1. Children and Heirs Romans 8:12-17

2. Introduction-1 Paul describes 2 alternative lifestyles 1. Living according to the flesh Satisfying the desires of the body and the mind 2. Or living according to the Spirit Yielding to God’s purpose and plan for us As revealed by the Holy Spirit in the gospel Paul also gives 2 descriptions and 2 consequences for those who pursue those different lifestyles

3. Introduction-2 1. Those living according the Spirit are called the children of God- V17 They will have life and peace- V6 2. Those serving their own desires are called carnally or fleshly minded- V6 These are children of disobedience and wrath- Eph. 2:3 They will die (spiritually)- V13 Let us consider the first group further

4. Children of God All people are God’s children by virtue of creation But only those who walk according to the Spirit are His spiritual children John reminds us that it is a great honor to be counted among God’s children- I Jn. 3:1 That the Almighty would claim such weak and erring creatures as His own children All faithful christians are children of God

5. How We Become God’s Children-1 We are not His children by physical birth As the Israelites were But we are adopted children- Rom. 8:15 God has chosen those who are His children Even before the foundation of the world Not by a random arbitrary choice But based upon our character and our actions We are chosen in Christ- Eph. 1:4-5

6. How We Become God’s Children-2 He has chosen us through our faith in His Son- Gal. 3:26-27 We were chosen to be like Christ- Rom. 8:29 Our adoption involves a spiritual birth A birth “of water and the Spirit”- Jn. 3:5 Peter describes that spiritual birth- I Pet. 1:22-23 It is accomplished by obedience to the Spirit’s instructions and purifying the soul in baptism Those so born accept God’s adoption and become His spiritual children

7. God’s Children Imitate Their Father Children tend to have similar attitudes and behavior as those of their father The Pharisees claimed to be God’s children But Jesus said their behavior showed that they were the Devil’s children- Jn. 8:44 God’s children will live holy lives- I Pet 1:14-15 Holy means separate from the world and dedicated to doing the will of the Father

8. God’s Children Will Honor Their Father-1 Required of children in both Testaments- Eph. 6:2 Ways in which we honor God: 1. God is honored by proper worship Not what men want to give Him But according to His appointed way- Jn. 4:24 2. Children also honor their father by obeying Him Requires more than lip service- Mt. 15:8-9 Requires more than promises- Mt. 21:30

9. God’s Children Will Honor Their Father-2 Partial obedience is disobedience- I Sam. 15:22 Complete obedience from our heart honors God 3.We honor our Father by giving Him our best Israelites in Malachi’s time- Mal.1:8 They knew that God wanted their best- Deut. 15:21 They were cursed and rebuked for their selfish ways God has given us His Son, and He deserves the best we have Giving Him our scraps and leftovers dishonors Him

10. God’s Children Are Heirs-1 Heirs are those who receive an inheritance Not because of their character or the work they have done But because of the relationship they sustain to the one who gives them the inheritance Christians are joint heirs with Christ- Rom. 8:17 He is the source and hope of our inheritance He has promised to share His home and His glory with those who faithfully follow Him- Rev. 3:21 We have great blessings in this life

11. God’s Children Are Heirs-2 But greater blessing are yet to come- Mk. 10:30 Peter describes our inheritance- I Pet. 1:4 Heaven is the beautiful perfect home prepared for God’s children The sins and sorrows of this life will not be there There we can realize the purpose for which we were created To be with God and enjoy His comfort and blessings- Rev. 21:3-4 “Eternal” magnifies every honor and every joy Are you a child of God this morning?