Romans, Part 25
Romans 8:23-27
Introduction
- The Law (shedding of blood) had to be fulfilled for mankind to be forgiven
-- Hebrews 9:22, “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
- It is true that the creation is in shambles today, but Jesus has overcome it all
- It is Jesus that has given us an example of right living that we must endure
- We must strive to suffer through today for the glory revealed tomorrow
- 1 Cor 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
- We are able to overcome if we remain faithful to Christ; for He is the only way!
- Read Romans 8:23-27/ Pray
Point 1 – God’s Hope Brings Salvation (23-26)
- Life brings struggles and hardships which cause us to groan
- Because we live in a fallen creation; we see the despair all around us if we look
-- Tsunamis, earthquakes, volcano’s, massive storms, tornado’s, etc.
- But even with that, there are additional fallings of this creation
-- Sickness, disease, starvation, desperate societies, terminal illness, death
- But, do we even see the truth in which we should groan daily
-- APP: How about the fact that without Jesus more and more people go to hell?
- The constant beating and assault on our senses causes us to groan inwardly
- Farmers and those who work the land understand completely the term “first fruit”
-- They work and fight off the weeds, the diseases, the critters, and the weather
-- Seed is planted all around them with no guarantees, only a hope that it will grow
- So, when the green begins to show, there is rejoicing/celebration
-- The first fruit usually can give a farmer an idea of the remainder of the season
- If the first batch is high quality, they are able to rejoice and focus on the rest
- It’s cause for celebration because when the first is the best, there’s more to come
- Consider for a moment God’s first … it is His Son, Jesus
-- We have been given the very best of God’s fruit; King of Kings
-- When we take time to consider what God has given us – do we rejoice also?
- The heartbreak of this world falls in comparison to the joy of Christ
- But just as Adam and Eve brought death and decay into the world; our lives
- We groan inwardly as the war wages between good and evil
-- APP: But, we are able to rejoice for the best is yet to be “seen” with our eyes
- V24-25 tells us that we hope for what we don’t see
-- But, if God were to reveal everything to us would we really hope for more?
- TRANS: Would we continue to follow the Spirit or live our own lives?
Point 2 – Following the Spirit (26-27)
- The Spirit groans because He understands the pain in which we feel today
- He has been sent by God as a conduit for us to communicate and He knows
- Think for a moment of a grieving parent, a grieving spouse, a grieving friend
- All of these bring sadness to us; and God is faithful to provide us hope
Turn to and read John 16:5-16
- When we grieve we can be assured the Spirit grieves with us; comforting us
- THOUGHT: When we grieve is it because God is working or from our choices?
-- Hosea 14:9, “The ways of the Lord are right, and the righteous will walk in them, but transgressors will stumble in them.”
- But … Praise God, the Spirit has power in which you and I do not
-- He has been sent to comfort and bring us peace, if only we would follow Him
- V26 – We are given strength when we are weak
-- We do not know what to pray for but yet we must be faithful to pray
- Sometimes we need to be reduced to a pile of total obedience; so He can work
- Sometimes we need to fully surrender and give Him total control to work
- A.W. Tozer wrote, “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.”
-- Can you picture the hurt in that statement? Sometimes, God has to crush us
-- He has to bring us to a place a total submission to rebuild or even use us
- But, with His Son’s death the perfect example for us; can we not endure it?
- Evil and difficult times are not new for anyone; we’re not breaking ground
-- We’ve not had any new experiences that haven’t been shared before
- Heb 5:7-9, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered … … … … and once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him”
-- APP: Jesus shared in our suffering so that WE would share in His Glory!
Conclusion
- When we pray, we have the very Spirit of God speaking to the Father
- We are able to communicate even in the times of difficultly and despair
- And in that communication we have a promise: God is faithful
- All of creation has been groaning and waiting for the revelation of the Savior
- Ever since the fall of man there has been anticipation to bring a renewed Spirit
- APP: David cried in Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a pure heart, O God, renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
- As we head home tonight, do you need a renewed spirit in you for the week?
- Ask the Father to give it to you; He will NEVER withhold Himself from you
- Pray
