Justyn built on Dave's preach last Sunday which was about the Fathers heart, and how we are now children of God, adopted into His family.
To view Justyn's slides (in PDF format), click here.
Scripture is clear that we are sons and daughters of God (Romans 8:16, John 1:12, Romans 9:8, 1 John 3:2, 1 John 3:1, Acts 17:28, Eph 5:1, Romans 8:17).
We look at Romans 8:19 and about sons of God being ‘revealed’. “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.”. A stirring quote about this passage:
"The world is waiting for sons and daughters to know who they are. The Father wants to reveal us to the world by revealing His truth inside of us. This truth is what changes the world— it brings life where there was none, it offers hope to those that have never known it and it invites anyone who wants more to have it. The world is waiting for us to be our truest selves."
The question is what does it look like for us to live as children of God? Four areas were covered, but there are many more!
1. Identity - Free to be who you are
2. Risk - it’s ok to try and fail
3. Freedom - choices and decisions motivated from love
4. Authority - to advance the Kingdom
Questions
• Do you respond as a slave, servant or son (child of God) in circumstances? Could you ‘rest’, or does task, ‘have to, ‘expected to’ shape you?
• Risk - what’s God spoken over you and calling you to step out in, or into?
• Freedom - do you feel free to just enjoy God? To be you?
• Authority - do you believe you have authority from God and access to Gods resources?
The summary quote was by Simon Holley 'Sustainable Power' - This is the truth. You have been bought out of slavery, you are alive to God. You have eternal life, you are free from condemnation. You are now inseparable from the love of God, you are a triumph and a reconciler and a fruit-bearer and one with the Father. We need to realize! Much fruit grows out of the realisation of who I am in Christ. Abiding replaces striving, enjoying replaces earning. Loving replaces longing and basking replaces bemoaning. Freedom kicks out slavery and warrior replaces subservient.
It’s important that when we find areas of wrong thinking, or behaviour that we don’t rush into ’new thinking. There may be things that have shaped us to how we and which we need to deal with (it may involve repentance or forgiveness of others or ourselves).
