Cumberland Community Church
The Gospel Centered Life “Adopted Or Orphaned” October 1, 2017 by Alan Scott
Being Gospel-centered keeps our identities in Christ strong. II Peter 1:3-9
Locations & Times
Cumberland Community Church
3110 Sports Ave SE, Smyrna, GA 30080, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 11:00 AM
INTRODUCTION:
Anyone want to know how to have really healthy kids? Interested? Here are four proven strategies:
1. Empower your kids.
2. Give them fully of yourself.
3. Push them to grow.
4. Speak life into them.
Where did I get these proven parenting tips? II Peter 1:3-8. This is also how God has really healthy, adopted kids.
So why do we often act like orphans instead of God’s adopted children? II Peter 1:9. We forget. If you live on a success/fail basis, you’re more of an orphan. If you feel forgiven and accepted, you’re living more on the adopted side of the equation. If you always have a need to be right, that is orphan type behavior. If you can examine your motives deeply, that is more adopted behavior. If you tear others down, orphan. If you are aware of your inability to fix life, people, and problems—that’s more towards adoption. Romans 8:15-16. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Anyone want to know how to have really healthy kids? Interested? Here are four proven strategies:
1. Empower your kids.
2. Give them fully of yourself.
3. Push them to grow.
4. Speak life into them.
Where did I get these proven parenting tips? II Peter 1:3-8. This is also how God has really healthy, adopted kids.
So why do we often act like orphans instead of God’s adopted children? II Peter 1:9. We forget. If you live on a success/fail basis, you’re more of an orphan. If you feel forgiven and accepted, you’re living more on the adopted side of the equation. If you always have a need to be right, that is orphan type behavior. If you can examine your motives deeply, that is more adopted behavior. If you tear others down, orphan. If you are aware of your inability to fix life, people, and problems—that’s more towards adoption. Romans 8:15-16. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
I. Why Would We Act Like Orphans?
II Peter 1:9 say we forget our true adopted, child-of-God heritage. Additionally, we have such a deep drive towards acceptance, approval, security, and significance. Think of the extreme measures you will go to fit in and stand out (just this morning!). Romans 10:3. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Righteousness = “right standing.” Our attempts are feeble, but the desire is strong! Where do those deep desires for approval, acceptance, security, and significance come from. God! I believe they are to drive us back to HIM… our only true source of identity. But the fight is real. Jesus was prone to such identity attacks! Matthew 4:1-4. 1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
We have strong desires for approval, acceptance, and significance. But as Christians, our identities are in the One who is the way, truth, and the life. This identity changes our behavior. We are to be quick to love, quick to listen, and slow to call someone an SOB. If there are soft parts of your heart, God did that. But what are the hard parts of my heart? What causes pain and anger and frustration? (when I get attacked for what I think is right!!) Could God be allowing or causing the pain to tell me this needs to die so HE can live? If we are defensive & ugly when accused, this points to orphan behavior. If you can see God’s goodness in difficulty, this is more indicative of adoption.
A critical/complaining spirit is orphan behavior. Trusting less in self and more in the Holy Spirit is adopted behavior. Orphan behavior is when a Christian is a competent analyst of other’s weaknesses. Adopted children of God are able to freely confess/discuss their faults to each other. When we’re not teachable, we’re orphans. When we’re open to criticism because our identity is secure in Jesus—we’re adopted sons and daughters (amazing how Jesus remained silent as religious people falsely accused him… identity!!!)
Mark Batterson (All In) – “If you don’t find your identity and security in what Christ has accomplished for you on the cross, you will try to hide your insecurities behind your hypocrisies. You will try to fight your own battles. You will try to create your own opportunities. You will try to establish your own reputation. And you’ll quickly discover that this is exhausting.”
We struggle most with our identities when we struggle with life. We struggle to trust God. This is orphan behavior. (who is struggling right now… with life, God, questions, struggles?)
II Peter 1:9 say we forget our true adopted, child-of-God heritage. Additionally, we have such a deep drive towards acceptance, approval, security, and significance. Think of the extreme measures you will go to fit in and stand out (just this morning!). Romans 10:3. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Righteousness = “right standing.” Our attempts are feeble, but the desire is strong! Where do those deep desires for approval, acceptance, security, and significance come from. God! I believe they are to drive us back to HIM… our only true source of identity. But the fight is real. Jesus was prone to such identity attacks! Matthew 4:1-4. 1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
We have strong desires for approval, acceptance, and significance. But as Christians, our identities are in the One who is the way, truth, and the life. This identity changes our behavior. We are to be quick to love, quick to listen, and slow to call someone an SOB. If there are soft parts of your heart, God did that. But what are the hard parts of my heart? What causes pain and anger and frustration? (when I get attacked for what I think is right!!) Could God be allowing or causing the pain to tell me this needs to die so HE can live? If we are defensive & ugly when accused, this points to orphan behavior. If you can see God’s goodness in difficulty, this is more indicative of adoption.
A critical/complaining spirit is orphan behavior. Trusting less in self and more in the Holy Spirit is adopted behavior. Orphan behavior is when a Christian is a competent analyst of other’s weaknesses. Adopted children of God are able to freely confess/discuss their faults to each other. When we’re not teachable, we’re orphans. When we’re open to criticism because our identity is secure in Jesus—we’re adopted sons and daughters (amazing how Jesus remained silent as religious people falsely accused him… identity!!!)
Mark Batterson (All In) – “If you don’t find your identity and security in what Christ has accomplished for you on the cross, you will try to hide your insecurities behind your hypocrisies. You will try to fight your own battles. You will try to create your own opportunities. You will try to establish your own reputation. And you’ll quickly discover that this is exhausting.”
We struggle most with our identities when we struggle with life. We struggle to trust God. This is orphan behavior. (who is struggling right now… with life, God, questions, struggles?)
II. How Can We Regain Our Identities?
Fruit to root exercise from Jeff Vanderstelt: 26 Tree
CONCLUSION:
Repentance & Faith. Repentance & Faith. Rinse & Repeat. Until your identity is deeply formed… repentance and faith. Repentance and faith.
Fruit to root exercise from Jeff Vanderstelt: 26 Tree
CONCLUSION:
Repentance & Faith. Repentance & Faith. Rinse & Repeat. Until your identity is deeply formed… repentance and faith. Repentance and faith.