immersion, not by sprinkling. Look at it. Look at it, folks; it’s so clear.

Verse 4:
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised
up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of
life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in
the likeness of his resurrection.” That baptistry is a liquid tomb. When you go under the
water, that pictures a burial. The old Adrian is gone. When you come up out of the
water, that pictures a resurrection. I’m raised to walk in newness of life. You don’t
picture that by sprinkling. You can’t picture that by sprinkling. It is a death, a burial, and
a resurrection. Now that only declares it. It only shows it. It doesn’t make it so. It has to
happen in your heart before it ever happens out there. That’s the outward expression of
the inward reality, but it is a picture. Don’t you think the devil would love to remove that
picture from the church? I believe he would—of the death, burial, and resurrection of
Jesus Christ—for this is the Gospel, how that Christ died for our sins, how that He was
buried, how that He was raised again the third day. And that’s the reason these people
were baptized this morning, to say, “When Jesus died, I died. When He was buried, I
was buried. When He came up, I came up. Not a resurrection someday. I’m already,
right now, walking in resurrection life.” There will be a resurrection someday, thank God
for that. But friend, you don’t get eternal life when you die; you get eternal life when you
believe—the moment you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, that moment you have
eternal life.

II. Reckon: Appropriation

Now, there is a fact. Know it. Secondly, look at the next word: reckon. Do you see
the word reckon? That deals with faith. Now, this word reckon, look at it in verse 11:
“Likewise reckon yourselves, reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin.”
Now, he’s already said, “You’re dead,” but now it says reckon. Now, look at the word
reckon. Do you know what that word reckon means? It literally means to calculate—
calculate. It’s a bookkeeping term. You are to calculate on this fact. You are to count on
this fact. It doesn’t deal with feelings. You say, “Pastor Rogers, if I am dead, buried, and
raised, how come I feel the way I feel?” Beause the devil’s pulled the wool over your
eyes. I mean it can be a fact, but if you don’t reckon on it, what good does it do you?
You need to act upon this fact. And, how do you act upon this fact? You reckon on it as
an act of faith. Now, reckoning is not just closing your eyes and pretending; but faith is
acting, reckoning is acting on what you know to be true.
Now, you already know how to reckon if you’re saved. You see, we do a pretty good
job of reckoning to the fact that He died for our sins. We say, “Okay, my sins are paid
for.” But you also need to learn how to reckon that you died with Him. That’s where
we’re weak. That’s where we’re weak. Most of us have the idea of substitution. We’ve

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got that down. But we don’t have the idea of identification—that we died with Him, you
see. That’s where we’re weak. Now, you need to count on this. It’s not a matter of
feeling. Feelings are deceptive.
We were in London the other day, in Gatwick Airport, and had about an hour and a
half before our plane took off. Joyce had a few extra pounds—now wait, that doesn’t
sound good. Pounds is what they buy things with over there. She had some extra
money that had not been translated back to United States money. She’s there in the
terminal, buying a few little things in the gift shop there, the duty-free shop, and I’m
looking around for something to pass the time. I see this little theater in there, and this
theater is kind of one of these virtual reality things. It’s a theater that seats about 25
people, and they had a motorcycle ride, and you go, and I needed to lose two pounds,
so I gave them two pounds, and I went in this thing. And they said, “Sit down in this
chair, and buckle the seat belt.” I should’ve known something was about to happen.
“You buckle the seat belt.” And, he said, “Put both feet on the floor.” And then, the
screen comes on, and, Jim, I was on a motorcycle, and that guy took off in that
motorcycle. Listen, folks—I still believe I was on a motorcycle. I mean it—it was
incredible! This thing was going nine billion miles an hour through warehouses, plate
glass windows, up on sidewalks, through fruit stands, over jumps. My heart was going,
“Boom! Boom! Boom! Rrbb-bb-bb-bb.” And the seat was going like this, and I’m holding
on. Incredible! I wasn’t on a motorcycle at all. I was just shifting in a room. But
everything in me said I was riding a motorcycle. I mean the vibration, the sound, I
thought I was smelling the fumes. It was incredible. And people in there were
screaming. I wasn’t screaming, not me. But listen—they were all screaming.
Now, what am I saying? You know, we get something in our mind, and our mind tells
us something is true, when it’s not true at all, and sometimes when there is something
true, we fail to believe that it is true. The truth of the matter is that you have been dead
for 2,000 years. Don’t you think it’s time you had a funeral? You’ve been dead for 2,000
years. Reckon on it! It’s a matter of faith! No matter how you feel about it, it’s a matter of
faith.
Now, in verse 6, the word crucified is in the aorist tense in the Greek. That doesn’t
mean a thing in the world to you if you don’t know Greek, but it means it’s a once-for-all
happening. But in verse 5, the word reckon is in the present tense, and that means it’s
something you are to be doing constantly. He died for you; you died with Him—that’s
once for all. But day by day by day by day, you need to take that fact and turn it into
faith, and reckon on it. Daily, I must reckon that the old Adrian is dead—dead to his
plans, his wishes, his will; I’m dead to Satan’s slavery over me; I’m dead to sin’s power
over me—I must reckon it.

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III. Yield: Emancipation
Now, here’s the third word. It’s not over yet. I mean, if you don’t know it, it won’t do
you any good. That’s a fact, okay? That’s identification. But not only must you know it,
you must reckon on it. That’s faith. You say, “Yes, I believe that fact. I put that fact into
action.” That is appropriation. Identification, appropriation. But, oh, here’s where so
many people come two-thirds of the way, and then they stop. Here’s the third word—the
third word—look at it again. It is the word yield—yield—and that word is emancipation.
Listen: identification, appropriation, and now, emancipation. But there is something you
must do.
Now, there’s a fact. You put your faith in that fact. But there is a function that you
must fulfill. Look in verse 12—chapter 6 and verse 12—look at it: “Let not sin therefore
reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.” That means there’s
something you should do. Verse 13: “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of
unrighteousness unto sin, but yield yourselves unto God.” Do you see that? You must
yield. Look in verse 16: “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to
obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey.” Look, if you will, in verse 19: “I speak after
the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your
members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so, now yield your
members servants to righteousness unto holiness.” Yield. Yield. Yield. Now this imputed
righteousness becomes practical righteousness when you begin to cooperate with God
and you yield.
Now, this is not simply self-effort, but there is something you must do. You must,
when temptation comes, yield yourself to God. That’s what most of us don’t want to do.
And it’s such a simple thing. Just simply say, “Here I am, Lord. I make myself available
to You. I just yield.” When temptation comes, there’s only one thing to do. There’s only
one thing you will do—and that’s yield. Either you’ll yield to the temptation, or you’ll yield
to God. But you will yield. When any temptation comes, only one thing to do, and that’s
yield. When it comes, and you feel that old lust coming—you want to read that
pornographic literature, you want to drink that, you want to smoke that, you want to say
that, you want to do that—just say, “I don’t have to do that. I don’t have to do that. That
old nature is dead. I have been buried with Christ. I have been raised with Christ.
Resurrection power is available to me. I count on it. Here, God! I yield myself to You!”
And don’t say it won’t work, if you haven’t tried it. I’ll guarantee you on the Word of God
it will happen.
But now, listen. Satan doesn’t want you to learn this. Satan doesn’t want you to
know this. And he’ll try and tell you, “You don’t have any right to do this. You don’t have
any power to do this. You’re so weak; you’re going down. I’ve got you just where I want
you. Your old flesh—you’ve always done this, and you still will.” And he’ll begin to lie to

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you.
Down in Florida I had a little sailboat, a beautiful little sailboat, little Boston Whaler-
type sailboat, one little sail on it. It was about as big as from here to you, Brother Bob. I
put my little kids in that sailboat. We lived just near the Indian River—Indian River, a
beautiful salt water lagoon, about a mile wide. And I’d come in from work, and kick off
my shoes, and put on an old pair of trousers, and hoist the sail on that little sailboat, and
sail around the sunset with the kids in there, and we’d laugh and joke and tell stories
and come in for suppertime. Just wonderful—enjoyed that little boat so much. I came
out there one day to get my little boat. I’d just left it pulled up on the shore, right there
behind the house. It was gone. Somebody had stolen my sailboat. I mean, it was a
treasure. Wasn’t worth that much money, but I just loved that boat, Jim. It was gone.
Somebody had taken that boat, right down there behind Doyle’s house; my little boat
was gone. Well, I didn’t do anything. I just told Jesus on them, and, nothing else I could
do. But I was driving down the road, and I passed a boat place—I mean, where they
sold boats. And out there on the corner, featured, sitting up on a pedestal, was my boat.
It had all been polished and cleaned, but I knew it was my boat sitting up there for sale;
it belonged to me. I pulled in. I said, “Hey, that’s a nice-looking boat out there. How
much is it?” And he told me. I said, “That’s very interesting.” And then I said, “Sir, that’s
my boat.” He said, “Oh, no, no. That’s not your boat. That’s, no.” I said, “Fine.” But I
said, “I’ll be back in a minute. I’m going to get my trailer.” Very interesting episode there.
So he didn’t know me as the pastor of the First Baptist Church. He just knew me as
crazy, I guess. But I just pulled up with my automobile, backed my trailer up to that boat,
and began to load it up. He came out, and he said, “What are you doing?” I said, “Just
loading this boat on this trailer.” He said, “Mister, get your hands off that boat. That’s not
your boat” “Oh,” I said, “no, it’s my boat.” He said, “Mister, leave that boat alone.” I said,
“You know what I’d do if I were you, sir?” He said, “What?” I said, “I’d call the police.” I
said, “Why don’t you call the police and tell the police that there’s a man down here
stealing a boat?” I said, “Go on in to your phone and call the police.” And I loaded the
boat up and drove off with it, and I have not yet heard from him or the police.
Now, I could’ve let him keep that boat, but I didn’t have to. It was not his. How he got
it—I don’t know who sold it to him or whatever. I don’t know. But I know it was mine. It
was legally mine. There was no way he could keep it. And all he could do was intimidate
me, and I just simply refused to be intimidated.
The devil will try to do the same thing to you. The devil will tell you, “You can’t have
victory. You can’t live in victory. That’s not yours. Get your hands off of that.” You say,
“Devil, it’s mine, and I’m taking it.” I belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, and I don’t have to
let that dirty devil rule over me! Look at it again in verse 12: “Let not sin therefore reign
in your mortal body that ye should obey it to the lusts thereof.” You don’t have to do it!

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You have resurrection power. “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of
unrighteousness unto sin, but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from
the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” Just yield.
Abraham Lincoln set the slaves free, but unfortunately, many slaves continued to
stay on the plantation. Do you know why? Some slaves never got the word. They didn’t
know it. Other slaves knew it, but they just couldn’t take it in. They just could not really
believe it. And other slaves heard it, and knew it, but they were still intimidated by their
old master, and they just continued to yield. Tragic. You have to know it—that’s a fact.
You have to reckon on it—that’s faith. And you have to yield to it—that’s function. And
you say, “Satan, I don’t belong to you anymore. You’re not my master anymore. And,
Adrian, that old man is dead and crucified. Now you’re a new man in Jesus.”

Conclusion
Isn’t that wonderful? Now, folks, that’s just going to sound like so much religious
gobbledy-gook until you begin to put it into practice. What’s the first word? Know.
What’s the second word? What’s the third word? Know, reckon, and yield. Identification.
Appropriation. Emancipation.
Let’s pray. Father God, I pray today that many in this building will give their hearts to
Jesus and be saved, and, Lord, that those who are saved will recognize that they have
life and liberty through Jesus, and that we will walk in victory in His name.
Now, while heads are bowed and eyes are closed, if you’re not certain that you’re
saved, or you’re certain that you’re not saved, and you want to be saved, I want to help
you to pray. Would you pray a prayer like this; if you want to be saved, if you want to
know that you’re not going to go to hell, if you want to know that you have peace and
power and victory, fellowship with God, I want you to pray this prayer: “Dear God, I
know that You love me. I know You want to save me. Jesus, I believe You’re the Son of
God. I believe You paid my sin debt with Your blood on that cross. I now by faith receive
You as my Lord and Master and my Savior. Come into my heart, forgive my sin, and
save me, Jesus.” Now, pray that prayer. Pray it and mean it. Don’t just repeat words.
Say it and mean it. “Save me, Jesus. Right now, today, in this chair, save me!” Now, by
audacious faith, thank Him. If you were sincere, and you give all you know of you to all
you know of Him, just thank Him, and say this, “Thank You for saving me. I don’t
deserve it. I receive it by faith like a child. You’re now my Lord and Master. Begin now,
this moment, to make me what You want me to be, and help me never to be ashamed
of You, because You died for me. In Your name I pray. Amen.”
Now, look up here. If you prayed that prayer, or you want to pray that prayer and
need a little more help, I’m going to ask you when we stand and sing to leave your seat
and come forward. There’s something about coming forward that settles it, and seals it,

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and shames the devil, and gives glory to God. Standing at the head of each of these
aisles will be a man of God to welcome you. In the aisle way up in the balcony, you
needn’t come all the way down here; there’ll be somebody up there in that aisle way if
you’ll just look for him to welcome you. If you’re giving your heart to Jesus, when you
come forward you just tell the minister, “I’m trusting Jesus—I’m trusting Jesus.”
Now, others of you have already been saved, and you know it and you need a
church home. If you believe as we believe, want to be a growing, fellowshipping
member of Bellevue Baptist Church, I invite you to come forward, and tell the minister
that you’d like to place your membership here, and he’ll talk with you, and tell you how
you may become a member of Bellevue Baptist Church. Some are coming saying, “I’m
trusting Christ.” Others are coming saying, “I want to place my membership here.” Now,
there may be somebody else here, you just have a prayer burden; you just say, “I have
a need. I want somebody to pray with me.” We’ll be glad to do that, just pray with you.
Just come and say, “I need somebody to pray with me and to pray for me.”
Now, don’t look around to see what someone else is going to do. You come if no one
else comes. You come if all of us do. You do what God would have you to do. No one
should leave during the invitation, unless it is an emergency. Let’s stand together as we
sing.

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  Liberated  Living    
By  Adrian  Rogers  
Sermon  Date:    March  7,  2004    
Main  Scripture  Text:    Romans  6:1–19    

Outline  
Introduction  
I. There  Is  Something  to  Know
II. There  Is  Something  to  Reckon
III. There  Is  Something  to  Yield
A. The  Dethronement  of  Sin
B. The  Enthronement  of  the  Savior
C. The  Enslavement  of  the  Saint
Conclusion  

Introduction  
Amen.  His  strength  is  perfect.  
Are  you  ready  for  some  liberated  living?  That’s  the  title  of  our  message  tonight:  
“Liberated  Living.”  Are  you  tired  of  being  a  slave  to  the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil?  
Good  news!  You  can  be  emancipated.  You  can  be  set  free.  Now,  before  you  say,  “I’ve  
heard  that  before,”  I  want  you  to  listen  tonight,  and  I  want  you  to  open  the  Bible,  and  I  
want  you  to  learn  some  of  the  greatest  basic  truths  of  the  Christian  life  that  are  in  the  
Word  of  God.    
This  morning  we  talked  about  the  passion  of  our  Lord  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ.  And  
in  that  passion  we  talked  about  His  substitutionary  death,  that  He  gave  Himself  for  us.  
That  is  redemption.  Now,  tonight,  we’re  going  to  learn  our  purpose  as  related  to  His  
passion,  and  how  the  One  who  gave  Himself  for  us  gave  Himself  also  to  us.  Now,  if  you  
don’t  understand  that,  you  don’t  understand  the  full  meaning  of  the  passion.  
Now,  look,  if  you  will,  here  in  Romans  chapter  6,  and  look,  if  you  will,  in  verse  1:  
“What  shall  we  say  then?  Shall  we  continue  in  sin,  that  grace  may  abound?”  He’s  been  
talking  about  God’s  amazing,  wonderful  grace,  and  grace  that  is  greater  than  all  of  our  
sin.  And,  friend,  if  you  live  the  Christian  life,  it  will  be  because  you  have  received  the  
grace  of  God—God’s  riches  at  Christ’s  expense.  If  you  come  to  God,  swaggering  to  
God,  if  you  come  as  a  prince,  you’ll  go  away  as  a  beggar.  But  if  you  come  this  morning,  
as  I  said,  as  a  beggar,  “In  my  hand  no  price  I  bring,  simply  to  thy  cross  I  cling,”  if  you  
come  as  a  beggar,  you  will  go  away  as  a  prince.    
Now,  the  Billy  Graham  of  his  day  was  a  man  named  Dwight  L.  Moody.  And  if  you  
 

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have  been  to  seminary  or  studied  the  Bible  at  all,  or  studied  the  history  of  evangelism,  
you’ll  know  that  Dwight  L.  Moody  was  one  of  the  greatest  Christians  and  greatest  
preachers  who  ever  lived.  The  Moody  Bible  Institute  is  named  after  Dwight  L.  Moody.  
But  Dwight  L.  Moody  said  on  one  occasion,  “I  heard  a  man  say,  ‘I  have  been  42  years  
learning  three  things.’”  Moody  said  to  himself,  “Well,  if  it  took  that  man  42  years  to  learn  
three  things,  I’d  better  listen  and  hear  what  they  are.”  And  here  were  those  three  things  
that  man  said  that  it  took  him  42  years  to  learn.  Number  one:  I  learned  that  I  could  do  
nothing  to  earn  salvation.  Number  two:  I  learned  that  God  does  not  require  me  to  do  
anything.  Number  three:  I  learned  that  Jesus  Christ  did  it  all.  Moody  said,  “Well,  it  took  
that  man  42  years  to  learn  that.”  Well,  friend,  you  don’t  have  to  take  42  years  to  learn  
those  three  things.  If  you’re  going  to  be  saved,  and  if  you  are  saved,  you  are  going  to  
be,  or  you  are  saved  by  grace.  But  now  what  is  Paul  saying  here  in  Romans  chapter  6  
and  verse  1?  The  fact  that  we’re  saved  by  grace,  that  we  could  do  nothing  to  save  
ourselves,  God  doesn’t  expect  us  to  do  anything,  and  Christ  has  done  it  all  is  not  an  
excuse  for  sin  or  for  living  in  defeat.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  grace  is  an  inducement  to  live  a  
righteous  and  a  holy  life.  Would  you  agree  with  that?  Oh,  to  grace  how  great  a  debtor  
daily  I’m  constrained  to  be.  
But  not  only  is  grace  an  inducement—listen—to  live  a  holy  life,  grace  also  supplies  
the  power  to  live  a  holy  life.  “What  shall  we  save  then?  Shall  we  continue  in  sin  that  
grace  may  abound?  God  forbid.”  God  forbid  that  any  mother’s  child  in  this  auditorium  
this  evening  should  be  a  slave  to  sin.  God’s  plan  for  you  is  victory,  constant  victory,  
conscious  victory,  conspicuous  victory.  Now,  don’t  answer  out  loud,  but  may  I  ask  you  
this  question—are  you  living  day  by  day  in  constant  victory?  Is  it  conspicuous  victory?  
Can  others  see  it?  Is  it  conscious  victory?  Do  you  know  that  you’re  living  that  way?  
Now,  in  the  6th  chapter  of  Romans  there  are  three  key  words.  If  you’ve  been  around  
this  church  very  long,  you’ve  heard  me  reference  these  three  words  before.  But  I  want  
to  rivet  them  into  your  heart.  I  want  to  indelibly,  by  the  grace  of  God,  stamp  them  upon  
your  consciousness  that  you  will  never,  ever  again  look  at  Romans  chapter  6  and  not  
have  these  three  words  to  come  to  your  mind.  If  you  know  these  three  words,  if  you  
understand  the  import  of  these  three  words,  if  you  can  let  these  three  words  come  into  
your  heart  and  mind  and  understand  all  that  is  involved  in  them,  I  guarantee  you’ll  live  in  
victory,  no  ifs,  ands,  and  buts,  no  stutter,  no  stammer,  no  equivocation,  no  fine  print—
you  will  live  in  victory.  
The  first  word  is  the  word  know—K-­N-­O-­W.  Look,  if  you  will,  in  verse  6:  “Knowing  
this—knowing  this—that  our  old  man  is  crucified  with  him,  that  the  body  of  sin  might  be  
destroyed,  that  henceforth  we  should  not  serve  sin.”  That  is,  we  should  not  be  slaves  of  
sin.  That’s  wonderful.  All  right,  there’s  something  to  know.    

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 The  second  word  is  reckon—R-­E-­C-­K-­O-­N—reckon.  Look  in  verse  11:  “Likewise,  
reckon  ye  also  yourselves  to  be  dead  indeed  unto  sin,  but  alive  unto  God  through  Jesus  
Christ,  our  Lord.”  Now,  never  mind  the  rest  of  that  verse.  We’ll  get  to  it  in  a  moment.  All  
I’m  doing  right  now  is  pointing  out  the  words.  The  first  word,  know;;  second  word,  
reckon.  
Third  word  is  yield—yield—Y-­I-­E-­L-­D.  Look  now  in  verse  13:  “Neither  yield  ye  your  
members  as  instruments  of  unrighteousness  unto  sin,  but  yield  yourselves  unto  God,  as  
those  that  are  alive  from  the  dead,  and  your  members—talking  about  the  members  of  
your  body:  your  eyes,  your  ears,  your  feet,  your  hands—as  instruments  of  
righteousness  unto  God.”  
Now,  these  three  things,  these  three  words—know,  reckon,  and  yield—deal  with  
fact,  faith,  and  function.  There’s  a  fact  to  know.  There’s  a  reckoning  to  put  your  faith  in.  
There  is  a  function  as  you  yield.    
Now,  I  want  to  say  this:  Confession  is  good.  A  man  said,  “It  took  me  42  years  to  
learn  about  salvation  by  grace.”  I  was  pastoring  a  church  before  I  learned  what  I’m  
going  to  teach  you  tonight.  Now,  I  loved  God,  but  I  did  not  know  how  to  live  in  victory.  
So  lend  me  your  ears.  Don’t  let  the  devil  cause  your  mind  to  run  away  with  you  tonight.  
Rivet  your  attention  on  what  I’m  saying  tonight.  And  let’s  break  it  down  into  three  major  
categories  under  the  heading  of  Know,  Reckon,  and  Yield.  

