Romans 8: E3 Declared "Adopted"

Inperson participant 1: What's everybody? Welcome back to the Form Podcast. We're back. Here with Pastor Chris. Here we are. This is the Form Podcast.

Jacob Creighton: What's up, everybody? Welcome back to the Formed Podcast here with Pastor Chris. This is the Formed Podcast by Steel City Church. Good to be here for episode three. Going through Romans eight. Today we're talking about Romans eight being declared adopted from Romans eight twelve through seventeen. So

Inperson participant 1: through Romans eight today we're talking about Romans eight being declared adopted. Yeah. From Romans eight, twelve through seventeen. Living the declarations of Romans eight. Yep.

Jacob Creighton: Yep.

Inperson participant 1: It's been a wild ride so far for me, Jacob. Yeah. Also Chris.

Jacob Creighton: yeah. How so, Chris?

Inperson participant 1: Just you know, it's funny, this this one for instance, I guess after the service on Sunday, you know, it was it obviously hit some nerves and some people in a good way. And

Jacob Creighton: Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: Yeah, they said whatever and it was just man, I y'all get about thirty minutes of what I get all week and so welcome to the club. So it's

Jacob Creighton: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: been a it's definitely been a sharpening, kind of sanctifying thing to go through this go through

Jacob Creighton: Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: this passage.

Jacob Creighton: Yeah. I it's been it's been awesome. So and you get an extra bonus twenty minutes for this. So, you know, those of you who really enjoy enjoyed the 30 minutes on Sunday, now you get a bonus 20. So we get to even deep dive into it. yeah. So let's jump right in. I'd love for you to read Romans eight, twelve through seventeen. If you have a Bible, go ahead and open it. This is just kind of where we're

Inperson participant 1: And you get an extra bonus twenty minutes for this. So Exactly. Really enjoyed the thirty minutes on Sunday. Exactly. Welcome. yeah. So let's jump right in. I'd love for you to read Romans eight, twelve through seventeen. If you have a Bible, go ahead and open it. This is just kind of where we're camping out today. Romans eight twelve through seventeen. And we'll we'll get right to it. Go ahead, Chris. Yeah,

Jacob Creighton: Camping out today, Romans eight, twelve through seventeen, and we'll we'll get right to it. Go ahead, Chris.

Inperson participant 1: so verse twelve starts it says, So then, brethren, we are under obligation. Not to the flesh, though, to live according to the flesh, for if we live according to the flesh, we must surely die. But if by the Spirit we are putting to death the deeds of the body, then we will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God, for you have not respi received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but a spirit of adoption of as sons by which we cry out Abba Father. And the Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. And if children,

Jacob Creighton: Gonna show.

Inperson participant 1: then we're also heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him, so that we also may be glorified.

Jacob Creighton: Yeah, that's good. That's Romans eight, twelve through seventeen. Chris, kinda catch us up to speed until we get here to Romans eight twelve through seventeen.

Inperson participant 1: 8, 12 through kind of catch us to speed until to Romans 8, 12 through 17. Yeah, so you know, obviously this we're calling this living the declarations. And so this is the the all of Romans eight, I think, is Paul basically showing his hand in the sense of what we actually what is actually going on within us, that it's not our work, it's it's the Holy Spirit working within us in this. And so this is we believe declarations that the Holy Spirit is Telling us within us all the time. And so we started with the declaration from Romans 8.1, therefore you there's no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. So you are declared not condemned. And then the the next one we said, we are declared alive in the spirit. And so if we're not condemned, it's not just that we're we have a legal sentence of no condemnation. We also on the positive side of that.

Jacob Creighton: And then the the next one we said we are declared alive in the spirit. And so if we're not condemned, it's not just that we're yeah, we have a legal sentence of no condemnation. We also on the positive side of that are made alive in the spirit. The spirit is working within us, driving us towards life. Yeah. And so that's kind of what we've been in. And now we kind of

Inperson participant 1: Are made alive in the spirit. So the spirit is working within us, driving us towards life. And so that's kind of what we've been in. And now we kind of begin to breach what what Paul uses, the the analogy of adoption, essentially, is we are declared adopted. The papers have been signed. It is done.

Jacob Creighton: Yeah. Essentially is is we are declared adopted. The have been done. Yep. And we get all the benefits as adopted sons and daughters. Yeah. Obviously for that. Yeah. Right. That's awesome. I think it's gonna be awesome as we kind of track through all eight of these. You kinda keep tabs and you're declared not condemned. You're declared alive in the spirit.

Inperson participant 1: And we get all the benefits as adopted sons and daughters, obviously for those being in Christ. I think it's gonna be awesome as we kind of track through all eight of these. You kinda keep tabs and you're declared not condemned. Yeah. You're declared alive in the spirit. Yeah. You're declared adopted as a son and daughter. And so yeah, pretty awesome. Yeah, well I mean it's what a great picture of yeah, being a

Jacob Creighton: You are declared adopted as a son and daughter. And so yeah, pretty awesome. Pretty awesome stuff. What a great picture of yeah, being a follower of Jesus.

