THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION

 1.      WHAT IS THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION?

 “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”  Romans 8:15-16 (NKJV)

 “For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:16 (NLT)

 Does your heart cry out “Daddy God”? 

 “God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.” Galatians. 4:5 (NLT)

 “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Rom. 8:5-6 (NKJV)

2.      EXPOSE THE ORPHAN SPIRIT

 Graham Cook describes the orphan spirit as “a spiritual condition in which some Christians profess outwardly to know God as Father but experience an internal contradiction to that belief.”

 MY NEED FOR APPROVAL

Orphan Heart: I see the praise of others which leads to insecurity and striving in me (can’t rejoice with those who rejoice –Romans 12:15)

 Child-like Heart: I am resting in my father’s acceptance of me.

MY REALATIONSHIP WITH OTHER PEOPLE

Orphan heart: (Saul) I am competitive and jealous of others’ success and position. It makes me feel small and threatened.

: I become critical and judgmental

 Child-like Heart: (Jonathan and David) I value others and am happy when they succeed. I also grieve with them over their failures.

: I seek to restore others

Questions to consider from Leif Hetland

·         How do you see God? 

·         How does God see me? 

3.      LIVE A LIFE OF INVITATION

 “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” Rom 8:15 (NKJV)

 Is our lifestyle reflecting this cry!?

 “When you have the spirit of adoption, you can’t carry a spirit of rejection.” – Chad Dedmond