I. There  Is  Something  to  Know

First  of  all,  there  is  something  to  know.  And  what  is  it  you  are  to  know?  You  are  to  
know  your  identification  with  Jesus  who  gave  Himself  for  you.  Your  identification—the  
key  word:  identification.  Now,  look,  if  you  will,  beginning  in  verse  6:  “Knowing  this…—
this  is  what  you’re  to  know—Knowing  this,  that  our  old  man…—now,  lady,  he’s  not  
talking  about  your  husband—that  our  old  man  is  crucified  with  him”—did  you  hear  that?  
Crucified  with  Him!  That  when  Jesus  died,  I  died  with  Him.  Your  old  man  is  crucified  
with  Him—“that  the  body  of  sin  might  be  destroyed,  that  henceforth  we  should  not  serve  
sin.”  No  longer  slaves  of  sin.  “For  he  that  is  dead  is  freed  from  sin.  Now,  if  we  be  dead  
with  Christ,  we  believe  that  we  shall  also  live  with  him,  knowing  that  Christ,  being  raised  
from  the  dead,  dieth  no  more;;  death  hath  no  more  dominion  over  him.  For  in  that  he  
died,  he  died  unto  sin  once;;  but  in  that  he  liveth,  he  liveth  unto  God.”    
Now,  what  is  the  doctrine  of  identification?  Know  your  identification  with  Jesus  who  
gave  Himself  for  you.  That  means  that,  when  Jesus  was  crucified,  when  Jesus  had  that  
agony,  that  passion  upon  the  cross,  not  only  was  Christ  on  that  cross,  but  since  He  was  
your  substitute,  you  were  on  that  cross.  Since  He  died  for  you,  the  old  person  you  used  
to  be  died  with  Him,  and  now  you  have  become  one  with  Him  in  His  death.  You  are  no  

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longer  in  Adam.  Now,  you  are  in  Christ.  You  are  now  identified  with  Christ.  Everybody  in  
the  world  is  either  in  Adam  or  in  Christ.  Because  of  the  crucifixion  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  
your  faith  in  that,  when  Jesus  died,  the  old  man  that  you  used  to  be  died.    
Now,  think  of  the  significance  of  it—first  of  all.  First  of  all,  that  we  have  died  with  
Him.  Look  again  in  verse  6:  “Knowing  this,  that  our  old  man  is  crucified  with  him,  that  
the  body  of  sin  might  be  destroyed.”  He  died  for  me.  Therefore,  His  death  had  my  name  
on  it.  His  death  had  your  name  on  it.  The  old  person  that  you  were  was  nailed  to  the  
cross  with  Jesus  Christ.  You  see,  Calvary  not  only  deals—listen  carefully  now—Calvary  
not  only  deals  with  the  sin—now,  listen—it  also  deals  with  the  sinner.  You  see,  if  all  He  
did  was  to  forgive  my  sin  and  doesn’t  deal  with  me,  He  has  not  delivered  me  from  my  
worse  enemy.  Hello.  Are  you  listening?  Calvary  not  only  deals  with  the  sin;;  Calvary  
deals  with  the  sinner.  We  were  crucified  with  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  An  ancillary  verse  
that  makes  this  clear  is  Galatians  2:20:  “I  am  crucified  with  Christ:  nevertheless  I  live;;  
yet  not  I,  but  Christ  liveth  in  me.”  You  see,  Adrian  was  nailed  to  that  cross  when  Jesus  
was  nailed  there.  Why?  Because  He  was  taking  my  place.  Again,  His  death  was  for  me.  
It  had  my  name  on  it.  
I  love  to  tell  the  story  of  one  of  the  former  pastors  of  our  church,  a  great  man  I  loved  
and  admired  so  very  much,  Dr.  Robert  G.  Lee.  Dr.  Lee  visited  Israel.  He  was  so  in  
anticipation  of  going  there.  And  the  place  that  Dr.  Lee  wanted  to  see  was  Calvary.  He’d  
never  been  to  the  Holy  Land  before.  And  he  stood  there  with  a  little  group  at  Calvary,  
and  the  guide  was  talking.  And  then  the  guide  asked  a  question,  “Have  any  of  us  ever  
been  here  before?”  Dr.  Lee  lifted  his  hand.  He  said,  “When  were  you  here,  sir?”  He  
said,  “2,000  years  ago”—“2,000  years  ago.”  What  did  he  mean?  He  meant  that  when  
Jesus  died  upon  that  cross,  he  was  there,  and  so  were  you.  He  was  nailed  up  to  that  
cross  for  you,  and  the  old  man  that  you  used  to  be  was  crucified  with  Him.  Now,  what  
does  that  mean?  “He  that  is  dead  is  freed  from  sin.”  Sin  has  no  more  dominion  over  
him.    
Now,  if  a  criminal  is  guilty—I  mean  guilty,  adjudicated  guilty,  proven  to  be  guilty,  
prima  facie  evidence,  he  is  guilty  and  he’s  in  jail  waiting  for  the  crime  to  be  sentenced,  
and  the  man  dies  in  jail—what  happens?  Forget  it.  Case  closed.  It’s  over.  You  can’t  
prosecute  a  dead  man,  can  you?    
Do  you  remember  in  the  Whitewater  investigation,  James  McDougal  over  in  
Arkansas,  the  man  that  they  thought  they  had  some  things  against?  And  they  were  
investigating  James  McDougal.  But  one  thing  happened.  James  McDougal  died  in  jail,  
or  died  in  incarceration  someway.  Whether  he  was  in  jail  on  not,  I’m  not  quite  certain.  
But  when  he  died,  it’s  over—it’s  over.  Case  closed.  Friend,  I  don’t  know  what  charges  
the  devil  has  against  you,  but  I  can  tell  you  one  thing.  When  you  died  upon  Calvary,  the  

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case  is  closed.  Case  is  closed.  Death  has  no  more  dominion  over  a  dead  man.  
Suppose  a  man  is  a  slave,  he’s  owned  by  someone.  And  slavery,  as  it  was  practiced  
in  the  United  States,  was  unspeakably  immoral.  But  suppose  a  man  had  a  slave.  And  
the  slave  tells  him  when  to  go  to  bed,  or  the  master  tells  him  when  to  go  to  bed,  when  to  
get  up,  what  to  eat,  how  to  dress,  what  to  do,  where  to  go,  where  to  come.  And  then  the  
slave  dies.  What  then  can  his  master  do?  Nothing.  He  is  dead.    
You’re  no  longer  Satan’s  slave  because  of  Calvary.  Now,  you  have  to  understand  
that.  You  see,  the  death  of  Jesus  Christ  changed  that.  We  have  been  crucified  with  
Christ.    
Now,  not  only  did  we  die  with  Him,  but—now,  listen—we  were  also  buried  with  Him.  
Look  now  in  verses  3  and  4:  “Know  ye  not  that  so  many  of  us  as  were  baptized  into  
Jesus  Christ  were  baptized  into  his  death?  Therefore,  we  are  buried  with  him—
underscore  that—we  are  buried  with  him  by  baptism  into  death,  that  like  as  Christ  was  
raised  up  from  the  dead  by  the  glory  of  the  Father,  even  so  we  also  should  walk  in  
newness  of  life.  For  if  we  have  been  planted  together  in  the  likeness  of  his  death,  we  
shall  also  be  in  the  likeness  of  his  resurrection.”  Buried  with  Him—not  only  have  you  
died  with  Jesus,  but  you  were  buried  with  Jesus.    
Did  you  know  there  is  an  emphasis  in  the  Bible  upon  the  burial  of  Jesus  Christ?  Did  
you  know  that  it’s  part  of  the  gospel?  Put  in  your  margin  an  ancillary  verse—1  
Corinthians  chapter  15,  verses  3  through  4.  Paul  is  talking  about  the  gospel,  and  he  
says,  “For  I  delivered  unto  you  first  of  all  that  which  I  also  received”—and  when  he  says  
“first  of  all,”  he  doesn’t  mean  first  in  order.  He  means  of  first  importance.  This  is  number  
one.  This  is  priority,  first  of  all—“how  that  Christ  died  for  our  sins  according  to  the  
Scriptures—that’s  what  I  preached  this  morning—and  that  he  was  buried,  and  that  he  
rose  again  the  third  day  according  to  the  Scriptures.”  The  burial  of  Jesus  Christ  is  part  of  
the  gospel.  Not  only  did  His  death  have  your  name  on  it;;  His  burial  had  your  name  on  it.  
You  see,  He  died  for  you.  And  the  old  man  that  you  used  to  be  died  when  He  died  for  
you,  and  now  you  are  buried  with  Him.    
In  Bible  times,  the  Jews  put  the  dead  quickly  out  of  sight.  They  buried  the  dead.  
They  did  not  embalm  them  as  we  embalm  today  and  keep  them  around.  They  were  
quickly  buried.  Now,  that’s  what  baptism  symbolizes—that  the  old  person  you  used  to  
be  is  no  longer.  You  have  been  buried  in  a  liquid  tomb  and  your  sins  are  in  the  grave  of  
God’s  forgetfulness.  Now,  listen.  When  you  die  with  Christ,  the  devil  would  love  to  haunt  
you  with  the  bones  of  your  old  life.  But  you  need  to  understand  that  he  can’t  do  that.  
You  not  only  have  died  with  Christ;;  you’ve  been  buried  with  Christ.  And  when  the  devil  
comes  looking  for  the  old  Adrian,  I  can  say,  “He’s  not  here.”  “Well,  where  is  he?”  “He’s  
buried.  Weren’t  you  there  at  his  funeral?”  You  see,  my  funeral  was  my  baptism.  I  hope  

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you’ve  had  a  funeral.  I  hope  you  have  been  baptized  by  immersion—dead  and  buried.  
We  are  buried  with  Him  by  baptism  unto  death.  
Now,  look  again.  Not  only  did  we  die  with  Jesus,  not  only  are  we  buried  with  Jesus  
and  our  sins,  and  the  old  man  in  the  grave  of  God’s  forgetfulness,  but,  thirdly—listen—
hallelujah,  we’re  raised  with  Him.  Look  again  in  verses  4  and  5:  “Therefore,  we  are  
buried  with  him  by  baptism  into  death,  that  like  as  Christ  was  raised  from  the  dead  by  
the  glory  of  the  Father,  even  so  we  also…—don’t  miss  that;;  underscore  it—we  also  
should  walk  in  newness  of  life.  For  if  we  have  been  planted  together  in  the  likeness  of  
his  death,  we  shall  also  be  in  the  likeness  of  his  resurrection.”    
Now,  when  He  died,  I  died.  When  He  was  buried,  I  was  buried.  But  I’m  not  with  Him  
in  the  grave,  because  He’s  no  longer  in  the  grave.  He  came  up  out  of  the  tomb.  He  has  
the  life  that  the  grave  cannot  keep,  and  He  has  given  that  life  to  me,  and  I  am  a  new  
person.  Now,  that’s  the  significance  of  it.    
What  is  the  symbolism  of  it?  The  symbolism  of  it  is  baptism.  Look  again  in  verses  3  
and  4:  “Know  ye  not  that  so  many  of  us  as  were  baptized  into  Jesus  Christ  were  
baptized  into  his  death?  Therefore,  we  are  buried  with  him  by  baptism  into  death,  that  
like  as  Christ  was  raised  up  from  the  dead  by  the  glory  of  the  Father,  even  so  we  also  
should  walk  in  newness  of  life.  For  if  we  have  been  planted  together  in  the  likeness  of  
his  death,  we  shall  be  also  in  the  likeness  of  his  resurrection.”    
What  is  baptism?  It  is  a  picture  of  a  death,  a  burial,  and  resurrection.  That’s  the  
reason  it’s  by  immersion.  That’s  the  reason  we  put  this  baptistry  up  there.  Now,  some  
people  call  sprinkling  baptism,  but  the  very  Greek  word,  baptizo,  means  to  dip,  to  
immerse.  If  I  were  to  die  and  you  come  up  here  and  take  the  vital  signs,  and  you  say,  
“Well,  he  died  preaching”—and,  by  the  way,  that  would  be  a  good  way  to  die—and  you  
take  my  vital  signs,  and  Ken  says,  “He’s  dead,”  and  Jim  says,  “He’s  dead,”  and  Mark  
says,  “He’s  dead,”  well,  you  say,  “Well,  we’ve  got  to  bury  the  old  preacher.”  And  you  
took  me  out  to  the  graveyard,  or  should  I  say  cemetery,  and  you  sprinkle  a  few  grains  of  
sands  on  my  head,  and  leave  me  out  there  to  bake  in  the  sun,  that  wouldn’t  be  nice.  Put  
me  under.  Bury  me  in  the  good,  clean  earth.  Make  sure  I’m  dead.  Don’t  just  trust  these  
three.  Friend,  baptism  pictures  a  burial.  That’s  the  reason  why  I  believe  in  baptism  by  
immersion.  And,  by  the  way,  if  you  were  the  devil  and  wanted  to  remove  any  message  
from  the  church,  what  would  it  be?  The  gospel—the  death,  burial,  and  resurrection  of  
Jesus.  Every  time  somebody  goes  into  that  watery  grave,  every  time  somebody  is  
baptized,  they  picture  the  glorious  gospel  of  our  Lord  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ.  “This  is  
the  gospel  that  we  preached  unto  you;;  that  Christ  died  for  our  sins  according  to  the  
Scriptures.  He  was  buried  and  He  raised  again  the  third  day.”  That,  my  friend,  is  the  
gospel  truth.  That’s  the  gospel.  And  that’s  the  picture  of  the  gospel.  That  is  the  

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symbolism  of  it.  Now,  that  doesn’t  save  you.  You  could  be  baptized  so  many  times  the  
tadpoles  have  your  social  security  number  and  not  be  saved.  Water,  whether  a  spoonful  
or  a  tankful,  can’t  take  the  sin  out  of  your  heart,  out  of  your  life,  but  it  is  a  symbol  of  it.  
And  I’m  proud  of  the  symbol,  grateful,  for  it  is,  I  guess,  the  best  word  is  going  to  be  
used.    
I  may  have  told  you  about  a  man  who  used  to  work  for  our  denomination,  took  his  
family  to  Washington  to  the  Smithsonian.  They  went  in  that  section  of  the  Smithsonian  
Institute,  the  museum  of  American  history,  where  the  first  ladies  of  our  country  have  
waxed  figures  there  dressed  in  their  beautiful  gowns,  a  special  gown  maybe  worn  at  a  
state  dinner  or  the  inauguration,  or  something  like  that.  This  was  back  when  Lyndon  
Johnson  was  the  President  of  the  United  States.  And  Lady  Bird  Johnson  was  being  
featured.  They  had  just  put  the  waxed  figure  of  Lady  Bird  Johnson  there.  And  this  man  
and  his  children  were  there  in  the  Smithsonian  looking  at  Lady  Bird  Johnson,  at  least  
the  waxed  figure.  And  a  lady  came  up  alongside  of  them  and  began  to  talk,  and  said,  
‘Well,  how  do  you  like  it?  What  do  you  think?”  and  so  forth.  And  they  turned  to  look.  
Would  you  believe,  it  was  Lady  Bird.  They  said,  “Wow,  wait  till  we  get  home.”  And  she  
was  so  nice  to  them.  They  talked  and  discussed,  and  they  had  their  pictures  made.  
They  said,  “This  is  the  greatest  thing.  We  never  dreamed  this  would  happen  to  us.”  But  
while  they  were  talking,  another  photographer  came  up,  and  he  had  all  these  things  
strapped  around  him.  You  know  how  these  photographers  are.  They’ve  got  all  this  stuff.  
And  he  came  up  and  he  said  to  them,  “People,  would  you  mind  standing  aside.  I  want  to  
get  a  picture  of  Lady  Bird.”  And  so  the  wife  of  the  President  stepped  aside,  and  he  took  
a  picture  of  that  waxed  figurine,  and  there  she  was  standing  right  there.  You  think  about  
it.  Here  he  missed  the  reality  and  just  centered  on  the  symbol.  Don’t  do  that  with  
baptism.  Now,  baptism  is  a  wonderful  symbol,  but  that’s  all  it  is.  Jesus  is  the  reality.  I  
hope  you’ll  understand  that.  But,  you  see,  what  is  the  significance  of  this?  That  I  died  
with  Jesus,  I  was  buried  with  Jesus,  I  have  been  raised  with  Jesus.  The  symbol  of  it  is  
baptism.  
Now,  folks,  remember  that  the  Lord’s  Supper  speaks  about  Jesus’  death  for  us.  
Baptism  speaks  of  our  death  with  Him.  Those  are  two  very  vital  things  that  God  has  put  
into  the  church.    
Now,  here’s  the  question  that  you’re  asking  if  you’re  a  thinking  person.  You’re  
saying,  “Okay,  Pastor,  okay,  theologically  I  know  that.  I  know  that  when  He  died,  I  died;;  
when  He  was  buried,  I  was  buried;;  when  He  arose,  I  arose.  But  now,  Pastor,  I  want  to  
ask  you  a  question.  If  I  have  been  crucified  with  Christ,  why  won’t  my  old  man  lie  down?  
Why  won’t  he  be  still?  Why  am  I  having  so  much  trouble  with  the  old  person  I  used  to  
be,  if  I  have  been  crucified  with  Christ,  if  I’ve  been  buried  with  Christ?  If  I’ve  been  raised  

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with  Christ,  why,  tell  me  why,  is  my  old  man  giving  me  so  much  trouble?  Because  you  
haven’t  gone  to  the  next  step.    

II. There  Is  Something  to  Reckon

First  of  all,  there’s  something  to  know.  Now,  if  you  don’t  know  it,  you  can’t  go  any  
further.  You’ve  got  to  know  it.  It  is  a  F-­A-­C-­T—fact.  But  not  only  is  there  something  to  
know;;  secondly,  there  is  something  to  reckon.  Now,  what  you  are  to  know  is  your  
identification  with  Christ.  What  you  reckon  is  your  appropriation—not  only  your  
identification,  but  your  appropriation  of  Jesus  who  gave  Himself  for  you.  Now,  folks,  you  
can  know  it  and  know  it  and  know  it,  and  you  need  to  know  it;;  but  you  must  appropriate  
it.  Look  now  in  Romans  6,  verse  11:  “Likewise,  reckon  ye  also  yourselves  to  be  dead  
indeed  unto  sin…”—he  said  know  it,  but  now  reckon  it—“reckon  ye  also  yourselves  to  
be  dead  unto  sin,  but  alive  unto  God  through  Jesus  Christ,  our  Lord.”  Remember  our  
words?  First  word:  know.  The  second  word  is  reckon.  Now,  let’s  talk  about  that  word  
reckon.  
Reckon  is  a  bookkeeping  term.  It  does  not  mean  to  think  or  to  feel  or  to  guess,  but  it  
speaks  of  something  that  you  can  count  on,  something  that  is  not  a  matter  of  feeling,  
but  a  matter  of  fact.  It  is  something  you  can  calculate  on.  It  is  not  a  matter  of  closing  
your  eyes  and  pretending.  It  is  not  a  matter  of  clenching  your  fists  and  trying  to  do  
better.  Now,  listen  carefully.  Reckoning  is  acting  on  faith  what  you  know  to  be  a  fact.  
First  is  fact,  and  then  faith.  Faith  must  always  be  in  fact.  The  fact  is  that  Christ  died  for  
you,  and  you  died  with  Him.  Now,  you  must  reckon  on  it.  You  say,  “Well,  what  does  that  
mean  to  reckon?”  Well,  if  you’re  saved,  you  already  know  how  to  reckon.  That’s  how  
you  got  saved.  You  believe  that  Jesus  Christ  died  for  your  cross,  and  you  put  your  faith  
where  God  put  your  sins:  on  Jesus.  You  said,  “Lord  Jesus,  You  died  for  me.  You  died  to  
forgive  me.  I  trust  You.  Thank  You.  Save  me.  Thank  You.  I  am  saved.”  Were  you  there  
when  it  happened?  Did  you  see  it  with  your  eyes?  No.  But  you  know  it  to  be  true,  and  
you  reckoned  on  it  for  salvation.  Now,  in  the  same  way,  you  reckon  for  sanctification—
the  same  way.  As  you  receive  the  Lord  Jesus,  so  walk  ye  in  him.  You’re  not  told  to  feel  
it.  You’re  not  even  told  really  to  understand  it.  You  are  told  to  reckon  on  it.    
I’ve  read  of  a  woman  one  day  who  woke  up,  and  I’ve  done  the  same  thing.  
Sometimes  when  your  sleep  is  especially  sweet,  you  close  your  eyes  and  you  wake  up  
and  the  whole  night  has  gone  through.  I  mean,  just  like  that.  You  think,  it  couldn’t  be  
morning.  I  just  laid  down.  And  the  alarm  clock  goes  off.  She  said,  “It  can’t  be  six  in  the  
morning.  It  just  can’t  be.”  But  she  got  up  and  looked  at  the  clock.  It  said  6  a.m.  She  
looked  at  another  clock,  and  it  said  6  a.m.  She  opened  the  window  and  the  sun  was  
coming  up.  Now,  she  said,  “Okay,  it’s  six.”  Now,  she  would  have  been  quite  foolish  to  go  

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against  every  clock  in  the  house  and  the  sun,  moon,  and  stars,  right?  I  mean,  there  are  
the  facts—there  are  the  facts.  Now,  it  doesn’t  matter  how  she  felt.  It  doesn’t  matter  what  
she  thought.  It  doesn’t  matter  whether  she  says  it  doesn’t  feel  like  it.  That  has  nothing  to  
do  with  it.  Reckoning  does  not  deal  with  feeling.  It  deals  with  F-­A-­C-­T—fact.  It  is  a  fact  
that  you  were  crucified  with  Christ.  It  is  a  fact  that  you  were  buried  with  Christ.  It  is  a  fact  
that  you’ve  been  raised  with  Christ.  Know  it  and  then  reckon  on  it.  Remember  that’s  a  
bookkeeping  term.  That  means  to  count  on  this  fact  by  faith.  I  must  reckon  that  the  old  
Adrian  is  dead;;  dead  to  his  plans  to  his  own  wishes  and  to  his  own  will.  And  I  must  daily  
reckon  that  Jesus  Christ  is  alive  and  well  in  me.    
Put  these  verses  down,  ancillary  verses—Colossians  3,  verses  3  through  5:  “For  ye  
are  dead”—now,  he  doesn’t  say  you  could  be,  might  be:  you  are  dead.  That  is  your  old  
person.  You’re  dead—“and  your  life  is  hid  with  Christ  in  God.  When  Christ,  who  is  our  
file,  shall  appear,  then  shall  ye  also  appear  with  him  in  glory.”  Now,  I’m  dead.  I’m  dead.  
Right?  Right.  That’s  what  he  said.  Well,  now  look  at  the  next  verse:  “Mortify,  therefore,  
your  members  which  are  upon  the  earth…”—that  means  put  them  to  death.  Well,  I  
thought  I  was  dead.  You  see,  what  he’s  talking  about  here  now,  it’s  not  double  talk.  He  
is  talking  about  reckoning  what  you  know  to  be  true.  He  is  talking  about  appropriating  
what  is  already  a  fact.  Now,  reckon  it,  appropriate  it—“Mortify,  therefore,  your  members  
which  are  upon  the  earth—talking  about  your  members:  your  eyes,  your  hands,  your  
feet,  your  tongue—Mortify,  therefore,  your  members  which  are  upon  the  earth:  
fornication,  uncleanness,  inordinate  affection,  evil  concupiscence,  and  covetousness  
(which  is  idolatry). ”  Put  these  things  to  death.  You  don’t  have  to  obey  the  old  man,  
because  that  old  man  is  dead.  
Dr.  Stephen  Olford,  a  beloved  member  of  our  church,  said,  “There  is  no  demand  
upon  your  life  that  God  places  upon  you  that  is  not  really  a  demand  upon  the  Jesus  
Christ  who  lives  in  you.”  Jesus  Christ  is  alive  in  you.  You  are  alive  with  Him.  You  must  
reckon  it  to  be  true.  

