[July 13. 2008] I"VE BEEN ADOPTED
- pastor Dennis Leonard (Heritage christian Center in Denver, Colorado, the US)
Romans 8:14-17
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
1. Now that you are born-againt, you have been given the spirit of adoption.
a. There is a nes spirit that lives inside you because Jesus is in your life.
b. This spirit lets you know He loves you, and He's not made at you.
c. This spirit lets you know you have been adopted into a new family of God.
2. When people adopte children, they have many opportunities to turn them away.
a. God looked at all your imperfections and decided to adopt you anyway.
b. He looked beyond your faults and saw your needs.
c. He looked at your past and chose you anyway.
3. Now that you have been adopted into God's family you will learn:
a. There is no fear in live; but perfect love casts out fear... 1 John 4:18
b. There s a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Provebs 18:24
c. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
4. The enemy is trying to defeat you by making you think God is mad at you.
a. The enemy wants you to think you have gone too far.
b. He wants you to think God won't forgine you.
5. Jesus said, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32.
a. God loves you so much that He calls you the rightful feirs of the throne. (Fomans 8:17)
b. You are of god, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
c. The Lord said He will contend with him who contends with you. (Isaisah 49:25)
6. After they cut a hole in the side ofour Lord Jesus Christ you were engrafted into the family of God.
a. The Vivle says, "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed." Isaisah 53:5
b. You have the right to walk in health.
c. You have the rignt to live in peace and prosoerity.
7. When you know who you are in Dhrist, then you will see yourself as God sees you.
a. You are more than a conqueror through Hin that loves you. (Romans 8:37)
b. You are the head and not the tail. (Deuteronomy 28:13)
c. You were created in God's own image. (Genesis 1:27)
8. Now that you know who you are in Christ, you know the rights and privileges that belong to you.
a. You know that healing belongs to you.
b. You have the authority to tread upon serpents, scorpions and devils. (Luke 10:19)
c. You have a Spiritual Father, who has plans for your success and not evil. (Jeremiah 29:11)
9. God said, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and vear fruit..." John 15:16
a. He saved you when you couldn't save yourself.
b. He adopted you when no one else wanted you.
c. He loves you so much.
10. As a believer, you need to understand you have authority over every work of the enemy.
a. You have the authorith to cast out devils. (MAtthew 10:8)
b. You can lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (Mark 16:18)
c. It's time to go through your house and tell the devil that he is not welcome.
11. When you said, "Yes Lord," He adopted you and brought you into the royal family.
a. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priethood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marnelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
b. He gave you His name and an inheritance.
c. He said "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrew 13:5
12. Now that you are saved, your past has been washed away by the Blood of Christ Jesus.
a. You are a son, and you have veen adopted by God.
b. Your best days are still ahead!
