1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:02,639 Please remain standing now for the reading of 2 00:00:02,639 --> 00:00:03,620 God's word. 3 00:00:04,160 --> 00:00:06,559 We're continuing in Paul's letter to the Romans 4 00:00:06,559 --> 00:00:08,419 and we are going through verse 5 00:00:08,880 --> 00:00:09,380 12 6 00:00:09,839 --> 00:00:12,820 to verse 17 today. Romans chapter 8 7 00:00:13,455 --> 00:00:14,195 verse 12 8 00:00:14,815 --> 00:00:16,495 to verse 17. And I'll tell you right 9 00:00:16,495 --> 00:00:18,335 now, we're really gonna focus on the first 10 00:00:18,335 --> 00:00:19,554 half of verse 17. 11 00:00:19,934 --> 00:00:22,015 Next week, we're gonna do verses 17 18 12 00:00:22,015 --> 00:00:23,614 and we'll pick it up in the second 13 00:00:23,614 --> 00:00:25,614 half of verse 17 just so so you 14 00:00:25,614 --> 00:00:26,355 know already. 15 00:00:26,780 --> 00:00:29,339 Alright, Romans chapter 8 verses 12 to 17 16 00:00:29,339 --> 00:00:32,240 please listen to the reading of God's word. 17 00:00:34,060 --> 00:00:35,039 So then brothers, 18 00:00:35,659 --> 00:00:36,719 we are debtors, 19 00:00:37,260 --> 00:00:39,500 not to the flesh, to live according to 20 00:00:39,500 --> 00:00:40,159 the flesh 21 00:00:40,884 --> 00:00:42,484 For if you live according to the flesh, 22 00:00:42,484 --> 00:00:43,384 you will die. 23 00:00:44,004 --> 00:00:46,244 But if by the spirit, you put to 24 00:00:46,244 --> 00:00:47,945 death the deeds of the body, 25 00:00:48,324 --> 00:00:49,144 you will live. 26 00:00:50,085 --> 00:00:52,004 For all who are led by the spirit 27 00:00:52,004 --> 00:00:52,664 of God 28 00:00:53,045 --> 00:00:54,424 are sons of God. 29 00:00:54,950 --> 00:00:56,549 For you did not receive the spirit of 30 00:00:56,549 --> 00:00:57,049 slavery 31 00:00:57,590 --> 00:00:59,049 to fall back into fear 32 00:00:59,670 --> 00:01:02,170 but you have received the spirit of adoption 33 00:01:02,309 --> 00:01:03,049 as sons 34 00:01:03,509 --> 00:01:05,290 by whom we cry Abba, 35 00:01:05,909 --> 00:01:06,409 father. 36 00:01:07,295 --> 00:01:10,274 The spirit himself bears witness with our spirit 37 00:01:10,734 --> 00:01:12,274 that we are children of God. 38 00:01:12,575 --> 00:01:14,435 And if children then heirs 39 00:01:14,814 --> 00:01:15,954 heirs of God 40 00:01:16,254 --> 00:01:18,034 and fellow heirs with Christ 41 00:01:18,575 --> 00:01:21,180 provided we suffer with him in order that 42 00:01:21,180 --> 00:01:22,000 we may also 43 00:01:22,540 --> 00:01:25,099 be glorified with him. This is the word 44 00:01:25,099 --> 00:01:25,840 of the Lord. 45 00:01:26,299 --> 00:01:28,479 Thanks be to God. Please be seated. 46 00:01:34,084 --> 00:01:35,465 In 1st century Rome, 47 00:01:36,005 --> 00:01:37,305 it was not uncommon 48 00:01:38,005 --> 00:01:40,344 for powerful men to adopt 49 00:01:40,725 --> 00:01:42,025 grown men, adults, 50 00:01:42,484 --> 00:01:44,984 whom they believe could be worthy heirs 51 00:01:45,365 --> 00:01:47,944 to steward their estate with shrewdness 52 00:01:48,409 --> 00:01:51,130 and especially to carry on the honor of 53 00:01:51,130 --> 00:01:52,430 their family name. 54 00:01:53,049 --> 00:01:54,270 In 44 BC, 55 00:01:54,730 --> 00:01:58,170 after Julius Caesar's assassination, it was revealed that 56 00:01:58,170 --> 00:01:58,990 he had adopted 57 00:01:59,530 --> 00:02:00,510 Gaius Octavius, 58 00:02:01,609 --> 00:02:03,390 and named him as his heir. 59 00:02:03,944 --> 00:02:05,084 At the his adoption, 60 00:02:05,704 --> 00:02:09,405 Octavius took the name Gaius Julius Caesar Octavius 61 00:02:10,344 --> 00:02:11,405 bearing the name 62 00:02:11,784 --> 00:02:13,324 of his adopted father. 63 00:02:14,264 --> 00:02:15,965 This adoption not only legitimized 64 00:02:16,344 --> 00:02:17,485 Octavius status 65 00:02:17,930 --> 00:02:20,750 but also provided him with the political capital 66 00:02:21,129 --> 00:02:22,110 and name recognition 67 00:02:22,490 --> 00:02:22,990 necessary 68 00:02:23,610 --> 00:02:25,629 to ascend in Roman politics. 69 00:02:26,569 --> 00:02:28,810 When he became Emperor, he took the name 70 00:02:28,810 --> 00:02:30,110 Augustus Caesar 71 00:02:30,409 --> 00:02:32,030 preserving Caesar's name 72 00:02:32,425 --> 00:02:33,245 and status. 73 00:02:33,944 --> 00:02:36,264 Today we're looking at Romans chapter 8 verses 74 00:02:36,264 --> 00:02:39,064 12 to 17, a text that invites us 75 00:02:39,064 --> 00:02:39,805 to consider 76 00:02:40,185 --> 00:02:41,965 the life altering implications 77 00:02:42,745 --> 00:02:43,724 of being adopted 78 00:02:44,185 --> 00:02:45,805 into the household of God. 79 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:48,560 Next Sunday, we will look at verse 17 80 00:02:48,560 --> 00:02:50,180 again and at verse 18 81 00:02:50,480 --> 00:02:51,920 where we will see that being part of 82 00:02:51,920 --> 00:02:52,819 God's household 83 00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:55,140 implies a sobering responsibility. 84 00:02:56,319 --> 00:02:58,180 But this week I want you to focus 85 00:02:58,240 --> 00:02:59,620 on the great blessing 86 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:01,060 of your adoption. 87 00:03:01,625 --> 00:03:03,305 In fact, the main point I want you 88 00:03:03,305 --> 00:03:05,084 to remember this morning is this, 89 00:03:05,944 --> 00:03:07,805 because God has adopted you, 90 00:03:08,344 --> 00:03:09,405 you are blessed 91 00:03:09,784 --> 00:03:11,724 with great privilege and status. 92 00:03:12,584 --> 00:03:15,084 Because God has adopted you, you are blessed 93 00:03:15,465 --> 00:03:16,525 with great privilege 94 00:03:17,129 --> 00:03:18,030 and status. 95 00:03:18,569 --> 00:03:20,409 And we will consider this truth as we 96 00:03:20,409 --> 00:03:22,110 divide this sermon into 2 headings. 97 00:03:22,730 --> 00:03:24,830 1st, the fear of the flesh 98 00:03:25,530 --> 00:03:26,189 and second, 99 00:03:26,650 --> 00:03:28,270 the assurance of adoption. 100 00:03:29,224 --> 00:03:30,985 Just consider the first heading, the fear of 101 00:03:30,985 --> 00:03:33,165 the flesh. Look at verses 12 and 13 102 00:03:33,224 --> 00:03:34,205 again with me. 103 00:03:35,944 --> 00:03:36,844 So then brothers, 104 00:03:37,145 --> 00:03:38,205 we are debtors 105 00:03:38,824 --> 00:03:40,585 not to the flesh to live according to 106 00:03:40,585 --> 00:03:41,245 the flesh 107 00:03:41,650 --> 00:03:43,490 for if you live according to the flesh 108 00:03:43,490 --> 00:03:44,389 you will die, 109 00:03:45,330 --> 00:03:47,090 but if by the spirit you put to 110 00:03:47,090 --> 00:03:48,790 death the deeds of the body 111 00:03:49,250 --> 00:03:50,069 you will live. 112 00:03:51,169 --> 00:03:53,409 Notice that Paul writes that Christians are not 113 00:03:53,409 --> 00:03:54,710 debtors to the flesh 114 00:03:55,105 --> 00:03:56,645 to live according to the flesh. 