Inperson participant 1: Well, I think if we sit, I mean, just as we continue to go through and we get the whole the whole breadth of it when we get done with Romans eight. I mean, if if there's eight declarations that we sit in and and I would even say there's there's tons more than that. I mean, we're you know, you know how it is. We're we're we're keeping it within a eight week series, but it's like

Jacob Creighton: Yeah, there's probably tons more. Yeah, right. You know you know how it is. We're we're we're keeping it within a eight week series. Yeah. It's like

Inperson participant 1: I mean, if you were to go through in like a prayer time and go through each of these declarations and just sit in these, I mean, that's a full day's work, man. Like that's a full day of

Jacob Creighton: Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: not condemned. I'm alive in the spirit. And today is we're declared adopted. So it's and then you begin to like realize what all else comes with those declarations. Yeah like it g it's y y you almost have to respond. So Yeah I mean certainly this declaration is is there and and the main crux of this

Jacob Creighton: You begin to like realize what all else declarations. Yeah. It c it's y y you almost have to respond. Something has to change. Yeah. Yeah, I mean certainly this declaration is is there and in the main crux of this little section, but it starts out even as kind of a a challenge, Paul's given challenge to the brethren. First twelve

Inperson participant 1: little section, but it starts out even as kind of a a challenge. Paul's given challenge to the brethren. First twelve. So then, brethren, we are not under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you must die. Yeah. But if by the spirit you're putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. you talked about and it was a huge point, because I'm adopted

Jacob Creighton: So then, brethren, we are not under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you must die. But if by the Spirit you're putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. you talked about and it was a huge point. because I'm adopted, because you're adopted, because Jesus has called you his, you don't have to live in obedience to your old master.

Inperson participant 1: Because you're adopted, because Jesus has called you his, you don't have to live in obedience to your old master.

Jacob Creighton: Yeah, I'd love for you to Yeah, I mean it's it's kinda unpack that for us.

Inperson participant 1: Yeah, I'd love to. Yeah, I mean, it's it's one of those things where when we when we sit in this declaration that we are adopted, yeah, we get the adoption papers, we get the inheritance, which we'll talk about in a little bit, I'm sure. But there's also so there's this like positive, but there's almost this like negative aspect as well, where there's this removal of something. And and for us here, you know, we just talked about in the

Jacob Creighton: Also, so there's this like positive, but there's almost this negative aspect as well, where there's this removal of something. And and for us here, you know, we just talked about in the

Inperson participant 1: last declaration that there's this like path of for the flesh and path for for life and peace.

Jacob Creighton: Which path are you

Inperson participant 1: Which path are you on? Well, if we're on the

Jacob Creighton: on?

Inperson participant 1: path of life and peace, it means that we don't have to be on the path towards death. So there's this like

Jacob Creighton: Half towards the

Inperson participant 1: Paul, I think in his like love for his people, are saying, Okay, I'm gonna make this very clear to you. If you are in Christ, you don't have to do what you always did. There there's another way, there's a new option,

Jacob Creighton: Yeah. If you are in Christ, you don't have to do what you always did. Yeah. There's another way, there's another option.

Inperson participant 1: there's a new pathway that you can be on. And obviously he's saying.

Jacob Creighton: Obviously he's saying that's the he calls it the deeds of the body. Deeds of the body, yeah. The deeds of the flesh.

Inperson participant 1: That's the he calls it the deeds of the body, is what he calls their the deeds of the flesh or the acts of the flesh. which is, you know, basically anything that is essentially glorifying us and not glorifying God. I mean,

Jacob Creighton: Which is, you know, basically anything that is essentially glorifying us. Yeah. Yeah. I mean

Inperson participant 1: we we define sin here at Cel City Church is failure to reflect God in our thoughts, actions, and being. So we're made in the image of

Jacob Creighton: failure to reflect God false actions and be.

Inperson participant 1: God. That means we should reflect God. We we should strive to reflect God in any

Jacob Creighton: We can stride or reflect on it.

Inperson participant 1: way possible. That's where we find the most love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, the most

Jacob Creighton: Yeah. Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: The most life is in reflecting him. Well, what are those things that we do that don't reflect him? That's the deeds of the body. And so Paul is saying here, but if you're putting to death the deeds of the body, so there's this like active thing. I think sometimes, I mean, he I'm even guilty of this is like we we don't have any responsibility at all. And and that that couldn't be further from the truth.

Jacob Creighton: Well what are those things that we do that don't reflect that's the deepest thing. Yeah. And so Paul is saying here, but if you're putting to death the deeds of the body, so there's this like an active thing. I think sometimes I mean I'm even guilty of this, is like we we don't have any responsibility at all. Yeah. And and that that can't be further from the truth.

Inperson participant 1: and so I kind of go with like what Dallas Wood says, like God

Jacob Creighton: God God has no issue with effort and that's spiritual disciplines, that's the mortification of sin as we call this, putting the death that ease of the body. He has every issue with earning. Right. So we're not not doing something until we can earn God. Right. We're already adopted sons. We're already adopted daughters. Like he's already saying, child.

Inperson participant 1: God has no issue with effort. And that's spiritual disciplines. That's the mortification of sin is what we call this, putting the death the deeds of the body. He has every issue with earning. So we're not not doing something so we can earn God. We're already adopted sons. We're already adopted daughters. Like he's already saying, Child, I love you, beloved child, and whom I am well pleased. And it's like, okay, I'll put a I'll put to death anything you want me to.

