Forever God's Children Series

Chico Alliance Church

Pastor David Welch

“Forever God’s Children”

Paul instructed the Galatians concerning a continual internal warfare in every believer.

For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. Galatians 5:17

Paul described his own personal internal struggle in chapter 7 of Romans. Having shared this traumatic internal struggle, Paul emphatically declared the truth of the certain victory in Christ. Chapter 8 describes the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our battle against the flesh and the glory of the new life in Christ.

New Victory in Jesus through the presence of the Holy Spirit

1. The Holy Spirit eliminates condemnation for those in Christ 8:1

Even though our struggle to live according to the Spirit and not the flesh continues, God does not condemn us. He is committed to our complete transformation or glorification. So don’t be afraid to draw near.

2. The Holy Spirit establishes His new life in our spirit 8:2-10

Even though our members are still under the sentence of death because of sin and are indeed still in the process of dying, there is a new engine, a new core, a divinely resurrected new man established within us as a stronghold for transformation of the rest of us. So we are to focus on your new identity. Take hold of the eternal life that has been so graciously established in our life by God. Paul goes on to express hope even concerning these sin-soaked bodies.

3. The Holy Spirit ensures complete deliverance 8:11

God has not only given us a new engine but promises a new body to go with it through His indwelling Spirit. Focus on the end product. Fix you hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Christ.

4. The Holy Spirit enables us to put to death the works of the flesh and emulate the father’s nature. 8:12-15

The Holy Spirit directs and empowers us to deal with the fleshly habits and left over attitudes ingrained in our body and soul. Anger, sensuality, selfishness, jealousy, gossip, immorality, fleshly desires, greed, evil thoughts, rebellion, lying, stealing, hurtful words, malice, dissension, outbursts of anger. All of these things are characteristics of the old flesh that continue to vie for expression through the body and soul. The Holy Spirit empowers the new core created by God in the believer to exhibit the character of God. Love, joy peace, longsuffering, gentleness, kindness, goodness, self-control

Paul told Timothy to focus on living a godly life.

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Tim. 2:21-22

How do we put those deeds to death?

• Surround yourself with Christ and the things of Christ not the world

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

• Connect with the Holy Spirit.

It all boils down to surrendering to the work of the Holy Spirit in our life.

How does that happen? It happens through surrender, trust, faith. God sanctifies us through the same means as He saved us.

As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, Col. 2:6

To hook up to the power the Holy Spirit we must first

• CRY OUT FOR HELP from Abba Father”.

• LISTEN to the leading of the Holy Spirit. (Faith responds to hearing)

• TRUST in His word.

• RECEIVE the promises power.

• OBEY what He tells you to do.

Realize you are an adopted son! As adopted sons of God we have the direction and example of a new father. How do we know we belong to Christ? We belong tot Christ if the Spirit in dwells us. How do we know if the Spirit dwells in us?

5. The Holy Spirit echoes our sonship

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God 8:16

This same resident presence of Christ in the Holy Spirit does two things regarding our sonship.

• He continually affirms to our spirit that we are truly God’s cherished children.

Why do we need such continually affirmation? Because the enemy continually assaults us! When we forget whose son we are, we begin to live contrary to our core identity.

See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and we are!

1 John 3:1

Are you a child of God? Have you heard the witness of the Spirit in your spirit?