Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• v14-23
• The first half - a great emphasis on the Spirit
• Contrasts of the flesh vs the Spirit
• The second half - the theme of being a child of God
• v14, v15, v16, v17
• Looking at Sonship
• The indwelling of the Spirit is the proof you are a Christian - v9
• Overview:
• The Evidence of Sonship
• The Implications of Sonship
• The certainties about Sonship

The Evidence of Sonship

• We are not born children of God

Walking in Holiness (v14)

• v14
• One sure sign is guidance from the Holy Spirit - but this is to take the verse out of context
• Consider the 'for' which connects to v13 - being led by the Spirit is being lead into holiness
• A key evidence of sonship is living a holy life
• What is holiness?
• The doctrine of mortification
• The starving of the sinful nature
• Example of gossip
• Not giving way to certain sins
• Examples
• Resisting the devil
• Asking God for help
• Example of the tongue
• Put on the New
• Spend time in the word of God and prayer
• Guard your private times
• Spending time with Christians
• Serving the Lord
  • Examples
• Evangelism
• Led by the Spirit into holiness

Intimacy with God (v15-16)

• Intimacy with God
• We are adopted into the family of God
• We are children of God
• The Spirit confirms in our prayers that we are children of God
• Sometimes overwhelming
• Most times a quiet assurance
• Christianity is about an encounter with the living God
• Some lose this sense of the assurance
• This is often because of sin
• 1 John 5

Suffering with Christ (v17)

• The Christian counts the cost of discipleship
• It can be particularly difficult for young people
• It can be hard for those starting work
• Our family may be opposed
• 'Wo to us if everybody likes us'
• There will be illness and tragedy
• Both for Christians and non-Christians
• Rom 5:3 - We understands God's purpose in difficulty
• To suffer with Christ that you may be glorified

A sense of incompletion and a hope for something better

• A sense of incompletion - v23
• We can never be totally satisfied on this earth
• We groan to be with the Lord
• A sense of hope - v24
• We couldn't bear it if we were to see all the glory now
• We eagerly wait for it (v25)
• The best is yet to come!
• 1 John 3:1

The Implications of Sonship

• Wonderful implications - there could be a sermon for each one

Heirs with an Inheritance (v17)

• Our name is on the title deed even though everything belongs to Jesus
• Why should the glory of God be given to us?
• Because we are united with Christ
• All this is His - is ours

The Liberation of Creation (v20-22)

• The created order will be liberated by the fact that the sons of God will be revealed
• We see all manner of problems in creation
• Creation groans (v22)
• A new eden and paradise where we will dwell

Present help for Us (v26)

• The Spirit of God helping us in our weakness
• The Spirit Himself makes intercession for us
• James 4:5

Everything is working together for our good (v28)

• We can seem frustrated
• Personal example
• Sometimes we can struggle
• God is sovereign and controlling all things - but only for the Christian
• This promise is not for the Non-Christians

The Certainties about Sonship

God is making us like Christ (v29)

• God is conforming us to be like Jesus
• God is working in us (v30) - all in the past tense
• It is a certainty!
• A Christian can never lose their salvation - it is impossible!