June 21, 2018
Mufasa!!!
Romans 8:15–17
Burlon Leffall III
Central Truth
If you have a new life in Christ, it's not just hell insurance. You get to know a heavenly Father who loves you, affirms you, and is always there for you. Even better the Father sends His Holy Spirit to live in you and seal you as an heir of God and fellow heir with Christ.
Romans 8:15–17
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 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.
Dive Deeper | Romans 8:15–17
Recently, I tried to get my two-year-old cousin to watch the Lion King (an animated film about a young lion’s journey to be the king he was born to be). Much to my chagrin, he was neither captivated by the film, nor my ability to sing or quote its lines.
In one scene, two villainous hyenas comically revel in their mutual fear of king Mufasa. One hyena shudders at just hearing Mufasa’s name, then asks to hear it again, until physically overwhelmed by the mere utterance. The hyenas had just returned from literally getting their tails whipped by Mufasa for trying to turn his son into a “cub” sandwich. He releases them with the warning: “If you ever come near my son again . . . .”
We’ve all imagined different ways we wish God would show the world that we are His children and under His protection. Whether it is as comedic as a bolt of lightning on a sunny day, as romantic as a dove landing on our shoulder, or as overwhelming as an unbodied voice in surround sound, we’ve all fancied the idea of God going above and beyond to affirm us as His children. Many may not have experienced the protective offense or defense of a loving, affirming earthly father, but we’ve all experienced a more powerful figure being our on-call champion in some way.
The absolute certainty of the Christ-follower's adoption is tethered with certain absolutes of Christ’s crucifixion and sealed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Isaiah 53:1-12 details just how the Father forsook His beloved Son (Matthew 27:46) for the benefit of those who would believe. Romans 8:16 confirms that the same Spirit who raised Jesus from death also proves us as children of God if we surrender to Christ (Romans 10:9). If you are born again, you are adopted. You are an heir. You are a child of God. And even more, by His Spirit we are able to call God “Abba! Father!” What a wonderful Father to have in your corner. “Mufasa!”
This month's memory verse
22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.
– Romans 6:22
Discussion Questions
1. The Holy Spirit is undoubtedly the least understood member of the Trinity. Read back through Romans 8, note all the times (20) it mentions the Spirit, and write down how those mentions of the Spirit impact you.
2. “Abba” is an Aramaic term of endearment for a father. Do you struggle with thinking of God as your “Father”? Why?
3. Does being “adopted” make you any less loved as God's child than His beloved Son?
4. “Abba” is one of the many names attributed to God in the Bible. Is there an additional name or characteristic of God that comforts you as His child?
5. Jesus Christ may not be called “Mufasa” or the “The Lion King,” but He is the “Lion of Judah” (Revelation 5:5). His Name has power and authority (Philippians 2:9-11). Is there anything preventing you from believing He has the ability to intercede in your life?
6. Is there a time you believe God has “roared” to your rescue?