Gotcha Day

March 20, 2011 - Today, our family commemorates our "Gotcha Day," the day that Noah became a part of our family.  God creates families in different ways.  Some children are born within the body, others are born within the heart.  Adoption is an ancient practice.  In Paul's time, Roman citizens who did not have children to leave their inheritance to could adopt someone, who would then receive the full rights and privileges that a naturally born child would.  Roman citizens could even legally adopt one of their slaves for that purpose.  It is within that social context that Paul wrote the book of Romans.  The readers of the time would have understood the full significance of the transformation from slavery to sonship.

Romans 8:15-17,22-30

• 16 - When we were adopted into God's family, we were no longer slaves to sin, but children of God.  "Abba" is an intimate Aramaic expression for a father, much like we use the term "daddy."
• 17 - Through salvation in Christ, we have become full legal heirs, with all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities associated with the relationship.
• 23 - We will receive the full inheritance when we stand before Him.
• 29 - We did not choose God, but like an adoptive parent, He chose us, and called us to come to Him.  When we respond, we receive the gift of right standing with him, not by our own righteousness, but through the righteousness imputed to us through Christ's shed blood.

Romans 9:25-26

• Through the generous gift of God's unmerited love, we have been accepted as His children.

Galatians 3:23-29

• 23 - Before Jesus, the law was our guardian, much like some children are in the state's custody before they are placed with their adoptive parents.  The former arrangement can provide for their safety and for their needs, but it cannot provide the love and nurturing that a parent can. 
• 26 - Faith in Christ is the way we respond to God's call to come to Him (as read in Romans 8:29).
• 29 - Part of God's promise to Abraham was that through His seed (Christ), all nations would be blessed.  Because we are united with Christ, and are His body, we share in that promise.

Galatians 4:1-7

• 2 - Within the cultural context, a "guardian" also sometimes served as a tutor as well as a protector, and was responsible for the child until they reached an age of maturity, at which time they could receive the inheritance.  Prior to that age, however, although the child had legal right to the inheritance, they could not use it until they were declared ready.

• 5 - God released us from slavery, from our guardians, through Jesus Christ, for the express purpose of adopting us as His very own children.
• 6 - The Holy Spirit enables us to approach God with the intimacy of a child, rather than the formality of a stranger.

Ephesians 1:3-14

• 4 - God's plan to include us in His family began long before we were ever born.
• 5 - Jesus Christ was the literal manifestation of His plan to reconcile us to Himself, a restored relationship that "gave Him great pleasure." (see also verse 9)
• 13-14 - The Holy Spirit is God's seal of identification, redemption, as well as a guarantee that we will receive the full inheritance that He has promised (see Romans 8:23).

Mark 14:32-36

• 36 - Here we see Jesus addressing God the Father in the same intimate way that we are also invited to.  As we are united with Christ, Just as we share in his joys, we must also share in His sufferings, remembering that, "because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne."  (Hebrews 12:2)

In a manner of speaking, as Christians, we all have a "Gotcha Day," the day we became one of God's children.  Though some adoptive parents discourage the word "gotcha," arguing that it is a word one may use when pursuing someone else, or views its object as a possession, to many, it is a tender word.  It connotes  a sense of love, of protection, of security, as in, "Don't worry about anything, son.  I've gotcha."

When was YOUR Gotcha Day?  And have you fully apprehended the implications of being called a child of God?  Don't let your conceptions of God the Father be limited or hindered by your memories of your earthly parents.  Instead, consider the words of King David, "Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close."  (Psalm 27:10)

Jesus, the Incarnate "I Am"

• Jesus' controversial statement

• "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"  (John 8:58)

• God's Name in context

• God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'  (Ex 3:14)

• "I am" statements:

• "I am the Bread of Life" (John 6:32-58)
• "I am the Light of the World" (John 8:12)
• "I am the Gate for the Sheep" (John 10:7-10)
• "I am the Good Shepherd" (John 10:11-16)
• "I am the Resurrection and the Life" (John 11:25)
• "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:1-7)
• "I am the True Vine" (John 15:1-6)

• Other "I am" Sayings

• "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am." (John 13:13)
• "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." (John 18:37)
• The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."  Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."  (John 4:25-26)

• Jesus the Messiah

• When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"  They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."  "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"  Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."  Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven."  (Mat 16:13-17)
• But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." (Mark 14:61-62)
• "I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins."  "Who are you?" they asked. "Just what I have been claiming all along," Jesus replied.   "I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world."  They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father.  So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me." (John 8:25-28)

