Great Help From God's Holy Spirit Series

Great Help from God's Holy Spirit

The Book of Romans

Romans 8:16-27

Sermon by Rick Crandall

Grayson Baptist Church - July 24, 2016

(Revised January 11, 2021)

MESSAGE:

*Has God ever helped you in an unusual way? He does it all the time. A few years ago, I saw a news story that came from Hazle Township, Pennsylvania. It was about a 79-year-old man who went hiking in the woods, took a nasty fall, and got a serious head injury. That man could have died. And he probably would have died, but his dog, "Guy," was there with him that day. And Guy saved his owner's life!

*The injured man had been in the woods for 12 hours when the rescuers got near, and when they got close, Guy ran up the steep bank to where the rescuers were. Then, he led them back to his master. That dog stopped every 20 or 30 feet and barked for them to follow until they got to the injured man.

*Emergency responder, Matthew Mariscano said, "It was like watching an old episode of the 'Lassie' TV show." (1)

*Dan and Patti Burnett gave another testimony that involved animals. They were members of the Search and Rescue Team in Summit County, Colorado. And one night they got a call about a lost 16-year-old student named Ryan.

*While hunting with his dad, Ryan had gotten lost in the high wilderness area of the Rocky Mountains. Strong wind, fog, sleet, and snow had set in that night, but Ryan was only wearing jeans and a light shirt. There was no way he could survive the night.

*As Patti urgently searched for Ryan, she also began to urgently pray. And she asked God, "Please help us. And please keep Ryan warm."

*Hours passed, and searchers began to lose hope. But shortly after dawn, they found Ryan, and he was perfectly fine. When Ryan had laid down the night before, he was already shaking uncontrollably in the first stages of hypothermia.

*Ryan should have frozen to death. But he woke up in the middle of the night warm and comfortable. Two female elk had laid down on either side, keeping him warm and safe through the night. Experts said that elk just don't do things like that. It was a miracle. (2)

*God has all kinds of ways to help His people. And He may never send a dog to or an elk help us, but the great truth in this Scripture is that God's Holy Spirit will always be here to help us!

*Let's look at some of the most important ways the Holy Spirit helps Christians.

1. FIRST: HE GIVES US GREAT CONFIRMATION.

*God's Holy Spirit confirms that we truly are part of the family of God. Paul points us to this truth in vs. 16 where he said, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God."

*When we trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit of God comes to live in our hearts. And one of the great things He does is witness to us that we truly are the children of God!

[1] WHY DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT DO THIS? IT'S PARTLY BECAUSE OF SATAN.

*John Gill explained that "the Holy Spirit witnesses to us that we are the sons of God, because this truth is in some sense doubtful and uncertain. At least it’s called into question, especially by Satan. This shouldn't surprise us, since the devil even questioned Jesus about being the Son of God." (3)

*When Satan tempted Jesus, the devil twice questioned the Lord about being the Son of God. Matthew 4:1-7 says:

1. Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

2. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.

3. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "IF YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD, command that these stones become bread.''

4. But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'''

5. Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple,

6. and said to Him, "IF YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge concerning you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'''

7. Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'''

*Satan questioned Jesus' sonship, and the devil is relentless in his pursuit to tempt us. He is also relentless to accuse us before the Lord our God. That’s why Revelation 12:10-11 says: