Romans 8:16...

See if the dead can taste.

Bring the most bitter medicine; do these arouse the palate?

See if the dead can taste. Bring the most pungent drugs; do these arouse the palate? Give them a foul drink, and see if nausea can be produced. Now, put sweets to the dead man’s tongue; do the eyes glisten? It is long since that corpse has fed; does it show any satisfaction in the presence of food? No, it is dead, and taste has fled with the once-sentient soul.

Give them a rotten glass of milk to drink, and see if nausea can be produced.

Now, put sweets to the dead man’s tongue; do the eyes light up?

It’s been a long time since that corpse has eaten;

does it show any satisfaction in the presence of food?

No, it is dead, and taste has left, the once-attentive soul.

Truly, no man can taste Christ in his natural state because he’s dead in trespasses and sins!

And if you know Christ to be precious,

you may be assured that you are alive through the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit then gives us assurance of our acceptance and of our forgiveness.

Spurgeon, C. (2017). 300 Sermon Illustrations from Charles Spurgeon. (E. Ritzema & L. Smoyer, Eds.). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

We read these words this morning "The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,” ()

The Holy Spirit then gives us assurance of our acceptance and of our forgiveness.

He is a seal given to us to show that we belong to God.

No Christian has a right to be uncertain about his or her salvation; the Holy Spirit has been given in order that we might be certain for, ‘The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God’ ().

He testifies with our spirits that we are the children of God.

If any of you lack this assurance of salvation, let me urge this upon you

—ask for the gift of the Spirit in His fullness,

ask for this blessed assurance, tell God you

long for it,

do not give yourself rest or peace, and,

in a sense,

do not give God rest or peace

until you have it.

You are meant to have it, therefore pray that the Spirit will lead you to it and, if you are genuine and sincere, you will have it.

You may have been praying for months, or even years, but go on, I say, keep his commandments, live the life he has marked out for you, but above all ask that the Spirit may give this witness within you.

He was sent to do that and thus He links us to Christ.

It is beyond understanding; it is the mystical union between the believer and Christ.

As our Lord said in , we are bound to Christ as the branches to the vine; his life is in us and it is a part of this blessed work of the Spirit.

"The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,” ()

Paul touches here on something that is very important to our understanding of the Christian life.

Sproul, R. C. (1994). The Gospel of God: An Exposition of Romans (p. 137). Great Britain: Christian Focus Publications.

Let me clearly and plainly set the DOCTRINE before you in this verse.

The Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are the children of God.

The work of the Spirit is not only to make us children of God, and then

to take up a dwelling place within our hearts,

but also to give us an inner assurance of our standing with God.

It’s one thing for me to have grace.

It’s another thing for me to see my grace.

It’s one thing for me to believe.

It’s another thing for me to believe that I do believe.

Assurance flows from a clear, certain, evident knowledge that I have grace and that I do believe.

It is one thing to be an heir, and another thing to know that one is an heir.

The child in the womb or in his mamma's arms, may be an heir to a crown, and yet understands it not.

Divine assurance is the beauty and peak of a believer’s glory in this life.

Those with divine assurance are usually the most joyful folks in the body.

They enjoy some of the sweetest comforts in the midst of their sufferings.

It’s a pearl that most want, a crow that few wear.

Assurance isn’t the essence of being a follower of Jesus.

Assurance is required for the well-being of the believer.

Let me clearly and plainly set the DOCTRINE before you in this verse.

Let me clearly and plainly set the DOCTRINE before you in this verse.

That our being adopted into God’s family is evidenced by the testimony of the Spirit to our spirits.

Let’s look first of all to a DIVINE PRIVILEGE as being adopted into God’s family. Look at the words, “that we are God’s children”

It is ‘by the Spirit’ that we cry ‘Abba, Father’—we are reliant upon the Spirit for

confirmation that we are children of God.

Just think of it:

a. At the cost of the death—and what a death!—of his own Son, God decided to save us.

(Did you notice how in 8:15 Paul makes the change, as he does often, from you to we?).

"You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!”” The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,” ()

b. As if the death of Christ were not enough, God even adopts us,

so that we become His sons and daughters, His dear children (8:15).

God even adopts us, so that we become His sons and daughters, His dear children (8:15).

c. His infinite and tender love extends even beyond this,

because not only does He save us and make us His children but

Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans (Vol. 12–13, p. 261). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

He also wants us to know that these great blessings have been bestowed upon us.

By means of two witnesses He imparts to us this “blessed assurance” (8:16).

He saves, adopts, assures!

"See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children...” ()

What a privilege!!!

And as those scriptural thoughts beam onto your heart, the Spirit of God is bearing witness to your spirit like a kiss!

This is God coming and giving you that Assurance of Divine Privilege.

This assurance comes in connection with v15 and the cry Abba Father!

When believers pray, they call God their Father.

So why is this such a Divine Privilege? Because think of the Person adopting.

