Adoption
A Sermon on Adoption
Originally preached April 30, 1954
Scripture
Sermon Description
Adoption is a beautiful picture of selflessness and the strong protecting the vulnerable. To be a Christian means to be adopted into God’s family. Christians are chosen by God and brought into His family through no righteousness of their own. In this sermon on adoption, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains through Scripture how God transfers His people from children of wrath to His family as sons and daughters. Christians have been freed from sin’s bondage and are grafted into God’s eternal family. Some teachers have claimed this to be of no effect and instead support a universal fatherhood of God and universal brotherhood of all people— yet, as Dr. Lloyd-Jones proves, that view is unbiblical. Similar to physical adoption, spiritual adoption has beneficial consequences for the believer: namely, the release from a spirit of bondage and fear into a spirit of liberty, unhindered access to the Father, and God’s present protection, consolation, and perfect provision for every need and the promise of a future inheritance.
Sermon Breakdown
- The doctrine of adoption comes after justification in the order of salvation.
- Adoption means the placing of a son or the transfer from one family to another and placing as a son in the new family.
- The term "son" is used in the Bible to refer to:
- Jesus Christ
- Angels
- Human magistrates
- Believers (through adoption)
- Not all people are sons of God. Only those who believe in Christ receive the right to become sons of God.
- Believers do not become identical to Christ in sonship. He is the only begotten Son of God. Believers become sons through adoption.
- Adoption is a judicial act of God by which He confers the status of sons on believers.
- Adoption is distinct from justification and regeneration but includes them. It proclaims believers as sons of God.
- Adoption applies to all Christians, not just some. The distinction between "children of God" and "sons of God" is false.
- Proofs of adoption include:
- Scripture (Galatians 3:26)
- The Spirit of adoption (Romans 8:15)
- The indwelling Spirit (1 John 4:13)
- Being led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14)
- Results of adoption include:
- Loss of spirit of bondage and fear
- Spirit of liberty
- Bearing God's name
- Present protection, consolation and provision
- Fatherly chastisements
- Heirship and inheritance
- Certainty and security of inheritance
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Adoption: Questions and Answers
What is the biblical doctrine of adoption according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, adoption is "that judicial act of God by which He confers or bestows upon us the status or the standing of sons." It is a distinct and special part of the work of the Holy Spirit in applying redemption to believers. Adoption goes beyond justification and regeneration - it represents the new creature in his new relationship to God as a son, where believers are introduced into and given the privileges that belong to members of God's family.
How does adoption differ from regeneration and justification?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that adoption is different from both regeneration and justification, though related to them. In justification, God declares us to be righteous - it's a forensic, declaratory act where our sins are forgiven and Christ's righteousness is accepted upon us. In regeneration, we are given a new nature, becoming "partakers of the divine nature" and "new creations." Adoption, however, is the declaration that as new creatures who have been justified, we are now sons of God with all the privileges of God's family. As Lloyd-Jones puts it, "It's more than justification. It's more than regeneration. It includes them both."
Is there a difference between being children of God and sons of God according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones firmly rejects the teaching that distinguishes between "children of God" (all Christians) and "sons of God" (only some Christians). He calls this an "utterly artificial and false distinction" that becomes "pernicious in its implications." He demonstrates from Romans 8:15-17 that Paul uses the terms interchangeably: "The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are sons of God. And if children, then heirs..." He also notes that the Apostle John always uses "children" rather than "sons" when referring to believers, which would be inconceivable if there were such a vital distinction between the terms.
What are the proofs that one has been adopted according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides several proofs that one has received adoption: 1. Scriptural proof - "All are the sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ" (Galatians 3:26) 2. The spirit of adoption which cries "Abba, Father" (Romans 8 and Galatians 4:4) 3. The Holy Spirit dwelling within you and His testimony with your spirit that you are a child of God 4. Being led by the Spirit of God - "As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" (Romans 8:14)
What are the results or benefits of adoption according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones lists several benefits of adoption: 1. Loss of the spirit of bondage and fear 2. Reception of a spirit of liberty - no longer fearing the law's condemnation or death 3. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit 4. Entitlement to bear God's name - being called children of God and members of God's household 5. Enjoying God's present protection, consolation and provision 6. Receiving fatherly chastisements for our good (Hebrews 12) 7. Becoming heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ 8. The certainty and security of our inheritance - nothing can separate us from God's love or make us lose our inheritance
Great Biblical Doctrines
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.