September 4 - Romans 8:26-29

 

Opening Prayer
The Psalms of Ascent
 Psalm 126 
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who dream.
² Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
    and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”
³ The Lord has done great things for us;
    we are glad.
⁴ Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
    like streams in the Negeb!
⁵ Those who sow in tears
    shall reap with shouts of joy!
⁶ He who goes out weeping,
    bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
    bringing his sheaves with him.

Time to Remember
What is hope?
 
For what does Romans teach us to hope?

 
Romans 8:26-29
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. ²⁷ And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. ²⁸ And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
 
8:26
And likewise the Spirit also helps with our weakness. For what we should pray for, as is needful, we do not know, but the Spirit Himself intercedes (pleads) in wordless groaning.
 
Likewise? Like what?
 
The Spirit, too, groans in intercession because we do not pray for that which is most needful – our ultimate salvation and its present work in our lives.
 
Helps – literally “take up with” – carries the load with another, or perhaps for another.
 
What is our weakness?
-        This word can also mean sickness or disease. How might that impact the way we view the human condition?
 
What is needful in our prayer?
-        Consider the Lord’s Prayer
-        “We pray to keep people out of heaven and fail to pray to keep people out of hell.”
-        Where do we tend to place our priorities in our prayers?
o   Needs vs. Greeds
 
Wordless Groans?
-        Tongues?
-        Feelings?
-        Beyond words? (This is where many translations go.)
 
8:27
And the One searching the hearts knows what the mind-set of the Spirit [is], because [the Spirit] appeals/intercedes on behalf of the saints/holy ones.
 
God searches our hearts.
-        1 Kings 8:39 - You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men …
-        1 Chronicles 28:9 – the LORD searches all hearts, and understands the intent of the thoughts.
-        1 Samuel 16:7 – God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
-        Psalm 7:9 – God tries the hearts and minds.
-        Revelation 2:23 – I am He who searches the minds and hearts.
 
Knows the mind/mind-set of the Spirit
-        The mystery of the Trinity
 
Because [the Spirit] appeals/intercedes …

8:28
And we know that to/for those loving God He works together all for good, to/for those having been called (adj.) according to the purpose/plan.
 
Works together –
-        God turns/uses the evils and troubles of our lives.
 
For Good
-        Agathos
-        What is good? Who defines it?
-        Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good
    and good evil,
who put darkness for light
    and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
    and sweet for bitter!
 
What is God’s purpose/plan?
 
Wrapping Up
What is one insight/word of comfort/challenging idea that you hope to hold onto from these verse?
How will the lessons learned from these verses impact your faith life?

Verse of the Week – Luke 15:7
Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.