The Chapel at Fishhawk
Divine Direction // Romans 8:12-14
Sunday Gathering
Locations & Times
The Chapel at Fishhawk
6026 Churchside Dr, Lithia, FL 33547, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Get Connected
Connect Card:Fill out connect card online today or drop the physical card in the basket on your way out. Let us know how we can pray for you.
https://thechapelfh.churchcenter.com/people/forms/18491?data-open-in-church-center-modal=trueGive Today
We have a tremendous opportunity to proclaim the good news of Jesus by giving generously. Giving increases our devotion to Jesus and helps us align out lives with God’s priorities. It provides an outlet for compassion and allows us to proclaim his good news and trust his provision. Click here to give online today.
https://thechapelfh.churchcenteronline.com/givingAdditional Scripture
1. God’s Guiding Presence (The Pillar of Cloud and Fire)
Exodus 13:21–22
“And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.”
This directly supports the sermon’s imagery of the Israelites being led by God’s visible presence in the wilderness—a striking parallel to how the Holy Spirit leads believers today.
Numbers 9:15–23
Describes how the Israelites moved their camp only at God’s command, following the cloud. This underscores the principle of waiting on the Lord’s direction rather than relying on human wisdom.
Exodus 33:14
“And he said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’”
God’s promise of His abiding presence is central to Israel’s journey, reminding us that God’s guidance brings both direction and rest for His people.
2. Turning Away from Sin and the Old Life
Exodus 16:2–3; Numbers 14:1–4
The Israelites grumble in the wilderness and even consider returning to Egypt. These stories highlight how human nature can long for the familiarity of bondage rather than embracing the freedom and guidance God provides.
Colossians 3:5
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you…”
Paul’s command to “put to death” our sinful practices echoes Romans 8:13 (“if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live”). Both passages remind believers to proactively turn from sin.
Galatians 5:16–17
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit…”
This New Testament instruction mirrors the imagery in Romans 8 of choosing the Spirit-led life over fleshly desires.
Romans 6:6–7
“We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing…”
Highlights our freedom from the power of sin, much like Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian slavery.
3. Adopting Our True Identity as Children of God
Romans 8:15–17
“…you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’”
Just a few verses after Romans 8:12–14, Paul elaborates on believers’ adoption into God’s family. This ties directly to the sermon’s emphasis on being sons and daughters of the King.
Ephesians 1:3–5
“…he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ…”
Reinforces the biblical theme of adoption, showing that God’s plan has always been to bring us close as His beloved children.
2 Corinthians 6:18
“…and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”
Conveys the promise of intimacy and belonging with God—He is not a distant deity but a loving Father.
John 8:34–36
“Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin… So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
Compares slavery to sin with the freedom found in God’s family, echoing the Exodus deliverance and our call to live under Christ’s lordship rather than sin’s dominion.
4. Additional Notes and Illustrations
Covenant at Sinai (Exodus 19:3–6)
God calls Israel His “treasured possession,” signifying a unique identity and relationship. This is analogous to believers being called children of God through Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:1–2
“For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea…”
Paul draws a parallel between Israel’s physical journey under the cloud and believers’ spiritual journey in Christ. It underscores how the Exodus narrative was a foreshadowing of our ultimate freedom in Jesus.
Galatians 5:22–25
Lists the “fruit of the Spirit,” which believers cultivate when they walk by the Spirit rather than the flesh. This aligns perfectly with Romans 8:13’s call to live by the Spirit.
How These References Tie Together
God’s Guiding Presence: The pillars in Exodus portray God’s faithful direction. For Christians, the Holy Spirit now fulfills that role—leading us, convicting us, and empowering us.
Turning Away from Sin: Both Israel’s longing for Egypt and Paul’s challenge to “put to death” sin demonstrate our propensity to cling to old habits. Scripture repeatedly exhorts believers to break from the old life and walk in newness.
Adoption and Identity: Throughout the Old and New Testaments, God reveals His heart to make us His own—first as Israel, His “treasured possession,” and ultimately as the Church, His beloved children through Christ.
Walking in Freedom: The Exodus foreshadows the believer’s liberation from sin through Jesus. We are led not by the captivity of the flesh but by the freeing power of the Holy Spirit.
1. God’s Guiding Presence (The Pillar of Cloud and Fire)
Exodus 13:21–22
“And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.”
This directly supports the sermon’s imagery of the Israelites being led by God’s visible presence in the wilderness—a striking parallel to how the Holy Spirit leads believers today.
Numbers 9:15–23
Describes how the Israelites moved their camp only at God’s command, following the cloud. This underscores the principle of waiting on the Lord’s direction rather than relying on human wisdom.
Exodus 33:14
“And he said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’”
God’s promise of His abiding presence is central to Israel’s journey, reminding us that God’s guidance brings both direction and rest for His people.
2. Turning Away from Sin and the Old Life
Exodus 16:2–3; Numbers 14:1–4
The Israelites grumble in the wilderness and even consider returning to Egypt. These stories highlight how human nature can long for the familiarity of bondage rather than embracing the freedom and guidance God provides.
Colossians 3:5
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you…”
Paul’s command to “put to death” our sinful practices echoes Romans 8:13 (“if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live”). Both passages remind believers to proactively turn from sin.
Galatians 5:16–17
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit…”
This New Testament instruction mirrors the imagery in Romans 8 of choosing the Spirit-led life over fleshly desires.
Romans 6:6–7
“We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing…”
Highlights our freedom from the power of sin, much like Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian slavery.
3. Adopting Our True Identity as Children of God
Romans 8:15–17
“…you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’”
Just a few verses after Romans 8:12–14, Paul elaborates on believers’ adoption into God’s family. This ties directly to the sermon’s emphasis on being sons and daughters of the King.
Ephesians 1:3–5
“…he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ…”
Reinforces the biblical theme of adoption, showing that God’s plan has always been to bring us close as His beloved children.
2 Corinthians 6:18
“…and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”
Conveys the promise of intimacy and belonging with God—He is not a distant deity but a loving Father.
John 8:34–36
“Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin… So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
Compares slavery to sin with the freedom found in God’s family, echoing the Exodus deliverance and our call to live under Christ’s lordship rather than sin’s dominion.
4. Additional Notes and Illustrations
Covenant at Sinai (Exodus 19:3–6)
God calls Israel His “treasured possession,” signifying a unique identity and relationship. This is analogous to believers being called children of God through Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:1–2
“For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea…”
Paul draws a parallel between Israel’s physical journey under the cloud and believers’ spiritual journey in Christ. It underscores how the Exodus narrative was a foreshadowing of our ultimate freedom in Jesus.
Galatians 5:22–25
Lists the “fruit of the Spirit,” which believers cultivate when they walk by the Spirit rather than the flesh. This aligns perfectly with Romans 8:13’s call to live by the Spirit.
How These References Tie Together
God’s Guiding Presence: The pillars in Exodus portray God’s faithful direction. For Christians, the Holy Spirit now fulfills that role—leading us, convicting us, and empowering us.
Turning Away from Sin: Both Israel’s longing for Egypt and Paul’s challenge to “put to death” sin demonstrate our propensity to cling to old habits. Scripture repeatedly exhorts believers to break from the old life and walk in newness.
Adoption and Identity: Throughout the Old and New Testaments, God reveals His heart to make us His own—first as Israel, His “treasured possession,” and ultimately as the Church, His beloved children through Christ.
Walking in Freedom: The Exodus foreshadows the believer’s liberation from sin through Jesus. We are led not by the captivity of the flesh but by the freeing power of the Holy Spirit.
