Series: God In Us Part 3: Adopted
Sermon Text: Romans 8:12-25
Supplemental Texts: Isaiah 44:6-8, 20-22, Psalm 86:11-17, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Preacher: Josh Kleinfeld
As we continue in Romans 8, here are a couple more things to keep in mind
Justification and adoption are two of Paul’s central terms for salvation. Both occur the moment a person puts their faith in God through Jesus.
“Flesh” (Greek sarx) is not the same as “body” (Greek soma).
In God’s story, creation is “good” but “bonded to decay.”
We live in the overlap of “the now, but not yet.”
a. In the now, suffering and glory coexist, but in the “not yet” suffering will be removed.
b. In the now, flesh (sarx) and body (soma) coexist, but in the “not yet” sarx will be removed and soma will be fully redeemed.
ROMANS 8:12-25
12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 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.[f] And by him we cry, “Abba,[g] Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that[h] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Familification: In the cosmic adoption court, God the Father makes us family
The Holy Spirit is given as an inner witness to remind us
whose we are
a. God is King, Lord Almighty, Redeemer, Maker of Heaven and Earth
2. and who we are
a. We are God’s kids
b. We are siblings with Jesus
c. We are siblings with each other
The Holy Spirit helps us face “our present suffering” in the “now, but not yet” reality and helps us live out our obligation to “put to death the misdeeds of the body.”
In light of familification, the misdeeds of the body are any acts that destroy family life, putting distance between ourselves and God and others. See Romans 1, Matthew 5-7 for a new testament guide to what needs to die in us.
Daily Prayer based off Psalm 86:11-13
“Lord, teach me your way.”
I have some unlearning to do and learning to do.
What do I need to learn from You?
“Spirit, help me rely on your faithfulness.”
Where am I relying on my own strength, smarts or instincts instead of You?
“Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”
Where am I divided in loyalty and focus?
“I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.”
God, I praise you for _________.
“For great is your love toward me;
You have delivered me from the depths,
from the realm of the dead.”
Where do You want to bring deliverance in my life?
I surrender.
Memory Verse:
“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.”
Romans 8:11
Message Reflection Questions
Read Romans 8:11. Take two minutes to silently repeat this verse in prayer.
What are the present sufferings of the church, of the world? What suffering is represented in your life?
Holding those images of suffering in your mind, read Romans 8:12-25 as a word of encouragement.
What stands out to you about the process of adoption described in v 14-17?
Read v 18-25 again. Describe the “now, but not yet” nature of God’s kingdom and how creation is looking forward to future glory. What is the future glory to which we look forward? How does this help as we deal with the present sufferings?
Testimony Time: How has your adoption in God affected how you view yourself, God and others?
What are the “misdeeds of the body” that Paul refers to in 8:13 and why are we obligated to putting them to death?
Confession Time: What “misdeeds” have you avoided “putting to death” and what steps will you take with the Spirit to put them to death?
Prayer Time: Pray Psalm 86:11 to close. Pray for someone you know that needs to hear the good news. Ask God to soften their heart and to provide an open door for you or another to share the good news with them.
Daily Readings
From June 4 — September 17, we’ll be exploring the good news that God is for us, in us and with us. Take the learning home with you and read Romans by yourself or with others. You can download the whole plan at www.stillnaz.com/pray.
As you follow the plan, consider these questions:
What does this text say God does "for" or "in" or "with" us?
What does this text invite me to be or do?
Who can I share this with?
Day 1: Romans 8:1-4, John 1:14-18
Day 2: Romans 8:5-11, Colossians 3:1-4
Day 3: Romans 8:12-17, John 1:9-13
Day 4: Romans 8:18-30, 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11
Day 5: Romans 8:31-39, Psalm 44:22-26
NEED PRAYER?
We’d be happy to pray with you. Fill out the form at www.stillnaz.com/pray.
WANT TO JOIN A SMALL GROUP?
We’d love to connect you with a group of people exploring what it means to follow Jesus together. Find out more info at www.stillnaz.com/discipleship.