LIVING UP TO THE FAMILY TRADITION
Romans 8:12-17
Our family has many “FAMILY TRADITIONS.”
Kuzzin’s Kamp
“Living up to the family tradition”
I remember when Michael had a school assignment and did excellent work–proudly brought it home
After we looked a while, Mike commented: “I guess I lived up to the Porter family tradition, didn’t I?”
Living up to our family tradition is important.
Royal families have traditions as well.
It’s important for children of the king to remember who they are and live up to their royal traditions.
Though image has been tarnished somewhat, I remember when Prince Charles was growing up.
He was given special training as to how a member of the royal family ought to act.
He was expected to attend certain events--to behave in certain ways.
He was a member of the royal family—a child of the Queen. Therefore, he was to act like it!
Rom 8:12-17: As God’s children, we ought to live up to the family tradition–we ought to act like our Father!
Paul’s problem with law—it’s all of our problem:
The problem isn’t the law. It’s us!
We can’t do what law requires! Law only serves to condemn us.
Paul concludes ch. 7 with frustrated cry: “Who will deliver me from this body of death?”
Answer: “I thank God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord” JESUS Is the answer to our problem!
8:1-11: power to live godly life is ours through H.S., Who resides in us.
We’ve been freed from life in the flesh, so we can live by the Spirit.
The same Spirit who gave new life to Jesus’ dead body, resides in us and gives us new life in Christ.
God has given us power to live like his children by His Spirit. 8:12-17
GOD’S FAMILY HAS A FAMILY TRADITION ALSO!
Rom 8:1-11 shows where power to live a godly life comes from.
Now we’re urged to live that way.
Obligation to conduct ourselves in a way that’s worthy of our position.
God has made us His children and His heirs.
We should imitate what we’ve observed our Father do.
As child growing up, we heard expression: "chip off the old block".
I’d do certain things, and people would comment, “You can tell whose child he is. He’s a chip off the old block!”WE should act like "chips off the old block".
AS CHILDREN OF GOD
WE OUGHT TO ACT LIKE OUR FATHER!
We should be holy, even as He is holy (Lev. 11:44-45; 19:2; 1 Pet. 1:15-16).
THE DEBT 8:12-13
God provides the power to live godly lives and please Him by H. S.
We ought to take advantage of power He has given us.
BECAUSE OF HIS PROVISION TO US,
WE OUGHT TO USE THE RESOURCES HE PROVIDES!
2 alternative principles we can choose to live by. (< 8:1-11)
We can walk in conformity to the flesh, by our own efforts,
or we can walk under the direction of H.S.
Paul has urged us NOT to live by our own efforts.
Lifestyle produced by our efforts, by the flesh, leads to death 8:12-13a.
People who adopt flesh-centered lifestyle suffer consequences of that lifestyle, which ultimately leads to physical death.
You can’t play games with God and walk away unharmed!
Self-centered living leads to death, even among God’s people –principle amply attested in both O.T. and N.T.
However, in this passage, Paul repeats a universal principle:
Living by the flesh is the lifestyle of those who are dying:
“If you live by the flesh, you die by the flesh.”
“Why would you want to go back to the old life?”
Old lifestyle isn’t appropriate for those who’ve inherited eternal life!
Instead, God’s Spirit works in us to eliminate works of the flesh and produce His fruit in us 8:13b
If we live by God’s Spirit . . .
He’ll eliminate works the flesh produces (Gal 5:19-21)
and produce His fruit in us [Gal. 5:22-23]
which leads to life.
“Through the Spirit” we put to death the deeds of the flesh.
If we were doing it ourselves, we’d be trying to kill deeds of the flesh by the power of that same flesh.
The flesh will never eliminate it’s own deeds. It can’t do it!
To try to do that in our own strength, by our efforts, is the ultimate exercise in futility.
Problem trying to put something our of your mind–e.g. a song.
We can’t stop doing what we do, when we do what we want to do, by trying to do it ourselves. That just produces more of the same!
Like airplane: When we live on earth, and walk around in our own strength, we’re enslaved by law of gravity. It holds us down. But when we get in a plane, it frees us from the law which binds us to the earth. Once we’re free from law of gravity, suppose we decide to go for a walk to enjoy our new freedom. If you get out of the plane and try to go it on your own, guess what happens? The law of gravity takes over again. You can’t walk on your own. You have to abide in the plane.
So what WILL produce godly living? How does God produce that kind of life in us?
THE CAUSE of godly living 8:14-17
Paul’s logic: Related to logic behind a “paternity suit:”
When court wants to determine if a man is child’s father, they look at genetic evidence. This test can establish with nearly 100% probability whether this is the child’s father.
Test of spiritual paternity. How can we know we belong to God’s family, that He is our true Father?
Here’s a test that’s 100% accurate: Those who are led by the Spirit of God are Sons of God.
God’s children are led by God’s Spirit!
HOLY SPIRIT WHO RESIDES IN US
CONFIRMS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AS ADOPTED CHILDREN.
