North Main Street Church of God
1201 North Main Street Ext.
Butler, PA 16001
11/20/2022
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The Hope of Grief
(Romans 8:18-30)
Yearly Theme: “Patience is…”
Series Title: “Good Grief”
November 20th, 2022
Something to think about:
Today we come to another passage from the Apostle Paul that explores the idea of suffering. Paul spends a lot of time on this subject due to the nature of the culture in which the early church took root. It was a culture that was not kind to Christians or Christianity. So Paul writes on this subject quite a bit for the purpose of encouraging fellow believers to stay strong in the Faith and to know that there is hope in the journey through the pain and trials we experience.
In his letter to the Roman believers Paul talks about the groanings that are experienced through the trials and tribulations that we now suffer, but he points us to the One through whom all hope is found: GOD.
Let’s take a look at Paul’s words today:
Romans 8:18-30 NLT
Here’s the takeaway this morning:
b
Again, in this short passage, Paul writes that there are three different “groanings” that are taking place in these Last Days before Christ’s return. Let’s take a closer look at each of them and explore the temporary nature of these specific groanings:
· All of _______ groans.
Romans 8:22 (NLT), For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
· _________ in Christ groan.
Romans 8:23 (NLT), We believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering.
· The ____ ______ groans.
Romans 8:26b (NLT), …The Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
Something to take home:
“One night at dinner a man, who had spent many summers in Maine, fascinated his companions by telling of his experiences in a little town named Flagstaff. The town was to be flooded, as part of a large lake for which a dam was being built. In the months before it was to be flooded, all improvements and repairs in the whole town were stopped. Why repair anything when the whole village was to be wiped out? So, week by week, the whole town became more and more bedraggled, more gone to seed, more woebegone. Then he added by way of explanation: ‘Where there is no hope in the future, there is no power in the present.’”[1]
Paul Achtemeier writes, “…We can have confidence in our future with God only because that future is in God’s hands, not ours. If it depended on us, we could expect more of the same botching of human chances with which history is replete. Only because God has taken control of our future is our future redemption secure.”[2]
As believers in Christ, we grieve the suffering, the pain, and the loss we experience in this life, but we do not grieve as ones who have no hope. And the reason is…
Key Point: “We grieve with hope knowing that our pain is temporary compared to our future glory with Christ.”
[1]Halford E. Luccock, Unfinished Business.
[2] Paul J. Achtemeier, Romans, Interpretation, a Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching (Atlanta, GA: John Knox Press, 1985), 143.Knowledge, 2004), 5.
What kind of sufferings do we face in the present time? What glory will be revealed to us?
How can creation, which doesn’t have a soul or a conscious mind, long for something? What does the revealing of the sons of God refer to?
What is the main point of verses 24-25? Do you wait eagerly for the redemption of your body? Explain the importance of
combining perseverance together with eagerness.
What does the word “intercede” mean? Why do you think it says we don’t know how to pray as we should? What does the Holy Spirit’s intercession on your behalf mean to you?
JOURNAL
Paul is convinced of victory are you? If you are convinced too, what effect will this knowledge have on your life? If you could summarize the teachings of this passage in one word, what would it be?
APPLICATION
The Holy Spirit lives in our heart and guides us in our lives. If we are in the will of God He will bring peace to our heart. If we are out of the will of God He will show us this too. Spend some specific and intentional time in communion/prayer with God the Father. Listen to what the Holy Spirit reveals to your heart and act accordingly.
MEMORY VERSE
Philippians 1:6
“And I am certain that God,
who began the good work within you,
will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day
when Christ Jesus returns.”
OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Thursday
9:00am - 4:00pm