The Spirit Of Adoption

Scripture

Romans 8:12–17 ESV

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 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!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 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.

Intro

Sometimes there is a voice in my head that tells me to do crazy things

Run out of the grocery store screaming although nothing is wrong

Give the person who cut me off a little love tap

Sometimes all I hear is negativity

I’m not good enough, smart enough, I’ll mess everything up

Or sometimes those thoughts are projected on others

What does God say?

I am a son of God

I have been adopted into His family

I’m an heir of God and co-heir with Christ

Being led by the Spirit

We owe the flesh nothing

Flesh = sinful desires

Living by the flesh will produce death, as Paul has already laid out

Why follow anything that wants to lead us to death?

The Spirit set us free

“By the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the flesh”

Set your eyes on God rather than temptations

“Led by the Spirit”

We are led by something; flesh, demons, Holy Spirit

It is the more difficult route, but much better results

“Sons of God”

Everyone is not a “child of God”

We are children of God if we are led by His Spirit

The Creator of all things is our Father

“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear”

We fear we will not get what we need so we respond with sin

Don’t go back to that which kept us in chains

“Spirit of adoption”

Full rights as biological children

“By whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’”

Intimate relationship with our Father in heaven

Some have had poor earthly fathers, God is our perfect Father

“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit”

We can have assurance of our salvation

“Children of God”

Every person is not a “child of God”, only those who are led by His Spirit

“Heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ”

The God of the universe, who owns the cattle on a thousand hills, who split the Red Sea in two, rained down manna, built up kings and tore them down, who heals the sick, raises the dead, has made us heirs of His kingdom

“Provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him”

I know the suffering part doesn’t sound good, but He is suffering with us

The suffering is nothing to the glory that will come

How now shall we live?

Flee temptations

Turn your attention and thoughts to God

The Spirit will give you strength

Go to God for your every need

He is your Father, and a good one, He wants to care for you

Cry out to Him, allow Him to help you

Leave the world behind

We are heirs of God, what does the world have to offer?

Persevere

There will be suffering but there will be glory beyond imagination

Benediction

Numbers 6:24–26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”