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Adopted into Freedom
Adopted into Freedom
Text: Romans 8:12–17
Text: Romans 8:12–17
Series: Journey’s Road Map
Series: Journey’s Road Map
Theme: In Christ, we are no longer slaves living in fear, but children adopted into God’s family, led by the Spirit, and heirs with Christ.
Theme: In Christ, we are no longer slaves living in fear, but children adopted into God’s family, led by the Spirit, and heirs with Christ.
Introduction – Family Changes Everything
Introduction – Family Changes Everything
Light Humor Opener:
Light Humor Opener:
“You can choose your friends, your career, and even your favorite sports team—but you don’t get to choose your family.
“You can choose your friends, your career, and even your favorite sports team—but you don’t get to choose your family.
And once you’re in, you’re in… whether you like it or not.”
And once you’re in, you’re in… whether you like it or not.”
Heirs with Christ
Heirs with Christ
12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 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. 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.
12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 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. 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.
Paul says something staggering in Romans 8: God didn’t just forgive us, justify us, or free us—He adopted us. Salvation is not merely a legal transaction; it’s a family transformation. Romans 8:12–17 answers the question, “What kind of relationship do we now have with God?” The answer: sons and daughters, not servants trembling in fear.
Paul says something staggering in Romans 8: God didn’t just forgive us, justify us, or free us—He adopted us. Salvation is not merely a legal transaction; it’s a family transformation. Romans 8:12–17 answers the question, “What kind of relationship do we now have with God?” The answer: sons and daughters, not servants trembling in fear.
Point 1 – We Are No Longer Debtors to the Flesh (vv. 12–13)
Point 1 – We Are No Longer Debtors to the Flesh (vv. 12–13)
“So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.”
“So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.”
Explanation
Explanation
Paul uses financial language: debtors.
Paul uses financial language: debtors.
Before Christ, we owed the flesh our obedience—it demanded payment in sinful living.
Before Christ, we owed the flesh our obedience—it demanded payment in sinful living.
Now Paul says plainly: you don’t owe the flesh anything.
Now Paul says plainly: you don’t owe the flesh anything.
The flesh promises life but pays in death (cf. Rom. 6:23).
The flesh promises life but pays in death (cf. Rom. 6:23).
“By the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body” — not self-discipline alone, but Spirit-empowered resistance.
“By the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body” — not self-discipline alone, but Spirit-empowered resistance.
Cross-References:
Cross-References:
Colossians 3:5 – “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you.”
Colossians 3:5 – “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you.”
Galatians 5:24 – “Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh.”
Galatians 5:24 – “Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh.”
Illustration – Moral Story: The Paid-Off Mortgage
Illustration – Moral Story: The Paid-Off Mortgage
Imagine continuing to send checks to a bank after your mortgage has been paid in full. That’s what it looks like when a believer still obeys the flesh. Paul says: stop paying debts that were canceled at the cross.
Imagine continuing to send checks to a bank after your mortgage has been paid in full. That’s what it looks like when a believer still obeys the flesh. Paul says: stop paying debts that were canceled at the cross.
Quote – John Owen:
Quote – John Owen:
“Do you mortify; do you make it your daily work; be always at it while you live; cease not a day from this work.”
“Do you mortify; do you make it your daily work; be always at it while you live; cease not a day from this work.”
Application
Application
The flesh has no legal claim on you anymore. When temptation demands obedience, remember: you don’t owe it a thing.
The flesh has no legal claim on you anymore. When temptation demands obedience, remember: you don’t owe it a thing.
Point 2 – We Are Led by the Spirit as God’s Children (vv. 14–15)
Point 2 – We Are Led by the Spirit as God’s Children (vv. 14–15)
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
“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…”
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption…”
Explanation
Explanation
“Led by the Spirit” does not mean mystical impressions alone—it means a life shaped by the Spirit’s direction through Scripture and obedience.
“Led by the Spirit” does not mean mystical impressions alone—it means a life shaped by the Spirit’s direction through Scripture and obedience.
Slavery produces fear; sonship produces confidence.
Slavery produces fear; sonship produces confidence.
