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Presented May 23, 2004 pm

THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION

ROMANS 8:14-25

As we continue our study of the book of Romans today we want to notice another text that is challenging to fully understand.  Nevertheless, we will make some application in our lives as we by the Spirit strive to put to death the deeds of the body.  Up to this point Paul in this chapter Paul has been contrasting he who walks according to the flesh and he who walks according to the Spirit.  He makes it clearly evident that to please God we need to walk according to the Spirit and that He is to dwell within us.

I.  Sons of God – Vs. 14-17

A.      In these verses we find our familial relationship with God emphasized.  In these verses we are referred to as sons of God, children of God, heirs, as well as a reference to the spirit of adoption.
THIS IS THE REWARD of walking according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh.

B.       The context

a.        As many as are led by the Spirit (through the word) are sons of God
There is much debate about how we are led by the Spirit.  In a previous lesson we established that the Spirit leading us cannot be separated from the word of God.  He does not influence us apart from His word.
Consider this: IF the Spirit directly influences one’s life apart from the word, how can we know it is truly the Spirit of God?  When men who claimed to be guided by the Holy Spirit contradict one another, who do we believe?  And if He does influence us THROUGH the word, then why do we need direct influence?  These are just some thoughts to consider as we study and try to understand the impact He has in our life.

b.       Rather than receiving a spirit of fear, we have received the Spirit of adoption
What is adoption? “To take by choice (esp. to take voluntarily) into a relationship, as child, heir, friend, citizen, etc. “ (Webster)
“Adoption is the taking and treating of a stranger as one’s own child.  It is a mere act of grace.” (P Strutt, The Biblical Illustrator)

c.        In this we can cry, “Abba, Father”.  
Abba is Aramaic for “father”.  The second word is Greek and a common word for father.
The expression is only used 3 times in the New Testament – Mark 14:36 – Jesus in the garden; Galatians 4:6 and here.  Galatians 4 is a context similar to the one we are studying today.
As children of God we have privileges

                    i.      We can go to our heavenly Father with our petitions - Ephesians 2:18 – through Christ we have access to the Father
We can boldly approach Him – Hebrews 4:16
WE can cast all our cares upon Him – 1 Peter 5:7. 

                    ii.      As our Father God knows what is best for us and He is there for us.

                    iii.     He chastens us – Hebrews 12:5-9

                    iv.      We are heirs as pointed out in this text

d.       The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are sons of God. 
How does the Spirit bear witness to us? The fact that we have the spirit is a testimony – 1 John 3:24 says that the way we can know that God is abiding in us is through His Spirit.  That text also hinges this abiding upon obedience to the word. 
The Spirit is given to us as a gift (Acts 2:38), as a seal (Ephesians 1:13), as a guarantee (2 Corinthians 1:22), or “in earnest”   It is through His word that He bears witness to us.  We bear witness WITH HIM by keeping that word. 
IS OUR SPIRIT in accord with the Holy Spirit?  Are we following that which would be pleasing to God and that which would bring glory to Him?

e.        As children of God we are heirs, indeed we are joint heirs with Christ.

C.       What a blessing it is to be in the family of God.

II.  If Indeed We Suffer – 17-18

A.      A requisite to our relationship with God is a willingness to suffer.  Whether the suffering of this text has reference to suffering as a Christian (and we will) or all suffering in general (in the world as a product of sin) we have to endure it

B.       Note that this passage does not say we HAVE to suffer, but that we are willing to suffer for Him.  I am not convinced that we ought to put ourselves in harms way just for the sake of suffering.  But we should NEVER shun away from it.

a.        1 Peter 4:12-16 – Don’t think it strange that as you do what is right that there will be a price.  Instead, IF you do suffer, rejoice that you are counted worthy (your Christianity is such that it evokes persecutions from His enemies).
BUT make sure that if you suffer, it is as a Christian and not because of evil.

b.       2 Timothy 3:12 – all who desire to live godly WILL suffer persecutions.

