WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.419 And with me to Romans chapter 8, and we're reading this morning from verses 18 to 30. 00:00:11.500 --> 00:00:17.760 For I consider that the suffering of this present time, sufferings of this present time, 00:00:18.000 --> 00:00:21.740 are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 00:00:23.120 --> 00:00:28.199 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 00:00:28.199 --> 00:00:35.560 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, 00:00:35.899 --> 00:00:41.079 in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption, 00:00:41.579 --> 00:00:45.460 and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 00:00:46.719 --> 00:00:53.500 For we know that the whole creation has been grown in together in the pains of childbirth until now. 00:00:53.500 --> 00:01:01.240 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, 00:01:01.759 --> 00:01:07.519 grown inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 00:01:09.060 --> 00:01:11.799 For in this hope we were saved. 00:01:12.980 --> 00:01:17.260 Now hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what he sees? 00:01:17.260 --> 00:01:23.140 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 00:01:24.719 --> 00:01:27.560 Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. 00:01:28.320 --> 00:01:31.359 For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, 00:01:31.680 --> 00:01:36.660 but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 00:01:36.659 --> 00:01:42.979 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, 00:01:43.319 --> 00:01:46.840 because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 00:01:47.879 --> 00:01:52.879 And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, 00:01:53.099 --> 00:01:55.620 for those who are called according to his purpose. 00:01:56.759 --> 00:02:01.780 For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, 00:02:01.780 --> 00:02:05.239 in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 00:02:05.239 --> 00:02:09.900 And those whom he predestined, he also called. 00:02:10.319 --> 00:02:12.699 And those whom he called, he also justified. 00:02:13.379 --> 00:02:16.939 And those whom he justified, he also glorified. 00:02:19.419 --> 00:02:24.620 Well, we're five weeks into our series on assurance, based on Romans 7 and 8. 00:02:25.099 --> 00:02:27.979 And this morning we're turning to the reality of suffering. 00:02:29.000 --> 00:02:32.659 What place does suffering have in our lives? 00:02:32.659 --> 00:02:36.520 And indeed, as we think about assurance as Christians. 00:02:37.520 --> 00:02:38.520 And here's the problem. 00:02:38.979 --> 00:02:39.900 It's all around us. 00:02:42.359 --> 00:02:45.400 It's mixed up with the good things in life. 00:02:45.919 --> 00:02:47.159 Inseparably mixed up, it seems. 00:02:48.740 --> 00:02:52.759 And one thing we know about it is that it makes life feel really awful. 00:02:53.740 --> 00:02:54.479 It's just hard. 00:02:54.479 --> 00:02:58.479 Like broccoli, eating broccoli or beans. 00:03:00.159 --> 00:03:08.139 Now, some suffering sweeps over as simply as part of being in this world, this broken world. 00:03:09.359 --> 00:03:10.919 It's out of our control in a sense. 00:03:11.399 --> 00:03:14.539 So there's natural disasters, there's floods, there's droughts, there's fires. 00:03:14.979 --> 00:03:16.599 There's accidents, there's illnesses. 00:03:17.299 --> 00:03:19.839 There's disease, there's wars, there's aging. 00:03:19.840 --> 00:03:21.800 And so the list goes on and on and on. 00:03:22.099 --> 00:03:27.719 Things that are just, in a sense, part of living in our world that aren't necessarily to do with us at all. 00:03:28.719 --> 00:03:30.000 We just get caught up in it. 00:03:31.400 --> 00:03:37.580 Other suffering, of course, is much more direct or indirect, but is a product of our actions, our thinking. 00:03:39.539 --> 00:03:40.699 Self-centered thinking. 00:03:41.699 --> 00:03:47.099 Actions and interactions with people around us that constantly strain or break relationships. 00:03:47.099 --> 00:03:56.439 A single bad life choice can change everything and impact us for years or a lifetime, in fact. 00:03:57.939 --> 00:04:04.280 So that sort of suffering is down to ourselves or those with whom we rub shoulders on a weekly basis. 00:04:04.280 --> 00:04:22.339 So just doing life has a very real potential to rob us of any assurance of being safe and secure in Christ, which is our series title. 00:04:22.339 --> 00:04:35.779 And in fact, it even gets more than that, because what happens is that so regularly we convince ourselves that the fact that we do suffer is evidence that God is still angry at us. 00:04:37.679 --> 00:04:39.339 That we're not really forgiven. 00:04:40.839 --> 00:04:43.319 And that we're not free from condemnation at all. 00:04:43.719 --> 00:04:46.099 We look at suffering and we draw that conclusion. 00:04:46.100 --> 00:04:53.460 And that sacks away any assurance we have of being saved. 00:04:53.920 --> 00:05:00.780 And that easily becomes a deep-seated fear then, expressed in the question, will I make it home to heaven? 00:05:01.939 --> 00:05:03.500 Will I actually get there? 00:05:07.020 --> 00:05:09.220 Heaven seems so far away. 00:05:09.220 --> 00:05:15.900 Especially given that every new day seems to throw up new hurdles. 00:05:17.640 --> 00:05:21.320 More suffering of some or some other tough circumstance. 00:05:21.800 --> 00:05:23.880 Any of which threatens to trip me up. 00:05:25.560 --> 00:05:28.840 Any of which makes me, sort of threatens to make me fall in a heap. 00:05:30.320 --> 00:05:32.240 Utterly defeated and hopeless. 00:05:32.240 --> 00:05:39.319 Now, we've looked over the last few weeks at various reference points for assurance. 00:05:39.600 --> 00:05:42.900 And it's great to focus on those reference points already covered. 00:05:43.400 --> 00:05:45.900 So, going back to chapter 8, verses 1 to 4. 00:05:46.360 --> 00:05:52.259 Knowing that Christ is condemned for my sin, so I cannot be condemned for the same sin. 00:05:53.220 --> 00:05:56.500 Instead, I get new life or standing with God. 00:05:57.519 --> 00:05:59.199 That's a great thing to focus on. 00:05:59.199 --> 00:06:07.199 Then, knowing that the Holy Spirit creates new life in me and confirms my adoption through new attitudes and desires, verses 5 to 11. 