with June Ainley
Scripture References: Ephesians 1:3-5; Galatians 4:4-7; 1 Corinthians 13; Romans 8:35-39; John 10:27-28
Intro: Today we explore a foundational truth: our identity as adopted children of God. While perhaps not as immediately appealing as practical "how-to" topics, understanding who we are in Christ (doctrine) is essential for doing anything for Him. Shaky lives often stem from shaky doctrine about our identity. We'll look at Ephesians 1, focusing on adoption. Are we like the joyful adopted child, secure in the Father's love, or the uncertain one, still living like an orphan? This message is for believers – saints adopted into God's family.
Key Points:
- Adoption: God's Plan, Christ's Work (Gal 4:4-7; Eph 1:3-5):
- God sent Jesus at the right time to redeem us, specifically so we could be adopted as His sons and daughters. The Spirit confirms this within us, enabling us to cry "Abba! Father!" (Gal 4:4-7).
- This wasn't Plan B. Before creation, God chose us and predestined (lovingly planned) for our adoption through Christ, desiring a family (Eph 1:4-5).
- Like a graft receiving life from the main trunk, the Father's love flows into us through His Spirit, making us alive in Him.
- Knowing Our Heavenly Father (vs. Earthly Filter):
- Many struggle to relate to God as a loving Father because we filter Him through our experiences (positive or negative) with earthly dads (distant, performance-based, unprotective, absent, etc.).
- We must learn who He truly is through His Word (e.g., 1 Cor 13 – God is patient, kind, etc.). His love and acceptance of His children are unconditional, creating the security needed for growth.
- Our position as His children is secure and unchangeable, regardless of our behavior or circumstances (Rom 8:35-39; John 10:27-28).
- Living as Children vs. Orphans:
- Positionally: We are secure children, seated with Christ, sharing His authority.
- Practically: We often default to "orphan thinking" – self-reliance, self-protection, striving, comparison, fear, anxiety – because we don't fully trust our Father's love, provision, and care.
- The Shift: Orphan thinking centers on self; living as a child centers on the Father. Recognizing orphan thoughts allows us to shift back to trusting Him and speaking truth by faith, opening us to His presence and provision. Life's events don't define us; our belief about our Father in those events does.
Conclusion: God has sovereignly chosen and lovingly adopted us. We are His secure children, not orphans left to fend for ourselves. Our struggles often stem from forgetting or disbelieving this core identity. Living in the truth of our adoption frees us from orphan thinking and empowers us to relate rightly to God and others.
Call to Action:
- Come Home: Like the speaker heard, God says, "All is forgiven. Come home." Repentance brings us back into intimate fellowship with the Father when we've drifted. His love and acceptance await.
- Release Offense: Living in the Father's house requires letting go of unforgiveness towards others. Ask Him for grace to release offense.
- Receive Healing: If you struggle with orphan thoughts, negative father images, or deep soul pain, ask for prayer. Don't try to fix it yourself or self-medicate. Let your Heavenly Father meet you in your need. Ask someone near you for prayer; vulnerability opens the door to healing and experiencing the Father's love.
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