Living as God's Children: Embracing Our Spiritual Identity

 

Summary

In the Gospel of John, we are reminded of the profound truth that as many as received Christ, to them He gave the power to become the children of God. This is not just a statement; it is a reality that we are meant to know, believe, and rejoice in. As Christians, we are not merely forgiven or reconciled to God; we are adopted into His family, destined for a glorious inheritance with Jesus Christ. This truth should fill us with joy and assurance, yet often, we do not live as if we truly believe it. Our lives should reflect the thrill of this reality, much like how we express excitement over earthly escapes or achievements.

The church should not appear as a burdened or uncertain entity to the world. Instead, we should be a testament to the eternal life and sonship we have received. This calls for a deep realization and expression of our identity as God's children. We must examine ourselves to ensure we are led by the Spirit of God, which confirms our status as His children. This involves the mortification of the deeds of the body, living not according to the flesh but through the Spirit.

The Apostle Peter and Paul both emphasize the importance of diligence in our spiritual walk. We are to add to our faith virtues such as knowledge, temperance, patience, and godliness. This requires effort and discipline, not a passive waiting for spiritual experiences. By doing so, we ensure that we are neither barren nor unfruitful in our knowledge of Christ. This diligence leads to assurance, allowing us to face life and death with confidence in our salvation.

Walking in the Spirit is essential to overcoming the flesh. The flesh and the Spirit are in constant opposition, and we must choose to live in the Spirit to avoid fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. This is not a one-time experience but a continuous, disciplined walk. As we live in the Spirit, we manifest the fruit of the Spirit, which stands in stark contrast to the works of the flesh. This disciplined walk is akin to marching in military rank, keeping step with the Spirit and with fellow believers, as we journey towards our eternal home.

Key Takeaways:

1. Adoption into God's Family: As believers, we are not just forgiven; we are adopted into God's family, destined for a glorious inheritance with Christ. This truth should fill us with joy and assurance, transforming how we live and express our faith. [01:10]

2. The Importance of Spiritual Diligence: Our spiritual growth requires active diligence. We must add virtues to our faith, such as knowledge and godliness, through disciplined effort, ensuring we are neither barren nor unfruitful in our knowledge of Christ. [12:37]

3. Walking in the Spirit: The Christian life involves a continuous walk in the Spirit, which empowers us to overcome the flesh. This disciplined walk is essential for manifesting the fruit of the Spirit and living a life that reflects our identity in Christ. [30:11]

4. The Contrast of Flesh and Spirit: The flesh and the Spirit are in constant opposition. By choosing to live in the Spirit, we avoid fulfilling the lusts of the flesh and instead manifest the fruit of the Spirit, which is pleasing to God. [34:26]

5. Assurance through Diligence: By diligently adding virtues to our faith, we gain assurance of our salvation, allowing us to face life and death with confidence. This assurance leads to a triumphant entry into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord. [27:25]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to John 1:12-13
- [00:50] - The Reality of Being God's Children
- [01:30] - Rejoicing in Our Identity
- [02:44] - The Church's Witness to the World
- [05:18] - Examining Our Spiritual State
- [06:04] - Mortification of the Flesh
- [08:29] - Practicing Spiritual Diligence
- [09:43] - The Power Given to Us
- [11:36] - Adding Virtues to Faith
- [15:20] - Working Out Our Faith
- [19:29] - Avoiding Spiritual Barrenness
- [23:41] - Living with Eternal Perspective
- [30:11] - Walking in the Spirit
- [34:26] - The Battle Between Flesh and Spirit
- [42:57] - Marching in Spiritual Discipline

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 1:12-13
- Romans 8:12-14
- Galatians 5:16-25

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Observation Questions:

