Joint Heirs

Joint-Heirs

Romans 8:14-18

I. Led by the Spirit, 14

A. Misled by a Missed Step

B. Misled by Mistrust

II. Loved by the Father, 15, 16

A. The Adopting Father, 15

B. The Abiding Spirit, 16

III. Lifted by the Son, 17, 18

A. Our Privilege, 17

B. Our Portion, 17

C. Our Promise, 18

1. Trials are Momentaneous, 18; 2 Corinthians 4:17

2. Trials are Momentous, 18

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.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

A lawyer hired a detective agency to locate a missing heir, who had just inherited 120 million dollars. The head of the agency told the lawyer, “I’ve put our best detective on the case. She’s young, smart and ambitious. She’ll find your missing heir if anyone can.”

A few weeks later, the lawyer received a call from the female detective. “Hello, I’ve got good news, I’ve found your missing heir.”

“That’s great,” said the lawyer, “where is he?”

“Oh, he’s right here, with me at the hotel. We’ll see you just as soon as we get back from our honeymoon.”

By worldly standards, that detective was smart and ambitious. She wanted to be a part of that inheritance no matter what. But then so did I after reading this passage from Romans. After the magnitude of the offer being made by God through Christ really sank in, I couldn’t pass up being a part of the inheritance.

I. Led by the Spirit

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

How does the Spirit lead us as Christians? Some people will use spiritual jargon about being led by the Spirit. And many of the people who are constantly talking about being led by the Spirit, are not really as led as they make out to be. Others will use these kinds of spiritual phrases as excuses for not getting involved in the work of God. When you come to them and say, “You need to be involved,” they will say, “I just don’t feel led.” You wonder if they aren’t really feeling the lead in the seat of their pants.

How are we led, practically, as a Christian? I believe the Spirit leads us in a number of ways. He leads us, firstly, by being our teacher and opening the Word up to us. He illuminates the Word.

Ephes. 5:17, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

What does 5:18 say?

If God has a will for our life (and He does) then it stands to reason that He wants us to know His will. And if He wants us to know His will, then He will show us His will.

I believe there are two major reasons why people do not know the will of God.

A. Misled by a Missed Step

One has to do with the failure to do what we already know to be the will of God.

∙ We know that we are to be faithful to Church.

∙ We know that we are to tithe of our income.

∙ We know that we need to pray and read our Bibles, yet we are often disobedient in these matters.

John 7:16-17, “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”

The key to knowing what you don’t know is doing what you know to do.

∙ If one will not do what has been revealed they will not do what will be revealed. Mom wouldn’t let me go play until my room was clean.

Gen 24:27 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master’s brethren.

∙ God leads a step at a time.

∙ Don’t expect to know God’s plan for 20 years from now.

∙ Finish your job today.

B. Misled by Mistrust