Romans 8:12 (NLT) 12 So, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.

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1 Introduction The Holy Spirit Will Not Leave In Spite Of The Pain In the topsy-turvy world of Christianity loss is gain, pain is glory, the first are last and the last are first. In the world of physical fitness they say, No pain, no gain. When I go to the Dentist I say, novacaine, no pain. Pain no pay. No pain. No pain. Most people in the world want a pain free existence. Most Christians want a pain free existence. But we live in a fallen world. We live in a sin cursed world. We live in a painful world. Because of sin some of us live in constant pain, chronic crushing, we feel pressure, and we feel sick. We are being constantly broken by spiritual warfare, circumstances, and difficult people. Earlier in the book of Romans we discovered the Christian is free from judgment; There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom.8:1). We are free from discouragement; For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ has made me free from the law of sin and death (Rom.8:2). We are free from defeat, Romans 8:12 (NLT) 12 So, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. What about pain and suffering?... and if children, then heirs heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may be glorified together (Rom. 8:17). Oh now I get it. Here comes the catch. Pain and suffering. No thank you. Read the rest of the verse; if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may be glorified together. Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die. God is molding, shaping and making us like Jesus to the image of His Son (v.29). Some dentist s advertise pain free dentistry. Don t you believe them. Other s will advertise pain free this or that. Don t you believe them. So long as you have a central nervous system, you will experience pain. And if your central nervous system goes out on you, trust me you are about to die or are already dead. Part of the point of this passage in not to expect pain free living but rather to expect the presence of the Holy Spirit in the midst of the pain. For the Christian present pain means future glory. No pain no glory. But in spite of the pain the Holy Spirit will never leave you. That s the deal. 1

2 Take away my capacity for pain and you rob me of the possibility for joy. Take away my ability to fail and I would not know the meaning of success. Let me be immune to rejection and heartbreak and I could not know the glory of living (Ross W. Marrs, Leadership, Vol. 3, no. 1.). Pain In This World (vv.18-22) (v.18) Look at how Paul handles pain in this world and learn from him. Paul does not deny suffering in this present world. He simply denies suffering in this world as being worthy of consideration compared to the exceeding glory which will be revealed in us. Paul puts pain in perspective. 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT) 17 For our present troubles are quite small and won t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT) 6 So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while. 7 These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. Prosperity teachers neglect the Biblical teachings about suffering and pain. Evangelical teachers often neglect the Biblical teachings about prayer and healing. Do you have a theology of suffering? Do you have a Biblical way of thinking about pain and brokenness? A shepherd owns the sheep and marks them. In some cases, sheep are branded. Although some sheep are branded, that's really not a popular thing because it damages the wool. Even if the brand is placed through the wool and into the hide of the lamb, the wool can overgrow it so the brand won't be seen. Today the ears are pierced with identification tags, but that's a fairly modern invention. For thousands of years, shepherds around the world marked the ears of their sheep by notching their ears with a sharp knife. Each shepherd had his own distinctive notch for the ear of his sheep. If the sheep gather in a cluster, he can see even from a distance which ones are his. I think all of this is a lot like being a Christian. For Christians are also those who admit to being owned and marked by Jesus Christ--sometimes marked painfully through suffering and difficulty. It must be painful for Jesus Christ to allow those marks to be burned, pierced, and notched into our lives. -- Leith Anderson, "The Lord Is My Shepherd," Preaching Today, Tape No

3 John 16:33 (NLT) 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. (v.19) People experience pain in this world. Now Paul draws an analogy from the creation. When the consummation of all things takes place, the creation will be restored to the pre-fall conditions. The whole universe awaits this event. The expression earnest expectation is one word in the Greek language-apokaradokia. It is composed of three parts-apo from kara head dokeo watch (in Ionic Greek). The word means to watch with outstretched head, to watch anxiously. Imagine creation rubbernecking as it looks at the wreck called humanity. The idea is an absorbed, persistent expectation, with outstretched head. The word revealing means manifestation. It is the noun apocalypses. The sons of God refers to the Christian. (v.20) Romans 8:20 (NLT) 20 Against its will, everything on earth was subjected to God s curse. The universe was subjected to futility (NKJV) or vanity. The idea is that of looking for what one does not find hence futility, frustration disappointment. Paul is making reference to the curse in Genesis 1:29. Creation is not at fault. We are at fault. We are the descendants of Adam. Paul uses words like suffering (v.18) futility (v.20) bondage of corruption (v.21) and pain (v.22). Paul compares creation to a woman giving birth. There is pain but when the birth is complete there is a child! One day the groaning creation will become a glorious creation. We are to take a lesson from creation. Today s bondage will be exchanged for tomorrow s liberty. Creation longs for the day of liberation. And as John Phillip s says, The whole of creation is on tip-toe to see the wonderful sight of the sons of God coming into their own (quoted from Hughes p.159). In verses Paul reveals four principles; (1) Our groans are temporary. (2) The groaning is a means to an end. (3) We groan as a result of sin. (4) Groaning is universal. Grief and suffering are universal. But grief and suffering is also very personal. Now Paul s attention turns to the personal face of grief. How should we respond to pain and suffering? Just like the rest of the world. Our sorrow is temporary. Our sorrow is a means to an end. Our sorrow in part is a result of sin. Our sorrow no matter how intense and personal is shared by others. 3

