Embracing Our Identity as Children of God

Devotional

Day 1: Relatable Humanity of the Disciples

The disciples, particularly Peter and John, are relatable because of their human flaws and strengths. Their stories remind us that God’s grace is sufficient for our own imperfections, encouraging us to follow Jesus despite our mistakes. Peter, known for his impulsiveness, and John, known for his zeal, both had moments of failure and triumph. These stories resonate with our own spiritual journeys, reminding us that God uses imperfect people to accomplish His perfect will.

By reflecting on the humanity of the disciples, we can find comfort in knowing that our flaws do not disqualify us from God’s love or His plans. Instead, they become opportunities for God’s grace to shine through us. This perspective helps us to approach our spiritual walk with humility and reliance on God’s strength rather than our own.

[07:00]

Romans 7:18-19 (ESV): "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing."

Reflection: Think of a recent mistake or failure. How can you invite God’s grace into that situation and allow it to transform your response?

Day 2: Adoption and Inheritance

As children of God, we are adopted into His family, which comes with both privileges and responsibilities. This identity calls us to live as beacons of God's love and to participate in His mission, embracing both the joys and challenges that come with it. Being adopted into God’s family means we inherit His power and authority, but it also means we are called to live out His love in tangible ways. This includes acts of kindness, service, and sharing the gospel with others.

Our adoption into God’s family is a profound truth that changes how we see ourselves and our purpose in life. It’s not just about the benefits we receive but also about the mission we are entrusted with. Embracing this identity means we are willing to face suffering and self-denial, just as Jesus did, for the sake of God’s kingdom.

[11:03]

Ephesians 1:5-6 (ESV): "He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved."

Reflection: How can you live out your identity as a child of God today? What specific action can you take to reflect God’s love to someone in your life?

Day 3: Living by the Spirit

Living by the Spirit means allowing the Spirit to guide our actions and responses, especially when we make mistakes. It’s not about living perfectly but about seeking healing, forgiveness, and restoration, which is a powerful witness to the world. The world often responds to mistakes with defensiveness or concealment, but as followers of Christ, we are called to respond with humility and openness to God’s transformative work.

This approach to life is counter-cultural and requires a deep trust in God’s goodness and mercy. By living by the Spirit, we demonstrate a different way of handling failures and conflicts, one that points to the redemptive power of Christ. It’s a daily choice to surrender our will to the Spirit’s leading and to seek God’s guidance in all circumstances.

[20:41]

Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent conflict or mistake. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide your response and seek restoration?

Day 4: Importance of Spiritual Practices

Practices like solitude, silence, and Bible study are essential for hearing God's voice amidst the noise of the world. These disciplines help us tune our hearts to God's will, enabling us to live out our identity as His children more faithfully. In a world filled with distractions, setting aside time for these practices is crucial for spiritual growth and discernment.

Solitude and silence create space for us to listen to God without the interference of daily demands. Bible study grounds us in God’s truth and equips us to navigate life’s challenges with wisdom. These practices are not just about personal enrichment but about aligning our lives with God’s purposes and being more effective in our witness to others.

[28:30]

Psalm 46:10 (ESV): "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

Reflection: What specific time can you set aside this week for solitude, silence, or Bible study? How can this practice help you hear God’s voice more clearly?

Day 5: Intimacy with God

The ability to call God "Abba" or "Daddy" underscores the intimate relationship we have with Him. This provides both comfort and strength, reminding us that we are deeply loved and supported by the Creator of the universe. This intimate relationship is a source of profound security and joy, knowing that we are not alone in our journey.

Calling God "Abba" reflects a childlike trust and dependence on Him. It’s an invitation to approach God with openness and vulnerability, confident in His love and care for us. This intimacy with God transforms our prayer life and our daily interactions, as we live out of the assurance of His presence and guidance.

[32:30]

Galatians 4:6-7 (ESV): "And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of intimacy with God in your daily life? What does it mean for you to approach God as "Abba" today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound themes found in Romans 8:12-17, focusing on the concepts of adoption and inheritance in the family of God. We began by discussing the relatable humanity of the disciples, particularly Peter and John, and how their flaws and strengths resonate with our own spiritual journeys. This set the stage for delving into Paul's message about living by the Spirit rather than the flesh. Paul uses the term "offaletes," meaning obligation, to emphasize that we are indebted to live in the Spirit because of the gift we've received from God.

We are not just individuals; we are children of God, adopted into His family. This identity comes with both privileges and responsibilities. As children of God, we inherit not only the power and authority that come with being part of His family but also the obligation to live as beacons of His love and to participate in His mission. This means embracing both the joys and the challenges that come with this identity, including suffering and self-denial, much like Jesus did.

Living by the Spirit doesn't mean living perfectly. It means allowing the Spirit to guide our actions and responses, especially when we make mistakes. The world often responds to mistakes with defensiveness or concealment, but as followers of Christ, we are called to respond with humility, seeking healing, forgiveness, and restoration. This is a crucial aspect of our witness to the world.

