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ILSOM STUDENT NOTES

Spirit of Sonship

(Inspired by the teachings of Jack Frost & James Jordan)

OBJECTIVE
To know that we are sons and daughters, not orphans.

INTRODUCTION
The love of the Father will deal with our fears, insecurities and pain.

We have become his sons and his daughters. (John 1:1213)

Jesus said, I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. (John 14:18)

ROOTS OF SPIRITUAL ORPHANS

Satans Position: Satan alienated himself from the love of the Father. (Isa 14:1216; Ezek 28:12b19) He
became the first spiritual orphan.
Adam & Eve: When they sinned, they broke fellowship with God, and were driven out of the garden.
They walked out into fear, striving, and pain. All of us were in Adam, and walked out into orphan
ways. (Rom 2:15; 1 Cor 15:22) Now we fight for everything, do things ourselves, look after ourselves; get what we can get when we can get it. We live in an orphan world.

ORPHAN VS. A SON

Ishmael & Isaac (Gen 21:921)
Spirit of Sonship vs. Spirit of an Orphan (see next page) Orphans are rarely able to receive affection,
affirmation, security, comfort, and protection. We live as if we do not have a loving and affirming home
with Father God. Sonship is about security, significance, identity, patience, basic trust, faithfulness,
loyalty, humility, and being othersoriented.
Adoption: We have become the sons & daughters of God. (Rom 8:14, 15) Sonship is a processwe
move from being a servant to being a son or daughter. (Rom 8:15given spirit of sonship; Gal 4:5
rights of a son; Rom 8:23adoption)
God chose you. (Eph 1:5; John 15:16; Deut 1:31)

MINISTRY
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Repent for orphan tendencies.
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Forgive those who have contributed to your orphan tendencies.
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Ask God to Father you.

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ILSOM STUDENT NOTES

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THE SPIRIT OF AN ORPHAN

See God as Master
Independent / Selfreliant

THE SPIRIT OF SONSHIP

PICTURE OF GOD
DEPENDENCY

See God as a loving Father

Interdependent

Live by the Love of Law

THEOLOGY

Live by the Law of Love

Insecure / Lack peace

SECURITY

Rest and Peace

Strive for praise, approval, acceptance

NEED FOR APPROVAL

Accepted in Gods love justified

by grace

Personal achievement to impress God

or no motivation to serve at all

MOTIVE FOR SERVICE

Deep gratitude for being loved

and accepted by God

Duty and earning Gods favor or none

MOTIVE BEHIND
CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINES

Must be holy Gods favor, increasing shame and guilt

MOTIVE FOR PURITY

Pleasure and delight

Want to be holy; dont want
anything to hinder intimacy

Selfrejection from comparing yourself

SELFIMAGE

Seek comfort in counterfeit affections

SOURCE OF COMFORT

Rest in the Fathers presence

and love

Competition, rivalry, and jealousy

PEER RELATIONSHIPS

Humility and unity

Make yourself look good by making

others look bad

Positiveaffirmed by value to God

HANDLING OTHERS FAULTS

Seeks to restore others in love

Source of pain; distrustful, no

submission

VIEW OF AUTHORITY

Respectful, honoring; ministers

of God

Difficulty receiving admonition

VIEW OF ADMONITION

As a blessing and need in your life

Guarded and conditional

EXPRESSION OF LOVE

Open, patient, and affectionate

Conditional & Distant

Bondage
Feel like a Servant/Slave
Spiritual ambition; a desire to be seen
Fight for what you can get!

ILSOM STUDENT NOTES v 1.1

SENSE OF GODS PRESENCE

CONDITION
POSITION
VISION
FUTURE

Close & Intimate

Liberty
Feel like a Son/Daughter
To daily experience the
Fathers love
Sonship releases your inheritance!

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