WTS Books has resources from Ligonier Ministries at 50% or more off as well as a selection of overstock books
Lady Gaga, Christian Theologian by Michael Kruger
Denny Burk joins Doctrine and Devotion to discuss Complementarianism
Why You Can’t Get to Heaven through the Mormon Faith by Eric Davis
The Karen Pence Rule by Adam Parker
Josh Buice looks back at the recent G3 Conference
Adoption: The Sweetest Doctrine by Aaron Menikoff
Showing posts with label Adoption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adoption. Show all posts
Friday, January 25, 2019
Sunday, May 14, 2017
The Privilege of Sonship
And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” (Galatians 4:6)
To receive adoption as sons—what a remarkable privilege! This fact alone ought to thrill our hearts, and all the more as we further understand the privilege of being adopted into God’s family. Which is where Paul takes us in the very next verse; in fact, he points to two privileges: “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” (v. 6).
One privilege of divine adoption is the change of a child’s nature. Human adoptions are of course very special, but they don’t change a child’s nature. The change is only legal and relational; there’s no inner transformation of the child. But when God adopts a person into his family, he changes who he or she is from the inside out. In Christ we become new creatures! We receive new spiritual DNA, God’s own in fact.
How does that happen? God changes our nature by sending the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. And there, in the very core of our being, his Spirit remains and resides. He never departs. But more than that, he transforms us, starting from the inside and steadily working his way out, over time consuming the whole of who we are.
This leads to a second privilege of divine adoption: a change of disposition. Those with new DNA through the Spirit of God express that changed nature in a changed disposition, toward both God and the circumstances of their lives. From the moment of their new birth they begin to cry like newborn babies. However, theirs is a distinctive cry because it flows from this new Spirit-given nature and disposition. It is a cry of intimacy and dependence, and this is what it sounds like: “Abba! Father!”
But what kind of cry is this? Well, the only other person who cries this way is Jesus. In fact this is the cry he uttered in the garden of Gethsemane. His final hour had come. He was staring death in the face. No doubt he was also coming to terms with the suffering he was about to endure on the cross. His soul was in utter anguish. And at precisely that moment he voiced this cry: “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36; cf. Matthew 26:39; Luke 22:42).
The cry “Abba! Father!” is the Son’s cry of distress to his loving heavenly Father. It’s his way of addressing his Father in his time of greatest need. Yes, this is a cry of intimacy and dependence. But it is even more fundamentally a cry—a response to pain, something one utters in the face of suffering or in the midst of hardship.
Because God sends the Spirit of Christ into the hearts of every one of his adopted children, they learn to cry this same cry when they’re in a time of need. Adopted sons and daughters cry out to their heavenly Father in the same way God’s one and only Son did. In fact, the cry of an adopted child of God is the cry of the Son himself, uttering his cry to God in them and for them through his Spirit (cf. Romans 8:15-17).
God’s adopted children have, then, a very distinctive cry; they have a distinctive way of responding to life’s challenges. The distinctive thing is not that God’s children have fewer challenges. Nor is it that God’s children don’t grieve or experience disappointment. Instead the distinctive thing about God’s children is this: when they cry they make a different sound than those who aren’t God’s children. When faced with suffering, whether great or small, God’s children turn to their heavenly Father and cry out to him, “Abba! Father!” And by faith they expect their heavenly Father to hear and respond to their cry.
Have you listened to yourself cry lately? What do you sound like when you are faced with difficulties or hardships or suffering or setbacks? If we heard a recording of your response to some recent difficulty in your life, what would we hear? Would we hear the sound, “Abba! Father!”? Or would we hear something else entirely, perhaps the sound of grumbling or even the gnashing of teeth?
All too often the children of God get into difficulties in life and start to cry, as well they should, but it’s not the distinctive cry of his adopted sons and daughters. Instead it sounds like the cry of those who don’t know God as their Father. It’s not the cry of intimacy and dependence; instead it’s the cry of indignation and desperation—“What am I going to do!” or “How can God do this to me!”
God’s children who are walking with the Lord don’t gnash their teeth at their heavenly Father. Even when they receive a heavy blow in life, they don’t curse the day they were born, much less curse the God who made them. Nor do they cry the way the world does—blaming themselves or others or God, suffocating under a sense of guilt and shame, or redoubling their efforts to work harder to get themselves out of their mess. God’s children look to their heavenly Father in faith and cry out to him, “Abba! Father!”
Adapted from Galatians: Gospel-Rooted Living by Todd Wilson
To receive adoption as sons—what a remarkable privilege! This fact alone ought to thrill our hearts, and all the more as we further understand the privilege of being adopted into God’s family. Which is where Paul takes us in the very next verse; in fact, he points to two privileges: “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” (v. 6).