Jacob Creighton: Yeah. It's even Paul's address, brethren, like y come on, folks that have been adopted. Yeah. Put to death the deeds of flesh. I I

Inperson participant 1: Yeah. Folks that have been adopted. Yeah. Well, I I think the language obligation is is interesting here because obligation, especially I would say Jacob, for your generation is a little different

Jacob Creighton: Right. Because obligation especially I would say yeah your generation

Inperson participant 1: than mine being an old guy. But there's an obligation, like y your generation especially, I think, completely bucks against the obligation idea of things. Like I'm

Jacob Creighton: against the obligation idea of things.

Inperson participant 1: not I I can't be obligated to do something. I want to do this because I want to do it. And

Jacob Creighton: Right. Yeah. And pause

Inperson participant 1: Paul's kind of running that thread a little bit, however you want to look at it. But he's like a lot of times we think we're obligated to just do what we've always done. Where

Jacob Creighton: Yeah. But it's like a lot of times we think we're obligated to just do what we've always done. Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: here he's like, No, you get to do something different. You get to live a new life. You're you're but in some ways we're obligated to our adoption, but it's this like joyous obligation. I g I get to do this now. Yeah, I love how you're talking about it because

Jacob Creighton: Yeah. Yeah. You're you're in some ways we're obligated to our gosh then but it's this like joyous obligation. Yeah. I g I get to do this. Yeah. Yeah, I love how you're talking about it because I I think a lot of times this type of stuff can you can either go two ways with it, you can go like really keep it really churchy language, like even death the deeds of the flesh. Somebody that's a new follower of Jesus might go like, What the heck are you talking about?

Inperson participant 1: think a lot of times this type of stuff can you can either go two ways with it, you can go like really keep it really churchy language. Like even death the deeds of the flesh. Somebody that's a neutrology is might be like, what the heck are you talking about?

Jacob Creighton: you can kinda keep it really churchy language and so then it doesn't really get to the realness of like we yeah, define sin as like anything that you know

Inperson participant 1: you can kinda keep it really churchy language and it doesn't really get to the realness of like we yeah, define sin as like anything that you know.

Jacob Creighton: bucks back against God in our thoughts, actions and being. If you look if you took a tally of your thoughts, actions and being, what is it

Inperson participant 1: Bucks back against God and our thoughts, actions and being. If you look if you took a tally of your thoughts, actions and being, what is it?

Jacob Creighton: So I mean, but yeah, keeping it keeping it real of like, hey, this is what your sin is, it helps you kind of unpack just man, what is it that that does need to be put to death. Yeah. puts it in real life language that yeah, I think is helpful for for us today. So yeah.

Inperson participant 1: So I mean, but yeah, keeping it keeping it real of like, hey, this is what your sin is, it helps you kind of unpack just what is it that that does need to be put to death. Yeah. puts it in real life language that yeah, I think is helpful for for us today. Well I think too the r the real life aspect of this is is that whether you're a brand new follower of Jesus or you're a longtime follower of Jesus We're still putting to death the deeds of our body. It's like we're all on the same page here. There's no one that is is like elevated over anyone else because of all these boxes that they've checked. No, like we're we are children. I I I use the illustration in the intro of the sermon, just kind of giving the illustration of like a teenager that's like living in the streets that all of a sudden gets adopted by the most rich and powerful man in his area and

Jacob Creighton: Yeah, like we're yeah, we are children I I I use the illustration in the intro, the sermon, just giving the illustration of like a teenager that's like living in the streets that all of a sudden gets adopted by the most rich and powerful man in his area. And we're all like confused by that, but that's that's kind of where we are. Right.

Inperson participant 1: We're all like confused by that, but that's that's kind of where we are, is we were all like running the streets in our sin, and then God's like, Nope, you adopt it. It's like W Wait, what? And

Jacob Creighton: streets in our sin and then God's like no you I it's like Yeah What wait what? Yeah and

Inperson participant 1: you know, obviously that that there's a there's a piece of us like Jesus as Lord and accepting that adoption, but man, there's this beautiful thing where we are all in the boat of mortifying sin.

Jacob Creighton: Right.

Inperson participant 1: The mortification of sin is a is a task for all of us. And it's not a task of like like being superior to the next person next to you. It's just like task of accepting grace for the things that have happened. And I like how you're putting it too because and this is how Paul's putting it is like you have an active in this This isn't something you said on the

Jacob Creighton: for all of us. Yeah. And it's not a task of of being superior to the next person. It's just like task of accepting for the things that happen. And I like how you're putting it too 'cause and this is how Paul's putting it, is like you have an active role in this as well. This isn't something you sit on the sidelines and just watch happen over your life. There's a way that you can actively participate in putting the death of deeds the deeds of the flesh.

Inperson participant 1: you can actively participate in the death of the deeds the deeds of the flesh. You don't have to obey your former master. You can obey your your new master. And so you gave us kind of three practical steps on how we can like identify this and you know, start kind of like what does it look like? Yeah.

Jacob Creighton: You don't have to obey your former master. You can obey your your new master. And so you gave us kind of three practical steps on how we can like even identify this and, you know, start kind of But what does it look like? Yeah, what's it look like?

Inperson participant 1: Yeah, I mean this is a tangible thing. So it's like living the declarations. We're adopted. We're we're obligated to live in the beauty of the f the spirit. Well, what can we do to do that? Well, there we I gave three steps. These are very basic. It's name it, kill it, look up. And I mean, essentially the first one is name it. So there's got to be like a discernment where, okay,

Jacob Creighton: These are very basic. It's name it, kill it, look up. Yep. And I mean essentially the first one is name it. So there's a discernment where okay.