III. There  Is  Something  to  Yield

Third  thing.  Third  word.  Are  you  following  me?  Say,  “Yes,  Pastor.”  Okay  now,  listen.  
First  of  all,  there’s  something  to  know.  This  is  theological  fact.  Secondly,  there  is  
something  to  reckon.  Now,  thirdly,  there’s  something  to  yield.  Yielding  deals  not  with  
identification  or  appropriation,  but  now,  thank  God,  it  deals  with  emancipation,  being  set  
free.  Something  to  yield,  and  that  is  your  emancipation  through  Jesus  who  lives  His  life  
in  you.  
Now,  let’s  look  in  verses  12  through  13:  “Let  not  sin,  therefore,  reign  in  your  mortal  
body,  that  ye  should  obey  it  in  the  lusts  thereof.  Neither  yield  ye—there’s  our  word—

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your  members  as  instruments  of  unrighteousness  unto  sin,  but  yield—there’s  our  word  
again—yourselves  unto  God,  as  those  that  are  alive  from  the  dead,  and  your  members  
as  the  instruments  of  righteousness  unto  God.”  Yield  yourself  to  God.  Yield.  Now,  look  
in  verse  16:  “Know  ye  not  that  to  whom  ye  yield  yourselves—here’s  the  word—servants  
to  obey,  his  servants  ye  are  to  whom  ye  obey,  whether  of  sin  unto  death,  or  of  
obedience  unto  righteousness?”  Now,  look  in  verse  19:  “I  speak  after  the  manner  of  
men  because  of  the  infirmity  of  your  flesh;;  for  as  ye  have  yielded  you  members  servants  
to  uncleanness  and  to  iniquity,  unto  iniquity;;  and  to  iniquity  unto  iniquity;;  even  so  now—
here’s  the  word—yield  your  members  servants  to  righteousness,  unto  holiness.”  Now,  
here’s  the  thing.  When  He  died  for  you,  that  is  imputed  righteousness.  When  you  yield  
to  Him,  that  is  imparted  and  practical  righteousness.  It  cannot  be  done  without  Him.  He  
will  not  do  it  without  you.  
A. The  Dethronement  of  Sin
Now,  we  told  you  how  to  reckon.  Now,  how  do  you  yield?  What  does  it  mean  to
yield?  First  of  all,  there  must  be  the  dethronement  of  sin.  You’re  making  notes,  write  it  
down:  the  dethronement  of  sin.  Look  now  in  verses  12  and  13:  “Let  not  sin,  therefore,  
reign  in  your  mortal  body…”—you  don’t  have  to  let  sin  have  its  way.  You  don’t  have  to.  
Don’t  let  it  do  it—“Let  not  sin,  therefore,  reign  in  your  mortal  body”—don’t  let  sin  be  on  
the  throne.  Dethrone  sin.  There  is  the  dethronement  of  sin—“that  ye  should  obey  it  in  
the  lust  thereof.  Neither  yield  ye  your  members  as  instruments  of  unrighteousness  unto  
sin,  but  yield  yourself  unto  God,  as  those  who  are  alive  from  the  dead,  and  your  
members  as  instruments  of  righteousness  unto  God.”  What  does  this  mean?  Let  not  sin  
reign.  You  see,  it’s  up  to  you.  You  have  the  right,  you  have  the  authority,  to  impeach  sin.  
You  have  the  authority  to  dethrone  sin.  You  have  the  authority  to  evict  sin.  You  can  
choose.  You  can  say,  “Satan,  you  are  a  liar.  I  don’t  belong  to  you.  I’m  no  longer  your  
slave.  The  person  I  used  to  be  is  dead  and  buried  with  Christ,  and  I  have  resurrection  
life.  Therefore,  Satan,  you  are  an  imposter.  You  have  no  right  nor  authority  in  my  life,  
and  I  will  no  longer  allow  these  members  of  mine  to  be  your  tools.”    
Now,  listen  to  me,  folks.  Satan  hopes  that  you’re  not  listening  right  now.  Satan  
hopes  that  your  mind  is  gathering  wool  right  now.  Or  Satan  hopes,  if  you  hear  it,  that  
you  will  not  believe  it.  He  has  no  authority  in  your  life.  You  don’t  have  to  let  him.  Let  not  
sin  reign  in  your  body.  You  don’t  have  to  do  it.  
There  was  a  woman  who  thought  it  would  be  economically  feasible  if  she  let  a  man  
that  she  was  not  married  to  move  into  her  apartment.  She  was  a  widow,  living  on  an  
annuity  and  a  pension,  or  whatever.  She  didn’t  have  much.  She  had  an  apartment.  And  
the  man  said,  “Look,  we’re  not  married,  but  we  can  live  together.  We  don’t  have  to  live  

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as  husband  and  wife.  We  can  just  share  this  apartment.  Economically,  it’ll  work  out.  We  
can  have  some  companionship.”  Foolishly,  she  allowed  him  to  move  in.  Her  conscience  
began  to  smite  her.  Not  only  was  her  conscience  smiting  her,  but  she  realized  it  was  a  
foolish  thing.  He  was  obnoxious  and  rude.  He  wasn’t  carrying  his  part  of  the  bargain  
anyway.  She  made  a  bad  decision.    
She  said,  “I  don’t  want  to  do  this  anymore.  I  want  you  to  move  out.”  He  said,  “I’m  not  
moving  out.  You  invited  me  in  here.  I  have  a  right  to  be  here,  and  I  am  not  going  to  
leave.”  She  said,  “Please  leave.”  Said,  “I’m  not  going  to  do  it.”  She  said,  “I  command  
you  to  leave.”  He  said,  “No,  I’m  not  leaving.”  She  didn’t  know  what  to  do.  She  went  to  a  
lawyer.  The  lawyer  took  her  to  a  judge.  They  got  a  restraining  order  from  this  man,  an  
order  of  eviction  that  said  he  had  to  leave,  a  court  order.  She  took  that  in  her  hand,  and  
she  went  back  to  him  and  said,  “Now,  you  see  this?  You’re  going  to  go.”  He  said,  “I’m  
not  leaving.”  She  said,  “You  are  leaving  or  I’m  bringing  the  law  in.”  And  he  left.  He  left.    
Now,  what  did  she  do?  She  did  the  same  thing  you’re  going  have  to  do  to  Satan.  
You’ve  been  saying  you’ve  given  Satan  a  place  in  your  life.  You’ve  been  saying,  “Now,  
here,  Satan,  you  and  I  have  got  some  little  cozy  deal  here.  I’ve  compromised  here  and  
I’ve  compromised  there.”  And  then  you  finally  say,  “Now,  Satan,  I’m  sick  of  it.  I’m  tired  of  
it.  I  don’t  want  you  in  here  anymore!”    
He  says,  “I’m  not  going!”    
“Oh,  Satan,  please.”    
“I’m  not  going!”    
“Satan,  I  don’t  want  you  in  my  life.  I  choose  against  you.”    
“I’m  not  going!”    
Then,  friend,  you  take  God’s  court  order  and  you  say,  “Satan,  in  the  name  of  Jesus  
Christ,  you’re  out  of  here.”  And,  friend,  he’ll  leave.  What  I’m  saying  is  this:  You  don’t  
have  to  let  him.  You  have  authority.    
B. The  Enthronement  of  the  Savior
There  must  be  the  dethronement  of  sin.  But  that’s  not  enough.  There  must  be  the
enthronement  of  the  Savior.  Look  now  in  verse  13:  “Neither  yield  ye  your  members  as  
instruments  of  unrighteousness  unto  sin,  but  yield  yourselves  unto  God,  as  those  that  
are  alive  from  the  dead,  and  your  members  as  the  instruments  of  righteousness  unto  
God.”  That  is,  you  yield  to  God.  
Now,  what  does  it  mean  to  yield?  It  may  interest  you  to  know  that  in  Romans  chapter  
12  and  verse  1  this  same  word  is  used,  and  it’s  translated  there  present.  “I  beseech  
you,  therefore,  brethren,  by  the  mercies  of  God  that  ye  present  your  bodies  a  living  
sacrifice,  holy,  acceptable  unto  God,  which  is  your  reasonable  service.”  The  word  

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present  is  the  same  word  in  the  Greek  as  the  word  yield,  and  it  means  to  turn  something  
over  to  another.  You  present  yourself  to  God.  Now,  when  you  kick  Satan  out,  you  
dethrone  sin,  then  you  enthrone  Jesus.  Nature  abhors  a  vacuum.  And  you  simply  
enthrone  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Now,  when  self  and  Satan  is  on  the  throne,  Christ  is  on  
the  cross;;  but  when  self  is  on  the  cross,  Christ  is  on  the  throne.  You  need  to  enthrone  
Christ.  You  need  to  yield  to  Him.  It  means  just  to  turn  it  over  to  Him.  And  you  do  that  
consciously  as  you  yield  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  
C. The  Enslavement  of  the  Saint
Now,  look.  There  must  be—now,  we’re  talking  about  yielding—there  must  be  the
dethronement  of  sin.  There  must  be  the  enthronement  of  the  Savior.  And  then—now,  
you  may  not  like  this—but  the  enslavement  of  the  saint.  I  used  the  word  enslavement  
purposefully.  Listen  to  this  now.  Look  in  verses  17  and  18:  “But  God  be  thanked,  that  ye  
were  the  servants  of  sin”—and  the  word  here  for  servant  literally  means  slave.  You  
were  the  slaves  of  sin—“but  ye  have  obeyed  from  the  heart  that  form  of  doctrine  which  
was  delivered  to  you.”  And  I  hope  you’re  listening  and  will  obey  from  your  heart.  “Being,  
then,  made  free  from  sin,  ye  became  the  servants  of  righteousness.”  And  that  word  
servant  literally  means  bond  slave.  You  became  a  bond  slave.  “Well,”  you  say,  “I  
thought  I  was  going  to  be  free?”  No.  You  become  a  slave  to  Jesus  Christ.  You  died  with  
Him.  You  were  buried  with  Him.  You  rose  with  Him.  Your  life  is  with  Him,  and  you  are  
forever  bound  to  Him  as  a  bond  slave  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  You  say,  “I  don’t  want  
enslavement.”  Friend,  this  enslavement  brings  liberty.  
Let  me  tell  you  what  you  get  when  you  become  a  slave  of  Jesus,  and  I’ll  be  finished.  
First  of  all,  you  get  a  new  freedom.  Look  in  verse  18:  “Being,  then,  made  free  from  
sin”—free  from  sin.  Free!  Free!  Free  from  sin!—“ye  became  the  slaves  of  
righteousness.”  Set  free  from  the  devil.  Now,  if  you  don’t  want  to  be  set  free,  I  can’t  help  
you.  But  if  you’re  saying,  “Adrian,  I  would  like  to  live  in  victory,”  if  there  is  something  you  
will  know,  reckon,  and  yield,  then  you  will  see  a  new  freedom.  And  not  only  will  there  be  
a  new  freedom,  it  will  show  up  as  a  new  faithfulness.  Notice  verse  19:  “for  as  ye  have  
yielded  your  members  servants  to  uncleanness  and  unto  iniquity;;  even  now  yield  your  
members  servants  to  righteousness,  unto  holiness.”  
How  would  you  like  to  be  righteous  and  holy  in  a  practical  way?  There’s  a  new  
freedom.  There’ll  be  a  new  faithfulness.  And  it  follows,  as  night  follows  day,  if  there’s  a  
new  freedom  and  a  new  faithfulness,  there  will  be  a  new  fruitfulness.  Look  in  verse  22:  
“But  now  being  made  free  from  sin,  and  become  servants  to  God,  ye  have  your  fruit  
unto  holiness.”    
Would  you  like  to  have  a  fruitful  life?  Would  you?  Would  you  like  to  be  free  from  

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Satan?  Would  you  like  to  be  faithful  to  God?  Would  you  like  to  be  fruitful  in  the  things  of  
God?  Then  yield.  Listen.  When  temptation  comes,  there’s  only  one  thing  to  do,  and  it  is  
to  yield;;  and  not  to  sin,  but  to  Jesus—to  yield.  Present  yourself.  Just  say,  ‘Here  I  am.”  
Folks,  is  this  making  sense  to  you?  Are  you  listening  to  this?  Something  to  know,  
something  to  reckon,  and  something  to  yield.  Fact:  you  know  it.  Faith:  you  reckon  it.  
Yield:  you  function  that  way.  And  as  you  yield  yourself  to  Him  now,  the  fact  that  Jesus  
Christ  died  for  you  on  the  cross,  what  good  is  that  to  you,  so  far  as  your  daily  walk  is  
concerned,  if  you  don’t  bring  it  into  practice?    

Conclusion  
You  see,  thank  God  for  His  passion,  but  what  about  our  purpose?  How  do  we  react  
to  what  He  did  on  the  cross?  How  does  that  apply  to  us?    
Abraham  Lincoln  signed  the  Emancipation  Proclamation,  and  that  freed  the  slaves,  
and  I’m  grateful  for  it.  But  did  you  know  the  historians  tell  us  there  were  some  slaves  
who  continued  to  live  in  slavery?  They  stayed  on  the  plantation.  Do  you  know  why?  
Some  of  them  never  even  heard  about  the  Emancipation  Proclamation.  Others  of  them  
heard  it  but  they  only  heard  it  intellectually.  They  couldn’t  reckon  it  to  be  true.  They  
couldn’t  believe  that  it  was  possible.  Sadly  and  tragically,  they  continued  because  it  
could  not  get  into  their  consciousness  that  they  were  indeed  free.  And  others  who  heard  
it  and  knew  it  to  be  true  still  failed  to  act  upon  it  to  dethrone  the  old  master  and  say,  “I  
no  longer  belong  to  you.  You  have  no  right  nor  authority  in  my  life.”    
I’m  telling  you,  the  devil  does  not  want  you  to  hear  what  I  preached  tonight.  He  
doesn’t  want  you  to  hear  it.  He  doesn’t  want  you  to  understand  it.  He  does  not  want  you  
to  act  upon  it.  He  wants  you  to  hear  it  as  a  sermon  until  you  get  to  Chili’s  or  El  Chico,  or  
wherever  you’re  going.  It’s  gone.    
Would  you  ask  God  the  Holy  Spirit  to  rivet  this  into  your  heart?  And  God  wants  you  
to  live,  blessed  friend,  in  victory.  And  God’s  people  said  amen.  
Now,  let’s  pray.  You  pray  for  a  moment  and  ask  God  to  teach  you  this,  as  I’m  
praying,  because,  friend,  I  am  a  fellow  pilgrim,  and  I  am  still,  after  all  of  these  years,  still  
learning  fully  the  truth  that  I  am  preaching  tonight.  And  none  in  this  building  has  arrived  
ultimately.  Something  to  know,  something  to  reckon,  and  something  to  yield  to.  The  
dethronement  of  Satan,  the  enthronement  of  the  Savior,  and  the  enslavement  of  the  
saints.    
Lord  Jesus,  I  belong  to  You.  And  now  I  have  a  new  freedom,  a  new  faithfulness,  and  
a  new  fruitfulness.  Just  pray  for  a  moment.  
Now,  Father,  what  these  are  praying  for  themselves,  doubtless,  I’m  praying  for  my  
own  heart.  Forbid,  Lord,  that  I  should  preach  something  I  do  not  believe  nor  be  unwilling  

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to  practice.  Lord,  as  a  church,  help  us,  dear  Lord,  to  practice  practical  holiness  because  
of  our  identification  with  You.  Thank  You,  Lord  Jesus,  that  You  gave  Yourself  for  us  that  
You  might  give  Yourself  to  you  that  You  might  live  Your  life  through  us.  In  Your  holy  
name.  Amen.  
Now,  look  up  here.  If  you’ve  never  openly,  publicly  received  Jesus  Christ  as  your  
personal  Lord  and  Savior,  tonight  is  a  wonderful  time  for  you  to  do  that.  He  has  died  for  
you.  His  death  had  your  name  on  it.  Your  sin  debt  has  already  been  paid,  but  that  does  
not  apply  to  you.  It  is  not  put  on  your  account  until  you  receive  it.  To  the  contrary,  if  you  
refuse  it,  it  only  increases  your  judgment.  But  if  you  will  receive  Him  by  faith,  not  by  
feeling,  not  by  emotionalism—that’s  fine  if  you  have  feeling  and  emotions,  I’m  not  
against  that—but  it  goes  far  beyond  that.  If  you  will  trust  Christ  with  a  simple,  childlike  
faith,  and  say,  “Lord,  I  believe  Your  Word;;  Jesus,  You  died  for  me,  and  tonight  I’m  
coming  over  on  Your  side,  tonight  I’m  receiving  You  as  my  Lord  and  Savior  and  Master  
and  Friend  and  God,”  I  want  you,  when  we  stand  and  sing  in  a  moment,  to  leave  your  
seat  and  come  forward,  and  just  tell  the  minister,  “I’m  trusting  Jesus,”  or,  “I  need  to  be  
saved,”  or,  “I’m  giving  my  heart  to  Christ.”  Say  it  however  you  want  to  say  it.  I  think  he’ll  
know  what  you  mean.  And  we’ll  take  a  Bible  and  guide  you  in  this  decision  and  seal  it  in  
prayer,  and  you  can  go  away  tonight  a  child  of  God.  There’ll  be  someone  at  the  head  of  
each  of  these  aisles  to  receive  those  of  you  who  will  be  coming  forward.    
Others  of  you  tonight  need  a  church  home.  I  invite  you  to  be  a  part  of  Bellevue.  If  
you’re  saved,  if  you  believe  as  we  believe  and  want  to  be  a  growing  Christian—not  a  
perfect  Christian;;  we  don’t  have  perfect  Christians  in  this  church,  not  a  one,  including  
the  pastor—but  if  you  want  to  be  a  growing  Christian,  I  invite  you  to  the  Bellevue  
fellowship.  Every  member,  every  Christian  ought  to  be  a  member  of  a  local  New  
Testament  church.  You  come  down  the  aisle  and  say  to  the  minister,  “I  want  to  place  
my  membership  here.”  And  we’ll  tell  you  how  you  may  become  a  member  of  this  
church.  
Others  in  the  place  tonight  have  made  some  decisions  in  your  heart.  And  you  don’t  
have  to  do  it,  but  it  might  impress  it  upon  your  memory  and  psyche  and  honor  God  if  
you  just  come  and  kneel  here  at  the  front.  These  altar  benches  go  all  the  way  across.  
Or  you  can  use  the  steps.  And  don’t  even  go  to  a  minister.  Just  go  kneel  and  say,  “God,  
this  is  symbolizing  what  I’ve  done  in  my  heart.  I  just  want  to  do  business  with  You.  And  
somehow,  Lord,  I  want  to  memorialize  it  by  coming  openly  and  publicly  and  getting  on  
my  knees.”  Now,  you  don’t  have  to  do  it  that  way.  God  knows  your  heart.  You  can  do  
the  same  thing  in  your  seat.  But  I’ve  found  sometimes  it  does  good  just  to  get  on  our  
knees.  I  don’t  know  what  there  is  in  all  that,  but  I’ve  been  around  long  enough  to  know  
that  sometimes  that’s  a  blessing.    

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 Some  are  coming,  saying  to  the  minister,  “I’m  trusting  Jesus.”  Now,  friend,  if  that’s  
what  you  need  to  do,  that’s  number  one:  do  that.  Others  may  need  to  come  and  say,  “I  
want  to  place  my  membership  here.”  Others  may  just  want  to  come,  kneel  and  pray,  
and  go  back  to  their  seat.  
Let’s  stand  together  as  we  sing.  

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 The Conquering Christian
By Adrian Rogers
Date Preached: April 10, 1983

Main Scripture Text: Romans 6:1–22

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for

ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
ROMANS 6:14

Outline
Introduction  
I. Comprehension
A. We Died with Christ
B. We Were Buried with Christ
C. We Have Been Raised with Christ
II. Calculation
III. Cooperation
A. How to Cooperate with the Lord
1. The Dethronement of Sin
2. The Enthronement of the Savior
B. The Results of the Emancipation from Sin
1. A New Freedom
2. A New Faithfulness
3. A New Fruitfulness
Conclusion  

Introduction
Let me just say something here even before we read the scripture this evening—that
you were created to be a servant. Man was created to serve. He must have a master.
He cannot serve two, but he must serve one. And, you’re going to either serve Christ or
the devil, but you will serve. Man must have a master.
Have you ever thought that mankind in its fallen state is really not on the plane with
the animals but, in a real sense, he’s lower than the animals? Even the animals follow
their master, and even the animals obey the Lord. You can read there in the Bible of
how, when the Lord Jesus Christ was here on the earth, even the animals obeyed Him.
When He rode into Jerusalem on that Palm Sunday on the back of that wild Syrian ass,
“whereon never [a] man [had ridden],” (Mark 11:2) that untamed colt, why, it was as
docile as a little lamb as the Lord Jesus rode upon him.

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 The Lord Jesus needed money to pay His taxes. He told Peter to go cast a hook in
the sea, and He had a particular fish there that had already swum…swam around—I
guess that’s a word: swum. Is that a word?—and had picked up a coin that had,
evidently, fallen out of the pocket of some hapless fisherman, and there was a coin in
his mouth. Now, that fish went like a guided fish, like a submarine, right to that particular
hook.
The Lord Jesus told Simon Peter, “Before the cock crow, [you’ll] deny me thrice,”
(Matthew 26:34, 75; Luke 22:61) and that rooster had lock-beak or lockjaw or whatever
it is until that particular moment when he would crow. I’m trying to say that man who
doesn’t serve the Lord is really lower than an animal, but our Lord has created us to
serve Him. Now remember, no man can serve two masters; he must serve one. And,
you’re either going to be a servant of sin or you’re going to be a servant of the Lord
Jesus.
Now, having said that, let’s look here in Romans 6, and I want to read, as we begin
our study tonight, the first ten verses: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin,
that grace may abound?” (Romans 6:1) Now, there are so many people who talk about
the fact that we’re saved by grace, that they just live in sin, and they say, “Well, it
doesn’t really make any difference how I live. I’m saved by grace.” Anybody who lives
that way is a disgrace to grace—a disgrace to grace. “What shall we say then? Shall we
continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid”—and God forbid that any member
of Bellevue Baptist Church should continue in sin, amen? God forbid it. God forbid that
you, sir; or me; or you, sir; or you, lady, should continue in sin—“God forbid. How shall
we, that are dead to sin, continue any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us
as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are
buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by
the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have
been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his
resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin
might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin”—now, you’re not to serve
sin. You’re to be a servant, but you’re not to serve sin—“For he that is dead is
[emancipated; he is] freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we
shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more;
death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in
that he liveth, he liveth unto God.” (Romans 6:1–10)
Now, there are three key words that I have already pointed out to you in this chapter.
I pointed them out this morning. I want to just point them out again before I get started in
this message so that you’ll have these three keys words in mind. Look in chapter 6:6
and underscore the verb knowing—knowing. (Romans 6:6) Just underscore that. All

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right, that’s the first key word. And then, secondly, in chapter 6:11, underscore the word
reckon. (Romans 6:11) That’s the second key word—reckon. And then, in chapter 6:12,
if you would, please, underscore the word—or, excuse me, verse 13—underscore the
word yield: “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin:
but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead.” (Romans 6:13)
Now, this matter of living victorious, therefore, is a matter, number one, of knowing—
that is, comprehension. There’s something you’re going to have to comprehend. And
then, it’s a matter of reckoning—calculation. And then, thirdly, it is a matter of yielding—
cooperation. Now, those are the things that are necessary if we are to live this kind of
victorious life.

