Overview:
Romans 8:18–27
Once Paul got past the sinfulness of sin (Romans 1–3) and the grace of the gospel (4–5), he focused our attention on the sanctification of the saint (6–8). That third subject reached its climax in Romans 8, where Paul emphasized the work of the Holy Spirit, especially what Jesus called the abundant life (John 10:10). As we learned in the previous message, life is made possible by His empowering us to live above the drag of the flesh. Such a concept could cause some to think that the Christian life is a “cloud nine” delight, full of nothing but “glorying,” uninterrupted peace, pleasure, and prosperity. To keep things realistic, Paul introduced the other side of life—the “groaning.” And to help us understand it better, he interjected an analogy that is familiar to all of us: God’s creation. From that, Paul turned to all of us: God’s creatures. There are glorying and groaning in both. They are indissolubly linked—welded together and inseparable.
Message Summary:
In “Glorying and Groaning,” Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the tension between the “abundant life” promised in Christ and the inescapable reality of suffering in a fallen world. While Romans 8 is often celebrated for its themes of victory and the empowering work of the Holy Spirit, Paul remains grounded in reality by addressing the “groaning” that characterizes both creation and the believer. This message explains how glory and groaning are indissolubly linked, providing hope for those enduring the “drag of the flesh” while looking forward to future redemption.
Message Key Facts:
- The Reality of Suffering: The Christian life is not a “cloud nine” experience of uninterrupted prosperity; it includes legitimate pain and waiting.
- The Inseparable Link: In this present age, “glorying” (joy in Christ) and “groaning” (suffering in a fallen world) are welded together.
- The State of Creation: Because of the Fall, all of nature exists in a state of “futility,” waiting for its own liberation from the bondage of corruption.
- The Believer’s Perspective: Suffering in the present is not comparable to the magnitude of the glory that will be revealed in the future.
- The Spirit’s Assistance: When we are too weak or overwhelmed to pray effectively, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with “groanings too deep for words.”
Message References:
1. A Realistic Perspective on Suffering (Romans 8:18)
Paul establishes a divine “accounting” method: he considers the sufferings of this present time as insignificant when weighed against the eternal glory that awaits the believer.
2. The Groaning of Creation (Romans 8:19–22)
Using the analogy of childbirth, Paul describes the natural world as being in “labor pains.” Creation was subjected to futility by God, but with a promise of future restoration.
3. The Groaning of the Creature (Romans 8:23–25)
Even those who have the “firstfruits of the Spirit” groan within themselves.
- Waiting for Adoption: We possess the spiritual reality of being God’s children, but we await the physical reality—the redemption of our bodies.
- The Role of Hope: We are saved in this hope. If we already saw the fulfillment, hope would not be necessary; therefore, we wait with perseverance.
4. The Groaning of the Spirit (Romans 8:26–27)
God does not leave us to groan alone. The Holy Spirit “helps our weakness.”
- Intercession: When we don’t know how to pray, the Spirit communicates our deepest needs to the Father according to the will of God.
Primary Scripture References
- Romans 8:18–27: The primary text detailing the groaning of creation, creatures, and the Spirit.
- John 10:10: The context of the “abundant life” that Jesus promised.
- Romans 1–3: Background on the sinfulness of man.
- Romans 6–8: The broader context of the “sanctification of the saint.”
Practical Application
To maintain a biblical balance between glorying and groaning, believers are encouraged to:
- Adjust Expectations: Recognize that suffering is a normal, though temporary, part of the Christian experience.
- Exercise Patience: Trust in the “unseen” future glory rather than becoming discouraged by “seen” present trials.
- Lean on the Spirit: Find comfort in the fact that when words fail during times of deep groaning, the Holy Spirit is actively interceding on your behalf.