115 00:03:57,265 --> 00:03:59,205 In other words, Christians are no longer 116 00:03:59,585 --> 00:04:01,365 under legal obligation 117 00:04:01,985 --> 00:04:03,205 to serve the flesh. 118 00:04:03,905 --> 00:04:05,925 The flesh is no longer our master. 119 00:04:07,069 --> 00:04:08,830 Now I remind you once again that Paul 120 00:04:08,830 --> 00:04:11,330 often uses this word, the flesh, 121 00:04:11,790 --> 00:04:14,590 as a technical term that refers to fallen 122 00:04:14,590 --> 00:04:15,730 humanity's nature. 123 00:04:16,670 --> 00:04:19,490 As such, Paul writes that fallen human beings 124 00:04:19,949 --> 00:04:21,889 are in bondage to sin 125 00:04:22,595 --> 00:04:24,854 resulting inevitably in their death. 126 00:04:25,714 --> 00:04:26,454 For example, 127 00:04:26,834 --> 00:04:27,894 in Romans 6, 128 00:04:28,274 --> 00:04:31,175 Paul calls human beings slaves of sin 129 00:04:31,794 --> 00:04:34,435 and in Romans 7, Paul writes that before 130 00:04:34,435 --> 00:04:37,975 being born again, Christians were in the flesh 131 00:04:38,490 --> 00:04:40,730 and that our sinful passions were at work 132 00:04:40,730 --> 00:04:41,310 in us 133 00:04:41,769 --> 00:04:42,910 to bear fruit 134 00:04:43,370 --> 00:04:44,189 for death. 135 00:04:45,129 --> 00:04:48,410 The governing metaphor Paul uses is that fallen 136 00:04:48,410 --> 00:04:49,310 human beings 137 00:04:49,769 --> 00:04:52,750 are in bondage to their fleshly nature, 138 00:04:53,334 --> 00:04:56,074 a master which demands sin from them 139 00:04:56,454 --> 00:04:57,514 and who in return 140 00:04:57,974 --> 00:05:00,235 pays their wage for their labor, 141 00:05:01,014 --> 00:05:01,514 death. 142 00:05:02,454 --> 00:05:05,034 Paul summarizes this transaction in Romans 623 143 00:05:06,029 --> 00:05:08,210 where he writes that the wages of sin 144 00:05:08,910 --> 00:05:09,649 is death. 145 00:05:10,990 --> 00:05:11,889 In the flesh, 146 00:05:12,350 --> 00:05:14,129 we labor for our master 147 00:05:15,069 --> 00:05:16,129 producing sin 148 00:05:16,670 --> 00:05:17,970 and he pays us 149 00:05:18,589 --> 00:05:19,410 with death. 150 00:05:20,464 --> 00:05:22,305 This is consistent with what Paul writes here 151 00:05:22,305 --> 00:05:23,205 in verse 13 152 00:05:23,585 --> 00:05:25,904 where he warns, if you live according to 153 00:05:25,904 --> 00:05:26,564 the flesh, 154 00:05:27,025 --> 00:05:28,085 you will die. 155 00:05:29,105 --> 00:05:30,944 Some of you may recall my sermon from 156 00:05:30,944 --> 00:05:31,764 Romans 623 157 00:05:32,860 --> 00:05:34,540 Actually, who am I kidding? Right? Nobody recalls 158 00:05:34,540 --> 00:05:36,699 my sermon from Romans 623. So let me 159 00:05:36,699 --> 00:05:37,759 remind you. Okay? 160 00:05:39,180 --> 00:05:41,340 At that time, I said that sin or 161 00:05:41,340 --> 00:05:42,080 the flesh 162 00:05:42,460 --> 00:05:45,040 is most certainly a harsh taskmaster, 163 00:05:46,355 --> 00:05:49,095 but it's always it always pays its slaves 164 00:05:49,235 --> 00:05:50,694 the wages that they earn. 165 00:05:51,314 --> 00:05:52,134 And again, 166 00:05:52,435 --> 00:05:54,215 the rightly earned wage 167 00:05:55,314 --> 00:05:56,055 is death. 168 00:05:57,395 --> 00:05:58,855 They can count on their payment, 169 00:05:59,810 --> 00:06:02,230 They can count on it in full 170 00:06:02,850 --> 00:06:04,210 and they don't have to wait for the 171 00:06:04,210 --> 00:06:05,029 day of judgment. 172 00:06:06,210 --> 00:06:08,230 The disbursements have already begun. 173 00:06:09,170 --> 00:06:10,629 They're always on time. 174 00:06:11,650 --> 00:06:13,350 Payments always run 175 00:06:13,889 --> 00:06:14,949 according to schedule. 176 00:06:15,944 --> 00:06:18,024 You see the Greek word that Paul uses 177 00:06:18,024 --> 00:06:19,724 for wages in Romans 6/23 178 00:06:20,745 --> 00:06:23,324 refers primarily to the daily rations 179 00:06:23,625 --> 00:06:25,564 or the daily provisions of food 180 00:06:26,024 --> 00:06:28,044 that a Roman soldier would receive. 181 00:06:28,800 --> 00:06:30,979 They would typically be paid in cooked meat 182 00:06:31,039 --> 00:06:32,019 usually fish. 183 00:06:33,039 --> 00:06:34,339 So too sin 184 00:06:35,039 --> 00:06:38,079 or the flesh pays the soldiers in its 185 00:06:38,079 --> 00:06:38,579 army 186 00:06:39,039 --> 00:06:40,180 with daily rations. 187 00:06:41,120 --> 00:06:42,259 It pays with food 188 00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:44,019 that never satisfies. 189 00:06:45,014 --> 00:06:46,154 It pays with rations 190 00:06:46,935 --> 00:06:48,154 that never fill. 191 00:06:48,774 --> 00:06:49,995 It pays with provisions 192 00:06:50,615 --> 00:06:52,074 that leave its soldiers 193 00:06:52,375 --> 00:06:53,194 more poor, 194 00:06:54,055 --> 00:06:54,794 more weak, 195 00:06:55,414 --> 00:06:56,475 and more dependent 196 00:06:57,095 --> 00:06:57,834 than before. 197 00:06:58,920 --> 00:07:01,100 And though it would be unjust for soldiers 198 00:07:01,240 --> 00:07:02,860 to not receive their wages, 199 00:07:03,560 --> 00:07:05,819 one can be sure that the flesh always 200 00:07:06,199 --> 00:07:08,300 follows the letter of the law. 201 00:07:08,759 --> 00:07:11,259 It always pays its subjects wages 202 00:07:12,040 --> 00:07:13,259 to the last penny. 203 00:07:14,574 --> 00:07:16,814 And the rotten rations we receive when we 204 00:07:16,814 --> 00:07:17,314 sin 205 00:07:18,014 --> 00:07:19,314 do not leave us the same. 206 00:07:20,415 --> 00:07:21,634 They change us. 207 00:07:22,175 --> 00:07:24,095 They change us from that first moment that 208 00:07:24,095 --> 00:07:25,154 we ingest them. 209 00:07:26,095 --> 00:07:28,435 Sin continues to work its rot 210 00:07:29,055 --> 00:07:29,795 in us, 211 00:07:31,350 --> 00:07:32,650 consuming us from within, 212 00:07:33,509 --> 00:07:36,470 decimating God's image in us, and making us 213 00:07:36,470 --> 00:07:37,129 in a sense 214 00:07:38,069 --> 00:07:39,689 less and less human. 215 00:07:40,870 --> 00:07:44,310 Perhaps you're experiencing this cancerous metastasis within your 216 00:07:44,310 --> 00:07:44,810 soul 217 00:07:45,415 --> 00:07:47,254 believing that you can continue to partake of 218 00:07:47,254 --> 00:07:47,915 the rot, 219 00:07:48,535 --> 00:07:50,155 that you can continue to indulge 220 00:07:50,694 --> 00:07:51,514 that sinful 221 00:07:51,975 --> 00:07:52,475 appetite, 222 00:07:53,095 --> 00:07:54,475 that you have it under control, 223 00:07:55,415 --> 00:07:56,795 that no one will notice. 224 00:07:57,839 --> 00:07:59,860 You think that you are sin's sovereign 225 00:08:00,480 --> 00:08:02,580 when you're actually sin's slave. 226 00:08:03,680 --> 00:08:05,379 You think your path is pleasure 227 00:08:06,319 --> 00:08:07,300 when your destiny 228 00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:08,819 is death. 229 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:11,300 You think no one will notice 230 00:08:12,224 --> 00:08:14,944 when your every action is always before the 231 00:08:14,944 --> 00:08:15,925 righteous judge 232 00:08:16,305 --> 00:08:17,925 who sees all things. 