Sermon Tone Analysis

The Encouragement of the Holy Spirit

Assurance - though you will continue to experience this… (ch.

7), you will also experience this… (ch.

8).

Spirit (Romans 5:5) - 21 times in ch 8/34 time in Romans.

In Romans 8:1-4, Paul identifies the believer as set free from condemnation to life in the Spirit.

In Romans 8:5-8, he identifies a significant area of difference - the mind set on the Spirit (v. 5)

In Romans 8:9-11, he highlights the “life” part of “the Spirit of Life” (v. 1).

In Romans 8:12-14, he gives a clear indicator of the Spirit.

Here, in Romans 8:15-17, he gives a final encouraging fact about the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer.

What has the believer received?

(v.

15)

Not the spirit of slavery

To enhance what the believer has received, Paul contrasts it with what has been removed.

“fall back”/ “again” (NASB) - return to something previous

“slavery” - to sin (Romans 6:17 - God changed them from not able to not sin TO able not to sin)

“fear” - of judgment, condemnation, and death (Romans 6:21–23), before God (contrasted with the Abba cry)

This is removed and replaced with...

But the Spirit of adoption

“The term ‘adoption’ (used here in older English versions) may have a somewhat artificial sound in our ears; but in the Roman world of the first century AD an adopted son was a son deliberately chosen by his adoptive father to perpetuate his name and inherit his estate; he was no whit inferior in status to a son born in the ordinary course of nature, and might well enjoy the father’s affection more fully and reproduce the father’s character more worthily.”

(F.

F. Bruce, Romans: An Introduction and Commentary, vol.

6, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1985), 167.) (Ephesians 1:5)

“Abba” - a way that young children would refer to their father; used by Christ (Mark 14:36); relational intimacy, confidence in acceptance, assurance of care, (opposite of fear) (Galatians 4:6; Hebrews 4:16; Proverbs 15:29)

Think of it!

You went from this… to this…

And you can know it, because of the Holy Spirit.

What has the believer become?

(vv.

16-17)

Children (v.

16)

“bears witness”/ “testifies” (NASB) - support by testimony, confirm; with our spirit, not our ears (internal)

How? Paul doesn’t say anything more here, than what he has already said.

In context, it is clear (review the leading of the Spirit vv.

13-14 and show how it flows to this).

To be influenced by the Holy Spirit in your heart is to hear from the Holy Spirit in your heart.

The Holy Spirit confirms...

To hear from the Spirit, is to hear what only the children of God can hear (1 Corinthians 2:12).

WHO we are

Heirs (v.

17)

WHAT we will receive

There is an inheritance for believers (1 Peter 1:3–5).

The Holy Spirit is our assurance (Ephesians 1:13–14).

Note: The last phrase of verse 17 is a transition to the next section, so we will leave it for the introduction of that section next time, if the Lord wills it.

Walk in the Spirit

If you want to hear from the Spirit more, then pay attention.

Seek God in His Word and seek to obey God by His Word.

Then, maybe the work of the Holy Spirit in you life will be more noticeable to your spirit.

Benediction: Romans 11:33–36 “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

“For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”

“Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?”

For from him and through him and to him are all things.

To him be glory forever.

Amen.”

Scripture Reading: Galatians 4:1–7