This sermon delves into the profound truth of adoption as children of God, emphasizing the higher privilege of adoption over justification, highlighting the intimate relationship with God as our Father. The speaker reflects on the immense love and grace displayed in God's act of adoption, challenging listeners to appreciate and grasp the depth of this doctrine in their lives.

This sermon delves into the concept of Spiritual Blessings in the Heavenly Places as outlined in Ephesians. The speaker highlights the source, necessity, position, recipient, kind, examples, and heavenliness of these blessings. Emphasizing the union with Christ, the sermon underscores the blessings bestowed upon believers to reflect God's glory and the praiseworthiness of God for His salvation plan. It challenges listeners to recognize their heavenly citizenship and the spiritual blessings they possess in Christ.

Mike Bickle emphasizes the significance of understanding our spiritual identity in Christ, asserting that believers are new creations and that their standing before God is based on Jesus' righteousness rather than their own actions. He explains that the enemy seeks to distort this truth, leading to feelings of condemnation and insecurity, but reminds us that God does not count our sins against us. Bickle encourages believers to present themselves to God as alive and accepted, rather than guilty and condemned, fostering a deeper intimacy with the Lord. He highlights that our confidence in God's acceptance is rooted in the finished work of Christ, which allows us to approach God without fear. Ultimately, he reassures that our identity as lovers of God, despite our struggles with sin, is what defines us.

R.C. Sproul emphasizes the crucial theological assertion that regeneration precedes faith, a key distinction from semi-Pelagianism which believes man can accept God's grace without regeneration. Jesus, in His conversation with Nicodemus, highlights the necessity of being born again before believing in Him to see or enter the Kingdom of God. Regeneration is viewed as a supernatural, monergistic, immediate, and effectual work of God, rescuing individuals from sin's bondage and enabling them to have saving faith in Christ, leading to justification and adoption into God's family.

A.B. Simpson emphasizes the profound nature of God's Fatherhood, which is revealed through Jesus Christ. He explains that true sonship comes not from creation or adoption, but through the new birth and union with Christ, making believers partakers of God's divine nature. Simpson highlights the privileges of being children of God, including intimacy with the Father, His protective provision, and the promise of an eternal inheritance. He encourages believers to trust in God's love and to embrace their identity as His beloved children, which brings comfort and assurance in times of trial. Ultimately, Simpson calls for a response of love and obedience to God as our Father.

John Gill expounds on the doctrine of adoption, emphasizing that it is a distinct act of God's grace, separate from justification and regeneration. He explains that believers are adopted as children of God through Christ, highlighting the profound love and sovereign will of God in this process. Gill contrasts civil adoption with spiritual adoption, noting that while civil adoption requires the consent of the adopted, spiritual adoption is solely an act of divine grace. He also discusses the privileges and responsibilities that come with being adopted into God's family, including heirship and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, Gill illustrates that adoption is a gift that assures believers of their eternal inheritance and relationship with God.

Derek Prince emphasizes the predestination of believers to adoption as sons by God through Jesus Christ, with the ultimate purpose of being conformed to the image of Jesus. He highlights that Jesus is the pattern Son we must emulate to reach maturity, drawing from Hebrews and Romans. Despite facing all forms of temptation, Jesus remained sinless due to His unwavering commitment to the Father's will, as seen in Psalms and the Gospels. Jesus' motivation to fulfill the Father's will was the driving force behind His ministry, setting an example for believers to prioritize God's will above all else.

Barnhouse explains that 'huiothesia' means 'the placing of a son,' emphasizing the believer's position as a son or daughter with full rights and privileges in God's family. Detzler highlights the intimate relationship believers have with God as 'Abba, Father,' emphasizing the concept of adoption as sons. Paul reveals in Romans the past, present, and future aspects of adoption, showing that believers are chosen by God's grace to be His children. The Holy Spirit serves as the witness of our adoption, assuring believers of their relationship with God and freedom from fear. Adoption into God's family erases our old life, making us new persons with a clean slate before God.

E. Stanley Jones emphasizes the inherent capacity and necessity of love within us, highlighting that self-interest and other-interest are both inherent in children, with happiness found in being other-interested. Our destiny is to love, and living against this destiny leads to unhappiness for ourselves and those around us. By choosing to be people of love, we align with the universe's design and fulfill our destiny, making love our central life purpose.

