11/16/2008 - Salvation: the Work of Adoption

Salvation, the work of Adoption

Romans 8:15, 23
Galatians 4:4-7
Romans 9:4
Ephesians 1:5

Definition: Adoption is an act of God whereby he makes us members of his family.

The privileges of adoption are seen first in how we relate to God and second in how we relate to each other.

How do we experience the privileges of relating to God in Adoption?

1. We are led by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:12-16)
- We can overcome sin and don’t have to be enslaved to sin
- Actively engage with spiritual disciplines
- Resist by considering Christ Jesus
- We can have sweet assurance of being God’s child
- Internal peace
- External rest
- We can, being led by the Spirit, walk in God’s mission
- Life ministry (what is your passion?)
- Give
2. We know that God loves and understand us (1 John 3:1-3; Psalm 103:13-14)
- He knows my ability to withstand temptation and will not let me be
tempted beyond what I can escape by his grace 1 Corinthians 10:13
3. We know that God will take care of our needs (Matthew 6:31-33)
- We can relax
- We don’t have to be anxious anymore as a non child would
- We are free from inferior pursuits to pursue God’s Kingdom
- Rid yourself of pursuing material gains for themselves
- Rid yourself of pursuing an education for education’s sake
- Rather, educate for sustaining yourself in God’s mission
4. We know that God gives us good gifts (Matthew 7:11)
- Come and ask Father for good things (good for him and us)
- Live in hope and expectation

5. We can imitate our Father as beloved children (Ephesians 5:1)
- Serve each other in the church
- Love each other
- Preach the gospel of the Kingdom
- Heal the wounds of a fallen culture

How do we experience the privileges of relating to each other in adoption?

1. All Christians are members of God’s family (1 Timothy 5:1-2)
- This destroys competition among churches
- This destroys discrimination among Christians of other races or socio-economic
backgrounds
- This destroys speaking evil against each other because we are family James
4:11

11/09/2008 - Salvation: The Work of Justification

Salvation: The Work of Justification
John 17:19

1. Jesus goes to the Cross to make us Holy
   John 17:19
   
   Application:
   Romans 5:6-8
   Jesus loves us
   
   We have confidence in our relationship to God that he is not out to get me but loves me
   
   Justification: Romans 3:21-26
   
   Definition: To make right or just, to impute righteousness as God's judging and saving activity in relation to persons, declare righteous, put right with himself
   
   
2. Jesus goes to the cross so that God can declare us to be just in his sight
   Romans 3:24
   
   Application:
   We can have a real relationship with God
   - We call him Father
   - He calls us sons and daughters
   
   We are free from the consequences of sin (death and hell)
   - We have love instead of wrath
   - We have good instead of destruction
   - Our fighting against sin matters and we discipline ourselves spiritually
   
   
3. Jesus goes to the cross so that God can impute Christ's righteousness to us
   Impute: to ascribe to or charge (a person) with an act or quality because of the conduct of another over whom one has control or for whose acts or conduct one is responsible.
   2 Corinthians 5:21
   
   Application:
   He gives us his Holy Spirit to live in us
   
   We are no longer slaves to sin
   
   We can't be accused by the enemy
   
   
4. Justification comes to us entirely by God's grace, not on account of any merit in ourselves
   Romans 3:20, 24, 27-28
   
   Application:
   My actions never save me, but they become evidence of me having Christ's righteousness
   
   I must live in constant thanksgiving
   - Thanksgiving must be my attitude not entitlement
   - (illustrate with my interaction with Fred, Al, Tom)
   
   I must come and worship
   - Daily in my living
   - Weekly with the gathered righteous