The Holy Spirit: Assurance, Adoption, and Transformation

 

Summary

In this lecture, we delve into the profound role of the Holy Spirit in providing assurance of faith, as outlined in Romans 8:12-17. The Spirit's witness with our spirit is a crucial element in understanding our identity as children of God. The passage begins by emphasizing our obligation not to live according to the flesh but to live by the Spirit. This "oughtness" is the Spirit's work within us, creating a holy revulsion against sin and a desire for the things of God. This internal transformation is the first evidence of the Spirit's witness.

The second evidence is the Spirit's role in mortification, or the killing of sin. The Spirit empowers us to put to death the deeds of the body, which is essential for spiritual growth and assurance. John Owen's famous exhortation, "Be killing sin, or sin will be killing you," underscores the necessity of this ongoing battle against sin.

The third evidence is the Spirit's leading, which involves both illumination and direction. The Spirit enlightens our minds and guides our steps, much like a lamp lighting our path. This leading is personal and unique to each believer, ensuring that we walk in God's ways.

Fourth, the Spirit assures us of our adoption as children of God. This adoption liberates us from fear and allows us to cry out "Abba, Father" in times of need. The story of a child calling out to his father illustrates the intimacy and dependence we have on God as our Father.

The fifth evidence is the Spirit's witnessing ministry, which transforms our relationships with God, the world, ourselves, and fellow believers. As adopted children, we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, possessing a full inheritance that cannot be defiled or lost.

Finally, the Spirit's role in our suffering is addressed. Our temporary afflictions are part of our journey to glory, where we will be fully united with Christ. This assurance of our eternal inheritance encourages us to persevere through trials, knowing that we are on our way to the best that is yet to come.

Key Takeaways:

- The Spirit instills an "oughtness" within us, creating a holy revulsion against sin and a desire for the things of God. This transformation is a foundational evidence of the Spirit's witness, shaping our conscience to align with God's will. [04:12]

- Mortification, or the killing of sin, is essential for spiritual growth. The Spirit empowers us to put to death the deeds of the body, ensuring that we progress in sanctification and assurance. This ongoing battle against sin is critical for our spiritual vitality. [06:56]

- The Spirit's leading involves both illumination and direction, guiding us in God's ways. This personal and unique guidance ensures that we walk in the light, even when we cannot see far ahead. Our journey is marked by trust and obedience to the Spirit's leading. [10:56]

- Our adoption as children of God liberates us from fear and allows us to cry out "Abba, Father" in times of need. This intimate relationship with God assures us of His care and provision, transforming our identity and relationships. [15:48]

- The Spirit's witnessing ministry changes our relationships with God, the world, ourselves, and fellow believers. As heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, we possess an eternal inheritance that encourages us to persevere through trials, knowing that we are on our way to glory. [19:10]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:32] - Introduction to Assurance and the Spirit
- [01:11] - Reading from Romans 8:12-17
- [02:35] - Prayer for the Holy Spirit's Presence
- [03:25] - The Spirit's Witness in Assurance
- [04:12] - Oughtness: Living by the Spirit
- [06:56] - Mortification: Killing Sin
- [10:56] - The Leading of the Spirit
- [13:06] - Illumination and Direction
- [15:05] - Adoption: Sons of God
- [17:35] - Crying Out "Abba, Father"
- [19:10] - The Spirit's Witnessing Ministry
- [22:21] - Suffering and Inheritance
- [23:48] - Assurance of Eternal Inheritance
- [25:17] - Conclusion and Encouragement

