Once Slaves, Now Children
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Once and Now
Once and Now
Tonight we are going to be starting a series called once and now.
The idea behind this is to show and convey truth of something we once were but now we are something else.
It is like the transformation of a caterpillar to a butterfly-
We see this in the trees, as they from no leaves, too blooming, to green to orange/red/pink— to no leaves again.
We see transformation from a new born to a toddler, to a teen, to an adult.
We see life and then we see death.
Change and transformation is all around us.
And when it comes to our relationship with God we see change as well.
We see ourselves change.
It has nothing to do with us however.
When you have an encounter with God is it impossible to not be changed.
Someway somehow we are changed.
In some cases it is:
Once slaves, now children
Once apart, now together
Once works, now fruit
Once weak, now strong
Once greed, now generous
Once faithless, now faith-filled
Once dead, now alive
You see an encounter with God will leave you changed.
Think about this:
If I would have been late tonight and when I finally arrived.
I apologized, and I told you that I was in a trucking accident.
That while I was on Fremont here I was crossing the street and out of no where I got hit by this 8 ton logging truck going about 55mph.
But don’t worry I took it like a champ and now I am here— so lets get started.
What would your response be to me?
You all know what a logging truck like right?
It look like this:
Now you would probably think I was joking at the very least.
But if I was prescient that it happened, you would eventually call me a lair.
And why would you call me a lair?
Because to encounter a logging truck in a head on collision it is impossible to not be changed.
YOU CANT ENCOUNTER AN 8 TON LOGGING TRUCK AND NOT BE CHANGED!
Then let me ask you, what is bigger a logging truck or God?
So when we enter into a relationship with God it changes us.
It has to— when you accept Christ into your life— you are no longer the same.
Meaning that life change happens.
It means that you go from being a jerk, to being gracious.
From being a bully to being a protector
From being stuck up to being humble
Once an enemy, to now loved
An experience with God changes you— it is impossible to not be changed by God.
Your life is a reflection of what you once were, but NOW are.
And tonight we are going to be looking at Romans 8:14-39.
That is a ton of verses but I promise we will work through them pretty quick.
We are going to be talking about how we once were slaves but now we are children of God.
So lets read Romans 8:14-17
For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
Slaves to Sons and Daughters
Slaves to Sons and Daughters
Paul is the one writing here and he is writing to the Roman church.
What Paul really is driving home is the truth that we just talked about.
That when come into God’s family— your status changes.
Transformation begins.
And this is not just for a few, we do not have to worry if Paul is talking about you or not.
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
FOR ALL— everyone.
Meaning everyone who is a believer, follower of Christ then you are God’s son or daughter.
Paul is saying this as he is referring back to the pervious verse 13
For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
You will live!
“The recognition that we are God’s own children is yet another basis for our assurance that indeed, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Romans 8:1”
We get this idea that God is our Father, from the Old Testament actually.
Do you thus repay the Lord,
you foolish and senseless people?
Is not he your father, who created you,
who made you and established you?
And being in the Old Testament Paul is pointing to this same line of thinking as Isreal was being called God’s children.
I will say to the north, Give up,
and to the south, Do not withhold;
bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the end of the earth,
This idea of a people group being called God’s children is not a foreign idea that Paul just made up but it is actually Paul going a step further to say— not just the Jews or Isreal is a son or daughter now— but everyone who confesses Christ as their Lord.
And as Paul then shifts into verse 15- He emphasis what kind of spirit we have been given as followers of Christ.
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Paul is telling the people that they have not been given a spirit of bondage, as slavery was known as but you have been given a spirit of adoption.
Into God’s Family!
And with great rejoicing we cry out ABBA FATHER!
The fact that this room is quite, tells me that you may be lost?
Or maybe it is not making sense.
Well Paul knew that might happen.
and in verse 16 and 17 he clears it up.
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
If God is our Father,
And we are God’s children.
What does that make us?