00:06:07.479 --> 00:06:09.000 That's a great point of assurance. 00:06:09.979 --> 00:06:16.199 Not only is Christ working for me, but the Holy Spirit is working in me to give me assurance of being saved. 00:06:17.039 --> 00:06:22.219 And then also, knowing that the Holy Spirit confirms to me that I'm not only legally adopted, 00:06:22.220 --> 00:06:32.740 but a beloved child, given the full inheritance of Jesus, treated in exactly the same way as the Father treats Jesus. 00:06:35.100 --> 00:06:38.680 And that's the Holy Spirit's job to work in us, to convince us of that. 00:06:38.680 --> 00:06:49.360 But all that notwithstanding, the tension of life, the reality, the pain and struggle of everyday living, 00:06:50.120 --> 00:06:56.199 seriously threatens to drown out all those good things and leave us fearful. 00:06:56.199 --> 00:07:09.019 So, can I have absolute confidence in my salvation in Christ, in the everyday mess and struggle of life? 00:07:09.039 --> 00:07:09.719 That's the question. 00:07:09.720 --> 00:07:19.500 Our fourth reference point this morning, then, is to recognize that suffering is normal. 00:07:21.020 --> 00:07:28.720 Suffering is normal now, but glory is the grand finale for us. 00:07:31.200 --> 00:07:33.280 Those two things must be held together. 00:07:33.279 --> 00:07:39.199 Now, the reality for Christians is, to pinch a term from John Chapman's book, 00:07:39.739 --> 00:07:43.879 the reality for Christians is that we live with a foot in two worlds. 00:07:47.379 --> 00:07:50.839 So, we should expect life to be tough, whatever that continues. 00:07:51.739 --> 00:07:54.179 Living with tension is normal. 00:07:55.159 --> 00:08:00.059 Verse 17, Bo covered this last week, introduces the whole notion of suffering. 00:08:00.319 --> 00:08:02.919 And it becomes the link through to this next section. 00:08:02.920 --> 00:08:06.660 But we often miss the connection from verse 17 through into this section. 00:08:07.660 --> 00:08:11.379 See, the whole section that Bo dealt with last week, 12 through to 17, 00:08:11.819 --> 00:08:15.000 talks about our identification with Jesus. 00:08:15.400 --> 00:08:19.480 We are so closely identified with him that we are in him, 00:08:19.520 --> 00:08:21.000 and he is in us through his Holy Spirit. 00:08:21.180 --> 00:08:22.300 And we are adopted. 00:08:23.420 --> 00:08:25.580 We are one with him in God's family. 00:08:27.700 --> 00:08:29.560 We are joint heirs. 00:08:29.560 --> 00:08:34.259 So, we see the identification and embrace it in the good things, 00:08:34.539 --> 00:08:37.519 adoption, being children, inheritance, and all those things. 00:08:38.820 --> 00:08:44.980 But we also need to identify with Christ in the not-so-nice things. 00:08:45.399 --> 00:08:46.720 Verse 17, suffering. 00:08:46.720 --> 00:08:53.480 Remember, Christ's pathway to glory was suffering. 00:08:57.420 --> 00:09:01.820 Our pathway to glory in Christ is likewise suffering, 00:09:02.460 --> 00:09:04.700 but equally true, glory. 00:09:04.700 --> 00:09:10.800 And in verses 18 to 25, then, moving into our text this morning, 00:09:11.100 --> 00:09:12.920 again, it seems really complicated, 00:09:13.040 --> 00:09:16.520 but I think Paul's just trying to give us some comparative pictures, 00:09:16.640 --> 00:09:18.000 very strong metaphors, 00:09:18.560 --> 00:09:20.440 of what it means for us 00:09:20.440 --> 00:09:23.360 to have a foot in both worlds. 00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:27.860 So, having a foot in this world means living, for now, 00:09:28.360 --> 00:09:32.440 in a frustrating mess that we call life. 00:09:35.879 --> 00:09:37.240 Look at verse 18. 00:09:37.919 --> 00:09:39.779 Again, a before and after picture. 00:09:40.560 --> 00:09:44.139 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time 00:09:44.139 --> 00:09:50.000 are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed. 00:09:51.259 --> 00:09:52.019 There is a comparison. 00:09:52.019 --> 00:09:55.139 Now, suffering, and that seems awful, 00:09:56.779 --> 00:09:58.620 but then, glory. 00:09:59.039 --> 00:10:00.419 And when you put the two of them together, 00:10:01.120 --> 00:10:02.639 the present suffering is nothing. 00:10:08.620 --> 00:10:11.919 As Christians, we're a work in progress, 00:10:12.139 --> 00:10:13.379 to use the colloquial term. 00:10:14.840 --> 00:10:19.100 Now, as Christians, we wrestle with imperfection, 00:10:20.100 --> 00:10:20.679 frustration, 00:10:20.679 --> 00:10:22.439 sin. 00:10:22.439 --> 00:10:22.519 Sin. 00:10:23.000 --> 00:10:24.819 It's the mess we call life. 00:10:27.059 --> 00:10:30.839 But that is in sharp contrast to what it would be like 00:10:30.839 --> 00:10:34.059 when God's salvation work in us, 00:10:34.359 --> 00:10:35.079 and in his world, 00:10:35.159 --> 00:10:35.799 is complete. 00:10:35.799 --> 00:10:40.299 Then, it will be nothing less than perfection. 00:10:42.179 --> 00:10:43.799 Freedom to enjoy Christ. 00:10:45.639 --> 00:10:48.699 Freedom to be like Christ perfectly and consistently. 00:10:48.700 --> 00:10:53.700 verse 19 continues. 00:10:53.700 --> 00:10:54.860 Verse 19 continues. 00:10:55.020 --> 00:10:55.879 Different sort of picture. 00:10:56.420 --> 00:10:58.100 It's a picture of the world we inhabit. 00:10:58.259 --> 00:10:59.480 Verses 19 through to 22. 00:10:59.600 --> 00:11:00.340 Let me read it again. 00:11:00.340 --> 00:11:05.920 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 00:11:06.720 --> 00:11:09.500 For the creation was subjected to futility, 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:13.120 not willingly, but because of him who subjected them, 00:11:13.340 --> 00:11:18.700 in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay 00:11:18.700 --> 00:11:22.379 and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 00:11:22.379 --> 00:11:31.139 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 00:11:32.139 --> 00:11:33.600 Again, it's picture language. 00:11:33.600 --> 00:11:40.960 What Paul's saying here is that God's salvation plan extends to everything that God has made, 00:11:41.019 --> 00:11:42.540 including the physical creation. 