Sovereign Grace Baptist Church

P.O. Box 1447, Claypool, Az. 85532

520-425-8345 or 520-402-9134

Web Page: www.oocities.org/heartland/plains/3364

Email: pastorjohn@gila.net

Date: 11-7-99

Sermon Number: 38

Text: Romans 8:14-17

We could all take a lesson from the apostle Paul when it comes to teaching a truth or principal. He is relentless and patient. He is determined to argue his case so thoroughly that no serious student could miss his point. In chapter eight of the book of Romans the subject he addresses is assurance of salvation.

Paul actually began to argue for the believer’s security back in chapter five. But he really comes to focus on the subject here in the eighth chapter. He comes right to the point in verse one. (Romans 8:1 NASB) "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." In other words those who have been justified by faith in Jesus Christ will never, under any circumstances, suffer condemnation for their sin. Heaven and eternal life are their possession right now.

In verses two through four Paul begins to support his initial statement by revealing that all believers have been entirely delivered from the law which demanded their death. This deliverance has come through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ by which death He met all the demands of the law for everyone who believes. Therefore, we are free from its promised punishments.

In verses five through eleven he argues that Christians should rest completely assured of their final salvation seeing that the Holy Spirit lives in them, us, causing us to desire and enabling us to do the will of God. In other words, He is sanctifying us, molding and shaping us, into the image of Christ. It is a work begun by God the Holy Spirit and a work which will be completed by Him. This third person of the blessed trinity will also see to the raising and transforming or our mortal bodies. In short, as Ephesians chapter one, verses thirteen through fourteen, reveals, we have been sealed by the Spirit. (Ephesians 1:13-14 NASB) In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, {14} who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory." We are secure and protected by the Holy Spirit who will see us safely through every danger. He will deliver us whole, complete, and perfected, into the hands of our Heavenly Father.

In verses twelve through thirteen of Romans eight Paul calls us to action. The crux of his instruction is this, "Since all the above is true, get on with your new life! Put to death the sinful deeds of the body, make no provision for the flesh, and begin fulfilling your obligation of love to God." The Bible tells us that we love Him because He first loved us and gave His Son for our salvation. We express our love for God in terms of obedience, submission, and loyalty. In our striving to express our love by submission and obedience "We make our calling and election sure," that is, our assurance is increased.

In today’s text our dear brother brings in yet another truth to help us rest from our fears and labors, today’s subject is, "Son ship " If, or better, since we are the sons and daughters of God we may be assured of our present and future salvation. (Romans 8:14-18 NASB) "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. {15} For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" {16} The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, {17} and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him."

In reference to this text we will discuss the following. First we must consider the solemn fact that not all men are sons of God. Second, all Christians are the sons of God. Third, we want to be sure we understand what son ship means. Fourth, we will discover how to make certain of our son ship. Fifth, we will consider the glorious benefits that come with being a son of God.

We begin with some information Paul gives us in an indirect way. When He makes the wonderful statement, "All who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God," he makes a strong opposing statement by way of implication. "Those who are not being led by the Spirit of God are not the sons of God. In other words, not every person on earth may be called a child of God." We are all created by Him but that is not son ship. In verses four, six, seven, eight, nine, and thirteen, Paul makes it perfectly clear that the entire mass of humanity is divided into the saved and the lost, Christian, and non-Christian. The importance of this truth to our assurance will become evident as we proceed.

If what Paul tells us in this chapter is true then the world view of the "Universal Fatherhood of God" is false. The idea behind the phrase is that since God is the creator of all men it follows that He must love all men equally. We are all brothers and sisters and God will ultimately save every man woman and child.

Now it is easy for one to agree with such a view if he is not a careful student of the scriptures. But if he does study the word of God carefully he will have to reject the "Universal Fatherhood of God" idea. Why? We’ll let the Bible speak for itself.

