sporting events for years

Effects of Original sin is we have lost this mutual fellowship with one another

9/11 and America’s rally to get those who took down the town towers

All barriers broken for a common cause and goal

America was united -

ARP - denomination is one that has not ever split, but has rather been one that has united to create the denomination

Christ’s church is the restoring of that bond and moving us toward glory - following Christ

Imagine if we as Christians all took our adoption seriously and rallied around one common cause - Jesus Christ and sharing His message

Conclusion

How does God view you?

He views you as sons and daughters whom He loved so much that He sent his only son to die on the cross, to be buried, and raised on the third day so you can have a restored relationship with Him.

He is not a God who stands and Lords over you what He has done, but one who reaches down and says: you are my child.

Adoption is God’s grace extended to us