00:11:44.040 --> 00:11:49.139 In fact, Paul links inseparably the redemption of the physical world 00:11:49.139 --> 00:11:51.560 to the ultimate redemption of God's people. 00:11:53.820 --> 00:11:55.080 And so, what do we do now? 00:11:55.279 --> 00:11:56.259 Well, Paul's saying, 00:11:56.600 --> 00:11:58.940 look, until that happens, 00:11:58.980 --> 00:12:01.540 the physical world we live in is in turmoil. 00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:02.920 It's broken. 00:12:04.279 --> 00:12:08.360 It's suffering the symptoms and consequences of sin. 00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:11.500 It's subject to frustration. 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:15.500 It's unable to fulfill the purpose for which God made it. 00:12:17.240 --> 00:12:19.159 It's in bondage to decay. 00:12:19.639 --> 00:12:24.580 That is, it's locked into this cycle of slow deterioration, 00:12:24.700 --> 00:12:27.639 a cycle of birth and life and death and decomposition. 00:12:27.639 --> 00:12:28.840 It's in bondage to repent. 00:12:28.840 --> 00:12:29.039 It's in�rabe. 00:12:29.179 --> 00:12:30.720 It's in�rabe. 00:12:30.720 --> 00:12:31.299 It's in�rabe. 00:12:33.100 --> 00:12:34.039 Verse 21, 00:12:34.840 --> 00:12:39.480 like anybody who's lived with limitations and pain, 00:12:41.460 --> 00:12:42.139 it has the, 00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:44.059 and it's talking about the physical creation has, 00:12:44.279 --> 00:12:45.159 so it's a picture here. 00:12:45.480 --> 00:12:48.860 The physical creation has an intense longing to be well again, 00:12:49.539 --> 00:12:53.019 to be free to be what God made it to be. 00:12:53.759 --> 00:12:54.639 There's picture language. 00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:04.419 And if you've been sick, you know that longing all too well, don't you? 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:09.980 And that's another sort of pain, verse 22. 00:13:10.179 --> 00:13:11.319 It introduces a different picture. 00:13:11.659 --> 00:13:13.740 It's a pain like a woman in childbirth. 00:13:13.740 --> 00:13:22.240 That terrible ripping pain, which at the same time promises to deliver something new and exciting. 00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:25.819 Something to be longed for and embraced. 00:13:31.399 --> 00:13:33.639 Paul's point, well I think it's this. 00:13:34.159 --> 00:13:44.079 That God's salvation process, well underway now, will only be complete when our physical world is totally renewed as well. 00:13:44.080 --> 00:14:01.060 But until then, the environment we live in is one in which sickness, decay, death, brokenness, tension, struggle and suffering is normal and unavoidable for us as Christians. 00:14:01.059 --> 00:14:08.139 As Christians, we'll continue to get caught up in this reality. 00:14:08.699 --> 00:14:11.279 We'll suffer at times things that are beyond our control. 00:14:13.059 --> 00:14:14.639 Simply by being in this world. 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:19.919 But look at verse 23. 00:14:21.339 --> 00:14:24.079 Paul uses the same picture of childbirth. 00:14:24.719 --> 00:14:27.059 And again, the link between the physical world and Christians. 00:14:27.059 --> 00:14:29.879 He uses the same picture in verse 23 to describe Christians. 00:14:30.819 --> 00:14:45.699 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 00:14:45.700 --> 00:14:49.700 We groan. 00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:51.280 We groan. 00:14:52.379 --> 00:15:00.660 We groan because of pain and suffering and frustration and failure to be what we want to be. 00:15:01.280 --> 00:15:03.620 Failure to be what we know we are in Christ. 00:15:03.620 --> 00:15:19.279 As we struggle to live as those renewed and partially renovated by God's Spirit working within us, we've just groan over our sinful bodies, which battle against us. 00:15:20.799 --> 00:15:25.840 And we, too, long for that time when we will be completely well. 00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:39.480 But having a foot in heaven, on the other hand, means the grand finale of God's salvation process is yet to happen. 00:15:40.700 --> 00:15:46.740 So now, suffering, then our physical world will be completely renewed. 00:15:48.740 --> 00:15:49.940 For what purpose? 00:15:49.940 --> 00:15:52.320 For the purpose it was created. 00:15:52.700 --> 00:16:00.300 So it can testify clearly and unambiguously to God's glory and God's power and wisdom and majesty. 00:16:02.840 --> 00:16:11.040 And we, at that same time, will be in a position where we can be what we were created to be. 00:16:12.760 --> 00:16:14.100 Completely like Jesus. 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.520 New bodies. 00:16:19.940 --> 00:16:21.540 Free to enjoy Jesus. 00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:26.600 Free to reflect the glory of God in every part of our lives consistently. 00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:32.940 Free to enjoy our inheritance in Jesus Christ. 00:16:33.900 --> 00:16:35.320 We're already saved. 00:16:36.680 --> 00:16:37.860 Renewed spiritually. 00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:40.600 And completely free of the guilt of sin. 00:16:41.080 --> 00:16:43.140 We are already joint heirs with Christ. 00:16:44.260 --> 00:16:45.020 Verse 17. 00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:52.759 But we still live with the consequences of sin in nature and in humanity. 00:16:53.939 --> 00:16:56.199 And we're waiting for something better. 00:16:56.319 --> 00:16:57.960 We're longing for something better. 00:16:58.079 --> 00:17:01.980 We're groaning as we wait for that something better. 00:17:04.660 --> 00:17:13.200 Until then, tension, pain, disappointment, failure will be the order of the day for believers. 00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:17.000 Some because we live in a broken world. 00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:24.360 And some brought upon ourselves because we choose to walk back into sin that we've been redeemed from and set free from. 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:28.299 Rather than live as we now are in Christ. 