CFTN | Week of June 18th | www.cftn.com | Dr. Michael Maiden

Romans 8:1-2, 14-17, 29-30 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bond-age again to fear, but you re-ceived the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Him-self bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many breth-ren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also

called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Our God has always been the loving Father His lost sons and daughters are searching for.

Sin turns sons into slaves.

The greatest consequence of sin is lost identity.

Slaves are incapable of dreaming great dreams

Sons are incapable of not dreaming great dreams

Have you found your Abba?

We all have 2 natures, a new one and an old one; a Christ nature an Adam nature. The nature you most IDENTIFY with gains control of your life (words, attitude, behavior).

The Bible is a book of IDENTITY - a mirror that we look into until we see OURSELVES the way God does. The revelation of God’s Word brings faith to our spirit and transformation to our soul. Our Father is always in a good mood. Slaves are controlled by fear. Sons are controlled by love. Slaves live in the terror or their mistakes.Sons live in the favor of their Father. In the New Testament, there are 5 words for “son” or “child”. These words denote

a progressive development from infancy to mature sonship over time. I. Nepios - Infants a. Feeds on “milk” of God’s Word Hebrews 5:12-14 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who par-takes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to dis-cern both good and evil.

b. Carnal nature still strong

I Corinthians 3:1-3 1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

II. Paidion - Developing Son

a. Growing in knowledge of God’s nature and character

I John 2:12-13 12 I write to you, little chil-dren, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.13 I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the begin-ning. I write to you, young

men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. b. Learns to walk in humility to grow Matthew 18:2-5 2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, un-less you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever hum-bles himself as this little child is the greatest in the king-dom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. c. Still needs maturity I Corinthians 14:20 Brethren, do not be chil-dren in understanding; how-ever, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature. III. Teknon - Growing Son a. Developed a strong relationship with his Father

John 1:11-12 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: Romans 9:6-8 6 But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, 7 nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” 8 That is, those who are the children of the flesh,

CFTN | Week of June 18th | www.cftn.com

these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.

b. Learns to overcome sin I John 2:1; 3:10 2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if any-one sins, we have an Advo-cate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 3:10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Who-ever does not practice righ-teousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. c. Imitates his Father by loving others Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. d. Submits will to his Father Galatians 4:19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, e. Lives believing in his inheritance in God Galatians 4:28, 31 28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bond-woman but of the free.

IV. Neaniskos - Strong Son a. Spiritually strong, God’s Word in him

I John 2:14 I have written to you, fa-

thers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you And you have overcome the wicked one. b. Filled with the Holy Spirit Acts 2:17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. c. Walks in victory Matthew 19:20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” V. Huios - Mature Son a. Led by the Holy Spirit Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. b. Submitted to the Father Matthew 3:17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” c. Excels in love, forgiveness, and peace Matthew 5:9, 44 9 Blessed are the peace-makers, For they shall be called sons of God. 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and

pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, Luke 6:35-36 35 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.” 36 Then He spoke a para-ble to them: “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the old. d. Not offended by the discipline of the Father Hebrews 12:7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? e. Activates firstborn statusprivilege, and function Romans 8:29-30 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many breth-ren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

In the life of the average Hebrew boy, there were three major events, which drew broad public attention to him. The first of these events was his “Circumcision”, which occurred when he was an infant, at eight days old. This was the moment that he was marked as a “covenant man” in Israel, and was celebrated throughout the community.

The second major event was his “Bar-Mitzvah”, which took place as he was about to enter into puberty. The word Bar-Mitzvah actually means “a son accountable”, and this signified the time, not only when he was held accountable for keeping the Commandments of God, but also when he was to become an apprentice under his father in the family business. This, too, was celebrated as a very special event in the life of the child, just as today.

The third event was what was known as the “Huiothesia” or the (young man’s) “adoption ceremony.” The word “Huiothesia” means “son placement,” and indicates the time when the male child reached what was considered to be the age of maturity (somewhere around 30). At this time, the father of the young man would place his hand on the head of his son and openly proclaim, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased! I bestow upon him now all of my riches and power and authority (through power of attorney) so that he might act on my behalf in all of my affairs.”