“Cry … ‘Abba, Father'”

Learning to Live in the Spirit of Adoption
“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.'”
Romans 8:15
This study of spiritual adoption will hold many surprises for us. Not only is God the Father treated slightly in most works on theology, but the concept of sonship by spiritual adoption is scarcely understood.
Because of the biblical meaning of the term “adoption,” our study is forced to take a practical approach to the relationship of the believer to the heavenly Father. This approach is demanded by each of the passages in which the phrase “Abba, Father” is found.

Living in the Spirit of Adoption – VA 2015

Gene Cunningham - May 24, 2007

The Nature of Time

"If you kill time you injure eternity" -- H.Thoreau. When we "buy up time" or "number our days" we are reserving it for eternity (Psa 90:12); "Wake up sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you" (Eph 5:14); the love and light of Christ will shine through us if we redeem the time. Industrial revolution change our perception of time; Agriculture economy was based on day-light. The factory work day based on the clock. Light and time are linked by God in creation (Gen 1:1-5, Gen 1:14). The tyranny of time is the fear of death — time running out (Gen 3:1-10, Heb 2:14-15, Gen 2:15-17). Jesus called time His "hour" (Joh 12:23-27, Joh 17:1). We need to view every decision from the end-point (eternity). Time itself becomes a tyranny when you want to get things done. God gives meaning to time (Gen 3:15). The cross is the central focus of time. Only eternity can satisfy the cravings of the human heart through Christ (Gen 3:21, Gen 4:1-3). The meaning of time has changed, but God's purpose was there in eternity past -- the "fullness of time" (Eph 1:7-11). God never intended time to be a tyrant. Time is either an enemy or friend (against or with you). When time is our ally we walk not rush through life. Jesus was the only pure example of the mastery of time (e.g., Mar 1:35-38). Only redemption and God's word can synchronize our lives with God's time. Is our life an expression of His purpose?



Scripture References: Genesis 1:14, Genesis 3:15, Genesis 1:1-5, John 17:1, Ephesians 5:14, John 12:23-27, Mark 1:35-38, Psalms 90:12, Genesis 2:15-17, Ephesians 1:7-11, Hebrews 2:14-15, Genesis 4:1-3, Genesis 3:1-10, Genesis 3:21

From Series: "Redeeming the Time - Arkansas Youth Camp - 2009"

This series was originally given at the Arkansas Camp in June 2009. The theme of the camp was 'Redeeming the Time' covering Eph 5:16-21 and related time-related passages.

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