3/17/19 A.M. Groaning

8. Mercy, Grace, Patience. God’s mercy, patience, and grace may be seen as three separate attributes, or as specific aspects of God’s goodness. The definitions given here show these attributes as special examples of God’s goodness when it is used for the benefit of specific classes of people.

God’s mercy means God’s goodness toward those in misery and distress.

God’s grace means God’s goodness toward those who deserve only punishment.

God’s patience means God’s goodness in withholding of punishment toward those who sin over a period of time.

These three characteristics of God’s nature are often mentioned together, especially in the Old Testament. When God declared his name to Moses, he proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Ex. 34:6 ). David says in Psalm 103:8 , “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”

Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 200). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

God’s goodness in grace highlights his redemptive activities.

God’s redemption of mankind has affected the whole earth.

Romans 8:18–30 NIV

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

The Greater Glory in Suffering Creation Waits

Romans 8:18–21 NIV

Point: Responding to suffering

Paul shares his response to his current world circumstances.

Paul shared his belief that they are not worth reflecting on - what do you believe about our present sufferings?

Paul doesn’t think them worth comparing what God is doing inside us. They are not worth the time!

Creation waits: Creation waits for God’s glory to be revealed in the children of God. That means those who are trusting in Christ as their savior! To be Revealed . . . future tense - not now but at some future time -

The frustration of Creation: not its choice . . . How do you like the weather? How do you like a cold, the flu, getting some teeth pulled?

Creation is in bondage and decay

Creation is connected to God’s revelation of His children!

I need to hear this! Think of it as a new way of living life in the fallen world. You and I are God’s key to Creation being set free.

There is much entertainment

Eager to be Adopted - Christians Wait

Romans 8:22–25 NIV

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

The redemption of our bodies!

Groaning: to groan together v. — to groan along with another or others.

Not just the earth, but those who have the firstfruits of the Spirit - firstfruits n. — the first yield of a crop in a season.

We groan inwardly

We wait eagerly: to await eagerly v. — to expect or hope for something expectantly or eagerly. We are expecting our adoption.

For our adoption to sonship - which is the redemption of our bodies. Points to a full redemption n. — a redemption most likely to a greater extent or degree.

“and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.” (Acts 24:15, NIV)

“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”” (Romans 4:18, NIV)

“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5, NIV)

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12, NIV)

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4, NIV)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NIV)

We hope for what we do not yet have - Patiently

The Spirit Groans

Romans 8:26–27 NIV

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Spirit helps in our weakness

The Spirit intercedes

The Spirit searches

That We Would Conform

Romans 8:28–30 NIV

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Called according to his purpose

Leviticus 26:14–17 NIV

14 “ ‘But if you will not listen to me and carry out all these commands, 15 and if you reject my decrees and abhor my laws and fail to carry out all my commands and so violate my covenant, 16 then I will do this to you: I will bring on you sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever that will destroy your sight and sap your strength. You will plant seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it. 17 I will set my face against you so that you will be defeated by your enemies; those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee even when no one is pursuing you.

Romans 2:8–11 NIV

8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.

God doesn’t show favoritism

Predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ

The Book of Romans A Promised Goal (Verses 29, 30)

God has predestinated a certain goal, a certain ultimate glorification for those who believe. “Predestinated” is not all that special a word, anyway. All it means is foreordained, preplanned. The verse is telling us that God’s plan for the believer is not a new thing or an accident. Before man was ever made God foresaw that sin would come. He also foresaw that some would put their faith in Him for redemption from that sin. In eternity, He made His plan and settled His purpose for those who would believe. He determined even then to bring the believers to a final glorification in which they would be conformed to the image of His Son.