How to Be Adopted as God's Children (Galatians 4:4-5)
Introduction:
1. These verses reveal some important information about the Lord's coming to earth. a. We learn when He came -- "when the fullness of the time was come." b. We learn who sent Him -- "God sent forth His Son." c. We learn how He came -- He was "made of a woman, made under the law." d. We learn why He came -- to redeem us so we can be adopted as God's children. 2. In our lesson we are concentrating on 3 passages of Scripture that explain how we become God's children.
Discussion:
I. JOHN 3:1-7
A. (vs.1-2) Nicodemus recognized the Lord's authority. B. (vs.3) Jesus stated that a person must be born again to see God's kingdom. C. (vs.4) Nicodemus was confused about the new birth -- he thought Jesus was talking about a second physical birth. D. (vs.5-6) Jesus explained that the new birth is a spiritual birth that consists of being born of water and of the Spirit. E. (vs.7) Jesus said that the new birth is essential. F. To be adopted as God's children we must be "born of God."
II. GALATIANS 3:26-28
A. (vs.26) We are God's children "by faith in Christ Jesus." B. (vs.27) We get into Christ and put Christ on when we are baptized into Him [the new birth]. C. (vs.28) The Lord's plan applies to everyone. D. To be adopted as God's children we must have faith in Christ, and we must be baptized into Christ.
III. ACTS 8:26-39
A. (vs.26) An angel directed Philip to go to a certain area that was deserted. B. (vs.27-28) We are introduced to the eunuch. 1. He was a man with authority, and he was a religious man. 2. However, he was not a child of God. C. When Philip came in contact with the eunuch he was reading from Isaiah. 1. He was reading Isaiah's prophecy about the suffering of Christ (ch.53). 2. He did not understand Isaiah's message, and he needed some guidance. 3. He demonstrated his humility by admitting his need of assistance. D. (vs.35) Philip began at that Scripture and preached Jesus to the eunuch. E. As they traveled they came to a body of water. 1. The eunuch wanted to know if anything prevented him from being baptized. 2. There was no hindrance because he believed that Jesus is God's Son. 3. (vs.38) Philip baptized the eunuch. F. (vs.39) The eunuch went on his way rejoicing -- he had become a child of God. G. To be adopted as God's children we must believe that Jesus is God's Son, and we must be baptized into Him.
Conclusion:
1. We pointed out earlier that Jesus came to redeem us so we can be adopted as God's children. 2. Have you complied with His requirements?
