Heirs of Christ, All of Us!

Judica - March 13, 2005

Romans 8:11-19

Our text for today is the Epistle lesson read earlier from Paul's letter to the Romans.

In this letter of Paul's to the Romans, we are brought to stark realization of what it means to live as Christians. Our reading for today begins with this phrase, "And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you..." Paul assumes he is writing to Christians. You are here this morning, you came to Zion/ St. Peter Lutheran Church this morning because the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you as He is living in me.

We here today are all heirs of Christ, this has a number of implications for our life.

As heirs of Christ, we are Christians, little Christs. But, we still have doubts at times. We wonder why a loving God would allow certain things to happen. Would he allow starvation, abortion, disease, murder, and countless other evils to exist?

We become concerned about the world, and in so doing we may doubt that there is a loving God that would let these things happen. When this comes about, our faith falters and for a while we may not believe in God, or so we may claim.

Doubt! It creeps into our life and reminds us that although we are heirs of Christ we are still "in the flesh" and susceptible to temptations to fall away. It is a paradox, we are simultaneously sinner and saint

We can see our sinful nature at work in our lives as we whine about how we wish God would allow us to have it a little better. Why does he let us suffer. If we're His children, why must we be persecuted by those around us.

As I have said before, it is increasingly evident that our society is anything but Christian, and as Christians, we are often ridiculed or treated poorly for what we believe. We keep our faith hidden at times rather than express what we believe.

For example, it is easier to sit back and relax and not say a word when people around us use God's name in vain or just in passing. It is a sin to use God's name in times when we're not praying or doing something connected with our faith. Yet, when somebody uses that name wrongly do we speak up for that name? Or do we just keep our mouth shut; it is so much easier that way.

People who would make fun of something else about which we feel strongly would certainly hear about it. People who are Ford fans get pretty upset when someone else makes fun of Fords. The same holds true for Chevy lovers and those who think MOPAR makes the best car - especially during NASCAR season.

Or, if someone were to knock and deride our country we might say something like, "If you don't like America, then leave."

But, we become rather tongue-tied when it comes to defending our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We're afraid that we might be teased, ridiculed, or left out of something.

There are other times we wonder why our lives are so difficult. Why do we have it so bad, when those who aren't Christians have it so good, they are rich and have all of life's pleasures. What are we being punished for?

We may ask, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" "Who is good?" is the better question.

And, then there are those who claim to be Christian out in the world telling us that if you really have faith God will bless you. They tell us that God wants to give us all that our hearts' may desire. They claim that God wants you to be happy and satisfied.

Well, a Christian’s happiness and satisfaction comes from the knowledge that although we are sinners and can do nothing good, God still loves us. Although none of us is good, not even one, we are still heirs of Christ, and hence, heirs of eternal life with God in heaven.

You need to remember that Jesus himself told us to "take up our cross and follow Him." Being a Christian isn't easy; you ought to expect persecution and trials in this life. Hey, Satan wants to get his grimy hands on you and have you join Him for eternity. I'd rather not - neither would you.

If Satan can lead you astray, get you to think that you can have all you want in this life, then you have fallen prey to the world's first con game. That's the trick Satan pulled on Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

We need to listen to God's Words to us through the apostle Paul in verses 16 and 17 of our text. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Your suffering shows your unity to Christ. It shows that you really are heirs of God. Your suffering is because you are God's own, therefore Satan and the world hate you. They want to lead you astray. Jesus himself said, "the world will hate you because of My name." Yes, you will suffer because you bear the name of Christ.

Christ taught us how to pray. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told the crowds and us, "This is how you are to pray, Our Father, who art in heaven." Boy, what words! How can we not come in faith, speaking to someone who want us to come to Him like children to a Father.

In our text we are told that in faith we cry out, "Abba, Father." The crying out of these words proclaim our confidence through the faith given by the Holy Spirit. They are words of belief that our Father is able to help us.

Just as a young child awakes from a bad dream and hollers for mommy and daddy, fulling knowing that one will come and help calm and comfort. It is this kind of confidence which draws us to pray to our Father. This use of God's name, crying out in faith and prayer is the proper use of God's name. It is a bold proclamation of our faith. It is in this manner that we show our faith relationship as heirs of Christ, and hence sons of the Father.

It is in this relationship with your Father that you are emboldened to live your lives. The law, knowing of your sinfulness should lead you to fear. But, knowing that you are forgiven through Christ Jesus, you are freed to live confidently in your new relationship with God; no longer enslaved to your fear. Listen to our text: those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

As I said earlier, we are each, simultaneously sinner and saint. It is in our confidence of forgiveness that we are strengthened to live new lives pleasing to God, tspeak boldly when others speak God's name in vain, knowing that Abba, Father, is always there with us.

This confidence comes through Christ. In baptism you were united to Christ, to His death and His resurrection. Christ lived that life which you are unable to live. He walked and was tempted in every way like we all are, but resisted temptation and denied sin the foothold. It is His perfect life then which you inherit.

Born sinful, you are not able to live lives pleasing to God. "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity and in sin my mother conceived me." These are the words of King David, a great man of faith, one of God's chosen; yet his words show his total corruption by sin. Just as David relied on the coming Messiah as His Savior, you too are great people of faith in that your strength comes also as did His, through your Savior Jesus Christ - Christ in you.

As you hear His Word, He brings you back into focus. Suffering is an integral part of life in the Spirit - both in Christ's life, and in yours. If he who had no sin was sorely tested, how much more we, who are born with the sinful nature face temptations, and need to put to death our flesh and it's desires. That is what it means to daily live in your baptism, to daily live in Christ through repentance.

If God's own Son called upon His Father, and was led by the Spirit, how much more will you need to implore the Father, and as promised, the Spirit will help in your need. Suffering and life go together, especially in those who are heirs of Christ, as our text reminds us: The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

You are heirs of and with Christ. You suffer with Him in order to be glorified with Him. Now, do not think that because of your suffering, you're going to be rewarded with glory - NO! It is because you are in Christ, because glory is already yours, that you suffer.

But, our suffering is not able to be compared to the glory that is to be eternally ours as heirs of Christ. Eternal glory will soon be ours because of our identification with Christ - you have been baptized into His life, His death, His victory, and His inheritance. Your glory comes to us as a result of Christ's sufferings. You share His sufferings now in a small way, but soon you will share in all the glory of His kingdom as your kinship to Him is revealed.

But glory is not just a future event. Glory is knowing that you share the joy of living by the Spirit, under God's grace, as heirs of Christ, even today.

Today, we see glimpses of the life to come in our worship. As our liturgy is taken from Scripture, it is an earthly echoing of the strains of the worship of those already gathered around God's heavenly throne of grace. Our worship unites us with those who have died in the faith and gone on before us. This we know, for it was seen in the visions of the prophets and apostles.

We also gather as fellow heirs to partake of Christ's Body and Blood in the Sacrament of the Altar. It is a foretaste of the feast to come, a glimpse of that glory which is our inheritance of as little Christs.

The Supper releases us from our bondage of sin as it bestows upon us forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. It frees us to bask in the peace we have with God, knowing that we are His children and that one day we will join Him in His heavenly mansion.

Christ has gone on ahead to prepare a place there for you and for me, and He has sent His Spirit to be with us. The Comforter is with you. He give us always, through Word and Sacrament, our inheritance in forgiveness and salvation. Your inheritance is eternal life through Christ Jesus your Savior. Amen.

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