The Gospel of Sonship

In this exploration of divine sonship, we discover that being a child of God is far more profound than the common belief that everyone is automatically God's child by virtue of creation. Through careful examination of Scripture, we learn that true sonship comes through faith in Jesus Christ and adoption into God's family. This transformation grants believers unprecedented access to the Father and makes them co-heirs with Christ in God's kingdom.

Transcript:

Thank you for worshiping together today. It’s always a joy to gather with you. We’re continuing in The Gospel is Bigger Than You Think, looking at another effect of the gospel: the gospel of sonship—being a child of God.

I find this topic particularly meaningful. As many of you know, my oldest daughter, Lorelai, recently went to college. I’m going to put her on the spot—everyone, look at Lorelai over there. It’s always special when she comes home on Fridays. She doesn’t think that just because she’s gone to college, our house is no longer her home. She doesn’t knock on the door; it would break my heart if she did. She knows our home is her home.

Our home is open to many of you as well. For example, the Southwick and Booker kids just walk right in, and that brings me joy because it reflects the closeness we share. Others of you do the same, and it’s a blessing to have that familial connection. Of course, I’d prefer you not show up at 2 a.m.! That might be a bit much. But generally, I’m grateful for the bond we share.

However, there are others—maybe I don’t know you as well yet—who knock when they come over, and that’s perfectly fine. And then there are people, like sales representatives, who might come to my house but aren’t expected to enter. There’s a difference in how we relate to people based on the relationship we have.

This brings me to a common idea in society: the statement that “everyone is a child of God.” People say this because God created all of humankind, which is true in a general sense. But being created by God doesn’t automatically make someone part of his household. Imagine if, hypothetically, one of my kids did something so grievous that I had to ask them to leave my home. They’d still be my offspring, but the relationship would change. They wouldn’t have the same access to our home. Similarly, though God created all people, not everyone has “house privileges” in his household.

Something happened with Adam that caused us to lose our right to God’s presence. An estranged son is still a son in one sense, but not in the same way as a faithful son. God’s nature as a loving father compels him to call his estranged children back to himself. That’s what his redemptive work in the Scriptures is about—restoring that broken relationship, not creating division. For example, God called Israel his own son.

In the Old Testament, God is rarely referred to as “Father,” and Israel is rarely called his “son.” One clear example is Isaiah 63:16, where the Israelites say, “You are our Father.” They acknowledge God as their creator, much like how parents create children in a way that reflects God’s creative work.

By the New Testament, it became common for Israelites to think of themselves as God’s children and to address him as Father, even though this wasn’t explicitly commanded in the Old Testament. This idea of a father-son relationship was central to Jewish thought during this time. For instance, Luke traces Jesus’ genealogy back to Adam and then to God (Luke 3:38).

Let’s look at the final parts of Jesus' genealogy in Luke: “Son of Enos, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God” (Luke 3:38). This reflects a prevalent belief among the Jews of Jesus' day—that they were sons of God because they were descendants of Adam, who was called the son of God. Similarly, the nation of Israel is also referred to as God’s son.

Even though Adam sinned and humanity became estranged from God, Israel was chosen to be God’s beloved son. Hosea 11:1 says, “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.” This refers to the Exodus, when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and eventually into the Promised Land—God’s land. Here, Israel is called God’s beloved son, chosen out of all the nations to be his possession, set apart and distinct.

Although all nations had become alienated from God—estranged and "kicked out of the house," so to speak—God called Israel back, inviting them to return to his household. He brought them out of Egypt, through the wilderness, and into the land of Canaan, where they built the temple, God’s house. This allowed the Israelites to dwell in the presence of their Father. Thus, Israel was God’s son, and Yahweh was their Father.

Yet Israel, like Adam, rebelled. Adam was in the house of God—in the garden—but was cast out because of his disobedience. Israel followed the same pattern. 1 John 3:10 draws a sharp distinction: “This is how God’s children—and the devil’s children—are made evident: Whoever does not do what is right is not of God.” For John, doing God’s works marks someone as God’s child, while disobedience marks them as a child of the devil.

