The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.  Romans 8:16-17

A. The Spirit’s Leadership: Our Familial Identity with God

1. What family traits does the Spirit lead us to? Rom. 8:14

2. Family identity declared – 1 John 3:1-3

B. The Spirit’s Witness: Our Adoption, Access, His Witness

1. We receive the affirmation of our Adoption – Eph. 1:5

2. In our adoption we have access to God as Father – Gal 4:6

3. The independent witness of the Spirit – Rom. 8:16

4. The Independent Witness of the Spirit – Romans 8:17

a. We are heirs of God – Titus 3:4-7

TODAY

b. We are fellow heirs with Christ – Matt. 25:31-34, Luke 12:37, Rev. 19:6-9

– Shared nature: 2 Peter 1:3-4

– Shared life: 1 John 4:9

– Shared Father: John 20:17

– Shared kingdom: Matt. 25:31-34

– Shared fellowship: 1 John 1:1-3

– Shared service: Luke 12:37, Rev. 7:15, Rev. 19:6-9

– Shared sufferings

1. The inevitability of our suffering: John 16:33, Acts 14:21-22, 1 Peter 2:21

2. The purpose of our suffering

Fruit-bearing – John 15:1-2

Learn obedience – Ps. 119:67, 119:71, Heb. 5:8

Conformity to Christ – Heb. 12:10-11

3. The proper responses in our suffering: Phil. 1:29, 1 Peter 4:13

– Shared glory: Col. 3:1-4, 1 John 3:1-3, Phil. 3:20-21