So Great an Inheritance

Hiers with Christ

We are no longer under Obligation to the flesh

(SLIDE) VS 12 So then, Brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.

“So Then” Paul keeps referring back.

Since we understand that you cannot be in the flesh and serve God you are actually hostile to God vs 7-8, and in vs 9 we understand that we must constantly daily test ourselves to make sure we are in the Spirit. Then in vs 11 the great hope we have in Christ, “So then” transfers from affirming your faith to applying it. So when we look at last week I really don’t want to separate vs 11 from 12 -23

What does affirm mean?

(SLIDE) So we have passed the test and we are affirmed to be Spirit lead, we are “Christian” Brothers, we are debtors

What are we debtors to? Why its to the grace, mercy and righteousness of Christ.

Remember ch. 6 we are slaves to something either sin or Christ now we are slaves to Christ we have condemnation of sin but now are in dept to a saving God, but the point is this we are (SLIDE) not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.” but to Christ.

(Slide) We have been freed from the master of sin and should no long live according to the flesh

(Slide) So The Point is this Brothers and Sisters. We are debtors but not to Ourselves for we have been redeemed and Christ is now our debtor!

(SLIDE) vs 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.

We cannot live according to our previous lifestyle. Becoming Christian is not without radical transformation. These to things change immediately upon salvation that is repentance and faith. They cannot be separated faith without repentance is not true, and repentance without faith is aimless and fruitless. (slide) A life that is fruitless and false is a life headed straight for hell

Let me ask you is your life marked as one full of repentance and faith?

(SLIDE) vs 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.

Paul here gives us our application, and also a warning that the way we live our lives matters.

(SLIDE) For if you live according to the flesh you will die

Paul is really starting to sum up everything he has been discussing over the last 4 chapters. God will not except a ungodly lifestyle.

(SLIDE) but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live.

We see five things here

1 This is a mark of a believer

Only a believer can do this Why?

Jude vs 19 Being Devoid of the Spirit

2. The condition

The clause BUT IF causes a realization of our current circumstances by what I mean we have reckon the previous one of living a fleshly life leading to death to the current one of living a Spirit filled life.

3. The Means of accomplishment.

By the Spirit

It is not by our strength that we can live victorious Christian lives.

Read Owens pg 2 bottom

This is the difference between a Christian and an Almost Christian.

4. Our duty

you put to death the deeds of the body.

Having the power of God in us does not neglect our duty to be obedient. Even though we as believers enjoy the gift of not being under the debt and condemnation of sin any longer it does not mean that are not trouble by its problems still. It is the duty of a Christian, to mortify sin in your life.

Let’s put it like this John Owen said “always be killing sin, or sin will be killing you.”

5. The promise.

You will live.

That is a pretty good promise!

not just life but (SLIDE) LIFE ABUNDANTLY

(Slide) VS 14-15 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!

What does it mean to you to be led by the Spirit and then I will share what it means to me.

Being led by the Spirit to me means that God becomes my all consuming object of my fixation. There is nothing in my life that I do not try and involve the Spirit and imitate Christ in, even my sin which i need the Spirits comfort and power and Christ’s intersession for. God is undoing and my binding, my beginning and end. For all I do is for His glory.

(SLIDE) What the Spirit is not

The Spirit does not lead us back into a fear of death and sin. The fear we once experienced of bondage and death has no grip on us.

(SLIDE) Who the Spirit is-

the seal of our adoption

We have already been called children of God! Wow what promise what good parent leads there children towards death and destruction. None

We have been adopted as sons and daughters of the most high God, it is by Spirit through Christ that we may call Him Abba Father

Abba is an informal term that only a child would be privileged to use for their father. Its like us saying daddy

I hope you are starting to get the picture of the loving relationship we have with God.

(SLIDE) VS 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with out spirit that we are children of God,

There will be no faking your way into heaven. No Spirit no relationship with God.

Again it points to the fact that we have no power in salvation it is the Spirit that bears witness to that the mark or seal given us as proof of the redemptive work done through Christ.

(SLIDE) Vs 17 and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and fellows heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.

So Yes as a child of God you will receive an inheritance.

What will I get. Ultimately you will get God Himself! All the promises and blessing lead to one thing the glory of God.

But I do not want to mislead you if you are a child of God you will suffer. But we must remember that even in our suffering Christ suffered first, He was hated first. The world will hate you, I make no qualms about it the US culture is getting more hostile towards Christ. You will be hated in your life time you may suffer severe persecutions for being a Christian. In that day will you stand as a Christian or fall as an Almost Christian.

The question remains

(slide) Will you be glorified with Him?

gospel

Pray