The Adoption of Sons

TEXT: Gal. 4:1-7

INTRODUCTION:

A. MANY FIGURES USED TO CONTRAST PAST AND PRESENT CONDITION.

B. HERE WE HAVE THE FIGURE OF ADOPTED CHILDREN.

1. Used of Israel ( Ex. 4:22; Hos. 11:1 ).

2. Picture a family taking in strays – homeless, helpless, perhaps naughty.

C. A FIGURE THAT IS USED OFTEN AND HAS MANY LESSONS.

I. WE ARE IN EITHER OF TWO FAMILIES ( John 8:31-44 ).

A. CHLDREN OF GOD – OR THE DEVIL ( vs. 38, 42-44 ).

– No middle ground, either one or the other.

B. THEY DEPENDED ON THEIR DESCENDENCY FROM ABRAHAM (vs. 39 ).

1. John’s answer ( Matt. 3:9-10 ).

2. Jesus’ answer (John 8:39 ).

a. What are the works of Abraham? ( Gal. 3:6-7 ).

b. Involves allegiance to Christ ( Gal. 3:29 ).

C. HARSH CONDEMNATION OF JESUS ( John 8:44 ).

D. WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE? ( vs. 43, 47 ).

E. WHO IS YOUR FATHER? WHO DO YOU OBEY?

II. WHAT MAKES THIS ADOPTION POSSIBLE? ( Eph. 2:1-7 ).

A. PAST CONDITION – DEAD, CHILDREN OF WRATH ( vs. 1, 3 ).

SONS OF DISOBEDIENCE ( vs. 2 ).

B. MADE ALIVE WITH CHRIST ( vs. 5 ).

1. Eph. 1:5.

2. Bought by his blood ( vs. 6-7 ).

III. WHAT WAS GOD’S MOTIVE? ( Titus 3:3-7 ).

A. PAST ( vs. 3 ).

B. KINDNESS, LOVE, MERCY, Grace.

C. UNMERITED (vs. 5 ).

1. 1 John 4:9-10; Rom. 5:8.

2. Does not negate the command of God ( Luke 17:10 ).

IV. BLESSINGS OF ADOPTION ( Rom. 8:14-18 ).

A. ( vs. 14 ). LED BY THE SPIRIT ( Titus 2:11-12; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Gal. 5:22-26 ).

B. ( vs. 15 ). SPIRIT OF ADOPTION.

C. ( vs. 16 ). SPIRIT BEARETH WITNESS.

D. ( vs. 17 ). HEIRS OF GOD ( vs. 18 )

V. GOD DECIDES HOW ADOPTION TAKES PLACE ( Gal. 3:26-27 ).

A. THROUGH FAITH ( vs. 26 ).

1. Faith alone won’t do it ( James 2:24 ).

2. Will work producing obedience ( Gal. 5:6; James 2:21-22 ).

B. BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST – MOTIVATED BY FAITH ( Mark 16:16 ).

C. PUT ON CHRIST – IMATATORS, DISCIPLES – HIS CHARACTER ( Phil. 2:5 ).

CONCLUSION:

A. 1 John 3:1-3. WHAT MANNER OF LOVE!

B. vs. 3. HAVE YOU PURIFIED YOURSELF?

C. 1 Pet. 1:22.