In this third message on the Spirit of adoption, Pastor Robert McNutt preaches from Romans 8:12-17, centering on verse 15: believers "did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but... the Spirit of adoption." Because the Spirit's convicting work of slavery always precedes adoption -- as Whitefield said, "there is no going to Mount Zion but by the way of Mount Sinai" -- McNutt traces Paul's argument from Romans 5 through 8 to show that peace with God and bondage cannot coexist, confirming it from Galatians 4:1-7 and 1 John 4:16-19. He then answers three challenges to that liberty. First, texts commanding fear (2 Corinthians 5:11; Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 12:28-29) speak of reverence and awe grounded in love, not the torment of a slave; the Christian approaches a consuming fire with confidence (Hebrews 4:16) because the Judge has become his Father. Second, temperament, depression, and even backsliding do not return a believer to bondage: he sins against love, not law, and like David in Psalm 51 or the prodigal in Luke 15, he is driven home to a Father with open arms and the promise of 1 John 1:9. Third, satanic assault cannot impose the spirit of slavery, for the child of God is armed to resist and stand (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9; 1 John 4:4; Ephesians 6:10-20). McNutt closes by urging believers to stop walking around with a spirit of slavery they no longer possess, to live instead as adopted adult children with every right and privilege in Christ, trusting God's person, power, and promises -- and by calling the unconverted to the Savior who turns slaves into sons.
6 Sept 2026
Great Indisnation Against a Backsliden Nation
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