Embracing Our Sonship: Assurance and Divine Guidance
Summary
In Romans 8:14, Paul introduces the profound concept of our sonship with God, emphasizing that those led by the Spirit of God are indeed His children. This notion of sonship is not just a title but a transformative reality that assures us of our salvation in Christ. It signifies our adoption into God's family, moving us from being children of wrath to partakers of the divine nature. This adoption brings with it a likeness to God, not only in mind and outlook but also in behavior. As children of God, we are called to reflect His nature, loving our enemies and living sanctified lives, not for personal happiness but to glorify our Father in heaven.
Our sonship also reveals God's special love and interest in us. Unlike His general benevolence towards all humanity, God's love for His children is peculiar and intimate. This love manifests in His plans for us, guiding us through life towards ultimate glory. Just as a father plans for his child's future, God has a glorious plan for us, leading us through life's wilderness by His Spirit. This guidance is not forceful but persuasive, aligning our desires with His will.
Moreover, our relationship with God as His children means we approach Him with confidence, not fear. We are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace, assured of our acceptance and His readiness to listen. This understanding should transform our prayer life, moving us away from formal, cold prayers to a childlike confidence in God's presence.
Finally, being led by the Spirit is a hallmark of our sonship. It means our lives are directed by the Holy Spirit, distinguishing us from the natural man who is led by worldly desires and reasoning. This spiritual guidance is not about perfection but about the overall direction of our lives being aligned with God's will.
Key Takeaways:
1. Sonship and Assurance: Our sonship with God assures us of our salvation, as it signifies our adoption into His family and our transformation into partakers of the divine nature. This assurance is rooted in the reality that we are led by the Spirit of God, marking us as His children. [00:34]
2. Likeness to God: As children of God, we are called to reflect His nature in our outlook and behavior. This involves loving our enemies and living sanctified lives, not for personal gain but to glorify our Father in heaven. Our conduct should be reminiscent of God's own character. [06:55]
3. God's Special Love: God's love for His children is unique and intimate, distinct from His general benevolence towards all humanity. This love is evident in His plans for us, guiding us through life's challenges towards ultimate glory. [09:46]
4. Confidence in Prayer: Our relationship with God as His children allows us to approach Him with confidence and assurance, not fear. This understanding should transform our prayer life, encouraging us to come boldly to the throne of grace. [22:16]
5. Being Led by the Spirit: Being led by the Spirit is a defining characteristic of our sonship. It means our lives are directed by the Holy Spirit, distinguishing us from the natural man who is led by worldly desires. This spiritual guidance aligns our desires with God's will. [28:41]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Sonship
- [00:34] - Assurance of Salvation
- [01:16] - Understanding Sonship
- [02:06] - Adoption and Rebirth
- [03:16] - Likeness to God
- [04:19] - Mind of Christ
- [05:32] - Behavior and Conduct
- [06:55] - Loving Our Enemies
- [08:40] - God's Special Love
- [10:18] - God's Plan for Us
- [12:26] - God's Guidance and Chastisement
- [15:29] - The Role of Chastisement
- [18:02] - God's Protection and Provision
- [20:17] - Confidence in Prayer
- [22:16] - Boldness in Approach
- [24:47] - Relationship with God
- [26:42] - Assurance of Sonship
- [28:41] - Being Led by the Spirit
- [31:49] - The Christian's Journey
- [37:39] - Persuasion, Not Force
- [41:11] - Reflection and Assurance
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Romans 8:14
- Matthew 5:44-48
- Hebrews 12:6-10
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#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 8:14, what is the defining characteristic of those who are considered sons of God? How does this relate to the concept of being led by the Spirit? [00:11]
2. In the sermon, how does the pastor describe the nature of God's love for His children compared to His general benevolence towards all humanity? [09:46]
3. What examples from the sermon illustrate the likeness and similarity between God and His children in terms of behavior and outlook? [06:55]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of sonship in Romans 8:14 provide assurance of salvation, and why is this assurance important for believers? [00:34]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that being led by the Spirit distinguishes believers from the natural man? How does this spiritual guidance manifest in a believer's life? [28:41]
3. How does the pastor explain the role of chastisement in the life of a believer, and what does it reveal about God's relationship with His children? [15:29]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own prayer life. How can you approach God with the confidence of a child coming to their father, as suggested in the sermon? What changes might you need to make to cultivate this childlike confidence? [22:16]
2. Consider a situation where you find it challenging to love your enemies. How can you apply the teaching from Matthew 5:44-48 to this situation, and what practical steps can you take to reflect God's nature in your actions? [06:55]
3. Think about a recent decision or action in your life. How can you ensure that you are being led by the Spirit rather than by worldly desires or reasoning? What might be a sign that you are aligning your desires with God's will? [28:41]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of God's special love and interest in His children. How can you remind yourself of this love during difficult times, and how might it change your perspective on challenges you face? [09:46]
5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's guidance or protection in your life. How did this experience strengthen your faith, and how can you share this testimony with others to encourage them? [18:02]
6. The pastor mentions that God's plan for us involves leading us through life's wilderness. How can you trust in God's plan for your life, even when the path seems unclear or difficult? What steps can you take to seek His guidance more actively? [13:39]
7. How can you cultivate a mindset that reflects the mind of Christ, as mentioned in the sermon? What specific actions or habits can you develop to align your thoughts and behaviors with God's nature? [05:32]
Devotional
Day 1: Assurance of Our Divine Adoption
Our sonship with God is a profound assurance of our salvation, signifying our adoption into His family and transformation into partakers of the divine nature. This assurance is rooted in the reality that we are led by the Spirit of God, marking us as His children. This divine adoption moves us from being children of wrath to partakers of the divine nature, offering us a new identity and purpose. As adopted children, we are not only given a new name but also a new nature, one that reflects the character and love of our Heavenly Father. This assurance is not just a feeling but a transformative reality that impacts every aspect of our lives, giving us confidence in our relationship with God and our eternal destiny. [00:34]
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 does understanding your adoption into God's family change the way you view your identity and purpose today?