233 00:08:19,344 --> 00:08:20,564 Is that you this morning? 234 00:08:21,664 --> 00:08:23,904 If you're honest with yourself, are you in 235 00:08:23,904 --> 00:08:24,404 bondage 236 00:08:25,104 --> 00:08:26,485 to the spirit of slavery? 237 00:08:27,930 --> 00:08:30,169 If so, your wages will become like a 238 00:08:30,169 --> 00:08:31,470 chain around your neck 239 00:08:32,009 --> 00:08:33,789 that gets thicker and thicker 240 00:08:34,330 --> 00:08:35,709 and its burden heavier 241 00:08:36,089 --> 00:08:36,750 and heavier. 242 00:08:37,690 --> 00:08:40,029 Perhaps you're quick to dismiss such thoughts 243 00:08:40,415 --> 00:08:42,415 thinking to yourself that you work hard to 244 00:08:42,415 --> 00:08:43,475 obey God's law, 245 00:08:44,095 --> 00:08:44,995 priding yourself 246 00:08:45,375 --> 00:08:47,455 in the firm belief that you are more 247 00:08:47,455 --> 00:08:48,595 disciplined than others, 248 00:08:49,134 --> 00:08:50,835 that your heart is less corrupt, 249 00:08:51,455 --> 00:08:52,915 that your deeds deserve 250 00:08:53,535 --> 00:08:54,434 God's favor. 251 00:08:55,559 --> 00:08:56,940 Dear friend, if that is you, 252 00:08:57,399 --> 00:08:59,179 although your discipline and obedience 253 00:08:59,559 --> 00:09:01,500 will keep you away from some turmoil, 254 00:09:02,200 --> 00:09:04,919 your pride might prove a different kind of 255 00:09:04,919 --> 00:09:06,220 chain around your neck. 256 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:08,220 A chain that is just as thick 257 00:09:08,924 --> 00:09:11,644 and just as heavy and that is engraved 258 00:09:11,644 --> 00:09:13,345 with the same master's name. 259 00:09:14,684 --> 00:09:15,584 That pharisaical 260 00:09:15,884 --> 00:09:18,605 notion that one is capable of earning God's 261 00:09:18,605 --> 00:09:20,225 favor with his own works 262 00:09:20,684 --> 00:09:21,584 is a lie. 263 00:09:22,190 --> 00:09:23,629 It's a lie that comes straight from the 264 00:09:23,629 --> 00:09:24,610 pit of hell 265 00:09:24,990 --> 00:09:26,769 from the father of lies himself. 266 00:09:27,950 --> 00:09:28,769 Such delusion 267 00:09:29,230 --> 00:09:30,289 results in either 268 00:09:30,750 --> 00:09:33,809 a heart that is stone cold and frozen 269 00:09:33,870 --> 00:09:34,850 to God's grace 270 00:09:35,554 --> 00:09:37,815 without sensitivity to its own sin 271 00:09:38,195 --> 00:09:40,294 and therefore to its own need of repentance? 272 00:09:41,154 --> 00:09:43,095 Or as Paul writes in verse 15, 273 00:09:43,714 --> 00:09:45,815 a heart that is paralyzed by fear 274 00:09:46,274 --> 00:09:48,454 seeing God as a tyrant whose favor 275 00:09:48,834 --> 00:09:50,934 is not the result of fatherly love 276 00:09:51,450 --> 00:09:54,670 but the wages from a temporary contractual obligation 277 00:09:55,769 --> 00:09:57,230 always subject to change, 278 00:09:57,690 --> 00:09:58,190 always 279 00:09:58,649 --> 00:10:01,070 under threat of not being renewed. 280 00:10:02,250 --> 00:10:03,389 The spirit of slavery 281 00:10:04,170 --> 00:10:06,590 never results in fellowship with God 282 00:10:07,424 --> 00:10:09,284 or in fellowship with God's people. 283 00:10:09,985 --> 00:10:11,985 It never leads to an abiding love for 284 00:10:11,985 --> 00:10:12,485 God, 285 00:10:13,264 --> 00:10:14,325 for his word, 286 00:10:14,705 --> 00:10:15,924 or for his church. 287 00:10:16,625 --> 00:10:19,684 It always ends in paralyzing fear, 288 00:10:20,465 --> 00:10:21,125 in dehumanizing 289 00:10:21,664 --> 00:10:22,164 isolation, 290 00:10:23,159 --> 00:10:23,820 and in 291 00:10:24,279 --> 00:10:25,419 certain and tragic 292 00:10:26,039 --> 00:10:26,539 death. 293 00:10:27,480 --> 00:10:29,320 This is what Paul writes in verses 12 294 00:10:29,320 --> 00:10:31,879 and 13 about those who walk according to 295 00:10:31,879 --> 00:10:33,899 the flesh, those who are debtors 296 00:10:34,360 --> 00:10:36,620 to the flesh, those who are living 297 00:10:37,079 --> 00:10:37,899 in the fear 298 00:10:38,945 --> 00:10:39,845 of the flesh. 299 00:10:41,345 --> 00:10:42,565 But in verse 12, 300 00:10:43,264 --> 00:10:45,664 Paul writes that Christians are no longer debtors 301 00:10:45,664 --> 00:10:46,485 to the flesh 302 00:10:47,105 --> 00:10:48,884 which brings us to our second heading, 303 00:10:49,424 --> 00:10:50,884 the assurance of adoption. 304 00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:53,779 Look at verses 13 and 14 again. 305 00:10:55,759 --> 00:10:57,779 For if you live according to the flesh, 306 00:10:57,839 --> 00:10:58,819 you will die, 307 00:10:59,199 --> 00:11:00,879 but if by the spirit you put to 308 00:11:00,879 --> 00:11:02,799 death the deeds of the body, you will 309 00:11:02,799 --> 00:11:03,299 live. 310 00:11:03,975 --> 00:11:05,815 For all who are led by the spirit 311 00:11:05,815 --> 00:11:06,394 of God 312 00:11:07,014 --> 00:11:08,394 are sons of God. 313 00:11:09,654 --> 00:11:12,054 In verse 9, we learn that Christians are 314 00:11:12,054 --> 00:11:13,914 indwelled by the Holy Spirit. 315 00:11:14,454 --> 00:11:16,695 That's what distinguishes or marks you as a 316 00:11:16,695 --> 00:11:19,090 Christian. The fact that the Holy Spirit dwells 317 00:11:19,090 --> 00:11:19,909 within you. 318 00:11:20,610 --> 00:11:21,110 Here 319 00:11:21,490 --> 00:11:23,409 in verse 14, Paul writes that the Holy 320 00:11:23,409 --> 00:11:24,309 Spirit leads 321 00:11:24,690 --> 00:11:27,029 or guides those who are sons of God. 322 00:11:27,889 --> 00:11:29,490 There's a couple things I want you to 323 00:11:29,490 --> 00:11:31,190 note about this assertion. 324 00:11:32,144 --> 00:11:32,644 First, 325 00:11:33,424 --> 00:11:35,345 notice that the Holy Spirit is not passive 326 00:11:35,345 --> 00:11:36,164 within believers. 327 00:11:37,345 --> 00:11:39,345 If you're a Christian the Holy Spirit leads 328 00:11:39,345 --> 00:11:40,725 you in your walk. 329 00:11:41,504 --> 00:11:43,904 A path has been prepared for you and 330 00:11:43,904 --> 00:11:45,204 it is God's spirit 331 00:11:45,904 --> 00:11:47,204 dwelling within you 332 00:11:47,720 --> 00:11:49,480 who is taking you by the hand as 333 00:11:49,480 --> 00:11:52,059 it were and leading you to the destination 334 00:11:52,440 --> 00:11:54,759 your heavenly father has already laid out for 335 00:11:54,759 --> 00:11:55,259 you. 336 00:11:55,960 --> 00:11:57,720 At a time when so many people seem 337 00:11:57,720 --> 00:11:58,220 content 338 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:00,620 to live aimless lives, 339 00:12:01,424 --> 00:12:03,605 obsessed with what other people are doing, 340 00:12:04,225 --> 00:12:05,605 with what people they dislike 341 00:12:05,985 --> 00:12:06,725 are doing, 342 00:12:07,264 --> 00:12:09,664 with what people they like and admire are 343 00:12:09,664 --> 00:12:10,164 doing, 344 00:12:11,024 --> 00:12:13,284 with what friends are doing on social media, 345 00:12:14,129 --> 00:12:15,110 with what youtubers 346 00:12:15,730 --> 00:12:16,389 are posting, 347 00:12:17,250 --> 00:12:19,889 with what men playing games in costumes for 348 00:12:19,889 --> 00:12:20,950 1,000,000 of dollars 349 00:12:21,410 --> 00:12:22,070 are doing, 350 00:12:23,009 --> 00:12:26,129 with what Joe Biden or Donald Trump or 351 00:12:26,129 --> 00:12:28,230 Vladimir Putin are doing, 352 00:12:29,215 --> 00:12:30,674 with what world markets 353 00:12:31,215 --> 00:12:33,075 and bank accounts are doing, 354 00:12:34,095 --> 00:12:34,595 Christians 355 00:12:35,695 --> 00:12:37,634 can actually live for a purpose 356 00:12:38,014 --> 00:12:39,634 that comes from God himself. 