00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:37.259 And then another picture, verse 23. 00:17:37.460 --> 00:17:38.399 We've already read that. 00:17:38.659 --> 00:17:46.259 A picture of the Holy Spirit as a down payment or first fruit on the future. 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:49.460 The future still seems so far away. 00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:54.319 We get overwhelmed by our failures on a day by day. 00:17:54.640 --> 00:17:55.880 Hour by hour basis even. 00:17:56.700 --> 00:18:00.299 So the future just seems too far away to hang on to. 00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:02.299 Verse 23. 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:06.299 We have God's Holy Spirit as a down payment on the future. 00:18:06.299 --> 00:18:12.619 So what do you hang on to when you think of this suffering? 00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:16.599 It's hard enough sometimes to get through a day. 00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:21.839 Let alone contemplate 20 or 40 or 60 or 70 years of it. 00:18:26.659 --> 00:18:32.799 Growing up on the farm, I well remember the building excitement as we moved towards harvest time. 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:39.659 It was great anticipation but it still didn't seem real. 00:18:39.839 --> 00:18:41.980 Yes, you'd checked the machinery and that was all working. 00:18:42.139 --> 00:18:44.240 You'd cleaned the sheds and they were all ready for the grain. 00:18:44.599 --> 00:18:49.940 But it just didn't seem real until that day when the header went into the first paddock. 00:18:50.839 --> 00:18:53.359 And you saw the bin on the header filled for the first time. 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:56.879 And you saw that bin unload onto the chaser bin for the first time. 00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:59.899 And the first truck then drives into the silo and it's unloaded. 00:18:59.900 --> 00:19:03.420 Then you know harvest is underway. 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:04.400 It's not the whole harvest. 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:09.180 But harvest has come. 00:19:10.300 --> 00:19:11.480 And the rest will follow. 00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:16.759 Just so for us Christians. 00:19:17.380 --> 00:19:22.519 We have already experienced the Spirit's renewing and changing power. 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:28.960 And ever since we've lived with our focus on the grand finale. 00:19:31.400 --> 00:19:33.960 Longing for the renovation process to be complete. 00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:38.740 Even as we struggle on a day by day, hour by hour basis. 00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:45.799 My friends, we need to guard that perspective on assurance. 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:57.059 Having the Spirit within does not mean we are free from the mess of life. 00:19:58.379 --> 00:20:03.139 So many Christians get it wrong at this point and rob themselves of assurance. 00:20:05.619 --> 00:20:07.399 In fact, it's the exact opposite. 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:13.659 Having the Spirit within puts us into this terrible struggle, this terrible tension. 00:20:13.660 --> 00:20:17.660 But it's not the end of the story. 00:20:21.120 --> 00:20:27.080 The Spirit who takes us into that tension and that struggle is the down payment of the grand finale. 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:29.500 Yet to come, yet to happen. 00:20:31.080 --> 00:20:34.640 And in between, the mess of life is normal for bravers. 00:20:34.640 --> 00:20:40.860 We need to understand that when we struggle in these ways, there is nothing wrong with our faith. 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:44.620 Nothing wrong with our relationship with Christ. 00:20:45.100 --> 00:20:50.340 It does not mean, suffering does not mean that somehow or other you're still under God's wrath or punishment. 00:20:51.620 --> 00:20:52.820 Suffering is to be expected. 00:20:53.940 --> 00:20:58.200 See, the problem is for us that when we suffer, we sometimes go to prayer. 00:20:58.200 --> 00:21:02.779 And then we think, well, okay, if we're still suffering, that must mean I haven't prayed the right prayers. 00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:04.240 Or I haven't prayed hard enough. 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:05.759 Or long enough. 00:21:08.340 --> 00:21:11.160 Or I haven't done enough good things to back my prayers. 00:21:12.319 --> 00:21:15.860 And so, we sort of default easily back into religious thinking. 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:20.100 Well, okay, if I'm going to offset this suffering and find assurance, 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:22.720 then I have to do more things to please God. 00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:24.220 Going back to Rod's talk. 00:21:24.299 --> 00:21:25.779 I need to be reading the Bible more. 00:21:25.840 --> 00:21:26.640 I need to be praying more. 00:21:26.640 --> 00:21:27.759 I need to be going to church more. 00:21:28.819 --> 00:21:33.600 So, we tend to go back to those things as the means of our assurance. 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:42.900 When in suffering, the Lord wants us to just look to him and trust what he has done for us. 00:21:43.819 --> 00:21:45.580 And continues to do in us. 00:21:46.140 --> 00:21:48.620 With the promise of the grand finale ahead of us. 00:21:52.120 --> 00:21:55.600 Tim Chester, in that book that many have been reading at the minute, Enjoying God, 00:21:55.599 --> 00:22:00.659 God says that suffering is an opportunity to enjoy God's grace. 00:22:01.599 --> 00:22:03.199 And grow in God's grace. 00:22:06.819 --> 00:22:08.500 It's not a time to despair. 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:21.420 And even in that time of suffering, we have further promise here as this passage develops. 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:26.900 We have promise of empathetic help from God's Spirit. 