Finally, we touched on the importance of spiritual practices like solitude, silence, and Bible study to help us hear God's voice amidst the noise of the world. These practices enable us to tune our hearts to God's will, helping us to live out our identity as His children more faithfully. The comfort of being able to call God "Abba," or "Daddy," underscores the intimate relationship we have with Him, providing both comfort and strength as we navigate the challenges of our spiritual journey.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Humanity of the Disciples: The disciples, particularly Peter and John, are relatable because of their human flaws and strengths. Their stories remind us that God’s grace is sufficient for our own imperfections, encouraging us to follow Jesus despite our mistakes. [07:00]
2. Adoption and Inheritance: As children of God, we are adopted into His family, which comes with both privileges and responsibilities. This identity calls us to live as beacons of God's love and to participate in His mission, embracing both the joys and challenges that come with it. [11:03]
3. Living by the Spirit: Living by the Spirit means allowing the Spirit to guide our actions and responses, especially when we make mistakes. It’s not about living perfectly but about seeking healing, forgiveness, and restoration, which is a powerful witness to the world. [20:41]
4. Spiritual Practices: Practices like solitude, silence, and Bible study are essential for hearing God's voice amidst the noise of the world. These disciplines help us tune our hearts to God's will, enabling us to live out our identity as His children more faithfully. [28:30]
5. Intimacy with God: The ability to call God "Abba" or "Daddy" underscores the intimate relationship we have with Him. This provides both comfort and strength, reminding us that we are deeply loved and supported by the Creator of the universe. [32:30]
### [32:30]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:31] - Summer with the Kids
[07:00] - Relating to the Disciples
[10:11] - Obligation to Live by the Spirit
[11:03] - Adoption and Inheritance
[11:57] - Responsibilities as God's Children
[12:45] - Family History and Identity
[14:16] - Living in but not of the World
[20:41] - Imperfection and the Spirit
[22:57] - Embracing Jesus as Lord and Savior
[24:21] - Welcoming God into Our Lives
[28:30] - Importance of Spiritual Practices
[32:30] - Comfort in Calling God "Abba"
[33:48] - Complicated Constructs of Family

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading
- Romans 8:12-17

Observation Questions

What does Paul mean by the term "offaletes" in Romans 8:12, and how does it relate to our obligation as Christians? [10:11]
How does Paul describe our identity as children of God in Romans 8:14-15? [11:03]
What are some of the responsibilities and privileges that come with being adopted into God's family, according to the sermon? [11:57]
How does the sermon describe the way we should respond to our mistakes as followers of Christ? [20:41]

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean to live by the Spirit rather than the flesh, and how does this impact our daily lives? [10:11]
How does the concept of adoption into God's family change the way we view our identity and purpose? [11:03]
In what ways can spiritual practices like solitude, silence, and Bible study help us hear God's voice more clearly? [28:30]
How does the ability to call God "Abba" or "Daddy" provide comfort and strength in our spiritual journey? [32:30]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you made a mistake. How did you respond, and how might you respond differently by allowing the Spirit to guide you? [20:41]
What are some practical ways you can live out your identity as a child of God in your daily life, embracing both the privileges and responsibilities? [11:57]
Identify one spiritual practice (solitude, silence, or Bible study) that you can incorporate into your routine this week. How do you think this will help you hear God's voice? [28:30]
Think about a situation where you felt distant from God. How might calling Him "Abba" or "Daddy" change your perspective and provide comfort? [32:30]
How can you be a beacon of God's love in your community, especially in challenging situations that require self-denial or suffering? [11:57]
What steps can you take to ensure that you are living by the Spirit and not by the flesh in your interactions with others? [10:11]
Reflect on the humanity of the disciples, particularly Peter and John. How does their story encourage you to follow Jesus despite your imperfections? [07:00]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "I think one of the things that's the other side of this right is that I'm gonna need you know if I'm really gonna be a child I'm gonna live into my identity and my inheritance there's gonna be times I'm gonna need to call out to my daddy." [33:48] ( | | )

2. "Christian we don't claim be perfect we don't claim our church is perfect we talk about nobody being perfect but we say we want to be a place where at least we're we're after healing we're after wholeness we're after forgiveness we're after restoration and that's that's the key to what the spirit does." [22:57] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "If you welcome him into your life the spirit says we'll we'll come and live inside our and that's a powerful thought that god as we said is living in us and speaking to us in ways that you know as we get into this chapter we'll hear more about how that works." [24:21] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Are you at a place where you're willing to let god into your life because that's what it and it's a perspective yeah yeah and again you know if jesus is lord of our life then he's the one in charge not us and that's the battle of our will and and the spirit slowly working on our hearts that we hear and obey." [24:21] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We know that god's voice is never going to contradict his word right so if if I hear something that contradicts his word well I can assume that that is not him so you know that's that's all the disciplines kind of." [28:30] ( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "Paul talks about us being the children of God, that we are adopted into the family as God's child. And I think that comes with an identity. I'm not just me. I am a child. I'm a child of God. And if we really embrace that, that comes with a whole set of things, right, about being in a family." [11:03] ( | | )

2. "If we live in the spirit that way, then we're honoring the gift that's been given to us. And so that's a big call for that. And then Paul talks about us being the children of God, that we are adopted into the family as God's child." [10:11] ( | | )

3. "I think that's a great example too of where there is some cost to this right like if you're going to live and I think that phrase being in but not of the world is is that's a really way to encapsulate some of what Paul's talking here." [14:16] ( | | )

4. "I think one one of the misnomers or one of the things I think that I had to wrestle with a little bit in the passage was uh was this idea of if I'm living by the spirit does that mean I'm I'm living perfectly like what does it mean to live in the spirit right." [20:41] ( | | )

5. "I think another thing to keep in mind you know as you as we think about that parallel of of us being able to use that phrase that aramaic phrase abba with for god you know the time that jesus used that was was in the garden when he was obeying but man it was hard right." [33:48] ( | | )

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Embracing Our Identity as Children of God

Devotional

Day 1: Relatable Humanity of the Disciples

Day 2: Adoption and Inheritance

Day 3: Living by the Spirit

Day 4: Importance of Spiritual Practices

Day 5: Intimacy with God

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Embracing Our Identity as Children of God

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