(Romans 8:8-17) Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you. Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation – but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.

SPIRIT POSSESSED

The Holy Spirit living in us influences every area of life.

1. Abundance of Life

(3) For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you but to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

A. All of us are born with sinful “tendencies.”

B If I continue yielding to those tendencies, I will not have access to a life of abundance.

C. The Holy Spirit in me gives me power over sinful tendencies, and access to a life of abundance.

(8-9a) Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.

(13b) If by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

2. Adoption by God

(14-16) Those who are led by the Spirit of God are Sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

A. Not everyone is a child of God.

B. God adopts all who are Spirit-possessed.

(Mark 14:36) Abba, Father, everything is possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.

(Galatians 4:6) Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”

(15) You did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

B. Am I spending quality time with my “Dad?”

3. Acquisition of Inheritance

Acquisition: coming into full possession of by some unspecified means.

(17) Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.

A. We have come into full possession of an equal portion of Jesus’ inheritance!

B. Our inheritance, along with our older brother Jesus, is the total support of our “Dad,” God Himself.

(John 14:1-3) Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in M. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me, that you also may be where I am.

(John 17:20) My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message.

(John 17:24) Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am and to see My glory, the glory You have given Me because You loved Me before the creation of the world.