Adopted and Joint Heirs with Jesus

Romans 8:12-17Romans 8:12-17Pg. 835 (pew Bible)Pg. 835 (pew Bible)

ROMANS 8:12

• Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

Go Back Go Back

ROMANS 8:12

• Therefore, brethren, we are brethren, we are debtorsdebtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

Brethren (and sisters)

What does Paul mean What does Paul mean

““we are debtors?”we are debtors?”

Jesus Explains This Well

Matthew 18:23ffMatthew 18:23ff

Of whom do I owe a debt?

NOT to the fleshNOT to the flesh

ROMANS 8:13

• For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Everyone get’s in the flesh! Everyone get’s in the flesh!

The question isThe question is: : Is your life characterized by living after the Is your life characterized by living after the

flesh. flesh.

Consider the story in Matthew

Having the debt forgiven creates an Having the debt forgiven creates an obligation—what is the obligation?obligation—what is the obligation?

Theological Note

This is NOT bondage. This is NOT bondage. We are not paying back a debt. We are not paying back a debt.

(See vs. 15.)(See vs. 15.)

ANOTHER ANGLE

• Privilege involves responsibility. • Paul reminded his Christian brothers that the

assurance of resurrection by the indwelling Spirit placed them under obligation.

Robert H. Mounce

We, believers, are obligated to

““Live according to the Live according to the Spirit!”Spirit!”

Question

How do I know if I am How do I know if I am living according to the living according to the

Spirit?Spirit?

ROMANS 8:13

• For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

• The deeds of the flesh are being destroyed in The deeds of the flesh are being destroyed in your lifeyour life– Sanctification is a Joint EffortSanctification is a Joint Effort

Led By the Spirit does NOT

Always mean: Always mean: meek, quiet, NOT frustratedmeek, quiet, NOT frustrated

ROMANS 8:14

• PLEASE notice Paul doesn’t not say “as many as keep a set of rules”

• INSTEAD, he writes—

–For as many as are For as many as are ledled by the Spirit of by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. God, they are the sons of God.

GALATIANS 5:18

• But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Look @ Galatians 3Look @ Galatians 3

COMMENTARY• The Christian is one in whom the Spirit is

constantly at work through instruction, exhortation, and discipline to bring to an end “the misdeeds of the body.” Although there may be times in a Christian’s life when a snapshot would show a person living according to the flesh, over time there should be evidence of progress.

– Robert H. Mounce

A Month of Living in the Spirit

That wasn’t my That wasn’t my best moment best moment

or day.or day.

PHILIPPIANS 1:6

• Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Who began Who began the good the good

work?work?

ROMANS 8:15

• For ye have not received the spirit of bondage

again to fearto fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

God’s intent is God’s intent is NOTNOT for His children to live in for His children to live in fear of their eternal destiny.fear of their eternal destiny.

ROMANS 8:15

• For ye have not received the spirit of bondage

again to fear; but ye have received the the Spirit of adoptionSpirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Most peoplesomewhere deep inside want to

know:

“Am I a child of God?”

Note

Notice the Jews assumed they were Notice the Jews assumed they were children of God simply because of children of God simply because of

their lineage to Abraham or their lineage to Abraham or because the kept a bunch of rules.because the kept a bunch of rules.

In America

People assume they are children of People assume they are children of God because they have asked Jesus God because they have asked Jesus

in their heart or grew up in a in their heart or grew up in a Christian home.Christian home.

COMMENTARY

• Notice the assurances of conversion Paul gives his reader:√ Putting to death sinful habits by Gods’ Spirit√ Being led by the Spirit of GodBeing led by the Spirit of God√ Identifying the new relationship of being adopted√ God’s Spirit bearing witness with your SpiritGod’s Spirit bearing witness with your Spirit

ROMANS 8:15

• For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.Father.

You can cry “Abba, Father” if You can cry “Abba, Father” if you are living according to the you are living according to the

Spirit.Spirit.

MARK 14:36

And he [Jesus] said,• Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee;

take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

Adoption is NOT the End!

““The Already and NOT Yet” The Already and NOT Yet” tensiontension

ROMANS 8:16

• The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

The conversion experience produces The conversion experience produces a sense of knowing that one is a child a sense of knowing that one is a child

of God.of God.

ROMANS 8:17

• And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

• An Heir– one who inherits or is entitled to inherit

COMMENTARY

• Our adoption into God’s family, however amazing and comforting, is not the end of the story.

• For to be children is also to be heirs: to be still waiting for the full bestowment of all the rights and privileges conferred on us as God’s children.

– D. A. Carson

Hear the Words of Jesus

Go to: John 14Go to: John 14

ROMANS 8:17

• And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Notice this Amazing Tie Between

King Jesus and the Apostle Paul

Turn to Matthew 19:16Turn to Matthew 19:16

COMPARE ROMANS 8:17 TO

• And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Matthew 19:21 and 27-30Matthew 19:21 and 27-30

Two Questions?

1.1. Have you been adopted into the Have you been adopted into the family of God?family of God?

2. To what degree will you be a joint-heir 2. To what degree will you be a joint-heir with Christ?with Christ?