1. According to John 1:12-13, what is the significance of receiving Christ, and what power is given to those who believe in His name?
2. In Romans 8:12-14, what does it mean to be led by the Spirit of God, and how does this relate to being children of God?
3. How does Galatians 5:16-25 describe the relationship between the flesh and the Spirit, and what are the outcomes of walking in the Spirit versus fulfilling the desires of the flesh?
4. The sermon mentions the importance of expressing our identity as God's children. What are some ways the pastor suggests we can express this identity? [04:32]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean to be adopted into God's family, and how should this truth impact a believer's daily life and interactions with others? [01:10]
2. How does the concept of spiritual diligence, as discussed in the sermon, relate to the process of sanctification and spiritual growth? [12:37]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of walking in the Spirit. How does this continuous walk empower believers to overcome the flesh, and what practical steps can be taken to maintain this walk? [30:11]
4. How does the sermon describe the contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit, and why is it important for believers to manifest the fruit of the Spirit in their lives? [34:26]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your understanding of being a child of God. How does this identity influence your sense of purpose and direction in life? What changes might you need to make to live more fully in this truth? [01:10]
2. Consider the virtues mentioned in the sermon that should be added to your faith, such as knowledge and godliness. Which virtue do you feel most challenged to develop, and what specific actions can you take to cultivate it? [12:37]
3. Walking in the Spirit is described as a disciplined and continuous journey. What are some practical ways you can ensure you are consistently walking in the Spirit, especially when faced with temptations of the flesh? [30:11]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of expressing joy and assurance in our faith. How can you actively demonstrate this joy in your daily interactions, and what might be hindering you from doing so? [02:44]
5. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt the tension between the flesh and the Spirit. How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time to align more closely with the Spirit? [34:26]
6. The pastor mentioned the importance of spiritual discipline, likening it to marching in military rank. What specific spiritual disciplines can you incorporate into your routine to strengthen your walk with God? [42:57]
7. Think of someone in your life who may not yet understand the joy and assurance of being a child of God. How can you share this truth with them in a way that is both genuine and impactful? [04:32]

Devotional

Day 1: Adopted into God's Family, Living with Joy
As believers, we are not merely forgiven; we are adopted into God's family, destined for a glorious inheritance with Christ. This profound truth should fill us with joy and assurance, transforming how we live and express our faith. Our identity as God's children is not just a theological concept but a reality that should permeate every aspect of our lives. We are called to live in the light of this truth, allowing it to shape our actions, attitudes, and interactions with others. The joy of being God's children should be evident in our lives, much like the excitement we express over earthly achievements. [01:10]

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 express the joy of being God's child in your daily interactions and decisions today?


Day 2: Spiritual Diligence in Faith
Our spiritual growth requires active diligence. We are called to add virtues to our faith, such as knowledge, temperance, patience, and godliness, through disciplined effort. This is not a passive waiting for spiritual experiences but an intentional pursuit of growth in Christ. By doing so, we ensure that we are neither barren nor unfruitful in our knowledge of Christ. This diligence leads to assurance, allowing us to face life and death with confidence in our salvation. The Apostle Peter and Paul both emphasize the importance of this diligent pursuit, encouraging us to actively engage in our spiritual walk. [12:37]

2 Peter 1:5-8 (ESV): "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Reflection: What specific virtue can you focus on adding to your faith this week, and what steps will you take to cultivate it?


Day 3: Walking in the Spirit
The Christian life involves a continuous walk in the Spirit, which empowers us to overcome the flesh. This disciplined walk is essential for manifesting the fruit of the Spirit and living a life that reflects our identity in Christ. Walking in the Spirit is not a one-time experience but a continuous, disciplined journey. As we live in the Spirit, we manifest the fruit of the Spirit, which stands in stark contrast to the works of the flesh. This disciplined walk is akin to marching in military rank, keeping step with the Spirit and with fellow believers, as we journey towards our eternal home. [30:11]

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: In what area of your life do you need to be more intentional about walking in the Spirit, and how can you start today?