357 00:12:40,815 --> 00:12:42,335 That is a great gift to you, dear 358 00:12:42,335 --> 00:12:42,835 Christian. 359 00:12:43,649 --> 00:12:44,949 Your life has a purpose 360 00:12:45,250 --> 00:12:46,629 that is greater than you. 361 00:12:47,409 --> 00:12:48,949 Whether you're a young child 362 00:12:49,649 --> 00:12:51,190 still in elementary school 363 00:12:51,889 --> 00:12:53,669 or you're getting ready to go to college 364 00:12:54,690 --> 00:12:56,309 or you're looking for a new job, 365 00:12:57,464 --> 00:12:59,884 God has a meaningful purpose for your life 366 00:13:00,184 --> 00:13:02,365 and for each and every day. 367 00:13:03,464 --> 00:13:05,384 Look at what Paul writes in Ephesians chapter 368 00:13:05,384 --> 00:13:07,164 2 verses 8 to 10. 369 00:13:08,424 --> 00:13:10,024 He writes, for by grace you have been 370 00:13:10,024 --> 00:13:11,084 saved through faith 371 00:13:11,450 --> 00:13:13,370 and this is not your own doing, it 372 00:13:13,370 --> 00:13:15,850 is a gift from God, not a result 373 00:13:15,850 --> 00:13:18,350 of works so that no one may boast. 374 00:13:19,129 --> 00:13:20,750 For we are his workmanship 375 00:13:21,610 --> 00:13:24,649 created in Christ Jesus for good works which 376 00:13:24,649 --> 00:13:25,870 God prepared beforehand 377 00:13:26,615 --> 00:13:28,554 that we should walk in them. Before 378 00:13:29,815 --> 00:13:30,954 you were even born, 379 00:13:31,334 --> 00:13:33,495 God prepared good works for you to walk 380 00:13:33,495 --> 00:13:33,995 in. 381 00:13:35,334 --> 00:13:37,014 That is the path that God has laid 382 00:13:37,014 --> 00:13:39,414 out before you and that is the path 383 00:13:39,414 --> 00:13:41,674 on which the Holy Spirit leads you. 384 00:13:42,659 --> 00:13:44,600 When you were in bondage to the flesh 385 00:13:45,220 --> 00:13:46,759 your destiny was death 386 00:13:47,460 --> 00:13:48,200 but now 387 00:13:48,820 --> 00:13:51,139 being guided by the spirit your destiny is 388 00:13:51,139 --> 00:13:51,639 life 389 00:13:52,340 --> 00:13:53,240 and peace 390 00:13:53,940 --> 00:13:54,759 and joy. 391 00:13:57,195 --> 00:13:57,855 You are 392 00:13:58,315 --> 00:13:59,054 to live 393 00:13:59,595 --> 00:14:00,735 walking on a path 394 00:14:01,995 --> 00:14:03,214 of good works. 395 00:14:04,475 --> 00:14:06,575 The law of God provides the signposts 396 00:14:07,355 --> 00:14:09,434 that indicate what direction you must take on 397 00:14:09,434 --> 00:14:10,174 this journey. 398 00:14:10,889 --> 00:14:12,509 It tells you the right path 399 00:14:12,970 --> 00:14:14,329 and it also shows you the path that 400 00:14:14,329 --> 00:14:15,549 you shouldn't walk on, 401 00:14:16,169 --> 00:14:17,949 but the law of God on its own 402 00:14:18,409 --> 00:14:19,389 does not act, 403 00:14:20,409 --> 00:14:21,149 it's passive. 404 00:14:22,169 --> 00:14:24,509 However, when the Holy Spirit is within you, 405 00:14:24,904 --> 00:14:25,804 he is active 406 00:14:26,345 --> 00:14:28,024 and he leads you in the way that 407 00:14:28,024 --> 00:14:28,924 you should go. 408 00:14:29,785 --> 00:14:31,165 Instead of being passive, 409 00:14:31,544 --> 00:14:33,544 the Holy Spirit causes the law of God 410 00:14:33,544 --> 00:14:36,125 to become living and active within you 411 00:14:36,665 --> 00:14:39,404 persuading you according to your new 412 00:14:39,970 --> 00:14:40,470 redeemed 413 00:14:40,850 --> 00:14:42,070 born again nature 414 00:14:42,690 --> 00:14:44,450 to walk in the good works that God 415 00:14:44,450 --> 00:14:45,350 prepared beforehand. 416 00:14:46,529 --> 00:14:49,090 And with each step that you take according 417 00:14:49,090 --> 00:14:50,789 to the leading of the Holy Spirit, 418 00:14:51,169 --> 00:14:53,429 you move further and further away 419 00:14:54,095 --> 00:14:56,115 from the deathly deathly path 420 00:14:56,894 --> 00:14:58,434 of spiritual death 421 00:14:59,455 --> 00:15:01,394 and you move further and further along 422 00:15:02,415 --> 00:15:04,115 on that path to life, 423 00:15:04,495 --> 00:15:05,235 to peace, 424 00:15:05,615 --> 00:15:06,355 to joy, 425 00:15:06,975 --> 00:15:07,715 to glory. 426 00:15:09,559 --> 00:15:10,059 Children, 427 00:15:11,080 --> 00:15:11,580 money, 428 00:15:12,759 --> 00:15:13,259 fame, 429 00:15:14,360 --> 00:15:15,500 electronic devices, 430 00:15:16,759 --> 00:15:18,759 none of these things will give you enduring 431 00:15:18,759 --> 00:15:19,259 joy. 432 00:15:20,360 --> 00:15:22,585 Just like toys make you happy when you 433 00:15:22,585 --> 00:15:24,904 first get them, when you receive them, when 434 00:15:24,904 --> 00:15:26,125 you first play with them, 435 00:15:26,904 --> 00:15:28,745 but then after a while you stop playing 436 00:15:28,745 --> 00:15:31,144 with them, sometimes you even forget you have 437 00:15:31,144 --> 00:15:34,184 them and you need some other toy, something 438 00:15:34,184 --> 00:15:36,205 new, something else to entertain you, 439 00:15:36,699 --> 00:15:37,519 so too, 440 00:15:37,820 --> 00:15:40,379 the things of this world cannot satisfy you 441 00:15:40,379 --> 00:15:41,600 as you think they can. 442 00:15:42,220 --> 00:15:43,440 Just ask your parents. 443 00:15:44,059 --> 00:15:46,000 Some of the saddest people on earth 444 00:15:46,459 --> 00:15:48,720 are people who can have everything 445 00:15:49,419 --> 00:15:50,480 that you can imagine. 446 00:15:51,575 --> 00:15:54,134 But becoming more like Jesus as the Holy 447 00:15:54,134 --> 00:15:55,995 Spirit leads you to study the Bible, 448 00:15:56,695 --> 00:15:57,674 to obey it, 449 00:15:58,054 --> 00:16:00,154 to worship God with your thoughts, 450 00:16:00,774 --> 00:16:01,754 with your words, 451 00:16:02,295 --> 00:16:03,274 with your actions, 452 00:16:03,894 --> 00:16:05,754 that is the way to find joy 453 00:16:06,490 --> 00:16:07,950 that joy and that peace 454 00:16:08,330 --> 00:16:10,670 and even that fun that you long for, 455 00:16:10,970 --> 00:16:12,190 that you long to experience, 456 00:16:12,809 --> 00:16:14,250 and the way that you will become a 457 00:16:14,250 --> 00:16:17,210 blessing to those around you. If the Holy 458 00:16:17,210 --> 00:16:18,910 Spirit dwells within you 459 00:16:19,475 --> 00:16:21,315 when the choice to sin or not to 460 00:16:21,315 --> 00:16:23,555 sin is before you, he will enable you 461 00:16:23,555 --> 00:16:25,235 to recognize what you are to do in 462 00:16:25,235 --> 00:16:25,894 that moment. 