Embracing Our Identity: The Spirit of Son-ship

 

Summary

In reflecting on the profound ministry of the Holy Spirit, we delve into the concept of the Spirit of son-ship, a term that encapsulates the essence of our relationship with God. This journey begins with the words of John Wesley's father, emphasizing the "inward witness" as the strongest proof of Christianity. This inward witness is the Holy Spirit, who assures us of our identity as children of God. Romans 8:15 speaks to this, highlighting the Spirit's role in transforming us from slaves to sons, enabling us to cry out, "Abba, Father."

The Spirit of son-ship is not merely a title but the supreme title of the Holy Spirit, as noted by Calvin. It signifies our rebirth into God's family, granting us the consciousness and privilege of being His children. This transformation is the heart of the Christian life, where we move from condemnation to acceptance, from alienation to belonging. The Spirit's ministry is to instill in us the assurance that we are indeed God's children, a truth that shapes our identity and destiny.

The narrative of adoption illustrates this beautifully. Just as a child learns to call their adoptive parent "father," we too, through the Spirit, come to recognize and embrace our Heavenly Father. This process can be immediate or gradual, but it is always profound. The Spirit works within us, especially in times of crisis, to affirm our son-ship, enabling us to cry out to God with confidence and trust.

Paul's use of "son-ship" rather than "daughter-ship" is rooted in the cultural context where only sons inherited. In Christ, however, all believers, regardless of gender, are heirs, sharing in the glorious inheritance of God's kingdom. This inheritance is not just about future glory but about being conformed to the image of Christ, our elder brother. The Spirit's work is to make us more like Jesus, reflecting His character and love.

Ultimately, the Spirit of son-ship is about transformation and relationship. It is about knowing and experiencing God's love as our Father and living out our identity as His children. This is the Spirit's gift to us, a gift that calls us to praise and gratitude.

Key Takeaways:

- The Spirit of son-ship is the supreme title of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing our rebirth into God's family and our identity as His children. This transformation is central to the Christian life, moving us from condemnation to acceptance. [01:57]

- The process of embracing our identity as God's children can be immediate or gradual, but it is always profound. The Spirit works within us, especially in times of crisis, to affirm our son-ship and enable us to cry out to God with confidence. [08:12]

- In Christ, all believers, regardless of gender, are heirs, sharing in the glorious inheritance of God's kingdom. This inheritance is about being conformed to the image of Christ, our elder brother, reflecting His character and love. [09:33]

- The Spirit's ministry is to instill in us the assurance that we are indeed God's children, a truth that shapes our identity and destiny. This assurance is not reserved for the spiritually elite but is available to all believers. [13:31]

- The ultimate goal of the Spirit's work is to bring glory to Jesus Christ by transforming us into His likeness. This transformation is a testament to the Spirit's love for the Father and the Son, making us more like our elder brother, Jesus. [19:26]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:35] - The Inward Witness
- [01:17] - Spirit of Son-ship
- [01:57] - Calvin's Insight
- [03:18] - No Condemnation, No Separation
- [04:42] - Unveiling the Father's Face
- [06:05] - The Adoption Story
- [08:12] - Crying 'Abba, Father'
- [09:33] - Sons and Heirs
- [10:53] - The Spirit's Assurance
- [12:14] - Crying Out in Crisis
- [14:49] - Instinctive Cry to the Father
- [16:49] - The Privilege of Son-ship
- [18:10] - God's Ultimate Goal
- [19:26] - Conformed to Christ's Image
- [24:38] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 8:15
- Galatians 4:6-7

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Romans 8:15 say about the Spirit we have received, and how does it contrast with a spirit of slavery? [01:17]

2. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in affirming our identity as children of God? [03:59]

3. What cultural context does the sermon provide for Paul's use of the term "son-ship" instead of "daughter-ship"? [09:33]

4. According to the sermon, what is the ultimate goal of the Spirit's work in believers? [19:26]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of "son-ship" in Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:6-7 redefine our relationship with God, according to the sermon? [01:17]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Holy Spirit's assurance of our identity as God's children impacts our daily lives? [13:31]

3. How does the sermon explain the significance of being heirs with Christ, and what implications does this have for believers today? [09:33]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of the Holy Spirit in times of crisis, and how does this relate to the believer's instinctive cry to God? [14:49]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt like a "slave" rather than a "son" or "daughter" of God. How did you overcome that feeling, and what role did the Holy Spirit play in that process? [01:17]

