Suffering produces Holy Groaning

Romans 8:18–30 CSB

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of him who subjected it—in the hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. Not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits—we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. Now in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience. In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.

Grab Attention: Why do athletes practice, not just to learn plays and get better, but to develop good tendencies. Athletes are prone to attempt to accomplish their position using bad habits. There are disciplines, techniques, ways for an athlete to be successful. Yet it is not enough to only tell them what they need to do, they need to practice the right things every day. WHY? Because in the game, when the intensity is high, and the the pressure is on there is a temptation to revert back to old habits, abandoning what they know works, which ends up in disastrous results. The goal is to practice doing the right thing so much that even when the pressure is on, they still do the right things.

FCF: How many of us have bad spiritual habits? Like only reading the Bible when we come to church, worship God only when in a worship service, praying while driving or doing something else. Yet when a season of suffering falls upon us we quickly begin to realize that we are severally unprepared to handle that situation. We revert not to praise, falling into God’s word, seeking God through prayer, or finding the company and encouragement of believers. There can be a tendency to try to handle it ourselves, yet we quickly realize we are to weak to do that.

Context: As we discussed last week we shared in two things from our Savior a His co-heirs. One is the glory to come. The spoke that suffering we experience now will not be comparable to the glory that is coming. Second we share in His suffering. Yet we are not abandon in our season of suffering. For last week we learned that while suffering is present in our lives we are not with out hope. This week we will see from the text that we do not suffer with out help.

CIT: We do not suffer without Help. The Holy spirit , or helper, is the first fruit of our salvation, with the anticipation of more to come. What we can anticipation is not only His presence in our lives but His help when we are weak.

Purpose: Not to abandon hope, but lean into the Holy Spirit for help through prayer.

Our Suffering reveals our weakness but weakness does not separate us from God.

Weakness is not a sin nor the result of sin.

Weakness is not the result of suffering

We were already weak, our suffering only exposed it.

Weakness does demonstrate we are not spiritual giants and need super natural help.

Notice Paul says “us” including that even he needs help praying.

Our suffering reveals how we are weak, such as to pray.

Because we don’t know what to pray for we pray for the wrong things.

Because we don’t know what to pray for we perhaps don’t pray.

Sometimes the pain can be so severe we don’t attempt to pray.

Synopsis: We are weak and that weakness is expose in our suffering through prayer.

Emotional Appeal: If we are to weak pray, yet we need to pray, how do we pray and pray effectively?

The Holy Spirit aids us in helping us pray, among other spiritual discplines.

The Holy Spirit intercedes for us.

Who are we to approach God with anything? The Holy Spirit goes on our behalf when we pray.

When we don’t know what to pray.

The Holy Spirit guides us what to pray for.

The Holy Spirit changes what we pray to what it should be for.

When all we can do is deeply grieve (groan)

The Holy Spirit understands our pain and when we can speak He speaks for us.

The Holy Spirit stirs us to pray.

The Holy Spirit reminds us that although it is a weakness it is where we receive strength. So He stirs us to pray.

Call to action: Pray

Sermon Response

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Share the Gospel: Pray to receive Christ

Final Call to all: Pray for help, strength, repentance, or for salvation.