463 00:16:27,075 --> 00:16:29,075 The quote Paul writes in 1st Corinthians 10 464 00:16:29,075 --> 00:16:29,815 verse 13. 465 00:16:31,075 --> 00:16:33,235 With the tempt with the temptation or with 466 00:16:33,235 --> 00:16:33,894 the test, 467 00:16:34,549 --> 00:16:36,169 God will also provide 468 00:16:36,629 --> 00:16:37,690 the way of escape. 469 00:16:38,709 --> 00:16:40,970 The Holy Spirit is active within you. 470 00:16:41,429 --> 00:16:42,809 Let him lead your thinking, 471 00:16:43,350 --> 00:16:44,809 let him lead your steps. 472 00:16:45,830 --> 00:16:47,365 The second thing I want you to notice 473 00:16:47,365 --> 00:16:48,345 in verse 14 474 00:16:48,804 --> 00:16:50,644 is that those who have the Holy Spirit, 475 00:16:50,644 --> 00:16:52,264 those who are led by him 476 00:16:52,644 --> 00:16:54,585 are sons of God. 477 00:16:55,605 --> 00:16:58,085 Now in verses 16 17, Paul writes that 478 00:16:58,085 --> 00:17:00,504 those with the Holy Spirit are children 479 00:17:01,125 --> 00:17:01,785 of God. 480 00:17:02,100 --> 00:17:04,259 So the expression sons of God is not 481 00:17:04,259 --> 00:17:07,240 in opposition to daughters of God, for example. 482 00:17:07,859 --> 00:17:09,079 It's not about gender. 483 00:17:09,539 --> 00:17:10,679 It's about status 484 00:17:11,380 --> 00:17:12,039 and privilege. 485 00:17:12,900 --> 00:17:15,059 In ancient Israel, like in most cultures in 486 00:17:15,059 --> 00:17:18,164 antiquity, the oldest son was the principal heir 487 00:17:18,164 --> 00:17:18,984 of the family 488 00:17:19,365 --> 00:17:21,944 often receiving a double portion of the inheritance. 489 00:17:22,804 --> 00:17:25,285 When Paul writes that those who are led 490 00:17:25,285 --> 00:17:27,544 by the spirit are sons of God, 491 00:17:28,005 --> 00:17:29,444 what he means to say is is that 492 00:17:29,444 --> 00:17:30,345 if you're a Christian, 493 00:17:31,049 --> 00:17:32,750 whether you are male or female, 494 00:17:33,289 --> 00:17:34,029 you legally 495 00:17:34,329 --> 00:17:34,829 enjoy 496 00:17:35,529 --> 00:17:38,829 the privileged status of the principal heir 497 00:17:39,289 --> 00:17:40,429 in God's household. 498 00:17:41,929 --> 00:17:43,769 This is what Paul goes on to affirm 499 00:17:43,769 --> 00:17:44,669 in verse 17 500 00:17:45,345 --> 00:17:47,585 where he writes that Christians are heirs of 501 00:17:47,585 --> 00:17:50,164 God and fellow heirs with Christ. 502 00:17:51,105 --> 00:17:53,744 Please think about what an astonishing statement this 503 00:17:53,744 --> 00:17:55,684 is. What a great honor 504 00:17:55,984 --> 00:17:57,204 this is for the Christian. 505 00:17:58,380 --> 00:17:59,680 Some people like to say 506 00:18:00,140 --> 00:18:02,079 that God is everyone's father, 507 00:18:02,859 --> 00:18:05,579 that every human being is a child of 508 00:18:05,579 --> 00:18:06,079 God. 509 00:18:06,779 --> 00:18:08,240 Now it is true 510 00:18:08,779 --> 00:18:10,559 that God is everyone's creator 511 00:18:11,015 --> 00:18:11,835 and that therefore 512 00:18:12,455 --> 00:18:14,715 everyone in a sense belongs to God. 513 00:18:15,495 --> 00:18:17,914 And even that God gives good things to 514 00:18:18,134 --> 00:18:18,875 all people 515 00:18:19,575 --> 00:18:21,654 by causing it, for example, to reign and 516 00:18:21,654 --> 00:18:23,654 to to reign both on the righteous and 517 00:18:23,654 --> 00:18:24,315 the unrighteous. 518 00:18:24,695 --> 00:18:25,995 That is a gift from God 519 00:18:26,529 --> 00:18:27,269 and it's indiscriminate. 520 00:18:28,690 --> 00:18:30,710 In that sense, God gives grace 521 00:18:31,089 --> 00:18:32,150 and even love 522 00:18:32,609 --> 00:18:33,349 to everyone. 523 00:18:33,809 --> 00:18:34,470 He sustains 524 00:18:34,769 --> 00:18:37,170 all of our lives, he gives us every 525 00:18:37,170 --> 00:18:38,390 breath that we take 526 00:18:39,725 --> 00:18:40,705 But our legal 527 00:18:41,244 --> 00:18:44,445 or covenantal relationship to God at the moment 528 00:18:44,445 --> 00:18:45,345 we are conceived 529 00:18:46,205 --> 00:18:48,384 is that we are rebellious lawbreakers. 530 00:18:49,644 --> 00:18:50,785 We are his enemies. 531 00:18:51,619 --> 00:18:54,359 We are guilty of transgressing his commandments 532 00:18:55,059 --> 00:18:56,279 and we are justly 533 00:18:57,059 --> 00:18:58,440 deserving a punishment. 534 00:18:59,220 --> 00:19:00,600 That's our legal status 535 00:19:01,059 --> 00:19:02,039 before God. 536 00:19:03,140 --> 00:19:04,519 Look at how Paul describes 537 00:19:04,820 --> 00:19:07,934 this wretched condition in Ephesians chapter 2 verses 538 00:19:07,934 --> 00:19:08,835 1 to 3. 539 00:19:10,095 --> 00:19:10,755 He writes, 540 00:19:11,375 --> 00:19:12,674 and you were dead 541 00:19:13,134 --> 00:19:14,194 in the trespasses 542 00:19:14,575 --> 00:19:16,914 and sins in which you once walked, 543 00:19:17,694 --> 00:19:19,474 following the course of this world, 544 00:19:20,170 --> 00:19:22,250 following the prince of the power of the 545 00:19:22,250 --> 00:19:22,750 air, 546 00:19:23,210 --> 00:19:25,369 the spirit that is now at work in 547 00:19:25,369 --> 00:19:26,589 the sons of disobedience, 548 00:19:27,609 --> 00:19:30,490 among whom we all once lived in the 549 00:19:30,490 --> 00:19:31,710 passions of our flesh, 550 00:19:32,505 --> 00:19:34,585 carrying out the desires of the body and 551 00:19:34,585 --> 00:19:36,445 the mind and were by nature 552 00:19:37,065 --> 00:19:38,525 children of wrath 553 00:19:39,464 --> 00:19:41,325 like the rest of mankind. 554 00:19:43,464 --> 00:19:44,765 Everyone in this room, 555 00:19:45,224 --> 00:19:46,045 all of us 556 00:19:46,424 --> 00:19:47,484 at some point 557 00:19:48,240 --> 00:19:50,420 were and some still might be 558 00:19:50,960 --> 00:19:52,259 sons of disobedience 559 00:19:52,720 --> 00:19:53,220 instead 560 00:19:53,599 --> 00:19:54,740 of sons of God 561 00:19:56,000 --> 00:19:57,779 and children of wrath 562 00:19:58,160 --> 00:20:00,339 instead of children of God. 563 00:20:01,680 --> 00:20:03,619 So by what mechanism then? 564 00:20:04,325 --> 00:20:06,585 Does one go from that cursed estate 565 00:20:08,244 --> 00:20:10,345 to enjoying the legal status 566 00:20:10,964 --> 00:20:12,265 of a child of God, 567 00:20:13,365 --> 00:20:14,424 of the heir 568 00:20:15,125 --> 00:20:16,184 of God's household? 569 00:20:17,570 --> 00:20:19,829 Paul answers this question for us in verses 570 00:20:19,890 --> 00:20:20,390 15 571 00:20:21,009 --> 00:20:21,829 through 17. 572 00:20:22,690 --> 00:20:23,990 Look at what it says there, 573 00:20:25,809 --> 00:20:27,570 for you did not receive the spirit of 574 00:20:27,570 --> 00:20:28,070 slavery 575 00:20:28,609 --> 00:20:30,230 to fall back into fear, 576 00:20:31,224 --> 00:20:33,404 but you have received the spirit of adoption 577 00:20:33,464 --> 00:20:34,204 as sons 578 00:20:34,664 --> 00:20:36,365 by whom we cry, Abba, 579 00:20:37,144 --> 00:20:37,644 father. 