Robert Murray M'Cheyne emphasizes the profound love of God in the doctrine of adoption, explaining that by nature, we are children of Satan, but through God's will and mercy, we can become sons of God. He highlights that this transformation is solely the work of God, who has the power to regenerate and adopt us into His family, and that our adoption is a humbling gift that should lead us to gratitude and faith. M'Cheyne outlines the steps of regeneration and faith as essential to becoming children of God, and he describes the immense blessings that come with this status, including the love of the Father, the indwelling of the Spirit, and the promise of inheritance as heirs of God. He urges listeners to recognize their need for God’s grace and to embrace their identity as children of God, encouraging them to seek a relationship with Him.

William Gadsby preaches about the great mysteries of salvation that many struggle to comprehend, including God's saving power for even the worst sinners, the method of salvation through God's electing love, and the role of God the Spirit in revealing and maintaining salvation in the hearts of believers. He emphasizes the need for true surrender and acknowledgment of one's sinful state before experiencing God's compassion and love. Gadsby highlights the importance of being part of God's spiritual family, predestined for eternal life, and the necessity of being brought out of spiritual captivity to truly understand and appreciate the great things God has done for His people.

C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that through faith in Christ's atonement, believers transition from being slaves to becoming children of God. This transformation is not based on our works or the Spirit's actions but solely on God's unconditional love and grace. Spurgeon reassures that we are not bound by the law but have received the spirit of adoption, allowing us to call God 'Abba, Father.' Our identity in Christ means we are seen as righteous and loved, regardless of our unworthiness. This profound change motivates us to work not for salvation, but because we are already saved.

David Wilkerson emphasizes that God has chosen to be a loving Father to us, inviting us to see Him in this intimate role. He highlights that while God is the Almighty ruler, in these last days, He desires a personal relationship with us as our Father. Jesus exemplified this relationship, living in the assurance of His Father's presence and love, which empowered Him to face trials without fear. Wilkerson encourages believers to embrace their identity as children of God, adopted into His family, and to recognize the protective and nurturing nature of the Father. Ultimately, God desires us to cry out to Him as 'Abba,' affirming our unique relationship with Him.

Chuck Smith emphasizes the dual nature of the Christmas story, highlighting both the human aspect of Christ's birth and the divine significance of God giving His Son. He explains that Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, was given to redeem humanity after sin marred God's original plan for fellowship and harmony. Through His life and teachings, Jesus reveals the truth of God and serves as the only way to restore our relationship with the Father. Smith underscores that God's love is the driving force behind the gift of His Son, intended to bring joy and healing to a broken world.

C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the profound relationship between God and His people, who are both His creation and His adopted children through Christ. He highlights the privilege of addressing God as 'Our Father,' which carries both authority and affection, urging believers to respond with loving obedience rather than servile fear. Spurgeon illustrates the depth of a father's love, asserting that just as earthly fathers care for their children, our heavenly Father provides and protects us with even greater devotion. The sermon calls for a joyful and willing service to God, recognizing His mercy and love as the foundation of our relationship with Him. Ultimately, the term 'Father' encapsulates all our needs and desires, offering a glimpse of heaven itself.

G.W. North emphasizes the glorious liberty of the sons of God, explaining that while believers experience spiritual freedom from sin and death, the physical body remains unredeemed until the resurrection. He highlights the importance of living in this liberty, which is a manifestation of God's love and predestined purpose for His children. North calls for believers to be spiritually alive and aware of the creation's groaning, urging them to embrace the Spirit's work in their lives to become intercessors. He stresses that true understanding of this liberty and the Spirit's role is essential for the church to fulfill its calling. Ultimately, the sermon encourages believers to recognize their identity as sons of God and to live in the fullness of the Spirit.

G.W. North emphasizes that the life of Jesus, characterized by the law of the Spirit of life, frees us from the law of sin and death. He explains that while we are not under the Mosaic law, we are still governed by the law of righteousness and life, which allows us to live free from sin. North highlights the importance of walking in the Spirit to experience the fullness of Christ's life, as this is the only way to embody the moral intelligence and personality that God intends for us. He asserts that the Holy Spirit enables us to live as children of God, witnessing our sonship and leading us in the life of Christ. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to embrace their identity in Christ through the Spirit.

