Romans 8:12-23: Adoption and Redemption

I. Base Text: Romans 8:12-23

II. Understanding the Text
   A. Context: Romans 8:1-11
      1. No condemnation in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)
      2. Jesus as means of redemption from law of sin and death 
         (Romans 8:2-4)
      3. Walking by Spirit, not by flesh (Romans 8:5-8)
      4. Having the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead 
         (Romans 8:9-11)
   B. Living by the Spirit (Romans 8:12-13)
      1. Debtors not to walk by flesh
      2. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: bought with a price
      3. Contrast: walk by flesh and die, walk by Spirit and live
      4. Speaking spiritually
   C. Adoption as Sons (Romans 8:14-18)
      1. Those led by the Spirit also considered sons of God
      2. Sonship here by adoption
      3. Not the spirit of slavery, but spirit of adoption
      4. cf. Romans 6:13-18
      5. Cry of "Abba, Father!"
      6. "Abba" as very personal term for one's father, indicates 
         closeness of relationship we should have with God
      7. Spirit bearing witness with our own spirit that we are God's 
         children
      8. If children, then heirs, if we suffer (cf. 1 Peter 2:20-24)
      9. Suffering not comparable to what we will obtain 
         (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
   D. Redemption of the Body and Creation (Romans 8:19-23)
      1. Creation as subjected to futility
      2. Genesis 3:17-19
      3. Looks forward to being unshackled from futility
      4. 2 Peter 3:9-12
      5. "Groaning as in childbirth"
      6. 2 Corinthians 5:1-2
      7. Groan inwardly as we await adoption, redemption of our 
         bodies
      8. 1 Corinthians 15

III. Applications
   A. Great encouragement for the believer in these passages
   B. Importance of Righteous Living (Romans 8:12-13)
      1. We have these promises of no condemnation if we walk by the 
         Spirit
      2. But we must walk by the Spirit!
      3. Romans 6:13-18
      4. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Galatians 5:17-24
   C. Sonship Through Adoption (Romans 8:14-15)
      1. Parable of prodigal son sees a believer as a wayward son 
         who returns (Luke 15)
      2. Different images for different purposes!
      3. Adoption: act of grace, unmerited, places one in legitimate 
         family relationship
      4. Better future than past
      5. Sense in which adoption as future: resurrected body always 
         with the Lord (cf. Romans 8:23)
      6. Thanks be to God!
   D. Abba Father (Romans 8:16)
      1. Taken to extreme by some, calling God "Daddy"
      2. Yet the idea remains that God is not to be considered distant 
         and cantankerous!
      3. He represents the devoted and loving Father who desires a 
         strong and close relationship with His children!
      4. Consider Hebrews 12:5-11
   E. Suffering and Glory (Romans 8:17-18)
      1. Suffering as necessary for the Christian life
      2. What is that doing in an encouraging passage?
      3. Recognition of reality
      4. Yet look at the next verse: reward greater than suffering
      5. Something to hold on to!
   F. Subjection and Redemption (Romans 8:19-23)
      1. A very puzzling passage for many reasons
      2. What could it mean?
      3. Creation subjected to futility in the Fall
      4. With the cleansing of fire, possibility of new heavens and 
         earth, renewal of creation (cf. 2 Peter 3:9-11, 
         Revelation 21-22)
      5. This "redemption" refers to the resurrection, since 
         redemption from sin has already been accomplished in Jesus
      6. In the resurrection, body no longer subjected to futility-- 
         transformed (cf. 1 Corinthians 15)
      7. An encouraging message: all the futility and misery will 
         end in redemption and eternity!

IV. Conclusion
   A. Romans 8:12-23: an extremely encouraging passage
      1. Adopted children of God
      2. If we suffer, what we obtain is greater
      3. We look toward the day when all will be freed from decay 
         and futility!
   B. Let us become adoptive children of God and look forward to 
      our redemption!
   C. Invitation/songbook