The Holy Spirit Helps us through Suffering for God

1. Paul’s Letter to the Romans The Holy Spirit as the Power for Holy Living – Part 2: The Holy Spirit helps us through Suffering for God (Chap. 8:18-39)

2. Your Questions? Any Questions from last topic or from preparation for today?

3. Review The Gospel Introduced (Romans 1:1 – 1:15) The Gospel Defined (Romans 1:16-17) The Good News of God-Righteousness to all who believe on Christ The Universal Need for Righteousness (Romans 1:18 – 3:20) The Basis and Terms of the Gospel (Romans 3:21-31) RIGHTEOUSNESS, JUSTIFICATION, REDEMPTION, PROPITIATION, GRACE, FAITH

4. Review (continued) The Agreement of the Gospel with the Old Testament (Romans 4) The Practical Benefits of the Gospel (Romans 5:1-11) The Victory of Christ’s Work over Adam’s Sin (Romans 5:12-21) The Gospel’s Way to Holy Living (Romans 6) The Place of the Law in the Believer's Life (Romans 7) The Holy Spirit as the Power for Holy Living – He makes us Sons of God (Romans 8:1-17)

5. The Holy Spirit helps us through Suffering – Glorification (Future) Read Romans 8:18 Discuss what Paul means when he says that our present sufferings are not worthy to be compared with our future glory When we attain our future glory with Christ, our present sufferings will seem so small that they are not worth comparing! We ought always to remember that even though our present difficulties seem great, as children of God (v16) and joint-heirs with Christ (v17) we are certainly going to inherit all that God has for us! Read Romans 8:19-22 Discuss what it means that creation was subjected to futility (vanity or frustration) and to bondage of corruption (v20-21) God cursed the ground because of Adam’s sin (Gen 3:17-19) and since then it has never yielded its potential – the creation is frustrated because the one who was to subdue creation sinned and brought a curse. Why does creation eagerly await the glorious revealing of the sons of God? When redeemed mankind is finally glorified then the effects of the curse will be removed and creation will be delivered too (v21)

6. Glorification (Future) - continued Read Romans 8:23-25 A person consists of body, soul & spirit. Which part of a saved person is still waiting redemption? A person who is “in Christ” is truly saved, for they have the Spirit of Christ (the Holy Spirit) dwelling in them, but their body is still to be redeemed (v23) Paul calls this “the adoption” when we will finally be placed in our position as Sons of God. (Adoption is used in other passages to mean being brought into relationship with God.) In v23, what guarantee does a believer have that God will complete this redemption? We have the “firstfruits” of the Spirit – the promise of the full harvest to come! According to v25, how can this knowledge help us daily? The hope (confidence) that we will be glorified helps us to endure suffering below.

7. Intercession (Present) Read Romans 8:26-27 What help does the believer have when he does not know what to pray? When we are struggling to know God’s will or to express ourselves in prayer we can rely upon the Holy Spirit who intercedes for us. How do we know that such intercession is heard by God (v27) The intercession of the Holy Spirit is really communion between two persons of the Trinity, taking place in the heart of the believer! The Father, who searches men’s hearts, knows the groanings the Spirit has produced there, for the Spirit always intercedes according to the Father’s will.

8. Predestination (Past) Read Romans 8:28-30 How can we be sure that God is presently using every circumstance of life for our good? We can be sure because God’s working with us now is part of a plan which began in eternity! What are the five steps of God’s plan in v29-30? Foreknowledge – means to know a person (not just knowing beforehand) Predestination – means that God planned beforehand that believers should be exactly like His Son Calling – God worked in the heart by the Holy Spirit to draw sinners to Himself, producing true repentance and faith in Christ Justification - God declares the believer righteous on the basis of faith Glorification – the ultimate complete of salvation – being completely like Christ in sinless humanity

9. No Separation from God’s love Read Romans 8:31-32 What reason does Paul give for saying that God will graciously give us “all things”? God has already paid the highest price possible for our salvation – He delivered up His own Son to the shame and death of the cross. Read Romans 8:33-36 If God has justified us, can anyone bring a charge of sin against us? It is impossible! According to v33 we are God’s chosen ones – who can question our righteousness if God has declared us righteous? If Christ has died and is now risen to the right hand of God to intercede for us there, who can separate us from His love? That too is impossible! Christ has conquered death and the grave – he has died to sin and risen again – for us.

10. No Separation from God’s love – continued Read Romans 8:37-39 Why do you think Paul says we are “more than conquerors” in all these things? Not only does the believer have power to endure these hardships, but in doing so we grow closer to Christ, becoming more like Him. What do you think Paul meant when he said these things cannot separate us from God’s love? Death, or Life Angels, Principalities or Powers Things present, or things to come Height, or Depth Any other created thing What do these verses say to you above the believer’s security in Christ, and their ability to live a holy life for God?

11. For next time: Duty as a believer – Romans 12:1-21 Try to read the passage two or three times before our next meeting Think about what the passage says about Self-sacrifice Spiritual Gifts Christian behaviour Think carefully about your position before God Read pages 101 - 107 in Alive and Free Write down any QUESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO ASK