Eric Bechler's sermon on Chapter 12, Paragraph 1 of the Second London Baptist Confession focuses on the doctrine of adoption. It explains that all those who are justified by God, for the sake of Jesus Christ, are granted the grace of adoption. This divine act allows believers to become children of God, enjoying the liberties and privileges associated with this status. They receive a new legal standing, an eternal inheritance, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the ability to call God 'Abba Father.' The sermon underscores that, through adoption, believers are no longer strangers but members of God's family, sharing in the blessings and protection of God. Various scriptural references support the idea that believers are pitied, protected, provided for, and chastened by God like a loving Father. Moreover, the sermon encourages believers to express love and kindness towards fellow Christians, highlighting the familial bond shared among believers as members of the body of Christ.

A reading from the second London Baptist confession today comes from chapter 12 of adoption, paragraph 1. All those that are justified, God vouchsafed in and for the sake of his only son, Jesus Christ. To make partakers of the grace of adoption, by which they are taken into the number and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God, have His name put on them, receive the Spirit of adoption, have access to the throne of grace with boldness, are unable to cry, Abba Father, are pitied, protected, provided for, and chastened by Him as by a Father, yet never cast off, but sealed to the day of redemption and inherit the promises as heirs of everlasting salvation. God is granted that all those who are justified would receive the grace of adoption in and for the sake of his only son, Jesus Christ. Paul tells us, but when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who are under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons, Galatians 4, 4 through 5, that you are all sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ, Galatians 3.26.

The doctrine of adoption is described by Ligonier Ministries as one of the central benefits of redemption applied. In justification, God forgives guilty sinners and accepts them as righteous in His sight, only on account of the blood and righteousness of Christ. In adoption, he brings those who were once enemies into the family of God, giving them a new legal status, an eternal inheritance, and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Adoption is a one-time, non-repeatable act of God, and it is a benefit. In our natural state, we are alienated from the family of God.

Jesus tells the Pharisees, you are of your father, the devil. And the desires of your father, you want to do them. John 8 44. We are by nature children of wrath. Our nature is corrupted.

We are enslaved to sin. But through adoption, we are brought into the family of God and numbered among his children. Paul tells us, therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. Ephesians 2.19. Our confession lists a number of blessings that we enjoy as God's adopted children.

And I'm going to try to go through what I found quickly. First, we are counted in the number of the children of God. Because we have been adopted, we are now considered brothers and sisters in Christ. We are members of the family of God. John writes, Beloved, now we are children of God and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be but we know that when He is revealed we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is.

1 John 3 2. It is a privilege and a blessing to be counted in the number of the children of God. Number two, we will enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God. What does this entail? There are many, but first we are no longer slaves, but free people.

We have been freed from the bondage of sin. Paul in his letters to the Corinthians quotes Leviticus, Ezekiel, and Zechariah to describe other privileges. As God had said, I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from among them the heathens and be separate says the Lord.

Do not touch what is unclean and I will receive you. I will be a father to you and you shall be my sons and daughters says the Lord Almighty. Second Corinthians 6 16 through 18. Number three, we will have God's name put upon us. John tells us in Revelation 3 1, he who overcomes I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God and he shall go out no more.

I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from the heaven from my God, and I will write on him my new name. Even now, we bear the name of our brother. This is why we are called Christians. Number four, we receive the spirit of adoption. Paul tells us, for you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you receive the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba Father." Romans 8 15.

God gives His children the Holy Spirit as a seal and inner guarantee of their permanent status and security. Number five, we have access to the throne of grace and can speak intimately to God. Although God is the creator of all people and all things, He is not the father of all people, only those he has saved, only his children. Believers have unfettered, intimate access to God, allowing them to approach his throne in prayer and boldly call him Abba Father. Paul explains, for Through Him we have access by one spirit to the Father, Ephesians 2, 18.

Jesus even teaches us to pray, Our Father, who art in heaven, in Matthew 6, 9. Yes, we can call the Creator of the universe, we can call God Almighty our Father. Number six, we are pitied by our Heavenly Father. This is not a pity in the sense of feeling badly towards someone. This is a more positive, a divine compassion.

He cares for us. In Psalms 103.13 we read, as a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. Number seven, we are protected and provided for by our heavenly father. The psalmist declares, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear Psalm 46 1 through 2.