Even though Israel was called to be God’s son and called God their Father, they continually rebelled. They became estranged again, just as Adam was, and even those born within the nation of Israel were born estranged from God. Many Israelites assumed they were special simply because of their heritage, but they were disobedient sons.

The story of the prodigal son comes to mind here. In the parable, a father has two sons. One demands his inheritance early, leaves home, and squanders everything on immorality. He ends up broke, destitute, and far from his father. This mirrors Israel’s story. In their rebellion, they became subject to the powers of other nations, finding themselves spiritually bankrupt and unable to return to God’s house. Israel was meant to be an obedient son who brought other sons back to the Father, a nation blessed to worship God in the temple and lead others to him. Instead, they rebelled, aligning themselves with the world and failing to fulfill their purpose.

At this point, God brings a unique Son into the picture. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son.” The word often translated as “only begotten” carries the sense of “unique.” This unique Son is Jesus. But why is Jesus called the Son of God if Israel was also called the Son of God?

The title “Son of God” has two origins. First, in the Old Testament, the “sons of God” are divine beings, part of God’s first creation—the angels. By the Second Temple period, Israelites commonly referred to themselves as sons of God, emphasizing their relationship to God as Father. While the Old Testament contains only a few references to God as Father or Israel as his son, this language became much more common in Jewish thought by the time of Jesus.

Interestingly, in the Gospels, no one accuses Jesus of blasphemy for claiming to be the Son of God. This is because, for the Jews, the phrase “son of God” often simply meant an Israelite. However, they become furious when Jesus calls himself the Son of Man, as this title—especially in Daniel 7—clearly refers to a divine being.

The term “Son of God” carries a dual meaning. On one hand, it refers to Israel’s identity as God’s people. On the other, it recalls the divine beings in the Old Testament, introducing a sense of ambiguity. This dual meaning highlights Christology—our understanding of who Jesus is. Jesus is fully divine and fully human, and both aspects are encapsulated in the title “Son of God.”

God sent this unique Son, Jesus, to do what the first son, Israel, failed to do. Israel was disobedient, but Jesus was perfectly obedient. Where Adam and Israel both rebelled, Jesus fulfilled God’s will, bringing estranged children back into the household of God.

You might wonder, "Did God’s first son, Israel, fail? Did he have to try again with Jesus?" The New Testament addresses this question in several ways, particularly through the writings of Paul in Romans and Ephesians. Paul makes it clear that God did not fail with Israel. The Messiah was always the plan from the beginning.

We see this reflected as early as Genesis 3, where it’s promised that an anointed one would come to crush the work of the devil. There was always going to be a perfect Son of God. What’s fascinating is that this perfect Son, Jesus, comes from the imperfect sons of God, Israel.

Consider the incarnation—the birth of Jesus. As the Apostles’ Creed states, Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. These truths are foundational because they reveal that Jesus is both divine (conceived by the Holy Spirit) and human (born of Mary, an Israelite). He is the perfect Son of God where Israel was imperfect. Jesus embodies everything Israel was meant to be but failed to accomplish.

Take the story of Jesus’ birth. When Herod, the king of Judea, heard the prophecy of a coming Messiah, he decreed the execution of all male children under two years old. Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt to protect Jesus. Later, after Herod’s death, they returned to settle in Nazareth.

Matthew 2:15 notes this about Jesus’ time in Egypt: “He stayed there until Herod’s death, so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled: Out of Egypt I called my Son.” This verse from Hosea 11:1 originally referred to Israel being delivered from Egypt during the Exodus. However, Matthew, inspired by the Holy Spirit, applies it to Jesus, presenting him as the better Israel—the more perfect Son of God. For Matthew, this prophecy finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus.