(John 8:39-47 NASB) They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you are Abraham's children, do the deeds of Abraham. {40} "But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. {41} "You are doing the deeds of your father." They said to Him, "We were not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God." {42} Jesus said to them, "IF GOD WERE YOUR FATHER, YOU WOULD LOVE ME; (All the children of God love Jesus!) for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. {43} "Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. {44} "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies. {45} "But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. {46} "Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? {47} "He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT OF GOD." Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God while the rest of humanity are sons of the evil one. Their father is the devil.

These are the sons of God. Those who have believed in or received Jesus as He is presented in the scripture. Those who have been born of God are His sons and these alone. The following text tells us how Jesus relates to the world in general and to the sons of God in particular.

(John 17:8-9 NASB) ". . . for the words which Thou gavest Me I have given to them; and they received them, and truly understood that I came forth from Thee, and they believed that Thou didst send Me. {9} "I ask on their behalf; I DO NOT ASK ON BEHALF OF THE WORLD, BUT OF THOSE WHOM THOU HAST GIVEN ME; (Jesus does not intercede with God on behalf of every man but on behalf of those given to Him by His Father, the Elect from among men.) for they are Thine; . . . (John 17:24 NASB) "Father, I desire that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am, in order that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me; for Thou didst love Me before the foundation of the world.

Jesus was given a people by the Father, (See John 6). He died for these and here He prays for them, not for the whole world. He asks God to keep them safe during their stay on earth. He asks the Father to make sure that those given to Him be with Him in heaven. He doesn’t ask the Father to bring all men to heaven nor does He ask Him to keep them safe. Why? Because they are not the sons of God in a redemptive sense. God is not their Father and Christ is not their Savior. They have no hope, no future in heaven, no glory to look forward to if they die without trusting Christ for acceptance with God.

This text summarizes the difference between the Sons of God and the sons of the devil. The former has "eternal life" from the moment he believes. The latter’s present and eternal reward is the wrath of God. Consider also Romans 2:4-11 NASB. "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? {5} But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, {6} who WILL RENDER TO EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: {7} to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; {8} but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. {9} There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, {10} but glory and honor and peace to every man who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. {11} For there is no partiality with God."

Here again a clear distinction is made between the sons of God and the children of the devil. The sons of God are characterized by deeds of obedience and righteousness. The children of the devil are made evident by their deeds of rebellion against God which is, in fact, obedience to their father the devil. These are not the sons of God and their reward will be everlasting wrath and indignation.

Make no mistake about it God is the father and Savior of those chosen by God for salivation. These were given to Jesus to save and they shall be saved. They will at just the right moment turn from their sins to trust in Christ for salvation. Then they will begin and continue putting to death the deeds of the body as they are led by the Holy Spirit to do so. These are the sons of God.

Let’s continue our study by reading our text once again. (Romans 8:14-17 NASB) "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. {15} For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" {16} The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, {17} and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him."

Think about what being a son of God means. It means that we are no longer children of the devil, children of wrath, as are all the rest. It means that we have been adopted. For we were not born sons of God. An adoption has taken place. Let’s think about adoption for a moment. When a husband and wife decide to adopt a child they must do so according to the law. Adoption is a legal act whereby a child, who is not by nature related to the couple, is taken into the family to be regarded by them and by the law as a son or a daughter. The adopted child is given the family name, along with the privileges and responsibilities of a family member.

We must come to think of our spiritual adoption as a great legal action on the part of God. This adoption is brought to our attention by Paul because it has a lot to do with our assurance of salvation. The point is this, God Himself has adopted us as sons, therefore, we can never be considered anything less than sons! The great Judge has dropped the gavel declaring our adoption before the courts of heaven, it is finished. We are and ever shall be the sons of God. Consider the following texts.

Here we are told that God determined to adopt us through Christ from the foundation of the world and in Christ He has accomplished that adoption. God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, who never changes His mind, and whose gifts and callings are without repentance, has made believing sinners His sons and daughters. Therefore, we can be certain of our final salvation! For all the children of God are sealed by the Holy Spirit and shall taken to heaven.

