The most unimaginable statement So in Christ Jesus you are all - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The most unimaginable statement • So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. Galatians 3.26 • Paul’s most radical statement that, we are not only saved by grace, despite our sinful nature, but that God has adopted us as His children.

The most unimaginable statement • So in Christ Jesus you are all children ( υ ἱ ο ὶ , huioi) of God through faith. Galatians 3.26 • We are God’s offspring ( γένος , ghenos) Acts 17.29

The most unimaginable statement Nobody is born into this world a child of the family of God. We are born as children of wrath. The only way we enter into the family of God is by adoption, and that adoption occurs when we are united to God’s only begotten Son by faith. When by faith we are united with Christ, we are then adopted into that family of whom Christ is the firstborn.” R.C. Sproul

The most unimaginable statement The notion that we are children of God, his own sons and daughters, lies at the heart of all Christian theology, and is the mainspring of all Christian living. Sinclair Ferguson

The most unimaginable statement • The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father. Charles Spurgeon

The most unimaginable transformation • You are children… for (because)… all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Galatians 3.27

The most unimaginable transformation • The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Romans 13.12 • You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4.22-24 • Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3.12

The most unimaginable transformation All of you who were baptized into Christ … (3.27)

The most unimaginable transformation • Our primary identity is in Christ. Like un uniform that identifies us, our new clothing shows that our ultimate identity is found in Christ

The most unimaginable transformation • The closeness of our relationship to Christ . Our clothes are kept closer to us than any other possession. They go anywhere with us, reminding us, every moment, of His presence. • The imitation of Christ. In His presence, we think and act as if we were directly before His face. We are to put on His virtues and actions, to dress like Him.

The most unimaginable transformation Our acceptability to God Like an adornment, it covers our nakedness, and God sees us through Christ.

The most unimaginable transformation

The most unimaginable intimacy • There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3.28 • We are not identical, but we are all one. We are Christians before being anything else. All the barriers came down in Christ.

The most unimaginable intimacy • There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3.28 • Cultural: Jew nor Gentile • Social: neither slave nor free • Gender: nor male and female • We are all equally God’s children, dressed up with the same Christ-clothe, with no reason to think of ourselves as better than others.

The most unimaginable inheritance • If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3.29 • So in Christ Jesus you are all children ( υ ἱ ο ὶ , huioi, sons) of God through faith. Galatians 3.26 • In most ancient cultures, daughters could not inherit property. In Paul’s mind, “son” meant “legal heir”, and the Good News is that we are all “sons of God”.

The most unimaginable inheritance • For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 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.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now 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. Romans 8.14-17

Children of God: 
 This is what we are The truth, even though I cannot feel it right now, is that I am the chosen child of God, precious in God's eyes, called the Beloved from all eternity and held safe in an everlasting embrace... We must dare to opt consciously for our chosenness and not allow our emotions, feelings, or passions to seduce us into self- rejection. Henri Nouwen