It makes us part of the family.
It means that we have stake in the family.
That we are heirs in God family.
Not like a goofed or I messed something up.
but we are part of the family.
Currently you are an heir in your family on earth.
Let me ask you?
Do you call anyone father?
or do you call your dad, father?
You see that term Abba— was only used in family circles.
It means my father, My dear Father!
That term is personal- it is an intimate expression- it is safe and secure- for he protect- it is the complete opposite of fear.
As that verse continues Paul says something else that is so significant.
IN verse 17
and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
While Paul is clearly speaking all of this as a metaphor, it does not take away the reality of what he is saying.
We are co-heirs with Christ.
One commentary puts it this way:
Romans 3. Living in the Spirit (8:1–39)
“All that Christ claims as his will belong to all of us as well!” (Phillips).
He goes on to say:
Romans 3. Living in the Spirit (8:1–39)
How rich in significance is the fact that we are full members of an eternal family in which God is our Father and Jesus Christ is our elder brother
There is a price however.
It does not mean that you have pay up for your sins.
That was already done for you by Jesus, on the cross.
But the fact is that we will have to suffer.
Romans 3. Living in the Spirit (8:1–39)
Sharing the sufferings of Christ leads to sharing his glory.
Suffering will one day lead to sharing in Christ glory.
If there is one thing I know about the future is this, Christians, believers of the Gospel, know that you will suffer for the sake of Jesus.
that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
Romans 3. Living in the Spirit (8:1–39)
As members of the same family we share in the trials of life as well as the benefits.
Has one in here ever been rejected before?
I remember when I was in high school, my senior year of baseball I was so pumped to play.
You see I didn’t get a ton of playing time when I was a junior.
I wasn’t terrible but I also wasn’t great.
AND the coach at the time really believed in playing seniors.
So I rode the bench a ton— with the understanding that hey, I am going to work hard and start and play a lot next season.
Well that coach retires.
New coach comes in and he does not share the old coach’s philosophy.
So believing I was going to play— it turned into riding the bench again.
I felt so rejected, even by working hard in the off season it wasn’t enough.
I ended up quitting— which then led to many of friends not really hanging out with me anymore— a felt defeated.
Have you guys felt that way before?
Like by a friend?
Or a boy or girl?
maybe by a parent?
or aunt/uncle?
teacher?
Maybe you missed the cut for a sports team?
The thing about being rejected is that when it happens you feel unwanted right.
You feel like no body loves you, or cares about you— you just feel alone and when we are alone we feel lonely.
It is scary, it hurts, it makes us mad, sad, frustrated.
BUT HERE IS THE BEST NEWS:
In God’s family you are not rejected.
You are secure
You are loved
You are appreciated
You are welcomed in!
It is permanent and Forever!
This is the best news for those who are rejected!
“No wonder we spontaneously cry out, “Abba, Father!” How could anyone who really understand that they have been adopted into God’s family and been given all the privileges his children enjoy not break out in amazed thanksgiving and praise?”
I mean I know that we are baptist but man that should fire us up!
We have a promise!
We should be crying out too God with praise and thanksgiving.
We are God’s children!
This is some of the best news we can have!
YET, we keep acting like we have been rejected, cast out, and trotted on.
We walk around like someone just stole our ice cream and ate it right in front of us and there is no more ice cream!
We are sour- joyless- and lifeless.
This I cannot understand.
We have the greatest/best/ news on the planet and when we are in a worship service this is what we look like.
ACT OUT
We are passionless.
I understand we may be worried that we show too much emotion.
Folks, God gave us emotions.
He gave us freedom.
Not to crawl back to our chains and live as slaves but to live as Children of God.
Maybe you are nervous to lift your hands in public— I get that you may be just really shy.
Let me ask you thought— do you praise God in the quite then?
Because if we aren’t then I don’t think that argument holds up well.
Be excited be joyful that you are a child of God.
