Help of the Spirit #
Romans 8:26-28
I. Infirmities (26) #
A. Infirmity of failure #
1. Sin keeps us away #
Is. 59:1 ¶ Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
2. Pride keeps us from asking #
James 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
- Like a child that will not ask his father for help, because he thinks he is big enough…
B. Infirmity of the flesh #
Rom. 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
1. Our failures… #
C. Infirmity of faulty asking #
1. Not knowing what to ask #
- There are many times in life, when we don’t even know what to ask for.
James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
II. Intercessions (27) #
Intercession – the act of interceding; mediation; interposition between parties at variance
A. God knows what is best! “according to the will of God” #
1. Sometimes we think we know #
Rom. 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Jonah ran from God’s will
Balaam thought he knew best… Numbers 22:5-22
- We don’t always want to accept God’s Will!
2. God’s will is ALWAYS best #
B. God knows your heart #
Jer. 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Psa. 44:21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
III. Intentions (28) #
A. All Things #
1. God of the mountain, is God in the valley #
Psa. 23:1 ¶ The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
God may lead you through some treacherous waters…
- He told his disciples to get into a boat, and cross the sea, and he knew the storm was coming.
B. Allow God to Work - #
1. Not instantaneously good #
2. Many keep interrupting, and not letting God finish #
C. Love God #
1. How is your Love for God? #
D. Called according to His purpose #
- Don’t get yourself in a bind, and then blame God!
- Too many people, mess up their life, and the blame God