Inperson participant 1: I I am in a position that I am doing something that is not glorifying God, that is not reflecting God in my thoughts, actions, and being. There's a thought that's happening, there's an action that's happening, or there's something that I have become that is not glorifying God. We name it. We we say what it is and I I don't know what that is for you, but there's a good chance you already know. Yeah, and name it for yourself. Exactly. This isn't naming other people's saying then then then pointing the finger. This is like to put the death of beats in my flesh. Yeah. What is a beauty that is but I'll also say there's been a beautiful

Jacob Creighton: Say what it is. Yeah, and name it for yourself. This isn't naming other people's and just saying them them them pointing the finger. This is like, hey, for me to put the death of deeds in my flesh, yeah, what is it in me that is but I'll also say there's been a beauty. Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: the I I've been actually even a as as a pastor, yeah.

Jacob Creighton: For sure. Yeah. That's not No, but I'm saying that this is this is a beautiful thing, is that community. This is what we should be doing with each other. Yes. With this is the is this is the essence what we we get so sideways on Matthew's eight eight. Yeah, yeah, for sure. Discipline. The essence, the initial aspect of church discipline is hey, I see in you this, it's not congruent with this. Right. And I

Inperson participant 1: No, but I'm saying that this is this is a beautiful thing, is that in community, this is what we should be doing with each other, with this is the es this is the essence why we we get so sideways on Matthew's eight at Matthew eighteen in church discipline. The essence, the initial aspect of church discipline is hey, I see in you this, but it's not congruent with this. And I love you too much to let that keep happening. That's w what are you doing? But you're inviting someone into restoration. You're inviting someone into mortifying sin for the mortification of sin for them to be on a deeper path of life and peace. And they might not even realize it. I've been called out as a pastor

Jacob Creighton: For sure. For the mortification sin, yeah. For them to be on deeper path of life and peace. Yeah. They might not even realize it. I've been called out as a pastor. For sure.

Inperson participant 1: by people in our congregation. And I tell you, I have thanked them multiple times and they're like, they're like, What we just told you the truth. And I'm like, exactly, a lot people don't tell me that. And so

Jacob Creighton: Yeah. And so it

Inperson participant 1: it was a

Jacob Creighton: was a like an offering of grace there. Yeah. Yeah. Get something else to make it. Name it name it for yourself, name it in community. I I was more hitting the route of like, Hey, this person over here. Yeah, absolutely. It's okay,

Inperson participant 1: like an offering of grace there. And so w name it, you name it, get someone else to name it, ask someone name it for yourself, name it in community. Yeah. I I was more hitting the route of like Absolutely. It's

Jacob Creighton: fair game for someone to be naming the sin within you. Chris can absolutely tell me the sin that's

Inperson participant 1: We can We can Monday morning quarterback everybody else's sin.

Jacob Creighton: going on in my life. He's got that he's got that got that so

Inperson participant 1: We can name the scene on all the like politicians and celebrities and everything else, but then we don't when the mirror hits, yeah.

Jacob Creighton: Right, yeah, yeah. Yep. When DK Metcalf drops another pass, I'm pointing him out to everybody.

Inperson participant 1: It's sin, baby. It's sin. So we name it and then what do we do? But then it invites us into an opportunity to kill it. And and and this is the mortification piece of it. And essentially what I think that is is bringing it to light. It's bringing it where it's in the darkness of our heart, where it's something that we're probably trying to conceal. It's something we're not proud about. Or we don't we don't mean we may not even know about it. The the killing aspect is actually like bringing it to light for exposure, to allow the the light of day to do the work that it can do. and so I think, you know, you take if i if it's just like a behavioral based thing, sometimes that's just like a a redirection. maybe it's a bad habit or something that we to redirect or we take some steps to redirect it. And but the the other side of this is it's it's a lot of deep work. A lot of times the mortification of sin isn't just a like fundamental practice

Jacob Creighton: It's just like a behavioral based thing. Sometimes that's just like a a redirection. maybe it's a bad habit or something that we redirect or we take some steps to redirect it. Yeah. And but the the other side of this is it's it's a lot of deep work. A lot of times the mortification of sin isn't just a like fundamental practice, it's a it's a deep work.

Inperson participant 1: It's a it's a deep work of like a for lack of better words, like a soul search where you're you and the Holy Spirit and maybe someone that you trust deeply and you're asking, okay, what is it that is within me that is really triggering this like outward thing? and it and and and sometimes this is where like deep wounds can come to light. where you know that that

Jacob Creighton: Soul search where you're you and the Holy Spirit and maybe someone that you trust deeply and you're asking, okay, what is it that is within me that is really triggering this like outward? and it and and and sometimes this is where like deep wounds can come to life, right? where you know that that something was said to you

Inperson participant 1: Something was said to you. It c I mean, some people can say it was for me it would be forty years ago, thirty-five years ago, someone said something to me and wounded me. And now I live out of that wounding instead of out of the life of the and the life and peace of the spirit give. And and so sometimes that's hard work. Sometimes that takes like some therapeutic support. Sometimes that takes a lot of prayer and really pressing in, allowing the spirit to

Jacob Creighton: It I mean some people can say it was for me it would be forty years ago, thirty five years ago, someone said something to me and wounded me, and now I live out of that wounding instead of a life and peace of the spirit. Yeah. And and so sometimes that's hard work. Sometimes it takes like some therapeutic support. Sometimes that takes a lot of pressure and really pressing in, allowing the spirit to to speak into you.

