Romans 8:9-15 - Empowered
Essential Engagement: Commitment to Mission - Part 2 • Sermon • Submitted
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· 7 viewsThe Holy Spirit empowers Christians to fulfill their divine mission - Be One/Make One
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Series Intro:
Series Intro:
Over the past two weeks we’ve been talking about how as believers, we are to be Committed To Others within the church. Today we are going to turn to our Mission of God,
Pray
Pray
Pray
Pray
Introduction:
Introduction:
Introduction:
Introduction:
August 1st - 8:30AM - Set-out for mission
Today we are going to turn to our Mission of God,
Before you make a commitment, think carefully.
Well, to be honest you can’t. You don’t have what it takes to be disciples and make disciples, at least not on your own. Yes, earlier in this series, Pastor Tim reminded us that the Church is vital, so vital that Christ loved and died for it. Not only that, we learned that God views His Church as a people special, unique and different, describing us as a Chosen, Royal, Holy and His Own Possession. And God has given us the opportunity to proclaim how wonderful God is, to declare how awesome God is. [Add in Greenland - we have been given authority + accountability for mission]
A commitmentobligates you to do something.
Let’s think about this mission for a moment? Can you do it? Can you be a passionate, faithful, consistent follower of Jesus? Can you lead someone to a saving knowledge of Jesus? Well, to be honest you can’t. You don’t have what it takes to be disciples. You don’t have what it takes to make disciples, at least not on your own. Yes, earlier in this series, Pastor Tim reminded us that the Church is vital, so vital that Christ loved and died for it. Not only that, we learned that God views His Church as a people special, unique and different, describing us as a Chosen, Royal, Holy People and His Own Possession. And God has given us the opportunity to proclaim how wonderful God is, to declare how awesome God is. [Add in Greenland - we have been given authority + accountability for mission]
But a new position in Christ and a holy calling is not enough. Our mission requires a new kind of power, more power than you possess within yourself on your own. This mission requires we possess a divine power, a supernatural power, a life changing power in order for us to accomplish it. [Slide - 2] If that’s true and Jesus has called, no commanded, us to fulfill this mission, the question begs to be asked:
A few weeks ago, we learned from Pastor Tim that the Church is vital, so vital that Christ loved and died for it. Not only that, we learned that God views His Church as a people special, unique and different, describing us as a Chosen, Royal, Holy and His Own Possession. And God has given us the opportunity to proclaim how wonderful God is, to declare how awesome God is.
This big mission of disciple-making requires a new kind of power, more power than you possess within yourself on your own. But how can this be?
This mission requires divine power, a supernatural power, a life changing power, it requires a miracle! Good news…God is in the miracle doing business.
Question: Where will we get the power to accomplish it?
Question: Where will we get the power to accomplish it?
Transition: In we find the Apostle Paul seeking to answer a similar question. There he describes his life as a continual loosing battle against sin. Time and again he sees himself falling to the desires of his sinful flesh. “Is there no power to provide victory over sin” he cries out? And in we find the answer (please turn). For it is in this chapter where learn an amazing truth, a truth that, if believed and realized, would drastically transform our lives. [Slide - 3]
This big mission of disciple-making requires a new kind of power, more power than you possess within yourself on your own. But how can this be?
A few weeks ago, we learned from Pastor Tim that the Church is vital, so vital that Christ loved and died for it. Not only that, we learned that God views His Church as a people special, unique and different, describing us as a Chosen, Royal, Holy and His Own Possession. And God has given us the opportunity to proclaim how wonderful God is, to declare how awesome God is.
This mission requires divine power, a supernatural power, a life changing power, it requires a miracle! Good news…God is in the miracle doing business.
Good news…God is in the miracle doing business.
I. In Christ You Are Righteous
I. In Christ You Are Righteous
you might find yourself feeling this same way right now!)
Paul spent talking about the purpose of the OT Law and how he still found himself struggling with sin . What’s exciting is that he then rejoices when he remembers that “thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Let’s take a few moments to talk about this deliverance right now.
A. God Has Made You Righteous
A. God Has Made You Righteous
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
“Now” = Finally now already
In other words, year after year the law promised life but had become death to us all because we could never keep it
For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man,
In other words, year after year the law promised life but had become death to us all because we could never keep it
I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.