00:22:26.900 --> 00:22:30.080 I'm not sure what else to call that. 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:33.580 It seems a bit strange to talk about the Spirit being empathetic. 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:38.019 But I'm trying to get just the personalness of it and the intimacy of it. 00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:40.379 Verse 26. 00:22:42.539 --> 00:22:46.440 Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. 00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:55.620 For we do not know what to pray for as we ought. 00:22:57.960 --> 00:23:03.460 But the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 00:23:03.600 --> 00:23:07.600 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit. 00:23:07.660 --> 00:23:12.380 Because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 00:23:12.380 --> 00:23:17.940 Now, again, that seems very mystical. 00:23:18.080 --> 00:23:19.840 But I think it's actually a very simple picture. 00:23:20.300 --> 00:23:21.460 And I'm going to present it as that. 00:23:21.560 --> 00:23:23.980 Hopefully I'm not trivializing Scripture. 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:30.340 I think it's just this Paul saying, look, in the mess of life, 00:23:31.320 --> 00:23:35.580 at the point of our deepest groaning, inner groaning and frustration, 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:40.500 either because what we've been swept up in just generally because we live in this world, 00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:44.059 or because of a failure on our own part, our own actions. 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:48.380 At that deepest point of groaning and frustration and failure, 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:54.579 Paul's saying here, you can be sure God's Spirit sits alongside you. 00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:56.619 Helping you along. 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:57.680 Helping you through it. 00:23:58.779 --> 00:24:02.220 Giving you assurance that all is well with your soul. 00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:10.220 Now, we all know instinctively there's nothing better, 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:16.940 that is, nothing more helpful, nothing nicer in a messy life circumstance we're experiencing 00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:23.640 than to have a friend get alongside us and just say something very simple, 00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:27.420 but which we immediately connect with because we think, 00:24:27.880 --> 00:24:29.559 they know what I'm going through. 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:34.980 There's nothing nicer in life than to have that sort of input, 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:41.740 just to have the realization that somebody else knows what it's like. 00:24:44.339 --> 00:24:49.319 Well, I think what Paul's saying here is the Holy Spirit is that best friend. 00:24:51.139 --> 00:24:56.200 The best friend who knows, even better than you do yourself, 00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:59.339 can express in word that he knows what you're going through. 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:02.359 He knows the frustration at sin. 00:25:02.619 --> 00:25:05.099 He knows the suffering you're struggling with. 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:12.619 Now, again, picking up some of the phrases in there. 00:25:13.139 --> 00:25:16.220 I take it every believer here, certainly I've had lots of times, 00:25:17.119 --> 00:25:18.139 and I suspect you're the same. 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:19.740 Every believer here this morning, I suspect, 00:25:19.839 --> 00:25:24.980 has had times and circumstances where we've just not known what to pray 00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:26.539 or how to pray. 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:34.380 Perhaps you are so much in despair over your poor responses to God's grace 00:25:34.380 --> 00:25:38.940 and choosing again to walk into sin instead of walking into righteousness. 00:25:42.039 --> 00:25:44.380 Perhaps you're so upset with these sinful failures 00:25:44.380 --> 00:25:47.539 or by observing the sinful failures of others out there 00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:49.680 that you come to pray, 00:25:50.339 --> 00:25:54.200 but you realize you just don't know where to start. 00:25:55.139 --> 00:25:58.119 Your head's down, your eyes are closed, 00:25:58.220 --> 00:25:59.119 your spirit's willing, 00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:01.500 but you don't know where to start 00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:02.659 and the words just won't come. 00:26:02.660 --> 00:26:04.480 Have you known those times? 00:26:09.880 --> 00:26:15.100 You're not sure whether you wanted to pray or cry or both. 00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:18.399 And perhaps in those situations, 00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:21.279 all that's come out is just a deep sigh, 00:26:22.399 --> 00:26:25.419 a sigh that expresses the heaviness of heart, 00:26:26.399 --> 00:26:28.879 your desire to go to the Father in prayer, 00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:32.579 but you just don't have the words 00:26:32.579 --> 00:26:36.480 because you can't work out what it is you need to be saying. 00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:42.139 I think Paul's point is this, 00:26:42.140 --> 00:26:45.720 that it's at that precise moment 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:50.500 that the Spirit himself takes our heart's desires, 00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:52.540 our deep longings, 00:26:53.340 --> 00:26:56.580 things that we can't even express verbally. 00:26:57.600 --> 00:26:59.000 It gathers them all up 00:26:59.000 --> 00:27:02.080 and presents them to the Father on our behalf. 