What’s remarkable is that Jesus isn’t the only Son of God. He is the unique Son, but he is also called the firstborn of many brothers and sisters. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus paved the way for others to become children of God. Romans 8:28-29 says:

"We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters."

Let’s examine a few key ideas here. First, Paul says, “all things work together for the good of those who love God.” This phrase indicates faith and trust in God, but it’s also a familial reference. To love God is to love him as a child loves a father. It speaks to intimacy and relationship, not just knowledge or belief.

Next, Paul refers to those “called according to his purpose.” In a family, there’s a shared purpose, especially while children live under the same roof. The father’s purpose becomes the family’s purpose. This unity fosters order and prevents conflict. Ideally, a family moves, lives, and acts as one. Paul suggests that those who love God as their Father align with his purpose, working together in harmony as members of his household.

Jesus, the unique Son of God, fulfills the role Israel could not. He embodies perfect obedience and brings others into God’s family, making them brothers and sisters who share in his inheritance. This is the beauty of the gospel of sonship: through Jesus, we are invited to become children of God, united in love and purpose under our Father.

This concept is what we call vocational patterning. In biblical times, if your father was a farmer, you were likely going to be a farmer. If your father was a baker, you would become a baker. The reason for this was largely practical. There was no system of higher education where you could learn an entirely new trade. Instead, you worked in your father’s house, learned his vocation, and eventually inherited his business—whether it was a farm, a bakery, or another trade. It just made sense.

Similarly, if God is at work in this world and we are his children, it follows that we are called into his vocation. Romans 8:28-29 says that God conforms us to the image of his Son. While Israel was given the law, the Torah, they consistently rebelled against it. From the very beginning, they disobeyed even the foundational Ten Commandments, turning to the gods of other nations instead of Yahweh. They failed to conform to the law.

Here’s the deeper issue: as humans, we have a rebellious nature. We instinctively resist what is good and right. This is why God’s plan for us isn’t simply about giving us a law to follow. Unlike every other religion that says, “Here’s a law or a set of rites; follow them to achieve salvation,” Christianity works differently. God knows we cannot and will not follow the law on our own. Instead, he transforms us to conform to the image of his Son—Jesus, the only one who perfectly obeyed the law.

God does this transformative work in us through the Holy Spirit. He shapes us to look like Jesus, to live like him, and to follow his ways. That’s why Romans 8:28 says, “All things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” This “good” is about being conformed to the image of Christ, fulfilling the purpose for which we were created.

Why does God conform us to the image of his Son? So that Jesus might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. As the firstborn, Jesus receives the greater share of the inheritance—God’s kingdom. But we, as God’s adopted children, also share in this inheritance. Matthew 25:34 echoes this: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

God’s redemptive plan brings us back into his household, restoring what Adam lost in the garden. Through Jesus, the doors to God’s house are opened, and we are made co-heirs of the kingdom. This is the beauty of being children of God—we are adopted into his family and receive the privileges and responsibilities that come with it.

Adoption: Becoming Children of God

So, how do we become children of God? The answer is adoption. Adam’s sin estranged humanity from God, and all his descendants—including you and me—are born outside of God’s kingdom. Yet through adoption, we are brought into God’s family. This concept is central to Scripture and especially emphasized in Paul’s writings.

The doctrine of adoption teaches us that not everyone is a child of God in the relational sense. While all people are God’s offspring in the sense that he created them, only those who are adopted into his family have “house privileges.” These are the ones with a “key” to God’s kingdom.

John frames this distinction in stark terms: “Who do you obey? Do you obey God or the devil? Are you a child of God or a child of the devil?” Obedience is a defining mark of being a child of God. Those who love God, are called according to his purpose, and are being conformed into the image of Jesus are the ones who truly belong to his family. Just as Jesus was obedient to the Father, we, too, are called to walk in obedience as his adopted children.