4 Pain In Our Lives (vv.22-25) (vv.22-23)...but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan (moan, sigh, sob) within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. We have been given a down payment for eternity our first installment for eternal life. And no one ever told me about the laziness of grief. Not only writing but even reading a letter is too much. Even shaving. What does it matter now whether my cheek is rough or smooth? (C.S. Lewis). We ourselves groan. We are waiting for our adoption papers. We are waiting for the adoption to go through! Deep within us the taste of eternity has been hidden in our hearts. God has placed eternity in our hearts. Our bodies will emerge whole, immortal and perfect. In eternity we will have no limitations, no physical deformities, disease or discouragement. Just think about it. You will never have to get your hair done, your nails done, no more body wraps. No more gym. No more Grecian Formula 44 for the men or Lady Clairol for the women. We will be free from all defects. The reason we groan is because we have tasted the first fruits of the Holy Spirit. Just like the spies who returned from the land of promise had tasted the first fruits of Canaan (Num. 13:23-27). Heaven has been brought close to us by the Holy Spirit. We groan because we long for our heavenly body-our immortal body. We groan in our bodies, in our spirit, because of the ravages of sin. (v.24) for we are saved by that hope (literal translation). Romans 8:24 (NLT) 24 Now that we are saved, we eagerly look forward to this freedom. For if you already have something, you don t need to hope for it. Hope is a fixed certainty in the Bible. For we are saved by that hope (literal translation). Ephesians 4:4 (NKJV) 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; What hope is Paul talking about? The blessed hope of the coming of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13). We are hoping and waiting. But all the benefits are now! Salvation is complete now. We will receive are full inheritance later but we are saved. Temporary suffering will give way to eternal glory (Wiersbe p.541). Pain In Our Hearts (vv.25-27) 4

5 What is it that we do not see? We have not seen the glorious promised land of heaven. We have not experienced a glorified body (unless you believe six-pack abs are a glorfied body). (v.25) God is concerned about our trials. He cares about the pain in our hearts. we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. The Greek word for perseverance is hupomoni. Hope is expecting something better. This produces patience. This is real patience. Patience is waiting for freedom and glory. (v.26) Paul is no stranger to suffering and groaning. 2 Corinthians 11:23-25 (NKJV) 23 Are they ministers of Christ? I speak as a fool I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; Paul will now deal with hope and encouragement. Counselors pay attention. People in pain, and people who are suffering need hope and encouragement. They need to know God has a plan. Paul will not leave us earthbound. He causes us to gaze into heaven. The first ray of hope comes when he tells us that the Holy Spirit is praying for us! 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. This is amazing. The Holy Spirit inside us, prays for us! The greater the groan, the greater the glory! The weaker our spirit, the stronger His support! The Holy Spirit says those things we want to say but cannot mouth (Hughes). The word indicating the Holy Spirit helps our weakness gives us further insight into how He intercedes for us. A.T. Robertson says: The Holy Spirit lays hold of our weakness along with (syn) us and carries His part of the burden facing us (anti) as if two men were carrying a log, one at each end. The Holy Spirit does not simply shout or whisper encouragement, he rolls up his sleeves and picks up and bears our weaknesses. We have two intercessors One in heaven Jesus Christ the Lord and One on earth in our hearts the Holy Spirit Our road side assistance; illustraton Wealthy Englishman who bought a rolls Royce went on vacation france flew out a mechanic hotel etc. The bill never came; he wrote; Dear Sir, We have no record of anything ever having gone wrong with your car. This is the exact meaning of justified. It means that God has no record of anything ever having gone wrong in our lives! 5

