GROANING WITH CONFIDENCE

Romans 8:23-25

Romans 8 is the Christian’s “Declaration of Freedom,” for in it Paul declares the Four Spiritual Freedoms we enjoy because of our union with Jesus Christ.

Freedom from Judgment - No Condemnation (Rom. 8:1-4)
Freedom from Defeat - No Obligation (Rom. 8:5–17)
Freedom from Discouragement - No Frustration (Rom. 8:18–30)
Freedom from Fear - No Separation (Rom. 8:31–39)

Romans 8:18–30 is a passage that is rich with themes of suffering, hope, and God's sovereign purpose.

Note the three “groans…”

1. Groan of CREATION (vv. 19–22)
2. Groan of BELIEVERS (vv. 23–25)
3. Groan of the HOLY SPIRIT (vv. 25–30)

Romans 8:18–25 (nkjv)
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

Present Suffering is Real — But Not Final (v.18)

1. The Groaning of Creation is Real (v. 22)
2. Creation Is Not Hopeless—It Waits In Expectation (vs. 19)
3. Creation Was Subjected to Frustration by God (v. 20)
4. The Promise of Future Glory (v. 21)

We Groan for Full Adoption

Romans 8:23–25 (NLT)
23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. 24 We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. 25 But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)

1. Believers Groan 
(v. 23a) And we believers also groan…

Ask Yourself: Are my groans driven by frustration with the world, or by longing for Christ’s return?

2. The Spirit Is the Foretaste 
(v. 23b) … even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering.

Ask Yourself: Do I value the Spirit’s work in my life as a preview of eternity?

3. The Hope of Full Redemption 
(v. 23c) … We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.

 Ask Yourself: Do I live with an eternal mindset, or am I fixated only on the temporary?

4. The Patience of Hope 
(vv. 24–25) We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. 25 But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)

Ask Yourself: Do I practice patient confidence, or do I grow restless and anxious when I don’t see immediate answers?

1. Live with an Eternal Perspective
2. Let Hope Shape Your Daily Attitude
3. Practice Patience in the Process
4. Embrace the Holy Spirit’s Presence
5. Encourage Others in Their Groaning

Because our present struggles are not permanent, we can endure with patient hope, trusting that God will keep His promise of full redemption and future glory.