All Creation Groans
Can you hear the sound?
The sound of groaning
All Creation is groaning
Why?
Suffering… I consider that our present sufferings... Romans 8:18
Frustration…For the creation was subjected to frustration… Romans 8:20
Pain…We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Romans 8:22
Anyone can complain
A complainer becomes the victim, not the victor
Anyone can complain, but the Children of God overcome the World
So Never Give Up, 7
What makes you want to quit?
Romans 8 mentions three things…
Suffering, Frustration and Pain
These move the human mind
to a place of quitting.
Ask yourself the question…
Why did you leave one thing for another?
Why did you leave a job, or a relationship, or location?
Suffering, Frustration, and Pain tell us…
Something is wrong,
this is not the way we want life to be.
When we start groaning and moaning,
we begin to see signs of wanting to quit or give up.
You and I make many of our decisions on the
amount of Suffering, Frustration, and Pain
we are experiencing.
These three are meant to move us…
But not to give up.
How do we know when to quit and move on
and when we need to endure?
The first thing is a good look at ourselves.
Are we weak or are we strong?
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
This verse identifies our weakness
and our source of strength.
These words “I can do all this”
relates to the earlier verses.
I am not saying this because I am in need,
for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:11-13
Paul said in every circumstance…
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
There is a very good chance you will make
the wrong decision when you are discontented.
Paul did not see his needs, or his riches,
his plenty or want, as motivation factors.
Paul could not have said…
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
If he had not taken the time to find God’s strength.
His ability to be content in his
Suffering, Frustration, and Pain
allowed him to focus on God’s ability to
do what needed to be done in life situations.
Paul recognized…
“I can do everything”
When he found God’s strength…
“through him who gives me strength”
Many times, we groan because our circumstances
make us uncomfortable.
But what we should groan for is…
The manifestation of the Sons of God.
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing
with the glory that will be revealed in us.
The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.
Romans 8:18-29
We should groan for our maturity
in Christ to be revealed.
When God strengthen us, we become mature.
So often we cry out to God to deliver us
and He is using that circumstance to develop
your maturity as a Son of God.
You are born again in Christ to
become an overcomer of the world.
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world;
and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
I John 5:4
Our ability to overcome,
our ability to mature
comes as we grow in faith.
Our victory over everything in this world
comes from the developing of our faith.
When you feel like giving up and quitting…
Find a place where you can find contentment.
This place will be a place where you can pray
not your will, but God’s be done.
A place where you can meditate on God’s Word.
Strength will come to you
and you will be able to do all things
through Christ who strengthens you.
You will find the strength to endure,
the strength and source of wisdom.
You will find the words you need
in that hour that you did not have before.
A complainer becomes the victim, not the victor.
You don’t have to be the victim because
you can do all things if you are willing to learn.
The word “through” and “gives” in Philippians 4:13
indicate the educational process…
I can do everything through him who gives me strength
Through your knowledge of Him,
the Maker of the World, you will gain faith.
Faith that produces confidence in the truth
and His promise to stand with the righteous.
Anyone can complain,
but the Children of God overcome the world.
You don’t have to live in groaning and moaning.
You can change the World.
You can live in victory.
So never give up.
Scripture Reading
Philippians 4:11-13 NIV
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Romans 8:18-19 NIV
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.
1 John 5:4-5 NIV
4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