We also read in Proverbs 14 26 and his children will have a place of refuge. This is so comforting that God protects us. Every day we hear tragedies and yes we we need his protection. We should pray for it. He also provides for us.

Peter tells us cast all our cares upon him for he cares for you first Peter 5 7 Matthew reminds us therefore do not worry saying what shall we eat what shall we drink what shall we wear for after all these things the Gentiles seek for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. Matthew 6, 31-33. Number eight, we are chastened by our heavenly Father. This sounds like a bad thing, but it's not. Solomon clarifies the implications of chastening in Proverbs 13 24.

Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. Chastening is a good thing. Because God loves us, he will at times place his hand heavily upon us and discipline us. The goal being to wake us up and to get us back on track. Sometimes it's painful but it's always for our good.

Again Solomon tells us, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction. For whom the Lord loves, He corrects just as the Father, the Son in whom He delights. Proverbs 3, 11, and 12. Number nine, we will never be cast off or disowned, but will be sealed and secure for all time. In the Lamentations of Jeremiah, he tries to comfort the people of Israel following the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the people of Judah saying, for the Lord will not cast off forever.

Lamentations 3.31. He will not abandon or disown his children, even in the worst of days. Furthermore, all those who are born of the Spirit and justified are sealed by the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption. Like a signet ring from a king sealing an important document or a tomb, the imprinted seal shows the king's ownership. It shows the king's authority over that document or that tomb and it provides security that the seal cannot be broken or tampered with without facing the King's wrath.

Paul tells us, and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 430. When we are adopted, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit. Have two more. Hang in there.

Number 10. We will inherit the promises, an inheritance of full unspeakable blessings, an inheritance coming full of unspeakable blessings. God has promised to deliver those whom he has adopted. The Holy Spirit given to us and dwelling in us is like a down payment or guarantee. Paul tells us, having believed you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 1, 13 through 14. Furthermore, the author of Hebrews states, we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6, 11 through 12. God has promised to deliver those whom he has adopted. And finally, number 11, we are heirs of eternal life, everlasting salvation.

From Hebrews 9.15, we read, those who are called may receive the promise of the internal inheritance. Remember, those who are called will be justified. And those who are justified will be glorified." Romans 8.30. And Paul tells us, the Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. And if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.

If indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." Romans 8, 16, and 17. John sums it up nicely, the whole essence of adoption in 1 John 3, verse 1, and so we exclaim, see what kind of love the Father has given to us that we should be called children of God. Dr. Sproul comments, because of the Father's love for Christ, the Father has adopted us into the royal family, making us joint heirs with Christ. We are beloved of the Father because He is beloved of the Father and we ought never to forget that.

He is the eternal object of the Father's affection, and we are the Father's gift of love to His Son. We are adopted by the Father in Christ, and the Father loves us because we are in the Son. May we live in the comfort and confidence that comes with knowing that our Heavenly Father has adopted us in love. There are many applications with the doctrine of adoption. I would just like to comment on one.

Love for the body of Christ. Those justified and adopted into the family of God are the body of Christ. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Do we love them as brothers and sisters as Christ would have us? The brother-sister relationship can sometimes be the hardest.

We see that in our own families. Some of you will shortly. At times, looking back, I felt a total failure as a father trying to get my kids to be kind to one another. This is an uncomfortable picture for us that shows up in God's family here on earth, in the churches, in our communities, and in the world. Brothers and sisters in Christ aren't always kind to one another.

We can be arrogant, overly dogmatic, overly critical, and judgmental towards other Christians. Let us try to be more patient with other believers, gentler and kinder, giving more leeway, especially with small issues. Let us not try to jump to conclusions or participate in gossip. Let us be known for our love for one another, for our love for the family of God. Let us be more like Jesus.

In fact, let us be Christ to others, which I mean by that, it means loving, serving, forgiving people around you just as Jesus did through everyday actions and genuine compassion. One last comment about being in the family of God. If or when you take a trip, you have a chance of experiencing being in the family of God. Visit a local church wherever you happen to find yourself. I've done this across the United States and a number of countries overseas, even in the Middle East.

I was welcomed like a brother, like family, even though I was a complete stranger, even though actually I was a foreigner. It was a wonderful feeling. The closeness, the warmth, the acceptance, the love. It was very, it was very cool. So I hope you, I hope you will take the opportunity to do that next time you you