Sermon Theme
‘It’s a Hard Knock Life’
a)
It first came out as an American Broadway musical in 1977 before it became a movie in 1982 ‘Annie’ is the story of a little orphan girl, longing to one day be adopted- to BELONG to a family. In one scene, a myriad of orphans in a mind blowing choreography sing ‘It’s a Hard Knock Life’ A song that speaks to the yearning of an orphan for family, of what is missed “It’s the hard-knock life! Got no folks to speak of, so, it’s the hard-knock row we hoe! “No one’s there when your dreams at night get creepy! No one cares if you grow…of if you shrink! No one dries when your eyes get wet an’ weepy!” “No one cares for you a smidge when you’re in an orphanage!”
To be part of a family… to be loved and cared for as one of the family = SOMETHING SPECIAL!
It’s one thing to be adopted into a human family, entirely another to be an ADOPTED child of GOD!
Adoption is more than just a word or a process on a human scale “Because Christ alone is the eternal, natural Son of God. We, however, are adopted children of God__adopted by grace through Christ”. – (Heidelberg Catechism Q. 33)
Let us have a look at this wonder and drink in deeply what it means that God in Christ has adopted us!
Sermon outline
- IN NEED OF ADOPTION
- THE MIRACLE OF BEING ADOPTED BY THE MOST HIGH GOD
- CHRIST THE ONLY SON BUT WE ALSO GOD’S CHILDREN
Readings reproduced on this page:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996, 1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Sermon Outline
Readings
Heidelberg Catechism: Lord’s Day 13, QA 33-34
33 Q. Why is He called God's "only Son" when we also are God's children?
A. Because Christ alone is the eternal, natural Son of God. We, however, are adopted children of God__ adopted by grace through Christ.
34 Q. Why do you call Him "our Lord"?
A. Because__ not with gold or silver,but with His precious blood__ He has set us free from sin and from the tyranny of the devil, and has bought us, body and soul, to be His very own.
Hebrews 2:10–18 (NIV84)
10In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.
11Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.
12He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.”
13And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.”
14Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—
15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
16For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants.
17For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.
18Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Text
Romans 8:15-17 (NIV84)
15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of 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.
