Romans 8:26-27 -- "Help in our Weakness"

[The index for the series is here.]

I am using the Pastor's titles for these posts. The appropriate links are:

• Audio file
• Note sheet

The text:

(NET) Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, ²⁹ but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. 27 And he³⁰ who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit³¹ intercedes on behalf of the saints according to God’s will.

Notes:

²⁹ tn Or “for we do not know what we ought to pray for.”

³⁰ sn He refers to God here; Paul has not specifically identified him for the sake of rhetorical power (for by leaving the subject slightly ambiguous, he draws his audience into seeing God’s hand in places where he is not explicitly mentioned).

³¹ tn Grk “he,” or “it”; the referent (the Spirit) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible. Biblical Studies Press.

Sermon Notes:

• The Spirit prays for believers, interceding for them in their weakness. In the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness the Spirit himself intercedes for us.
• The Spirit prays for us in our weakness, asking for what we do not know to ask for. We do not know what we ought to pray for...but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
• The Spirit asks for what is God’s will for us.
  
  • God does not expect us to always know His will.
  • In our weakness and groaning, God understands us perfectly.
  • God works in us and for us in ways we do not know or understand.
  • Our God has done (and will do) everything we need to enable us to bring Him glory — even in our weakness.