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:
10. Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.
11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death."
*The devil is relentless to question the truth that we are children of God. The devil is also relentless to accuse us.
*But the Holy Spirit is always here to confirm that God loves us, Jesus died for us, and Jesus Christ conquered death forever! The Holy Spirit also confirms that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, that our sins are covered by Christ's holy blood, and that we are born again as children of the most high God!
*Satan may be much stronger than us, but he's not stronger than the Holy Spirit of God! And 1 John 4:4 tells us, "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."
*Jeff Strite told about meter readers in Oklahoma who were trying to get past a real vicious watchdog. He was tied to a chain long enough for him to roam all over the back yard and driveway.
*That dog was mean! But finally, one meter reader came back victorious! His boss later asked him, "How were you able to get past that watchdog?" The meter reader replied, "It was easy, boss. I parked on his chain." (4)
*Church: We can’t handle Satan by ourselves, but we know somebody who can park on his chain! And the Holy Spirit witnesses to us partly because of Satan.
[2] GOD'S SPIRIT ALSO WITNESSES TO US BECAUSE OF OUR SIN.
*John Gill explained that the testimony of the Spirit is not for the satisfaction of others, but for the saints themselves who are ready to doubt their salvation at times. And why do Christians sometimes doubt our salvation? Because God's gift of eternal life can seem too good to be true. Because of our sinfulness and unworthiness, especially after backslidings. And because of their many trials and afflictions." (3)
*Church: We need the witness of God's Holy Spirit. And thank God, we have it! The Holy Spirit gives us great confirmation.
2. HE ALSO GIVES US GREAT EXPECTATION.
*Great expectations: This is the idea behind the word "hope" in vs. 24-25. And here Paul said, "For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, then we eagerly wait for it with perseverance."
*One definition of the original word for hope is "joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation." And God's Holy Spirit gives us these great expectations.
*How does He do that? ONE OF THE MAIN WAYS IS BY HELPING US SEE BEYOND OUR PRESENT SUFFERINGS. The Holy Spirit helps us see past our present sufferings to the time of perfection that God is preparing. Paul talked about this truth in vs. 17-25, and there is much for us to take in.
[1] FIRST PAUL STRESSED THAT ALL OF OUR SUFFERING IS TEMPORARY.
*This truth is in vs. 17-18 where Paul said that if we are God's children, then we are:
17. . . heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
18. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
*If anybody ever knew about suffering with Christ, it was the Apostle Paul. But Christians are severely persecuted today, wherever Communists and Muslims are in control. Here in the United States, we have been blessed to live under a unique shield of God-given freedom. But radical opposition to Christianity has risen exponentially in our lifetime. And one way or another, all Christians will suffer in this world.
*Thank God, in vs. 18, Paul reminded us that a better time is coming! Again, he said, "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." A glorious time of perfection is coming!
[2] AND PAUL TELLS US THAT ALL OF CREATION IS LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.
*This is God's message for us in vs. 19-22:
19. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
20. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope;
21. because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
*Many people are concerned about the environment today. You can’t go many days without hearing a dire warning about global warming. And many people have religious devotion to the warped idea that they can "save the planet" by reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
*People believe in that nonsense because they don't believe in God. But God is surely in control of the weather! Many Scriptures confirm this truth.
*Psalm 135:6-7 says, "Whatever the LORD pleases He does, In heaven and in earth, In the seas and in all deep places. He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain; He brings the wind out of His treasuries."
*Psalm 147:15-18 also says, "He sends out His command to the earth; His word runs very swiftly. He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes; He casts out His hail like morsels; Who can stand before His cold? He sends out His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow."
*The earth's climate is always changing, but we don't have to worry about global warming, because God is in control of the weather. At the same time, we should be good stewards of this wonderful planet God created.
*But we need to understand that the world's biggest problem is not pollution. It’s sin. This world came under the curse of death when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. And here Paul says that all of creation is waiting and groaning for the deliverance that Jesus Christ will bring.
*These verses remind us that there is a close bond between God and His creation. God didn't just set everything up and walk away from it. No. -- God cares about His creation. And He is talking care of His creation.
*The Lord has always taken care of His creation. Psalm 104:10-15 says:
10. He sends the springs into the valleys, which flow among the hills.
11. They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12. By them the birds of the heavens have their habitation; They sing among the branches.
13. He waters the hills from His upper chambers; The earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your works.
14. He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and vegetation for the service of man, That he may bring forth food from the earth,
15. And wine that makes glad the heart of man, Oil to make his face shine, And bread which strengthens man's heart.
*God has always cared for His creation. And one day, all of nature will be delivered by God! There will be no more struggles for survival, no more starvation, drought, pain, death or destruction.
*In Isaiah 11:6-9, God tells us about great days in the future when:
6. "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
7. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8. The nursing child shall play by the cobra's hole, and the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper's den.
9. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
*Beyond that, in 2 Peter 3:13, the Bible tells us that "we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." These incredibly great things are going to happen.
