Adopted Children

Romans 8:12-17 | Adopted Children This week Pastor David Morris continues his study in Romans 8 with a message titled “Adopted Children” from Romans 8:12-17. If one word stands over this entire chapter, it is confidence — and Paul keeps grounding that confidence in what God has done rather than in what we have managed. Our assurance can be rattled or shattered by an awareness of our sin or by the experience of suffering, and when it is, our joy and peace go with it. So Paul offers another reason to stand firm. It leads to one big idea: be confident in your standing before God because of the adopted sonship He’s granted you. Pastor David shows that this adopted sonship looks like three things: A Spirit-led life (vv. 12–14) — You are no debtor to the flesh; it has no rightful claim on you. Paul describes two categories of people, not two levels of effort: those who live according to the flesh and will die, and those who by the Spirit are putting to death the deeds of the body and will live. If you’re asking which category you’re in, look for where the Spirit is at work in you rather than at your own performance. Verse 14 functions like a spiritual paternity test: all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. A Spirit-received relationship (v. 15) — You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but the Spirit of adoption. Justification is God’s declaration in the law court: not guilty. Adoption moves us into family court, where the Judge says you’re mine. Through that adoption we gain access in the Spirit, a worldwide Christian family (“we cry”), and an emotional, personal cry of “Abba, Father” — the same words Jesus prayed in Gethsemane. Pastor David also makes the case for leaning into the language of Father rather than replacing it, especially for those whose earthly fathers failed them. A Spirit-guaranteed glorification (vv. 16–17) — The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. And if children, then heirs — heirs of God Himself. Not merely heirs of what God promised, but of God. Suffering comes with union with Christ, but it is not the end of the story; glorification is. Along the way, Pastor David encourages believers to live confidently in their adopted status, to enjoy it, and to pursue holiness because of it. Spurgeon described three stages of the soul: without Christ, in Christ, and with Christ. That last one is coming. You have a family. You belong. You are loved. You are safe. And you do not have a wicked father. The big idea: Be confident in your standing before God because of the adopted sonship He’s granted you. 📖 Scripture: Romans 8:12–17 🎙️ Pastor David Morris ⛪ Christ Community Church, Ripon