One privilege of divine adoption is the change of a child’s nature. Human adoptions are of course very special, but they don’t change a child’s nature. The change is only legal and relational; there’s no inner transformation of the child. But when God adopts a person into his family, he changes who he or she is from the inside out. In Christ we become new creatures! We receive new spiritual DNA, God’s own in fact.
How does that happen? God changes our nature by sending the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. And there, in the very core of our being, his Spirit remains and resides. He never departs. But more than that, he transforms us, starting from the inside and steadily working his way out, over time consuming the whole of who we are.
This leads to a second privilege of divine adoption: a change of disposition. Those with new DNA through the Spirit of God express that changed nature in a changed disposition, toward both God and the circumstances of their lives. From the moment of their new birth they begin to cry like newborn babies. However, theirs is a distinctive cry because it flows from this new Spirit-given nature and disposition. It is a cry of intimacy and dependence, and this is what it sounds like: “Abba! Father!”
But what kind of cry is this? Well, the only other person who cries this way is Jesus. In fact this is the cry he uttered in the garden of Gethsemane. His final hour had come. He was staring death in the face. No doubt he was also coming to terms with the suffering he was about to endure on the cross. His soul was in utter anguish. And at precisely that moment he voiced this cry: “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36; cf. Matthew 26:39; Luke 22:42).
The cry “Abba! Father!” is the Son’s cry of distress to his loving heavenly Father. It’s his way of addressing his Father in his time of greatest need. Yes, this is a cry of intimacy and dependence. But it is even more fundamentally a cry—a response to pain, something one utters in the face of suffering or in the midst of hardship.
Because God sends the Spirit of Christ into the hearts of every one of his adopted children, they learn to cry this same cry when they’re in a time of need. Adopted sons and daughters cry out to their heavenly Father in the same way God’s one and only Son did. In fact, the cry of an adopted child of God is the cry of the Son himself, uttering his cry to God in them and for them through his Spirit (cf. Romans 8:15-17).
God’s adopted children have, then, a very distinctive cry; they have a distinctive way of responding to life’s challenges. The distinctive thing is not that God’s children have fewer challenges. Nor is it that God’s children don’t grieve or experience disappointment. Instead the distinctive thing about God’s children is this: when they cry they make a different sound than those who aren’t God’s children. When faced with suffering, whether great or small, God’s children turn to their heavenly Father and cry out to him, “Abba! Father!” And by faith they expect their heavenly Father to hear and respond to their cry.
Have you listened to yourself cry lately? What do you sound like when you are faced with difficulties or hardships or suffering or setbacks? If we heard a recording of your response to some recent difficulty in your life, what would we hear? Would we hear the sound, “Abba! Father!”? Or would we hear something else entirely, perhaps the sound of grumbling or even the gnashing of teeth?
All too often the children of God get into difficulties in life and start to cry, as well they should, but it’s not the distinctive cry of his adopted sons and daughters. Instead it sounds like the cry of those who don’t know God as their Father. It’s not the cry of intimacy and dependence; instead it’s the cry of indignation and desperation—“What am I going to do!” or “How can God do this to me!”
God’s children who are walking with the Lord don’t gnash their teeth at their heavenly Father. Even when they receive a heavy blow in life, they don’t curse the day they were born, much less curse the God who made them. Nor do they cry the way the world does—blaming themselves or others or God, suffocating under a sense of guilt and shame, or redoubling their efforts to work harder to get themselves out of their mess. God’s children look to their heavenly Father in faith and cry out to him, “Abba! Father!”
Adapted from Galatians: Gospel-Rooted Living by Todd Wilson
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
The Distinct Cry Of The Children Of God
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God (Galatians 4:4-6)
Every newborn baby has its own distinctive cry. So, too, do the children of God. And we know we’re children of God when we cry in a certain way. We know we’ve been adopted into God’s family when we respond to the circumstances in our lives with the cries of intimacy and dependence. We know we are sons or daughters of God when we look to our heavenly Father in time of need with confidence and trust. We know we’re his children when we find ourselves crying out, “Abba! Father!”
This isn’t something we manufacture in our own strength; this distinctive cry of the children of God is something God himself causes to well up within us by his Spirit—the Spirit of his Son—whom he sends into our heart when he adopts us as his children. This is how we know we’ve been adopted; this is how we know we are children of God. And if we are children of God, then we are heirs through God.
Adapted from Galatians: Gospel-Rooted Living by Todd Wilson
Every newborn baby has its own distinctive cry. So, too, do the children of God. And we know we’re children of God when we cry in a certain way. We know we’ve been adopted into God’s family when we respond to the circumstances in our lives with the cries of intimacy and dependence. We know we are sons or daughters of God when we look to our heavenly Father in time of need with confidence and trust. We know we’re his children when we find ourselves crying out, “Abba! Father!”
