Session 8, C.J. Mahaney

May. 27 2008

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C.J. Mahaney closed out Na 2008 with Session 8, God as Father: Understanding the Doctrine of Adoption in God’s Word, an exposition of Galatians 4:1-7. C.J. began his message by boldly stating, “God is eager to reveal himself to each and everyone present as Father” and, after reading the text, prayed a moving prayer that Christians would be freshly affected by the doctrine of adoption and that non-Christians would, this very morning, be adopted into the Father’s family.

C.J. went on to explain how over the years he’s “had too many interactions with genuine Christians who aren’t certain that God loves them.” He expressed his hope that through this message the Christians in the room would become “convinced of God’s personal, particular, and passionate love” for them.

The message consisted of three points:

1. The Preparation for Adoption (vv. 1-3)

The Galatians were retreating from the gospel and resorting to legalism. The cross has ceased to be sufficient. They were returning to their pre-conversion condition. Legalism is slavery.

2. The Basis of Adoption (vv. 4-5)

God sent forth his Son for those who are enslaved by their sin. Our Savior was uniquely qualified to save us.

“We moved not towards the Lord, but the Lord towards us. I do not find that the world in repentance sought after its Maker. No, but the offended God himself, in infinite compassion, broke the silence and came forth to bless his enemies. All good things begin with him.” -C.H. Spurgeon

“Before God adopted us...we weren’t appealing, we were slaves to sin.”

“God’s purpose didn’t conclude with redemption, it culminated with adoption...He made slaves into sons.”

“Do the words closeness, affection, and generosity describe your relationship with God? Do you perceive God as full of affection for you, desiring to be close with you, full of generosity towards you?” If you’re not sufficiently aware of the Father’s love for you--if God doesn’t feel close, affectionate, and generous, study the doctrine of adoption and cry out for illumination until you come to know and experience the grace of adoption. Three book recommendations:

-J.I. Packer, Knowing God (namely, chapter 19)
-Sinclair Ferguson, Children of The Living God
-Trevor Burke, Adopted into God’s Family

When those who have been adopted by the Father are not enjoying his grace and closeness, this saddens the Father.

“When we don’t believe he loves us, it is the greatest sorrow and burden that we can lay on the Father. It is the greatest unkindness we can do to him in light of all he’s done for us...Let’s stop doing it. Let’s believe him...Let’s stop listening to ourselves and start talking to ourselves.”

3. The Experience of Adoption (vv. 6-7)

The newly converted have a new cry, “Abba! Father!”

“You may conclude, with absolute certainty, that God loves you if you love God.” -C.H. Spurgeon

If the cry “Abba! Father!” has diminished in your heart, reintroduce yourself to passages like Galatians 4:1-7.

“So you,” the first two words of verse 7, is God making eye contact with individual slaves to sin who’ve been made sons of God.

This was a stirring message. Get the audio and be personally ministered to--be reminded of the Father’s close, affectionate, and generous relationship with you--he has adopted you!

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