Titled - "Glorious Liberty"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz
The curse of the Law is undone when we find ourselves at the foot of Jesus’ cross, proclaiming Him as our Lord and Savior. It IS a humbling experience, and it’s also an admission that living OUR way, following OUR own hearts just isn’t working, after hearing the Good News brought by Jesus. Now, being humbled by a competitor is not something that this world teaches us to look forward to, but walking in the Spirit makes us forever aware that approaching Jesus humbly as Lord of lords and King of kings, is an enviable position. He says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)
Was I too distracted by the world when He was knocking? I wonder how long He was outside knocking? Did I keep Him waiting? I also wonder about others as I see them struggling with one thing or another, waiting for the world to fulfill their desires. This is something that even Amazon Prime cannot supply. (Though you would never know it as the Amazon trucks are everywhere these days.) A worship song reminds us, “Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
The job of lifting us up is filled already. It’s His! We read today, “Abba, Father,” and He comes to us as our Holy and Loving Father, giving Himself to us as our new family. The pressure to perform is “off.” The unrealistic expectations of others dissipate like smoke, and all we want to do is be with Him and the rest of His family.
Once we are His, Shirley Goodness, & Anne Mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives, and we shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever. (Paraphrased from Psalm 23:6, and I think Joy Forevermore comes along with them!)
[ You will never again read Psalm 23 quite the same way! Read it with Joy! ]
Bobservations' Column: Audio Version
Sunday Morning Message:
Romans 8:14-27 - "Glorious Liberty"
Summary/Additional Commentary and Definitions:
SEVEN ASPECTS OF THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM ROMANS 8:
- The Holy Spirit frees us from sin and death – Vs. 2-3
- The Holy Spirit enables us to fulfill the law of God because He gives us the righteousness of God – Vs. 4
- The Holy Spirit changes our nature from the inside out, which is called regeneration – Vs. 5-11
- The Holy Spirit empowers us to claim the victory God has already given us – Vs. 12-13.
- The Holy Spirit guarantees that we will be glorified with the Lord one day – Vs. 17 – 25
- The Holy Spirit intercedes for us – Vs. 26-27
- The Holy Spirit confirms our adoption – Vs. 14-27
And now because, in spite of our present suffering, we have a glorious future to look forward to (Romans 8:18-30). Something wonderful is going to happen. And that can make a difference in the way we live our lives right now.
We also share in Christ's suffering, including the everyday suffering of living on this fallen planet. Paul is quick to say that our suffering here and now is not worth comparing to the glories of eternity, but he doesn't say that this suffering doesn't hurt. In fact, Paul writes that we groan right along with all of creation under the consequences of sin. We're all waiting. Creation waits for God's children to be revealed and all to be made right once more. We, God's children, wait for our adoption to be complete in the redemption of our bodies. When that happens, we can be with our Heavenly Father (Romans 8:18–25).
Until then, we wait, and we suffer. But we don't do it alone. God is with us spiritually in the form of His Holy Spirit, who helps us many different ways as our teacher and comforter. The Spirit even intercedes for us (Romans 8:26–27).
Sunday Morning Audio Message:
Led by the Spirit (8:14) - Believers are not led through subjective, mental impressions or promptings to provide direction in making life's decisions - something Scripture nowhere teaches. Instead, God's Spirit objectively leads His children sometimes through the orchestration of circumstances (Acts 16:7) but primarily through illumination, divinely clarifying Scripture to make it understandable to our sinful, finite minds (Luke 24:44, 45; 1 Corinthians 2:14-16; Ephesians 1:17-19). Also, through sanctification, divinely enabling us to obey Scripture (Galatians 5:16, 17; 5:25).
We also share in Christ's suffering, including the everyday suffering of living on this fallen planet. Paul is quick to say that our suffering here and now is not worth comparing to the glories of eternity, but he doesn't say that this suffering doesn't hurt. In fact, Paul writes that we groan right along with all of creation under the consequences of sin. We're all waiting. Creation waits for God's children to be revealed and all to be made right once more. We, God's children, wait for our adoption to be complete in the redemption of our bodies. When that happens, we can be with our Heavenly Father (Romans 8:18–25).
