Scripture:
Romans 8:14-17:
14: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Theme:
Fellowship Thru Followship
Introduction:
- The Apostle Paul wrote the Book of Romans during his third visit to the city of Corinth.
- Romans was written for two primary reasons: 1)to reveal the Gospel that God has no respect of person and is a God to and for the Gentiles also, and 2)to correct the legalistic teachings found in the area at the time.
- The book is written in seven parts spanning from the conviction of all under sin as in Romans 3:23 where it says “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” to the outflow of Christian love shown in Paul’s salutations to the various believers in Chapter 16.
- Chapter 8 is a powerful chapter to the believer as it encourages each of us through seven sections ranging from there being “no condemnation” in the New Law in verse 1 to the Security of the Believer in the rhetorical questions of “Who can separate us from the love of Christ” in verses 35-39.
- Verses 14 through 17 of chapter 8 focus on the core of the Christian experience…our RELATIONSHIP with God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (intentional sharing of common feelings or information, e.g. parent, sister/brother, friend, love, or enemy)
Body:
The Christian relationship to the Godhead can be explained in Four Parts by the text. It explains:
- Our Association or who we are– 14: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
- Our Propitiation or purpose– 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
- Our Confirmation or assurance– 16: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
- Our Dedication or direction– 17: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
From here our theme is realized:
- Followship — “For as many as are LED by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
- REPENT — Acts 3:19, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”
- CONFESS — Romans 10:9, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,”
- BELIEVE – Romans 10:9, “and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead,”
- BE ACTIVE – James 2:19-20, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”
- FOLLOW JESUS – Mark 8:34, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
- Fellowship — “if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
- With People — Psalm 133:1, “…how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
— Acts 2:1, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”
— Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
- With the Holy Spirit — Romans 8:26, “the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
- With the Son – John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
- With the Father — Psalm 62:7, “In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.”
Conclusion:
FELLOWSHIP THROUGH FOLLOWSHIP
Shown over the progression of time:
In the Beginning:
- Genesis 1:26, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:”
In the Present:
- Philippians 3:17, “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.”
In the Future:
- Matthew 28:20, “lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”
Examples throughout the Bible:
- Abraham as the Father of all Nations
- Moses leading the children out of Egypt
- Joshua leading the children into Canaan
- The Disciples as the chosen followers of Jesus
- Paul as an apostle of Christ unto the Gentiles
Fellowship Through Followship
Guide me oh though great Jehovah
Pilgrim through this barren land
I am weak but though art mighty
Hold me with though powerful hand
Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven
Feed me ‘til I want no more
Even me, Even me
Let your Spirit fall on me
Strong Deliverer, Strong Deliverer
Be thou still my strength and shield
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