Today we have celebrated those on Remembrance Sunday who have given their lives for our freedom. There are those in need of setting free into a new era in their lives.
I want us to think a bit about the need in our nation for adoptive and foster families. There is a great organisation in the UK called Home for Good, a christian charity, that has set itself the goal of finding a home for every child in need of one. We are going to show their video and then I’m going to talk a little bit.
Video:
I know that this is something close to the heart of Life Church. I know this because many in our church have either been adopted or have adopted children. Some are foster carers. You are all exceptional people. We applaud you.
Adoption has been seen as the least popular way for Christians to have children after natural conception and IVF. There is a feeling that adding a child another way to a family is somehow unnatural.
Also Christians now feel that they cannot adopt or foster. It is true that a few years ago the Christian adoption services came under attack and some closed. What has since happened is that the pool of adopters has shrunk as a result; local authorities are now calling on the assistance of the church across the UK to help in this crisis. The doors are open again!
15,000 children are awaiting adoption or foster care. If one family from every church in the UK became a foster carer or an adoptive parent we would meet the need.
Psalm 68:5-6a: A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. 6 God sets the lonely in families…
We need to dwell on this though a little longer.
1. Jesus is our Rescuer:
An adopter is different to a rescuer. A rescuer can be described as a saviour.
Jesus is our Saviour. He has rescued us:
Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
2 Timothy 1: 9-10: He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
Imagine you are walking beside a river and you see a person fall in. You see they are in danger of drowning and being swept away by the current. Grabbing a nearby rope you throw an end to the person struggling in the water. They grab it and you use all your strength to pull them to the river bank.
His relief is overwhelming. You hug, and make sure that he gets home. He is safe. You are a hero.
Moving forward in life you may exchange Christmas cards, the odd pleasantry as you pass in the street, and if he outlives you he might come and say a few words at your funeral. That's it. There is no responsibility placed upon a rescuer to do more. Job done.
Rescue is great but it is not enough.
2. Jesus is our Redeemer
Matthew 20:28: …. the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Hebrews 9:12: He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption
1 John 2:2: He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
A redeemer is a slightly different picture in the Bible. Jesus is described as our redeemer.
A redeemer is one who pays a price to purchase another out of slavery or destitution or pays a ransom. The Bible tells us we have been purchased by our redeemer. This was a costly thing.
In the biblical tradition you now now longer belong to someone else or even yourself, you belong to the one who has paid the price. A good redeemer will be righteous. A bad redeemer may enforce you into a new kind of slavery that is worse than the one you have been delivered from.
Jesus is obviously the perfect redeemer. He sets you free:
John 10:10: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Galatians 5:1: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
In essence though, when the redeemer has set you free you now enjoy free choice on how to live.
The Bible implores us to recognise this new relationship, you have been brought at a price and are no longer your own (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), but there is no denying you have a free will. Essentially a redeemer's role is over once the slavery has ended. You are free.
Sadly, despite the historic and noble feats of Wilberforce, slavery is at its highest levels today. The sex trafficking trade has grown exponentially and the subjugation of the innocent continues. There are many great organisations working for the freedom of these modern day slaves. They do great work. Once a slave is set free many will walk with the once enslaved for a period of time.
The relationship between the redeemer and the slave is stronger than the relationship between the rescuer and the rescued. This is because those needing rescue, although living through a trauma, can reestablish their lives fairly quickly compared to those who have experienced the extended trauma of slavery.
Ultimately though, redeemers will desire to take a hands-off approach as they help people rebuild their lives. There is always a deep friendship but there is also an end point to the responsibility of the modern day redeemer.
3. Jesus Makes a Way for Our Adoption
An adopter is different to a rescuer and a redeemer. The qualities of the rescuer and redeemer can be seen in the adopter.
The adopter rescues. They save those in distress and give an opportunity for life to continue.
The adopter redeems. They pay a higher price than a rescuer. They help rehabilitate a child who may have experienced separation, trauma or, sadly, abuse at the hands of others.
Unlike the rescuer and the redeemer, an adopter makes the rescued and the redeemed part of the family. The adopter calls the child son or daughter. They give them the family name. All legal rights the were in place before are now null and void. The legal status of the child changes. They now have a new life, a home, a family, and, ultimately, an inheritance.
Our Jesus is our rescuer, or Saviour. He has thrown us the life line for us to grab hold of and be pulled out of our mess to the safety of the river bank.
Jesus is our redeemer. He has paid the price for our sin and has taken the punishment for us. He has enabled us to be rehabilitated and build a new life, a life that is abundant and full.
He has done more than this though. He has made a way for us to be adopted by Father God:
John 14:6: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
The way to God is through Jesus - He is the way. Jesus deliberately calls God Father for that is the relationship that is in need of restoration.
Romans 8:15-18: 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.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 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.
Father God adopts us! We can cry Abba, Father. This is an aramaic term meaning papa or daddy.
We are described as co-heirs with Jesus. He freely shares the inheritance that belongs to Him with us.
We are called children of God. We are not promised a problem free life in Romans 8:17; we are promised a family though with God as the Father.
Legally everything has changed. We have moved from a kingdom ruled by darkness to the Kingdom of light (Colossians 1:12).
We carry the family name: Christian; follower of Christ or Christ-like one.
Wrapping It Up!
Adoption is in the heart of God for every man, woman and child. This adoption can only be achieved through the acceptance of Jesus as rescuer and redeemer.
Two questions this morning:
- Is it time for your adoption? It is time for you to accept the offer of the forgiveness of sins and to allow the rescuer, the Saviour Jesus Christ, to take the punishment for your sins?
- Is it time for you to consider adoption/fostering? Talk with some of the families here who are involved or contact Home for Good directly.
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