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<p>The message of grace that empowers you to stand as an overcome beleiver.</p>
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July 6, 2026
Multiplication of Grace | July 05, 2026 | Pastor Raph
<p><strong>Multiplication of Grace</strong></p><p> There are things that can hold and restrict the grace of God upon our lives. And there are attitudes that can increase God's favor. Notice that I used the words “grace" and “favor" interchangeably. </p><p><strong>What is Favor</strong></p><p> The word favor is the unmeritorious blessings of God coming to your life. I like to explain favor by comparing it with mercy. While mercy is the complete forgiveness of our sins on Calvary, and because of it, we will not receive all the punishment we deserved. </p><p> Grace, or favor, is to receive everything we do not deserve: all the blessings, all the joy, all the multiplication that Christ is worthy to receive.</p><p> Grace is undeserved favor.</p><p> Under God’s favor, the enemy can’t prevail against you. Your critics will have no way to reprove you. Your competitors will not surpass you.</p><p>Psalm 5:12 (ESV) "For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield."</p><p> Because of God’s favor, the right people will come close and will do business with you. Even if your services are more expensive, people will see an advantage in using them.</p><p> As important as they are, <strong>honesty and integrity do not increase favor.</strong> </p><p> They are rewarded with trust, and that is good. But we want more than that. We need multiplied favor.</p><p> <strong>Joseph</strong></p><p> Joseph is the ultimate example in business, management, and standing out no matter where he worked. </p><p> Remember that Joseph worked with absolute integrity in Potiphar’s house. He refused to sleep with Potiphar’s wife, doing the honorable thing. </p><p> Later, in prison, he was honest, and His integrity earned him trust. </p><p> Both Joseph's superiors trusted him enough to put him in charge of daily operations.</p><p>Genesis 39:21 (ESV)"But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison."</p><p> Trust is good, but it wasn't enough to get Joseph out of prison or fulfill his destiny. Being a trustworthy prisoner still leaves you in a prison. </p><p> We need more grace. When God’s favor steps in where integrity reached its limit, from prisoner we will be exalted as royalty</p><p> God gave Joseph the supernatural ability to interpret dreams, bringing him before Pharaoh.</p><p>Genesis 41:39-40 (ESV) "Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command.'"</p><p> Because of God’s favor, Pharaoh didn't just see a trustworthy man; he saw a man backed by God. Pharaoh immediately promoted him to the second-highest position in the most powerful empire in the world.</p><p> <strong>Abraham</strong></p><p> Abraham is perhaps the most striking example of favor despite integrity. His story proves that favor is completely <strong>unmerited</strong>.</p><p> If God’s blessing depended solely on Abraham’s honesty and integrity, he would have lost everything. There were two instances (with Pharaoh in Genesis 12 and with King Abimelech in Genesis 20) in which Abraham’s honesty completely failed. Out of fear for his life, he lied and said his wife Sarah was his sister. His lack of integrity put him in a terrible position.</p><p> If Abraham had only relied on his honesty, he would have been punished by these kings for deceiving them. He broke their trust. But instead of Abraham being punished, God’s favor intervened. God stepped in, protected Sarah, and actually rebuked the kings. </p><p> Because of unmerited favor, Abraham wasn't just spared; he was blessed with massive amounts of livestock, servants, and silver.</p><p> It was not Abraham's excellence or morality, but God's favor, that multiplied his wealth despite his lack of honesty.</p><p>Genesis 20:14 (ESV) "Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and male and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and returned Sarah his wife to him."</p><p> Abimelech realized that, though Abraham had previously lied to him, Abimelech could not deny the supernatural blessing on Abraham's life. He realized that anyone who opposed Abraham would lose, and anyone who aligned with Abraham would prosper. So he went to "do business" and form an alliance. </p><p> He didn't approach Abraham because of his flawless integrity; he approached him strictly because of the undeniable, multiplied favor of God on his life.</p><p>Genesis 21:22-23 22 At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do. 23 Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my descendants or with my posterity, but as I have dealt kindly with you, so you will deal with me and with the land where you have sojourned.”</p><p><strong>How To grow in Favor </strong></p><p> This begs the question: how can we increase God's favor upon our lives?</p><p> That was the desire of the Apostles for us.</p><p>2 Peter 1:1-2 1 Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,</p><p>To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:</p><p>2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.