Messages with Meaning


Sermons delivered at Sanlando Springs by Pastor Jack Parrott

From Groans to Glory

Romans 8:18-27
January 27, 2008
I. Introduction

Chapter 8 focuses on the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers (the word for Spirit, pneuma, appears 21 times in this chapter, more than any other chapter in the New Testament).

II. Our Problems Compared to God's Promises
  1. Difference between the groanings of the present and the glory of the future God gives to us at the return of Jesus Christ to earth at the end of time (8:18)
  2. What is Paul referring to when he says 'sufferings'?
    1. Christians in Rome who were being physically persecuted for their faith in Jesus.
    2. Spiritual struggle of believers. (8:5-8)
  3. What is the 'glory' to which Paul is referring?
    1. It is already realized in Christ, but it has yet to be revealed. (Compare to closing on home and occupying it.)
    2. The Christian scriptures teach that glory is the place where we as humans made in the image of God are transformed into the men and women God created us to be. It is the time when there is a new heaven and a new earth, no longer ruined by human sin. It's God's home for God's people.
III. How do we cope with 'corruption'?
  1. All of creation is coping with "corruption" (cf, "decay" in 8:2 which refers to the present distortion caused by sin) in this 'in-between' time (life between salvation and glorification).
    1. Nature ('creation' = everything but humanity and angels) waits in expectation (8:19).
    2. Believers wait in hope of the unseen (8:23-25)
  2. How do we cope?
    1. ...by living in faith -- change in our orientation and lifestyle -- to what God has done in Christ (resurrection, see 6:1-14) and what the Spirit is doing in me now (giving me victory by transforming me into the image of Christ, (8:9-11)
    2. ...by focusing on the future -- hope is a rope we grab onto which pulls us into the future.
IV. God's strength for our struggles
  1. Presence of the Spirit. He helps us in our weakness (8:26)
  2. Prayers of Spirit. The Spirit and Jesus intercede (plead) for believers. (8:26-27, 34)
  3. Purpose of God. (8:28-30)


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