Sermon

Introduction

There are three groanings found in our text. (a) v22 the whole creation groans; (b) v23 we the redeemed groan; (c) v26 the Holy Spirit helps us with groans. The first two are groaning for a future reality, while the last one is a groaning for today.

The Force (of Circumstance)

It refers to things longed for, things labored for, and things hoped for. They do not come automatically, and they can press in and crush us. God won’t change it, because the pattern He has willed for the answer to those situations is a praying people who address those circumstances by inviting the extent (length, width, height) of His life to move into it, and press back those boundaries that restrict.
This is indeed the prayer of Paul for us (Ephesians 3:14-19)

The Form (of Prayer)

It’s a Holy Spirit assisted prayer. The Greek word for help is sunatilanbano which is a composite that includes together, opposite side, and take hold of. It’s like the Holy Spirit standing opposite us with His hands on a heavy furniture, taking hold of it, and together with us, lift it and move it. In archery, as the tension of the bow string increases, the archer could lose sight of the target, and eventually miss the mark. In prayer, the Holy Spirit helps the hand of the archer so he can continue to fix his sight on the target.
The Holy Spirit calls us to recognize this partnership we are invited to in prayer, and its expression is in Holy Spirit enabled praying.

The Fruit (of the Spirit)

The results are: (a) v27 you are able to pray according to the will of God; and (b) v28 the will of God begins to work out.

Things don’t automatically work out for good to those who love God – but only on the basis of the Holy Spirit being given place to in your life, where intercession is entered into.

What are we going to say to these things that are happening?
We’ll say, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” and “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32)
And that includes the struggles we are facing.

LIFE APPLICATION DISCUSSION

Discuss among homecare group members:
- Which Wednesday of the month the whole group could attend together
- Who might be going through difficult times with serious problem(s)
- Who is not yet baptized with the Holy Spirit
- Who is not yet released in the spiritual language

Things that can be done at homecare meeting:
- Pray for the member to be baptized with the Holy Spirit
- Afterwards, pray and help the member to be released in the spiritual language
- At the homecare meeting, members can gather to pray together, including times of speaking in tongues, for the serious problem(s)
- Otherwise, seek help from pastors or elders

There will be scheduled a Holy Ghost Night by end of May.