This isn’t something we manufacture in our own strength; this distinctive cry of the children of God is something God himself causes to well up within us by his Spirit—the Spirit of his Son—whom he sends into our heart when he adopts us as his children. This is how we know we’ve been adopted; this is how we know we are children of God. And if we are children of God, then we are heirs through God.
Adapted from Galatians: Gospel-Rooted Living by Todd Wilson
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Book Review: The Gospel & Adoption
The first chapter written by David Prince is all about what we are for in the context of adoption. Russell Moore, who has adopted children himself, takes a look at what the gospel say in regards to the Bible and our identity in the family of God in the second chapter. In chapter 3, Randy Stinson looks at how Christians should live and their response in adopting children. One thing that is mentioned in this book is that not all are called to adopt, but all Christians are to support those who seek adoption. Why should we do that? All who believe in Jesus have been adopted by the family of God through the finished work of Christ.
Chapter 4, written by Jedd Medefind, deals with how the church should engage in the ministry of adoption, which comes in various forms. Finally, Jim Daly and Kelly Rosari write on what the culture thinks about adoption and even shared some adoptions stories.
Adoption into the family of God is one of the more beloved doctrine in the Christian faith. We were once fatherless, but now we have a Father. There are children in the world without a family that need a home just as we once were without a home (spiritually speaking). Christians should celebrate when children are adopted by members of God's household. One of our elders has two daughters that he and his wife adopted from China. We recently had a family adopted three kids into their already growing family.
The Gospel & Adoption shows us why we should embrace adoption, whether we adopt children in our home or support families who are adopting. Not all Christians are called to adopt, but we are called to care for orphans.
Thanks B&h Publishing for letting me review this book.
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Voddie Baucham on The Doctrine of Adopton
Adoption into the family of God is a wonderful thing. Not only do we have brothers and sisters in Christ who we can have fellowship with, we also have God as our Father. John 1:12 says that those who believe in Jesus have been given the right to be called children of God.
Why is adoption not preached enough? Adoption is Biblical yet neglected. Voddie Baucham has a sermon on the doctrine of adoption which was preached at Pray's Mill Baptist Church in Douglasville, Ga, where Josh Buice is the pastor.
Why is adoption not preached enough? Adoption is Biblical yet neglected. Voddie Baucham has a sermon on the doctrine of adoption which was preached at Pray's Mill Baptist Church in Douglasville, Ga, where Josh Buice is the pastor.
Friday, July 29, 2016
Around The Web - July 29, 2016
Sale on books from 9 Marks happening from now till August 2.
From now till August 4, the New International Commentary on the New Testament set is on sale.
Bourne Again by J.A. Medders
Apostasy and Backsliding Look Alike by Erik Raymond
The Attractional Church’s Growing Irrelevance by Jared C Wilson
Spiritual Warfare and the Power of Scripture by Dave Jenkins
Abortion’s Guilt By Melissa Kruger
What Adoption Has Taught Me by Russell Moore
Last week was Comic-Con and there was a whole of lot news that will make the simplest of all fans geek out just a little. I know I was excited when they release the first trailer to the new Justice League movie.
The new trailer to Doctor Strange was also released during Comic-con which will look amazing in 3D.
Finally, thanks to Netflix, I got addicted to Sherlock. Been waiting for the new season which is coming next year.
From now till August 4, the New International Commentary on the New Testament set is on sale.
Bourne Again by J.A. Medders
Apostasy and Backsliding Look Alike by Erik Raymond
The Attractional Church’s Growing Irrelevance by Jared C Wilson
Spiritual Warfare and the Power of Scripture by Dave Jenkins
Abortion’s Guilt By Melissa Kruger
What Adoption Has Taught Me by Russell Moore
Last week was Comic-Con and there was a whole of lot news that will make the simplest of all fans geek out just a little. I know I was excited when they release the first trailer to the new Justice League movie.
The new trailer to Doctor Strange was also released during Comic-con which will look amazing in 3D.
Finally, thanks to Netflix, I got addicted to Sherlock. Been waiting for the new season which is coming next year.
Friday, April 22, 2016
Around The Web-April 22, 2016
Matt Chandler says Christians need not worry since God already knows who's the next U.S. president
Baptist Church Ordains First Openly Transgender Preacher
Utah declares pornography a public health hazard
Making Evangelism a Habit by Tom Johnston
“The Jungle Book” and the Doctrine of Adoption by Russell Moore
Servants of Grace has the issue of Theology for Life available to download on The Doctrine of Grace
Jen Wilkin's new book, None Like Him, is now available
Westminster Theology Seminary has put a book together called Seeing Christ in All of Scripture
Do We Participate in Our Own Salvation? by Andrew Shanks
The guys are Popcorn Theology discuss Season 2 of Daredevil
Kevin Halloran shares his thoughts on Together for the Gospel and #Despierta16
Tim Challes' new book, Visual Theology, is on sale for $10.00.