[Slide - 4-5] Jesus met the “righteous requirements of the Law - a life of holiness” (cf. )
For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man,
For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful humanity to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in human flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:3-4
So “now,” truly “now” - there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
“Condemnation” = Punishment (Paul is saying that no punishment awaits those who are in Jesus)
“Condemnation” = Punishment (Paul is saying that no punishment awaits those who are in Jesus)
Setting the Scene - Picture with me a court of law
There’s a defendant (you), and there’s a Judge (God). And, on account of our sin, we are all rightly charged with unrighteousness - a treasonous offense against the Judge himself. But, at the last minute before the punishment is to be handed down, on account of Jesus taking the punishment for you, the Judge declaring you righteous, justified, not guilty! You are cleared from any wrongdoing!
Why, with all the wrong that we have done, will those who follow Jesus not receive punishment for our sins?
But, th on account of Jesus, the Judge is declaring you righteous.
You are perfect in God’s eyes.
You are cleared from any wrongdoing.
What’s exciting is that, even though we are truly guilty, God justifies us (declares us righteous) “through faith” ()
those who have been delivered through the Gospel
Because we are justified in Christ
Why? Because we are justified in Christ
Justified = The Judge declares you righteous, rather than guilty. It means to be cleared of any wrongdoing
What’s exciting is that, even though we are truly guilty, God “justifies the ungodly through faith ()
However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.
We owe this justification to the righeousness of another, Jesus Christ
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
We are declared righteous, and fully accepted by God, not on the basis of any righteousness in us, but by faith.
A faith as we look outside ourselves and joining us to a righteousness not of our own doing (alien righteousness, a foreign righteousness) - [Slide - 6] Jesus who is our righteousness
For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
The Christian doctrine that deals with God’s acceptance of us into right relationship with Him is called justification.
Justification deals with how we get right with God
You are justified, declared righteous and stand in God’s grace - God is 100% for you!!!
through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
With this righteousness comes a freedom that can only be found in Christ
It is a powerful moment when on realizes for the first time the righteousness that is found Christ.
John Bunyan (1628-1688), the author of Pilgrim’s Progress, recalled the day, walking through a field, when the Spirit opened to him the glory of justification by faith alone. After much distress and anguish of heart, he says, he finally saw “that it was not my good frame of heart that made my righteousness better, nor yet my bad frame that made my righteousness worse, for my righteousness was Jesus Christ Himself, ‘The same yesterday, today, and forever.’ (). Now did my chains fall off my legs indeed…Now I went also home rejoicing for the race and love of God.” (I had a similar experience!)
John Bunyan (1628-1688), the author of Pilgrim’s Progress, recalled the day, walking through a field, when the Spirit opened to him the glory of justification by faith alone. After much distress and anguish of heart, he says, he finally saw “that it was not my good frame of heart that made my righteousness better, nor yet my bad frame that made my righteousness worse, for my righteousness was Jesus Christ Himself, “The same yesterday, today, and forever.” (). Now did my chains fall off my legs indeed…Now I went also home rejoicing for the race and love of God.
My experience (June 2011-ish) - just m
Transition: What would happen if you really believed that you were 100% righteous in Christ? What would happen if you really believed that God is 100% for you? That He not only accepts you, buy accepts you fully, because of the perfect person and work of Jesus? That your best successes can’t earn you any more access to God, and your worst failures can’t take any of it away? If you did - if you really did - it might change everything. It might change where you seek your contentment, where you find our purpose, where you find our joy! Subjective vs. Objective Truth = God said it, so we must believe it.
B. You Are Alive In Christ
B. You Are Alive In Christ
Transition: What would happen if you really believed that you were 100% righteous in Christ? What would happen if you really believed that God is 100% for you? That He not only accepts you, buy accepts you fully, because of the perfect person and work of Jesus? That your best successes can’t earn you any more access to God, and your worst failures can’t take any of it away? If you did - if you really did - it might change everything. It might change where you seek your contentment, where you find our purpose, where you find our joy!
You would become world’s truest lovers, the world’s greatest doers, the world’s brightest lights b/c you would truly realize that...
[Slide - 7] But not only are you righteous in Christ, this righteousness as you...