*And somehow, right now, all of God’s creation is looking forward to that day. But how could creation really look forward to that day, if it wasn’t going to be a part of it? God's creation is going to have a part in it, so creation has great expectations too! And rightly so because in vs. 21, this new liberty will be glorious!
[3] A GLORIOUS TIME IS COMING, AND IT WILL BE SO WONDERFUL THAT ALL OF CREATION IS GROANING FOR IT NOW. BUT CHRISTIANS: WE ARE GROANING FOR IT TOO.
*As vs. 23 says, "Not only they, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body."
*Chandra Drury told about a day when she was working in the nursery at her church, and she overheard a 3-year-old girl talking to her mom. "Mommy," she asked. "When Jesus takes us to heaven, will I have to go to the nursery?" (5)
*Oh no little girl! The church nursery is nice, but we are all looking for something a whole lot better! And the Holy Spirit gives us these great expectations.
[4] BUT HE ALSO GIVES US THE HOPE TO PATIENTLY WAIT FOR THEM.
*This is God's message for us in vs. 24-25: "For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, then we eagerly wait for it with perseverance."
*In other words: "We can't see Heaven yet, but we are patiently waiting for it with great expectation. God's Holy Spirit gives us great expectation.
3. AND HE GIVES US GREAT INTERCESSION.
*This is God's message for us in vs. 26-27, where Paul said:
26. Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
*ONE OF THE MOST WONDERFUL TRUTHS IN THE BIBLE IS THAT GOD HIMSELF IS PRAYING FOR US!
*We will see this truth again down in vs. 34, where the Bible says, "It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us."
*And Hebrews 7:24-25 says: "But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them."
*God may be praying for all of us all the time because He can surely do that. But even if God is not praying for us all the time, He is definitely praying for us when we need it.
*Verse 26 shows us that the Holy Spirit's intercession is one of the main ways He "helps our weaknesses" or our infirmities." And the idea behind this word "help" is someone coming to our side to help carry us. The idea is that the Holy Spirit supports and sustains us. He takes hold of us, and carries us along, because we can’t carry ourselves.
*Why, we don’t even know how to properly pray for ourselves. But the Holy Spirit does know how to make "intercession" for God's people. This word for prayer involves standing in the gap for other people. But intercession is also a close, personal conversation with the King, pleading with the King on behalf of a friend, coming before Him with childlike confidence. And we can count on the Holy Spirit's powerful, prayerful intercessions.
[1] ONE REASON WHY IS BECAUSE THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS SYMPATHY FOR US.
*In vs. 26, He pleads for us in groans that no words can express, and this shows how much He cares for us.
*Notice that there is a lot of groaning going on in these verses. In vs. 22, all of creation is groaning and travailing in pain together. In vs. 23, Christians, we are groaning. And in 26, God's Holy Spirit is groaning.
*The word picture is of a loving mother in labor, longing for her baby to arrive. That’s the heart God's Holy Spirit has for His children. And we can count on the Holy Spirit's prayers because He has sympathy for us.
[2] WE CAN ALSO COUNT ON HIS PRAYERS BECAUSE OF THE SPIRIT'S UNITY THE FATHER.
*We see their unity in vs. 27. Here Paul talked about God the Father first, and Paul said: "He who searches the hearts (that is God the Father) knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God."
*God the Father and God the Holy Spirit are in perfect harmony with each other. No wonder the Holy Spirit is able to pray for Gods' people!
CONCLUSION:
*God has all kinds of ways to help His people. And He may never send a dog or an elk to help save your life. But Christians: We can be sure that God's Holy Spirit is here to help us!
*Let’s receive His help and thank God for the help of His Holy Spirit. But remember that we could never have the help of God's Holy Spirit without the cross of God's Son Jesus Christ.
*In John 7:37-39, Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Feast of the Tabernacles.
37. (And) on the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
38. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.''
39. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
*The Holy Spirit of God could not have been given without the birth, death, resurrection, and glorification of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
*So as we go to God in prayer, thank God that His Holy Spirit is here with us today, and thank God for the cross of Jesus Christ!
(1) "Dog's heroic action saves 79-year-old owner's life" by Meagan Poindexter Friday, July 22nd, 2016 - http://wjla.com/news/offbeat/dog-saves-owners-life
(2) Adapted from Article in Woman's Day Magazine 12/20/1994
(3) Adapted from JOHN GILL'S EXPOSITION OF THE BIBLE by Dr. John Gill, D. D. - 1697-1771 - Published in 1746-1766, 1816 - Romans 8:16
(4) SOURCE: Jeff Strite, Church of Church, Logansport, IN. Citation: Reader’s Digest 12/1986, p. 5
(5) Chandra Drury, Castro Valley, CA - "Today's Christian Woman," "Heart to Heart." - Source: "Bible Illustrator for Windows" - Topic: Heavenly Home - Index: 1356 - Date: 4/1998.1329 - Title: Humor: Doing Time