6 Have you ever wondered what can be done about the pain of those groanings? It is the knowledge of God. That s right, remembering that God is in control! Even when your life is spinning out of control, even when the tears and the fears like a flood come washing over your circumstance like a flood. There is a word for God s complete control, it s called sovereignty. There is another word called providence. The Bible makes it clear all things are in His hands (Psalm 33:6-11). What are the groanings which cannot be uttered? It expresses the depths of our need! It also speaks of our inability and ignorance! I can t change this! I don t know what s happening! My life is falling apart, My marriage is falling apart, my world is falling apart, I feel like I m being broken into tiny little pieces. The Holy Spirit cares. He can speak to your concern. How can God feel my pain? Jesus groaned when he saw what sin was doing to people! In Marks gospel Jesus ran into a man who was deaf and who had a speech impediment. The man s friends begged Jesus to put His hand on him (v.32). The Bible says Jesus took the man aside from the crowd and put his fingers in his ears and then Jesus spat and touched his tongue. I know what your thinking gross! Mark 7:34 (NKJV) 34 Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. The very next verse says (v.35) Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus did something even more remarkable. He told the man Don t tell anybody! What! I can hear for the first time and and I can speak with a normal voice and you don t want me to tell anybody! The more Jesus told them, Don t tell anybody the more widely people proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, He had done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak. Some of you are in marriages where your husband or wife might as well be deaf and mute. They don t hear and they don t speak. They don t seem to hear and understand what your trying to say to them! (v.27) Now He who searches the hearts the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. What could be more remarkable? God the Holy Spirit prays to God the Father who searches the hearts of human beings and is able to pray for the saints in perfect agreement for your ultimate good! 6

7 In the plan of salvation, God the Father is the source, God the Son is the channel, and God the Holy Spirit is the agent. Conclusion The Holy Spirit will not leave you in spite of the circumstances, in spite of the pain in this world, in your life, and in your heart! You might be saying, No one understands my pain. No one understands my problems. You re wrong. Jesus understands. God the Father knows your heart. If you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit lives inside of you and is praying for you at this very moment. Are you groaning inside? Praise God! You have tasted the first fruits of the Holy Spirit. You know there is more! You are awaiting your adoption papers a redeemed body! Heaven is being brought close by the Holy Spirit. Are you in pain? Are you depressed? Are you discouraged or frustrated? I want to remind you of a couple of things. If you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior you are guaranteed to participate in the glory reserved in heaven for ever. Our suffering today only guarantees that much more glory when Christ returns. Are you wearing a garment of suffering today? You will wear a robe of praise and righteousness in heaven forever! And I guarantee, you will like the way you look! You may not be responsible for some physical illness or economic down turn. But you are responsible for responding to your circumstances in way that will honor and please God! No matter how you feel, ask God to help you! No matter how you feel, seek the support of family and friends and Christian brothers and sisters who can pray for you and with you. (1) Our groans are temporary. (2) The groaning is a means to an end. (3) We groan as a result of sin. (4) Groaning is universal. Brokenness in our lives will produce fruit. It did for David. He wrote; Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. Brokenness brings a fresh appreciation of God s grace. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions (Ps.51:1). Do you want to know and experience the fresh fruit of brokenness in your life? Reread Psalm 51. 7

8 EM Bounds wrote; Preachers are not sermon-makers, but men-makers or saint-makers apart from a consciousness of how gracious God has been to us, and then allowing that grace to flow though us to others. Brokenness keeps us close to grace. Brokenness and suffering will infuse you with a fresh concern for pure and holy living. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin (51:2). Are you comfortable with the impurities in your life? Are you at least as grieved by your sin as you are uncomfortable with your pain? What is your thought life, your attitude, your words like? Tell me about your behavior! There is an interesting little passage in the book of Ecclesiastes 10:1; Dead flies putrefy the perfumer s ointment, and cause it to give off a foul odor; so does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor. If I buy my wife s favorite perfume, White Diamonds by Elizabeth Taylor, and put some juicy dead flies on top of the ointment, it will be impossible for her to enjoy the value of the perfume. All she will notice is the dead flies. No wonder God cares about the little impurities in our lives. No pain no glory. I m willing to go anywhere so long as its forward. I m willing to suffer so long as in the end I can be like Christ. 8