I. Comprehension
First of all, there must be a comprehension of it. You must know it. That’s the reason
why I’m preaching on it tonight. That’s why Paul wrote it here. There’s something that
you need to know, and what you need to know is the wonderful, marvelous, biblical
doctrine of identification. That is, we are identified with the Lord Jesus Christ in His
death, in His burial, and in His resurrection. We have become one with Him. That is, we
have become united with Him, one with Him, because He became one with us.
A. We Died with Christ
Now, the doctrine of substitution is that He died for me. The doctrine of identification is
that I died with Him. Galatians 2:20: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet
not I, but Christ liveth in me.” (Galatians 2:20) Now, we hear a lot of people who talk
about crucifying themselves. I hear people say, “Well, you’re just got to crucify yourself.”
Well, friend, may I submit to you that’s absurd? How are you going to crucify yourself?
You may hang yourself, shoot yourself, but you’ll never crucify yourself. About the best
you’ll ever do is get one hand nailed up, amen? You’re not going to crucify yourself, you
see, and you don’t need to crucify yourself. You’ve already been crucified. What you
need to do is to comprehend that it’s already taken place. “I am crucified with Christ.”
(Galatians 2:20) Not will be, need to be, or need to crucify myself—I’m crucified with
Christ. It is an accomplished fact. You have been crucified. When Jesus died, you died.
You died with Him.
Let me point that out. Look in verse 3: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were
baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his”—what?—“death?” (Romans 6:3) All
right, look in verse 6: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him.” (Romans
6:6) Not shall be—is already done. Look again in verse 7: “For he that is dead is freed
from sin.” (Romans 6:7) Friend, you’ve been baptized into His death. You were crucified
with Him. And, because you’re dead, you are free from sin.
Now, His death had your name on it. I told you about Dr. Lee who went to the place

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called Calvary the first time he visited the Holy Land. There was a man up there giving a
lecture—said, “This is Calvary, and this is where our Lord was crucified.” And, he said,
“Anybody ever been here before?” And, Dr. Lee said, “Yeah, I’ve been here.” He said,
“Well, when?” He said, “Two thousand years ago,” and that’s true—it’s true. Two
thousand years ago he was there; and so was I, and so were you, because when Jesus
died, we died. We were in Christ. We were there when they crucified our Lord. Not only
did we help crucify Him—that’s the sad part of it—but the glorious part of it is that we
died with Him. He died for us.
B. We Were Buried with Christ
But, not only did we die with Him; we were also buried with Him. Look in verse 4:
“Therefore we are buried with him”—“we are buried with him”—“by baptism into death.”
(Romans 6:4) Now, the Bible puts a great emphasis upon the burial of Jesus. Some
people think that’s incidental, but if you’ll read 1 Corinthians 15, the Bible says, “[This is]
the gospel [that we] preached unto you…how that Christ died for our sins…that he was
buried…that he rose again the third day.” (1 Corinthians 15:1–4) Did you know that the
burial of Christ is part of the gospel? See, not only did we die with Him; friend, we were
buried with Him.
Well, what’s the significance? Why does the Bible put this emphasis upon the burial
of Jesus Christ? Well, in biblical times—and it’s not without significance that we have a
nice Jewish rhythm tonight—that the Jewish people, when someone would die, they put
the dead quickly out of sight. They buried the dead quickly. Now, the old man, therefore,
not only has died, but that old man is buried. Now, that’s wonderful to know that the old
Adrian, the one I used to be, not only has been put to death, but he’s been put out of the
way; he has been buried. And, I don’t have to let the devil intimidate me with the bones
of my old life. I mean, I don’t have to be haunted by the ghost of guilt. Not only did
Jesus die, but Jesus was buried. And friend, we’re buried, and we’re going to show you
in a moment how baptism is a symbol of our death with Christ, but primarily our burial
with Christ.
You know, there are some churches—they mean well. They want to have better
Christians; and so, they say, “We’re not going to baptize a person right away. We’re
going to keep him around and put him through a class, and so forth, and if they pass
that class after a month or six months or a year, then they show themselves worthy—
we’re going to baptize them.” Well, that sounds pretty good, but friend, would you take a
corpse and keep it around for a year to see if it’s dead? Now listen, you don’t do that—
you don’t do that. As a matter of fact, you study baptism in the Bible… When was it?
The Day of Pentecost—the same day—baptized about three thousand. The Philippian
jailor was baptized the same night. The Ethiopian eunuch said, “See, [here’s] water;
what doth hinder me to be baptized?” (Acts 8:36) Baptized immediately. Why? Because

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when someone dies, you take that body—and especially in biblical times—and get it out
of the way. And, if the devil ever comes looking for the old Adrian, I can just say, “He’s
dead.” “Well,” he says, “show me the corpse.” I said, “I can’t see it. It’s put out of the
way. It’s buried. It’s gone, and you’re not going to drag it out and mock me over it.” I
want to tell you—thank God! Hallelujah!—that old life not only is killed but put away.
Amen. Don’t go fishing around for the bones. God has taken that old life, and we are
buried with Christ.
C. We Have Been Raised with Christ
But now, listen, not only have we died with Him, not only were we buried with Him, but,
correspondingly and gloriously, we have been raised with Him. Look again in verse 4:
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised
up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of
life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall [also]
be…in the likeness of his resurrection.” (Romans 6:4–5) You see, I’m not still with Jesus
in the tomb. He has a life that the grave could not keep, and, therefore, I have that life
by my union and communion with Him—the same kind of life. When He died, I died.
When He was buried, I was buried. When He arose, I arose. Now, this is a marvelous
doctrine. It is the doctrine of my identification with the Lord Jesus.
Now, it is symbolized by baptism—water baptism. Look again in verses 3–4: “Know
ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his
death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was
raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in
newness of life.” (Romans 6:3–4) Now, that’s the reason that baptism in the Bible is by
immersion—total immersion. You cannot baptize people by pouring water on them or
sprinkling them any more than you could bury a man with a few grains of sand. You
can’t baptize him with a few drops of water.
You say, “Well, it doesn’t make all that much difference.” Folks, it makes a
tremendous amount of difference. You see, the Lord Jesus gave His Great
Commission, and what is it? “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [And] teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have”—what’s that next word?—“commanded you.”
(Matthew 28:19–20) Now, who are you to say that doesn’t make any difference? “Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 28:19)
Well, you say, “Well, then it doesn’t make any difference how you do it.” Well, friend,
why do you think that Jesus took all of the difficulty to go all the way from the place
where He went, from Nazareth, out into the wilderness there by the River Jordan to be
baptized if it doesn’t make any difference how you’re baptized? Friend, listen, there’s

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only one kind of Bible water baptism: it is by immersion. I say this with no fear of
contradiction. I’m not trying to swagger about it; I’m not trying to boast about it. Baptists
didn’t think it up. It’s not a Baptist doctrine; it’s a Bible doctrine. And, anybody who just
wants to obey the Bible is going to have to come in line with this matter of baptism by
immersion because it pictures clearly and plainly the burial and resurrection of our dear
Savior.
Now, we have two ordinances in the Church that the Bible has commanded us to
keep: one is the Lord’s Supper and the other is baptism. The Lord’s Supper pictures
Christ’s death for the believer. “This is my body, which is broken for you…this cup is the
new testament in my blood: [which is shed for you].” (1 Corinthians 11:24–25) The
Lord’s Supper represents Christ’s death for the believer. Baptism represents Christ’s
death with the believer and the believer’s death with Christ. Now listen, baptism—
excuse me, the Lord’s Supper: Christ for the believer. Baptism—the believer with Christ.
And, when you get both of them together, you see such a marvelously wonderful picture
of what the gospel is all about.
I believe the devil is behind this idea of not having people baptized by immersion. I’ll
tell you why: the devil doesn’t care what I preach as long as I don’t preach the gospel. Is
that right? He doesn’t care what he preach. I mean, I can preach against sin until I’m
blue in the face. I can preach against communism, liquor, pornography; he’ll even help
me to do it as long as I leave out the gospel. Now, what is the gospel? The gospel is
that “Christ died for our sins…that he was buried…that he [was raised] again the third
day.” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4) That’s what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15. That’s the
gospel. Now, the thing that symbolizes the gospel more than anything else is baptism,
and that’s the reason why we have that baptistery right there raised up in the center.
Some churches have moved the baptistery off to the side. I like it right there in the
center. And, some people have made a little fount or a little thing where they take a rose
petal and sprinkle a little water on somebody’s head. You don’t—you don’t—picture a
death, burial, and resurrection that way. Friend, the devil would love to get that
symbolism out of the Church—the symbolism of the death, burial, and resurrection of
Jesus Christ. When He died, we died. When He was buried, we were buried. When He
arose, we arose. And so, that baptistery, as I’ve already told you, is a liquid tomb, and it
shows that the old Adrian is dead. And, when the devil comes to me and says, “Adrian, I
want you to do this or that,” I can say to him, “I don’t have to do that. I’m no longer your
servant. The servant you used to have named Adrian is dead. Didn’t you know that?
Why, he was buried, and you have no more control over him. You have no right in his
life. You have no rule in his life. You have no authority in his life. And, he owes you
absolutely nothing. Your servant is dead!”
Now, you must know this. So, it must be, friend, a matter—it must be a matter of

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your knowledge. You must—you must—know it. You must understand it. Look in verse
6: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him.” (Romans 6:6) It is a matter of
comprehension. Now, you’ve got to comprehend, and only God the Holy Spirit can
really help you comprehend it. You can get the facts tonight, but one of these days the
Holy Spirit’s going to turn the light on in your soul, and you’re going to say, “You know,
that’s really true. When Jesus died, I died. And, when He was buried, I was buried. And,
when He arose, I arose. And now, I share a new life with my wonderful Lord.” Now, you
say, “Well, Brother Rogers, I comprehend it, and I know I’m dead. But, the only problem
is the old man that’s dead won’t lie down. I mean, he’s just that rascal. Even though I
mentally believe it, he’s the walking dead and he’s doing all kinds of things. And so, how
am I going to get him to lie down in that coffin and be still, because he just won’t do it?”
Well, you’ve only come one-third of the way, and one-third of the way is to know it.
That’s the comprehension.

II. Calculation
But, along with the comprehension there has to come a calculation. Now, once you
know it, then you have to calculate it. You have to start reckoning upon it. Look in verse
13—excuse me, look, if you will, in verse 11 now, where we left off reading. “Likewise
reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus
Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:11) Now, to reckon does not mean “to think.” It does not
mean “to guess.” It is a bookkeeping term. As I told you this morning, it’s the kind of
reckoning that a man does that—it’s literally what it means when a man adds up figures
and comes to the bottom line, and he gets a balance and he says, “That’s the balance.
That’s the reckoning that I’ve done.” And, emotions have nothing to do with it. It’s not a
matter of feelings. It’s not a matter of fable. It’s not a matter of “hope so,” “wish so,”
“maybe so.” It is a fact. And, as that television ad says, “Bank on it”—“Bank on it.”
Reckon it to be so. You can calculate it to be so. That’s what the word reckon means.
Now reckoning, as I told you this morning, is not just closing your eyes and
pretending. Faith is not, as a little boy said, “believing what you know ain’t so.” This is a
fact, and you need to reckon on it. You say, “Well, I don’t think I know how to reckon.”
Well, you already have reckoned if you’re saved. I mean, how did you get saved? You
reckoned to be saved from the penalty of sin. You said, “I believe Jesus Christ died to
take away my sin debt and the penalty of sin,” and you said, “All right, I believe on Him.
I trust Him for salvation,” right? You reckoned on what He did. Now friend, just as you
reckoned on Jesus Christ to save you from the penalty of sin, you can also reckon on
Jesus Christ to save you from the power of sin, see. How did you begin the Christian
life? By faith. How did you receive the Lord? By faith. Now, the scripture says, “As we
receive the Lord, so walk ye in Him.” (Colossians 2:6) You were saved by faith so if you

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begin to walk by faith, you’ll learn this victory.
You see, you reckoned on Him for salvation; now you need to reckon on Him for
sanctification the same way—the same act of faith. You know, so many people began in
the Spirit, and then they want to end in the flesh. They know that they’re saved by
trusting Christ, but then they think that they live the Christian life by their effort. Now
friend, you need to quit trying and start trusting. It is true in salvation and it is true in
sanctification that the matter of victory is a matter of reckoning. It is a matter of putting
your faith where God says the facts are.
Now, how you feel about it really doesn’t make much difference. You say, “Well,
Brother Rogers, I really don’t feel dead to sin. I mean, really, I feel all kinds of things
stirring in me. I just don’t feel that my old man was crucified. I know the Bible says it, but
honest to goodness, Brother Rogers, if you just knew what’s in me…” Well, all right.
Now listen, if you did not have the danger of that old life stirring around in you, or at
least your believing the wrong way, Paul never would have warned us and Paul never
would have instructed us. So, what you have is the normal feeling of a person who has
not yet learned how to reckon. And, you’re trying to live by feeling, and that’s your
mistake.
Now, have you ever gone to sleep at nighttime and you slept so quickly—maybe you
slept so soundly—it seemed like you’d only be asleep maybe fifteen or twenty minutes,
and the alarm goes off, and the whole night’s gone past? Do you ever have that
experience? Nod your head. Okay, I think we’ve all had… Boy, that’s a kind of sleep
that’s really sweet. But, we just lie down, and we close our eyes, and the alarm goes off.
Now, suppose you did that in the morning. Let’s say that you have to be at work at
eight; and so, you set the alarm at six, and you say, “That’ll give me time to get up, have
my quiet time, in the shower, and eat breakfast and just get my day going.” So, you set
the alarm at six o’clock, and you go to bed tonight. Let’s say you get home—pastor’s
fairly reasonable in the sermon—and so you’re home tonight by about twelve o’clock.
And so, you go to bed; and then, you just kind of close of eyes, and the alarm goes off.
Now, you open your eyes, and you say, “Oh, it could not be morning! I just don’t feel like
it’s morning. I just know it’s not morning.” But then, you look at the alarm clock, and it
says six. And, you look outside, and the sun is coming up. Now friend, I want to ask you
a question: Does it… And, you tune the radio on, and the radio says six o’clock a.m.
And so, you dial Jam-Jam One and that says it’s six o’clock a.m. Now, I want to ask you
a question: Does it really make a heap of difference how you feel about it? No. Now,
you’re going to be late for work if you go by your feelings rather than the sun, the moon,
and the stars. And, the whole universe says it’s six o’clock in the morning. Now, see,
that’s a fact. It doesn’t matter how you feel about it, right? It doesn’t matter how you feel
about it. You can yawn if you want, and go back to sleep and say, “Surely, it’s not six

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o’clock in the morning because I don’t feel like it.” It hasn’t got anything to do with it.
Now, what I’m trying to say—that’s what Paul is saying here. Paul is saying, “Reckon
on it. Just reckon on it.” He doesn’t mention the word feeling. It hasn’t got anything to do
with it. Now friend, it is a historical fact that you must comprehend that when Christ died,
you died; when Christ was buried, you were buried; when Christ arose, you arose. That
is, you must comprehend it. But, not only must you comprehend it; you must calculate
thereby. You must reckon yourself, just like a bookkeeping term, that it is true.
Now, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, setting the slaves
free. And, I’m talking here about being emancipated, being set free from sin. Now, in
order for those who were slaves when Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation
Proclamation to be set free, three things were necessary—I mean, for them to really be
free. Number one: They had to know of the Emancipation Proclamation. Suppose
there’s some slave out there somewhere on somebody’s farm, and he never hears
about the emancipation of the slaves. What good’s it going to do him? That’s, first of all,
that’s the reason why I’m preaching. So, you’ve got to know—you’ve got to know it. Paul
says, “You’ve got to know this. Know that your old man was crucified with Christ. Know
it.” (Romans 6:6)
All right, but second, suppose he knows it but he doesn’t believe it? He says, “No
such thing ever happened,” or, “All the other slaves may be set free, but I’ll never be set
free; I’m a slave. I have a slave mentality. I’m just going to be a slave. I was born a
slave; I’m going to die a slave.” There are a lot of people feel that way about their sin. I
mean, really, honestly, folks, some of you, when I’m preaching right here tonight, you
think, “Boy, that’s a good sermon, but I’m a slave to sin. I’ll be tomorrow morning a slave
to sin, too.” I mean, you just feel that way. You just got a slave mentality. And, the Bible
says that “sin [is] not [to] have dominion over you.” (Romans 6:14) You’re not to be a
slave of sin, but you just think of yourself as a slave. So, not only must that slave have
known about the Emancipation Proclamation; he had to believe it.

III. Cooperation
But, wait a minute; there’s one more thing: not only did he have to know about it and not
only did he have to believe it, but because he knew about it, that’s the comprehension;
because he believed it, that’s the calculation. Then, what else did he need to do? He’d
need to act on it, right? I mean, what good is it going to do him if he knows it and
believes it and then refuses to act on it? So, that brings us to our third word, which is
yield—yield. You see, first word is know. The second word is reckon. The third word is
yield. Now, we know that when Christ died for us, He took our sin and we took His
righteousness. But, imputed righteousness becomes imparted righteousness and
practical righteousness when we begin to cooperate with the truth that we know.

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 Now, look again in verses 12 and following: “Let not sin therefore reign in your
mortal body”—that indicates that you could let it; you could let it. Now, you see, you’re
the key. I mean, you can know it, and you can believe it; and still, you can let sin just
make you its dirty plaything. But, you don’t need to—“Let not sin therefore [rule]”—
reign—“in your mortal body”—your earthly body—“that [you] should obey it [to] the lusts
thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but
yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as
instruments of righteousness unto God.” (Romans 6:12–13) I told you this morning this
victory cannot be done without Jesus, but it will not be done without you. Now, it is a
matter, therefore, when you know and when you reckon. If you don’t go this third step
and obey the truth and act upon the truth and yield yourself to the Lord, you’re not going
to have the victory that God wants you to have.
A. How to Cooperate with the Lord
Now, how do we cooperate with the Lord? Remember what I told you this morning?
That man prayed, “Lord, help me to cooperate with you so you won’t have to operate on
me.” How do we cooperate with the Lord? Now, you must cooperate. It must be a
matter, first of all, of consideration, calculation, and cooperation, okay? You consider it:
you did die. You calculate it. You reckon on it. Now, you cooperate with what you know.
Now, how do you do it?
1. The Dethronement of Sin
Well, first of all, there must be the dethronement of sin—there must be the
dethronement of sin. You must make a choice. “Let not sin”—verse 12—“let not sin
therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither
yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness [to] sin.” (Romans 6:12–13)
You must make a choice. Have you ever really just chosen? Have you ever really
chosen against King Sin? Have you ever said to Sin, “I don’t have to obey you, and,
therefore, I choose not to obey you. And, these members of my body are no longer
going to be your tools. You’re not going to have my hands any more. You’re not going to
have my eyes any more. You’re not going to have this brain any more. You’re not going
to have this tongue any more. I do not yield it to you. Sin, I dethrone you, and I have a
right to do so because I have resurrection life living in me. I am not your slave, and you
cannot make me obey you. And, these members of mine are not going to be
instruments”? Have you ever done that? Now, that’s the reason why many of us just fail.
We have never really said to Sin, “You have no right. I take from you the right. I will not
yield to you.” There must be the dethronement of sin.
2. The Enthronement of the Savior
But, that’s not enough. Now, you’ll never know victory until you do that. But secondly,

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there must be the enthronement of the Savior. Now, both of these things are twin truths.
You say, “Which is more important?” Well, which wing of an airplane is the most
important? Now listen, you must dethrone sin. You must choose against sin. I’m not
talking about in your own strength. I’ve already told you it is the strength of Christ.
“Nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ [that] liveth in me.” (Galatians 2:20) But, that will
do you no good unless you yield—unless you yield.
All right, you must choose against King Sin; you must dethrone sin. And then, you
must enthrone the Savior. Look again in these same verses—verse 12: “Let not sin
therefore reign in your mortal body”—that is, just say, “Sin, I’m finished with you”—“that
ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of
unrighteousness unto sin”—that’s the dethronement of sin. But now, watch the
enthronement of the Savior—“but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive
from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” (Romans
6:12–13)
Now, you say, “Well, how do you yield?” You know, in Romans 12:1, the Bible says,
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies.”
(Romans 12:1) Did you know that the word yield and the word present are exactly the
same word, just translated differently? Now, what is a present? You present your
bodies? The word present and the word present are linked. It’s just giving someone a
gift. I just take my body, my instruments, my mind, my hands, my feet—all there is of
me—and I present myself to the Lord. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the
mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy” (Romans 12:1)—
that means “completely to the Lord.” And, that’s not unreasonable that He should ask
me to do that. That’s my reasonable sacrifice. That’s my reasonable service.
Now, that word present and this word yield are exactly the same. It just means,
“Here, Lord. I just hand it over to you.” Now, this word yield here is in a tense that
means it’s a once-for-all yielding. I mean, just totally, I yield. It’s not an experiment. It’s
not just something I’m going to try tomorrow morning. It’s not an experiment; it’s an
execution—I mean, when I just say, “I’m done with that old life.” You see, most of us
never have meant business with God. We just sort of want to dabble in it. But, here is a
total, complete, once-and-for-all, now-and-forever enthronement of the Lord Jesus and
a dethronement of sin. Now, God does business with those that mean business. Many
of us just kind of dabble at this, and we think, “Well, let’s see if it works tomorrow
morning. I’ll try it a little bit. If it doesn’t work…” No, no, no. Listen…
“Well,” you say, “Brother Rogers, does that mean that I can never ever sin again?”
Oh, no, you may sin, but you don’t have to. And, you see, this is an act that is followed
by an attitude. It is a once-and-for-all-act, but there’s a continual attitude of yielding—
just like salvation. How did you get saved? You trusted the Lord. Now you trust Him

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once and for all, now and forever. Does that mean, therefore, tomorrow you stop
trusting Him because you once trusted Him? No, just as you trusted Him to save you,
you continue to trust Him. And, just as you once yielded to Jesus completely, totally,
you just keep yielding day after day. But, it is a crisis followed by a process. It is an act
followed by an attitude of this. I say, “Lord, I choose you. I dethrone sin. I enthrone you.”
Now, when you do this, friend, when you really do it, get ready for God to move in on
your life and get ready for God to show you the truth of Romans 6—that “sin [will] not
have dominion over you.” (Romans 6:14) Sin says, “Jump”; you don’t have to say, “How
high?” You’re going to be liberated. Jesus came to set you free. He came to save you
from your sin, not to save you in your sin.
B. The Results of the Emancipation from Sin
Now, what are the results of this emancipation, this freedom that we’re going to have?
Well, let me—my time is gone—let me just mention them briefly, and you’ll go home and
search them out.
1. A New Freedom
First of all, there’s going to be a new freedom. Look in verse 18: “Being…made free
from sin, ye became…servants of righteousness.” (Romans 6:18) Now remember, I said
that you were made to serve. You were created to serve. “No man can serve two
masters” (Matthew 6:24); he will serve one. And, when you know, when you reckon, and
when you yield, then you will be made free from sin and you will become a servant of
righteousness. There will be a new freedom.
2. A New Faithfulness
And, because of that new freedom (in verse 18), there’ll be a new faithfulness (in verse
19). He goes on to say, “I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of
your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity
unto iniquity; even…now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.”
(Romans 6:19) Now, you see, you can’t really be a servant of righteousness and a slave
of sin—you can’t be faithful to the Lord. You say, “Why is my Bible study so fruitless?
And, why is my witness so dull? And, why is my service so ineffective?” Well, friend,
you’ve been trying to serve Christ and the devil at the same time. You’ve been facing
both ways. But, along with that new freedom will come that new faithfulness, and you
will become the servant of Christ—the powerful servant that our Lord wants you to be.
And, it follows as night follows day, when there follows a new freedom, there follows a
new faithfulness.
3. A New Fruitfulness
And, when there follows a new faithfulness, there will follow a new fruitfulness. And so,

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continue to read. Look in verse 20: “For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free
from righteousness”—that is, you weren’t a servant of righteousness. Now, here’s the
question in verse 21—“What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now
ashamed?”—just look at the life so many have lived since they’ve come to Christ. Aren’t
you ashamed of it? And, what do you have to count for? I mean, what’s it going to
amount to at the Judgment Seat of Christ but wood, hay, and stubble?—“What fruit had
ye then in those things [wherein you] are now ashamed? for the end of those things is
death”—but now, notice in verse 22—“But now being made free from sin, and”—that’s
the new freedom—“and become servants to God”—that’s the new faithfulness—“ye
have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” (Romans 6:20–22) That’s the
new fruitfulness. Friend, when we deal with the sin problem, then we’re going to see this
fruitfulness in our heart and in our life.
Don’t you yield—I mean, don’t you yearn to have this kind of fruitfulness, to be able
to see your Christianity put into practice? Know it, reckon it, yield—comprehension, or
consideration; calculation; cooperation. Take this chapter when you go home, or maybe
tomorrow morning in your devotions, and read it over and over. And, ask the Holy Spirit
to teach it to you, because you know what I’m afraid of? What’s going to happen to you
is what happened to me. I knew these facts, but somehow it just didn’t gel. I mean, it’s a
now-you-see-it-now-you-don’t type of thing. Do you ever have that experience in
Romans 6? So, you just pray, “Lord, turn the light on in my soul. Make this truth a bright,
living reality to me, that I am not going to be the servant of sin. I’m tired of that old way. I
want the liberty that belongs to the children of God.” “Sin shall not have dominion over
you.” (Romans 6:14)

Conclusion
Now, let’s bow together in prayer. Father, thank you for your Word. It’s been, Lord, just
a blessing to me tonight to preach it. And Lord, I know that I needed to hear it again,
and Lord, to come to this matter, Lord, of a consideration of the fact that I was crucified,
buried, and I’ve been raised with Christ. And Lord, I don’t want to just consider it; I want,
Lord, to calculate it. I want to reckon on it, Lord; to bank on it; to know that I do not have
to obey sin, and Satan, and self. Then, Lord, I want to cooperate with you. Lord, I just,
before my people as pastor tonight, Lord, just one more time, I present myself to you.
Lord, I yield to you. I take back any ground that the devil may ever have had. And, I do
not yield this mind, these hands, these eyes, this tongue, these feet to him, but I yield
them, Lord, to you. And Lord, what I’m doing I just believe that many are doing.
Now, your heads are still bowed, but mine my head’s been lifted now. And, you keep
yours bowed, but if you’d like to say, “Pastor, the way you prayed is the way I want to
pray tonight and the way I am praying. And, I just want you to know as my pastor, as

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best I know how, as much as in me is, I believe it to be true. I’ve considered it tonight,
and I’ve calculated it tonight; and now, I’m going to cooperate with it. And, I want you to
know right here in my seat tonight, as much as in me is, I take back any ground, any
territory that I’ve ignorantly given to the devil. And, I want you to know tonight I present
myself to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ anew and afresh,” would you just like to lift
your hand as a testimony if you feel that way? Praise the Lord. Amen. Just hold it up ’til
it feels good for a minute so you can think about it. And, just hold it up to the Lord now.
“Lord, I’m yielding.” As a matter of fact, you know, when a man surrenders, he lifts both
hands. Maybe you want to do that. Say, “Lord, I surrender. Lord, here, I just yield to you,
Lord. I just yield to you. I surrender, Lord.”
All to Jesus, I surrender;
All to Him I freely give.
—JUDSON W. VAN DEVENTER

