This is the thirtieth in a series of verse-by-verse expositions of the book of Romans. This message was delivered at Hillcrest Baptist Church on the morning of November 10, 2013. This message deals with our debt and obligation to Christ, and the necessity for obedience if we are to live in peace with Him. This post contains an audio recording of my message, along with my sermon notes and a study outline. Please note that the sermon notes are not a full transcript.
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SERMON NOTES:
Romans 8:12-17
Our indebtedness to Christ dictates that we live in unity (and peace) with Him.
As long as we are working with our creditors, we have peace. When we start to work against them, we end up living in stress and fear.
v.12:
We owe nothing to the flesh, the flesh only brings condemnation and death
Romans 6:2
Our indebtedness is to Christ, He is our creditor.
He paid the ultimate price on our behalf.
v.13:
Following the flesh means death.
The only way to overcome the “deeds of the body,” is “by the Spirit.”
The Spirit gives life. (V.11)
v.14:
The true Christian will be lead by the Spirit, and as Christians we are children of God.
We should be working with God, not against Him.
1 Corinthians 3:9
A Christian is God’s child, adopted into the family. We should follow our father.
v.15: “Adoption”
The Bible speaks of two families, God’s and the Devil’s. In John 8:42-44, Jesus speaks of these two fathers.
You are not automatically part of God’s family, you must be adopted by Him.
Galatians 4:4-7
Among the Greeks and Romans, when a man had no son, he was permitted to adopt one even though not related.
He might, if he chose, adopt one of his slaves as a son. The adopted son took the name of the father, and was in every respect regarded and treated as a son.
After adoption, the son, no longer a slave, had the privilege of addressing his former master by the title of “father.”
“Abba Father” Abba is transliterated from an Aramaic word for father, and is actually a term of endearment.
v.16:
The Holy Spirit is the unifying force in our lives. He is our gift, and proof of our adoption.
v.17:
We are heirs, and that means mutual suffering.
Our mutual suffering brings mutual glorification.
Luke 22:28-29
Our faithful obedience, and our willingness to work together, in unity with God brings the greatest rewards.
This is the only way we can please Him. “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.”
For those without faith, God (our creditor) will demand payment in full, and you will pay for eternity!
If you haven’t been adopted into God’s family you are, by default, children of the devil.
The good news is that adoption is open to anyone. The Bible says “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
In Defense: The Blog 
Posted on November 15, 2013
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