</p><p> Peter made it clear. Faith is the number one condition for multiplied grace. </p><p> A faith that makes you conscious of God’s gift of righteousness.</p><p> Favor does not come because we make more things for God. </p><p> Favor is not meant to be a repayment for hard work. The biblical reasoning is: we do more because we have received more grace.</p><p> Grace and peace are multiplied when we know more of the Lord. The more you listen to a preaching that exalts the work of Christ. When you learn more about the person of Jesus, everything in your life will prosper.</p><p> This is not about the so-called “Prosperity gospel.” This is about the gospel of grace that will indeed produce prosperity.</p><p>Romans 5:17 17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.</p><p> So we can pray in the name of Jesus and ask for anything we need, with confidence that the Father listens and answers.</p><p>2 Corinthians 5:21 - 6:2 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.</p><br/><p>2 Cor 6:1 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,</p><p>“In a favorable time I listened to you,</p><p>and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”</p><p>Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.</p><p> It is a matter of seeing more of the Lord. </p><p> We tend to think we need more money, but the Lord says we need more favor, which grows as we see more of the Lord.</p><p>Our school had a demand for expansion for this coming school year in August. We had no resources to make that happen. But because of favor, a grant was given to enable us to achieve world-class quality using the best materials and equipment for that growth.</p><p>We are opening two new classrooms because of that.</p><p>Our foster families were loving these kids with all their hearts, and one of them testified that an unexpected amount was given to them with no application or process. That is favor. </p><p> We are being convinced that it is a matter of better marketing, but it is a matter of more favor.</p><p>I talked with a brother yesterday who told me that all his business growth over the past year was driven by word of mouth. He said his only problem now is finding people willing to learn and work. That is favor.</p><p> When Peter and Paul say about knowing the Lord, the knowledge here is a “heart” matter.</p><p> Therefore, turn on a worship song.</p><p> Pray “Lord, I want to know you more.” And by doing that, the favor will increase over your life.</p><p><strong>Have a Conscience of Forgiveness</strong></p><p>Romans 5:20-21 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.</p><p> Because of what Paul wrote here, many think that he meant to say, "the more a person sins, the more grace one will have.”</p><p> Actually, that was exactly what Paul’s opponents accused him of saying. If you read the following verses,</p><p>Romans 6:1-2 1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?</p><p> What Paul was teaching is that one must be conscious of how sinful and broken and wretched they were without Christ to be so thankful and pleased with the great forgiveness they had received. </p><p> That is why it is so important to know that we would never be worthy of God’s favor based on our own merits and uprightness.</p><p>The law was like a spoon.</p><p>If you have a cup of water with residue at the bottom. While the sediments are still and tamed at the bottom, the water seems crystal clear.</p><p>But if a spoon moves the water, the dirt from the bottom will be revealed.</p><p>The spoon did not produce the dirt in the water; it only revealed it. The spoon is the law.</p><p> The law does not have the power to clean the water. The spoon only reveals there is a problem. </p><p> Sin is already in our flesh. And unless one sees their sin, they would never perceive the need for a Savior.</p><p> Here is how the grace can increase. Once one says yes to God’s solution for our terrible sinful condition, saying yes to Jesus, we no longer need to live under the conscience of sin. </p><p> We need to grow in the conscience of forgiveness.</p><p>Luke 7:47 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”</p><p> The one who knows and reminds himself of God’s complete and amazing forgiveness will love the Lord the most and consequently will receive more favor.</p><p> The problem with the conscience of sin is the continuous shame and condemnation that it evokes.</p><p> These things prevent the favor from growing in our lives.</p><p> Think like this: </p><p> If my son wants to relate to me based on shame and fear, with a continuous sense of fear and a belief that I will cause him some pain or punishment. And I bless him with a new pair of shoes. That can be a problem.</p><p> While I am trying to show my son that he does not need to act like that towards me, he insists on that approach. But we need to have a relationship built on joy, trust, and genuine vulnerability with each other.</p><p> So, my son, because he received a new pair of shoes, now he wants a Brazil soccer jersey. So he acts in the same distant and fearful way as before.</p><p> He acts shy, isolated, and afraid because he feels very undeserving of any gifts or favors from me.</p><p> If I give my son that Brazilian jersey, I would be reinforcing that kind of relationship.