Inperson participant 1: to speak into you, to identify those times. Maybe it's like something from your family of origin. Maybe it's something from a does something that even happened to you that you've almost just like put out of your mind. Yeah. It's

Jacob Creighton: Something from but there's something that even happened to you that you've almost just like put out in your

Inperson participant 1: I I think speaking to Paul's language here, or he took it for what it is, putting to death the deeds of the flesh, like death stinks. It's hard. It's like yeah as as you take steps to kill

Jacob Creighton: mind. Yeah. This I I think speaking to Paul's language here, if you took it for what it is, putting to death the deeds of the flesh, like death stinks. It's hard. It's like, yeah, as as you take steps to kill sin in your life, it's it's hard work. And it's it's not putting to bed where it's like

Inperson participant 1: sin in your life, it's it's hard work. Yeah. It's not putting to bed where it's like, all right, I'm taking a nap. It's not you know. No grieving, no pain rising to the surface. no, putting to death the deeds of the flesh, killing it, it's gonna be hard. Yeah. And yeah. That's where you're invited to trust the spirit and trust yeah king

Jacob Creighton: taking a nap. It's not, you know, no grieving, no pain rising to the surface. no, putting to death the deeds of the flesh, killing it, it's gonna be hard. And yeah, that's where, you know, you're invited to trust the spirit and trust community around you helping you through that.

Inperson participant 1: Yeah, and some of this br involves not just the deeds of the flesh that you have done,

Jacob Creighton: For sure.

Inperson participant 1: it's deeds of the flesh that have been done to you. And so just to acknowledge that, I mean, that that's a deep that's a

Jacob Creighton: Yeah. So just to acknowledge that, I that that's a deep that's a

Inperson participant 1: hard thing to process through. That's where I think it is important to have community around you to do that. Trusting community. I mean, that's I I'd I've had some some very live

Jacob Creighton: Yeah. Trusting community. I mean that's I I I've had some some very live

Inperson participant 1: conversations in this regard, and they have been s just huge blessings to me as a pastor.

Jacob Creighton: Just huge blessings to me as a pastor seeing people process through really hard things, really deep things, and receiving grace in the process. Yeah. so name it, kill it. But then I think the beautiful part, I mean, you kind of hear that in this in the language is is we look up. Yeah. It's we we I think we i in like Christian cultures, it's like we hammer the sin

Inperson participant 1: seeing people process through really hard things, really deep things, and and receiving grace in the process. so name it, kill it. But then I think the beautiful part, and you kind of hear that in this in the language is, is we look up. It it's we we I think we i in like Christian cultures, it's like we hammer the sin

Jacob Creighton: for sure, but we don't highlight.

Inperson participant 1: But we don't highlight the beauty of the God who is like pouring out grace on that sin or or you know, giving that that sinner grace.

Jacob Creighton: The beauty of the grace on that you know, giving that that same grace. Which which I'll say i y I mean you have it as your last step, but it's the invitation the whole way through the process. You know. It's not like hey, you go yeah, right, it's implied. It's not hey, you go ahead and do this like on yourself. Name it, kill it, and then come back to me. It's like no, you the whole way,

Inperson participant 1: the invitation the whole way through the process. Yeah. Yeah. It's not like it's kind of implied, yeah. Right. It's implied. It's not hey you go ahead and do this like on yourself, name it, kill it and then come back to me. It's like no, you the whole way.

Jacob Creighton: you can kinda do it alongside and with your father.

Inperson participant 1: It alongside it with your father. Yeah. Yeah. I mean there's a quote that I shared here in the lookup piece is that there is more mercy in Christ than sin in us. That's a Richard Sibbs quote, old

Jacob Creighton: Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: Puritan pastor, but there's more mercy in Christ than sin in us. And so often when we when we identify those things that don't reflect God in our thoughts, actions, and being. We identify that a lot of shame, guilt, fear coming. We've talked about that in previous episodes, but that comes upon us. No, it's like here, like

Jacob Creighton: Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: look up. Like

Jacob Creighton: Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: there's more mercy in Christ for that than there is in you. Then there is that

Jacob Creighton: Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: in you. And man, we sit in that and we look up and it becomes like a a an opportunity for worship. It it it's it's incredible what can happen, even I didn't

Jacob Creighton: Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: talk about this on Sunday, but You know, when we start to mortify and the the mortification of sin, peace, and like killing off the deeds of the flesh, that doesn't make us a superior Christian. It makes it where we're still carrying the scars of those things, but we're those we're those wounded people that are now healed. And so then just like our Savior, who is a wounded healer, we too become a wounded healer. We remember

Jacob Creighton: That doesn't make us a superior Christian. It makes it where we're still carrying the scars of those things. But we're those we're those wounded people that are now healed. And so then just like our Savior who is a wounded healer, we too become a wounded healer. We remember

Inperson participant 1: that. We have more empathy, we have more grace, we have more mercy.

Jacob Creighton: So we have more mercy to pour out. So it's processed. Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: to pour out. And so this process is a beautiful thing that that actually like springboards us into like deeper ministry and deeper opportunity.