OLD TESTAMENT IN THE NEW

• Psa 23 - The Lord is my shepherd / John 10:11 - "I am the good shepherd."
• Ex 15:26 - "I am the Lord, who heals you." / Mt 8:16-17 - … healed all the sick… "took up our infirmities and carried our diseases"
• Ex 17:15 - The Lord is my banner. / John 12:32 - "when I am lifted up… will draw all men unto me."
• Jer 23:6 - The LORD our righteousness / 2 Cor 5:21 - "in him we might become the righteousness of God…"
• Gen 22:14 - The Lord will provide (a sacrifice) / John 1:29 - the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world…
• Psalm 38:22 - The Lord is salvation / Matthew 1:21 - "You are to name him Jesus (the Lord saves), for he will save his people from their sins."

• Jesus unchanging

• Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.  (Heb 13:8)
• "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." (Rev 1:8)
• "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." (Rev 22:1)

Real Love, Part IV: Love in Action

Key Verse: James 2

1-7 Favoritism/discrimination

8-11 Law of love

• Love your neighbor as yourself -- means requiring identifying with your neighbor as though they were yourself -- favoritism implies that not everyone will receive such treatment

12-13 Law of reciprocity 

• Do unto others, freely you've received, freely give

• We will be judged by the law that sets us free

13 Mercy (eleos) - kindness for someone in need; legal clemency

13 Luke 6:38 "Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back."

• As we show others mercy and grace, so shall we receive it.

14 Faith (pistis) - Confidence that something is real , implying that action will arise from belief

• Hebrews 11 is the consummate definition of faith, especially as identified with corresponding actions

• Where does our faith come from?  Romans 10:17 - By hearing the Good News about Jesus.

14 Implication that faith in action is instrumental in salvation

• Confessing Jesus as Lord is an action resulting from our faith

14-16 Refer to the Good Samaritan/neighbor

• In Social Psychology, the "just world fallacy" is "the tendency for people to want to believe that the world is fundamentally just. As a result, when they witness an otherwise inexplicable injustice, they will rationalize it by searching for things that the victim might have done to deserve it. This deflects their anxiety, and lets them continue to believe the world is a just place, but often at the expense of blaming victims for things that were not, objectively, their fault."  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_world_fallacy)

• In Comparative Religions, the Hindu religion emphasizes the caste system, a social stratification that considers some to be "untouchables," people of lowest class currently living out the consequences of their past states (according to the concepts of karma and reincarnation).  Such a mindset truly believes that each person ultimately gets what they deserve, that what goes around, comes around, akin to the just world fallacy.

18 Faith and deeds are inseparable, distinct from unique spiritual giftings.  Works/good deeds show our faith

21 Story of Abraham and Isaac as an example of faith in action - Gen 22, Heb 11:17

22 Be careful to always remember that works arise from faith, yet don't determine or influence our relationship with God.  We manifest His love to others through our works.

25 Story of Rahab as another example of faith in action - Josh 2, Heb 11:31

26 Body + Breath = Life in flesh, Faith + Good Works = Life in spirit

• God is love - John 4:12: "Noone has ever seen God.  If we love each other God lives in us, and His love is brought to full expression in us."

• Faith + Action + Love = Full expression of God's love (We receive His love, and extend it to others)

• Love is an essential part of the equation -- Jesus will tell some who did works in His name, "Depart from me, I never knew you…"  Also consider 1 Corinthians 13, "If I (do any number of works), but don't have love, I have nothing."

• As we see the fruits of some of our works (realizing that God has used us to impact others), our faith is built up.

Verses Referenced:

• Luke 6:38 – “Give, and you will receive…”

• Hebrews 11 – “Faith is the confidence…”

• Romans 10:17 – “So, faith comes from hearing…”

• Genesis 22:1-18 – Abraham & Isaac

•  Joshua 2 – Rahab

• 1 John 4:12 – “Noone has ever seen God…”

• Matthew 7:21-23 – “Not everyone who calls out to me…”

• 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 – “If I could speak all…”

Definitions (from NLT Study Bible)

Eleos (mercy).  This noun means gracious compassion or kindness for someone in need.  Mercy is differentiated from kindness; while kindness can be to anyone, mercy is for those in need.  It can also mean legal clemency.  It can refer to God’s mercy to human beings.

Pistis (faith).  As a noun, refers to confidence that something is real, with a strong implication that action will ensue from this belief.  While faith can be rather mundane (e.g., believing a report), in the NT it almost always refers to faith in God or Christ.  Such faith entails active belief, entrusting oneself completely to God.