Trinity Church
1589 Hwy 174
Edisto Island, SC 29438

Romans 8:15-27 Sermon Notes

Worldly Options for Suffering vs. Biblical View of Suffering

Buddhism - Suffering is an illusion.
BV - Suffering is real in this fallen and broken world.

Karma Religions - Suffering is just.
BV - Suffering is often unjust and is evil done to me.

Stoicism - Suffering is an opportunity to show your self-control.
BV - Believers are encouraged to cry and cry out.

Secular/Atheist - Suffering is to be avoided in this life.
BV - Hope is set by the Resurrection to the New Heaven/Earth


Suffering is Overcome by the Gospel - Romans 8:18 - I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

I Peter 1:11 - they inquired what person or time was indicated by the Spirit of Christ within them when predicting the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glory.


Resources for the Suffering of the Believer:

God is our Abba, our Father - vs. 15,16 - When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Mean? Means that God is not my boss and owes me wages and benefits.

The Renewal of All Creation - vs.21 - because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Salvation is not simply our souls going to heaven but rather Salvation is Heaven coming and renewing all of creation on the Last Day.

Revelation 21:1-5 -

Our Resurrection Bodies - vs.23 - and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Just as Jesus Christ was bodily raised from the grave never to die again, so it is for us as Believers.
23" class="scriptRef">I Corinthians 15: 20-23 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.


The Gift of the Holy Spirit - vs. 26 - Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs (groans) too deep for words.

How does the Holy Spirit help us in our weakness? By interceding for us with sighs or rather groanings too deep for words. We groan, He prays.