Jacob Creighton: springboards us into like deeper ministry, deeper. Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: Because we're a cla declared adopted how does this killing sin, putting to death the deeds of the flesh? Yeah. How does it declare from us that

Jacob Creighton: Because we're a cle declared adopted, man, how does this killing sin, putting to death the deeds of the flesh, how does it declare from us that we are adopted?

Inperson participant 1: How does it declare from us? Like how does it come out of us?

Jacob Creighton: Yeah. Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: I mean, I think that's it. I think it's like you know, if you if you if you think of someone,

Jacob Creighton: Some

Inperson participant 1: yeah, I'm thinking of a there was a a woman that I used to teach with and she adopted a teenager. And, you know, I just she she fostered the teenager and and then fostered her into adoption. And so

Jacob Creighton: And she adopted a teenager. Yeah. And, you know, I just she she fostered the teenager and and then fostered her into adoption and so

Inperson participant 1: I mean that child Like everything changed for her. It was a it was a massive change of status and everything else. And so she didn't have to do she didn't have to live the way that she used to. And so

Jacob Creighton: changed for her. Right. Right. She didn't have to live the way that she used to

Inperson participant 1: like the way that she carried herself began to change. Obviously, it took it took a while for like her level to get comfortable and her to realize I'm in this house permanently. There's nothing I can do to mess this up.

Jacob Creighton: There's nothing I can do to mess this song up.

Inperson participant 1: But I mean, when we when we live with that acceptance and that And I our shoulders can finally drop and it's like, I don't have to like be tense all the time. I can, I can be patient here because my good father is patient with me. I can be loving

Jacob Creighton: I can be patient here because I can be lovely.

Inperson participant 1: here because my good father is loving with me. And it just it changes our perspective completely. When we sin, when we mess up. Listen, I discipline my children, but I discipline them because I love them.

Jacob Creighton: Yeah. And it just it changes our perspective. Yeah. Right. Listen, I discipline my children, but I discipline them because I love animals. Right.

Inperson participant 1: Not because I wanna torment them.

Jacob Creighton: Yeah no.

Inperson participant 1: I I want the correction, but I want them also to be in a like restored relationship with me and and and and and Rachel and you know, with those around them. And it's a it's a clear declaration to those around you, maybe people around you that knew the old you that are like, man, this is yeah really confusing stuff. Why why wouldn't you just be doing this again? It's like it's

Jacob Creighton: Yeah. You know, with those around them. Yeah. And it's a it's a clear declaration to those around you, maybe people around you that knew the old you that are like, man, what this is really confusing stuff. Why why wouldn't you just keep doing this again? And it's like it clearly shows like, hey man, I have a new master that's that's offering me a better life than what was previously left behind.

Inperson participant 1: Clearly shows like, hey, man. Yeah. I have a new master. Well, it's offering me a better life than what we previously left. It's funny you say that. I had a conversation with with a woman in our church after service on Sunday, and she was saying that. She was like, I'm in a I'm in a in a degree program, a PhD program, and and she's like everything for my a lot of my classmates' lives hang in the balance of this program. Like they they have to get their research into this journal and into this opportunity and this presentation and this conference

Jacob Creighton: Yeah. Like they they have to get their research into this journal and this opportunity and this presentation and this conference.

Inperson participant 1: because then that would then propel them into this success and this income level and then and she's

Jacob Creighton: Right. This success and this income level.

Inperson participant 1: like, man, she's like, I just didn't think about it that way. But like she has a big research paper coming. And it's very stressful. And she's wanting to do really

Jacob Creighton: And it's very stressful.

Inperson participant 1: well on it and work really hard on it. But she also knows that nothing hangs in the balance based on that paper

Jacob Creighton: Mm. But she also knows that nothing hangs in the balance basically. Right.

Inperson participant 1: about who she is. And man, I was sitting there talking to her and I was like, Dang, bro, that preaches right there, you know? Like, and she's

Jacob Creighton: And man, I was sitting here planting.

Inperson participant 1: like, I I don't have that weight that they do. And so it gives her that's like

Jacob Creighton: Yeah. And so it gives her that

Inperson participant 1: deeper desire to care and love her classmates who

Jacob Creighton: For sure. For sure.

Inperson participant 1: When that rejection letter comes, for her it's disappointing. It's it's like, man, I I wanted that. For them, the bottom could fall out. So I I was just like, Whoa, that is really good.

Jacob Creighton: Honestly, that kind of just steamrolls into what your last point was, which was

Inperson participant 1: It's so good.

Jacob Creighton: because I'm adopted, I have all that I need. That's what your life being adopted by God is declaring. You've got all that you need. I don't have to, you know, live and gratify the old ways or you know, the ways that everyone else is walking. But

Inperson participant 1: Mm-hmm. That's what your life being adopted by God is declaring. You've got all these things that don't have to you know, live and gratify the old ways or you know, the ways that everyone else is walking. But yeah, Psalm seventy three says the psalmist says, Whom have I in heaven but besides you? Yeah, I desire not.

Jacob Creighton: Yeah, Psalm seventy three says the psalmist says, Whom have I in heaven but you, and besides you I desire nothing on the earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. So good. So good.

Inperson participant 1: fortune forever. So good. So good. Yeah, I think I I think of all the things that stuck out to me as I was doing this when it hit me in in eight where it says the spirit testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. So we have the Holy Spirit inside of us

Jacob Creighton: Testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. So we have the Holy Spirit inside of us.

