Bible Text: Romans 8:15-17 | Preacher: Pastor Steve | Series: Marriage Matters
Our Relationship With Our Father(s) Will Promote Healthy Development Of Our Self-image Or Do Injury To It
Romans 8:15-17 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, Abba, Father
The Holy Spirit IN US Makes All The Difference FOR US
We are adopted sons/daughters who call God our Father
“Abba!’ is a term of relational intimacy and respect.
The equivalent expression in our language is:
“Daddy” or “Papa”
Galatians 4:6-7 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, Abba, Father!
Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
The Spirit Redeems – Restores – Refreshes
The Spirit confirms our identity and redeems us (4:6)
The Spirit comes into our hearts restoring us (4:6)
The Spirit helps us to control our human nature (5:16) and brings out the character traits called the fruit of the Spirit (5:22-23), refreshing us
Mark 14:32-36 And they came to an olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, Sit here while I go and pray. He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he began to be filled with horror and deep distress. He told them, My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me. He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. Abba, Father, he said, everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.
Abba Father RESTORES Our Lives
Jeremiah 18:2‑6 Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message. So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the Lord came to me: O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does? Declares the Lord. Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.
From Death To Life
Abba Father Refreshes Us
Hebrews 5:7 While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God.
We WILL NOT Become Healthy, Growing Christians Unless We Spend Time With The Lord
Matthew 4:4 Man cannot live on bread alone but on every word that God speaks.
Job 23:12 I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.
Abba Father Redeems Us
Isaiah 43:1‑2 But now, this is what the LORD says‑‑ he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Redemption Involves Something Of Value That Has Been Lost, Ruined, Or Taken Captive
Colossians 1:13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness.
Titus 2:14 Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness.
1 Peter 1:18 You were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers.