Control: Sunday Message:

Intro:

Outline:

Present Suffering: “Wait Patiently with Hope” (vs. 18-25)

Prayer Struggles: “God Works all Things to make me like Jesus and that is Good” (vs. 26-30)

Powerful Hope: “More Than Conquerors Through Him who Loved us” (vs. 66-73)

Summary: Control comes down to trusting the one that loves us

Prayer:

Present Suffering: “Wait Patiently with Hope” (vs. 18-25)

The Faith Challenge (v. 18)

For I consider- logizomia

that the sufferings of this present time- “a state of great suffering and distress due to adversity”

are not worth comparing with the glory (high honour) that is to be revealed to us

Creation (vs. 19-22)

For creations waits

with eager longing

for the revealing of the sons of God

For the creation was subjected to futility

not willingly

but because of him who subjected it

in hope

that the creation itself will be set free from

its bondage to corruption

and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together

in the pains of childbirth until now

Humanity (vs. 23-25)

Not only creation, but we ourselves

who have the firstfruits of the Spirit

groan inwardly

as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons

the redemption of our bodies.

For to this hope we were saved

hope that is seen is not hope

for who hopes for what he sees

but if we hope for what we do not see

we wait for it with patience

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

What challenged you from these verses?

What would you like to learn a little more about?

Engage the Heart (humiity vs. pride):

What is it about what is happening in creation that makes you feel like no one is in control: global warming, tsunamis, floods, droubts, wildfires, natural resources being limited, etc.

How about humanity, do you ever feel like things are out of control: racism, police brutality, War in Ukraine, residential school, Covid-19 and other viruses and diseases, mental health, sexuality

If you are a christian there is no need to panic, to lose control! Why, because God’s glory outweighs everything. He created this world and the human body and even though they do not work they way they should doesn’t mean that God’s plan for you is out of control.

Enlist the Body (Words, actions, emotions):

The first Faith Challenge for you and I this morning is to wait patiently. This does not mean that we do not acknowledge when life is hard. We do! We groan

What is something that makes you groan inwardly...

What is one thing you are thankful for… the adoption into God’s family, the future redemption of our bodies

Song: “, Graves into Gardens”- Elevation, “In Jesus Name”- Katy Nichole

Transitional phrase: Sometimes we really struggle with control over the world around us and the bodies we live in. Jesus gives us hope that allows us to wait patiently for God’s promises.

Prayer Struggles: “God Works All Things to Make Me Like Jesus and that is what is Good” (vs. 26-30)

The Faith Challenge (v. 26)

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness

for we do not know what to pray for as we ought

but the Spirit himself

intercedes for us

with groanings too deep for words

A Heart Search (v. 27)

And he who searches hearts

knows what is in the mind of the Spirit

Because the Spirit intercedes for the saints

according to the will of God

Working to the Good (vs. 28-30)

and we know that for those who love God

all things work together for good

for those who are called according to his purpose

For those whom he foreknew

he also predestined to be confromed to the image of his Son

in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers

and those whom he predestined

he also called, and those whom he called

He also justified, and those whom he justified

He also glorified

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

What challenged you from these verses?

What would you like to learn a little more about?

Engage the Heart (humiity vs. pride):

What is it about prayer that makes you question God’s control the most? Is it that He doesn’t answer the way that you would like Him to or you do not like the way in which he is presently allowing things to happen for the purpose of making you more like Jesus? This is an opportunity to Grow in your faith.

What is at the heart of your prayers? For God to answer you and give you what you ask for or for Him to make you more like Jesus even if the circumstances don’t change?

When was the last time you prayed that God’s will would be done in your life rather than bringing your will to Him?

Enlist the Body (Words, actions, emotions):

Pray with me right now, I want you to pray and state the struggle that is at the forefront of your mind right now, and then ask ask God to use this to make you more like Jesus.

Transitional phrase:

Persevering Hope: “More than Conquerors through Him who Loved us” (vs. 31-37)

Present Suffering (vs. -)

What shall we say to these things?

If God is for us

who can be against us?

He who did not spare his own son

but gave him up for us all

how will he not also with him graciously give us all things

Prayer Struggles (vs. -)

Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect?

it is God who justifies

Who is to condemn?

Christ Jesus is the one who died

More than that, who was raised

who is at the right hand of God

Who indeed is interceding for us

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

shall tribulation

or distress

or persecution

or famine

or nakedness

or danger

or sword?

As it is written

For your sake we are being killed all the day long

We are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered

Faith Challenge (vs. 37-39)

No, in all these things

we are more than conquerors through him who loved us

For I am sure that

neither death nor life

nor angels nor rulers

nor things present

not things to come

nor powers

nor height nor depth

nor anything else in all creation

will be able to separate us from the

love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

What challenged you from these verses?

What would you like to learn a little more about?

Engage the Heart (humiity vs. pride):

How would you answer the questions in this section? Who or what is against you? Who is bringing the charge against you these days? Who is condemning you? Who or what is separating you for the love and control of God on your life?

Enlist the Body (Words, actions, emotions):

Transitional phrase:

Summary

Song:

Discussion questions

Worship- Renew the Mind (Scripture)

1. What passage of Scripture did we look at? Summarize it in your own words.

2. ?

3. ?

4. ?

Grow- Engage the Heart (Conversation)

1. ?

2. ?

3. ?

Serve- Enlist the Body (Action)

?

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