</p><p> I love my son. And for the sake of our relationship, I can’t bless him until he changes his conscience of sin to a conscience of love and forgiveness.</p><p>I heard the story about one of our Vine pastors who grew up in a small town. His father owned the small dollar store in that town. Growing up, he wanted one chocolate bar from his father's store, so he snuck in after business hours. He took one bar, and he hid it from his father. The other day, his older brother, as any older brother will, snitched on him to his dad.</p><p>His father called him in private and said, “Wait. They are starting to close tonight, and we will have a talk later in the house.” The boy waited, fearful and expecting harsh punishment and judgment. That was the right thing. However, out of love and forgiveness, the father acted mercifully and told him, "Son, you are my son. You are fully forgiven. Do you believe my love?” In the sunset, in tears, he said, "I do. I'm so sorry for what I have done.” Then the father said, "Do you really believe my love?” The son said, "I do. Thank you for forgiving me.” Then the father said, "You are the owner of the entire store. You do not need to steal anything that already belongs to you. You can always come to me with anything you need. If you want a chocolate bar, I have an entire box just for you. Here it is. You have the entire box just for you.”</p><p> Did you understand the story? It was not merely a matter of mercy. Out of forgiveness and the conscience of love, the young boy was blessed with favor. The more we trust in her father's love for us, the more favor we have.</p><p><strong>Have a submissive, humble heart</strong></p><p> When we act confidently in our works, we are actually trusting in our own merit. We approach God to demand something we believe we deserve. The biggest problem in people's lives is not sin, because we all have sin. The greatest problem is a sense of merit, self-righteousness.</p><p>Luke 2:51-52 1 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.</p><p>52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.</p><p> There was something that the Lord did that brought even more favor upon Him. In the Lord's life, everything was by merit, for He never sinned, so all the blessings of the law were upon Him. However, the Gospel says that He grew in grace. If you observe the context, you will see that grace came along with Jesus’ submission to His parents. He grew in wisdom because there was one thing Jesus did not know: being God, He had never submitted to anyone before. When He does this, He humbles Himself. Being God, He makes Himself lower than Joseph and Mary. Lord Jesus did not tell Joseph, 'I am the Son of God, and you are the one who should submit to me.’ He never claimed any merit. He humbled Himself.</p><p>Philippians 2:5-8 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.</p><p> At twelve years old, Jesus was already debating with the doctors in Jerusalem. How do you think He debated? He could have told a teacher, 'You are already seventy years old and still don't understand what this Bible passage means,’ or say to another, 'You know I was the one who wrote the law, so I can tell you what it means.”</p><p> No, He did not do it that way. The Bible says that He listened and asked questions of the teachers. The Lord, at twelve years old, knew much more than His parents, but even so, He was submissive to them, and because of that, He grew in favor before God and men.</p><p> Some assume they submit only to someone greater and better than themselves. But that is not submission. If the other person is greater and stronger, there is no choice.</p><p>1 Peter 5:5 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”</p><p> Humility involves letting go of the ego, which is rooted in feelings of entitlement, pride, and rebellion. Those filled with self-righteousness believe they deserve recognition, leading to pride and rebellion.</p><p>God's grace is like water: it flows downhill naturally. His favor does not increase by positioning ourselves as superior. </p><p> Humble yourself, and you will receive God's favor. When we submit, we attract His favor, and He will raise us up.</p><p> Many think that God opposes our exaltation, but in reality, He advises us not to exalt ourselves because He desires to lift us up; That is when we experience true glory.</p><br/>
June 28, 2026
One Coin - Two Sides | Trent Tombs | Jun 28, 2026
<h3>The Full Picture of the Gospel</h3><p><strong>The Two-Sided Coin of the Gospel:</strong> The Gospel is the ultimate power of God to save, but to experience its full impact, we must grasp it in its totality. Much like a coin with two distinct sides, the complete picture of the gospel involves both the Gospel of the Kingdom and the Gospel of Grace. While Jesus' earthly ministry heavily emphasized the Kingdom and the Apostle Paul’s letters championed Grace, they are not two separate messages, but one unified gospel. Understanding both sides is crucial; it prevents us from becoming comfortably stagnant on one end or burning out through legalism on the other, ultimately empowering us to step fully into our royal identity.