Inperson participant 1: telling us you are God's beloved child in whom he

Jacob Creighton: Mm-hmm.

Inperson participant 1: is well pleased. And I was like, okay, that's one thing. And if children, then we're also heirs of God. And so I think about all the stuff, you know, like, the stuff, you know, like

Jacob Creighton: children, then we're also heirs of God. Yeah. And so I think about all the stuff, you know, like stuff. I'm yeah, I'm thinking about the stuff. Yeah, let's go. Come on.

Inperson participant 1: You know, like the storehouses are pouring out. Like I get the all of the inheritance, but then it it says and if children heirs also and then he but then Paul drops this thing and it's three words heirs of And I was just like, man, of all the things that my heart longs for,

Jacob Creighton: Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: what it really longs for is presence. And essentially this is like this declaration

Jacob Creighton: Yeah. And essentially this is like this declaration

Inperson participant 1: seals the presence of God for eternity for us. And I mean, you know,

Jacob Creighton: Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: I said it on Sunday and I'll say it again. I mean, my this past. weekend was my dad's birthday. I lost my dad last October. I mean, it's hard to like sit in. And you know, my dad obviously my parents, you know, were not are not wealthy per se, and so there wasn't this massive inheritance or anything, really

Jacob Creighton: it's hard to like sit in. And you know, my dad obviously my parents, you know, were not are not wealthy per se and so there wasn't this massive inheritance or anything.

Inperson participant 1: any inheritance. but even if there was Like what good I mean, I what good is it in the sense, like what do I really long for? But I long for my dad's presence. And you know, because of because of death, you don't get that now, but for eternity, the declaration that you are adopted guarantees and seals that forever the God whose image you're made in, you will have that presence.

Jacob Creighton: How good is it? In the sense, like, what do I really long for? But I long for my dad's presence. Yeah. And you know, because of because of death, you don't get that now. But for eternity, the declaration that you are adopted guarantees and seals that forever, the God whose image you're made in, you will have that presence. Yeah. And I mean sitting in that's just like I feel like that's just like a an initial layer for me to pull back. What happens when I get three layers deeper? Right. Like my mind's already blown. Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: And I mean sitting in that, like that's just like I feel like that's just like a initial layer for me to pull back. Like I what happens when I get three layers deeper in that? Like my mind's already blown. What what happens when I continue to accept the fact that God's presence is what my heart is really longing for?

Jacob Creighton: Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: It's

Jacob Creighton: It's an amazing incomprehensible relationship that I think

Inperson participant 1: an amazing, incomprehensible relationship that I think.

Jacob Creighton: like yeah, if you were to sit with that alone and say, Yeah, Chris, you're an heir of God whoever you are listening, you're an heir of God because he has adopted you.

Inperson participant 1: Yeah, if you were to sit with that alone and say, Yeah, Chris, you're an heir of God. Whoever you are listening, you're an heir of God. because he has adopted you. Exactly.

Jacob Creighton: I mean, you run that as much as you want to run that. That's that's incredible stuff. That's incredible stuff.

Inperson participant 1: Well and w where does it where does it stop? You know, where does it stop for you?

Jacob Creighton: Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: I mean, where d where does the peace stop? If if God is it we are heirs of God, who do I have in heaven? Like we you know, people are like, What do you think heaven's gonna be like? Is it really gonna be streets of gold? You know, we're gonna eat fried chicken in heaven. You know, like I want fried chicken in heaven. Like I won't I want fried chicken that doesn't clog my my

Jacob Creighton: Yeah. Like You know, we're gonna eat fried chicken. I love talking about all this stuff. We should have a whole episode of this stuff. Fried chicken that doesn't clog my

Inperson participant 1: arteries in heaven. That's gonna be there. I think it I think it will be there.

Jacob Creighton: It will be there. Sweet teeth is gonna

Inperson participant 1: Sweet tea, amen. Grits. my God. I will not have a dairy.

Jacob Creighton: Big rhubarb steak.

Inperson participant 1: I will not have a dairy allergy or eczema in heaven. I won't have it. Like

Jacob Creighton: That's right.

Inperson participant 1: it's just not gonna be there. But of all those great things, dogs,

Jacob Creighton: Yeah, yeah.

Inperson participant 1: I'll finally get a dog. I don't care what Rachel says, I'll finally get a dog. Rudy's gonna be there. Rudy. Rudy will be there. Rudy will be there. I love

Jacob Creighton: Rachel said Rudy's gonna be there. I know. My dog will be there. Rudy will be there. I know.

Inperson participant 1: Rudy. That's my home dog right there. But of all of that,

Jacob Creighton: Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: all the things I I want like tangibly to be there. What is what is there free? Eternity is the presence of God. Full presence, yeah. Like I just

Jacob Creighton: Yeah, full presence of God. Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: I I don't know how we can we're actually gonna get into a little bit of this in the next sermon but it's to your point. I mean you say

Jacob Creighton: Yeah. Yeah, and and to your point, I mean you say a lot of time is that a lot of the times is that like the good news of the gospel is that it's like good news for us now to

Inperson participant 1: good news of the gospel is that it's like good news for us now to

Jacob Creighton: to l to live now in for eternity. And so part of

Inperson participant 1: Yeah. So part of

Jacob Creighton: w heirs of God even happens

Inperson participant 1: Heirs of God

Jacob Creighton: right now. You're an heir of God, you're an heir of the Holy Spirit who's a member of the Trinity. He's given you his Holy Spirit even now. His presence with you right now.