God’s adoption is quite unlike a human adoption. When humans adopt a child he comes with his own, unchangeable, nature and character. But when God adopts his children He changes them from the inside out. He creates in us a new, God loving, righteousness loving, nature. He gives us His own nature just as surely as if we were His natural children! He gives us new hearts and minds, new likes and dislikes. This is why we act and feel like real children. We do not have the sense of being strangers in the house of God, rather, we have the sense and feeling of being at home, like real sons. And when we speak to God in our prayers we do not address Him as Sir, no, we cry out as children saying, "Father, my dear, beloved, Father, hear my prayers. This adoption by God into His family is a most wonderful and comforting thing. But what has it to do with our assurance? A good deal I think. For once a son, always a son. There are no "un-adoption" proceedings in the court of God. He is our everlasting Father and we are His eternal sons and daughters. The gifts and callings of God are without repentance!

Thinking about the new nature that comes with this blessed son ship lets consider the words of 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 NASB. "But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. {15} But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no man. {16} For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE SHOULD INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ."

This last phrase is remarkable indeed. Christians have the mind of Christ! Not the mind of a fallen creature, or of the devil, but the mind of Christ! Our minds are not perfect imitations of the mind of Christ, for sin still effects us, but in its bent toward righteousness and in its desire to please God, we have the perfect mind of Christ! The Christian has been changed so that his meat and drink is to do the will of God. That is what Christ wanted to do. The Christian has been so changed that he is always searching for that which is pleasing to God. Christ did the same. The Christian hates sin. Christ hated sin. The Christian loves righteousness and delights in the law of God. Christ had these same characteristics. As sons of God we have the mind of Christ! Along with our adoption came a character and nature change that will accompany us into eternity and be perfected there. This elusive perfection unattainable in this life must, nevertheless, be pursued during this life. Look with me at Matthew 5:43-48 NASB. "You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR, and hate your enemy.' {44} "But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you {45} IN ORDER THAT YOU MAY BE SONS OF YOUR FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. {46} "For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same? {47} "And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? {48} "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Like Father like son, that is what we must strive to be. We have the inclination because we have a new nature, i.e., the mind of Christ. What we must do in this life is exercise and express that nature. The Christian is always trying to imitate His Father. This is what the Christian pilgrimage is all about. So, when someone asks us what were doing at any given moment during our journey we might answer, "I have a call from my Father to be like Him, to be holy as He is holy. By grace I am trying to answer that call. This is what you see as I struggle, and work, and fight, and pray. I am trying to be in practice what I am in position, a true son of God." And why do we do this? Because we are being led by the Spirit of God! He is working in us to will and to do of His good pleasure. He is making us want to please Him. If these things are true of you assurance of salvation should not be a problem. Lets look at our text one last time.

(Romans 8:14-16 NASB) For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. {15} For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, (A slave’s relationship to his master is based on performance. If the slave works hard, obeys, and is loyal, he will be cared for and kept. But if he does not perform he will be sold or sent away and another slave will take his place. A slave must always fear His master’s rejection. . . .) but you (Christians) have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" (The spirit of adoption consists of the attitude of a son as opposed to a slave. A slave would never address his master as father. They don’t feel or relate to one another on that basis. A son, on the other hand, finds it perfectly natural to use the familiar title "father." A slave may expect to be dismissed but not a son. A son rests in the unconscious confidence that he will always be a son of his Father. The Father may correct and discipline but He will never reject the son. Even if they are separate at some point they are still father and son. They are one in blood and nature. Theirs is a relationship of love, agape, unconditional, love. And perfect love casts out fear. We have not received the spirit of slavery which includes the fear of rejection. Rather, we have received the spirit of adoption. We have within us a sense of son ship created by the Holy Spirit.) {16} "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." We have within us the sense that we belong to God’s family. There are many things that lead us to this conclusion. We have new inclinations and desires. We strive to be and do what is pleasing to our Father while the Holy Spirit helps us reach our goals. His presence and influence coupled with that sense of son ship within further convinces us that we are indeed the very sons and daughters of God!

I don’t know about you but I can declare with the apostle in verse 38 of this chapter, ". . . . I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, {39} nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39 NASB) Those who are His Children by faith will always be His Children. Praise God for His never ending mercies and eternal love.