From Hope to Reality | Dan

To Be Loved in the Same Way

Commenting on Ephesians 1:3-6, Dr. Michael Barrett writes:

“The adoption of children is specifically defined as being accomplished through the agency or mediation of Jesus Christ (v. 4). The Lord Jesus as the Second Person of the Holy Trinity is the eternal object of His Father’s love. Christ testified to this eternal love in His great intercessory prayer: ‘Thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world’ and thou ‘hast loved them, as thou hast loved me’ (John 17:24, 23). To be the objects of God’s love, displayed in His predestinating us unto the adoption of children, is to be loved in the same way as and with the same infinite dimension with which the Father loves His only begotten Son. God does not treat His adopted children as second class members of the family; He loves them as He loves Christ. This defies explanation but demands belief” (Michael P.V. Barrett, Complete in Him: A Guide to Understanding and Enjoying the Gospel, 173-174).

It is our knowledge and enjoyment of this incomparable adoptive love that should move us out as the church to visit orphans in their affliction (James 1:27). As John writes, “we love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

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Adopting Grace

“Adopting grace is the proof of the Father’s undying love for dying sinners. In adoption we learn the truth of Jesus’ words: ‘The Father himself loves you’” [John 16:27] (Philip G. Ryken, The Message of Salvation, 212).

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Kevin Twit on Adoption

Kevin Twit, RUF campus minister at Belmont University, gave this lecture on adoption at Belmont’s convocation:

Audio Lecture (mp3): The Doctrine Of Adoption (pdf of notes)

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Caring for Ethiopia’s Orphans

James 1:27 says, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction.” God’s people are to be marked by a compassion for orphans and widows. We have received compassion that we might have compassion on others who are in need of it.

Carolina Hope is committed to visiting Ethiopia’s orphans in their affliction. If you would like to join us as we seek to care for them in their need, you may make a donation at one or more of the links below.

www.firstgiving.com/carolinahope-ethiopia
www.firstgiving.com/carolinahope-ethiopiaorphans
www.firstgiving.com/carolinahope

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Family Legacies: Helping orphans through interest free adoption loans

Family Legacies, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization. From Family Legacies’ website: “It is the purpose of Family Legacies, Inc. to help make adoption a reality for prospective parents who do not have the funds to pay for the total cost of the adoption.”

According to Brent Nelson, Family Legacies’ Development Director, all gifts to Family Legacies are tax deductible and will multiply over and over for years to come. For example, a $5,000 gift effectively helps 8 orphans to be adopted in a 10 year period. Think about it: $5,000 becomes $40,000 in 10 years. And that same original gift will continue to be used over and over after 10 years. What a great investment!

On a side note, I’ve interacted with Brent Nelson several times over the past many months. I don’t know of anyone who is more passionate about God’s heart for orphans. In a recent newsletter Brent wrote: Continue reading »

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Adoption in the Story of Redemption

Even though the term adoption occurs only five times in Scripture (all in Paul’s epistles), its “marking” function within redemptive-history demonstrates its theological significance. Vertical adoption (i.e., God adopting us as His children) plays a key role from the beginning of the unfolding story of redemption (before god even created the world) all the way to the end (when all God’s adopted children enjoy the full privileges of their adoption in the new heaven and new earth).

In Ephesians 1:5, Paul states that God predestined us to adoption in eternity past. In Romans 9:4, we learn that our adoption was foreshadowed in God’s adoption of Israel as His firstborn son.

Galatians 4:4-6 teaches that “when the fullness of time had come” God sent His Son to redeem us so that we might receive adoption as sons. Adoption was the penultimate objective at the climax of redemptive-history.

In Romans 8:15-16, Paul speaks of our present experience as God’s sons by adoption, while in Romans 8:23, he points forward to its consummation in the glorification of our bodies. Clearly, adoption possesses unique importance from the pre-temporal beginning of the unfolding story of redemption all the way to redemptive-history’s consummation. T4A is committed to helping Christians understand the redemptive-historical significance of God’s work in adoption.

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Dorothy Bode interviewed on NPR

NPR interviewed one of our blog’s writers, Dorothy Bode, about transracial adoption. You can listen to part one of this interview (7 min 44 sec) here. Dorothy did an excellent job!

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Maria Sue Chapman’s Memorial Service

Here’s a clip of Nashville news coverage of Maria Sue Chapman’s Memorial Service:

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Maria’s Miracle Fund

In lieu of flowers, the Chapmans request that all gifts be directed to Maria’s Miracle Fund at Shaohannah’s Hope. You can donate here in memory of Maria Chapman.

A blog has been set up where you can leave a message for the Chapmans.

Here’s a short video of Maria with her Daddy:

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Pray for the Chapman Family

Maria Sue, the five-year-old adopted daughter of Steven and Mary Beth Chapman, died Wednesday after being struck in the driveway of their home.

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Remember Ethiopia’s Orphans

If you haven’t yet watched our Ethiopia video, let me encourage you to take the next 3 1/2 minutes and watch it.

[[ This video has been removed to honor Ethiopia's desire that photos of orphans not be displayed on websites. ]]

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Sermon on Adoption

Justin Taylor introduces his sermon (23:35) on adoption by considering adoption within Islamic thought in contrast to its central importance within Christianity. I think you will find the entire sermon a great introduction to Scripture’s teaching on God’s gracious provision of adoption.

(HT: Jason Kovacs)

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Dr. Joel Beeke on the Doctrine of Adoption

Dr. Joel Beeke talks about the importance of the doctrine of adoption for the Christian. His new book, Heirs with Christ: The Puritans on Adoption, will be available on June 3rd. You can learn more about this powerful little book here and pre-order a copy here.

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Christian Alliance for Orphans SUMMIT IV

I just returned from attending the Christian Alliance for Orphans SUMMIT IV. It was a very encouraging event. Paul Pennington (Director of FamilyLife’s Hope for Orphans) and Maridel Sandberg (pictured at right, President of Christian Alliance for Orphans’ board) did a great job of introducing the emphasis of SUMMIT IV and stressing the centrality of the Church in orphan care and the importance of serving orphans in the name of Jesus. I particularly enjoyed the main sessions of Dennis Rainey, Kay Warren, and Jedd Medefind. The emphasis upon Christ’s Church as the answer to our world’s orphan crisis was very refreshing and absolutely needed. The call to radical, “gloriously ruined” service to our world’s orphans in the name of Jesus was really powerful as well. I was very appreciative and encouraged by this emphasis.

If you can attend next year’s SUMMIT, let me strongly encourage you to do so. Here’s one more photo from this year’s SUMMIT:

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First Annual National Foster Care Prayer Vigil

From FamilyLife.com: “The First Annual National Foster Care Prayer Vigil has been created to help believers slow down, gather together with other believers in their community, and go before God, petitioning Him on behalf of the half million children living in our nation’s foster care system. In doing so, we are aligning our hearts and minds with His. He has demonstrated throughout Scripture his love for vulnerable children, and His desire that we join with Him in reaching out to those who have the least.

“We have created a simple PDF strategy guide to help you know how to set it up. We have also created a foster care prayer guide for the night of the event entitled City by City, Church by Church, Child by Child that will walk prayer vigil participants through an evening of intercession for foster children, their families, and the workers who serve them (for Order or PDF Download).

“If you feel led to take part in leading a foster care prayer vigil in your city and have confirmed a time and place to do so during the week of May 19-25, please register your event here. The information you provide will be added to our list so that others in your area can find you.

“If you find an event already registered in your city, please feel free to contact the point person and join in.”

For more information on this important prayer vigil opportunity, go here.

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