Martin Luther said that if we understand justification “we are in the clearest light; if we do not know it, we dwell in the densest darkness.” For those who hold it are the world’s truest lovers, the world’s greatest doers, the world’s brightest lights b/c this truth gives us a deeper capacity to realize that we are...
described this doctrine of justification by faith alone , at the very heart of the Gospel, the doctrine on which the church stands or falls. And those that hold to it are the world’s freest people
II. In Christ You Are Set Free
II. In Christ You Are Set Free
because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Freedom, it’s a hot topic in today’s culture. As American’s, all of us enjoy a number of freedoms on a daily basis (freedom of speech - Facebook). But it can be very easy to think that “freedom” means getting to do whatever we want. And, for many, freedom above all means the liberty to sin.
But, according to the Bible, this is the opposite of freedom. Sin has nothing to do with liberty. Sin destroys freedom. Sin enslaves.
America is mad for liberty. Ours is a free country. We enjoy freedoms but it’s easy to forget what freedom means. Today many of us assume that freedom means getting to do whatever we want. And, for many of us, freedom above all means the liberty to sin. But, according to the Bible, this is the opposite of freedom. Sin has nothing to do with liberty. Sin destroys freedom. Sin enslaves.
America is mad for liberty. Ours is a free country. We enjoy freedom of speech and of religion, the freedom of the press, and the freedom to bear arms. And rightly so. But though Americans love freedom, many of them have forgotten what it means.
Today many of us assume that freedom means getting to do whatever we want. Any restrictions on our behavior — whether from the state, the church, or some other person — violate our freedom. And, for many of us, freedom above all means the liberty to sin.
[Slide - 8] Jesus Himself makes this point very clear when he said:
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
But, according to the Bible, this is the opposite of freedom. Sin has nothing to do with liberty. Sin destroys freedom. Sin enslaves.
The apostle Paul also talks about how sin turns us into slaves ()
If we are honest, on some level, all sins are like this. Anger takes us over. Pride prevents us from treating others as we should. Stealing, lying, disrespect, hate — you name it — they all enslave us. Though we might learn to control our worst impulses through external constraints — whether of shame, fear of discovery, or self-discipline — sin continues to lurk deep inside. We try to exert our will power. But what if the problem is precisely with our will? What if our will alone isn’t strong enough?
Jesus Himself makes that point: “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin” (). The apostle Paul also talks about how sin turns us into slaves ().
If we are honest, we can see this truth in our own experience. An alcoholic may want to be free to get drunk. A drug addict may demand his liberty to take drugs. But alcoholics and drug addicts are not free. Their appetites enslave them. The same is true of people addicted to pornography or in thrall to some other sexual compulsion. As the sin takes away the sinner’s self-respect, his money, and his happiness, the sinner may even want to stop doing what he has been doing. But he cannot.
On some level, all sins are like this. Anger takes us over. Pride prevents us from treating others as we should. Stealing, lying, disrespect, hate — you name it — they all enslave us.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin” (). The apostle Paul also talks about how sin turns us into slaves ().
Though we might learn to control our worst impulses through external constraints — whether of shame, fear of discovery, or self-discipline — sin continues to lurk deep inside. We try to exert our will power. But what if the problem is precisely with our will?
But by the power of the Holy Spirit through the gospel, you are set free!
[Slide - 9] AfterJesus talked about how sinners are enslaved, He gives the good news:
after Jesus talked about how sinners are enslaved, He gives the good news: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed”
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Though while we are still in the flesh we may still struggle with sin, we are free from sin’s dominion
But after Jesus talked about how sinners are enslaved, He gives the good news: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (
).
If we are honest, we can see this truth in our own experience. An alcoholic may want to be free to get drunk. A drug addict may demand his liberty to take drugs. But alcoholics and drug addicts are not free. Their appetites enslave them. The same is true of people addicted to pornography or in thrall to some other sexual compulsion. As the sin takes away the sinner’s self-respect, his money, and his happiness, the sinner may even want to stop doing what he has been doing. But he cannot.