00:27:04.520 --> 00:27:06.800 It's as if the Spirit himself 00:27:06.800 --> 00:27:10.720 feels the agony and suffering of our sinful state as we do. 00:27:12.140 --> 00:27:15.440 And gathers up all those thoughts and longings 00:27:15.440 --> 00:27:16.940 and in a sense, 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:20.120 sorts them into a decent prayer 00:27:20.120 --> 00:27:22.700 and presents them to the Father on our behalf. 00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:34.580 I've said before that sometimes we just see 00:27:34.580 --> 00:27:37.100 the suffering of another person 00:27:37.100 --> 00:27:40.340 swept up as a consequence of sin 00:27:40.340 --> 00:27:41.519 and we're wordless. 00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:43.319 I mean, how do you pray for somebody, 00:27:44.160 --> 00:27:45.500 a close family relative 00:27:45.500 --> 00:27:47.559 who's just getting taken away by cancer 00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:51.279 or who's just been involved in a horrendous car accident 00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:52.940 and it's just going to change the rest of their life? 00:27:53.059 --> 00:27:54.039 How do you pray for them? 00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:55.819 Do you pray they'll live? 00:27:55.940 --> 00:27:58.099 Do you pray they'll be here with you? 00:27:58.160 --> 00:28:01.079 Or do you pray they'll die and go to enjoy being in heaven with the Lord? 00:28:01.180 --> 00:28:02.259 Do you pray they'll be faithful? 00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:02.779 Do you pray? 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:03.799 What do you pray? 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:06.799 You want the best for them, 00:28:06.839 --> 00:28:08.059 but what is the best for them? 00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:09.059 Do you pray? 00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:10.059 Do you pray? 00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:16.039 And how do you pray for somebody close to you 00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:17.500 who's walked into sin 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:22.399 and made a terrible mess of relationships in life? 00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:26.159 Do you pray the Lord will do whatever is needed 00:28:26.159 --> 00:28:28.019 to get their attention and bring them back? 00:28:29.139 --> 00:28:30.720 And you wonder what cost that will be. 00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:31.259 Do you pray? 00:28:31.819 --> 00:28:32.759 I mean, what do you pray? 00:28:32.899 --> 00:28:33.859 How do you pray for them? 00:28:33.859 --> 00:28:38.459 Do you pray that the Lord might use you 00:28:38.459 --> 00:28:39.559 as an instrument to confront them? 00:28:39.659 --> 00:28:41.439 Well, that's a scary prayer to pray, isn't it? 00:28:44.939 --> 00:28:46.740 And in the end, we don't know what to pray. 00:28:46.819 --> 00:28:48.500 We simply go before the Lord, 00:28:49.959 --> 00:28:52.179 scarcely able to contain our emotions, 00:28:52.179 --> 00:28:54.740 and we just cry out for that loved one. 00:28:58.159 --> 00:28:59.779 With groans too deep for words. 00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:03.559 My friends, I think this is truth to live by. 00:29:03.859 --> 00:29:05.099 In the midst of suffering. 00:29:07.419 --> 00:29:08.899 It's a great assurance 00:29:08.899 --> 00:29:13.240 that the Holy Spirit understands us 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:15.019 and is sitting alongside us 00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:18.159 as we throw ourselves before the Lord 00:29:18.159 --> 00:29:19.699 in tough times in prayer. 00:29:20.819 --> 00:29:22.019 So as we wrap up this morning, 00:29:22.139 --> 00:29:22.299 I said, 00:29:22.959 --> 00:29:26.819 be assured that your tears of frustration and longing 00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:27.799 are not in vain. 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:31.460 Verse 27. 00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:33.940 He who searches hearts 00:29:33.940 --> 00:29:35.720 knows what is the mind of the Spirit. 00:29:35.779 --> 00:29:36.359 That's the Father. 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:39.299 Because the Spirit intercedes for the saints 00:29:39.299 --> 00:29:40.359 according to the will of God. 00:29:44.079 --> 00:29:47.079 We don't have to be able to express everything clearly 00:29:47.079 --> 00:29:49.599 and articulate things logically. 00:29:49.599 --> 00:29:53.480 The Spirit works with us. 00:29:53.480 --> 00:29:54.779 The Spirit works within us. 00:29:59.439 --> 00:30:02.259 It's as if He groans our groans 00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:03.500 and translates them 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:06.139 into a communication, 00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:06.980 a correspondence 00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:08.799 that's effective before the Father. 00:30:08.799 --> 00:30:13.339 And the net result is 00:30:13.339 --> 00:30:14.519 that our prayers will be heard. 00:30:14.919 --> 00:30:16.000 Our prayers will be answered. 00:30:16.359 --> 00:30:17.579 Our situation is remembered 00:30:17.579 --> 00:30:18.899 because the Spirit acts 00:30:18.899 --> 00:30:20.399 on our behalf 00:30:20.399 --> 00:30:21.819 and our deep thinking and desires. 00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:25.019 And in turn, 00:30:25.139 --> 00:30:26.720 the Father grants the Spirit's request 00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:29.180 because they're formulated entirely 00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:30.299 according to the will of God. 00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:33.299 He will get our prayers right, 00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:33.700 as it were. 00:30:33.700 --> 00:30:37.080 And I believe, 00:30:37.700 --> 00:30:39.759 and I'm on shaky ground here, I think, 00:30:39.819 --> 00:30:40.340 but I believe 00:30:40.340 --> 00:30:41.539 that the Spirit will actually 00:30:41.539 --> 00:30:42.519 correct our prayers. 