Inperson participant 1: Yeah. He's given you his Holy Spirit even now. He's with you right now. Yeah. yeah. Good stuff. Any any closing thoughts? Man, there's so much. yeah, I don't know if you want to get into any of those, but Yeah, I mean I think

Jacob Creighton: Yeah. Good stuff. Any any closing thoughts? You hit a couple illustrations. yeah, I don't know if you want to get into any of those, but

Inperson participant 1: the challenge for me now and and this is I mean you you heard my heart and this the air of God, peace, but like the these are declarations That change something about us. So I think the challenge to the listener is what what changes because you're adopted? I don't think we can just take this and be like, yay, and that's it. You know, like

Jacob Creighton: Changes because I don't think we can just take this and be like, Yay, this is it.

Inperson participant 1: I don't think a child that has lived his life on the streets that is suddenly adopted into the most rich and powerful household in the area that they just don't keep living on the street. Something massively changes. And it's not just that they didn't have money and now they do. There's a

Jacob Creighton: Something massive. And it's something changes. That they didn't have money and now they do. Yeah. There's a

Inperson participant 1: there's a intrinsic like a a security that that is now there. They don't have to run with their looking over their shoulder all the time.

Jacob Creighton: Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: They don't have to think about what's coming. It's it's it's there's a there's a protection, there's a safety, there's a comfort, there's a peace.

Jacob Creighton: There's a comfort, there's a peace.

Inperson participant 1: Like it

Jacob Creighton: It i as followers of Jesus, can we say the same thing?

Inperson participant 1: As followers of Jesus, can we say the same thing?

Jacob Creighton: Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: w we can we can live without a level of anxiety or a level of fear or a level of guilt or shame. I think we can. And so what what changes because you are declared adopted? I think it's just something I've been wrestling with. Yeah, part of the beauty I think of this series I'm I'm realizing is we are learning what is being declared about us.

Jacob Creighton: Yeah. Yeah. And so what what changes because you are declared about it? Yeah. Yeah, part of the beauty I think of this series that I'm I'm realizing is we are learning what is being declared about us. And to to even press into that more. How we live those out and and take those on is we remembered what's declared about us. And you kind of led us in a in a way of praying that kind of accepts this and takes us on, which I think is is really important. As we go through this series,

Inperson participant 1: And to to even press into that more. How we live those out and and take those on is we remember what's declared about us. Yeah. And you kind of led us in a in a way of praying that kind of accepts this and takes this on, which I think is is really important. As we go through this series

Jacob Creighton: we're not just, hey, these are this is what's declared of you and so, you know.

Inperson participant 1: We're not just, hey, these are this is what's declared of you and so, you know, maybe sometime three years later you can kind of go back and look at what these declarations are. But no, we really want them to be in the fabric of who we are, who our church is. Like what would change about us if we the lived as though we were adopted by God, that we were full heirs of him. Yes. That we were, you know, there's no condemnation for you. There's you are alive in the spirit.

Jacob Creighton: Maybe sometime three years later you can kind of go back and look at what these declarations are. But no, we really want them to be in the fabric of who we are, who our church is. Like what would change about us if we the lived as though we were adopted by God, that we were full heirs of Him. That we were, you know, there's no condemnation for you. There's you are alive in the spirit. and so I I would love for you to kind of just read even what this

Inperson participant 1: And so I would love for you to kind of just read even what this this last prayer. If you're you're if you're wanting a way to get super practical, I how does it look like for me to take some first steps in living this declaration? I think it's a great place for us to start. Yeah. I mean we even w just so you know, we prayed this in our stab meeting yesterday. I

Jacob Creighton: This last prayer. If you're you're if you're wanting a way to get super practical, I mean, how does it look like for me to take some first steps in living this declaration? I think this is a great place for us to start. I mean we did just so you know, we prayed this in our session. Yeah, we did.

Inperson participant 1: mean, this is what we spent time just personally praying, but the prayer that we we kinda ended with on Sunday was I am a beloved child of God. I don't have to earn what has already been given me. Holy Spirit, help me live from what is already true. And we use the language from this scripture, Daddy. We can cry out Abba Father, which is ear made for Daddy. Daddy, what would it look like for me to live as your child today?

Jacob Creighton: Yeah.

Inperson participant 1: What would it look like for me to live as your child today?

Jacob Creighton: Yeah. Yep. Yeah. That's good. And let the spirit lead you in that. yeah. Chris, thank you. Hope you guys have enjoyed today's talk, this episode. yeah, it's been a fun one. We we would love to hear from you. yeah, we'd love to hear your thoughts and comments, questions. yeah, we're thankful for

Inperson participant 1: Let the spirit lead you in that. That's it. yeah. Chris, thank you. Yeah. Hope guys have enjoyed today's talk this episode fun one, man. We would love to hear from you. yeah, we'd love to hear your thoughts and comments, questions. yeah, we're thankful for you guys tuning in and we will see you hopefully on a Sunday with us. And if not

Jacob Creighton: You guys tuning in and we will see you hopefully on a Sunday with us and if not on the next episode of the Forum Podcast. So thanks for joining us. See ya.

Inperson participant 1: Next episode of the Forum Podcast. See you soon.