Baptist Church Ordains First Openly Transgender Preacher
Utah declares pornography a public health hazard
Making Evangelism a Habit by Tom Johnston
“The Jungle Book” and the Doctrine of Adoption by Russell Moore
Servants of Grace has the issue of Theology for Life available to download on The Doctrine of Grace
Jen Wilkin's new book, None Like Him, is now available
Westminster Theology Seminary has put a book together called Seeing Christ in All of Scripture
Do We Participate in Our Own Salvation? by Andrew Shanks
The guys are Popcorn Theology discuss Season 2 of Daredevil
Kevin Halloran shares his thoughts on Together for the Gospel and #Despierta16
Tim Challes' new book, Visual Theology, is on sale for $10.00.
Friday, November 14, 2014
Around The Web-November 14, 2014
4 Benefits of Our Adoption by Sinclair Ferguson
The Bible is a Book Like Any Other by Marshall Segal
Florida Pastor Breaks World Record for Longest Sermon at 53 Hours, 18 Minutes
Memorize the Mind of God by David Mathis
The Benefits and Methods of Meditation by Dave Jenkins
Denny Burk shares his thoughts on the movie Interstellar
When Women Don't Trust Male Headship by Beth Broom
3 Ways Not To Share Jesus With Millennials by Chris Martin
The Bible is a Book Like Any Other by Marshall Segal
Florida Pastor Breaks World Record for Longest Sermon at 53 Hours, 18 Minutes
Memorize the Mind of God by David Mathis
The Benefits and Methods of Meditation by Dave Jenkins
Denny Burk shares his thoughts on the movie Interstellar
When Women Don't Trust Male Headship by Beth Broom
3 Ways Not To Share Jesus With Millennials by Chris Martin
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
The Fruit of Our Justification is Adoption
We are children of God by adoption, which is the fruit of our justification. When we are reconciled to God, He brings us into His family. The church is a family with one Father and one Son, and everyone else in the family is adopted. This is why we look to Christ as our elder brother. We have been made heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. The true Son of God makes available all that He received in His inheritance. He shares with His brothers and sisters His full legacy.
That is something we ought never to take for granted. Whenever we pray, "Our Father," we should tremble with amazement that we, of all people, should be called "children of God." There is no second-class membership in God's family. We rightly distinguish between the natural Son of God and the adopted children of God, but once the adoption takes place, there is no status of membership in His family. He gives to all His children the full measure of the inheritance that belongs to the natural Son.
In our adoption, as sons, we also enjoy the mystical union of the believer with Christ. When we describe something as "mystical," we are saying it transcends the natural and, in a certain sense, is ineffable...If you and I are both in Christ, the union we share transcends our relational difficulties. This is not just a theoretical concept; the bond of that family is a stronger bond even than what we enjoy with our biological family. This is the fruit of adoption.
R.C. Sproul, Everyone's A Theologian
That is something we ought never to take for granted. Whenever we pray, "Our Father," we should tremble with amazement that we, of all people, should be called "children of God." There is no second-class membership in God's family. We rightly distinguish between the natural Son of God and the adopted children of God, but once the adoption takes place, there is no status of membership in His family. He gives to all His children the full measure of the inheritance that belongs to the natural Son.
In our adoption, as sons, we also enjoy the mystical union of the believer with Christ. When we describe something as "mystical," we are saying it transcends the natural and, in a certain sense, is ineffable...If you and I are both in Christ, the union we share transcends our relational difficulties. This is not just a theoretical concept; the bond of that family is a stronger bond even than what we enjoy with our biological family. This is the fruit of adoption.
R.C. Sproul, Everyone's A Theologian
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Book Review: A Hope Deferred by J. Stephen Yuille
Then comes our adoption into the family of God. Many Christians accept the fact that God is now their heavenly father but do not understand that they have been adopted by God. Many chapters in theology books has been written on the subject. Very few books have been written on adoption by itself. Also not very many sermons have been preached in our churches. What about stories of a family adopting a child and through that understanding the doctrine of adoption?
Stephen Yuille, in his book, A Hope Deferred, writes about is about the doctrine of adoption and the Fatherhood of God as well as his own story of adoption. This book has seven chapters on the doctrine of adoption with each chapter followed by Yuille and his family's adoption story. Yuille clearly teaches on what adoption is and then uses Romans 8 throughout the rest of the book in teaching his readers the benefits of our adoption by God, which include our sins being cleansed, renewed affections, and satisfied longings.
If you want to read on the doctrine of adoption while hearing the story of one family's adoption story, this is the book for you. I am so thankful for Yuille's teaching on adoption because many Christian leaders will try to make it more complicated.
Thanks Shepherd Press for letting me review this book.
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