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 Three Steps to Victory
By Adrian Rogers
Date Preached: October 14, 1984

Main Scripture Text: Romans 6:3–6, 11–18

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for

ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
ROMANS 6:14

Outline
Introduction  
A. Know
B. Reckon
C. Yield
I. There Is Something That You Must Realize
A. We Died with Christ
B. We Were Buried with Christ
C. We Rose with Him
II. There Is Something That You Must Rely On
III. There Is Something That You Must Release
A. The Dethronement of Sin
B. The Enthronement of the Savior
Conclusion  

Introduction
I want you to take your Bibles, please, and open them to Romans 6—Romans 6. The
book of Romans has been called “the Emancipation Proclamation of the Bible.” That is,
it is God’s way to a life of liberty. And, we’re going to be talking today on this subject:
“Three Steps to Victory.” Romans 6—and let’s look in verse 14 here for a moment: “For
sin shall not have dominion over you.” (Romans 6:14) That is, you are not going to be a
slave of sin. And, look, if you will, in verse 17: “But God be thanked, that ye were the
servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was
delivered [unto] you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of
righteousness.” (Romans 6:17–18) Free from sin!
I wonder today how many people in this congregation are living a life of liberty and a
life of victory, and that you are enjoying in your heart conscious, continuous,
conspicuous victory over self and over Satan and over sin? Now, don’t answer that out
loud because I’m afraid that some would not be telling the truth. “Well,” you say, “pastor,

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God doesn’t expect us to live that way. Nobody can live that way.” That’s where you’re
wrong. God not only expects us to live that way, but if we’re not living that way, we’re
disappointing God, living beneath our privileges, and are a poor witness of the Lord
Jesus Christ. Every Christian every day in every way ought to be living a life of victory
over self, Satan, and sin. “Sin shall not have dominion over you.” (Romans 6:14)
Now, every one must serve someone. Either you’re going to be a slave of Satan or a
servant to the Lord Jesus Christ. “No man can serve two masters.” (Matthew 6:24)
Every one must serve at least one. No one can serve two; every one will serve one.
And, either you are going to be a slave of Satan or you’re going to be a servant of the
Lord Jesus Christ. If you’re a slave of Satan, you’re in defeat. If you’re a servant of the
Lord Jesus Christ and a bond-slave to the Lord Jesus Christ, you’re going to be living a
life of victory. Now, it’s easier to sing about victory and talk about victory for some of us
than it is to experience victory. And, many times, people are talking about victory who
don’t have it.
I’m reminded of a man who was on the battlefield, and he told his commander, “I’ve
taken a prisoner.” So, the commander said, “Wonderful! Bring him with you.” The man
said, “Well, he won’t come.” So, the commander said, “Well, leave him then, and you
come.” He said, “Well, he won’t let me go.” Now, we wonder, who has taken who? And,
we sing about victory over Satan, and we talk about it. But, I wonder today—I honestly
wonder—how many in this room today are experiencing conscious, continuous,
conspicuous victory in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now, I said I’m going to speak to you about three steps to victory. So many times
when you hear a sermon that talks about ten rules, or seven ways, or three steps, or
something, it sounds good to begin with. Then, after you listen to it and analyze it for a
while and let all the air out of it, you say, “Well, it was filled with clichés and half-truths,
or somehow just doesn’t work for me.” Now, are you ready for this? I will guarantee you,
on the authority of the Word of God, that if you will take the truths that I’m going to teach
you through the Bible today—not because I’m teaching them but because of the truth of
that truth that I will be teaching—if you will take these truths into your mind and into your
heart and act upon them, you will have victory; it is guaranteed. There is no way that
you can escape living a life of victory if you will do what I’m going to tell you. These are
not just three things that somebody has made up out of his mind. These are not things
that originated with me, but these are rock-ribbed, guaranteed, iron-clad truths that, if
you practice them, if you get them into your mind and into your heart and into your will,
you will know the life of liberty and you will know victory over self, over Satan, and over
sin.
Now, there are three key words in this passage that I want you to learn. And, I want
you to take a business card—I want you to take a slip of paper somewhere—and write

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these three words down and put them in your pocket. Or else, put them on your mirror
so you’ll watch them when you shave or put on your makeup. I want you to put them on
the dashboard of your automobile. I want you to put them on your desk at school. I want
you to put them, perhaps, on the front of your notebook. Put them somewhere where
you will be reminded of them. Carry them with you. Put them in your Bible, and get
these things somehow emblazoned in your mind, etched upon your consciousness,
distilled in your soul until you know these three words, because the thoughts—the
steps—that I’m going to give you are wrapped around these three words. And, these
are the three prominent words here in the sixth chapter of the book of Romans.
A. Know
The very first word is the word know—K-N-O-W. Look, if you will, in verse 3: “Know ye
not…” (Romans 6:3) Look again in verse 6: “Knowing this…” (Romans 6:6) Look again
in verse 9: “Knowing that Christ…” (Romans 6:9) Now the key phrase, the key word,
rather, not even a phrase, is the word know or knowing.
B. Reckon
All right, now, the second word—the second word that I want you to put on your little
card that you’re going to keep on your desk, or wherever it is—is the word reckon. Look,
if you will, in verse 11: “Likewise reckon” (Romans 6:11)—R-E-C-K-O-N, reckon. Write
that word down under the word know. It is the word reckon. It is the second step in three
steps to victory.
C. Yield
All right, now, the third word is the word yield. Look in verse 13: “Neither yield ye your
members as instruments of unrighteousness until sin: but yield yourselves unto God.”
(Romans 6:13) Verse 16: “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to
obey, his servants [you] are.” (Romans 6:16)
Now, those are the three words, and they deal with three steps to victory. The first
word is a word of realization. There is something you must realize. There’s something
you must know. And so, he uses the word know. There’s something that you realize.
The second word is the word of reliance. It is something that you reckon on. There’s
something that you trust. There’s something that you count on, as we’re going to see in
a moment. And, the third word is the word of release or relinquishment. There’s
something that you yield to.
Now, when you get these words—know, reckon, and yield—you have not from some
Baptist preacher, but from the Apostle Paul, three steps to living the life where Paul
says, “[And] sin shall not have dominion over you.” (Romans 6:14) Say, wouldn’t you
like to live that way? Wouldn’t you like to know all of this victory that we sing about and
talk about, this life of liberty, this life of victory in the Lord Jesus Christ, where you can

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say, “Sin shall not have dominion over me. I am living today a life of liberty and a life of
victory, which is a life of praise and a life of power and a life of joy, day by day, for the
Lord Jesus Christ”? Now, let’s look at it. Let’s look at it even closer.

I. There Is Something That You Must Realize

Step number one is this idea of realization. There’s something that you must realize.
There’s something that you must know, and what you must know is the doctrine of
identification. Now, you say, “Pastor, what is the doctrine of identification?” Many of us
who are Baptists and evangelical Christians know quite well the doctrine the
substitution. The doctrine of substitution is this doctrine: that Jesus Christ died for me.
He became my substitute. He took my sins upon Him; carried my sins to the cross;
there, in agony and blood, suffered, bled, and died as my substitute. He paid my sin
debt. And, when Jesus Christ died as my substitute, He delivered me from the penalty
of sin. I will not go to hell because I have a substitute. That is the doctrine of
substitution. But, there’s another doctrine—and we’re going to see it in a moment—and
that is the doctrine of identification: not only did Jesus Christ die for me, but I died with
Him. My life is so identified with the Lord Jesus that when Jesus died, I died; when
Jesus was buried, I was buried; when Jesus rose, I arose.
Now, the doctrine of substitution saves me from the penalty of sin, but the doctrine of
identification, as we’re going to see, saves me from the power of sin. And, by the way,
listen: Jesus Christ did not come to save you from hell. Oh, we say, “Oh, get saved so
you can be saved from hell.” He didn’t—He didn’t—come to save you from hell. Now, if
you’re saved, you’re not going to hell. I want to make that very clear. But, Jesus Christ
did not come to save you from hell. What did the angel say to Mary? “Thou shalt call his
name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) He came to
save you from sin. And, if He cannot save you from sin, He cannot save you from hell.
Now, He came to save you from your sins. And, a saved person is a person who knows
the life of victory over sin. Jesus came to save you from your sin. And, if you’re saved
from your sin, then you’re saved from the penalty of your sin, which is hell. Now, the
death of the Lord Jesus Christ for me—that’s substitution. But, my death with Jesus—
that is identification.
A. We Died with Christ
Now, all of this is under the heading of “something that you must know,” “something that
you must realize.” Paul says, “Know it.” Let’s look in the Bible and see what we’re
talking about. Look, if you will, in chapter 6:3: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were
baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” (Romans 6:3) Look, if you will
again, in verse 6: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him.” (Romans 6:6)
The old man is the old Adrian I used to be. Now, the Bible says that the old Adrian is

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crucified—not shall be, not might be, not could be; is. When Jesus died, I died. He died
for me, but He died as me. And, I died with Him, and His death had my name upon it.
And, when Jesus died, I died because I was in Christ when Christ died, and Christ took
my sins. But, not only my sins; Christ took my self to the cross. And, we are crucified
with Christ. Our old man is crucified with Him. Now, it’s very, very important that you
understand this—that when He died, you died.
I remember an old classic story about Dr. Robert G. Lee, former pastor of this
church, great and noble man. He went to the Holy Land for the first time and went to
that place called Calvary, and the guide there was talking about Calvary and talked
about all of those things. And then, he asked a question. He said this: “How many of
you have ever been here before?” And, Dr. Lee lifted his hand. The guide said, “When
was that?” He said, “Two thousand years ago.” What did he mean by that? He meant
that when Jesus was there upon that cross, Robert G. Lee was there upon that cross—
and so was Bob Sorrell, and so was Adrian Rogers, and so was Tommy Lane, and so
was every child of God. We are crucified with Christ. Look again in verse 6: “Knowing
this, that our old man is crucified with him.” (Romans 6:6) He died for me; I died with
Him.
“Well,” you say, “what’s so important about that?” Oh, my dear friend, my dear
friend, if the law has something against me… Suppose I had been to the grand jury and
now I’m about to come to court, and I’m about to be adjudicated guilty and cast into
prison for some crime that I’ve done. And, let’s say that I’m guilty. But, before I can be
called into court, I die. Now, what happens to that case? Case dismissed. Can’t bring a
dead man into court, right? The law has no more dominion over me because I have
died. Now, dear friend, what happens to a man who happens to be a slave to someone
and that man’s slave dies? Well, what authority does a slave owner have over a dead
man? He’s dead. You see, the law can no longer condemn me, and Satan can no
longer control me. Why? I am dead. I died with Christ. And, the law does not have
dominion over me, and Satan does not have dominion over me; and, therefore, sin does
not have dominion over me because I died with the Lord Jesus Christ.
B. We Were Buried with Christ
But, not only did I die with Him; I was buried with Him. Now, notice this, if you will, in
verse 4: “Therefore we are buried with him.” (Romans 6:4) That is, when Jesus Christ
was buried, I was buried. And, you know, it’s an amazing thing that the Bible makes
much of the burial of the Lord Jesus Christ. As a matter of fact, part of the gospel is the
burial of the Lord Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul is talking about the gospel, and
he says, “Moreover, brethren, [this is] the gospel [that] I preached unto you…how that
Christ died for our sins…And that he was buried, and that he [was raised] again the
third day.” (1 Corinthians 15:1–4) The burial of Jesus Christ is part of the gospel. Why?

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Because, you see, dear friend, not only did I die with Him, but I have been put in the
grave of God’s forgetfulness. Those sins, and that old, old reeking carcass of my old
life, is buried. And, I do not have, dear friend, to be intimidated by the bones of my old
life. That has been put in the grave. And, the devil may come looking for his old slave,
and we have to say, “He’s not here.” “Well, where is he?” “He’s gone. He is buried, and
you cannot haunt him with the ghost of guilt.” Listen, I died with Him. I was buried with
Him.
C. We Rose with Him
But, not only did I die with Him and not only was I buried with Him—hallelujah! praise
God!—I rose with Him. Verses 4–5: “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into
death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even
so we also”—underscore “we also”—“should walk in newness of life. For if we have
been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his
resurrection.” (Romans 6:4–5) When Jesus rose, I arose. He had a life that the grave
could not control. And, Christ came out of that grave with a resurrection life, and the
sins of the world were no longer upon Him. He has paid in full, and now He has a
resurrected life. And so, dear friend, I have a new life. “I am crucified with Christ:
nevertheless I live; yet not I [that lives], but Christ [that lives] in me: and the life…I now
live…I live by the faith of the Son of God.” (Galatians 2:20)
You say, “Pastor, that’s kind of hard to get my hands on. That’s hard to apply.” Just
stay listening now. Just don’t tune me out. I came to preach; you came to listen. You
don ’t get finished before I do, okay? Now, just keep on listening because you’re going
to learn something that is very, very wonderful. Now, I’m talking to you about the truth of
identification. And, by the way, that is the importance of believer’s baptism. You see, the
Bible says here—look at it in verse 3: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were
baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” (Romans 6:3) Now, water
baptism symbolizes our being baptized into the death of the Lord Jesus. We are
baptized into the death of the Lord Jesus by faith. I mean, we’re saved by faith, and by
the Holy Spirit of God we’re baptized into the Body of Christ. That’s Spirit baptism, but
water baptism pictures that; water baptism symbolizes that. And, that’s why water
baptism is so very, very, very important, and that’s what baptism by immersion is so
very, very important.
Now, in the New Testament church we have two ordinances, the Lord’s Supper and
baptism, right? Now, what does the Lord’s Supper picture? The Lord’s Supper pictures
Christ our substitute. “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for [the
ransom of many].” (Luke 22:20) This is Christ dying for us to remove us from the penalty
of sin. “It is my blood, which is shed for you”—that’s what the cup represents. “My body,
which is broken for you.” (1 Corinthians 11:24) This is the substitutionary death of the

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Lord Jesus Christ—the Lord’s Supper, the Lord’s Table. But, what about that? What
about baptism? Baptism does not picture the substitutionary death of the Lord Jesus
Christ. It pictures, dear friend, along with that, the great corollary truth and the great
wonderful truth that we died with Him. That is the picture of not substitution, but
identification. “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism [unto] death: that like as
Christ was raised up from the dead…we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans
6:4) And, baptism pictures that, and you’ll never have victory until you understand the
message of identification.
Say, have you ever wondered why this doctrine of baptism by immersion has been
taken out of so many churches? I’ll tell you why: the devil doesn’t want people to
understand what I’m preaching today. And, God has given us a divine object lesson,
and God has commanded that everybody that gets saved be baptized by immersion. It’s
not optional. It’s a requirement, a command of God: “[Teach] them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you,” (Matthew 28:20) the Lord Jesus said, “baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew
28:19) because it is God’s divine object lesson to teach you the vital truth that I’m
teaching today—that when He died, you died; when He was buried, you were buried;
and when He came up out of the grave, you came out of the grave. A baptismal service
pictures a death, burial, and resurrection, and you cannot picture a burial by sprinkling.
If I were to die and you carried me out in the graveyard and sprinkled a few grains of
sand on my head, that would be a disgrace—leave me out there to bake in the sun.
Man, when I die, bury me—but make sure I’m dead—but bury me; put me under. We
are buried with Him by baptism. “Well,” you say, “pastor, the Bible teaches all kinds of
ways to baptize.” No, it doesn’t—no, it doesn’t. Never in the Bible any place will you
ever find where sprinkling is taught for baptism. You’re not going to find it. Now, if I’m
wrong, somebody in this building just stand up right now and give me chapter and
verse. You say, “How can you be so bold?” Because it’s not there—it is not there. The
New Testament teaches baptism by immersion.
Now, the devil is very clever that that has been taken out of so many churches,
because the devil does not want us to learn the truth that I’m teaching you today—that
we are buried with Him by baptism; that as Christ was raised, we are raised; that there
is this life of identification with the Lord Jesus Christ. It is something that you must
know. I want to make something crystal clear: I do not believe that you have to be
baptized by immersion to be saved. I don’t believe the Bible teaches that. A person is
saved not by any act, not by any ritual. When he repents of his sin, believes on the Lord
Jesus Christ, at that moment that person is saved; he becomes a child of God.
Salvation is in Christ, not in the creek. And, water, whether a spoonful or a tankful, is
not going to take away your sin. I want you to understand that. And, I ’m not trying to

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act like I think that only Baptists are the only ones going to heaven. I ’m more narrow-
minded than that: I don ’t think a lot of Baptists are going. And, I think a lot of people
who are not Baptist are going. But, nobody’s going who’s not repented of his sin and
received Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. But, dear friend, I want to tell
you something: while baptism is not necessary for salvation, it is necessary for
obedience. And, obedience is necessary for victory in the Christian life.
Dr. B. R. Lakin on one occasion—a great preacher of the gospel—was talking to a
man who was a beloved brother who was straight in everything else, was saved, going
to heaven, but he did not practice baptism by immersion. And, Dr. Lakin said to this
man, “Dear friend, the only thing that separates you and me is the River Jordan.” He
said, “I’ll come over if you’ll come under.” Amen. Oh, listen, dear friend, I want to tell you
the Bible teaches—not some Baptist preacher. It’s not a Baptist doctrine; it is a Bible
doctrine—“we are buried with him by baptism [unto] death: that like as Christ was raised
up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in [the]
newness of life.” (Romans 6:4) That is so very important that we understand what
baptism pictures.
And so, when the devil comes and he says to me, “Adrian, my old slave, do this for
me,” I say, “Satan, I don’t have to obey you.” “Why not?” “Because I’m dead. You have
no more dominion.” “How do you know you’re so dead, Adrian?” “Well, Satan, didn’t you
come to my funeral? Weren’t you there when I was laid in that liquid tomb? You were
there, devil, and you were the only mourner. You hated to see the old Adrian die. I’m not
your slave. I am dead. I am buried with Christ.” And, baptism symbolizes that burial.
And, it is God’s divine psychology to make real to you what happened to you, and it is
God’s method of preaching. And, every time we have this Lord’s Supper we say that
“Christ for us.” Every time we have baptism we say, “We died with Him.” That is a
truth—a truth of identification, something that you must realize, something that you must
know. It’s a fact—a fact. Now, that’s the first thing: know this; know that you died with
Him.

II. There Is Something That You Must Rely On

Now, the second word is the word reckon. Look again, if you will, in verse 11: “Likewise
reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin.” (Romans 6:11) It’s one thing to
know that you’re dead; it’s another thing to be reckoned that your dead, indeed. You
see, the word reckon here is not a word like we use down south as sort of a colloquial
expression: “You going to the ball game tonight?” “I reckon so.” What we mean by that
is “maybe so, maybe not. I’m not quite sure.” But, that’s not what the word reckon
means here. The word reckon here is a very strong word. It’s got concrete and spiritual
steel in it. It is a bookkeeping term, like a man who is doing some reckoning, balancing

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books and getting to the bottom and so forth. It actually is a word that means “to
calculate,” or as we’d say today, “Bank on it”—“bank on it.” You see, not only is there
something that you must realize, but there’s something you must rely on. There’s
something that you must count on. You must reckon it to be true. It is not a matter of
fable. It is not a matter of feeling. It is a matter of fact, and because it is a matter of fact,
then you count on it; you reckon on it. And, when you reckon on it, it begins to be true in
your own life. Now, the problem with so many of us is that we are trying to live in the
realm of feeling, and reckoning and feeling are not the same thing.
Now, let me give you an example of what I’m talking about. I’ll make a confession:
this morning, when my alarm clock went of at six o’clock, it didn’t seem like six to me; it
seemed like about two in the morning. It was six. I managed to get one eye open. I
looked at that alarm clock, and it said six. Now, my feelings told me it was not six, and
my feelings told me that it was not time to get that bed off my back but to lie right there.
But, I had enough wisdom to look at my watch. My watch also said six. And then, I
opened the other eye and looked outside, and it was grey dawn. And, the sun said six,
and the moon said six, and the universe said six. My feelings said two. Now, which do
you think I ought to obey—my feelings or the facts? Now friends, that’s the reason
there’s something you must first know. God has given us His alarm clock. There is
something that we must know, and once we know it, then we must reckon it to be true.
You see, we know it with our heads, but then we reckon it with our hearts. There’s
something that we must not only realize, but there’s something that we must rely on.
There’s something we must count on. There’s something we’ll bank on, and that’s the
idea of appropriating what we know to be true.
Now, let me give you an illustration. I think this will help make it clear. I told you that
the book of Romans was God’s Emancipation Proclamation. Abraham Lincoln signed
the Emancipation Proclamation for the American slaves, and he set them free. Now,
every slave in the United States, when Abraham Lincoln signed that Emancipation
Proclamation, was technically free. He was theoretically free, but he was not yet free,
indeed. You remember, Jesus said, “I’ve come that you might be free indeed.” (John
8:36) When did he become free indeed? When did a slave become free indeed? Three
things had to be necessary. Number one: He had to know of it. It didn’t matter if the
President signed it if he didn’t know it, right? He had to know it. But, not only did he
have to know it; he had to believe it and count on it. You see, he had to know it, but it
had to get out of his head, into his heart. He had to reckon it. He had to count on the
fact that it was true. But, not only did he have to know it and not only did he have to
reckon it; he then had to act on it. Some slaves could not get it into their heart they were
literally free, and they remained slaves when there was no need for them to remain
slaves. They stayed on the plantation; they continued to serve because they did not act.

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 Now, that word act is the third word, which is our word yield. You see, you have to
yield to what you know. You have to cooperate with what you know. Now, look—look, if
you will—here in God’s Word. Look at it—verse 13: “Neither yield ye your members as
instruments of unrighteousness”—that is, as weapons or tools of unrighteousness, as
slaves to the devil—“but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the
dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” (Romans 6:13)
Now, what does he mean by our “members”? By our “members,” he means our eyes,
our nose, our lips, our mouths, our hands—all of the parts of our body. We are to offer
them up to God, and we are to yield them to God.
Now, you see, there’s something you must do—there is something that you must do:
you must cooperate with God. And, don’t tell me this will not work until you’ve done all
three things. Now, you cannot do just part. You must know it. You’ll never reckon on it
until you know it. But, once you know it, you must reckon on it. But, once you reckon on
it, then you must cooperate with what you know, and you must yield yourself. Now,
yielding is something that you do freely and voluntarily. Are you listening? God will not
do it without you. You cannot do it without Him. You cannot do it until, first of all, you
know and reckon. You don’t have any right to do it. You don’t have any authority to do it
until you know and reckon. But, once you know and once you reckon, then you’re free.

