“The Groan” Why does suffering hurt so badly?” TEACHING TEXT - Romans 8:22-23 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 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. Job 1:1-3 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. 2 There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. 3 He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. Suffering is an ache from being banished. Genesis 2:25 25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. Genesis 3:1-7 The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” 2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” 4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. 5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” 6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. Groaning is a deep, wordless, inward expression of pain, distress, or intense longing for relief and redemption. Our spirit groans for home. Romans 8:22-23 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 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. John 11:17 17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. John 11:19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. John 11:32 32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35 Jesus wept. Grief isn’t the absence of faith, its a symptom of suffering 2. Jesus entered our groaning John 1:14 “and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Luke: 22:42 “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from me; nevertheless not my will, but Yours be done.” Job 1:21 “the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Psalm 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Sometimes we have to pray through confusion. Psalm 13 O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!” Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall. 5 But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. 6 I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me. Psalm 136:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Jesus entered our suffering himself, therefore we can stand firm in knowing that He isn’t distant from your pain, and we can trust Him. 3. Jesus is our hope in the groaning. Matthew 11:28–30 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me…For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Hebrews 12:1 Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith… 4.Eternity changes our groaning… Because eternity doesn’t end in suffering, it ends in restoration Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Revelation 21:4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying… the groan inside of you isn’t just pain, its homesickness