It’s God Almighty! The great and glorious God, who is

so far above us,

so happy within Himself, and

doesn’t need us,

nor our finest love and service;

who had a Son of His own, Jesus Christ the only begotten of the Father, who

thought it no robbery to be equal with him in power and glory, ;

a son that was ‘the express image of his person,’ ;

Manton, T. (1873). The Complete Works of Thomas Manton (Vol. 12, p. 122). London: James Nisbet & Co.

‘the son of his love,’ ; in whom his soul found full

That’s who’s adopting. But what’s amazing is look at who He adopts.

Miserable sinners who were once

strangers and enemies, .

children of wrath, even as others, .

We were those that had cast away our glory that we had at creation and involved ourselves instead with the curse!

What great love is this?

now that strangers should be taken into the family, and

Manton, T. (1873). The Complete Works of Thomas Manton (Vol. 12, p. 122). London: James Nisbet & Co.

put in the place of children, and

Previously, I spoke of his work upon our hearts, producing affection or love for God.

dealt with as children;

that enemies should not only be reconciled, but have liberty to

own the blessed God as their father in Christ;

that children of wrath should be called to inherit a blessing;

that those who had so often offended God, and had become slaves to Satan,

should be called into the liberty of the children of God;

this is that which causes us to wonder at the love and mercy of God,

and say, Behold what manner of love is this!

Previously, I spoke of his work upon our hearts, producing affection or love for God.

A good illustration is the account of the prodigal son.

When he came to his senses he remembered his father, his affection (his love) was made alive, and

he determined to get up and go to him.

That is the attitude the Holy Spirit creates in our hearts to

assure us that we are no longer the devil’s children

but rather are God’s sons and daughters.

We now know that God is our loving Father, and

Boice, J. M. (1991–). Romans: The Reign of Grace (Vol. 2, p. 843). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.

the DOUBLE PROOF ACQUIRED

because we know this we are drawn to Him.

the DOUBLE PROOF , “The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit...”

I’m not talking about a professing believer or a church member that is not born again.

Their spirit assures them that they are in good standing with God for various reasons,

but they don’t have the assenting testimony of the Holy Spirit.

Some speak of peace to themselves but the God of heaven hasn’t ever spoken peace to them!

It’s actually those who are being sanctified this morning, will have the Holy Spirit bearing witness to you this morning!

It’s the sanctified soul that bears the image of God, just as Paisley bears my image.

God’s Spirit bears witness to that soul that’s being sanctified!

This testimony is always agreeable to the written word, and is therefore

Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 2212). Peabody: Hendrickson.

always grounded upon sanctification;

for the Spirit in the heart cannot contradict the Spirit in the word.

In moments of doubt and weakness, the Christian’s spirit cries out, “Father!”

The very cry itself is testimony (the Spirit’s testimony with us) of a work of grace in the heart.

It is the reawakening of assurance.

Amid troubled waters, a safe haven is discovered in the arms of a listening, waiting, loving, embracing Father.

“Abba! Father!”—this cry issues from the human spirit in .

Look at verse 15. Look at who is saying Abba Father.

"You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!”” ()

Thomas, D. W. H. (2011). How the Gospel Brings Us All the Way Home (p. 65). Lake Mary, FL: Reformation Trust Publishing.

Kruse, C. G. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (D. A. Carson, Ed.) (p. 339). Cambridge, U.K.; Nottingham, England; Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.

Now flip on over to Galatians. "And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!”” ()

6 "And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!”” ()

We cry. The Spirit cries.

The Holy Spirit cries with our spirit ().

This communion between us and the Spirit is the surest indication of our adoption as sons of God.

Do you remember when Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane?

In He cries out, “Abba, Father! All things are possible for you...”

This is probably the word used by the Lord in teaching His disciples the model of prayer,

what we call, the “Lord’s Prayer” Abba Father who are in heaven...

Can anything be more beautiful in this world of cold steel and computers?

Jesus, through the Spirit, has given us his own special name for God, and

it has become our natural cry to a loving Father.

Could we offer anything more enticing than this to a lonely world?

Many have never known a meaningful relationship with an earthly Father.

Or some have, but maybe now He is gone.

God offers His soul-satisfying paternity to all who come to him. “Abba, Father.”

So you open up Scripture and you read, 27 "because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God ...” ()

A child-like heart is a tender heart. A tender heart is like melting wax before God, where He may set whatever seal He wants upon your heart.

One. A tender heart dear believer. One that weeps over sin!

I can’t but think that when one of our children sin grievously, how quick they are to cry and confess and need a hug.

Peter shows us a tender heart. He sinned in denying the Lord and Christ looked upon him and Peter wept as a child.

Two. A tender heart melts under God’s mercy! When God thunders by affliction, the rain of tears falls from a grace-filled eye.

David’s heart was melted with God’s kindness

18 "Then King David went in, sat in the Lord’s presence, and said, Who am I, Lord God, and what is my house that you have brought me this far?” ()

This is the true child of God. “Lord who am I?” (a piece of dust and sin mixed together?)

Who am I that the radiant beams of free grace should shine upon me?