Though while we are still in the flesh we may still struggle with sin, we are free from sin’s dominion. To the extent we are in Christ, through faith, we no longer even need the external Law to keep us in line. We voluntarily — freely — do God’s will, not out of compulsion or threats, but because we really want to please Him, and, because we are in God’s love, we really do love our neighbors.
We no longer even need the external Law to keep us in line. We voluntarily — freely — get to do God’s will!
We voluntarily — freely — get to do God’s will!
By the power of the Holy Spirit through the gospel, we are set free. Though while we are still in the flesh we may still struggle with sin, we are free from sin’s dominion. To the extent we are in Christ, through faith, we no longer even need the external Law to keep us in line. We voluntarily — freely — do God’s will, not out of compulsion or threats, but because we really want to please Him, and, because we are in God’s love, we really do love our neighbors.
[Slide - 10-12] We experience this freedom by the power of the Holy Spirit to live-out who we are in Christ.
The law of “sin and death” only leads to pain, brokenness and death
We experience this freedom by the power of the Holy Spirit to live-out who we are in Christ.
You, however, are not controlled by the sinful nature but are in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
The law of “sin and death” only leads to pain, brokenness and death
It led Paul to cry out, “what a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death!” (cf. )
You are delivered from sin’s power through the death of Jesus
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
You experience this freedom through the power of the Spirit
the Holy Spirit
If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?
Mind governed by the Spirit is “life and peace” (v. 6)
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
You are
Transition: For those who follow Jesus, even if you can’t see, feel or measure it, the Holy Spirit is powerfully at work in you (Takes a lot to steer a big ship - we are stubborn creatures - can I get a head nod or amen - wives are shaking their heads). God’s Spirit is at work transforming our dying, sin-filled lives into new, righteous-filled, abundant lives. And this is where our mission fits in. The Spirit is at work in our lives to equip us for our Mission, to fulfill the new purpose for our lives. And if you don’t seek to fulfill this new purpose in your life, this new life will seem boring, pointless or overrated. because… [Slide - 13]
But we have an obligation …
But we have an obligation …
III. In Christ You Are Led Into Mission (Into Battle)
III. In Christ You Are Led Into Mission (Into Battle)
Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.
Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.
B. You Are Uniquely Gifted
B. You Are Uniquely Gifted
C. The Spirit Has
C. The Spirit Has
Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,
A. He Leads You Into Mission
A. He Leads You Into Mission
Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
[Slide - 14] Paul drew a conclusion that “responsibility accompanies privilege.” [Slide - 15]
For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
Each of us have a responsibility to live each day in the control and power of the Holy Spirit. (cf. )
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
re to live each day in the control and power of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is true worship.
Each of us, as a result of what the Gospel has done for us, are to live each day in the control and power of the Holy Spirit.
We are to obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit, as we constantly rely on the active presence of the Spirit.
Just to make sure we are on the right track, notice that the Spirit is not an instrument in our hands but we are an instrument in his hands
Romans
“For
Let’s break down these verses a bit and confirm that we were on the right track [Slide - 16]
As we obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit, as we constantly rely on the active presence of the Spirit, He transforms us more into the image of J
Paul says in verse 14, "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."
Now to confirm that we were on the right track when we said, the Spirit is not an instrument in our hands but we are an instrument in his hands, consider what Paul says in verse 14. He says, "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." The "for" means that he is giving the basis and explanation for verse 13. So "put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit" in verse 13 is explained by "led by the Spirit" in verse 14, and "you will live" in verse 13 is explained by "you are the sons of God" in verse 14. Ponder those two pairs with me for a moment.
The "for" means that he is giving the basis and explanation for verse 13.
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."
So "put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit" in verse 13 is explained by "led by the Spirit" in verse 14, and "you will live" in verse 13 is explained by "you are the sons of God" in verse 14.
Quote: Ponder those two pairs with me for a moment. What Paul is trying to say is that as child of God we will lean on the Spirit for guidance in all areas of life. But that is not the focus of this text. This text says we are to “put to death” sin by the Spirit, because "all who are led by the Spirit are the sons of God." In other words, Slide - 17] the evidence that we are the children of God is that the Holy Spirit confirms his presence by leading us into war with our sin. (John Piper) The children of God hate sin. The children of God have the values and priorities and preferences and tastes of their Father.
The "for" means that he is giving the basis and explanation for verse 13.