</p><p><strong>The Gospel of the Kingdom:</strong> When Jesus began His earthly ministry, His central declaration was clear: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17). This was not a harsh threat, but a joyful, royal announcement that the King's domain had finally arrived on earth. As believers, we are no longer subject to the broken systems of this world; we have been transferred into the Kingdom of God's beloved Son. This means we are royalty—joint-heirs with Christ—who carry the delegated authority to bring heaven's standard of healing, peace, and dominion into our homes, our workplaces, and our city.</p><p><strong>The Unshakable Foundation of Grace.</strong> Before we can effectively expand the Kingdom, we must be completely secure in the Gospel of Grace. The cross of Calvary is our unshakable foundation. Through Jesus' finished work, our sins have been entirely dealt with, and we are no longer defined as just "sinners saved by grace," but as the very righteousness of God in Christ Jesus! The enemy desperately wants us to doubt our salvation to keep us immobilized. However, grace assures us that our standing with the Father is based entirely on Jesus' perfect, finished sacrifice, not on our own flawed performance.</p><p><strong>Empowered to Reign in Life:</strong> When we successfully bridge the Gospel of Grace with the Gospel of the Kingdom, we are activated to truly reign in life. Romans 5:17 reveals that those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness will reign in life through Jesus Christ. Grace is the glorious means to a Kingdom end. It radically transforms our nature and secures our adoption as sons and daughters, enabling us to step out with the King's authority. Free from the heavy burdens of worldly worry and anxiety, we are fully equipped to take dominion over the circumstances we face.</p><p><strong>The Mission of the Local Church:</strong> God's ultimate design is to express this powerful, dual-sided gospel through His bride, the local church. We were not merely saved to get a ticket to heaven; we were saved for a divine, world-changing purpose right here on earth. As a living embassy of heaven, the local church is the place where broken people encounter the healing power of the Kingdom and the unconditional embrace of Grace. As we fully accept our royal identity and rest in the finished work of the cross, we will naturally multiply, advancing the King's domain and preparing ourselves as a bride ready for His triumphant return.</p><br/><p><strong>Key Scriptures:</strong></p><ul><li>Matthew 4:17</li><li>Colossians 1:13</li><li>Matthew 6:33</li><li>Romans 5:17</li></ul><br/>
June 21, 2026
The Spirit of Adoption | Jun. 21, 2026 | Pastor Raph
<p><strong>The Spirit of Adoption</strong></p><p>This past week, I’ve had several deeply moving, providential, divine-appointed conversations with brothers and sisters in our congregation. And a beautiful, recurring theme kept surfacing in those talks:</p><p>the adopting heart of God.</p><p>As a church, we believe deeply in fostering and adopting. We believe it is how we become an answer for our broken community, stepping in to love and guide the next generation.</p><p>Recently, a dear friend of mine, Pastor Sam Todd from Sanford, Florida, came down to Fort Myers and treated me to lunch.</p><p>By the way, if you ever want to invite me to lunch, I am exactly like Jesus with Zacchaeus—I am always ready to say yes. In fact, if you don't invite me, I might just invite myself!</p><p>Jokes aside.</p><p>As we sat at the table, Sam shared the powerful story of his own adoption.</p><p>His late parents had struggled with infertility, but they felt a profound calling from God to be parents to multiple children. To confirm this calling, they bought a stuffed bunny, placed it in their bedroom, and named it Samuel—because in the Bible, the phrase "asked of God" directly translates to the name Samuel in Hebrew. </p><p>That bunny became a daily token of their prayer. It was a “Gedeon fleece” before God, saying, "Lord, if you do not bring a child to our family in 12 months, we will understand that we were just emotionally moved, and we will let it go."</p><p>For 11 months, they prayed. No child came.</p><p>But exactly 11 months and three weeks into that year of prayer, the phone rang. It was an adoption agency. A young, unmarried girl had just released her baby boy for adoption. That was Samuel.</p><p>In that single moment, the Todd family broke a generational curse and completely changed the trajectory of that little baby's life forever.</p><p>Fast forward to today. Pastor Sam Todd has two biological sons. At our lunch this week, I sat with his youngest son, Phil. We had the most incredible time talking about Legendarios and about Godly, heavenly things.</p><p>But his oldest son wasn't at the table with us. He was busy taking care of his own daughter—a beautiful little girl he adopted from India.</p><p>Think about the staggering odds of that. There was perhaps a one-in-300-million chance that a little orphan girl from India would end up in an American family.</p><p>But she ended up in a family whose very foundation was built on the adopting heart of God.</p><p>She was chosen. Pastor Sam Todd was chosen.</p><p>And this morning, on Father's Day, I want to remind every single one of you of this truth: You are chosen.</p><p>We have a Heavenly Father who looked at us in our brokenness, called us by name, and elected to adopt us into His eternal family.