2. The sermon mentions that the assurance of being God's child is not reserved for the spiritually elite. How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of this assurance in your own life? [13:31]

3. Consider the cultural context of inheritance mentioned in the sermon. How does understanding this context change your perspective on your spiritual inheritance in Christ? [09:33]

4. In moments of personal crisis, what has been your instinctive response? How can you train yourself to cry out to God as "Abba, Father" in such times? [14:49]

5. The sermon emphasizes transformation into the likeness of Christ. Identify one area of your life where you feel the Holy Spirit is prompting you to change. What steps can you take to cooperate with this transformation? [19:26]

6. How can you actively remind yourself of your identity as a child of God in your daily routine? Consider practical ways to incorporate this truth into your prayer or meditation practices. [03:59]

7. The sermon speaks about the Spirit's role in making us more like Jesus. What specific character trait of Jesus do you feel called to develop, and how can you work on this in the coming weeks? [20:03]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Our Identity as God's Children
The Spirit of son-ship is the supreme title of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing our rebirth into God's family and our identity as His children. This transformation is central to the Christian life, moving us from condemnation to acceptance. The Holy Spirit assures us of our identity, allowing us to cry out, "Abba, Father," as we transition from being slaves to becoming sons and daughters of God. This profound change is not just a change in status but a deep-seated transformation that affects how we see ourselves and our relationship with God. It is a journey from alienation to belonging, where the Spirit instills in us the assurance that we are indeed God's children, shaping our identity and destiny. [01:57]

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: In what ways do you struggle to accept your identity as a child of God? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to affirm this truth in your heart today?


Day 2: The Profound Process of Spiritual Adoption
The process of embracing our identity as God's children can be immediate or gradual, but it is always profound. The Spirit works within us, especially in times of crisis, to affirm our son-ship and enable us to cry out to God with confidence. This journey is akin to a child learning to call their adoptive parent "father," where the Spirit guides us to recognize and embrace our Heavenly Father. Whether this realization comes suddenly or over time, it is a transformative experience that deepens our relationship with God and strengthens our faith. [08:12]

Ephesians 1:5 (ESV): "He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent crisis or challenge. How did you experience the Holy Spirit affirming your identity as God's child during that time?


Day 3: Heirs of God's Glorious Inheritance
In Christ, all believers, regardless of gender, are heirs, sharing in the glorious inheritance of God's kingdom. This inheritance is about being conformed to the image of Christ, our elder brother, reflecting His character and love. The cultural context of Paul's use of "son-ship" highlights the significance of inheritance, but in Christ, this privilege extends to all believers. The Spirit's work is to transform us into the likeness of Jesus, enabling us to share in His glory and live out our identity as heirs of God's kingdom. [09:33]

1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."

Reflection: How can you actively reflect the character and love of Christ in your daily interactions, knowing you are an heir of God's kingdom?


Day 4: Assurance of Our Identity in Christ
The Spirit's ministry is to instill in us the assurance that we are indeed God's children, a truth that shapes our identity and destiny. This assurance is not reserved for the spiritually elite but is available to all believers. The Holy Spirit provides an inward witness, affirming our relationship with God and giving us the confidence to live out our faith. This assurance is a gift that transforms our understanding of who we are and how we relate to God, empowering us to live with purpose and hope. [13:31]

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (ESV): "And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee."

Reflection: What specific doubts or fears do you need to surrender to the Holy Spirit today to fully embrace your identity as God's child?


Day 5: Transformation into Christ's Likeness
The ultimate goal of the Spirit's work is to bring glory to Jesus Christ by transforming us into His likeness. This transformation is a testament to the Spirit's love for the Father and the Son, making us more like our elder brother, Jesus. As we are conformed to Christ's image, we reflect His character and love, living out our identity as children of God. This process of transformation is ongoing, calling us to continually seek the Spirit's guidance and empowerment in our journey of faith. [19:26]

Colossians 3:9-10 (ESV): "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you desire to be more like Christ. What practical steps can you take this week to allow the Holy Spirit to transform you in this area?