580 00:20:38,664 --> 00:20:40,984 The spirit himself bears witness with our spirit 581 00:20:40,984 --> 00:20:42,744 that we are children of God and if 582 00:20:42,744 --> 00:20:45,005 children then heirs heirs of God 583 00:20:45,789 --> 00:20:48,049 and fellow heirs with Christ. 584 00:20:49,710 --> 00:20:52,049 The thing that changes everything for the Christian 585 00:20:52,829 --> 00:20:55,170 is that he or she is legally 586 00:20:55,549 --> 00:20:57,329 adopted into God's family. 587 00:20:59,605 --> 00:21:01,845 When a Christian is indwelled by the Holy 588 00:21:01,845 --> 00:21:02,345 Spirit, 589 00:21:02,964 --> 00:21:05,305 that Christian receives the spirit of adoption. 590 00:21:06,805 --> 00:21:09,204 The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the 591 00:21:09,204 --> 00:21:12,424 legal seal that marks the Christian as belonging 592 00:21:13,359 --> 00:21:14,339 to God's household 593 00:21:14,880 --> 00:21:17,139 with all the privileges and responsibilities 594 00:21:17,519 --> 00:21:18,419 that that entails. 595 00:21:19,599 --> 00:21:20,579 If you're a Christian, 596 00:21:21,599 --> 00:21:23,380 this amazing grace 597 00:21:24,000 --> 00:21:25,940 has been extended to you. 598 00:21:27,005 --> 00:21:29,264 You really are a child of God. 599 00:21:29,804 --> 00:21:33,184 You legally enjoy the status of the heir 600 00:21:33,964 --> 00:21:35,664 of the most important 601 00:21:36,044 --> 00:21:36,544 household. 602 00:21:37,804 --> 00:21:40,065 No worldly prince or princess, 603 00:21:41,109 --> 00:21:41,849 no billionaire 604 00:21:42,309 --> 00:21:43,450 son or daughter 605 00:21:44,149 --> 00:21:45,929 enjoys a more significant, 606 00:21:46,789 --> 00:21:47,929 a more important, 607 00:21:48,630 --> 00:21:51,509 a more privileged status than you do if 608 00:21:51,509 --> 00:21:52,490 you are a Christian. 609 00:21:54,394 --> 00:21:57,214 There is no universal fatherhood of God 610 00:21:57,674 --> 00:22:00,154 but the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is 611 00:22:00,154 --> 00:22:02,335 the royal seal that indicates 612 00:22:03,194 --> 00:22:05,694 that God really is your father. 613 00:22:07,380 --> 00:22:09,940 So what are the privileges of your adoption 614 00:22:09,940 --> 00:22:11,079 into God's family? 615 00:22:12,259 --> 00:22:12,759 Well, 616 00:22:13,299 --> 00:22:14,359 if you're a Christian 617 00:22:15,140 --> 00:22:17,779 you no longer have to exhibit a spirit 618 00:22:17,779 --> 00:22:18,519 of fear. 619 00:22:19,859 --> 00:22:21,480 This means that first of all 620 00:22:22,365 --> 00:22:24,285 you don't have you don't have to fear 621 00:22:24,285 --> 00:22:25,345 being found out. 622 00:22:26,765 --> 00:22:28,785 God knows everything about you 623 00:22:29,884 --> 00:22:31,265 and he still loves you. 624 00:22:32,125 --> 00:22:34,045 This is why you have the privilege of 625 00:22:34,045 --> 00:22:35,744 confessing your sin corporately 626 00:22:36,630 --> 00:22:39,369 and individually as part of this body 627 00:22:39,750 --> 00:22:41,450 and as a child of God. 628 00:22:42,630 --> 00:22:43,130 Secondly, 629 00:22:44,150 --> 00:22:45,450 you don't have to fear 630 00:22:45,910 --> 00:22:47,210 not being good enough. 631 00:22:48,230 --> 00:22:50,890 Through adoption Christ has become your older brother. 632 00:22:52,024 --> 00:22:53,724 He is more than good enough, 633 00:22:54,424 --> 00:22:55,244 he is perfect, 634 00:22:55,944 --> 00:22:57,704 and he gives you the right to put 635 00:22:57,704 --> 00:22:59,644 on his righteous robe. 636 00:23:00,744 --> 00:23:03,464 He's not the older brother who jealously guards 637 00:23:03,464 --> 00:23:04,365 what is his, 638 00:23:05,190 --> 00:23:06,409 He's the older brother 639 00:23:06,710 --> 00:23:07,529 who joyously 640 00:23:08,149 --> 00:23:09,769 delights in giving you 641 00:23:10,149 --> 00:23:11,049 what is his. 642 00:23:11,909 --> 00:23:13,929 He takes the his double portion 643 00:23:14,710 --> 00:23:16,490 and he says, complete my joy 644 00:23:17,029 --> 00:23:18,490 by sharing it with me. 645 00:23:19,674 --> 00:23:20,174 Thirdly, 646 00:23:21,115 --> 00:23:23,595 you don't have to fear losing your membership 647 00:23:23,595 --> 00:23:24,494 in God's family, 648 00:23:24,955 --> 00:23:26,815 that is to say losing your salvation. 649 00:23:27,835 --> 00:23:29,134 You didn't choose him. 650 00:23:29,595 --> 00:23:31,295 He chose to adopt you. 651 00:23:31,914 --> 00:23:33,214 And he doesn't make mistakes 652 00:23:34,359 --> 00:23:35,899 and he doesn't change his mind. 653 00:23:36,599 --> 00:23:39,019 He bound himself to you as your father 654 00:23:39,559 --> 00:23:41,960 when he gave you his name in the 655 00:23:41,960 --> 00:23:43,579 public ceremony of baptism. 656 00:23:44,679 --> 00:23:46,279 He said, I will be to you a 657 00:23:46,279 --> 00:23:46,779 father 658 00:23:47,159 --> 00:23:48,859 and you will be to me a son. 659 00:23:49,404 --> 00:23:51,164 He said, I will never leave you nor 660 00:23:51,164 --> 00:23:52,065 forsake you. 661 00:23:52,444 --> 00:23:54,684 He said, my mercies to you will be 662 00:23:54,684 --> 00:23:56,305 new every morning. 663 00:23:58,045 --> 00:23:58,545 Fourthly, 664 00:23:59,565 --> 00:24:01,184 you don't have to fear death. 665 00:24:02,309 --> 00:24:03,769 You have a new birth certificate 666 00:24:04,389 --> 00:24:05,450 with a new name. 667 00:24:06,309 --> 00:24:08,549 Your name is written in heaven with the 668 00:24:08,549 --> 00:24:10,809 indelible blood of your redeemer. 669 00:24:11,990 --> 00:24:14,009 It is a name that never wears out. 670 00:24:15,154 --> 00:24:16,294 It is a name 671 00:24:17,234 --> 00:24:18,615 that death cannot erase. 672 00:24:19,714 --> 00:24:22,034 It is a name that will not be 673 00:24:22,034 --> 00:24:22,534 forgotten. 674 00:24:23,634 --> 00:24:24,775 It is the name 675 00:24:25,474 --> 00:24:27,315 of the immortal King of glory and he 676 00:24:27,315 --> 00:24:28,375 gave it to you. 677 00:24:29,509 --> 00:24:31,909 And when he calls your name, you will 678 00:24:31,909 --> 00:24:33,210 rise just like he did, 679 00:24:33,589 --> 00:24:35,289 and he will take you by the hand 680 00:24:35,909 --> 00:24:38,250 and lead you to fullness of joy. 681 00:24:40,309 --> 00:24:41,990 Listen, the love of God for you is 682 00:24:41,990 --> 00:24:42,490 steadfast. 683 00:24:44,664 --> 00:24:46,445 But you say, I'm not worthy. 