</p><p>(Romans 8:14-17) 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.</p><p>For many, the idea of "God the Father" brings up a mixture of emotions. If we are honest, sometimes our view of our Heavenly Father is tainted by our earthly experiences.</p><p>That is a problem. I remember that in one of my Bible studies, I learned that the only way I could relate to God appropriately was by first fixing my relationship with my earthly father. Again, the problem was that I was unable to fix that relationship perfectly, and it goes back to the thought that the Christian life is centered on what I can do, not on what Christ has done.</p><p>It is the other way around.</p><p>Be loved, receive the mercy of the heavenly Father. Allow the truth of adoption to take your heart completely. And from this new identity as beloved, you will have a healthy, healed relationship with your earthly father and with everybody else.</p><p>The finished work of Jesus Christ entirely defines our relationship with the Father. He is not demanding you earn your keep; He is inviting you to rest in His grace.</p><p><strong>The name Revealed: Father</strong></p><p>When Jesus stood on the brink of the cross, He prayed what we call the High Priestly Prayer. He did not say, “I have manifested Your name as Elohim or El Shaddai." </p><p>The entire context of John 17 is Jesus speaking to His Father. He revealed God’s name by demonstrating His perfect, unconditional love as a Father to His children.</p><p>Jehovah-Jireh, our provider, or Jehovah-Rapha, our healer.</p><p>Yet, of all the magnificent titles and redemptive names God revealed throughout history, Jesus came to emphasize one above all others. The name that the Lord Jesus came to reveal to us is "Father".</p><p>(John 17:6) 'I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.' </p><p>(John 17:11) 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.</p><p><strong>Father</strong> — Patēr — The word carries a meaning of nourisher, protector, upholder.</p><p>(Matthew 6:9) 'Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”'</p><p>We do not relate to our early dads primarily through a title.</p><p>With God, Jesus is teaching that we pray through an intimate relationship of grace. When you cry out "Father," you are assuming the position of an heir.</p><p>Today, in Christ, the Father loves you just as much as He loves Jesus. If you always come before the Father saying "God, God," it is no wonder you might struggle to feel His love or find faith released in your heart. But when you say, “Father," the Holy Spirit fills you with His love and faith.</p><p>When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, He did not give them a complex religious formula. He handed them the keys to intimacy.</p><p>(Matthew 27:46) 'And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”' </p><p>Our access to the throne room is not based on our good behavior, but on our family status. You are a child of God, and you have a Father who delights to hear your voice.</p><p>Think of it this way: If you go to a large corporation, employees address the head of the company as "Mr. President" or "CEO." </p><p>They interact with him based on his title and their performance. But at the end of the day, a little boy can run right past the reception desk, burst into the corner office, and yell, "Dad!" The CEO drops everything for his son. </p><p>The world knows God by His titles—Creator, Judge, Elohim. But because of the finished work of Christ, you do not stand in the lobby of heaven as an employee hoping for a good performance review. You burst into the throne room as a child.</p><p>The only time the Lord Jesus called His Father "My God" was on Calvary. On the cross, He took on our sins and proved for us our separation from the Father.</p><p>Jesus was forsaken so that you and I would never be.</p><p>He cried out, "My God," experiencing the cold distance of judgment and the full penalty of the law, so that today, as born-again believers, we can cry out, "Abba, Father". Because of His sacrifice, our position is eternally secure.</p><p><strong>ἀββά</strong></p><p>The term ἀββά occurs in the NT only 3 times: Mark 14:36 (Used by Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, expressing agonizing intimacy and submission to God's will)</p><p>In Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6. In each case, it is used to call on God in prayer.</p><p>The Apostle Paul (in Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:6) and Mark deliberately chose to write the Aramaic word into their Greek texts using Greek letters (Ἀββᾶ). A transliteration.</p><p>English translators maintain this by transliterating the Aramaic word into English letters, honoring the bilingual construction of the original authors.</p><p>Biblical scholars conclude that New Testament authors used bilingual expressions to strategically bridge Christianity’s Judean roots with its expanding Gentile audience.</p><p>Historically, retaining the exact syllables of Jesus’s native language captured his authentic voice (<strong>ipsissima vox</strong>) during intimate healings (<strong>Mark 5:41:</strong> Talitha koum — translated as, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!”; <strong>Mark 7:34:</strong> Ephphatha — translated as, "Be opened.") and his traumatic crucifixion (Mark 14:36) 'And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”’).