This is Who Your Are: Romans 8:14-17

This past Sunday, we celebrated Pentecost—not just as a historic moment, but as a present reality. Pastor Dave led us into Romans 8:14–17 to show that Pentecost isn’t merely the Church’s beginning—it’s the Spirit’s ongoing work in forming a people who know who they are, and who know why they’re here.

We often think of Pentecost in terms of fire, wind, and power. But Paul brings us to something quieter, deeper, and more enduring: identity. “All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” That’s the foundation. Not feeling spiritual. Not achieving moral perfection. But being led—day by day, into a life shaped by Christ, a life that puts sin to death, a life that walks in obedience even when it’s hard.

This is the Spirit’s work: not just to give us gifts, but to give us grounding. Not just to stir our emotions, but to anchor our identity. The Holy Spirit testifies within us that we are children of God—not slaves trying to earn our place, but sons and daughters adopted by grace.

In the Roman world, adoption wasn’t a second-tier status. It was an act of permanence, honor, and security. An adopted son could never be disowned. And Paul uses that imagery to tell us: God didn’t settle for you. He chose you. He pursued you. And He put His Spirit in you—not just so you could feel safe, but so you could live with purpose.

Because if you are a child of God, then you are also an heir. And heirs don’t just receive blessing—they carry responsibility. Paul says we are heirs “if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.” The life of the Spirit is not one of spiritual ease—it’s one of courageous faithfulness. Just as Pentecost launched the early church into mission, into suffering, into the unknown—so too does it call us.

Pastor Dave reminded us that being filled with the Spirit means more than belonging to the Church—it means becoming the Church. It means recognizing that the Church isn’t a building to attend—it’s a body to belong to. A mission to inherit. A calling to carry.

We were challenged not to outsource the work of the Church to someone else—not to wait for “them” to lead, serve, invite, organize, pray, or go. Because if the Spirit lives in you, then you’ve already been entrusted. You’ve already been equipped. You’ve already been sent.

And that calling is not always easy. The Spirit may lead us into places of discomfort, even suffering. But He never leads us into them alone. He leads us with the promise of resurrection. With the assurance of belonging. With the inheritance of glory.

So what does it mean to live as Pentecost people?

It means we no longer measure our faith by what we feel, but by who we follow.
It means we don’t chase comfort—we carry calling.
It means we live as heirs—not just of eternal life, but of the mission of Christ.

And it means we ask hard questions:

• What part of the Church’s mission am I carrying?

• What gifts has the Spirit entrusted to me?

• What responsibility have I been avoiding that now, by His Spirit, I’m ready to step into?

Because Pentecost isn’t a moment to admire. It’s a movement we are called to join.

The Spirit has come.
The Church has been born.
And now, you are the Church.
Adopted.
Filled.
Sent.

Let’s live like it.