III. There Is Something That You Must Release

Now, let me tell you how to cooperate with God. Let me tell you how to bring this in, this
cooperation with God. I heard about a country preacher who prayed, “Lord, help me to
cooperate with me so you won’t have to operate on me.” Okay, now, if you don’t want
God to have to operate on you—and friend, He will operate on you. He’ll carry you to
the woodshed if you’re not living in victory. And so, if you don’t want God to have to
operate on you—let me tell you now how to cooperate with the Lord Jesus Christ and
how to have this victory over sin. First of all, there’s that realization. And then, there’s
that reliance. And now, we’re coming to that release, where you just yield everything to
Him. Now, look at it; look at it right now.
A. The Dethronement of Sin
First of all, there must be the dethronement of sin. Look in verse 12: “Let not sin
therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither
yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin.” (Romans 6:12–13)
That is, there must be a decision that you make, and you must say, “Sin, self, Satan,
you will not have sway in my life.” I’m not talking about self-effort. On the basis of the
fact that you have been raised with Christ—as those, He says, that are alive from the
dead—on that basis and that basis alone, you can dethrone sin, self, and Satan.
Now, when the Bible says, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body,” (Romans

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6:12) that means what? That you can if you want to. You can let sin reign. Many
Christians do. They don’t have to. But, it would have been superfluous and foolish for
Paul to say, “Let not sin reign,” if sin couldn’t. Sin can, if you let it. But, it also means
that you have the power to say that “sin shall not,” or it would have been superfluous
and foolish for Paul to say you, “Let not sin reign.” What I’m saying there—that Paul is
telling you there is the possibility of sin reigning in your body, but no longer the
necessity.
“Well,” you say, “why couldn’t I say that before?” Because you didn’t have the
freedom before. You didn’t have the knowledge before. You did not have the ability
before. You see, the unsaved man—he says, “Well, I can do anything I want.” Well, he’s
right. He’s free to do as he wants, but he’s never free to do as he ought. He always
does what he wants, but he never does what he ought because he’s a slave to sin. But,
not the child of God—he is no longer a slave to sin. He died. And, that slavery to Satan
and that slavery to sin—it’s done away with by the death of the Lord Jesus. We have a
resurrection life, and Christ is in us. And, because Christ is in us, now we’re no longer
slaves. But, we can act like slaves if we choose to, but we don’t have to act like slaves.
And, no longer can we let sin reign in our mortal bodies if we don’t want to. And so, I
can say, “Satan, I don’t have to obey you. Self, I don’t have to obey you. Sin, I don’t
have to obey you.” And, we can speak with an authority, and when we speak with that
authority, all of the power of heaven is behind us. The resurrection life of the Lord Jesus
Christ is in us. And, when He rose, we rose, and there is victory. There must be the
dethronement of sin.
B. The Enthronement of the Savior
Now, watch it: there must be the enthronement of the Savior. Look again—verse 13:
“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield
yourselves unto God.” (Romans 6:13) Now, this word yield means “to surrender”; it
means “to present.” Do you know in Romans 12:1, where the Bible says, “I beseech you
therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies [as] a living
sacrifice”? (Romans 12:1) That word present is exactly the same word that’s translated
“yield” right here—same word.
How do you yield to God? You just make a present of your life to God. You just
present your life to God. And, the word in the Greek means “once for all.” I just take my
life, and I just present my life to God. I say, “Here it is.” Have you done that? Listen,
friend, hardly a day goes by—I doubt that a day goes by—that I don’t say to the devil
and to sin and self, “I don’t have to obey you. I renounce you, Satan. I renounce sin. I
renounce self. I will not let you reign in my life—I will not! Lord Jesus, I yield. I give you
my life. I present my life to you.” And, what I present to Him, He takes. And, what He
takes, He cleanses. And, what He cleanses, He fills. And, what He fills, He uses. When

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you present yourself to Him, when you yield to the Lord Jesus Christ, there’s an
enthronement of Christ. And, when you enthrone the Lord Jesus Christ, then His
resurrection power begins to live in you, and you begin to live a life of victory.
I was reading this past week, again, the story of F. B. Meyer, great man of God;
Bible scholar; brilliant, scintillating man; deep for his piety and love for the Lord Jesus
Christ. Many of you have read the devotional books of F. B. Meyer. F. B. Meyer told
how he came to know that life of freedom and that life of power. He had gone to a
meeting where seven students from Cambridge University were saying farewell. They
were leaving England and going to China as missionaries—seven young men. Among
those young men was a man named C. T. Studd. C. T. Studd was the leading athlete in
all England. He was a cricketer. Now, we don’t play cricket over here. They play cricket
over there. It’s like baseball is to us. I mean, it’s the national sport. And, he was the
leading cricketer in all of England. I mean, he was the idol. He was handsome, tall, big,
charming, witty, wealthy. But, he said, “I’m going to China as a missionary.” F. B. Meyer
said, “I watched. I saw something in the life of that young man so real, so transparent,
so full of power, that I knew that he had something I did not have.” And, he said, “I made
it my business to talk to C. T. Studd, and I said to him, ‘There’s something about your
life that’s not in my life. What is the secret of your life?’” F. B. Meyer said that “C. T.
Studd fixed his eyes upon me and asked this question: ‘Have you given everything to
Jesus Christ?’” He said, “I have. But, he said, ‘The Holy Spirit said within me that’s a lie,’
and I knew it was.”
He said, “I went to my bedroom that night, and I got on my knees, determined that I
was going to have it out with the Lord. And, I said to the Lord, “Lord, I want you to have
sway over my life. I want to yield everything to you.” And, F. B. Meyer said, “It seemed
as though the Lord was in that room, and the Lord said, ‘All right, hand over the keys of
your life.’” And, F. B. Meyer took his key ring, said, “Here, Lord. Here are the keys to my
life”—not an actual key ring, but in his mind, in his heart, he said, “Here are the keys of
my life.” And, he said, “The Lord took that key ring, and the Lord began to count the
keys.” And, He said, “There’s one missing.” F. B. Meyer said, “Well, it’s just a little key,
Lord. It’s a very small cabinet.” He said, “The Lord put the keys down and started to
walk out of the room, and I said, ‘Don’t go, Lord. Come back. Why are you leaving?’
And, the Lord said, ‘If I am not Lord of all, I will not be Lord at all.’” And, Meyer said, “But
it’s just such a little thing.” The Lord turned and started to walk out again. He said, “Lord,
come back. Here’s the other key.” And, at that moment his life, his life was filled with the
light and the power of God.

Conclusion
Now, I want to ask you this question today—and I asked it for myself last night on my

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knees, and I’m asking again as I preach: Have you given to Jesus Christ the key to
every room and closet in your life? That’s what the word yield means. It means “to
yield.” He is Lord—He is Lord. And, don’t you tell me there’s no such thing as a life of
victory, and don’t you tell me you cannot live in victory if you have not yielded to Christ.
Yield it. Give it to Him. And, when you give it to Him, He’ll take it. And, don’t be afraid to
give Him every key. He loves you more than you love you, and He’ll do with your life
things you never dreamed when you say, “Take my life, Lord. I give it to you.” You put
those three words down on your dresser—know, reckon, and yield—and I will guarantee
you you’ll know the life of victory.
Let’s bow our heads in prayer. Heads are bowed, and eyes are closed. No one is
stirring. No one is looking around. And, I’m going to ask God’s people right now to be
searching their hearts. Better than that, the Holy Spirit will search your heart. Lord, is
there an area of my life that’s unyielded? Something I’ve not given? Now, in this
congregation, there may be those who are not saved. I want you to know Jesus, and I’m
going to pray for you right now.
Lord God, I pray for many in this congregation today that today, they will come to
know the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord. And Lord, give victory today as
many decisions are made for Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

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 Abounding Victory Through
Amazing Grace, Part 1
By Adrian Rogers
Date Preached: February 6, 1994

Main Scripture Text: Romans 6:6–7

“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of
sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”
ROMANS 6:6

Outline
Introduction  
I. Know: Identification
II. Reckon: Appropriation
III. Yield: Emancipation
Conclusion

Introduction
Be finding Romans chapter six—Romans chapter six. We're speaking today on this
subject: Abounding Victory through Amazing Grace. I hope you know by now that we
are saved by God's Amazing Grace. ’Tis nothing that we do. He does it all. If you come
to God as a prince, He'll send you away as a beggar. But if you come to God as a
beggar, He'll send you away a prince. When you come to God and say, in my hand no
price I bring. Simply to thy cross I cling. Then you will be saved, as you trust Him by
God's Amazing Grace.
Dwight L. Moody, a famous evangelist of yesteryear, said he was in a meeting. The
man stood up and said, I want to tell you briefly what it has taken me forty-two years to
learn. Moody said, well, I think I'll listen. If I can learn in three minutes what it took him
forty-two years to learn, I think I'll listen. And, he said, this is what I've learned—three
things: number one, I can do nothing to earn salvation; number two, God does not
require me to do anything; number three, Jesus Christ has done it all.
Now, friend, one man had to take forty-two years to learn that, and you have just
heard it and learned it in about one minute. That is grace. That's salvation by grace. But
being saved by grace is not a license to sin. It is not sinning that proves grace. It is not
sinning that recognizes grace.
Now, look, if you will, in Romans chapter six and verse one: What shall we say then?

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Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. God forbid. So many
people think that when we preach the message of grace that we're being light on sin.
You have missed it a hundred and eighty degrees. There is nothing that liberates you
from a life of sin like God's Amazing Grace. So, what we're going to be talking about
today is abounding victory through Amazing Grace. Look up here and let me tell you
something. God's plan for you today, tomorrow and the rest of your life is victory. Not
victory sometimes, victory all times. Not victory some places, victory every place. You
are to have continual victory, conscious victory and conspicuous victory. Do you have
it? You are to have continual victory. You're to have contagious victory. You're to have
conspicuous victory. You are to have victory every day and every way.
Now, there three key words in Romans chapter six. I have pointed these to you
before; I do it again. I want you to look at these three words. If you'll understand these
three words, you'll understand the abounding victory that comes through amazing
grace. Chapter six, verse six: knowing—just put a circle around the word knowing. We'll
come back to it in a moment. But it is a key word. Romans six, verse six: knowing—
there is something to know. And then, verse eleven: Reckoned—likewise, reckoned. Put
a circle around the word reckon. And then, chapter six and verse thirteen: yield. Now,
do you have it? Those are the three words: knowing, reckoning, and yield. To know, to
reckon, and to yield, is to have victory—I mean abounding victory—only because of
God's Amazing Grace. Knowing deals with fact. Reckoning deals with faith. Yielding
deals with function. And these follow as night follows day: fact, faith, and function;
knowing, reckoning, and yielding. We do not continue in sin that grace may abound, but
abounding grace gives us amazing victory through the Lord Jesus Christ.

I. Know: Identification
Now, I want us to look at these three things. The very first word, knowing, deals with
something that we're going to call your identification with Christ. Did you get it down?
Get it in your head—your identification with Christ. That is a matter of fact that you must
know.
Now, look, if you will here, beginning in verse six: Knowing this—knowing this, that
our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that
henceforth we should not serve sin, that is, we should not be slaves of sin.
Now, what does identification mean? Identification with Christ—it means that we
have become one with the Lord Jesus Christ. We have become one with Him, because
He became one with us. He took humanity that we might take His deity. Not that we're
gods; that God lives in us. He came to earth that we might go to heaven. He took of our
nature that we might take of His nature. We are identified with Him.
You see, identification tells us that when Christ died, we died with Him. And that

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deals with sin’s power. Get that. That deals with sin’s power. Now, think of the
significance of it. Look in verses six and seven—look at it: knowing this, that our old
man is crucified with him.
Now, when Jesus died, the old Adrian died, and hallelujah, Calvary—Calvary—
doesn't just deal with my sin. Jesus didn't just take my sin to the cross. Are you
listening? Jesus didn't just take my sin to the cross. He took me to the cross. You see, if
He had simply died for my sin, that would still leave me. I'm the problem. Does that sink
in? If He just took my sin to the cross, that still leaves me, and I'm the problem. The
cross does not merely deal with my sin; it deals with me, the source of my sin. Now,
look at that verse.
Now, folks, this is deep. It is simple, but it is deep. Know this, that our old man is
crucified with Him. When He died, He died for me. Therefore, I died with Him on that
cross.
Dr. Robert G. Lee, the former pastor of this church, went one time to the Holy Land,
and he went to the place called Calvary. It was the first time he'd ever been to Israel,
and the guide asked this question: have any of you ever been here before? Dr. Lee
raised his hand. The guide said, when was that? He said, 2,000 years ago—2,000
years ago. And he was there. I was there. You were there. Jesus Christ died on that
cross. He died for our sins, and we died with Him.
Now, that deals with the penalty of sin, but it also deals with the power of sin. When
a man dies, there are two things that are true. If he's a criminal, when he dies, there's
no more trial, there's no more punishment. Isn't that right? If he's a criminal. Lee Harvey
Oswald shot John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas. At least, everybody believes that. Most
people believe that. But when Lee Harvey Oswald died, they stopped prosecuting him.
There's no criminal court against Lee Harvey Oswald. Why? He's dead. I mean, when
he's dead, the penalty of the law fails. I mean, it's over. Nobody's going to put him in jail
any more. Drop the case.
Now, there's something else, though. That deals with the penalty of sin; but what
about the power of sin? What about a slave who dies? The slave has a master. The
master tells him when to go to bed, when to get up; when to go to work, what to do,
when to quit; what to eat and what not to eat. Some slave masters even told their slaves
who they could marry and all of this. But suppose the slave dies, when the slave dies,
then what power does his master have over him?
Do you understand how the cross deals with both the penalty and the power of sin?
You see, Satan has been the slave master. When I died on that cross, the penalty of sin
has been done with, and the power of sin has been done with. Now, not only have I died
with Him; look, if you will, in verses six and seven: Knowing this, that our old man is
crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should

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not serve sin. We're not slaves of sin, for he that is dead is freed from sin—freed from
sin. Say amen. Freed from sin.
Now, watch this. Now, look, if you will, as we continue to read in verses three and
four; just go back to verses three and four: Know ye not that so many of as were
baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore, we are buried with
him by baptism into death. Now, not only did we die with Him; we were buried with
Jesus. When Jesus died, I died. When Jesus was buried, I was buried. Why does the
Bible put an emphasis upon the burial of Christ? Did you know that the burial of Jesus
Christ is a part of the gospel? First Corinthians chapter fifteen, verses three and four:
For I delivered unto you, first of all, that which I received, how that Christ died for our
sins, according to the scriptures, that he was buried, and that he rose again the third
day. The burial, the burial of Jesus, is a part of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Jews put the dead out of sight as quickly as possible. When a person would die,
they would bury him. Now, not only did the old Adrian I used to be die when I got saved,
but the old Adrian was buried. I'm buried with Him, and, therefore, Satan cannot
intimidate me with the bones of my own life. You know, your sin is in the grave of God's
forgetfulness. Now get this. Your sin is buried in the grave of God's forgetfulness. And,
when Satan comes looking for the old Adrian, I can say, he's not here. Well, where's the
corpse? I want to ridicule him. You can't—it's buried. Listen, friend. I am dead and
buried. But not only have we died with Him, not only were we buried with Him, but we
have been raised with Him.
Look again, if you will, in verses four and five: Therefore, we're buried with him by
baptism unto death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the
Father, even so, we also. Underscore that: Even so, we also. He died. I died. He was
buried. I was buried. He arose. I arose. Even so, we also should walk in newness of life.
I'm not with Him, still in the grave, because He's not in the grave. He has a life that the
tomb could not keep, and when He came out of that grave, I came out of that grave, to
walk in newness of life. The life I have now, I'm not just a forgiven, patched-up old
person. I'm a brand new person. I have resurrection life.
Augustine, who we call St. Augustine, an early Christian, before he was saved, had
a life that he lived, a profligate life. He had many harlots who were friends, and he would
commit fornication with those harlots. When Augustine got saved, he had a radical and
dramatic change. But after he was saved, he was walking down the street, and one of
his old girlfriends saw him. He was on this side of the street and she was on this side of
the street, so he walked to that side of the street, and put his head down and just kept
on walking. She recognized him. She said, Augustine. He didn't lift his head. She said,
Augustine. He kept on walking. She said, Augustine, it is I. He said, yes, but it is no
longer I.

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 You see, I'm crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ that lives in
me. He had a brand new life. And we need to understand this, friend, that that's the
significance of it. I died with Him. I was buried with Him. And I rose with Him.
Now, what's the symbolism of it? The symbolism of it is baptism. Look in verse three:
Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into
death? Therefore, we're buried with him by baptism unto death, that like as Christ was
raised up for the glory of the Father, even so, we also should walk in newness of life.
You see, baptism pictures the death, burial and resurrection that happened when
you trusted Christ. Now, baptism doesn't make it so; it shows it so. It is a symbol of the
death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Water baptism is a symbol of our
spiritual death, burial, and resurrection. The death, burial, and resurrection doesn't take
place up there. The resurrection took place at Calvary. And, it took place when you
received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. But that is the symbol of it. That is the
emblem of it. And that, dear friend, is why we baptize by immersion, because you can't
bury a corpse with a few grains of sand, and you can't bury a corpse with a few drops of
water. We are buried with Him by baptism. The only baptism taught in the Bible—water
baptism—is by immersion, because that pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of
Jesus Christ. That is a liquid tomb. That is where that old person is buried symbolically.
And, you go into that water to say good-bye to the old man, come out of that water to
say, hallelujah, I've been raised to walk in newness of life with the Lord Jesus Christ.
You see, we have two wonderful ordinances in our church. We have the Lord's
Supper and we have baptism. Now, the Lord's Supper pictures Christ death for the
believer. Baptism pictures our death with Him. The Lord's Supper, His death for us;
baptism, our death with Him—both of those wonderful, beautiful symbols.
And so, the very first thing I want you to notice. There is a fact—I mean a fact—to
believe; something you must know. Paul says–look at it now, in verse six: Know this—
know it; know it. I have given you truth. Know it. When Jesus died, you died. When
Jesus was buried, you were buried. When Christ came out of that grave, you came out
of that grave. That is identification. You're to know it. There's a fact to know, okay?

II. Reckon: Appropriation

Now, are you ready for the next word? The first word is something you are to know.
Now, look, if you will, in verse eleven: Likewise, reckon ye also yourselves to be dead
indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ.
Now, the first point deals with identification. This point deals with appropriation. Your
identification—that's a matter of fact. The appropriation of it is a matter of faith. Now,
you heard it with your head; now I want to get it in your heart. Now, I want you to reckon
it. What does the word reckon mean? The word reckon is a bookkeeping term. You

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figure. It's not a matter of feelings, but it is a matter of fact. Once you get the fact, then
you begin to calculate on that fact. You began to act according to that fact. Reckoning is
not closing your eyes and pretending. It is faith acting on what you know to be true.
Now, first of all, knowing. That, friend, is a matter of fact. Reckoning is a matter of
faith in that fact. Now, you already know how to reckon. You did it when you got saved.
I'm talking to saved people. When you got saved, you said, I believe that Jesus Christ
died for my sins. You weren't there when it happened. You didn't see it literally with your
own eyes. But you say, it is the truth. You say, He died for my sins. Therefore, I reckon,
I stand on the fact that my sin has been paid for. Well, friend, not only did He die for
you; you died with Him. Reckon that also—reckon that also.
You say, if my old man is dead, why can't I make him lie down? I mean, why is it? I
mean, yes, I know what you say is true, but I'm still having a struggle. I'm not living in
victory. Why is it? Well, you have to get the fact, and then you have to learn how to
reckon on that fact.
A woman set her alarm clock, and it went off at six in the morning. But when she
awakened, she thought it just can't possibly be six. Why, it just seems like I've been
asleep a few minutes. Have you ever done that, slept so soundly, and it seems like the
whole night has gone in a few minutes? But she looked at the clock. The clock said six.
She looked outside; the sun was up. She looked at the other clocks, and all of the other
clocks said it was six in the morning.
Well, friend, if the sun, moon, and stars, and every other clock says it's six, don't you
think she’d better set aside her feelings and go by what she knows to be true? You
reckon. Well, it doesn't matter whether you feel like it’s six in the morning or not. That's
not going to change it. You see, the fact of the matter is that you've been dead for 2,000
years. Don't you think it's time you had your funeral? I mean, listen. What he's saying is,
this is a fact; I was crucified with Christ. I was buried. I've been raised again. Now,
therefore, reckon on it. That is a matter of faith. Now, the word crucified is in the aorist
tense in the Greek language, which means it took place once and for all. That's never to
be repeated. The word reckon is in the present tense, and that means that's something
you're to continually do. Continually, day after day, you're to reckon yourself dead unto
sin and alive unto God. You're to say that sin’s penalty does not stand against me, and
sin’s power is broken over me. I, by faith, believe that. Now, if you don't believe it, you'll
never have victory. You must believe what he tells you to believe. Likewise, reckon ye
also yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ.
Friend, I want to tell you, if that thought ever really gets into your heart, if you ever really
say, hallelujah, it is true, and I stand on it, you're about to be delivered.
Why is it, Brother David, this cannot get in people’s hearts? There is a fact to know.
But, friend, there is a reckoning to believe, to put into your heart by faith. Now, when

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you understand this, that Jesus Christ is alive in you, you're dead to sin but alive to God.
The Bible says, in Colossians 3:3, for ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in
God.

III. Yield: Emancipation

Now, here's the third word. The first word is what? Know. The second word is what?
Reckon. That's a bookkeeping term. That means to bank on it, to calculate on it. Now,
here's the third thing. Your submission to Christ is a matter of function. You must yield
to it. Fact. Faith. Function. Now, here's where the rubber meets the road. This
completes the thing. This is how God's Amazing Grace becomes abounding victory.
Look, if you will now, beginning in verse twelve: Let not sin, therefore, reign in your
mortal body. If it does, it's only because you let it. It doesn't have to any more. The
power of sin has been broken. Let not sin, therefore, reign in your mortal body, that ye
should obey it in the lust thereof. Neither yield ye your members, as instruments of
unrighteousness—when he says your members, he's talking about your hands, your
feet, your eyes, your tongue—your members, as instruments of unrighteousness, unto
sin—but now, watch this—but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from
the dead, and your members, as instruments of righteousness, unto God.
Now, here's the key. Look at it. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are
not under the law but under grace. Hallelujah. Praise God. Folks, listen to this now. Get
it in your heart. This is the most glorious truth. This is what will deliver you. This is
amazing grace that gives abounding victory. What shall we say then? Shall we continue
in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. Read verse fourteen: for sin shall not have
dominion over you, for you are not under the law, but under grace.
Now, when you trust Christ, you get imputed righteousness, but what you need also
is practical righteousness. And it is done when, first of all, there's a matter of fact,
something you know, and then, you reckon on that fact. You say, that is true; I reckon; I
believe that; I take it by faith. That is a matter of faith. I take that fact. I get that fact in
here. I stand on it. I calculate on it. And then, the matter of function. Here's where the
victory is: begin to yield to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now, how do you yield? Well, there's a negative and a positive. Look at the negative,
in verses twelve through thirteen. Look at it Romans six, verse twelve: Let not sin
therefore reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it to the lust thereof. Neither
yield ye your members, as instruments of unrighteousness, unto sin.
You can say to the devil, I don't have to obey you. Now, before you were saved, you
could never say that—you could never say that. You can say to the flesh, I don't have to
obey you. Before you were saved, you could never say that. You were a slave of Satan,
and you were a slave to your flesh. Now, you don't have to obey the devil. You don't

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have to obey the flesh. You can choose. You can yield. You must choose against King
Satan, and King Self, and King Sin. And, you can say to the devil, no longer will these
hands; no longer will these eyes; will these members, be your tools.
A man was on a train one time. He's been saved—as a godly man and a Christian.
Some other men were sitting there drinking liquor and gambling with cards. They asked
him if he would sit in. They needed a fourth man. He said, well, I can't play cards. And,
they said, well, why not? He said, I don't have any hands. Those hands were right there.
They said, you’ve got hands. He said, no, those are not mine; those belong to Jesus.
Those, His hands—I don't have any hands. I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I
live, yet not I but Christ liveth in me. I will not yield these members. I will not do it. I won't
do it. Before that, you had no power to do that, but now that you know this, now that you
reckon this, now, there's a matter of function. You can say, I will not yield my members
as the instruments of unrighteousness.
There's the dethronement of sin. There's the enthronement of the Savior. Look in
verse thirteen again: Neither yield ye our members, as the instruments of
unrighteousness, unto sin. Now watch. But yield yourselves unto God as those that are
alive from the dead.
Now, get this down big and plain and straight. In this matter of victory, it is not your
ability that counts. It is not your responsibility, but it is your response to His ability. Your
responsibility is your response to His ability. Now, you must choose. Listen. You can't
do it without Him. He will not do it without you. You must yield.
I heard about a country man who came out of one of these side roads on Interstate
40 over here somewhere in Arkansas, and a little pick-up truck covered with dust just
shot out, never slowed down. The big 18-wheeler pulled over, almost wrecked, and the
driver leaned out the window, and said, hey, didn't you see that sign? He said, what
sign? He said, that sign that said, Yield. He said, well, I opened the window, and yelled
as loud as I could.
Friend, you are to yield with all of your heart. Just yield. Yield to the Lord Jesus
Christ.
Now, I'm going to sum it up, and I'm going to tell you something that has absolutely
gripped my heart, one of the greatest truths I know. Are you listening? When temptation
comes, you must yield, and you will yield. When temptation comes, you must yield, and
you will yield. That much is settled. The only question is: which way will you yield? Will
you yield to Satan? Will you yield to Christ? That's it. That's the only question. When
temptation comes, you must yield. You must, and you will. The only question is: to
whom will you yield? That's the only question. Stop fighting temptation. Why fight a
battle already lost, when you can enjoy a victory already won. Don't fight temptation.
Yield to Jesus. Did that get it? Yield to Jesus.