684 00:24:47,704 --> 00:24:50,184 In Isaiah 43, your father answers, do not 685 00:24:50,184 --> 00:24:50,684 fear 686 00:24:51,305 --> 00:24:52,765 for I have redeemed you. 687 00:24:53,384 --> 00:24:55,005 I have called you by name. 688 00:24:55,945 --> 00:24:56,924 You are mine. 689 00:24:58,429 --> 00:25:00,049 But I'm a sinner, you say. 690 00:25:01,309 --> 00:25:03,809 The father answers, you are mine. 691 00:25:06,190 --> 00:25:08,589 But I'm not always faithful to you, you 692 00:25:08,589 --> 00:25:09,089 say. 693 00:25:10,190 --> 00:25:11,250 Your father answers, 694 00:25:11,950 --> 00:25:12,769 you are mine. 695 00:25:14,744 --> 00:25:15,804 But I'm not always 696 00:25:17,784 --> 00:25:18,825 but I don't always, 697 00:25:19,304 --> 00:25:21,865 obey your voice. In fact, I often ignore 698 00:25:21,865 --> 00:25:22,764 you, you say. 699 00:25:24,184 --> 00:25:25,244 Your father answers, 700 00:25:26,264 --> 00:25:27,005 you're mine. 701 00:25:28,619 --> 00:25:30,319 But often doubt your word. 702 00:25:31,980 --> 00:25:33,039 Your father answers, 703 00:25:34,299 --> 00:25:35,200 you are mine. 704 00:25:36,619 --> 00:25:39,180 But I sometimes prioritize over other things over 705 00:25:39,180 --> 00:25:39,680 you. 706 00:25:40,859 --> 00:25:42,960 Your father answers, you are mine. 707 00:25:44,684 --> 00:25:46,365 But I don't always honor you as my 708 00:25:46,365 --> 00:25:46,865 father. 709 00:25:47,964 --> 00:25:50,144 Your father answers you, you're 710 00:25:51,565 --> 00:25:53,644 mine. But I don't keep my promises, you 711 00:25:53,644 --> 00:25:54,144 say. 712 00:25:56,285 --> 00:25:57,424 Your father answers, 713 00:25:58,230 --> 00:25:59,130 do not fear, 714 00:25:59,910 --> 00:26:01,529 for I have redeemed you. 715 00:26:01,910 --> 00:26:03,690 I have called you by my name. 716 00:26:04,230 --> 00:26:05,130 You are 717 00:26:05,589 --> 00:26:06,089 mine. 718 00:26:07,269 --> 00:26:09,529 Listen. Because you have been saved by faith 719 00:26:09,910 --> 00:26:10,569 and sealed 720 00:26:11,589 --> 00:26:12,890 by the Holy Spirit, 721 00:26:13,575 --> 00:26:15,994 you can enjoy the assurance of adoption. 722 00:26:16,774 --> 00:26:18,454 Paul writes in verse 16 that the Holy 723 00:26:18,454 --> 00:26:20,534 Spirit testifies to your spirit that you are 724 00:26:20,534 --> 00:26:21,034 His. 725 00:26:23,095 --> 00:26:25,174 This doesn't mean that life is always easy 726 00:26:25,174 --> 00:26:25,835 for you 727 00:26:26,759 --> 00:26:28,440 or that things always go the way that 728 00:26:28,440 --> 00:26:29,099 you want. 729 00:26:30,359 --> 00:26:32,519 But it does mean that your loving heavenly 730 00:26:32,519 --> 00:26:33,019 father 731 00:26:33,720 --> 00:26:36,380 always has your best interest in mind. 732 00:26:39,174 --> 00:26:40,234 If this is true 733 00:26:40,615 --> 00:26:41,914 of earthly parents, 734 00:26:42,934 --> 00:26:45,815 despite our imperfect and finite love for our 735 00:26:45,815 --> 00:26:48,154 children, how much more is it true 736 00:26:48,455 --> 00:26:51,195 of your heavenly father with his perfect 737 00:26:51,654 --> 00:26:53,674 and infinite love for you? 738 00:26:55,029 --> 00:26:56,890 So when things don't go as you want, 739 00:26:57,910 --> 00:26:59,830 instead of believing the devil's lie that God 740 00:26:59,830 --> 00:27:00,809 doesn't love you, 741 00:27:01,670 --> 00:27:03,289 He doesn't care for you, 742 00:27:03,670 --> 00:27:05,529 He doesn't care about your plans, 743 00:27:08,384 --> 00:27:09,765 Instead of believing that, 744 00:27:11,265 --> 00:27:12,644 trust your Heavenly Father. 745 00:27:13,664 --> 00:27:15,605 Trust his loving letter for you. 746 00:27:16,065 --> 00:27:18,705 When Romans 828 he writes that, under his 747 00:27:18,705 --> 00:27:19,205 care 748 00:27:19,744 --> 00:27:20,725 all things 749 00:27:21,265 --> 00:27:22,164 work together 750 00:27:22,819 --> 00:27:23,960 for your good. 751 00:27:25,460 --> 00:27:27,700 Sometimes our children don't understand why we deny 752 00:27:27,700 --> 00:27:28,759 them what they want 753 00:27:29,779 --> 00:27:30,680 but we know 754 00:27:31,140 --> 00:27:33,000 and want what is best for them 755 00:27:33,299 --> 00:27:34,680 because we love them. 756 00:27:35,355 --> 00:27:37,214 Do you believe that you love your children 757 00:27:38,154 --> 00:27:40,494 more than your heavenly Father loves you? 758 00:27:42,634 --> 00:27:44,555 And if you do everything in your power 759 00:27:44,555 --> 00:27:45,855 to bless your children 760 00:27:46,555 --> 00:27:48,894 even if it means disappointing them sometimes, 761 00:27:49,950 --> 00:27:51,470 do you not think that God has the 762 00:27:51,470 --> 00:27:51,970 love 763 00:27:52,669 --> 00:27:53,490 and the power 764 00:27:54,190 --> 00:27:56,049 and the will to do the same? 765 00:27:57,630 --> 00:27:59,549 As a child of God, therefore you have 766 00:27:59,549 --> 00:28:00,210 the privilege 767 00:28:00,589 --> 00:28:02,750 of having a heavenly father who is willing 768 00:28:02,750 --> 00:28:03,970 to tell you no sometimes 769 00:28:06,295 --> 00:28:07,115 and of knowing 770 00:28:07,414 --> 00:28:09,595 that it is always for your good. 771 00:28:11,174 --> 00:28:13,355 Another benefit of having the spirit of adoption 772 00:28:13,894 --> 00:28:15,494 is that you have a heavenly Father who 773 00:28:15,494 --> 00:28:17,255 is not only willing to tell you no 774 00:28:17,255 --> 00:28:17,755 sometimes 775 00:28:18,470 --> 00:28:20,470 but who is also willing to discipline you 776 00:28:20,470 --> 00:28:21,450 when you go astray. 777 00:28:22,549 --> 00:28:24,630 Look at what the author of Hebrews writes 778 00:28:24,630 --> 00:28:27,190 in Hebrews 12 as he quotes liberally from 779 00:28:27,190 --> 00:28:28,089 the Old Testament. 780 00:28:28,710 --> 00:28:29,450 He writes, 781 00:28:30,544 --> 00:28:33,184 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses 782 00:28:33,184 --> 00:28:34,244 you as sons? 783 00:28:35,265 --> 00:28:38,065 My son, do not regard lightly the discipline 784 00:28:38,065 --> 00:28:38,804 of the Lord 785 00:28:39,345 --> 00:28:41,525 nor be weary when reproved by him, 786 00:28:41,984 --> 00:28:43,365 for the Lord disciplines 787 00:28:43,984 --> 00:28:45,204 the one he loves 788 00:28:46,039 --> 00:28:49,019 and chastises every son whom he receives. 789 00:28:49,960 --> 00:28:52,279 It is for discipline that you have to 790 00:28:52,279 --> 00:28:52,779 endure. 791 00:28:53,559 --> 00:28:55,500 God is treating you as sons. 792 00:28:56,119 --> 00:28:58,359 For what son is there whom his father 793 00:28:58,359 --> 00:28:59,339 does not discipline? 794 00:29:00,255 --> 00:29:02,494 If you're left without discipline in which all 795 00:29:02,494 --> 00:29:05,075 have participated, then you are illegitimate children 796 00:29:05,535 --> 00:29:06,434 and not sons. 797 00:29:07,455 --> 00:29:10,335 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who 798 00:29:10,335 --> 00:29:11,234 disciplined us 799 00:29:11,775 --> 00:29:13,714 and we respected them. 800 00:29:14,410 --> 00:29:16,490 Shall we not much more be subject to 801 00:29:16,490 --> 00:29:18,430 the father of spirits and live? 802 00:29:19,289 --> 00:29:21,289 For they disciplined us for a short time 803 00:29:21,289 --> 00:29:22,750 as it seemed best to them, 804 00:29:23,210 --> 00:29:25,869 but he disciplines us for our good 805 00:29:26,250 --> 00:29:27,869 that we may share his holiness. 