T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the urgency of spiritual maturity in his sermon 'The Incentive to Maturity', highlighting that the New Testament is primarily focused on urging believers towards full growth in Christ. He explains that maturity is essential not just for personal development but for fulfilling God's divine purpose, which includes governance over the world to come. Sparks points out that the letters of Paul address various aspects of spiritual growth, stressing that immaturity hinders believers from realizing their calling and inheritance as children of God. He underscores the importance of understanding our identity in Christ and the necessity of pressing on towards maturity to fulfill God's eternal purpose. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a deep commitment to spiritual growth as a response to God's grace and purpose.

Thomas Reade preaches on the blessings of redemption, emphasizing the infinite and eternal nature of God's gifts of grace and the gratitude we should have towards Jesus. He discusses the Spirit of adoption, highlighting the importance of filial affections towards God and the peace and joy that come with feeling like a child of God. Reade also addresses the need for genuine joy rooted in the Spirit's witness, cautioning against counterfeit graces and emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's will as a true foundation for our faith and comfort.

David Wilkerson emphasizes that God's love is unconditional and not based on our worthiness or understanding of doctrine. He illustrates that God chose us and adopted us as His children even when we were lost in sin, highlighting the depth of His mercy and love. Wilkerson reassures us that we do not need to have everything figured out; the assurance of being loved by God is enough. He draws a parallel between earthly and heavenly fatherhood, affirming that just as earthly fathers do not abandon their children, our Heavenly Father will always be with us. This profound love allows us to rest in the knowledge that we are cherished and never alone.

David Wilkerson emphasizes the simplicity and power of praying in Jesus' name, explaining that when believers make requests in His name, it is as if Jesus Himself is petitioning the Father. He highlights the intimate relationship between God and Jesus, noting that God hears and answers every request made by His Son. Through our spiritual union with Christ, believers are adopted into God's family, receiving the same access and authority in prayer as Jesus. This profound truth assures us that our prayers are heard and answered, as we are clothed in Christ's Sonship. Ultimately, Wilkerson encourages believers to recognize the incredible authority they possess when praying in Jesus' name.

George MacDonald preaches about the deep significance of calling God 'Father' from a full heart, emphasizing the importance of understanding and embracing the spirit of adoption as true sons and daughters of God. He challenges the traditional doctrine of Adoption, highlighting the need for a personal, heartfelt relationship with God as our Father, rather than a legalistic or distant concept of adoption. MacDonald stresses the essential role of love, faith, and honest skepticism in seeking to know God as our Father, encouraging believers to question and seek a genuine connection with God as his children.

T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the assurance of God's rest and satisfaction in Christ, highlighting that believers are adopted as sons through Jesus, which brings glory to God. He discusses the importance of the exaltation of Christ as the foundation of the Church's assurance and the danger of internal disintegration caused by doubt and suspicion, which the enemy uses to undermine confidence. Sparks illustrates that true assurance comes from recognizing the value of Christ's blood and the rest it provides, leading to a victorious Christian life. He calls for believers to focus on their identity in Christ, as the spiritual house is built upon Him, and to maintain a positive outlook on their fellowship with one another. Ultimately, the Church exists to glorify God, reflecting His grace and the transformative power of Christ in their lives.

C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the profound love of the Father in adopting us as His sons, despite our inherent corruption and struggles. He reflects on the privileges and responsibilities that come with this relationship, highlighting the care and tenderness expected from a father. Spurgeon reassures believers that even in their lowest moments, they are still recognized as sons of God, encouraging them to live by faith in Christ rather than their feelings or circumstances. He reminds us that our current state does not define our future, as we will ultimately be transformed to be like Him when He appears.

William Barclay, Swindoll, and Spurgeon delve into the significance of the term 'Abba' in addressing God, emphasizing the warm, intimate, and personal relationship between believers and God as their Father. Jesus used 'Abba' in His prayer in Gethsemane, reflecting the trust and intimacy in His relationship with God. The use of 'Abba' signifies a new covenantal relationship initiated by Jesus, allowing believers to address God with closeness and endearment. The term 'Abba' expresses a childlike trust and dependence on God, reflecting the believer's adoption as sons and daughters of God through faith.