In the sermon titled "The Spirit Helps our Infirmities," Don Bell focuses on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit's intercessory work as depicted in Romans 8:16-27. He argues that the Spirit affirms our identity as children of God, enabling believers to endure suffering, which is an intrinsic part of the Christian life. Bell draws on Romans 8:17, emphasizing that believers are joint heirs with Christ, but only if they share in His sufferings. He also references Romans 8:26-27, highlighting the Spirit's role in assisting our weaknesses and interceding on our behalf according to God’s will. The practical significance of this doctrine lies in the assurance believers have that, despite their infirmities and uncertainties in prayer, the Holy Spirit actively supports them, facilitating their relationship with the Father and conforming them to the image of Christ.
Key Quotes
“The Holy Spirit makes us know that we really belong to God.”
“If we’re heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ, we MUST have our inheritance.”
“Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
“We are weak! We are frail! We have infirmities!”
The Holy Spirit intercedes for us in our weaknesses, helping us pray according to God's will.
In Romans 8:26-27, the Apostle Paul teaches that the Holy Spirit helps our infirmities and intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. This divine assistance is crucial because, in our human frailty, we often do not know how to pray as we ought. The Spirit knows the mind of God and makes our prayers acceptable, aligning them with God's will. This means that even when we struggle with our weaknesses, the Holy Spirit is actively working on our behalf, ensuring our prayers are powerful and effective.
Romans 8:26-27
Understanding suffering is essential as it aligns us with Christ and prepares us for future glory.
Suffering is an integral part of the Christian experience, as clarified in Romans 8:17-18. Paul reminds us that if we share in Christ's sufferings, we will also share in His glory. This perspective helps Christians see that present sufferings cannot compare to the future glory that will be revealed in us. It teaches us that trials serve a purpose in our spiritual journey, molding us and drawing us closer to Christ. Furthermore, it bolsters our hope, reminding us that our ultimate inheritance and transformation awaits in God's eternal kingdom.
Romans 8:17-18, 2 Corinthians 4:17
We know we are God's children through the witness of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
According to Romans 8:16, the Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. This internal assurance is a profound aspect of our relationship with God; it is not based on our feelings or actions but on the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This assurance manifests itself in faith, evidence of spiritual fruit, and a desire to live according to God's will. The assurance of being a child of God is a deep-seated conviction that provides comfort and confidence in our relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Romans 8:16
The Holy Spirit intercedes for believers, guiding our prayers in accordance with God's will.
The role of the Holy Spirit in prayer is vital, as outlined in Romans 8:26-27. The Spirit not only helps us in our infirmities but also intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. This means when we struggle to articulate our needs or desires, the Holy Spirit takes our incomplete petitions and transforms them into prayers that are aligned with God's purposes. This divine intercession ensures that our prayers are both effective and accomplished in the will of God, reinforcing the assurance that our spiritual needs are adequately met.
Romans 8:26-27
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