Sermon

God's Adopted Children

Theme

God has chosen us for adoption.

Object

None needed, but you could use a copy of the book "We Belong Together"

Scripture

His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:5 (NLT)

I read a wonderful book called "We Belong Together." It is a book that explains adoption in such a way that children can understand it.  In fact, I even understood it! Every year, there are millions of children adopted. Why?  Well, the book explains it this way. "You needed a home and I had one to share. You needed someone to help you grow healthy and strong, and I had help to give. You needed someone to love you, and we had love to give."

There was once a couple who had wanted children for many years, but had been unable to have a child of their own. They began trying to adopt a child and after years of waiting, a baby boy who needed a family became available for adoption. The couple stood before the judge and listened as the judge said to them, "From this day on, this is your son. There may be times when he will dissapoint you. There may be times when his behavior may break your heart, but he is your child. He will have your name and one day, everything you own will be his because he is your son."

Adoption is a beautiful thing. Did you know that you and I have been chosen for adoption? The Bible tells us that long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us to be his own. His plan, from the very beginning, was to adopt us and to make us a part of his family through his Son, Jesus Christ. When we put our faith and trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are adopted into God's family.

Why do you think God did that for us? We needed an eternal home, and God gave us a home in heaven. We needed someone to help us to grow and he is there to help us every day. We needed someone to love us and he loved us more than anyone ever could.

Without God, we don't have much of a future, but as his child, our future is bright. We praise him for the wonderful kindness he has poured out on us as his adopted children. He gives us everything we need.

Dear Father, thank you for loving us and adopting us into your family. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.