Ephesians 1:3-5 NLT
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5God decided in advance to ADOPT us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
Proverbs 22:6 NKJV
Train up a child in the way they should go, and when they are older they will not depart from it.
ONE OF WAYS GOD SOLVES THE REJECTION ISSUES IS ACCEPTANCE OR ADOPTION.
DEFINITION OF ADOPTION
- A LEGAL PROCESS THAT CREATES A PARENT/CHILD RELATIONSHIP – THIS INCLUDES FULL RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES INCLUDING INHERTANCE THAT WOULD BE AFFORDED TOWARDS A BIOLOICAL CHILD.
- THE PRACTICE OF ADOPTION CAN ALSO BE APLIED TO A WIDE VARIARTY OF THINGS LIKE IDEAS WORDS CULTURE ANIMALS COMMUNITIES ETC.
THE MEANING OF ADOPTION:
- THE ACT OF ACCEPTANCE, WELCOMED EMBRACING, APPROVAL, PROTECTION LEADING TO A SENSE OF BELONGING
- TODAY THE PRACTICE OF ADOPTION IS WELL RECONISED AND HAS HISTORICAL ROOTS GOING BACK TO ANTIQUITY.
- IN ACICENT ROME THE IDEA OF SECURING CONTINUNITY AND STABILITY EITHER POLICAILLY OR ECONOMICALLY WAS IMPORTANT.
- HOWEVER TODAY THE EMPHASIS IS MORE ABOUT THE WELL BEING OF CHILDREN AND PROTECTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILDREN AND THE YOUNG.
- IN THE ROMAN WORLD THE IDEA OF ADOPTION MEANT THAT A NEW IDENTITY WAS GIVEN ALL DEBTS AND PRIOR RESPOSIBILIES ERASED. NEW RIGHTS AND PREVILAGES WERE GIVEN AND TO THE ROMANS THE CONCEPT OF INHERTANCE WAS APART OF LIFE NOT ONLY AT DEATH.
- MANY OF THE PRACTICES AND IDEAS BEHIND TODAYS APPROACH CAME OUT OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF WORLD WARS, POVERTY AND DISASTERS.
Romans 8:14-17 NIV
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15The 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.” 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
- GOD ADOPTS US WE NEED ADOPT HIM
- YOU MOVE FROM REJECTION TO ACCEPTANCE
- THIS ACCEPTANCE CREATES A SENSE OF BELONGING.
- BELONGING IS WHAT LEADS TO LONGIVITY.
PHILIPPIANS 2:1-3 MSG
IF YOU’VE GOTTEN ANYTHING AT ALL OUT OF FOLLOWING CHRIST, IF HIS LOVE HAS MADE ANY DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE, IF BELONGING IN A COMMUNITY OF THE SPIRIT MEANS ANYTHING TO YOU, IF YOU HAVE A HEART, IF YOU CARE—THEN DO ME A FAVOR: BE LIKE MINDED, LOVE EACH OTHER, BE DEEP-SPIRITED FRIENDS.
BY FOLLOWING CHRIST YOU WILL BELONG IN A COMMUNITY – FOLLOWING AND BELONGING GO TOGETHER
15 REASONS WHY BELONGING IS BETTER:
1.
WHEN YOU JUST ATTEND YOU NEVER REALLY BELONG.
WHEN YOU BELONG YOU NEVER REALLY JUST ATTEND.
2.
WHEN YOU ATTEND YOU NEVER REALLY UNDERSTAND THE VISION.
WHEN YOU BELONG YOU UNDERSTANDING OF THE VISION GROWS.
3.
WHEN YOU ATTEND YOU NEVER REALLY LET GO OF THE PASSED.
WHEN YOU BELONG YOU BEGIN TO LOOK TO THE FUTURE.
4.
WHEN YOU ATTEND YOU USUALLY RELY ON YOUR OWN STRENGTH.
WHEN YOU BELONG YOU BEGIN TO REPLY ON GOD’ STRENGTH.
5.
WHEN YOU ATTEND ITS EASY TO JUDGE OTHERS.
WHEN YOU BELONG IT HELPS YOU TO LOVE OTHERS.
6.
WHEN YOU ATTEND DOUBTING CAN DOMINATE.
WHEN YOU BELONG BELIEVING WILL DOMINATE.
7.
WHEN YOU ATTEND ITS EASIER TO HIDE.
WHEN YOU BELONG IT’S HARDER TO HIDE.
8.
WHEN YOU ATTEND THERE NO RESPONSIBILITY.
WHEN YOU BELONG THERE IS A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY.
9.
WHEN YOU ATTEND THERE IS NO OR LITTLE FRUIT.
WHEN YOU BELONG THERE IS LOTS OF FRUIT.
10.
WHEN YOU ATTEND YOU NEVER SURE ON WHO YOU ARE.
WHEN YOU BELONG YOU BECOME MORE AWARE OF WHO YOU ARE BECOMING.
11.
WHEN YOU ATTEND YOU LACK GODLY CONFIDENCE.
WHEN YOU BELONG YOU GROW IN GODLY CONFIDENCE.
12.
WHEN YOU ATTEND YOU CAN WITHHOLD YOUR GIFTS.
WHEN YOU BELONG YOU BECOME MORE GENEROUS WITH YOUR GIFTS.
13.
WHEN YOU ATTEND YOU FRIENDSHIPS ARE UNTESTED.
WHEN YOU BELONG TO YOUR FRIENDS HAVE BEEN TESTED.
14.
WHEN YOU ATTEND YOU NEVER DEVELOP MATURITY IN CHRIST.
WHEN YOU BELONG YOU BECOME MORE MATURITY IN CHRIST.
15.
WHEN YOU ATTEND YOU DON’T REALLY BUILD THE CHURCH.
WHEN YOU BELONG YOU ARE HELPING BUILD THE CHURCH.
BE A BE-LONGER NOT AN ATTENDER