4th June 2024

4th June 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (1 John 3v1-3)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


The late great Jim Croce once sang about carrying the same name as his daddy did. We could all sing that song for good or for ill. You may have few fond memories of your father but like it or not you probably carry or once carried his name. Although the name "Woodburn" means "a stream that runs through a wood" I also bear the name of Christ upon my life. I received Jesus by faith in my teens and since that day I can accurately be described as Christian.


What happened when I trusted Christ? I was adopted into the family of God. John understood this and spoke of God's extraordinary love in this way "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are." (v1). It is hard to comprehend that the great king of the universe has set His love upon a multitude of rebellious sinners. He forgives us but goes further still, He welcomes us into His family and gives us a room in His home.


The world does not see this or understand it because those who are still in their sins do not know God (v1b). But for those who have received Christ we have been adopted into the Lord's family. The Larger Catechism explains adoption in this manner "What is adoption? Adoption is an act of the free grace of God, in and for his only Son Jesus Christ, whereby all those that are justified are received into the number of his children, have his name put upon them, the Spirit of his Son given to them, are under his fatherly care and dispensations, admitted to all the liberties and privileges of the sons of God, made heirs of all the promises, and fellow-heirs with Christ in glory."


Your earthly father perhaps gave you his name but never his love, by faith in Christ your heavenly Father has given you both. Adoption is of great benefit to the Christian - we have the Holy Spirit, God's constant care and access to the Father's throne. In this life and the next adoption is a magnificent blessing. How will we benefit in the life to come? When Christ returns we will be made like Him (v2). This does not mean that we will become "gods", instead we will be raised like Christ, we will be sinless like Christ and we will never know the sting of death ever again.


In response we desire and pursue holiness just as our Saviour is holy (v3). If adoption doesn't inspire this pursuit then perhaps you have not understood adoption. Hear John once more and rejoice "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are." (v1). Thanks be to God!


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q56 What is the reason annexed to the third commandment? The reason annexed to the third commandment is, that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment.
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