Day 4: The Battle Between Flesh and Spirit
The flesh and the Spirit are in constant opposition. By choosing to live in the Spirit, we avoid fulfilling the lusts of the flesh and instead manifest the fruit of the Spirit, which is pleasing to God. This battle is ongoing, requiring us to make daily choices to live according to the Spirit. The works of the flesh are evident, but the fruit of the Spirit is a testament to our transformed lives in Christ. As we choose to live in the Spirit, we become a living testimony of God's grace and power at work within us. [34:26]

Romans 8:5-6 (ESV): "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace."

Reflection: Identify a specific area where you struggle with the desires of the flesh. How can you actively choose to live by the Spirit in that area today?


Day 5: Assurance through Diligence
By diligently adding virtues to our faith, we gain assurance of our salvation, allowing us to face life and death with confidence. This assurance leads to a triumphant entry into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord. The disciplined pursuit of spiritual growth not only strengthens our faith but also provides us with the confidence to navigate the challenges of life. As we diligently seek to grow in Christ, we experience the assurance of our salvation, which empowers us to live boldly and confidently in the face of life's uncertainties. [27:25]

Hebrews 6:11-12 (ESV): "And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to diligently pursue spiritual growth and gain greater assurance of your salvation?

Quotes



We are not merely forgiven as Christians we are not only reconciled to God we are adopted into the family of God we are the children of God and we are destined to enter into a great and a glorious inheritance of which we are now the fellow AES with our blessed blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. [00:01:07]

If we do believe these things and if we know them we are bound to express it if you've had some narrow Escape in a car accident if you were desperately ill and your life was just saved well you let everybody know about it don't you and you speak with any Mission there's a thrill in your voice. [00:02:16]

The church is giving the impression to the people outside that she's uncertain of her truth uncertain of her faith we give the impression that we are a burdened people looking for something not people who have been given the gift of eternal life and sunship of God and Airship of the Eternal blessing. [00:03:58]

As many as are led by the spirit of God they are the sons of God and we are trying to know for certain whether we are being led by the spirit of God if we are sure that we are being led by the spirit of God well then there's no doubt about it we are the children of God. [00:05:30]

The most important thing of all of course is to realize the truth about ourselves reckon ye yourselves therefore to be dead indeed unto sin and Alive unto God through Jesus Christ that's not a bit of kism that's a effect realize it this teaching which says you've already believed that Christ has died for you. [00:06:43]

Everything that is necessary to our life and godliness is already available for us in and through the Lord Jesus Christ that was our last point last Sunday morning that the power is already given us the power of the Holy Spirit and the indwelling Christ that is true of all Christians very well then we have the power. [00:09:56]

Beside all this giving all diligence concentrating all your powers taking yourself in hand and making yourself do it you giving all diligence add to your faith virtue and to Virtue knowledge and to knowledge Temperance and to Temperance patience and to patience godliness and to Godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness charity. [00:12:43]

If these things be in you and abound then they make you that you shall neither be Barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ what does that mean well it means this he says you know it's possible for you to be a Christian but rather a useless Christian you can be a baren Christian. [00:17:44]

You think you need a new experience that isn't what you need you need to shake yourself to pull yourself together to begin to apply yourself to begin to be diligent in the Furnishing out of your faith that's your trouble but if you do this he says you'll no longer be Barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [00:19:23]

He says you do these things and an abundant entry the flags will be flying the Hooters will all be sounding it'll be a glorious triumphant entry into the Everlasting Glory our people die well said John Wesley and he was right because the great doctrine of methodism in all its sections was the doctrine of assurance. [00:27:56]

Walk in the spirit and you shall not you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh now there's a categorical statement and it's absolutely right the whole secret he say is this walk in the spirit which means live in the spirit be occupied with the spirit it's a general statement spend your life in the spirit. [00:30:00]

If you walk in the spirit the flesh will go back and be out of sight now the obvious illustration is that of these little weather indicators weather glasses call them what you will which you can buy in the shops at the seaside generally you know they have a little cottage and there's a little men made of wood. [00:33:38]

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Transcript
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