Scripture Reading: Romans 8:1-23 | Sabbath: June 24, 2023

Memory Verse: Romans 8:15

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Weekly Proverb: Proverbs 3:30

Proverbs 3:30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.

Introduction: Everyone in God's family is a son of God. Jesus has a special place in this family, and the Saints have a lessor place. What sets Jesus apart from the other members of the family?

Q 1. Humans are born by physical means. This was not so with the Son of God. How was Jesus made to be God's Son? Psalms 2:7; John 1:18

Answer: By decree. That is, by declaration. God has made a formal statement that Jesus is His Son.

Psalms 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Q 2. There is no record of any other being that was given sonship by declaration. Were there others to choose from? Does this make Jesus the only begotten Son of God? Hebrews 1:2, 5

Hebrews 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Hebrews 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

Q 3. The death of any child is a tragedy. The death of an only child can be a catastrophe for parents with no likelihood of having another. As precious as His only Son was, what was God willing to do for our future? I John 4:9, 10; John 3:16-18

Answer: God sent His Son into the world as the Lamb. The Lamb had to be sacrificed for our sins so our sins can be passed over. God's love for all Saints was so powerful that He gave up His Son to die and to be resurrected, demonstrating for us the way to eternal life through Jesus's life, death, resurrection, and ascension.

1 John 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Q 4. Jesus is the only begotten Son, but who else are sons? 1 John 3:1, 2

1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Q 5. If we are sons of God, and Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, then how are we sons of God? Romans 8:15

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Q 6. Yes, we are sons now, but the adoption has not yet taken place. What is the adoption? When will it take place? Romans 8:19, 23

Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Q 7. When was this plan of adoption conceived? Ephesians 1:3-5

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Question 8. Once adopted, we become a part of what eternal organization? Ephesians 3:14, 15

Ephesians 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Ephesians 3:15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

Q 9. We are all sons along with the only begotten Son. This makes us all Brethren. However, this brotherhood is dependent on what? Are those that are not sanctified sons? Hebrews 2:11; Ezekiel 20:12

Answer: Sonship depends on our sanctification. And, as Sabbath-keepers, we know that the Sabbath Day is one of God's laws that sanctify us. Anyone that does not keep the Sabbath holy is not a son, and therefore, has no hope of eternal salvation.

Hebrews 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

Ezekiel 20:12 Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them.

Conclusion: Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, and the Saints are adopted sons of God. We have not yet experienced the full benefits of that adoption. That will happen at the first resurrection.