</p><p>Also, the immediate Greek translations following Aramaic transliterations dispelled pagan notions of magical incantations and clarified narrative misunderstandings.</p><p>John and Paul used this dual-language technique to prove Jesus fulfilled Jewish prophecy and to emphasize that Greek-speaking Gentiles were fully adopted into the same familial relationship with God. An act of cultural and theological bridge-building. And maybe even as a password to protect the early persecuted believers.</p><p>A vital liturgical function, as untranslated Aramaic words like Abba, Maranatha and Hallelujah. functioned as sacred, unifying passwords of worship that connected the broader Greco-Roman churches back to the mother church in Jerusalem.</p><p>(Galatians 4:6) 'And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”'</p><p>According to Moisés Silva in the New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis (NIDNTTE), Abba has absolutely no childish character. Jewish writings demonstrate it was the standard word used by adult offspring</p><p>It was also a respectful title for scholars, like "rabbi". In Greek philosophy, the term patēr signified the supreme deity who is the creator, parent, and sustainer of the entire cosmos.</p><p><strong>The Cry of the Spirit</strong></p><p>The Spirit does not point you to your own works to establish your identity; He points you to your Father.</p><p>Psalms 103:11-14 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;</p><p>12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.</p><p>13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.</p><p>14 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.</p><p>The Spirit we received does not lead us back into the fear of the law.</p><p>You do not have to be terrified that God will revoke your adoption if you stumble. Your eternal security is anchored in Christ’s sufficiency, not your performance.</p><p>Romans 8:16 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,</p><p>The Holy Spirit Himself bears witness to your true identity. It is not baby talk, but it is the language of ultimate family intimacy. It shifts our view of God from a distant, conditional judge to a close, nourishing protector.</p><p>If a child wakes up terrified in the middle of the night, they don't stand at the edge of their parents' bed and recite their chores or promise to be perfect tomorrow so they can be comforted.</p><p>They simply cry out, "Dad!" And the father rushes to comfort them. How much more does our Heavenly Father respond when we simply cry out to Him in faith? You do not have to clean yourself up before He loves you.</p><p>Rest in His unmerited favor.</p><p><strong>From the Guardian to the Father</strong></p><p>Galatians 3:24-26 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.</p><p>Galatians 4:1-7 1 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.</p><p>Under the Old Covenant, the law was a guardian. It was a flawless standard that revealed humanity’s absolute inability to be righteous on its own.</p><p>The law is a demand, but grace is a provision; the law says "Do," while grace says "I will do it for you". </p><p>Galatians 4:5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. </p><p>You do not work your way into God's family; you are born into it by faith.</p><p>We do not have to beg for a place in the house; the Spirit inside us confidently cries out to the Father. When you cry out "Abba," you are assuming your rightful position as an heir.</p><p>The <strong>Adoption</strong> — Huiothesia</p><p>The image here is the relationship which God was pleased to establish between Himself and the Israelites in preference to all other nations. Is we receiving the privileges and inheritance rights not as a toddler to be managed and scolded. But God grants us full status, authority, and access as adult sons and daughters through the work of Christ.</p><p>One of those divine appointments this week was with Ieda and Chris. Many of you know them; they are two of our most faithful members, here from the very beginning. They are truly children of this house. A couple of months ago, God baptized them with a heart for foster parenting, and they stepped out in faith to get licensed through the 4Kids agency.</p><p>Ieda had been carrying the heavy weight of a deferred dream. For various reasons, she is unable to pursue her medical career at this time. She was feeling the sting of that apparent failure, mourning that she did not yet have her doctor's diploma. But she and Chris asked God for a new story of victory. And God answered. On the exact same date, she would have been thinking about that diploma; instead, God handed them their official certification as foster parents.</p><p>In a short period of time, they welcomed children under their wings. As I listened to their story this week, I could see pure joy radiating from them. They hold so much love in their hearts for these kids, driven by the profound conviction that they are raising the next Elijah of this generation.</p><p>That conviction fuels them to pour out everything they have, sacrificing far more than they can comfortably afford, financially, emotionally, and physically.