00:30:48.600 --> 00:30:49.819 Be assured also 00:30:49.819 --> 00:30:51.640 that God knows you better 00:30:51.640 --> 00:30:52.819 than you know your own heart. 00:30:54.860 --> 00:30:55.720 Now this is the opposite 00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:56.740 of how most of us think. 00:30:58.500 --> 00:31:00.279 But when we're unable 00:31:00.279 --> 00:31:01.380 to express ourselves 00:31:01.380 --> 00:31:03.220 and unable to know what to pray, 00:31:03.700 --> 00:31:04.920 then we tend to despair. 00:31:05.080 --> 00:31:06.140 We think, oh, hope is lost. 00:31:06.200 --> 00:31:07.700 And if I can't pray for my friend 00:31:07.700 --> 00:31:08.940 or I can't pray for my loved one 00:31:08.940 --> 00:31:10.059 or I can't pray for my brother 00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:10.860 or sister in Christ 00:31:10.860 --> 00:31:12.080 because I don't know what to do, 00:31:12.360 --> 00:31:14.039 then how are they going to be helped? 00:31:14.140 --> 00:31:15.360 How are they going to be turned around? 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:16.259 How is the situation 00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:17.180 going to be dealt with? 00:31:19.660 --> 00:31:20.900 We think our failure 00:31:20.900 --> 00:31:22.319 to know what is the right thing 00:31:22.319 --> 00:31:23.360 to do or say 00:31:23.360 --> 00:31:25.799 means we're on our own. 00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:28.480 Not so, brothers and sisters. 00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:31.500 And thank goodness for that. 00:31:31.500 --> 00:31:34.000 What assurance 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:36.079 that God's Spirit 00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:37.759 sits alongside us 00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:40.359 and groans as we groan, 00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:43.880 expresses the longings 00:31:43.880 --> 00:31:44.940 that we want to express 00:31:44.940 --> 00:31:45.619 but can't, 00:31:46.880 --> 00:31:49.359 and sweeps them all up 00:31:49.359 --> 00:31:52.180 to the Father on our behalf. 00:31:53.940 --> 00:31:55.240 Life will be tough, 00:31:55.240 --> 00:31:57.920 but we have God's Spirit 00:31:57.920 --> 00:31:58.859 as the down payment 00:31:58.859 --> 00:31:59.839 of better things ahead 00:31:59.839 --> 00:32:02.460 and we always have them at hand, 00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:05.140 the one who knows exactly 00:32:05.140 --> 00:32:05.880 how we're feeling, 00:32:06.779 --> 00:32:08.460 the one who works with us 00:32:08.460 --> 00:32:09.720 and in us 00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:11.220 for the very end 00:32:11.220 --> 00:32:12.660 that the Father has for us 00:32:12.660 --> 00:32:14.960 to become more like Jesus, 00:32:15.680 --> 00:32:17.660 to continue in the struggle 00:32:17.660 --> 00:32:19.940 based on God's grace, 00:32:19.940 --> 00:32:23.980 helping us 00:32:23.980 --> 00:32:25.400 become the children 00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:26.220 we want to be, 00:32:26.820 --> 00:32:27.720 the children Christ 00:32:27.720 --> 00:32:28.559 wants us to be 00:32:28.559 --> 00:32:30.299 and all of that 00:32:30.299 --> 00:32:32.039 in the midst 00:32:32.039 --> 00:32:33.259 of the mess of life. 00:32:37.620 --> 00:32:38.960 And we need to be realistic. 00:32:40.220 --> 00:32:41.559 We need to be realistic 00:32:41.559 --> 00:32:43.380 about having a foot 00:32:43.380 --> 00:32:44.519 in two worlds 00:32:44.519 --> 00:32:48.420 but be assured 00:32:48.420 --> 00:32:49.579 of God's promise 00:32:49.579 --> 00:32:51.119 of absolute control 00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:51.619 and good. 00:32:52.539 --> 00:32:53.900 Verses 28 to 30. 00:32:53.960 --> 00:32:55.639 Let me read these verses 00:32:55.639 --> 00:32:57.480 because they sit so beautifully 00:32:57.480 --> 00:32:58.420 at the end of this passage. 00:33:00.440 --> 00:33:01.160 So remember, 00:33:01.279 --> 00:33:01.700 we've been talking 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:02.279 about suffering 00:33:02.279 --> 00:33:04.700 and the longing, 00:33:05.339 --> 00:33:06.680 the desire to be free 00:33:06.680 --> 00:33:08.039 and be what God 00:33:08.039 --> 00:33:08.759 wants us to be. 00:33:11.180 --> 00:33:12.059 And we know 00:33:12.059 --> 00:33:12.900 that for those 00:33:12.900 --> 00:33:13.920 who love God, 00:33:14.519 --> 00:33:16.359 all things 00:33:16.359 --> 00:33:18.379 work together 00:33:18.379 --> 00:33:18.859 for good. 00:33:21.359 --> 00:33:22.220 All things. 00:33:22.879 --> 00:33:23.400 I take it that 00:33:23.400 --> 00:33:24.139 includes our suffering. 00:33:26.639 --> 00:33:27.660 All things 00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:29.279 work together 00:33:29.279 --> 00:33:29.639 for good 00:33:29.639 --> 00:33:30.160 for those 00:33:30.160 --> 00:33:30.859 who are called 00:33:30.859 --> 00:33:32.079 according to His purpose. 00:33:33.740 --> 00:33:34.559 For those 00:33:34.559 --> 00:33:35.680 whom He foreknew, 00:33:36.200 --> 00:33:37.559 that goes right back 00:33:37.559 --> 00:33:37.799 to, 00:33:37.900 --> 00:33:38.759 whatever you understand 00:33:38.759 --> 00:33:38.940 that, 00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:39.900 it goes right back 00:33:39.900 --> 00:33:40.480 to eternity 00:33:40.480 --> 00:33:41.039 at the start. 00:33:41.200 --> 00:33:41.579 For those 00:33:41.579 --> 00:33:42.319 whom He foreknew, 00:33:42.819 --> 00:33:44.319 He also predestined 00:33:44.319 --> 00:33:46.000 to be conformed 00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:46.460 to the image 00:33:46.460 --> 00:33:46.899 of the Son 00:33:46.899 --> 00:33:47.519 in order that He 00:33:47.519 --> 00:33:48.879 might be the firstborn 00:33:48.879 --> 00:33:50.119 among many brothers. 00:33:50.659 --> 00:33:51.879 And those He predestined, 00:33:52.399 --> 00:33:53.039 He called. 00:33:54.720 --> 00:33:55.579 Real time, 00:33:55.859 --> 00:33:56.639 we became Christians. 00:33:56.759 --> 00:33:57.500 Those He called, 00:33:57.960 --> 00:33:58.599 He justified. 