The Gospel is Adoption

One of the most beautiful moves that a person, couple, or family can make is to adopt a child. The welcoming of a little girl or boy into one’s life and home delivers immeasurable benefits and blessings for the child, the family, and, it is not an exaggeration to say, society as a whole.

Adoption, on its face, is among the most profound expressions of sacrificial love we will ever see. And it is adoption that comes into focus as we look at Romans 8:12-17 this Sunday. Not the adoption of a child into a home, but that of repentant sinners into the family of God. The Apostle writes that we, “Have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [and daughters], by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” Our state as sinners is that of orphan. The kindness of God in sending his Son to die on the cross made possible the forgiveness of our sins, our adoption into his family, and the receiving of the unimaginable, eternal benefits that result from our God doing this for us. This too is “The Power of the Gospel” in our lives.

Complete Livestream

Sermon Notes

The Power of the Gospel (Romans 1-8)
The Gospel is Adoption
Todd Dugard
Romans 8:12-17

Sunday, February 21, 2021

When I am adopted into God’s family…

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I owe nothing to my former self (v. 12-13)

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I embrace my new identity (v. 14)

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I fear no judgement for my sin (v. 15a)

Revelation 12:10

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I enjoy an intimate relationship with my Father (v. 15b-16)

Jo Saxton
"When it's hard to call God Father"
Christianity Today
https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2015/june-web-only/when-its-hard-to-call-god-father.html (pay wall)
https://www.josaxton.com/notes/2012/06/17/reflecting-on-fathers-day
Also search "Jo Saxton" on Right Now Media (https://www.harvestbarrie.ca/teaching/rightnowmedia/)

God is insistent. He can reach us no matter what our earthly dads are like.
Jeff Peabody
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I eagerly await my glorious inheritance (v. 17)

This life, therefore, is not righteousness but growth in righteousness, not health but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise; we are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it; the process is not yet finished, but it is going on; this is not the end, but it is the road; all does not yet gleam with glory, but all is being purified.
Martin Luther