</p><p>But God is honoring His promises to them. While many people right now are wondering where their next job will come from, God has blessed Chris with so much work that he has to hire others just to keep up. That abundance is God testifying to His own joy, pouring out blessing over them because they are so beautifully expressing His adopting heart.</p><p>Through Jesus, we have stepped into full sonship. We no longer live for God's approval; we live from His approval.</p><p>Imagine your family has a massive family trust fund. While the heir is young, the wealth is controlled by strict managers. The child gets a small allowance and a list of rules.</p><p>Maybe even as an employee of the estate.</p><p>But on the date set by the father, the heir steps into full adult rights. </p><p>The strict manager—the law—steps aside.</p><p><strong>Lora and Tyler</strong></p><p>Over the past four months, the Lord has entrusted us with more than eight children. Just when we think we have hit a comfortable moment of peace or rest, the phone rings again. We answer the calls, and we pray. In these moments the Lord calls us to say yes to the uncomfortable and to find comfort in obedience to Him.</p><p>So far this season, we have learned that when we stop relying on ourselves and fully submit to the Lord, our weakness becomes the very place where His greatness is put on display. </p><p>The Lord has called us to, as Paul says, “boast all the more gladly of our weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon us.” </p><p>That is exactly how Tyler and I feel, and what we have to choose every day as we continue saying yes to the children He places in our home.</p><p>Foster care has also taught us that we are not the main characters in these stories. These children are not stepping into our story; the Lord is allowing us a small role in theirs. </p><p>We get to be a part of what He is doing in their lives as He pursues, redeems, and loves them.</p><p>Some children have come into our home never having heard the name of Jesus, never opened a Bible, and never been told that they are deeply loved by their Creator. </p><p>By God's grace, they are leaving knowing who Jesus is, hearing Scripture read over them, singing songs about Him, praying before meals and bedtime, and knowing exactly who they can call on in every season of life.</p><p>One of our foster daughters now stops to pray for everything—before meals, before bedtime, when someone gets hurt, when she is afraid, and for all of the little everyday things.</p><p>Watching her go from not knowing Jesus to instinctively turning to Him in every circumstance has been such a blessing and a sweet reminder of why we do what we do.</p><p>Each time the phone rings, we are reminded of Abraham, who by faith "went out, not knowing where he was going" (Hebrews 11:8). We answer these calls without knowing how long the children will stay, what challenges they may bring, or what plans God has for their future—but we answer, and He remains faithful.</p><p>Some people may think foster parents are saving children, but we're not. Jesus is the Savior. We are blessed to have the privilege of stepping into these kid’s stories, introducing them to the One who can truly save, and witnessing Him work in their hearts and lives.</p><p>We are not incredible people doing extraordinary things.</p><p>We are weak people serving an incredible Savior, and foster care has given us a front-row seat to watch Him work.</p><p><strong>Heirs with Christ</strong></p><p>(Romans 8:17)'and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.'</p><p>Eternal life is a completely free gift, but reigning with Him as an overcomer is a reward for faithful endurance at the Judgment Seat of Christ.</p><p>Becoming a managing partner in the family business—reigning alongside the Father—requires dedication, learning the ropes, and sometimes enduring late nights and struggles alongside the boss.</p><p>God invites every believer to step up from merely being a child to becoming an overcomer. He provides the grace to endure, and then He rewards you for the very grace He supplied!</p><p>You are sons and daughters of the Most High. God does not adopt us as probationary members of the house who must earn their keep. He grants full, irrevocable status. Our assurance of salvation rests entirely on Christ's promise, never on our own fluctuating performance.</p><p>Imagine a child who has been rescued from a terrifying, abusive situation and legally adopted by a loving family. For the first few months, that child might try to "earn" their dinner by doing chores perfectly, terrified that if they make a mistake, they will be sent back. What does the adoptive father do? He sits the child down, shows them the signed, legally binding adoption papers, and says, "You do not work for your food here. You are my child. This is permanent."</p><p>The Holy Spirit acts as those signed papers in our hearts. When we fail—and we will—the Spirit does not threaten us with spiritual eviction. Instead, He reminds us of our permanent adoption by crying out, "Abba!" Assurance flows from the sufficiency of Christ's work, not the perfection of our walk.</p>
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