Pastor Andrew Banker delivered a deeply personal and theologically rich message rooted in Romans 8:1–17, emphasizing our identity in Christ as adopted sons and daughters of God. Sharing from his family’s journey through foster care and adoption, Andrew illustrated the transforming power of God's love and how it redefines us.

He began by recounting how his family, including five biological and foster children, embraced the call to foster care. Their decision to adopt a Guatemalan baby boy, Elias, was framed not just as an act of love, but as a spiritual metaphor for how God adopts us. Andrew described the day in court when Elias’s legal documents were changed—his name, identity, and parental records now fully under Andrew and his wife, Savannah. This experience mirrored what happens spiritually when we accept Christ: we receive a new name, a new identity, and full inheritance as God's children.

Andrew taught that this adoption means we are no longer slaves to sin or fear, but children and heirs of God. He noted that in Roman culture, adoption was a powerful legal act—more binding and honorable than even biological inheritance. Paul’s use of adoption language in Romans would have had immense significance to his audience.

The second point focused on transformation. Once adopted, our desires begin to shift. Citing Romans 8:5, Andrew explained that those who live by the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. This change is not manufactured by effort but occurs naturally as we spend time with our heavenly Father. He used the analogy of coffee—how deeper understanding leads to new appreciation—to show how knowledge and relationship with God lead to changed desires.

Andrew then illustrated how trauma and brokenness are not disqualifiers from God's love. Quoting testimonies and referencing stories of abuse and sin, he stressed that God says “I’ll take that one”—the wounded, the addicted, the insecure. No past sin or present struggle can separate us from God’s love. In Christ, our old record is erased, and a new life begins.

Finally, Andrew emphasized that the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead now lives in believers. This power equips us for a new life filled with hope, identity, and joy. He likened this to giving a child a bicycle—while there may be falls and pain, the ride is worth it, and the Father is always there to guide, protect, and lift us.

1. Adoption Identity

   • What does it mean to be spiritually adopted by God?

   • How might your life look different if you truly lived out of that identity?

2. Changed Desires

   • What old desires do you struggle with that reflect the “flesh” instead of the Spirit?

   • How can time with God reshape those desires?

3. New Life in Christ

   • Where in your life have you experienced the “new life” Jesus offers?

   • What are some areas where you still need to trust in that transformation?

4. Living Like Sons and Daughters

   • Do you relate to God more like a child or like a worker trying to earn approval?

   • What can you do this week to rest more fully in being God’s beloved child?

5. Engagement with Others

   • How might understanding your spiritual adoption empower you to engage with others who feel unworthy or unloved?

In her sermon, Shari uses the metaphor of the Camino de Santiago—a long spiritual pilgrimage—to illustrate the Christian journey of moving continually toward peace and away from chaos. She reflects on her own experience walking the Camino, emphasizing that the daily, intentional choices made on the trail mirror the spiritual decisions we make in life. Life, like the Camino, is not static. Everything is always in motion—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Shari ties this constant movement to the second law of thermodynamics, highlighting humanity’s natural tendency toward disorder unless we intentionally choose otherwise. Spiritually, we’re always moving toward either peace (shalom: wholeness, well-being, safety) or chaos (slavery, disorder, retaliation). Shari contrasts biblical peace with today’s culture of “my truth” and ethical relativism, which echo the times of the Judges when "everyone did what was right in their own eyes."

She argues that freedom in Christ means intentionally choosing the path that leads to peace, even when it is counterintuitive or difficult. The lie from the Garden of Eden—that we are the exception to the rule—still misleads us today. We often believe we can harbor resentment, avoid forgiveness, or justify sin without consequences. Shari emphasizes that choosing chaos—like revenge, bitterness, and pride—leads us back into spiritual slavery.

Through examples from both Scripture (Gideon, the Exodus, Judges) and literature (Nietzsche’s philosophy, Crime and Punishment, Macbeth, Hamlet, East of Eden), she shows how refusing to forgive, holding onto bitterness, or believing ourselves exempt from consequences always results in suffering. Forgiveness, though often seen as illogical or undeserved, is the path to freedom.

She tells real-life stories—like her friend Bob who justifies meanness because “they started it”—to show how childish and harmful these justifications are. True peace begins with us, not with others. We often claim we want peace but refuse to let go of pride, pain, or perceived justice to get it.

Shari closes by urging the congregation to choose the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—as the “good fruit” in contrast to Adam and Eve’s wrong choice. Like the biblical figures and literary characters she referenced, we too stand at a crossroads daily: toward peace and freedom in Christ, or chaos and slavery in sin. The Gospel gives us the power through the Holy Spirit to undo our wrong choices and walk “The Way” that leads to true peace.

Discussion Questions

1. Shari says we often believe “we are the exception to the rule.” How have you seen that idea play out in your own life or culture?

2. What does the word “shalom” (biblical peace) mean to you? How is it different from simply not fighting or being calm?

3. Are there any areas in your life where you are choosing chaos (bitterness, revenge, pride) instead of peace? What would it look like to choose differently?

4. Who is someone in your life that you feel “started it”? What would it take for you to forgive them anyway?

5. Which of the fruits of the Spirit do you most need to grow in right now to walk in peace? What’s one practical way you could pursue it this week?