Until then, we wait, and we suffer. But we don't do it alone. God is with us spiritually in the form of His Holy Spirit, who helps us many different ways as our teacher and comforter. The Spirit even intercedes for us (Romans 8:26–27).
Sunday Morning Audio Message:
Key Words and Definitions with Reference:
Led by the Spirit (8:14) - Believers are not led through subjective, mental impressions or promptings to provide direction in making life's decisions - something Scripture nowhere teaches. Instead, God's Spirit objectively leads His children sometimes through the orchestration of circumstances (Acts 16:7) but primarily through illumination, divinely clarifying Scripture to make it understandable to our sinful, finite minds (Luke 24:44, 45; 1 Corinthians 2:14-16; Ephesians 1:17-19). Also, through sanctification, divinely enabling us to obey Scripture (Galatians 5:16, 17; 5:25).
Sons of God (8:14) - When a person experiences the Spirit's leading in those ways, he gains assurance that God has adopted him into His family.
Spirit of Bondage . . . to Fear (8:15) - Because of their life of sin, unregenerate people are slaves to their fear of death (Hebrews 2:15, 15), and to their fear of final punishment (1 John 4:18).
Spirit of Adoption (8:15) - Not primarily a reference to the transaction by which God adopts us but to a Spirit-produced awareness of the rich reality that God has made us His children, and, therefore, that we can come before Him without fear or hesitation as our beloved Father. It includes the confidence that we are truly sons of God.
Abba (8:15) - An Aramaic term for Father that conveys a sense of intimacy. Very much like the English terms "Daddy" or "Papa," it connotes tenderness, dependence, and a relationship free of fear or anxiety.
Bears Witness with Our Spirit (8:16) - God's Holy Spirit confirms the validity of our adoption, not by some inner, mystical voice, but by the fruit He produces in us (Galatians 5:22, 23) and the power He provides for spiritual service (Acts 1:8).
Heirs (8:17) - Every believer has been made an heir of God, our Father (Matthew 25:34; Galatians 3:29; Ephesians 1:11; Colossians 1:12; 3:24; Hebrews 6:12; 9:15; 1 Peter 1:4). We will inherit eternal salvation (Titus 3:7), God Himself (Lamentations 3:24; cf. Psalm 73:25; Revelation 21:3), glory (5:2), and everything in the universe (Hebrews 1:2).
Joint Heirs (8:17) - God has appointed His Son to be heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2). Every adopted child will receive by divine grace the full inheritance Christ receives by divine right (cf. Matthew 25:21; John 17:22; 2 Corinthians 8:9).
If We Suffer with Him (8:17) - Proof of the believer's ultimate glory is that he suffers - Whether it comes as mockery, ridicule, or physical persecution - because of his Lord (Matthew 5:10-12; John 15:18-21; 2 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Timothy 3:12).
Glory...revealed in Us (8:18) - Looking forward to the resurrection of the body (v.23) and the subsequent complete Christlikeness which is the believer's eternal glory. See Philippians 3:20, 21; Colossians 3:4; 1 John 3:2.
The Creation (8:19) - This includes everything in the physical universe except human beings, whom Paul contrasts with this term (vv. 22, 23). All creation is personified to be, as it were, longing for transformation from the curse and its effects
The Manifestation (8:19) - The Revealing, literally, "an uncovering," or and "unveiling." When Christ returns, God's children will share His glory.
Firstfruits of the Spirit (8:23) - The fruit which the Spirit produces in us now (Galatians 5:22, 23) provides hope that we will one day be like Christ.
Groan (8:23) - With grief over our remaining sinfulness (&;24; Psalm 38:4, 9, 10).
Adoption (8:23) - The process that began with God's choice (Ephesians 1:5) and included our actually becoming His children at salvation (Galatians 4:5-7) will culminate with our inheritance (see vv. 29:30).
Redemption of our Body (8:23) - Not the physical body only, but all of man's remaining fallenness.
Groanings Which Cannot be Uttered (8:26) - Divine articulations within the Trinity that cannot be expressed in words, but carry profound appeals for the welfare of every believer (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:11). This work of the Holy Spirit parallels the high priestly work of intercession by the Lord Jesus on behalf of believers (see Hebrews 2:17, 18; 4:14-16; 7:24-26).
The Mind of the Spirit (8:27) - No words are necessary because the Father understands and agrees with what the Spirit thinks.
