START CONVERESATION
- Are you more productive at night or in the morning?
- Do you think it’s possible to change and get used to another schedule?
- What scene in a movie always gives you goosebumps every time you watch it?
START TALKING
How often have you used the word “A-A-A-R-R-R-G-G-G-H-H-H!” In a way this strange word has a unique relationship to the biblical text. The also has much to do with Romans 8:18-25. Some of you may even recognize this word. It is the word that Charlie Brown, from the comic strip Peanuts, would use when Lucy pulled the football away. He would always land on his back and yell “AAARRRGGGHHH!” This was the writer’s attempt to express with a single word what we would call a groan. A groan is an expression of hurt, frustration and longing for things to be better. Charlie Brown was groaning because he was frustrated at repeated failure and he was longing for a better day. There are a lot of people who feel as if life has let them down and have a “groaning” for things to be better. In our text, this issue of groaning in addressed and shows how H.O.P.E. can relieve our souls and have us on the tips of our toes.
1. Tiptoe Anticipation
While I Wait, I Wait with Anticipation
READ ROMANS 8:18-21
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, IN HOPE THAT THE CREATION ITSELF WILL BE LIBERATED from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
Romans 8:19 says, “The whole creation is on its tiptoe to see the wonderful sight of the sons of God coming into their own.” Hope looks to the future, not to the present. Hope that is seen is no hope at all. 2nd Corinthians 4:18: “So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
As Christians we hope, and we wait. Ours is not a doubting, wavering hope. Rather it is a sure and certain hope in God’s promises. We can persevere through the suffering, because the glory is coming. We wait patiently for what we do not yet have. Even when we are at our lowest and weakest and “… we do not know what we ought to pray for …the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. He searches our hearts (and) intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” Romans 8:26-27. I have good news: God searches your heart and knows the groans. You are not alone. It is time to get a grip on hope. Hope will get you to your feet. Hope will put you up on your tiptoes. “Lift up (your) eyes to the mountains.” Help is on the way. You ask, “Where does it come from?” “It comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121-1-2.
The writer of Psalm 121 encourages us to look beyond the mountains to the God who created them. The hills in verse one is part of the argument here. Mountains are symbols of strength and stability. They are great in size, long-lasting and unchanging. The creation reflects the Creator. And so, the God who made the mountains is even greater in power and strength. Psalm 46:1 tells us: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1). God is bigger than the mountains and God is before the mountains. We don’t look to the mountains for our strength, but the mountains get our eyes off of our problems and lift our eyes up towards God who can help us in our need.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What kind of sufferings do we face in the present time?
- How should Christians respond to suffering and hardships?
2. Tiptoe Expectation
While I Wait, I Wait with Expectation
READ ROMANS 8:22-23
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as WE WAIT EAGERLY for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.
The firstfruits in the Old Testament was the initial offering you made after the harvest. It was made in faith and in expectation of the greater harvest to come. When Paul says that we have the firstfruits of the Spirit, he was saying that God gives us the Holy Spirit as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance to come. (Ephesians 1:13-14).
What does Paul mean when he says that we who have the firstfruits of the Spirit groan along with creation? He is saying that just like the pains of childbirth, our sufferings as Christians are temporary, and they have purpose. Childbirth is painful, but the result is amazing. A child is born. In the same way your sufferings have meaning and purpose. The sufferings you experience in this life are not death pangs but birth pangs! God is doing something new, and God is bringing something good out of your sufferings. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
The classic hymn proclaims “He’s got the whole world in his hands.” That includes you and all your ups and downs.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What are these “firstfruits of the Spirit” that Paul mentions?
- How do we see creation “groaning”?
- Have you ever “groaned inwardly” for future glory? When and Why?
3. Tiptoe Redemption
While I Wait, I Wait with Redemption
READ ROMANS 8:24-25
FOR IN THIS HOPE WE WERE SAVED. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
God of Israel is your protector. He is your body guard. He is your salvation. He is your redeemer. Psalm 37: “The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24)
There are no accidents for those who put their faith in Christ. All that happens takes place under God’s divine care. God never slumbers nor sleeps. And because God never slumbers nor sleeps – that means that you can! It’s like a child who can’t sleep until their parent promises to stay by their bedside. Then the child trustfully falls asleep knowing their parent is there to watch over them. It’s the same way with God. It doesn’t matter what problem you’re dealing with; you can leave it in God’s hands and go to sleep at night knowing that God never slumbers nor sleeps, and he will take care of it. He will take care of you. The scripture boldly proclaims, “I KNOW that my redeemer lives.” (Job 19:25). My hope is built on that. With expectation, anticipation and redemption I stand on my tiptoes with pure hope because I know that I know!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What does it mean to have hope?
- How is hope in Christ different from other things we hope in?
START PRAYING
Father, thank You for being kind and patient with us, even when we fall short and sin. Help us to see when we’ve sinned, to confess quickly, and to repent wholeheartedly. In Jesus’ name, amen.
