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.