THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION - Jordan Smith

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!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 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.

Romans 8:14-17 (ESV)

Intro/Recap

• Uncle Phil Story

• To be sons of God is to want to be like him.

• Caught not Taught
  

1.   All who live by the spirit of God are Sons of God

• This statement is conditional:

• Who gets an Inheritance

• Who gets to Represent the father

• Who gets intimacy with the father

• The Prodigal Son parable’s “Older brother”

  • Not living by the spirit

  • Lamented where the father rejoiced

  • Worked as a servant, not a son

What is taught by the law is caught by the Spirit

2. 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!”

• God did not create Adam to tend the garden; he created the garden for Adam to tend.

• Jews exiled and returned

• We didn’t receive a new law; we received a father.

• Tension between jews and gentiles around what they’re allowed to do. (That’s missing the point)\

  • This isn’t about what you have to do, it’s about who you get to be

• Servant vs. Son

• I need the Lord to reassure me that it’s not about my performance

  • Growing up…

  • Constant struggle to feel adequate

  • You weren’t created to do; you’re created to be
    

3. And if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ

• What is our inheritance?

• The Kingdom of God

• Intimacy

• Hope (Glorified with Christ)

  • Provided we suffer with him

• The road of sonship is not an easy road

• The prodigals other road was easier. It was worse. It led to death, but it wasn’t hard to get there.

• Someone did something you didn’t like and you retaliated. I get it, and if you were anyone else’s son, I’d say it’s fine. If your dad wasn’t the standard of holiness…
  

Call to Action:

• Accept the Invitation of the Spirit

• Maybe you’re here and you need a father…

• Maybe you’re here and you feel like the older brother…

  • All work and no intimacy?