That is point one! from slaves to sons and daughters.
Point number 2
From Suffering to Glory
From Suffering to Glory
As mentioned above as a family we share in the best of times but we also in the hard stuff as well.
Meaning that some stuff is not pleasant.
We share in Christ’s sufferings now as we wait for the day when we will be glorified with Him and everything will be right again as He creates all things new.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
I do not think anybody who says they were unaware that we as followers of Christ need to suffer— has not truthfully honestly read their Bible.
It is all over.
Paul is making it very clear here that in order to obtain the hope that is promised the good stuff— we are going to have to endure the not so good stuff.
The kinda of crummy stuff.
And what Paul is doing here is he is actually making two points, about this glory:
“It is the climax in God’s plan both for his people and for his creation generally.
Yet since we have not reached that climax, we must eagerly and patiently wait for it.
God himself provides what we need in order to wait eagerly and patiently.
The Spirit helps us pray, and God promises to oversee everything for our good according to his unbreakable plan for us.
Paul is not trying to hide that suffering is going to happen.
But there is something on the back half that will make it worth it.
Paul paints us a perfect picture of this in verse 22-33
For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Creation is groaning as in the pains of childbirth.
I don’t know if you know this or not, but childbirth is not easy.
It hurts— it is extremely painful.
And everyone in this room put your mom through that pain.
Meaning tonight when you get home you say sorry for causing you a ton of pain when you gave birth to me.
But here is the reason why women continue to have children.
Even though the pain is unreal.
And she is suffering yet she is doing this for a joyful outcome!
This means that as believers we suffer but it is a momentary things that eventually will lead to eternal joy!
This is why we join in the groaning!
For now, yes we suffer but we eagerly await the redemption of our bodies.
When our hope calls us home!
It is the rescue of the body from sin and death—
God has secured all that was needed to secure our eternal glory.
Wrapping up this point with Romans 8:30
And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
None of us have what it takes to get to heaven.
BUT From’s God side, the matter has already been determined.
No believer ever has to worry about if you have what it takes to get to heaven or even be saved.
Know that if you are a believer, it is because God called you—he justified you—and you will be gloried.
Point one is from slaves to sons and daughters
Point two from suffering to glory
Point 3
From Death to Life
From Death to Life
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This was Paul’s way of asking, “Well? What now? If you believe all this incredible stuff, what does it do to your heart and your life?”
As Paul reflected on what the Holy Spirit prompted him to write in the prior verses, he was overcome with joyful confidence.
Yes, we still will struggle with the flesh.
Yes, we will experience suffering and pain.
But God is faithful and His grace is unshakable.
Paul described a courtroom drama unfolding to drive home the reason for his confidence.
We are pictured in the defendant’s seat, and God Himself is the judge behind the bench.
Paul first asked who would bring an accusation against us to the Judge.
The answer is no one, because God is the One who justifies and can answer any charge brought against His own.
Next, Paul asked who could reach a guilty verdict and condemn?
Again, the answer is no one, because Jesus paid our sentence in His death and resurrection, and He intercedes on our behalf.
Finally, Paul asked who could carry out a guilty sentence and separate us from the love of Christ.
Once again, the answer is no one or no thing.
Even if an accusation could be brought, even if a guilty verdict could be given, there is no way we can be separated from God’s love.
For nothing can do that.
Nothing can separate us from God’s love.
That is why every week— no matter how you feel when you walk in or walk out— know that you are loved!
No matter what happened at school, at home, whatever baggage you bring---YOU ARE LOVED.
Your are in the process of being conformed to the image of His Son.
We have been adopted into His family, no longer slaves to sin but children of God.
Because of Christ’s work on the cross, we are welcomed into God’s family and are now coheirs with Christ, eagerly awaiting the glorious future He has promised.
LET US THIS WEEK SHOUT FOR JOY and CRY OUT ABBA FATHER!
Amen?
Let’s pray!
YOU ARE LOVED