Day 2: Reflecting God's Nature in Our Lives
As children of God, we are called to reflect His nature in our outlook and behavior. This involves loving our enemies and living sanctified lives, not for personal gain but to glorify our Father in heaven. Our conduct should be reminiscent of God's own character, demonstrating love, grace, and holiness in all we do. This likeness to God is not about achieving perfection but about allowing His Spirit to transform our hearts and minds, aligning our desires and actions with His will. By living in this way, we become living testimonies of God's love and grace, drawing others to Him through our example. [06:55]
1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
Reflection: In what specific ways can you reflect God's nature in your interactions with others today, especially those who may be difficult to love?
Day 3: Experiencing God's Unique Love
God's love for His children is unique and intimate, distinct from His general benevolence towards all humanity. This special love is evident in His plans for us, guiding us through life's challenges towards ultimate glory. Just as a father plans for his child's future, God has a glorious plan for us, leading us through life's wilderness by His Spirit. This guidance is not forceful but persuasive, aligning our desires with His will. Understanding this love should fill us with gratitude and trust, knowing that our Heavenly Father is deeply invested in our well-being and ultimate joy. [09:46]
Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV): "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."
Reflection: How can you become more aware of God's unique love for you today, and how might this awareness change the way you approach your daily challenges?
Day 4: Confidence in Our Prayer Life
Our relationship with God as His children allows us to approach Him with confidence and assurance, not fear. This understanding should transform our prayer life, encouraging us to come boldly to the throne of grace. We are invited to speak to God with the confidence of a child speaking to a loving parent, assured of His acceptance and readiness to listen. This boldness in prayer is not about demanding our way but about trusting in God's wisdom and love, knowing that He desires what is best for us. By approaching God in this way, we deepen our relationship with Him and open ourselves to His guidance and provision. [22:16]
Hebrews 4:16 (ESV): "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you need to approach God with more confidence in prayer, trusting in His love and wisdom?
Day 5: Being Led by the Spirit
Being led by the Spirit is a defining characteristic of our sonship. It means our lives are directed by the Holy Spirit, distinguishing us from the natural man who is led by worldly desires. This spiritual guidance aligns our desires with God's will, helping us to live lives that are pleasing to Him. Being led by the Spirit is not about achieving perfection but about the overall direction of our lives being aligned with God's purposes. It involves a daily surrender to His leading, trusting that He will guide us in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. [28:41]
Galatians 5:16-18 (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. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to be more open to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and how can you begin to surrender this area to Him today?
Quotes
Now we have been adopted in into the family of God and more than that we have been born again we've been given a new life a new nature we are partakers of the divine nature now then there is the beginning of an understanding of what it means to be a son or a child of God. [00:02:26]
As sons of God we are now looking at things from God's standpoint from the aspect of Eternity we were not doing that before but now we do that you remember that this same Apostle in writing to the Ephesians puts this in a very very striking manner at the end of the second chapter of that first epistle to the Corinthians. [00:04:15]
Our walk our conversation is to be of a type and of a kind that it is reminiscent of God himself loving our enemies and all these things and you notice that phrase which I read you from the beginning there of the fifth chapter of Paul's epistle to the Ephesians where again he doesn't hesitate to put it in those selfsame terms. [00:07:38]
God's love to us is something which is special and peculiar how does it show itself well in a special interest in US a special concern about us now it is God who in his grace and kindness and infinite condescension who has chosen these terms this is one of these so-called anthropomorphisms if you like. [00:11:15]
The father plans for the child the child isn't capable of doing so until a certain age but the father has to do it for him the father having the interest and the future of this child in his mind plans for the child the child would like to spend his time playing but the father knows that there's no Prospect in that. [00:13:06]
God has planned and has mapped the whole whole thing out he's bringing us to that ultimate glory and how does he do that well he does it by Leading Us by directing us now here it is they that are led by the spirit they are the sons of God he leads us we'll come to that in a moment. [00:14:54]
We are not allowed to do anything we like and nothing happens oh no he pulls us up he chastises us he punishes us we suffer for it why well not that God May Delight in punishing us but for our prop it for our benefit for our sanctification that he that we may be holy. [00:16:15]
We turn our very chastisements and moments of pain into something which gives us a glorious assurance of our relationship to our father but not only that of course he provides for us cares for us in that way he protects us there is a restraining Grace there is a Grace that goes before us a prevenient Grace. [00:17:56]
We should go into the presence of God as a child goes to his father we do it with reverence and godly fear of course realizing that our heavenly father is who and what he is but we should go with this childlike confidence and simplicity and if we don't we're not praying truly. [00:20:25]
The doctrine of sunship is here for our help and for our encouragement it is to teach us how to come into God's presence I say with a confidence of a child going to his father when you are and I as Christian people go to God we are not going to the judge Eternal we are going to Our Father. [00:22:48]
We can know that we are Sons or children of God if we are being led by the Holy Spirit now this is something that he says is true of all Christians he's not talking about some Christians he says this is true of all Christians that they are led by the spirit of God. [00:28:41]
The Christian is somebody who's in an entirely different position and in a different category he is not led by any of those things he has led UL imately by the spirit of God the spirit of God may do so through his reason and in other ways as I'm hoping to show you but the thing that is Central about him is that he and his life is governed by the leading the direction of the holy spirit of God. [00:40:16]
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