Paul emphasizes that those who are adopted are children of God. Look at Ephesians 1:5: “He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” Now, I intentionally avoided the word predestined earlier in Romans to focus on it here. For many of you who’ve been reading the New Testament for a long time, this word might feel like an “elephant in the room.” It can be uncomfortable for some, but let’s consider what God predestined us for—what he planned for us before the foundation of the world.

First, Paul says God predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ. Adoption through Jesus was always the plan, even back in Genesis 3, where the one who would crush the serpent’s head is first mentioned. That was Jesus. The plan for Jesus didn’t start with Genesis 3, though. It was set in motion even before Adam walked the earth. Before creation, Jesus was the plan.

God knew humanity would disobey, and yet his plan was always adoption. Paul tells us that God predestined us for adoption according to the good pleasure of his will. This means that our adoption is for Jesus, for his glory, and for God’s purpose. Romans 8:29 confirms this: “so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” God’s desire is to have a family—to redeem people who were estranged and bring them back into his household. Those who were disobedient, he now transforms into obedient children. Just as Christ is the beloved Son, we too are adopted as beloved sons and daughters.

Adoption brings joy to God. The Westminster Shorter Catechism reminds us that humanity’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. This joy flows both ways: God takes joy in adopting us, and we find eternal joy in being his children. When God declared creation “very good” in Genesis, he meant it. He delights in us, and through Jesus, he grants us the right to become children of God.

Adoption and the Right to be God’s Children

John 1:12 says: “But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name.” Notice the phrase “he gave them the right.” Being called a child of God is not automatic—it requires receiving Jesus. Think of it like an inheritance. Traditionally, when someone dies and leaves a will, the beneficiaries gather for the reading of the will to claim their inheritance. If someone doesn’t show up, they forfeit their claim, and it passes to the next inheritor.

In the same way, John says, “to all who did receive him, he gave the right to be children of God.” You have to show up. To claim your inheritance as a child of God, you must receive the gift of Jesus Christ. But how do you receive it? John answers: “to those who believe in his name.”

Believing in His Name

This concept of “believing in his name” might seem unusual. When Scripture speaks of someone’s name in this way, it conveys more than just a label. It reflects their identity, character, and authority. To believe in Jesus’ name is to trust in who he is—the Son of God, the Savior—and to place your faith in his finished work.

Believing in Jesus’ name isn’t simply acknowledging his existence. It’s a wholehearted acceptance of his authority and a personal commitment to him. It’s recognizing that Jesus is the only way to be reconciled to God and to receive the inheritance of the Father’s kingdom.

What does it mean to believe in a name? Why not simply say, "Believe in Jesus"? Why emphasize his name? That phrase ties us back to the divine name, Yahweh, in the Old Testament. This is part of what scholars call name theology. To believe in the name is to believe in Yahweh's kingship—his divine rulership over the cosmos.

In the New Testament, this idea is carried forward, declaring that Jesus is that divine ruler. He is the cosmic King, the one to whom all authority has been given in heaven and on earth. Believing in Jesus' name means believing that he is King over all creation. It’s a confession that Jesus is the rightful ruler, the one who reigns supreme.

This ties directly to the foundation of the gospel: Jesus is King. John 1:12 says, “To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Those who receive the truth of Jesus' kingship, who stop believing they are king or that the powers of this world are king, are given the right to be called children of God. That’s what it means to believe in his name.

The Fullness of the Gospel Message

This truth is crucial because it points to the fullness of the gospel. Over the last few centuries, some Christians have reduced the gospel to a single truth: "Jesus died for your sins." While that is true, it is only one effect of the gospel. The gospel is far greater—it declares that Jesus is King. Forgiveness of sins flows from his kingship, but it is not the whole gospel.

When we share the gospel, we must do more than throw out reductionistic truths. Some people think their responsibility ends when they shout, “Jesus died for your sins” or issue a fiery warning about hell. Then, if someone doesn’t respond, they shrug and say, “Well, it’s up to God.” But the way we share Jesus matters. The gospel is not just about escaping punishment; it’s an invitation to submit to Jesus as King. That truth must shape how we proclaim him.

