Experiencing the Spirit of Adoption: True Assurance in God

 

Summary

In our exploration of Romans 8:15, we delve into the profound assurance of salvation that comes through the Spirit of adoption, allowing us to cry out "Abba, Father." This assurance is not a prerequisite for being a Christian, as the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the essential mark of a believer. However, the Spirit of adoption represents a deeper, more profound assurance that is available to us. This experience is not something we can claim or take by faith alone; it is a gift from God, given in His timing and manner. The danger lies in the psychological approach that suggests we can simply claim this assurance by faith without any real experience or evidence. Such teachings can lead to a false sense of peace and power, ultimately hindering a true and deep experience of God.

The Spirit of adoption is a profound experience, akin to the dynamic events of Pentecost, where the presence of the Holy Spirit was unmistakable. It is not something that can be manufactured through psychological means or by simply claiming it. Instead, it is a profound encounter with God that transforms our inner being, allowing us to cry out to Him with the intimacy of a child to a father. This experience is not about feelings alone, but about a deep, undeniable assurance that comes from the Spirit's work within us.

To seek this assurance, we must live a life of obedience, prayer, and longing for a deeper relationship with God. It is not about agonizing or attending special meetings, but about a genuine desire to know God more intimately. We must recognize that this assurance is entirely given by God and cannot be claimed or taken by our own efforts. By living in obedience and seeking God earnestly, we open ourselves to receive this profound gift of the Spirit of adoption.

Key Takeaways:

- The Spirit of adoption is a profound assurance of salvation, distinct from the basic indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and it allows us to cry out "Abba, Father" with deep intimacy. This assurance is a gift from God, not something we can claim or take by faith alone. [04:34]

- The danger of psychological approaches to assurance is that they can lead to a false sense of peace and power, hindering a true and deep experience of God. True assurance is not about feelings alone but about a profound encounter with God that transforms our inner being. [14:54]

- To seek the Spirit of adoption, we must live a life of obedience, prayer, and longing for a deeper relationship with God. It is not about agonizing or attending special meetings, but about a genuine desire to know God more intimately. [42:19]

- Recognizing the profound character of the experience is crucial. It is not something light or ordinary, but a deep, dynamic encounter with God that is unmistakable and transformative. [35:43]

- The greatest hindrance to a deep experience of the Spirit of adoption is the belief that we can claim it by faith without real evidence. This teaching discourages self-examination and seeking, keeping us at a superficial level and robbing us of a true encounter with God. [26:26]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Romans 8:15
- [01:10] - Assurance vs. Basic Christian Faith
- [02:19] - Assurance of Salvation Explained
- [03:43] - The Spirit of Adoption
- [05:06] - Baptism with the Holy Spirit
- [06:03] - Understanding "Receive"
- [08:05] - The Danger of Psychological Approaches
- [10:19] - False Peace and Power
- [14:54] - The Subtle Danger of Psychology
- [18:51] - Illustrations of Misguided Faith
- [22:42] - The Unhappiness of False Assurance
- [24:21] - Hindrance to True Experience
- [29:55] - Seeking the Spirit of Adoption
- [35:43] - Profound Character of the Experience
- [42:19] - Living in Obedience and Prayer
- [47:44] - Conclusion and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 8:15
- Ephesians 5:18
- Luke 11:13

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Romans 8:15 say about the Spirit of adoption and how does it contrast with the spirit of bondage? [00:11]

2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the phrase "Abba, Father" in the context of the Spirit of adoption? [04:34]

3. How does the sermon describe the difference between being filled with the Spirit as mentioned in Ephesians 5:18 and the baptism with the Holy Spirit? [08:05]

4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the dangers of relying on psychological methods for assurance of salvation? [14:54]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon suggest that the Spirit of adoption provides a deeper assurance of salvation compared to the basic indwelling of the Holy Spirit? [04:34]

2. In what ways does the sermon warn against the psychological approach to claiming assurance of salvation, and what are the potential consequences of such an approach? [14:54]

3. How does the sermon interpret the role of obedience and prayer in seeking the Spirit of adoption, and why are these practices emphasized? [42:19]

4. What does the sermon imply about the nature of a true encounter with God, and how does this relate to the experience of crying out "Abba, Father"? [35:43]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Have you experienced the profound assurance of the Spirit of adoption? If not, what steps can you take to seek this deeper relationship with God? [04:34]

2. The sermon warns against a false sense of peace and power through psychological means. How can you ensure that your assurance of salvation is based on a genuine encounter with God rather than self-persuasion? [14:54]

3. Consider your current prayer life and obedience to God. How might these practices be strengthened to open yourself to the gift of the Spirit of adoption? [42:19]

4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing the profound character of the experience of the Spirit of adoption. How can you cultivate a deeper awareness and appreciation of this in your daily life? [35:43]

5. Have you ever found yourself relying on feelings or psychological methods for spiritual assurance? How can you shift your focus to seeking a true and deep experience of God? [26:26]

6. Think about a time when you felt distant from God. What practical steps can you take to draw closer to Him and experience the intimacy of crying out "Abba, Father"? [47:25]

7. How can you encourage others in your community to seek a genuine encounter with God, rather than settling for superficial assurances? [28:18]

Devotional

Day 1: The Gift of the Spirit of Adoption
The Spirit of adoption is a profound assurance of salvation that allows believers to cry out "Abba, Father" with deep intimacy. This assurance is distinct from the basic indwelling of the Holy Spirit and is a gift from God, not something that can be claimed or taken by faith alone. It represents a deeper, more profound assurance that is available to believers in God's timing and manner. The experience of the Spirit of adoption is akin to the dynamic events of Pentecost, where the presence of the Holy Spirit was unmistakable. It is a profound encounter with God that transforms our inner being, allowing us to cry out to Him with the intimacy of a child to a father. [04:34]

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 can you open your heart to receive the Spirit of adoption as a gift from God, rather than trying to claim it through your own efforts?