Who am I that I would lay in a pool of my own blood spoken of in “ ‘I passed by you and saw you thrashing around in your blood, and I said to you as you lay in your blood, “Live!” Yes, I said to you as you lay in your blood, “Live!”” (v6)

Who am I Lord that you would put the golden wings of mercy over me?

Mercy has a melting influence upon the tender heart!

So a sign of being a recipient of saving grace is that you will have a tender heart.

A heart that is sensitive to sin and a heart that melts under the mercy of God.

A second mark of saving grace is conformity. 10 "and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator.” ()

You think of little Oakley. He looks just like dad! As a child he resembles his dad.

God’s children resemble their dad as well! They are like their heavenly Father.

They have His seal impressed upon their souls and therefore bear His very image!

The wicked may say that they are children of God but there is too great a difference and an unlikeness.

In Jesus’ day, the Jews bragged that they were Abraham’s children, but Christ turns them on their own heads by saying this:

40 "But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do this.” ()

Yeah right! You’re Abraham’s children, yet you go around trying to kill me!

Abraham did not do this! Actually you are more like satan than Abraham!

44 "You are of your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires...” ()

That’s what professing Christians are who are proud, earthly, malicious, backbiters.

Can we sum it up like this: It’s blasphemy to call God our Father, and make the devil our pattern!

God’s children resemble Him in meekness; they are walking pictures.

As the seal stamps its print and likeness upon the wax; so does God stamp the

Watson, T. (1829). Discourses upon Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. In Discourses on Important and Interesting Subjects, Being the Select Works of the Rev. Thomas Watson (Vol. 2, p. 303). Edinburgh; Glasgow: Blackie, Fullarton, & Co.; A. Fullarton & Co.

So here’s a question. What do I do if I don’t have the Holy Spirit bear witness to my spirit, that I’m His child.

print and portrait of His own beauty upon His children.

So here’s a question. What do I do if I don’t have the Holy Spirit bear witness to my spirit, that I’m His child.

(1.) Discard all other confidence. When you cannot, apply , "Assyria will not save us, we will not ride on horses, and we will no longer proclaim, ‘Our gods!’ to the work of our hands. For the fatherless receives compassion in you.””

(2.) Own God in the humbling way; creep in at the back door of the promise, , ‘Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.’

If Christ came to save sinners, I am sinner enough for Christ to save.

, , "I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. "I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers.” ’”

(3.) Come to Him, as the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: "For this reason I kneel before the Father” ()

Certainly God will love and accept all those that come to him by Christ.

(4.) There is a child-like inclination, when there is not a child-like familiarity and boldness.

The soul cannot keep away from God, and that is an implicit holding & keeping of Him as a father:

“...You will call me ‘My Father’ and never turn away from me.”” ()

there may be a child-like love to God, when we have no assurance of his paternal love to us.

(5.) There is a child-like reverence and awe, when there’s not a child-like confidence.

Their heart standeth in awe of (as the Rechabites), their father’s command, dare not displease him for all the world; these in time will overcome. In short, God hath a title to our dearest love, when we cannot make out a title to the highest benefit.

Manton, T. (1873). The Complete Works of Thomas Manton (Vol. 12, pp. 129–130). London: James Nisbet & Co.

Hughes, R. K. (1991). Romans: righteousness from heaven (p. 154). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

He is a seal given to us to show that we belong to God.

He testifies with our spirits that we are the children of God.

If any of you lack this assurance of salvation, let me urge this upon you

Manton, T. (1873). The Complete Works of Thomas Manton (Vol. 12, p. 121). London: James Nisbet & Co.

—ask for the gift of the Spirit in His fullness,

ask for this blessed assurance, tell God you

long for it,

do not give yourself rest or peace, and,

in a sense,

do not give God rest or peace

until you have it.

You are meant to have it, therefore pray that the Spirit will lead you to it and, if you are genuine and sincere, you will have it.

He was sent to do that and thus He links us to Christ.

It is beyond understanding; it is the mystical union between the believer and Christ.

As our Lord said in , we are bound to Christ as the branches to the vine; his life is in us and it is a part of this blessed work of the Spirit.

"The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,” ()

Assurance Produces More Work

Assurance Produces More Work

Assurance Produces More Work

During the first part of the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, no safety devices were used, and 23 men fell to their deaths. For the last part of the project, however, a large net which cost $100,000 was employed. At least 10 men fell into it and were saved. But an interesting sidelight is the fact that 25 percent more work was accomplished when the men were assured of their safety!

When I was in England, during one of the conferences, a woman told me she was once awakened by a very strange noise of pecking, or something of the kind. When she got up, she saw a butterfly flying back and forth inside the window pane in a great fright, and outside a sparrow pecking and trying to get in. The butterfly did not see the glass, and expected every minute to be caught, and the sparrow did not see the glass, and expected every minute to get the butterfly. Yet all the while that butterfly was as safe as if it had been millions of miles away, because of the glass between it and the sparrow. So it is with a Christian. Satan cannot touch the soul that has the Lord Jesus Christ between itself and him.

36 "And he said, “Abba, Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.”” ()