00:33:59.339 --> 00:34:00.099 Put into a right 00:34:00.099 --> 00:34:01.019 relationship with God. 00:34:01.279 --> 00:34:02.419 And those He justified, 00:34:02.960 --> 00:34:04.179 He also glorified. 00:34:04.759 --> 00:34:05.659 He's going to finish 00:34:05.659 --> 00:34:06.419 the process. 00:34:06.420 --> 00:34:08.400 And here's our assurance, 00:34:08.539 --> 00:34:09.260 brothers and sisters, 00:34:09.680 --> 00:34:11.320 that in the midst 00:34:11.320 --> 00:34:11.980 of suffering, 00:34:12.860 --> 00:34:14.360 from the very 00:34:14.360 --> 00:34:16.200 moment of eternity past 00:34:16.200 --> 00:34:17.300 to the very moment 00:34:17.300 --> 00:34:18.400 of eternity future, 00:34:19.460 --> 00:34:20.539 every part 00:34:20.539 --> 00:34:21.420 of our salvation 00:34:21.420 --> 00:34:24.119 is under God's control, 00:34:24.960 --> 00:34:25.800 is God's initiative. 00:34:27.579 --> 00:34:28.820 There's no point 00:34:28.820 --> 00:34:29.880 at which He leads us 00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:30.820 to our own devices. 00:34:30.820 --> 00:34:38.000 As a believer, 00:34:38.539 --> 00:34:39.559 you are bound 00:34:39.559 --> 00:34:40.480 for glory. 00:34:41.880 --> 00:34:43.039 So live 00:34:43.039 --> 00:34:44.680 for that grand finale 00:34:44.680 --> 00:34:46.680 in the midst 00:34:46.680 --> 00:34:47.539 of suffering 00:34:47.539 --> 00:34:48.920 and struggle now. 00:34:50.559 --> 00:34:50.820 Confident 00:34:51.380 --> 00:34:54.160 that the Holy Spirit's role 00:34:54.160 --> 00:34:55.120 is to help you, 00:34:55.200 --> 00:34:56.160 to support you 00:34:56.160 --> 00:34:58.680 every inch 00:34:58.679 --> 00:34:59.259 of the way. 00:35:02.879 --> 00:35:03.819 Every part 00:35:03.819 --> 00:35:04.739 of your salvation 00:35:04.739 --> 00:35:05.879 is God's work. 00:35:06.579 --> 00:35:07.239 So there's no 00:35:07.239 --> 00:35:08.419 possibility of failure. 00:35:08.659 --> 00:35:09.379 The song we sang 00:35:09.379 --> 00:35:10.279 just before the sermon, 00:35:10.940 --> 00:35:11.539 we are now 00:35:11.539 --> 00:35:12.579 in Christ, 00:35:12.679 --> 00:35:13.919 so inseparably 00:35:13.919 --> 00:35:14.779 connected to Him, 00:35:15.139 --> 00:35:16.500 that because He cannot die, 00:35:16.599 --> 00:35:17.559 we cannot die. 00:35:22.199 --> 00:35:23.000 God's promise 00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:24.279 is that every moment 00:35:24.279 --> 00:35:24.859 of suffering 00:35:24.859 --> 00:35:26.819 is an opportunity 00:35:26.819 --> 00:35:27.980 to experience 00:35:27.980 --> 00:35:28.760 God's grace 00:35:28.760 --> 00:35:30.500 and grow 00:35:30.500 --> 00:35:31.199 in His likeness. 00:35:32.679 --> 00:35:33.480 Be assured, 00:35:33.619 --> 00:35:34.219 brothers and sisters, 00:35:34.940 --> 00:35:36.880 and throw yourselves 00:35:36.880 --> 00:35:37.740 back into the struggle 00:35:37.740 --> 00:35:38.240 this week. 00:35:39.280 --> 00:35:39.880 Let me pray. 00:35:39.880 --> 00:35:39.920 Let me pray. 00:35:48.659 --> 00:35:49.619 Lord, help us 00:35:49.619 --> 00:35:50.780 to take on board 00:35:50.780 --> 00:35:51.240 the things 00:35:51.240 --> 00:35:51.900 you mean us 00:35:51.900 --> 00:35:53.519 to have before us 00:35:53.519 --> 00:35:54.900 as points of assurance. 00:35:54.900 --> 00:35:56.920 Lord, 00:35:57.019 --> 00:35:57.660 you've given us 00:35:57.660 --> 00:35:58.240 in this chapter 00:35:58.240 --> 00:35:58.619 already 00:35:58.619 --> 00:35:59.840 four or five points, 00:36:00.200 --> 00:36:00.920 reference points, 00:36:01.860 --> 00:36:02.599 and we realize, 00:36:02.760 --> 00:36:02.880 Lord, 00:36:02.960 --> 00:36:03.800 that sometimes 00:36:03.800 --> 00:36:05.240 one of them 00:36:05.240 --> 00:36:06.280 resonates better 00:36:06.280 --> 00:36:06.660 with us 00:36:06.660 --> 00:36:07.160 than the other, 00:36:07.240 --> 00:36:07.740 so help us, 00:36:07.820 --> 00:36:07.940 Lord, 00:36:08.000 --> 00:36:09.019 to slide across 00:36:09.019 --> 00:36:09.559 these things 00:36:09.559 --> 00:36:10.099 depending on 00:36:10.099 --> 00:36:10.820 our circumstances. 00:36:11.980 --> 00:36:12.380 Sometimes, 00:36:12.579 --> 00:36:12.720 Lord, 00:36:12.820 --> 00:36:13.539 our obliquest, 00:36:13.720 --> 00:36:14.400 we can just 00:36:14.400 --> 00:36:15.039 hang on to 00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:15.519 your promise 00:36:15.519 --> 00:36:15.940 that there's 00:36:15.940 --> 00:36:16.980 no condemnation 00:36:16.980 --> 00:36:17.440 for those 00:36:17.440 --> 00:36:18.000 who are in Christ. 00:36:19.119 --> 00:36:19.820 Other times, 00:36:19.940 --> 00:36:20.079 Lord, 00:36:20.160 --> 00:36:21.000 we are much more 00:36:21.000 --> 00:36:22.119 assured of the Spirit's 00:36:22.119 --> 00:36:22.740 work within us. 00:36:22.840 --> 00:36:23.619 We feel it, 00:36:23.619 --> 00:36:24.299 we see it, 00:36:25.099 --> 00:36:25.920 and we respond 00:36:25.920 --> 00:36:26.380 to it. 00:36:27.440 --> 00:36:27.839 Lord, 00:36:27.880 --> 00:36:28.619 help us particularly 00:36:28.619 --> 00:36:29.440 in this matter 00:36:29.440 --> 00:36:30.000 of suffering 00:36:30.000 --> 00:36:32.000 to understand 00:36:32.000 --> 00:36:33.659 that it's part 00:36:33.659 --> 00:36:34.219 of identification 00:36:34.219 --> 00:36:34.980 with Christ, 00:36:35.239 --> 00:36:36.139 part of living 00:36:36.139 --> 00:36:37.139 with a foot 00:36:37.139 --> 00:36:37.880 in two worlds, 00:36:38.420 --> 00:36:39.380 but it's not 00:36:39.380 --> 00:36:40.179 the end story 00:36:40.179 --> 00:36:40.679 for us, 00:36:41.559 --> 00:36:42.839 and that at no point 00:36:42.839 --> 00:36:43.559 in that struggle 00:36:43.559 --> 00:36:44.359 are we on our own. 00:36:45.299 --> 00:36:45.699 Help us, 00:36:45.839 --> 00:36:45.900 Lord, 00:36:45.960 --> 00:36:47.039 to be confident 00:36:47.039 --> 00:36:47.440 in that 00:36:47.440 --> 00:36:48.259 so we're free 00:36:48.259 --> 00:36:49.019 to live for you 00:36:49.019 --> 00:36:49.739 with confidence 00:36:49.739 --> 00:36:51.199 and boldness 00:36:51.199 --> 00:36:52.960 this coming week. 00:36:52.960 --> 00:36:54.199 And I pray this 00:36:54.199 --> 00:36:54.900 in Jesus' name. 00:36:55.099 --> 00:36:55.340 Amen.