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 8:12-17

Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he says we are "debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh" in Romans 8:12? How does this relate to the concept of "oughtness" discussed in the sermon? [04:12]
2. How does the Spirit help us in the process of mortification, or the killing of sin, according to Romans 8:13? [06:56]
3. In what ways does the Spirit lead believers, as described in Romans 8:14? How is this leading both personal and unique? [10:56]
4. What is the significance of being able to cry out "Abba, Father" as mentioned in Romans 8:15? How does this reflect our relationship with God? [15:48]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "oughtness" influence a believer's daily life and decisions? In what ways does this internal transformation serve as evidence of the Spirit's witness? [04:12]
2. What role does the Spirit play in empowering believers to mortify the deeds of the body? How does this process contribute to spiritual growth and assurance? [06:56]
3. How does the Spirit's leading provide both illumination and direction in a believer's life? What are some practical examples of this guidance? [10:56]
4. How does the assurance of our adoption as children of God impact our identity and relationships with others? What changes occur in our perspective and behavior as a result? [19:10]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt a strong "oughtness" to act in a certain way. How did you respond, and what role did the Spirit play in guiding your decision? [04:12]
2. Identify a specific sin or habit you struggle with. How can you actively engage in the process of mortification with the Spirit's help this week? [06:56]
3. Think of a time when you felt the Spirit's leading in your life. How did you discern this guidance, and what steps did you take to follow it? [10:56]
4. In moments of fear or uncertainty, how can you remind yourself of your adoption as a child of God and the ability to cry out "Abba, Father"? What practical steps can you take to strengthen this relationship? [15:48]
5. Consider your current relationships with fellow believers. How does the Spirit's witnessing ministry encourage you to view and treat them as brothers and sisters in Christ? [19:10]
6. Reflect on a recent trial or suffering you have experienced. How does the assurance of your eternal inheritance with Christ provide comfort and motivation to persevere? [23:48]
7. What specific actions can you take this week to align your life more closely with the Spirit's witness and leading, ensuring that you walk in God's ways? [10:56]

Devotional

Day 1: The Spirit's Transformative "Oughtness"
The Holy Spirit instills within believers a profound sense of "oughtness," a compelling drive to reject sin and pursue the things of God. This transformation is not merely a change in behavior but a deep-seated alteration of desires and inclinations. The Spirit works within us to create a holy revulsion against sin, aligning our conscience with God's will. This internal transformation is a foundational evidence of the Spirit's witness, shaping our identity as children of God and guiding us to live by the Spirit rather than the flesh. [04:12]

Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Reflection: What specific sin or habit is the Holy Spirit prompting you to reject today, and how can you actively pursue the things of God in its place?


Day 2: Mortification: The Spirit's Empowerment to Kill Sin
Mortification, or the killing of sin, is essential for spiritual growth and assurance. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to put to death the deeds of the body, ensuring progress in sanctification. This ongoing battle against sin is critical for spiritual vitality, as John Owen famously stated, "Be killing sin, or sin will be killing you." The Spirit's empowerment in this battle is a testament to His active presence in our lives, guiding us toward holiness and away from the destructive power of sin. [06:56]

Colossians 3:5-6 (ESV): "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming."

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where sin seems to have a stronghold. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit's power to actively combat this sin today?


Day 3: The Spirit's Personal and Unique Guidance
The Holy Spirit's leading involves both illumination and direction, guiding believers in God's ways. This guidance is personal and unique to each individual, ensuring that we walk in the light even when we cannot see far ahead. The Spirit enlightens our minds and directs our steps, much like a lamp lighting our path. Our journey is marked by trust and obedience to the Spirit's leading, as He ensures that we remain aligned with God's will and purpose for our lives. [10:56]

Psalm 119:105 (ESV): "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need the Spirit's guidance today? How can you create space to listen and respond to His direction?


Day 4: Adoption: Freedom from Fear and Intimacy with God
Our adoption as children of God liberates us from fear and allows us to cry out "Abba, Father" in times of need. This intimate relationship with God assures us of His care and provision, transforming our identity and relationships. As adopted children, we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, possessing a full inheritance that cannot be defiled or lost. This assurance of our eternal inheritance encourages us to persevere through trials, knowing that we are on our way to glory. [15:48]

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 does knowing you are an adopted child of God change the way you approach God in prayer today?