Day 2: The Danger of Psychological Approaches
The danger of psychological approaches to assurance is that they can lead to a false sense of peace and power, hindering a true and deep experience of God. True assurance is not about feelings alone but about a profound encounter with God that transforms our inner being. Psychological methods that suggest we can simply claim this assurance by faith without any real experience or evidence can result in a superficial level of faith. This false assurance discourages self-examination and seeking, keeping believers from a true encounter with God. It is important to recognize that true assurance comes from a genuine experience with God, not from manufactured feelings or psychological techniques. [14:54]

1 John 3:18-20 (ESV): "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything."

Reflection: Are there areas in your spiritual life where you rely more on feelings or psychological methods rather than seeking a genuine encounter with God? How can you shift your focus to a deeper experience with Him?


Day 3: Seeking the Spirit of Adoption
To seek the Spirit of adoption, believers must live a life of obedience, prayer, and longing for a deeper relationship with God. It is not about agonizing or attending special meetings, but about a genuine desire to know God more intimately. This assurance is entirely given by God and cannot be claimed or taken by our own efforts. By living in obedience and seeking God earnestly, believers open themselves to receive this profound gift of the Spirit of adoption. It is a journey of faith that requires patience and a sincere heart that longs for God's presence. [42:19]

James 4:8 (ESV): "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to draw nearer to God in obedience and prayer, opening yourself to the Spirit of adoption?


Day 4: Recognizing the Profound Character of the Experience
Recognizing the profound character of the experience of the Spirit of adoption is crucial. It is not something light or ordinary, but a deep, dynamic encounter with God that is unmistakable and transformative. This experience goes beyond mere feelings and is marked by a profound assurance that comes from the Spirit's work within us. It is a gift that transforms our inner being and allows us to cry out to God with the intimacy of a child to a father. Understanding the depth and significance of this experience helps believers to seek it earnestly and recognize its true value in their spiritual journey. [35:43]

Ephesians 3:16-19 (ESV): "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation for the profound nature of the Spirit of adoption in your life?


Day 5: Overcoming the Hindrance of False Assurance
The greatest hindrance to a deep experience of the Spirit of adoption is the belief that we can claim it by faith without real evidence. This teaching discourages self-examination and seeking, keeping believers at a superficial level and robbing them of a true encounter with God. It is important to recognize that true assurance comes from a genuine experience with God, not from manufactured feelings or psychological techniques. By seeking God earnestly and living in obedience, believers can overcome the hindrance of false assurance and open themselves to the profound gift of the Spirit of adoption. [26:26]

2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV): "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"

Reflection: In what ways can you examine your faith today to ensure that you are seeking a genuine experience with God rather than relying on false assurance?

Quotes


Now this verse is one of the grounds which is supplying To Us by the Apostle for Assurance of Salvation now this is not something that is essential before we can be Christian... you can be a Christian without this you cannot be a Christian without having the Holy Spirit. [00:00:54]

I maintain that you can be a Christian without having obtained or attained unto the type of assurance that is described here in this verse now then this in other words is a very special form and type of assurance it's what I venture to call the Second Great type of assurance. [00:03:22]

The danger of psychological approaches to assurance is that they can lead to a false sense of peace and power, hindering a true and deep experience of God. True assurance is not about feelings alone but about a profound encounter with God that transforms our inner being. [00:14:54]

The terrible danger of introducing at this point the element of psychology uh and a very particular psychology which goes by the name of kism now you're familiar with that teaching aren't you here was a man you see who invented a way to help people who may suffer from some sort of neurosis or slight depression. [00:10:28]

I am suggesting very seriously and solemnly that this teaching of take it by faith with regard to this experience is the single greatest Hinder to a true and deep experience of the spirit of adoption whereby we cry ABA father and that is why I'm so concerned about it. [00:24:21]

Recognize the profound character of The Experience that's the starting part if we don't recognize the full content of these words cry remember it's what our Lord did In The Garden of Gethsemane with st with strong crying and tears he cried out Aba father it's a profound experience. [00:35:43]

To seek the Spirit of adoption, we must live a life of obedience, prayer, and longing for a deeper relationship with God. It is not about agonizing or attending special meetings, but about a genuine desire to know God more intimately. [00:42:19]

If you really want this well prove that you want it by living a life of obedience if a child wants a very nice Christmas present in 7 or 8 time from whatever Source he expects the Pres to come from what does he do while he's on his best behavior. [00:41:07]

I believe that's the very teaching there that we can obtain the spirit in this way and we must ask him for it and plead for it that doesn't mean that you're receiving it in that way all you do is to ask and plead with him to give it you. [00:43:00]

This is possible to us this is real enjoyment of the Christian Life having the spirit of adoption whereby we cry ABA father we not merely believe it and persuade ourselves we know it we can be more certain of it than anything else as the result of receiving the spirit of adoption. [00:46:34]

Let no one persuade you that you've got this until you know you have because when you have this Spirit you'll know that you've got it your heart will be melted you'll be filled with a joy unspeakable and full of glory and you'll have an irresistible desire within you to cry out like a child Aba father. [00:47:44]

I can wish nothing better for any of you or for all of you during these coming weeks than this that if you have not received it hither to that you may receive the spirit of adoption whereby you cry Abba Father and God willing when we meet again we shall go on to consider. [00:48:33]

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Transcript
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