806 00:29:28,694 --> 00:29:31,494 For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather 807 00:29:31,494 --> 00:29:32,154 than pleasant, 808 00:29:32,855 --> 00:29:35,115 but later it yields the fruit, 809 00:29:35,494 --> 00:29:37,115 the peaceful fruit of righteousness 810 00:29:37,815 --> 00:29:40,234 to those who have been trained by it. 811 00:29:41,690 --> 00:29:44,170 Sometimes, we as parents fail to discipline our 812 00:29:44,170 --> 00:29:44,670 children 813 00:29:45,529 --> 00:29:47,309 because the last thing that we want, 814 00:29:47,769 --> 00:29:49,710 our least favorite thing to do 815 00:29:50,330 --> 00:29:52,670 is to cause them any pain or disappointment. 816 00:29:54,285 --> 00:29:55,644 But we know that if we fail to 817 00:29:55,644 --> 00:29:56,705 discipline our children, 818 00:29:57,725 --> 00:29:59,825 we're actually failing to love them well 819 00:30:00,684 --> 00:30:03,664 because we're permitting their inherent principle of sin 820 00:30:04,205 --> 00:30:05,184 to shape them, 821 00:30:05,899 --> 00:30:08,380 to form vices in them, vices that will 822 00:30:08,380 --> 00:30:09,599 make them love themselves 823 00:30:10,460 --> 00:30:12,159 more than they love God and 824 00:30:12,940 --> 00:30:14,240 more than they love others. 825 00:30:15,419 --> 00:30:17,099 And part of what makes it hard for 826 00:30:17,099 --> 00:30:18,480 us to discipline our children 827 00:30:18,955 --> 00:30:20,955 is the fact that they don't always understand 828 00:30:20,955 --> 00:30:21,855 what we are doing. 829 00:30:22,795 --> 00:30:25,295 They don't know why we're denying them things. 830 00:30:26,075 --> 00:30:27,695 They don't know why we are 831 00:30:28,315 --> 00:30:29,375 disciplining them. 832 00:30:30,634 --> 00:30:32,335 And we don't want them to think 833 00:30:32,795 --> 00:30:34,174 that we don't love them. 834 00:30:35,289 --> 00:30:37,210 Well even though we don't they don't even 835 00:30:37,210 --> 00:30:39,549 though we don't always understand why God disciplines 836 00:30:39,609 --> 00:30:40,109 us, 837 00:30:40,650 --> 00:30:42,970 because of his perfect love for us he 838 00:30:42,970 --> 00:30:44,670 never forsakes his responsibility. 839 00:30:46,170 --> 00:30:47,789 This is why in Romans 813 840 00:30:48,575 --> 00:30:50,674 we read that through the spirit of adoption 841 00:30:51,454 --> 00:30:53,055 we can put to death the deeds of 842 00:30:53,055 --> 00:30:53,714 the body. 843 00:30:54,894 --> 00:30:57,234 The Holy Spirit helps to discipline us 844 00:30:57,694 --> 00:30:59,934 so we can put sin to death and 845 00:30:59,934 --> 00:31:01,234 he enables us 846 00:31:01,694 --> 00:31:03,474 more and more to love God, 847 00:31:04,039 --> 00:31:05,419 to love his law, 848 00:31:05,720 --> 00:31:07,019 and to obey it. 849 00:31:08,200 --> 00:31:09,579 What great assurance 850 00:31:10,440 --> 00:31:11,899 adoption provides us 851 00:31:12,599 --> 00:31:15,419 knowing that God is committed to disciplining us 852 00:31:15,720 --> 00:31:17,659 so our lives can yield the fruit 853 00:31:17,960 --> 00:31:18,619 of righteousness. 854 00:31:20,724 --> 00:31:21,704 In 1st century 855 00:31:22,964 --> 00:31:24,984 Rome, since it was a matter of honor 856 00:31:25,125 --> 00:31:27,224 when a powerful man adopted someone, 857 00:31:27,765 --> 00:31:29,765 he would not only make his adopted son 858 00:31:29,765 --> 00:31:31,784 the legal heir of all his estate, 859 00:31:32,339 --> 00:31:35,299 but the father would also legally assume all 860 00:31:35,299 --> 00:31:35,960 the debt 861 00:31:36,339 --> 00:31:38,500 of his adopted son as if the debt 862 00:31:38,500 --> 00:31:40,200 had been his own all along. 863 00:31:41,779 --> 00:31:42,920 From his own possessions, 864 00:31:43,859 --> 00:31:46,119 he would fully satisfy the debt 865 00:31:46,505 --> 00:31:47,965 of his adopted heir. 866 00:31:49,305 --> 00:31:50,445 You have been adopted 867 00:31:51,065 --> 00:31:52,525 into God's family 868 00:31:53,144 --> 00:31:55,485 to be co heirs with Christ. 869 00:31:56,744 --> 00:31:59,565 The father already had the perfect heir. 870 00:32:00,710 --> 00:32:02,809 But because of his great love for you, 871 00:32:03,349 --> 00:32:04,970 he made you to be his. 872 00:32:06,150 --> 00:32:07,450 So, your older brother 873 00:32:07,910 --> 00:32:09,690 paid your debt in full. 874 00:32:11,029 --> 00:32:12,730 He gave his life for you 875 00:32:13,115 --> 00:32:15,455 that you might live and reign with him. 876 00:32:16,955 --> 00:32:18,095 In Matthew 22, 877 00:32:19,195 --> 00:32:21,355 we read that when the Pharisees and the 878 00:32:21,355 --> 00:32:23,695 scribes asked Jesus about paying taxes, 879 00:32:24,315 --> 00:32:26,095 he asked them to show him a coin 880 00:32:26,320 --> 00:32:28,340 and to tell him whose likeness and inscription 881 00:32:28,400 --> 00:32:29,380 was in that coin. 882 00:32:31,279 --> 00:32:32,259 They said, Caesar's. 883 00:32:33,279 --> 00:32:35,759 So Jesus answered, then render to Caesar the 884 00:32:35,759 --> 00:32:36,820 things that are Caesar's 885 00:32:37,200 --> 00:32:38,900 and render to God 886 00:32:39,200 --> 00:32:40,420 the thing that are God's. 887 00:32:41,495 --> 00:32:43,495 The coin used to pay the tax was 888 00:32:43,495 --> 00:32:44,075 a denarius 889 00:32:44,934 --> 00:32:47,095 which had the image of Tiberius Caesar on 890 00:32:47,095 --> 00:32:47,595 it, 891 00:32:48,134 --> 00:32:50,475 Emperor of Rome at the time of Jesus. 892 00:32:51,095 --> 00:32:53,595 And it had an inscription that identified Tiberius 893 00:32:53,654 --> 00:32:55,035 as the divine son. 894 00:32:56,159 --> 00:32:56,659 So 895 00:32:57,440 --> 00:32:58,259 as Jesus 896 00:32:58,960 --> 00:33:01,379 who is the authentic image of the invisible 897 00:33:01,440 --> 00:33:01,940 God 898 00:33:02,480 --> 00:33:05,379 and is the only begotten Son of God 899 00:33:05,759 --> 00:33:07,460 held in his hand a coin 900 00:33:08,355 --> 00:33:10,454 with a counterfeit counterfeit image 901 00:33:11,315 --> 00:33:13,095 of a counterfeit divine son, 902 00:33:13,954 --> 00:33:15,174 Jesus was affirming 903 00:33:15,875 --> 00:33:18,835 that his privilege and status as the Son 904 00:33:18,835 --> 00:33:19,654 of God, 905 00:33:20,320 --> 00:33:21,299 as the heir 906 00:33:21,759 --> 00:33:22,820 of God's household 907 00:33:23,200 --> 00:33:25,220 means that he is in no one's debt. 908 00:33:26,160 --> 00:33:28,080 And because you are an heir in his 909 00:33:28,080 --> 00:33:28,580 household 910 00:33:29,119 --> 00:33:30,660 neither are you. 911 00:33:32,480 --> 00:33:34,480 Your great blessing is that God calls you 912 00:33:34,480 --> 00:33:35,220 my daughter. 913 00:33:36,365 --> 00:33:38,285 Your great blessing is that God calls you 914 00:33:38,285 --> 00:33:38,945 my son. 915 00:33:39,884 --> 00:33:40,945 Your great privilege 916 00:33:41,805 --> 00:33:43,265 is that through your adoption 917 00:33:43,805 --> 00:33:45,585 God has given you the right 918 00:33:46,045 --> 00:33:47,265 to call him Abba. 919 00:33:48,365 --> 00:33:48,865 Father, 920 00:33:49,644 --> 00:33:51,893 won't you do that? Let's pray.