Jesus is the Lord of the harvest. He is sovereign over those who come to him. But our role is not to abandon people in their sins because we’ve oversimplified the gospel or become passive in our evangelism. The gospel is bigger than “Jesus died for your sins”—it is the proclamation of his kingship. And when someone believes that Jesus is King, they receive the right to be called a child of God.

Are You a Child of God?

Let’s test this idea. If we went out here today with clipboards and asked everyone at the park, “Do you believe you’re a child of God?” most people would likely say yes. Many believe they are children of God, but how many truly understand what that means? How many realize that being a child of God is not automatic but a right given only to those who believe that Jesus is King?

To receive this truth means to live this truth. Yet there are many who claim to be children of God but have no right to call themselves that. In evangelism, we often focus on reaching atheists or skeptics, but we overlook those who falsely believe they’re in good standing with God. These are people who think they’re part of God’s family but haven’t truly received Jesus as King.

The Gospel of Sonship

The gospel of sonship proclaims that there is a way to become a child of God: by receiving Jesus as King. John 1:12 makes this clear: “To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” When you believe that Jesus is King, you are adopted into God’s family and given the right to call yourself a child of God.

But that belief isn’t just intellectual assent—it’s a transformative truth that shapes how you live. To believe Jesus is King means to submit to his authority, to live under his rule, and to embrace your identity as part of his family. When you receive this truth, you receive the greatest gift: the right to be called a child of God and an heir of his kingdom.

You receive the right to God’s kingdom, and that’s one way to talk about Jesus—one of many ways, but a profoundly important one. The gospel of sonship is good news: it’s God’s will for all humankind to know that there is an inheritance stored up in heaven, an inheritance of true, eternal riches—not fleeting earthly treasures, but the wealth of God’s kingdom among God’s family.

This inheritance grants you access to God’s house, his presence, and his blessings. Everyone can have this. Anyone who believes in his name can receive the right to be called a child of God. When you have that right, you don’t have to knock, beg to be let in, or try to find another way. You can walk confidently through the door into the Father’s presence. That’s why Paul tells us we can boldly approach the throne of grace.

Tim Keller, the late pastor and theologian, described it beautifully. He said that in a kingdom, anyone can petition the king if they wait their turn in line. But as a child of the king, you can wake him up in the middle of the night to ask for a drink of water. That’s the kind of access we have as children of God. It’s a level of closeness, vulnerability, and trust that transcends the usual formality of addressing a king.

You can see this intimacy in the Psalms. The psalmists speak to God with raw honesty and vulnerability—not how one would typically speak to a king, but exactly how a child would speak to a loving father. That’s the relationship we have through the Holy Spirit, who brings the spirit of adoption into our hearts and enables us to cry out, “Abba, Father.”

Our heavenly Father is perfect. He will never leave or forsake us. While earthly fathers may sometimes be absent—physically or emotionally—our heavenly Father is always present, always attentive, and always inviting us into his love. He opens the door to us, hears us in everything, and welcomes us into his family.

If you would receive him, believe in his name, and submit to Jesus as King, you will receive the right to be called a child of God.

Prayer

Let me pray for you:

Lord, we are grateful that you invite each of us to be your children and to have access to your presence. Thank you that, even now, we can boldly approach your throne, bringing our petitions and asking that your will be done in our lives.

We pray that as we submit to you as King, our confidence in your love would grow. May this gospel of sonship transform the way we think, live, and speak about your good news. Help us to move beyond formulaic approaches and instead invite many into your family, demonstrating the fullness of the gospel through our words and actions.

We pray for Palmdale Church, that this message would be effective and transformative. Lord, may it lead us out of the sinful patterns of this world, away from following the father of lies, and into the arms of our heavenly Father, who blesses us and gives us an eternal inheritance. Let this truth bring us great joy.

We pray all this in Jesus’ name. Amen.