So "put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit" in verse 13 is explained by "led by the Spirit" in verse 14, and "you will live" in verse 13 is explained by "you are the sons of God" in verse 14. Ponder those two pairs with me for a moment.
What Paul is trying to say is that as child of God we will lean on the Spirit for guidance in all areas of life. But that is not the focus of this text. This text says, Kill sin by the Spirit, because "all who are [THUS] led by the Spirit are the sons of God." In other words, the evidence that we are the children of God is that the Holy Spirit confirms his presence by leading us into war with our sin. The children of God hate sin. The children of God have the values and priorities and preferences and tastes of their Father. They are chips off the old block, as it were.
And the reason they share these traits of God their Father is because they have his Spirit who leads them this way. He gives them the new tastes and new preferences and the new values and the new pleasures and the new sadness. If you say that God can’t possibly use you to complete His mission because you struggle with sin, my friend, it is exactly because you struggle with sin that you are a perfect candidate for this mission. You see that you are struggling with sin, God sees that you are fighting a good fight! It might take a bit more prayer, an accountability partner, counseling but you are doing whatever you can to have victory!
Application: If you say that can’t possible be about this mission because you struggle with sin, my friend, that is exactly WHY you are called into this mission. You see that you have a struggle, you see that you are fighting a good fight!
If you say that can’t possible be about this mission because you struggle with sin, my friend, that is exactly WHY you are called into this mission. You see that you have a struggle, you see that you are fighting a good fight!
There is a sense in which the children of God will lean on the Spirit for guidance in all those areas. But that is not the focus of this text. This text says, Kill sin by the Spirit, because "all who are [THUS] led by the Spirit are the sons of God." In other words, the evidence that we are the children of God is that the Holy Spirit confirms his presence by leading us into war with our sin. The children of God hate sin. The children of God have the values and priorities and preferences and tastes of their Father. They are chips off the old block, as it were.
[Slide - 18] Paul means for us to enjoy, not fear this battle, this fight, the adversities of this life.
B. He Equips You For Mission
B. He Equips You For Mission
Privilege involves responsibility We are not responsible or required to live according to our sinful nature's demands any longer - we can say no! (We need to continually put to death the evil practices of the body, which is ongoing. We do this by obeying the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The key to freedom is the constant reliance on the active presence of the Spirit. Paul drew a conclusion and made an application from his previous discussion, we have a responsibility - to live each day in the control and power of the Holy Spirit. Expressed it negatively first - "not to the sinful nature, to live according to it" Each Christian is to refuse to follow the inclinations and desires of his sinful nature. He is to deny the efforts of that nature to impose its lifestyle on him (cf. ). Reason = sinful manner of life results in death. Not only does the Spirit guide the believer, but he initiates the action as well and it is the hallmark of this relationship.
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
The Spirit leads by stirring up family affection.
The work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to change our slavish fears toward God into confident, happy, peaceful affection for God as our father.
The work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to change our slavish fears toward God into confident, happy, peaceful affection for God as our father.
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Conclusion: If we are not careful, we can allow fear to stop us from running head-first into the mission God has for us. We wrongfully fear what God thinks about us, we fear what others will think about us, we fear what we think about ourselves and allow the fear to lead to inaction. It’s time for us to look past the fear and remember that God has called you to this mission and given you the power of the Spirit to fulfill it. It’s a mission that the world so desperately needs us to fulfil b/c we have the hope and they need it! So let’s look past the fear and see the opportunity.
“There were all kinds of things I was afraid of at first, ranging from grizzly bears to ‘mean’ horses and gun-fighters; but by acting as if I was not afraid I gradually ceased to be afraid.” - Teddy Roosevelt
So, let’s start acting that we are not afraid until God helps us to cease to be afraid.
Application: If we are not careful, we can allow fear to stop us from running head-first into the mission God has for us. We fear what God will think about us, we fear what others will think about us, we fear what we think about ourselves and allow the fear to lead to inaction.
How does he do that according to verse 15? He does it by replacing the fear of a slave toward a master with the love of a son toward a father. "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!" He is contrasting the fear of a slave with the affection of a son. The work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to change our slavish fears toward God into confident, happy, peaceful affection for God as our father.