“Adoption” (υἱοθεσία) was a powerful Roman legal term:
“Adoption” (υἱοθεσία) was a powerful Roman legal term:
An adopted child received a new name
An adopted child received a new name
Old debts were canceled
Old debts were canceled
The child gained full inheritance rights
The child gained full inheritance rights
Cross-References:
Cross-References:
Galatians 4:4–7 – “You are no longer a slave, but a son.”
Galatians 4:4–7 – “You are no longer a slave, but a son.”
John 1:12 – “To all who did receive Him… He gave the right to become children of God.”
John 1:12 – “To all who did receive Him… He gave the right to become children of God.”
Historical Illustration – Roman Adoption
Historical Illustration – Roman Adoption
Roman emperors often adopted heirs rather than relying on biological sons. Adoption wasn’t second-class—it was intentional, deliberate, and permanent. Paul is saying: God chose you on purpose.
Roman emperors often adopted heirs rather than relying on biological sons. Adoption wasn’t second-class—it was intentional, deliberate, and permanent. Paul is saying: God chose you on purpose.
Quote – J.I. Packer:
Quote – J.I. Packer:
“Adoption is the highest privilege the gospel offers—higher even than justification.”
“Adoption is the highest privilege the gospel offers—higher even than justification.”
Application
Application
Stop relating to God like a nervous employee afraid of getting fired. You’re a child led by love, not a slave driven by fear.
Stop relating to God like a nervous employee afraid of getting fired. You’re a child led by love, not a slave driven by fear.
Point 3 – We Cry “Abba” and Share Christ’s Inheritance (vv. 15–17)
Point 3 – We Cry “Abba” and Share Christ’s Inheritance (vv. 15–17)
“By whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’
“By whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God…”
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God…”
Explanation
Explanation
“Abba” is intimate language—closer to “Dad” than “Father.”
“Abba” is intimate language—closer to “Dad” than “Father.”
The Spirit confirms our identity internally, not through feelings alone but through assurance rooted in truth.
The Spirit confirms our identity internally, not through feelings alone but through assurance rooted in truth.
Heirs with Christ means:
Heirs with Christ means:
His future glory becomes ours
His future glory becomes ours
His suffering becomes ours now
His suffering becomes ours now
His resurrection becomes our certainty
His resurrection becomes our certainty
Cross-References:
Cross-References:
John 14:18 – “I will not leave you as orphans.”
John 14:18 – “I will not leave you as orphans.”
2 Timothy 2:12 – “If we endure, we will also reign with Him.”
2 Timothy 2:12 – “If we endure, we will also reign with Him.”
Illustration – Moral Story: The Name on the Jersey
Illustration – Moral Story: The Name on the Jersey
A child wearing a team jersey doesn’t earn the name on the back—it’s given. But once worn, it carries expectations. Paul says: you wear the family name now. Glory is coming, but growth often comes through hardship.
A child wearing a team jersey doesn’t earn the name on the back—it’s given. But once worn, it carries expectations. Paul says: you wear the family name now. Glory is coming, but growth often comes through hardship.
Quote – C.S. Lewis:
Quote – C.S. Lewis:
“The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.”
“The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.”
Application
Application
When suffering comes, don’t assume abandonment. Heirs walk the same road as the Son before sharing the same throne.
When suffering comes, don’t assume abandonment. Heirs walk the same road as the Son before sharing the same throne.
Conclusion – From Slaves to Sons
Conclusion – From Slaves to Sons
Romans 8:12–17 shows us who we truly are:
Romans 8:12–17 shows us who we truly are:
Not debtors to the flesh
Not debtors to the flesh
Not slaves driven by fear
Not slaves driven by fear
But children led by the Spirit
But children led by the Spirit
Heirs guaranteed a future glory
Heirs guaranteed a future glory
Quote – Charles Spurgeon:
Quote – Charles Spurgeon:
“God does not love us because we are lovable, but because He is love.”
“God does not love us because we are lovable, but because He is love.”
Final Reflection
Final Reflection
You don’t fight sin to earn a place in God’s family—you fight because you already belong.
You don’t fight sin to earn a place in God’s family—you fight because you already belong.
You don’t obey out of fear—you obey out of love.
You don’t obey out of fear—you obey out of love.
Closing Line:
Closing Line:
“You were not rescued to be managed—you were adopted to be loved.”
“You were not rescued to be managed—you were adopted to be loved.”
Amen.
Amen.