Day 5: The Spirit's Witnessing Ministry and Our Eternal Inheritance
The Spirit's witnessing ministry transforms our relationships with God, the world, ourselves, and fellow believers. As heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, we possess an eternal inheritance that encourages us to persevere through trials. Our temporary afflictions are part of our journey to glory, where we will be fully united with Christ. This assurance of our eternal inheritance provides hope and strength, knowing that we are on our way to the best that is yet to come. [19:10]

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: What trial or challenge are you currently facing, and how does the assurance of your eternal inheritance give you hope and strength to persevere?

Quotes

"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." [00:01:11]

"The Spirit's work is to develop in the very first place an oughtness within us. Look at verse 12. 'Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.' We ought not to be living after the flesh, but when the Spirit indwells us, we ought to be living by the Spirit." [00:04:02]

"When you are a son of God, there ought to be in you, a holy revulsion for the things in the flesh and the things of the Spirit ought to be amplified within you, so that you want the beauty and the glory and the things of the Spirit, to be part and parcel of who you are, and you want this revulsion against sin." [00:04:41]

"John Owen said so famously, 'Be killing sin, or sin will be killing you.' 'Be killing sin, or sin will be killing you.' You see, to kill sin, to clear the woods of sin in our heart is a critical part of the whole process of sanctification. And the more we experience that, the more assurance we will have that our desires are Godward and therefore that we are the children of God." [00:07:32]

"The Spirit will help you. He helps you by making you alert to sin, by making you grieve over sin, by applying the sin-killing work of Christ at the cross to you, by fighting the good fight of faith, and by enabling you to put the sword through sin. That's all the work of the Spirit within you, and you've got to give Him the credit for that." [00:09:37]

"Illumination and direction, and both are necessary. The Spirit must illumine our minds, inform us of our duty, and then enable us to walk in the right direction, to keep God's precepts. It's sort of like this. We had a fellow classmate in Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, who was blind, and sometimes if he was going in the same direction I was going in, I would lead them by the hand from class to class." [00:11:08]

"And you see, it's something like that in sanctification. It's the Spirit, who takes us and leads us along by illuminating our souls, enlightening us to what's right and what's God-honoring. And, then He gives us direction. He shows us the way to go, and it's like we are holding onto His arm, and we're, we see through a glass darkly, and we're walking along." [00:12:27]

"So He leads us by His Word in an intimate personal way. He leads you, every dear believer, in your own unique path. You know, as one of the old Puritans said, 'Boats can leave London, England, and they can sail to New York, and every single boat that leaves London, that ends up in New York will dock in the same places, but there's no two boats that take exactly the same path through the sea.' God is unique in leading every one of His believers." [00:14:34]

"The Spirit witnesses with you, you see, that you're a son of God, and therefore, when you come into great need, remember we saw that earlier, that this verse talks about crying out in great need, you cry out, 'Abba Father.' 'Abba' just means 'father,' 'dear father,' really, 'dear, father father,' and you cry out to God by the leading of the Spirit, you cling to the Father, which is great and beautiful." [00:15:39]

"And Paul is saying, we do that by the Spirit. The Spirit makes us cry out to God. That boy didn't sit down and run, or that boy didn't run in the opposite direction. He didn't abandon his father. He just said, 'I can't go on, father. I need thy help. Abba, Abba, Abba.' And then Derek said, 'Then I understood the cry of urgency when we cry out for the Father to help us.'" [00:17:50]

"Our relationship with God changes, because now everything God does to us, He does to us as His child. He's our Father, not just our judge now. Our relationship to the world changes, as Jesus said, 'If you are adopted,' 1 John 3:1 through 3, 'The world knows you not because the world hated Me and it will hate you also.' We need to expect hostility from the world when we are adopted children of God." [00:19:34]

"So once you're adopted, you see, it governs everything about you and who you are. It governs your whole life, just like it governed Jesus' whole life because He was the Son of the Father. He said, 'My meat and drink is to do His business. My whole life is governed by the fact that I'm the Son of the Father.' And so, a Christian's entire life is governed by this fact: I'm an adopted son. I belong to God's family." [00:21:03]

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Transcript
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