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 When temptation comes, you say, hey, that old Adrian is dead. I don't have to obey
him. I'm no longer Satan's slave. I died. I was buried. I was raised. Christ lives in me.
Jesus, I yield. And, brother, I want to tell you that incredible power will come into your
life the moment you yield to Jesus Christ. Shall we continue in sin that grace may
abound? God forbid. God forbid. Amazing grace gives abounding victory.
Verse fourteen: For sin shall not have dominion over you. Abraham Lincoln signed
the Emancipation Proclamation, and the scourge and the blot of slavery began to be
erased in this country. We still bear the scars of it. But you know the sad thing? When
Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, potentially—potentially—every
slave was freed. But, you know, in actuality, every slave wasn't freed. Do you know
why? Some of them didn't know it. Some of them didn't know it. And, do you know what
else? Some of them who knew it, it was too big. They couldn't take it in. They just could
not take it in. I mean they'd been slaves so long, they just could not take it in. They
could not believe it. So, while they knew it here, they didn't know how to reckon it here.
And then, some of them continued to serve as slaves, because they'd served as slaves
so long they were intimidated by their own master. And, he would tell them to do this
and that, and they would yield to him, when they didn't have to. You see? Do you see,
friend? What good is the gospel of Jesus Christ? What good is the gospel of grace?
What good is God's Emancipation Proclamation, if you don't know it, if you don't reckon
to it, and if you don't yield on it? But, when you yield, you'll be free indeed. To know it is
the matter of the head. To reckon it is a matter of the heart. And to yield is a matter of
the will. Get those in you, my friend. Get those in you.

Conclusion
There is our identification with Christ. That's the fact you're to know. There is, friend,
our appropriation of Christ. That is the faith you're to reckon with. There is our
submission to Christ. That is, friend, the function that you're to obey. And, when you do
that, you'll have victory. Wouldn't you like victory? Amazing grace and abounding
victory. Isn't grace wonderful? Just say amen. Jim let's just sing one more stanza of
Amazing Grace. Let's just stand and sing just Amazing Grace. Let's just stand and sing,
Amazing Grace. Just think about it: Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound.
HYMN
Bow your heads in prayer. Father, thank you for Amazing Grace and abounding
victory.
Now, while your head is bowed, if you've never received Christ as your personal
Savior and Lord, God loves you, and because salvation is by grace, He will save you
this very moment, if you'll trust Him. Why don't you pray a prayer like this:
O God, I know you love me, and I know it's your grace that causes you to love me.

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Jesus, I believe you died for my sins. I believe you paid my sin debt. I want to reckon
that true for me today. I want to believe by faith and trust you. Come into my heart;
forgive my sin; save me, Lord Jesus.
Would you ask Him that? Save me, Lord Jesus. If you asked Him, then pray this
way: Lord Jesus, thank you for saving me. I stand by faith. I don't ask for a sign. I don't
look for a feeling. I stand on your Word. And now, Lord Jesus, because you died for me,
I will live for you. And, give me the courage to make this public. In your holy name.
Amen.

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 Abounding Victory Through
Amazing Grace, Part 2
By Adrian Rogers
Date Preached: February 6, 1994

Main Scripture Text: Romans 7:1–4

“Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the

body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who
is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.”
ROMANS 7:4

Outline
Introduction  
I. There Is a Death to Reckon
II. There Is a Deficiency to Realize
III. There Is a Dynamic to Receive
IV. There Is a Discipline to Remember
Conclusion

Introduction
Well, would you turn please to Romans chapter seven, and we're going to continue
where we left off in a sense this morning, where we we're speaking about Abounding
Victory Through Amazing Grace. And so, we'll just call this Part 2 of that message. And
turn here to Romans chapter seven. We were in Romans chapter six. Have you ever
noticed that sometimes there seems to be a contradiction in what the Bible says about
us and what we know about us—gap between what God says we are and what we
appear to be?
For example, the Bible says that we are complete in Him, and yet most of us feel
incomplete. The Bible says that we are overcomers, and yet many of us are overcome.
The Bible says that we have peace that passes understanding, and many of us are
worried, and distraught, and upset. Jesus said, if we would come to Him and drink, we
would never thirst again, and yet many of us are dissatisfied, on a quest, can't seem to
be satisfied. There is deep thirst in our hearts, and yet Jesus said, if we'll come to Him,
we'll never thirst again. He said that we are more than conquerors through Him that
loved us, and yet many of us are living lives of defeat. He says that by faith we have
overcome the world, and yet the world seems to be overcoming us.

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 The Bible says one thing about us, and yet our experience says something else
about us. Now, what are we going to do? Are we going to bring the Bible down to the
level of our experience, or are we going to bring our experience up to the level of the
Bible? Now, somehow, there's a contradiction, and there's a gap that we have to deal
with.
The Bible describes us one way, but experience tells us that we're not that way. Well
now, there are two words that are very, very important to us. One is provision, and the
other is appropriation. God has provided all of these things, but we have not
appropriated all of these things.
You see, anything God does, He does absolutely, He does completely, He does
fully; yet, we have to appropriate what God has done. Now, let me give you an example,
and I think I can clear that up.
For example, Jesus Christ on the cross has already paid for the sins of the whole
world. I mean, He died for everybody, and the sins of all people have been paid for, and
atonement is made. First John 2:2 says, and he is the propitiation for our sins, and not
for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And John the Baptist, in John
chapter one, verse twenty-nine, He pointed to Jesus, and He said, "Behold the Lamb of
God that taketh away"—what?—"the sin of the world." Now, has the sin of the world
been taken away? Well, yes and no. Did Jesus die for our sins? Yes. Is He the
propitiation for the sins of the whole world? Yes. But is the whole world saved? No.
Why? Because they have not appropriated what our Lord has already done. There's a
lot of sin still around. And yet, Christ died for that sin, paid for that sin, took it away; but
it's not taken away. And why is it not taken away, when He took it away? That's
because people have not appropriated what He has done.
Now, for example, the Bible says, in John chapter three, verse eighteen, "He that
believeth on Him is not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already
because he hath not believed.” That is, his sin has been paid for. The condemnation
now is not that he's sinned, but the condemnation is he's not received what he's
supposed to have. He has not appropriated it.
Now, the same is true in the Christian's life. There seems to be a contradiction.
Remember today, this morning, I talked to you about reckoning yourselves to be dead?
Do you have even a faint glimmer of the message this morning? Just kind of nod your
head. You remember we're talking about that. We reckon ourselves to be dead. And, we
said, that was done. I mean, when did you die? You died when Jesus died. His death
had your name on it. Remember that? All right. We are crucified with Christ.
But now, let me show you something. Now, we're going to get to Romans seven in
just a moment. All of this just to get you ready for it. In Colossians 3:3, the Bible says,
"for ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God." That's Colossians 3:3. But in

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Colossians 3:5, it says, "mortify therefore your members"—put them to death. Now, wait
a minute, Paul. Make up your mind. You say, in 3:3, we're dead, and then in 3:5, you tell
us to put the members of our flesh to death. Mortify, therefore, your members which are
upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence and
covetousness, which is idolatry. Now, this sounds like a contradiction. How can we put
to death that which is already dead?
Well, the truth of the matter is, it has been done, absolutely by the Lord Jesus Christ,
but it is not ours in reality until we appropriate what God has done. So, is it so? Well, it
is so in the fact that God has done it, but it will not be so in your life until you appropriate
what God has given you.
The classic example of that is when God gave to the Jews the Promised Land we
call the Land of Canaan, and He told Joshua this—Joshua, who was leading the
children of Israel out of the wilderness and into the Land of Canaan. He said to Joshua,
every place that the soul of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you. Very
interesting. He said, go in there and possess your possessions. He didn't say, every
place that the sole of your foot tread upon will I give you. He said, it's already yours.
Well, was it theirs? Well, it was, and it wasn't. I mean, they were outside; they had not
possessed it. Was it theirs? God had given it to them, but yet they did not have it in
reality, they did not have it in actuality, until they put the foot of faith on the work of God,
till they possessed their possessions.
You may have books in your library. Are they yours? Well, I guess. Have you read
them? No. Well, if you haven't read them, you haven't possessed your possessions.
They are yours potentially. The book is yours, but you have not actually entered into
that which is really yours.
Now, all of these things that the Bible says about us—we are dead, and our life is
hid with Christ in God—that is true, but then, now we must actualize what God has
realized, and possess our possessions.
Now, tonight, we're going to slow down just a little bit, but I want you to learn, as we
talk about victory through amazing grace, I want you to learn how to appropriate the
freedom that the Holy Spirit has made you free with.
Now, let's look here in Romans chapter seven. We're moving out of Romans chapter
six. Romans chapter seven, verses one through four: "Know ye not brethren for I speak
unto them that know the law how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he
lives."
Remember what I told you this morning—when a man dies, the law can't do anything
to him? Isn't that true? When he dies—I don't care what kind of a crime he's
committed—the law has no more dominion over him. The law hath dominion over a man
as long as he lives, for the woman which hath a husband is bound by the law to her

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husband as long as he liveth, but if the husband be dead, she's loosed from the law of
her husband. So then, if while her husband liveth she be married to another man, she
shall be called an adulteress, but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law so
that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
Now, here's an interesting thing. Here Paul is talking about living a life of victory, and
then all of a sudden he starts talking about a man and a woman, and marriage, and
death, and adultery, and all of this. Why is Paul trying to teach us about marriage right
here in this particular passage? He's not trying to teach us about marriage. He's only
illustrating what he's teaching, by marriage, and what he's saying here is the story of a
woman who falls in love with a man, and she marries a man, and we're going to call him
a perfect man. Anybody here ever married a perfect man?
They were having a testimonial meeting, and the pastor asked, does anybody know
a perfect man? And you know he's teaching that all have sinned, and one man stood
up, and said, yes. I didn't know him, but I knew of him. Said, well, who was it? Said, it
was my wife's first husband. But the truth of the matter is that no man is perfect, but
God's law is perfect. And Paul makes an analogy here. He's saying, before we had
victory, we were married to the law, and the law is perfect. Now, if a woman married a
perfect man, at first, she'd think she's really getting something wonderful. But I don't
think there's a woman here that would want to be married to a perfect man. I mean, he
never makes a mistake; not one mistake does Mr. Law make. She's married to Mr. Law,
and he has the most rigid standards. He has the most holy character. He never makes a
mistake. He never deviates. Every thing that he says is profoundly true, perfectly
righteous, and totally absolute. She says, I have married the perfect man. But then she
understands this: that the standard that he holds for himself, he holds for her. He
expects her to do everything just right.
And so he says, now, wife, we're married. You do this, and this, and this, and this,
and this; and don't do this, and don't do this, and don't do this, and don't do this. Do you
understand? Yes, beloved. I understand. He goes off to work. He comes back home,
and he says, report. Did you do thus and thus and thus and thus and thus, and did you
not do thus and thus and thus and thus and thus? She said, well, husband, I'm sorry. I
tried, but I failed. And so, he scolds her, and she feels badly, but she can't really
complain too much, because he's not asked her to do a single thing she ought not to do,
nor has he told her not do a thing that she really ought to do. And so, she says,
husband, I have failed. You're such a wonderful man. Give me another chance. I'll do
better. And she rededicates her life to Mr. Perfect.
The next day he says, do this, and do this, and do this, and do this; and don't do this,
and don't do this, and don't do this. She says, husband, it's gonna be a wonderful day.
But when he comes home, she's failed again. One day, two days, three days, four days.

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One week, two weeks, one month, three months. One year, two years, and after a while
she has had it up to here with Mr. Perfect. She can't please him. She absolutely can't
please him. And yet, she can't criticize him. Everything he says is right. To make
matters worse, she's been noticing another man. This man is not Mr. Law. He's Mr.
Love. He also is righteous and holy, but there's something different about Mr. Love. He
seems so understanding. He seems so kind. He seems so compassionate. As over
against Mr. law, who's so judgmental, and so rigid, and so demanding, and she just
can't please him. So, she has an idea. She says, I'll divorce Mr. Law, and I'll marry Mr.
Love. No, she's, oh no, I can't do that. Why, I'm bound to my husband by the law, as
long as he lives. Well, she says, I know what I'll do. I'll stick it out until Mr. Law dies, and
then I'll be free. But she finds out the rascal's not gonna die. He's got an iron
constitution—"till heaven and earth pass not a jot nor a tittle will fail from the law. The
law is there, and she's married to him, and she can't please him, and she can't measure
up. Her life is miserable, and she doesn't know how to get out of it.
And, then, she has an idea. She says, I know how I get out. He won't die, but I can
die. And if I die, I am free from the law.
Now, you say, Pastor, that's kind of strange. Well, that's exactly what Paul is doing.
Look at it here, verses one through four: Know ye not brethren, for I speak unto them
that know the law, how the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth; for the
woman which hath a husband is bound by the law through her husband as long as he
liveth, but if the husband be dead, she is loose from the law of her husband. Now, that's
the illustration.
Now, notice verse three: "so then, if while her husband liveth, she be married to
another man, she shall be called an adulteress, but if her husband be dead, she's free
from that law so that she be no adulteress though she be married to another man.
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law. This is the death I'm
talking about. The only release is death.

I. There Is a Death to Reckon

Now, go back and remember what I told you there in Romans six. When Jesus died, we
died with Him. When Jesus was buried, we were buried with Him. When Jesus was
raised, we were raised with Him. And, we need to reckon on that fact. There is a death
to reckon. There is a death to reckon. Now, she has died. So, now she can marry Mr.
Love. We say, how can a dead woman marry anybody? Because she's also been
raised—she's also been raised. We died with Jesus; we're raised with Jesus. And so,
look at it again. See what he's saying here. Now, I know this is deep, but look, if you will,
in verse four: "wherefore my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body
of Christ that ye should be married to another.” Here's a dead woman who gets married.

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Well, how does a dead woman get married? “Even to him who is raised from the dead,
Jesus, that we should bring forth fruit from the dead.”
Do you see what Paul is doing here? Do you see why he has jammed this thing
about marriage right in here, only as an illustration? Now, certainly there are some
wonderful truths about marriage, but he's using it, not to teach about marriage; he's
using it to teach about victory, so that we can learn how to reckon ourselves dead to the
law—the law has no more dominion over us—and not only dead to the law, but dead to
self, dead to Satan, dead to sin, that we might be alive unto God.

II. There Is a Deficiency to Realize

Now, first of all, there is a death to reckon. Secondly, there is a deficiency to realize.
Now, she gets married now to Mr. Love, and, of course, you know Mr. Love is Jesus.
She is married to Mr. Love. We are the Bride of Christ, and we're married to the Lord
Jesus Christ. And she says, oh, this is going to be wonderful, just wonderful. No longer
am I married to Mr. Law; I'm now married to Mr. Love. But she finds out that Mr. Love
has the same requirements that Mr. Law had. Jesus didn't come to destroy the law and
the prophets, but to fulfill them. And, Mr. Law would say, do this and this and this, why,
Jesus, Mr. Love, would even say more. Mr. Law said, one mile. Mr. Love says, two
miles.
Mr. Law says, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth, and Mr. Love says, love
your enemies. Why, she says, oh no, it's getting worse. I thought it would get better, but
now it's worse. I can't please Mr. Love. But then she notices something very different
about Mr. Love. Mr. Love does what Mr. Law never did do. Mr. Love would not just tell
her to do things and leave her. Mr. Love would stand there and do it for her. Everything
He demanded, He did Himself. They had a joint bank account. He's incredibly wealthy.
Honey, you have a need, just write a check. You need some strength—I'm here for you.
Oh, he never diminished the demands, but he's right there to do these things for her,
and through her, and in her, but, you see, she had to understand that even though she's
married to Mr. Love, she couldn't do it herself.
Look here in Romans chapter seven, and beginning in verse eighteen. Here she is
now. She discovered that the old man, the old woman, could not suffice, but now she
understands that the saved person cannot do it in his or her own strength.
Look in verse eighteen. Paul says, for I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth
no good thing. Have you found that out yet? I hope you have. In my flesh. He did not
come to remodel the flesh, but to cause you to renounce it. Because in my flesh is no
good thing, for to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good I find
not. For the good that I would I do not, but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now, if I
do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law

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that when I would do good, evil is present with me, for I delight in the law of God after
the inward man, but I see another law in my members warring against the law of my
mind, and bringing me into the captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Now, what's all of this talking about? Oh, wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver
me from the body of this death? Now, she comes, she's married now to Mr. Love, and
she so wants to please him also, even more than she did Mr. Law, but she finds this law
in here every time she's trying to do good she's still failing. I mean, she delights in the
law of God in the inward person, but you see, her inward person makes contracts that
her outward members can't fulfill. She just can't do it. I'm not going to do this. And then,
she does it. Well, I will do this. And she fails to do it. And, friend, there's hardly a
Christian who hasn't been right there. And, the apostle Paul was talking about himself
right now, if it's any comfort to you.
After he got saved, he was trying and failing, and trying and failing, and trying and
trying, and failing and failing, and He loved God with all of his heart. He said, I delight in
the law of God.
And yet, there's another law that just keeps pulling me down. So there's a death to
reckon. There is a deficiency to realize. You see, what happens is, when you get saved,
there are two conflicting principles in your heart. Now, if this is confusing, please pay
attention, because it will jell in a moment. But you have two conflicting principles. Look,
if you will now, in verses twenty-one and following: "I find then a law that when I would
do good, evil is present with me; for I delight in the law of God after the inward man, but
I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind.” You see, you've
got these conflicts, those of you, I believe that the great majority of you here tonight
want to serve God here with all of your heart, and yet there's something else in you that
just wants to do evil. Isn't that right? Nod your head. I mean, don't you look so holy. I
mean, you know that is true. I mean, Paul is writing about himself. You find that civil
war, and you say, but I was dead and crucified with Christ. I'm now married to Mr. Love,
and yet, I still feel that, and that deficiency brings misery. Paul says, in verse twenty-
four: "oh, wretched man that I am!"
You see, there is a law called the law of God, which is righteous and holy, and then
there's a law called the law of sin. Now, they don't study about the law of sin at
Memphis State. They don't study about the law of sin in the great universities. What is
the law of sin? The law of sin is the law that tells why people behave like they do. It is
an inward predisposition to sin, and it is in every one of us. It's very much like the law of
gravity. There is a constant downward pull. A constant prone to wander, Lord, I feel it;
prone to leave the God I love. That law of sin is there. We want to serve God. We get all
charged up in a preaching service, we hear the pastor preach, we rededicate our lives,
re-consecrate our lives, and say, I'm going to live for Jesus, walk right outside the

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church building, and fall on our face spiritually. Delighting to do the law of God in the
inward man, but finding that other law, that civil war. I'm not talking about unsaved
people now. I'm talking about saved people. Man says, I'm going to live for God, and
then his eyes look with lust, his tongue wags with gossip, his ears strain to hear unclean
things, and he's a saved man, she’s a saved woman. And, that brings misery. All right
now, look. There's death to reckon, but there is a deficiency to recognize.

III. There Is a Dynamic to Receive

Now, thirdly, and here's where it gets good, there is a dynamic to receive. Look, if you
will now, in chapter eight, verses one and two: There is, therefore, now no
condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after
the spirit; for the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law
of sin and death. Now, there's a new law. He introduces now a new law, and it is the law
of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus. Verse three: "for what the law could not do—that is,
Mosaic law—in that it was weak through the flesh." You see, he's talking about the
Mosaic law. He's talking about the law of sin and death warring in your members, and
he's talking now about the law of the spirit in Christ Jesus. Keep all that straight in your
mind, if you can. For what the Mosaic law, verse three, could not do, in that it was weak
through the flesh—that is, weak through our flesh—God, sending His Son in the
likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh—now, pay very much
attention to verse four—that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us—not by
us, but in us—who walk, not after the flesh, but after the spirit.
Remember I said that Mr. Love now comes in and does it through you, and for you,
that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but
after the spirit.
Now, let me illustrate this. We're talking about the Mosaic law. That's a standard of
perfect righteousness. Well, Paul said, I died to that law, and I married the Lord Jesus.
Fine. But now I started to live for the Lord Jesus, I found another law—that was the law
of sin and death. Even when I wanted to serve Jesus, the good I would, I don't do. The
bad I don't want to do, that I do. The law of sin and death is in me. But now, he
discovers another law. And, that's the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus.
Now, how does that law work? Well, let me illustrate this.
An airplane flies, and there's a big chunk of metal. I get on those things all the time.
I'm going to get on one, God willing, early in the morning. And, when you look at that
thing, it's really not supposed to fly. I mean, you think about it. That thing weighs tons.
As a matter of fact, I was reading about an airplane on the designing board, whether
they'll build it or not, I don't know. A commercial airliner will seat one thousand people
plus luggage. You know, you kind of wonder if you want to get on something like that. I

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mean, how is it going to get off the ground? And, it gets there, and it gets the engines
funning, gets at the end of that runway, and it begins to go through there, and the law of
gravity says, I'm not going to let you go; I'm not going to let you go; I'm not going to let
you go; I'm not going to let you go. But there's another law of aerodynamics that
overcomes the law of gravity, and that airplane begins to lift off the ground, and the law
of aerodynamics makes it free from the law of gravity. Now, the law of gravity is still
there. If you don't believe it, just step outside for a stroll. The law of gravity is still there.
But as long as you abide in that airplane, the law of aerodynamics is making you free
from the law of gravity, and you're cruising along there 30,000 feet in the air, hundreds
of miles an hour, because a new law has superseded the old law.
Now, that's what he's saying. Look at it here. He says in verse two,, For the law of
the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Now, you know what keeps the law of gravity from taking over on me right now? I've
got life. If I were to die, I'd fall down. The law of gravity is pulling on me right now. If I
were to die right now, I would crumple to the floor, because there is a law of gravity that
is pulling on me right now. But I've got life. And, my physical life is helping me right now
to overcome the law of gravity. That's the reason why I can stand. I've got life in me.
Without any life, I cannot overcome this downward pull, this pull of gravity. And so, I've
got to find some way that I can get the law of the spirit of life in me to overcome the law
of sin and death that is in me.
Now, how does that happen? How does the law of the Word of life take over? When
I yield to it. Go back to Romans chapter six, and look at it. Look in verse sixteen: "Know
ye not that to whom ye yield yourself service to obey his servants ye are to whom ye
obey, whether of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousness.
I said this morning, when temptation comes, you must yield, but not to the
temptation—to Jesus. Just yield. Don't fight the temptation, and don't yield to the
temptation—yield to Jesus Christ. There is a law. It is the law of the Word of life in
Christ Jesus. When you say, I am dead to the law, the penalty of the law and the power
of sin, I am married to the Lord Jesus, and though I'm married to the Lord Jesus, I still
find this old law in me, the law of sin and death, but the righteousness of the law is now
fulfilled in me by Mr. Love.
Some people get the idea, you know, they say, well, Pastor Rogers, I've been saved
by grace. I don't think I want to tithe; that was the Old Testament law. You've missed it,
friend. Jesus said, not a jot nor a tittle shall fail from the law till all be fulfilled." Jesus did
not come to diminish righteous demands; He came to give you power to live, that the
righteousness of the law would be fulfilled in us, not by us. It is Christ in you, the hope of
glory. Now, you just have to appropriate this by faith. He's done it already. I mean the
law of the Word of life in Christ Jesus is there, but you need to appropriate what is

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yours. Is this making sense? I'm just up here talking. Believe me, when I listen to it, it's
confusing, and I'm trying to explain it. There's so much to learn. It's so wonderful. How
to live the Christian life. Friend, there is victory in the Lord Jesus Christ, and it all comes
by the grace of God. You're married to Mr. Love—Mr. Grace, the Lord Jesus Christ.

