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What It Means To Be Called By God
Introduction: Adopted Into the Family of God
You know, belonging to a family—feeling a part of
one—those are essential to most people's happiness and well-being. That
was certainly true for us, and true for her. The Bible talks about the
process by which someone becomes a child of God. It’s often described as
a birth, like the talk Jesus had with Nicodemus in John 3—the new birth.
But it’s also called an adoption, as we’ll read in Ephesians 1.
Now, we’ve heard many, many lessons about the new
birth and becoming a child of God. But very few are given about
adoption. So what does it mean? And why does the Bible describe it this
way? Let’s open our Bibles to Ephesians chapter 1, beginning in verse 3.
Chosen by God
Ephesians 1:3–7 says: "Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual
blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him
before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without
blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by
Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to
the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in
the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the
forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."
Those who are adopted are chosen by God. First
Peter 2:9 refers to Christians as "a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people." God chose us to
proclaim His praises and called us out of darkness into His marvelous
light.
But how does that calling happen? Second
Thessalonians 2:13–14 explains that we are "called by our gospel."
God chose from the beginning that those who obeyed the gospel would be
sanctified and saved. He didn’t arbitrarily pick individuals—He chose a
group: those who would believe, obey, and live by the truth. Anyone can
be part of that group.
John 1:12 says: "But as many as received Him, to
them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe
in His name." So belief and obedience are required. Galatians
3:26–27 tells us plainly: "For you are all sons of God through faith
in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have
put on Christ." Baptism is the act that places us into God’s family.
The Cost of Adoption
Adoption is costly—even today it can cost tens of
thousands of dollars. What was the cost of our adoption? Galatians 4:3–7
explains that God sent His Son "to redeem those who were under the
law, that we might receive the adoption as sons." Jesus paid the
price with His own blood.
First Corinthians 6:20 says: "You were bought at
a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which
are God's." Our adoption was not cheap—it was purchased with the
blood of Christ, so we must never treat it lightly.
Blessings of Adoption
In the Roman world, adopted sons received a new
identity. Their debts were erased and they gained full rights to the
family estate. Likewise, Ephesians 1:7 reminds us we have "redemption
through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." We are heirs of God.
Romans 8:14–17 says: "For as many as are led by
the Spirit of God, these are sons of God... if children, then
heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ." And Jesus taught us
to pray, "Our Father in heaven" (Matthew 6:9). That is now our
relationship with God—He is our Father, and heaven is our inheritance.
Responsibilities of Adoption
But adoption into God’s family comes with
responsibilities. We are to love one another. First Peter 1:22 commands:
"Love one another fervently with a pure heart." We are also to
bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) and exhort one another
(Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:24–25).
Sometimes, we must withdraw fellowship from those
who persist in disobedience. Second Thessalonians 3:14–15 instructs:
"Do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count
him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother."
The Completion of Our Adoption
Our adoption will be completed when Christ returns.
Romans 8:23 says: "Even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly
waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body." That’s the
final step—our entrance into heaven, into the presence of our Father
forever.
We’ve been adopted into God’s family. That means
we’re chosen, bought, blessed, and obligated. If you’ve not been
adopted—if you haven’t been baptized into Christ—today is the day. And
if you’re already in the family but struggling, your brothers and
sisters are here to pray with you and for you.
Let’s think on these things as we stand and sing.
Sermon Outline
I. Introduction
- Adoption as a biblical metaphor for salvation
- Comparison with birth and family belonging
II. Chosen by God
- Ephesians 1:3–7 – Adopted before the
foundation of the world
- 1 Peter 2:9 – A chosen generation
- 2 Thessalonians 2:13–14 – Called by the gospel
- John 1:12 – The right to become children of
God
- Galatians 3:26–27 – Faith and baptism
III. The Cost of Adoption
- Galatians 4:3–7 – Redemption through Jesus
- 1 Corinthians 6:20 – Bought at a price
IV. Blessings of Adoption
- Ephesians 1:7 – Redemption and forgiveness
- Romans 8:14–17 – Heirs of God, joint heirs
with Christ
- Matthew 6:9 – Calling God “Father”
V. Responsibilities of Adoption
- 1 Peter 1:22 – Love the brethren
- Galatians 6:2 – Bear burdens
- Hebrews 3:13; 10:24–25 – Exhort one another
- 2 Thessalonians 3:14–15 – Church discipline
with love
VI. The Completion of Adoption
- Romans 8:23 – Redemption of our body
- Invitation to obey the gospel or seek prayer
Call to Action
If you haven’t been adopted into God’s family, what
are you waiting for? Jesus paid the ultimate price for your adoption—His
own blood. If you believe in Him, repent of your sins, and are baptized
into Christ, you will be a full heir in God’s household. And if you are
already a child of God, remember your responsibilities. Love your
brethren. Encourage one another. Bear burdens. Watch for those who are
straying. And above all, be faithful—your full adoption will be realized
when Jesus returns to take us home.
Scripture Reference List
- Ephesians 1:3–7 – Adoption through Christ
- 1 Peter 2:9 – A chosen people
- 2 Thessalonians 2:13–14 – Called by the gospel
- John 1:12 – Right to become children of God
- Galatians 3:26–27 – Baptism into Christ
- Galatians 4:3–7 – Cost of adoption
- 1 Corinthians 6:20 – Bought with a price
- Romans 8:14–17 – Heirs of God
- Matthew 6:9 – Calling God “Father”
- 1 Peter 1:22 – Love one another
- Galatians 6:2 – Bear one another’s burdens
- Hebrews 3:13; 10:24–25 – Exhort daily
- 2 Thessalonians 3:14–15 – Church discipline
- Romans 8:23 – Final adoption: redemption of
our body
Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of
Christ at Granby, MO
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The
church of Christ