Quotes

"The inward witness, son, that is the real proof of Christianity." I wasn't altogether sure what Wesley's father had meant, but of course, he was speaking about these extraordinary words that Paul writes in Romans 8:15, when he says, "The Spirit comes to us as the Spirit not of slavery, but of son-ship. He is the Spirit of adoption as sons by whom we cry 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit, himself, in this way, bears witness with our spirits that we really are the children of God." [00:53:50]

He didn't mean it was the first title that was given to the Spirit. What he actually meant was it's the supreme title that's given to the Spirit. It is the first ranked title that is given to the Spirit. And he said that, I think rightly, because as we read through the teaching of the New Testament, about the ministry of the Spirit, at the end of the day, that's what the Spirit of God is given to us for -- that we might be born again into the family of God, that we might live as the sons of God, and especially that we might have a sense that we really are the children of God. [00:161:47]

The reason for this is that God takes us from the condemned cell of sinners and brings us into His family. He pledges Himself as a heavenly Father so to work everything together for good for those who love Him, that His blood-bought children will ultimately be conformed to the likeness of His own Son, the Lord, Jesus Christ. This is the whole of the Christian life, and the purpose of the Spirit's ministry is to bring us into the family of God, to give us a consciousness that we belong to the family of God, and to enable us to live as children of the family of God. [00:232:12]

I have a friend who, as a missionary, he and his wife adopted a little girl from the country in which they were missionaries. And I'll never forget him telling me the story of how this little girl transitioned from being a member of one family, until she felt fully that she was a member of his family. He said one of the things that he struggled with for ages was this little girl -- who was legally his -- simply couldn't bring herself to say 'father' to him. [00:375:31]

Sometimes it can be dramatic. Oftentimes, I think, in the Christian life, it is a slow, spirit-given process until it dawns on us that we really are the children of God, that we really are His sons. And it's this that Paul is focusing our attention on here when he says, "We've not received the spirit of bondage to fall back again into fear, but we have received the Spirit of son-ship, by whom we cry, 'Abba, Father.'" [00:477:72]

That's why Paul uses this language, that whether you're male or female, whether you're by nature a son or a daughter, all in Christ become the sons of god, because, in Christ, we've come to share in a glorious inheritance. And he emphasizes that, doesn't he, in verses 18 and 19? He says, "The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." [00:576:02]

He's saying one of the ministries of the Holy Spirit is so to work within us a consciousness of the Heavenly Father's love for us that we are bold to call God our father. That's not just part of the liturgy, but it's a reality in our lives. Actually, again, the verb that Paul uses here is a very significant one. Even if you don't know any Greek, I think you would be able to catch a sense of the meaning of this verb. [00:661:89]

The great thing is this. I find this the great thing. This sense that I'm a child of God, that I'm a son of God, is not something that God reserves for the top 10 percentiles of the Christian population. "You know, if you reach a certain level of sanctification, when things get rough, then I'll come alongside you and help you." He's saying, "No, the weakest Christian in his most distressed situation has this assurance in their hearts that I am their heavenly Father." [00:791:36]

It's just a liturgy. The difference with the true believer is the true believer has this deep seated instinct that sometimes is even hidden from ourselves, that in time of crisis, our instinct is to say, "Oh, Father." And it's in that very cry. Notice what Paul says. It's in that very cry that the Spirit bears witness with our spirits that we really are the children of God. That's astonishing, isn't it? [00:881:84]

And so, He gives us, amazing though it is, He gives us the Spirit of son-ship, that when we're in times of difficulty and crisis, we may cry out to Him. As the words come from our mouths, it dawns on us -- "I really am a child of God. He really is my Heavenly Father. Whatever happens to me or with me, I know that I am safe with Him." That's not something the non-Christian can experience, because he's not a child of God and so he can't instinctively cry out, "Oh, Heavenly Father!" [00:980:33]

You know, there's a tendency for us to say -- I find this sometimes -- "How do you know God really loves me?" Because all kinds of good things are happening in my life. Well, what's going to happen when all kinds of bad things happen in your life? You see. We mustn't, ourselves, define the good towards which God is working, and one reason for that is because, in this passage, God Himself defines the good towards which He is working. [01:118:40]

Because we are nothing like our elder brother, but the love that the Holy Spirit has for the Lord Jesus is such that He is determined to make us -- within our own personalities, by God's grace -- more and more like our elder brother, Jesus Christ, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. How much the Holy Spirit loves the Father, to regenerate us into His family. How much the Holy Spirit must love the Lord Jesus, to make sinners like ourselves like Him. [01:415:68]

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Transcript
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