We were not born as God’s children. We didn’t start out that way!
We were born slaves—slaves of sin.
Now we’ve been adopted into God’s family.
Adopted child troubled at thought, learned to say: “when you were born, your parents were stuck with you, but my parents chose me because they loved me! We’ve been chosen by God, because He loves us. Now we come to Him as His beloved children.
Don't confuse the result of this blessing with the cause.
We don't follow the Spirit so God will consider us children.
We follow the Spirit because we are God’s children through faith in Christ
The fact that we follow His direction, demonstrates that we ARE God’s children.
When we follow His direction day by day, that new lifestyle confirms that we have genuinely trusted in Christ 8:14
Scofield: "A man drifted into my house once–a human wreck. He’d been editor of a great newspaper. Little by little alcohol had taken control of his life and ruined him. I told him he could be born again: that he could become a partaker of the divine nature, a son and heir of God. He fell on his knees. 'My God!' he cried. 'Can a dog like me become God's son?' He gave himself to Christ. I shall never forget his transfigured face, nor the loftiness of his bearing as he took my hand and said, 'I’m a child of God.'"
This wonder is expressed by cries of loving appreciation which spring to our lips and flow from our hearts, as God’s children.
God's children don't approach Him as slaves, afraid we’ll anger Him!
God’s children approach Him confidently, as children, assured He loves us.
We come to God as loving father who chose us to be His children.
Father relationship has become so corrupted the concept God intended to communicate about our relationship with Him is negative, rather than positive.
Many people have been hurt by parents who haven’t loved them, who’ve been abusive, or neglectful. So many have negative image of “father” we miss the point.
Biblical concept of fatherhood is a warm loving one, of a Father who truly loves us and seeks what’s best for us.
We don't have to fear Him because He loves us 8:15
Tendency to say we come to God as “Daddy”
Not intended to distract us from God as God of the universe
Intended to be term of affection and endearment.
“Father” may capture idea, if it’s understood as warm and fearless term of affection.
“Dad” might be better to capture idea.
Term Lord uses to address His Father: “Abba, Father, ... everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mk 14:36
Never lets personal relationship get in way of recognition of Father’s authority
Same relationship: Gal. 4:6: “Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’”
The balance between these two concepts is difficult to maintain.
Hard to believe: God of Universe wants a loving, fatherly relationship with me!
Never degenerates into such a “buddy-buddy” relationship that we allow ourselves to forget that HE IS GOD!
We don’t come to God as angry task master with whip in hand, that we come to in fear
We come to Him as a loving Father, and address Him as “DAD”
Peace and confidence the Spirit gives confirm we’re God’s children 8:16
2nd truth accompanies this one: as God's children we’re also His heirs.
He designated us to receive blessings He has prepared for His children.
We participate together with Christ Himself, as fellow-heirs of that which God has promised to Him 8:17
When we adopted Jonathan into our family I sat down and had a long talk with him about the implications of that decision. When he first came to live with us he had been prepared to earn his own way. He was ready to do laundry, iron–whatever it might take to justify his stay in our home. It took a while for him to understand that, by adoption, he has become one of our children, he addresses me as dad, and he’s a fellow-heir with the rest of our children. One fourth of all we own will someday become his, just as it will for the rest of our children. He is a fellow-heir with them. That’s a privilege of sonship!
That’s what God has done for us. He has made us His children! We are heirs of everything He owns!
Presence of H.S. in our lives is evidence we’re adopted into His family.
Wealthy man called faithful assistant to his office, "I've put your name in my will. You are to receive $100,000 when I die. It may be a long time before you get that, I want you to enjoy the interest every year. Here’s a check for $6000." Prospect of inheritance was good news; money he received in advance assured him of the reality of his hope for the future.
That’s what God does for us. H.S.’ presence and power are the interest–guarantee of the inheritance!
Since God has adopted us into His family, we should act like children and heirs of the King of kings–like members of God's family.
Inheritance we receive includes many things, but they’re all secondary to that of greatest value” the glory of God Himself.
Christ will be glorified with the glory of the Father.
We will be glorified together with Him.
Suffering is part of process which prepares us to receive the inheritance.
By suffering, God prepares us to be glorified together with Christ.
Therefore, suffering is an important part of our life in Christ.
Paul’s going to speak about relationship between suffering and a godly life in 8:18-30.
As God's children, and as heirs of God we live in a way that’s worthy of our position.
Since our Father is holy, we too should be holy.
In light of God’s provision, and debt which is ours, how should we live?
CAN PEOPLE TELL WE ARE GOD'S CHILDREN BY WATCHING OUR LIFE?
Let’s Pray: Abba, Father, Abba, Father, Deep within my soul I Cry
Abba, Father, Abba, Father, I will never cease to love you!
Abba, Father–DAD– {May we live as your children, May we live up to Your family tradition, and glorify You.
CAN YOU APPROACH GOD AS YOUR DAD THIS A.M.?