“Adoption”
May 4th, 2008The second Psalm is known as a “Royal Psalm.” It celebrates the coronation of the king of Israel and his “adoption” as God’s son/servant. What was once fulfilled through the king was completely fulfilled through Jesus Christ. And through Jesus Christ, we are all adopted sons and daughters. We are f
amily. We stand together before our God. And we walk this life together, as a family should. We have all been adopted. We are brothers and sisters. We are not alone.
Psalm 2
1. The story of how Corran came into Cindy’s and my life is a miracle unto itself. Suffice it to say, however, that one of the greatest days of my life was November 3, 2003 when Cindy and I appeared before a judge in Orange County Superior court to finalize his adoption.
A. Our entire family was there. The atmosphere was very much a celebration.
B. We all filed into the courtroom, and the judge smiled, congratulated us, and then asked us a few questions.
C. “Do you understand that by signing the Adoption Agreement you agree to treat Corran as your own lawful child and provide for his health, welfare, and educational needs?” (We answered yes.)
D. Do you understand that by adopting Corran you agree that he shall enjoy all of the rights of a natural child of your own issue including the right of inheritance?” (WE chuckled a bit at “inheritance,” but we answered “yes.”)
E. “Do each of you agree to the adoption by one another?” (Yes) Finally, “Understanding these responsibilities, do you wish to adopt Corran?” (Yes).
F. As we left the courtroom, I whispered to Corran the words from today’s psalm, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.”
G. It was an incredible day. Sometimes, when I think of the children in the world still waiting to be adopted, and hoping for families to love them, I am overwhelmed.
H. You see, we were born to be connected to other people. It is through the community that God is revealed to individuals.
2. The people – the community – of Israel were chosen by God for a specific reason.
A. They were to be heirs of God’s promise, and were called to fulfill God’s purpose.
B. God established with the people of Israel a covenantal relationship – a relationship based on the promise of mutual faithfulness – that they might be the conduit of God’s relationship with all humanity.
C. It is a biblical characteristic of God that He uses relationships to fulfill his purpose. Covenant (Israel) – ultimately through his own son.
D. Today, we are beginning a new sermon series entitled “Life Happens: Lessons on Living from the Psalms.”
E. Psalm 2 – a royal psalm. It was read at the coronation of a new king, and at annual festival celebrating his reign.
F. King = God’s servant. God did not want a king, but the people did. God relented, but he said “The king works for me – not for you.”
G. Psalm 2:7 – “Adoption formula.” – the king becomes the “son of God” by being adopted into that role by God himself.
H. That’s how important relationships – family – are to God. In order to fulfill his plan for humanity, God adopts the king as his son. This won’t be the last time that God’s son becomes a servant of humankind.
3. I think, sometimes, that we miss the importance of the church family when we pursue our walk of faith.
A. Due to our own fractured sense of what family is – broken families, estranged families, dysfunctional families, etc.
B. Experience has made many of us wary of belonging to a family, especially one with a mission.
C. Adopted girls I know…
1) Baptism as adoption
2) Mom died
3) Dad committed suicide
D. How’s that for fractured? Still I proclaim that they have a family, for they have been adopted twice – once by their parents, and once by God.
E. How has your sense of community – of family – become fractured in your life?
F. What has happened to cause you to feel alone in this world?
4. A strange thing happens with this “adoption formula” in Matthew’s Gospel.
A. Matthew 3:13-17. What God had previously done through Israel and the king – he now has done through Jesus Christ.
B. This is very good news. Through Jesus Christ, we are all adopted sons and daughters of the living God.
C. Just as Cindy and I pledged before the judge that Corran would have all the legal rights of an heir to all that we have (such as that is), so to do the promises of God now become the right of all who are his heirs.
D. One such inheritance is membership into the family of God. You are no longer alone.
E. But, just as before, membership into the family of God comes with responsibilities – we are responsible for one another, to care for one another, sustain one another, to build one another up.
F. We are also responsible to represent God’s love and grace in the world. That is how it works in the family of God.
5. One of my fondest memories from childhood was family dinner on Sunday nights. Dad would load up the Chevy Kingswood for the drive to McDonald’s about 20 minutes away.
A. All of us together, sitting around, talking about the week.
B. What happened in church, what happened at school, etc.
C. What I remember the most is how connected to my family I felt during those meals, how close we were with one another.
D. Family meals have always been a time of special closeness in the Waterson clan.
E. This morning, we are going to share in a family meal together – in the sacrament of Holy Communion.
F. Not just remembrance of what Jesus did for us long ago – but a family meal, where we share with one another the love we have in Christ.
G. Where we recommit ourselves to Christ AND to one another – His family.
6. Much has been said about life. The famous Greek philosopher Anonymous was once quoted as saying. “Life is a bowl of cherries…“
A. Forrest Gump reminded us that “Life is like a box of chocolates…”
B. And who can forget John Lennon’s little gem, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans…”
C. Much has been said about life indeed. But, one thing is for certain. As we travel this world, as we experience the vagaries and vicissitudes of this life, we do well to remember these words of our Lord.
D. “You are my son…you are my daughter. Today, I have become your father.”
E. We are family. And we are bound together not by our blood, but by the blood of Jesus Christ, by the covenant that we share with God through Jesus Christ, and the mission that that covenant entails.
F. We are family. We stand together before our God. And we walk this life together, as a family should.
G. We have all been adopted. We are brothers and sisters. We are not alone. We are not alone. Amen.
Sermon delivered 5/4/08 at Light of the Canyon United Methodist Church, Anaheim Hills.