C.       One might ask, what does suffering have to do with being heirs?  The answer is this: ARE YOU WILLING TO ACCEPT YOUR ADOPTION?  Will you accept the family that has accepted you to the point that you will defend it at all costs?  Do you consider your godly family your REAL family?
Mark 10:29-32 – those who leave their earthly families will receive another family in this life and in the life to come, eternal life.

D.      IF we endure, we will be glorified with Him

a.        Our suffering will be nothing, compared to the reward that awaits us.

b.       Heaven is a place beyond human comprehension. 

·   A place where God and the redeemed will spend eternity. 

·   A place where there will be no darkness

·   A place where there will be no sickness, no sorrow, no tears, no death.

·   A place where there will be no temptation or sin

·   A place where a mansion is waiting for us

·   A place of rest

·   A place Paul referred to as Paradise (2 Corinthians 12:4)

c.        It is this that causes Paul to make reference to “our light affliction” – 2 Corinthians 4:17

III.  The Creation Groans – 19-22

A.      The KJV uses creature.  Most other reliable translations use creation.  A study of the text seems to indicate a reference to God’s creation other than man (contrasted with us in vs. 23)

B.       The context

a.       The creation awaits the revealing of the sons of God – the way God intended it to be.

b.       It was subjected to futility (the thorns, sickness, troubles, etc.)

c.       It was subjected in hope – not without any anticipation – In Genesis 3, the curse was followed by the promise.

d.       This creation will be delivered from its bondage – the sufferings of this world will cease

e.       IT groans with birth pangs until now – until the time of its fulfillment.  It will bring forth those who are righteous.  It is ironic that this world filled with sorrows and troubles is the very world that produces Christians seeking to escape these things.

C.       Why does creation groan?  Did God intend this world to be filled with such sorrows? 

a.        Consider the curse in Genesis 3.  This world is as it is because of sin – Genesis 3:16 [woman], 17-19 – [man] – God cursed the ground because of sin.  All the sorrows, corruption, temptations and every evil thing that happens, and even death is a product of man sinning when he did.

b.       Isa 24:4-6, “The earth mourns and fades away, The world languishes and fades away; The haughty people of the earth languish. 5 The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants, Because they have transgressed the laws, Changed the ordinance, Broken the everlasting covenant. 6 Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, And those who dwell in it are desolate. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, And few men are left.”

D.      Man has a tendency to blame God for all that is wrong.  He is NOT the cause of evil – He is the HOPE.

E.       Does this mean that God is going to renew this earth getting rid of all that is bad?  That is what the Jehovah’s Witnesses teach.  2 Peter 3:10 says that all that in this earth will be burned up – destroyed.  The desire of the earth will be fulfilled in heaven where the righteous will live eternally as God intended – THAT is the New Heavens and the New Earth.

IV.  Our Hope – vs. 23-25

A.      Vs. 23 – Just as the creation “groans” wanting vindication so that all that is wrong will be set right, so it is with the Christian. 

a.        WE eagerly groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 

b.        If I understand this text it speaks of the completion of that process.  We are already sons of God through adoption.  What remains is the inheritance – that is our redemption.  Heaven!  This is our hope. 

c.        And we anxiously await that – just as Paul in Philippians 1:19-23.  Note that Paul had hope and a desire to depart and be with the Lord.

B.       We were saved in this hope – what a blessing hope is.

a.         It is our anchor in heaven.  It is why we suffer and put up with the groanings of creation. Hebrews 6:19

b.       Titus 3:4-7 – we are justified by His grace so that we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

c.        It is a living hope – 1 Peter 1:3

C.       In hope we persevere – 1 Peter 1:13 – Peter encourages his audience to fully rest their hope on upon God’s grace that will be revealed at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Truly, there is great blessing in being called sons of God. It is my hope that in this lesson we perhaps better understand the text as it pertains to this and this we will strive to live up to the standard God has set for us in hope.  Are you a child of God?  If not, let me invite you to start your life in His family tonight.