IV. There Is a Discipline to Remember

Now, I've talked to you about a death. I've talked to you about a deficiency. I've talked to
you about a dynamic. One thing, and I'll be finished. I want to talk to you about a
discipline. There is a discipline to remember. Now, what is the discipline? How are you
going to have this law working in you? Well, begin now reading in chapter eight, verse
five: For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, but they that are
after the Word, the things of the Word. Now watch this: to be carnally minded is death.
He's not talking about eternal death now. He's just talking about, you're living a deadly
dead life, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace, because the carnal mind is
enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither can be.
Now, what's he saying? He's saying, where your mind is, your feet will follow. You
tell me what you think about all day long, and I'll tell you how you walk. What he's
saying here is that you need to be occupied and centered on the things of the Spirit.
Verse six: "to be carnally minded is death; to be spiritually minded is life and peace."
Now, he's going to say, in chapter twelve, verse one, that we present our bodies a
living sacrifice. Did you know that that's what we are? We are sacrifices. Well, if you
were to take a dead sacrifice, a sacrifice that had been slain, you know what they would
do? They would take that bloody piece of meat and they would put it on the altar. But,
you know, it's slippery. Freshly butchered meat is very slippery. So, they had two flesh
hooks that hold it on the altar to keep it from sliding off. Have you ever slid off the altar?
Nod your head. Most of us have. I mean we say, all to thee Jesus I surrender. We place
ourselves on the altar. But we slip off. Why do we slip off? Because we failed to have
the two flesh hooks. You know what they are? Discipline and devotion—discipline and
devotion: those are the two flesh hooks that keep you on the altar.
Now, this discipline and this devotion is what I call being spiritually minded. That's
the reason you've got to have a quiet time. You have got to have that discipline and that
devotion. Sorry about that, folks. You just thought you could do it without any discipline,
didn't you? Because when I said that Jesus does it all. But remember we said that your
responsibility is your response to His ability, and you've got to have that time where you
center your mind on Him.
Now, if you wake up in the morning, and all through the day, and you don't think
about Him, and you don't pray, and you don't put your foot of faith on the promises of
God, and you do not reckon day by day by day—remember it when He said, you're

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crucified with Christ, that's the aorist tense—that's done, that's finished—but He says,
reckon yourself—that is, present tense—over and over again. Get up every morning;
think about the Lord Jesus Christ; say, Lord, I am yours. I am yours. I am married to
you, and every demand upon my life is upon the Jesus Christ in me, and the
righteousness of the law will be fulfilled, not by me, but in me. The law of the spirit of life
in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. But you step out of that
airplane, you're going down. You abide in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Conclusion
Now, folks, I've given you more than enough. Let's bow our heads in prayer.
Father, seal the message to my heart and to our hearts. Thank you, Lord, thank you
that we can reckon ourselves dead unto sin, and alive unto You. Thank you, Lord, that
we're the bride of Christ. And, thank you, Lord, that we're married to another that we
might bring forth fruit to you. Thank you, Lord that the law of the Word of life in Christ
Jesus has made us free from the law of sin and death. And, Lord, give us victory upon
victory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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 Learning to Possess
Your Possessions
By Adrian Rogers
Date Preached: April 5, 1998

Main Scripture Text: Romans 7:1–4

“Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that
ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we
should bring forth fruit unto God.”
ROMANS 7:4

Outline
Introduction  
I. Learn Dying and Start Living
II. Stop Trying and Start Trusting
III. Quit Crying and Start Praising
Conclusion

Introduction
Would you take God's Word, turn to Romans chapter 7, and the title of our message
today is Learning to Possess Your Possessions. Many of us are not living up to our
profession in Christ. A little boy had a dog and somebody said, Son, what kind of dog is
that? Really, the dog was just a mongrel, but the little boy, proud of his dog, said, He's a
police dog. And someone said, Well, he doesn't look like a police dog. And the little guy
said, Well, he's in the secret service. Now, I know a lot of Christians who are saved, but
they don't act like it; they don't behave like it, they're not living victorious lives; and
there's something wrong, there's something missing. There seems to be a contradiction
between what the Bible says they are in Christ and what they are in reality. There
seems to be a gap. For example, the Bible says, concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, that
we are complete in Him—that is, we don't have need of anything in the spiritual realm in
the Lord Jesus. But how many Christians would remind you of somebody like that?
The Bible says, concerning those of us who are saved, we are overcomers. Most
believers I know are overcome; they are victims rather than victors. The Bible says that,
when we're saved, we have the peace that passeth understanding, and joy unspeakable
and full of glory. How many Christians would you say, I know a man, I know a woman, a
boy and a girl, a great deal of them that have peace that passeth understanding, that

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have joy unspeakable and full of glory? Jesus said, If you'll drink of the water that I will
give you, you will never thirst again. How many satisfied people in this congregation
would say, I am completely satisfied in the Lord Jesus? The Bible teaches in Romans
chapter 8—we're going to get to the first part of that chapter this morning—that in Christ
we are more than conquerors. Well, I wonder if we're conquerors at all. And we could
just go on and on and on and talk about what the Bible says we are, and then what
reality shows that we are.
Now, where's the problem? I mean, what about this contradiction? Do you think
you're right and the Bible is wrong? So what are we going to do—we're just going to
dumb down the Bible, are we just going to adjust the Bible, and lower the Bible to match
our lives? Incidentally, Easter is next Sunday. The bookstore manager told me in Florida
one time, said, Pastor, do you know what happened to me? Said, A lady came in here
and wanted to know if I had a lavender Bible. She said next Sunday was Easter, and
she was going to wear a lavender dress, and she wanted a Bible to match her dress.
Now, nothing really wrong with that, but I got to thinking how many of us want a Bible to
match our lives, don't we? We want to somehow bring the Bible down to our lives, rather
than bring our lives up to the Bible. The flag got out ahead of the regiment in a battle,
and the man said, Sergeant, the flag's out ahead of the regiment—Shall I bring it back?
He said, No, bring the regiment up to the flag. And that's what we need to do in our
Christian life. We need to bring our lives up to the standard that God has for us. The
truth of the matter is that we are all of these things that I just described. We are
overcomers; we do have peace that passeth understanding. Jesus Christ is made into
this wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. But somehow we need to
bring the regiment up to the flag, and we need not to make the Bible match our lives,
but to make our lives match the Bible.
Now, what is the key? What is the answer to this riddle, this problem? Well, you
need to understand there are two key words, and the first key thing that we're thinking
about is what God does—we'll call that provision. God has made provision for us. That's
one key word. But the other key word is appropriation. Now, God has made the
provision for us, but that provision does us no good until we appropriate what God has
done for us. That's the reason I've called this message Learning to Possess Your
Possessions.
I think I can illustrate what I'm talking about in the difference between provision and
appropriation. For example, behind me are these crosses. When Jesus Christ died on
the cross, represented by the center cross there, He died for the world. And the Bible
says, in 1 John chapter 2 and verse 2, that Jesus Christ is the propitiation for our sins—
that's a double-jointed word which means satisfaction. He's the satisfaction for our sins.
And not for ours only, but for the sin of the whole world. And, as we saw in the Passion

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Play, John the Baptist saw Jesus coming: "Behold, the Lamb of God that taketh away
the sin of the world!" Jesus died for the sin of the world. Yes, but is there still sin in the
world? Of course! Why? Because people have not appropriated what Jesus did on the
cross, right? They have not possessed their possessions. That's the reason the Bible
says, in John 3:18, "He that believeth on him is not condemned, but he that believeth
not is condemned already because he hath not believed." I mean provision has been
made, but he has not appropriated that which is his. See, provision on the one hand;
appropriation on the other hand.
Let me give you another example. Once you get saved—as we preached last
Sunday, remember?—the Bible says that we died with Christ. We are crucified with
Christ, that, when Jesus died, His death had our name on it. And so, the Bible teaches
clearly, in Colossians 3, verse 3, "For ye are dead, ye are dead and your life is hid with
Christ in God." Now, that is true about every mother's child who's saved. You are dead,
and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Jesus died, you died with Him. Well, that is
true—that's Colossians 3:3; but Colossians 3:5 says, "Mortify, therefore, your members,
which are upon the earth." The word mortify means put to death. Well, wait a minute—
wait a minute. Doesn't the Bible say we're already dead? Isn't that a contradiction? No!
What he's saying is, yes, technically, you are dead with Christ, but practically, you must
appropriate what you have in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Let me give you another example. I think you can understand this one. Remember
when the children of Israel came out of Egypt, they were going into Canaan, they were
coming out of the land of bondage into the land of blessing, and God told Joshua in
Joshua chapter 1—I love this—he said, Joshua, every place—every place—that the
sole of your foot shall tread upon,"—now, listen to this—"every place have I given you."
Not will I give it to you—I have already given it to you. Every place that you put your foot
down—it's yours, it's already yours, it's already yours. Now, it was theirs, but they had to
possess their possessions. God didn't say, If you put your foot on it, I will give it to you.
God said, I have given it to you. Now, go in and possess your possessions. Are you
following me, folks? Are you listening to me? Now, what I'm trying to tell you is that you
have so much that you have not yet possessed. There is God's provision, but there
must be your appropriation. And it doesn't matter what God has done for you—if you
don't appropriate it, it won't be yours.
I think I can give you one more illustration about what it means to possess your
possessions. How many of you—now, be honest with me—have books in your library at
home that you haven't read yet? Let me see your hands. That's most of us. You've got
books, but you haven't read them yet. Now, is that book yours? Well, yes. But you
haven't possessed your possessions. I mean, it's doing you no good. It is there—it's
your book; but you have not appropriated that which is yours. So remember, on the one

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hand, there is the word provision. On the other hand, there's the word appropriation.
Now, with that in mind, in Romans chapter 7, we're going to learn how to
appropriate; we're going to learn how to possess our possessions. Now, let's read in
Romans chapter 7, verse 1: "Know ye not, brethren, for I speak unto them that know the
law, how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman
which has an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth, but if the
husband be dead she's loosed from the law of her husband. So then, if while her
husband liveth she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress. But if
her husband be dead, she's free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she
be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the
law by the body of Christ, that ye should be married to another, even to him who is
raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God."
Good night, Pastor, what does that have to do with living victoriously? Why did Paul,
right in the middle of this passage, why does he start talking about marriage and divorce
and dying and remarrying? What on earth is this? Well, he's giving us an incredible
lesson, an object lesson, and I'm amazed at the genius of the apostle Paul—of course,
he did it by divine inspiration—as he gives this story. Here's the story of a woman who is
married to a man. Now, don't miss the analogy that Paul is making. That man's name,
we're going to call him Mr. Law—Mr. Law. She is married to Mr. Law. Now, you know
that the law of the Lord is perfect, and so, she is married to a perfect man. That leaves
out every other woman here today, except Joyce. She's married to a perfect man. Now,
you might think it would be wonderful to be married to a perfect man. She thinks, I've
got the catch; well, I've got the best guy; I am married to a man, a gentleman, named
Mr. Law. And she says, What a wonderful, noble husband I have, Mr. Law! And Mr. Law
is a very rigid man. Mr. Law has extremely high standards. And each day before Mr.
Law goes off to work, he tells his wife what to do. He says, Do this and this and this and
this. And he says, Don't do this, and don't do this, and don't do this. She says, Yes,
beloved husband, gives him a kiss. Her intentions are so good. She's going to obey him
and do everything that he tells her to do. But, in the course of the day, she finds out that
she did not do everything he told her to do, and there's some things he told her not to do
that she slipped up and did. When he comes home and checks up on her, he finds out
that she did not do everything that she was supposed to do, and she did some things
she was not supposed to do, and he scolds her, and she feels guilty over it. But she
says, I'll do better tomorrow. And he gives her instructions tomorrow: Do this, do this, do
this; and don't do that, don't do that, don't do that. She says, Yes, husband, you're so,
you're so wise, you're so strong, and everything you've told me to do is right. And then
when he comes home, she's failed again and again and again and again, and after a
while, she said, I'm sick of being married to him. I don't want to be married to a perfect

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man. I can't please him!
Like the woman who made up her mind one day she was going to please her
husband no matter what he said. But she said, Sweetheart, what would you like for
breakfast? He said, Eggs. She said, How would you like them fixed, sweetheart. He
said, I want one fried and one scrambled. She said, All right, went in the kitchen, and
fried an egg, and scrambled an egg, and put them on the table. He still had a pout. She
said, Now, what's wrong? He said, You scrambled the wrong egg. Now, there are some
people that you just can't please. And she couldn't please Mr. Law. And so, she says, I
wish I could get out of this thing, but I can't get out of it; I'm married to him, as long as
we live. I'm not free to go off and marry some other man. God's plan is not that way. I'm
stuck with this guy. And then, she says, Oh, wait a minute, though. I'll wait till he dies. I'll
wait till Mr. Law dies, and then, when Mr. Law dies, I'll be free. Because she'd been
looking at another man already. That man's name is Mr. Love. She says, I'm tired of Mr.
Law; I want to marry Mr. Love. But I can't marry Mr. Love because I'm already hooked
to Mr. Law. But I'll wait—when Mr. Law dies; but then it dawns on her, Mr. Law is not
going to die. This man has an iron constitution. As a matter of a fact, the Bible says
about him, "Till heaven and earth pass, not one jot or one tittle will fail from the law."
She says, He's not going to die! I am stuck with him. And then, she has an idea. Ah,
maybe he won't die, but maybe I'll die. Maybe I can die, and then, if I die, then I can be
married to Mr. Love. I know what you're thinking, how can a dead woman marry
anybody?
Well, here's a wonderful story. Here's what the apostle Paul is saying. Watch this,
now, in chapter 7—look in verse 4: "Wherefore my brethren, ye also are become dead
to the law,"—now, watch this—"by the body of Christ,"—he's talking now about the
death, burial, and resurrection of Christ—"that ye should be married to another, even to
him that is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." Is this getting
through? Is this not a great illustration? What Paul is saying is this: that, yes, by nature
we're married to the law, and the law makes demands upon us that we cannot meet, no
matter how hard we try. But when Jesus Christ died, we died with Him; we became
dead to the law by the body of Christ. His death had our name on it. His burial had our
name on it. His resurrection had our name on it. And we died with Him, we were buried
with Him, we are raised with Him, and we have a new life. And now, friend, we're the
bride of Christ—we're the bride of Christ. Isn't that a good analogy?

I. Learn Dying and Start Living

All right now, here's the first step, now, in possessing your possessions. Are you
ready for it? Learn dying and start living. That's not contradictory. Learn dying and start
living. You will never possess your possessions until you come to the end of your self.

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Remember this woman had to die. Now, you say, Well, I don't want to die, Pastor. Well,
I'm not being morbid. I didn't say just learn dying; I said learn dying, and start living—die
to the old ways. That's the reason Jesus Christ said, "If any man will come after me, let
him take up his cross." A cross is not for wearing around your neck; it's for dying on.
You die! We said only, it's the old man that dies; it's the old woman that dies, so that
you can become a new person. Jesus said, "Whosoever will save his life shall lose it,
but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall find it."
When we were little boys, we used to play finders keepers, losers weepers. Did you
ever play that? With Jesus, it's keepers weepers, losers finders. When you lose your life
for His sake and the gospel's, then you find it. You say, I'm sick and tired of the old life;
I'm sick and tired of trying; I'm sick and tired of trying to please the law. I can't do it,
Jesus. You died for me; I died with you; I come to the end of that old way. Learn dying,
and then you'll start living.
Now, I'll admit nobody wants to say, I want to die. You know, everybody wants to go
to heaven, but nobody wants to die, isn't that right? But you've got to go through
something to get to something. You have to go through something to get to something.
You have to go through death to get to heaven, and friend, you have to go through
death to yourself to get to the victorious life. The reason that so many of us are not filled
with the Spirit is, very frankly, we're so stuffed full of ourselves there's not room for the
Spirit. We have to come to the end of ourselves and learn dying—learn dying—so we
can start living. I am not being morbid. I am being joyful, because Jesus didn't say, I
have come that you might have death. Jesus said, "I have come that you might have
life, and have it abundantly"—but not until you're sick and tired of that old life, not until
you say, Yes, Jesus, because you died, I died with you, and, thank God, when you rose,
I rose with you.

II. Stop Trying and Start Trusting

So, we're talking about possessing your possessions. Number one, learn dying so
you can start living. Number two, second principle—you ready for it? Stop trying and
start trusting. Learn dying and start living. Stop trying and start trusting. Now, what the
apostle Paul is going to do right here is to give you his biography as an early Christian.
Begin now in verse 7, and look at verse 7: "What shall we say, then? Is the law sin?"
No, there's nothing wrong with Mr. Law. "God forbid. May I not known sin except but by
the law"—he kept telling me to do this and not to do that. And now I want you to notice
something very interesting. From chapter 7, verse 7 on through verse 24, there are
three words that stand out over and over and over again. One word that stands out
more than any other—and it's the shortest word, it is the little perpendicular pronoun I.
I've taken my Bible—I want to show you, Brother Bob—I've taken my Bible, and every

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place that the word I is, or me, or my, I've done in lavender. You see that, over forty
times. It looks like a polka dotted dress. I'm just going to read a little bit, and I want you
to listen to how many times he says I in verse 7: "What shall we say, then, is the law
sin? God forbid. May I have not known sin but by the law, for I have not known lust
except the law had said." Verse 9: "For I was alive and I died." Verse 10: "I found thee."
Verse 11: "deceived me and slew me." Verse 13: "me." Verse 14: "I am carnal." Verse
15: "that which I do I allow not, what I would, that I do not and what I hate, that I do." I, I,
I, I—forty times! He's talking about himself.
The next major word is the word law. That's used in this passage some twenty times.
Now, what is the key? It's Paul and the law. Now, he's already said, All right, I'm not
married to Mr. Love. Well wait a minute; let me tell you what happens to this woman.
She says, I can't please Mr. Law. Now, I'm married to Mr. Love; it's going to be
wonderful. Mr. Love is so kind. Mr. Love is so compassionate. Mr. Love is not rigid like
Mr. Law. Thank God I'm now married to Mr. Love. And then, do you know what happens
to her? She finds out that Mr. Love's requirements are higher than Mr. Law's
requirements. Mr. Law said, go a mile; Mr. Love says go two miles. Mr. Law said, "An
eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth"; Mr. Love says, "Love your enemies; do good to
them that persecute you." She said, Man, this is worse than before. I'm out of the frying
pan into the fire. I thought it was going to get better married to Mr. Love. And then, she
finds out—and here's what I want you to find out; here's what most of us don't
understand—that a lost man cannot keep the law of God, and neither can a saved man
by himself. Now, most of us don't understand that. We think when we get saved, boy, I
came down the aisle, I gave my heart to Jesus Christ, I got baptized up there in that
baptistry—I am saved, hallelujah. I won't sin any more; I'm married to Mr. Love. We go
along for a while, and then something happens, and that old flesh rises up. We do
something, say something, think something, and we say, Oh, I thought I was saved.
Where'd that come from? Oh, God, I'm sorry. Forgive me, Lord. I re-consecrate my life
to you. I'll never do that again, Lord. And we fall flat on our face. We get in a preaching
service, and the preacher will preach. We get under conviction; we'll say, I haven't been
the kind of a Christian I need to be and I ought to be, and we rededicate and re-
consecrate our lives. and we say, I will do better. And we fail again. I mean, have you
ever been there? I've been there. I think almost every new Christian has been there.
And then the devil—you know what the devil does? Boy, you've got a real buddy in the
devil. If you were in quicksand, he'd pat you on the head. The devil comes to you, and
the devil says to you, Well, maybe you weren't saved at all; maybe you don't have the
real thing. But anyway, don't go down there to Bellevue and be a hypocrite. Don't sit
there and sing, because you know what a rotten life you're living. Why don't you just lay
out of church? Why don't you just stop going for a while? Maybe you could never be like

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those other people. And you find out that you don't have what it takes.
Now, folks, I'm telling you that a lost man cannot keep the law of God, and I'm telling
you also that a saved man cannot keep the law of God, in his own strength. Here's what
Paul found out—look in verse 18: "For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no
good thing; for to will is present with me but how to perform that which I, which is good, I
find not." You been there? Every one of us has. I want to serve God, I delight in the law
of God in the inward man; but I find another law present in me. Now, there are two laws
that I want you to look at here, beginning in verse 21—and folks, listen—we are just
hitting the top; we're skimming the surface. Listen. Here's Paul's testimony now as a
young carnal Christian: "I find, then, a law, that when I would do good, evil is present
with me." Anybody say, Been there, done that”—let me see your hand? I find a law, that
when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the
inward man." Paul wasn't a hypocrite; he loved God in his heart. He did: "But I see
another law warring in my members against the law of my mind," the law of his mind
was the love that he had for God. But there's another war in his members—his eyes, his
ears, his tongue—"a war bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my
members." So Paul says there are two laws. First of all, there is the law of sin. You
know what the law of sin is? The law of sin is the law that makes you do what you do.
You are a sinner; there is a principle that's in you and in me, and it's called the flesh,
and every one of us has it; there's not a one of us that does not have it; it's working in
us. I don't care how pious you look, and how nice you look, you have in you a law, a
predisposition, called the law of sin. It's like the law of gravity; it's working all the time.
You may not be aware of the law of gravity right now, but if it weren't for that, you
wouldn't be held on that seat right now, and you'd go spinning off this earth. The law of
gravity is that downward pull. That's what happens to us as we get older; that's the law
of gravity. And if you really get sick, it really takes over. You won't be able to navigate,
you'll get down flat, and if you die, it'll take over completely; you'll just keep on going
down and down and down. That is the law of gravity. And so, there are two sins, two
laws, that are working constantly in you.
Now, what did Paul discover? Well, he came to the place where he was almost
brokenhearted. And he says in verse 24—now, here's the man who's no longer married
to Mr. Law, he's married to Mr. Love, and he says, "Oh, wretched man that I am! Who
shall deliver me from the body of this death?" Well, there's the question—and, thank
God, he gives the answer in verse 25: "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord." That
is, deliverance comes through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now, let me tell you what this woman discovered who married Mr. Law. Are you
following me? Am I just up here talking? Is it making sense? You nod your head—make
me feel good anyway. Now, listen. This is a little complicated, but it's worth it, folks;

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don't check me out. Now, listen. You learn dying so you can start living. You stop trying
and start trusting. Now, the way that you live the victorious life is not by trying. It is not
you and the law, but God has provided a victory for you, and that victory is with the new
person that you're married to—that's Jesus Christ. Now, let's go back. This Mr. Love
says, go two miles. Mr. Love says, do this, and do this, and do this. But you know what
she discovers? They now have a joint banking account. Do you know what she also
discovers? That everything Mr. Love tells her to do, he just turns around and does it
with her or for her. She says, This is wonderful. He says, I want the bed made this way.
And he says, Come, I'll show you how to do it; I'll help you to do it. He puts his hands on
her hands, and he guides her, and everything she needs, every demand—oh, listen to
me, precious friend—every demand of God upon your life is a demand on the Jesus
Christ who lives in you. That was a good place for an Amen. Why, I'll give you another
chance. Every demand upon your life is a demand upon Jesus who lives in you, okay?
Now, you see, listen. You can't do it. The sooner you throw up your hands and you say,
Oh, wretched man that I am; who shall deliver me from this dead body? And then hear
the answer. I thank God deliverance comes through Jesus Christ.
Now, I want to show you something else, and we're running out of time, so listen in a
hurry. Now, look in chapter 8. Notice how he says in verse 25, "I thank God through
Jesus Christ our Lord. So then, with the mind, I myself serve the law of God, but with
the flesh, the law of sin." But now, notice the change beginning in verse 8: "There is
therefore no condemnation to those who in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the
flesh,"—that is the old nature—"but after the Spirit." And now, here's a new word that
you're going to find out. In chapter 7, from 7:24, the Spirit is not mentioned at all. But
now, notice the change, the atmosphere in verse 8: "There is now no condemnation to
them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit, for the
Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." And then,
notice in verse 4: "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not
after the flesh but after the Spirit." Look down in verse 9: "For ye are not in the flesh but
in the Spirit. It shall be that the Spirit of God dwell in you, and if any man have not the
Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." So therefore, how do you live the Christian life?
Friend, it is the Holy Spirit of God in you: "The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has
made me free from the law of sin and death."
Now, remember there's the law of sin and death. There's the law of God, the
righteous law of Moses; but there's another law—another law. Listen to me now. In
Romans chapter 8, "The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from
the law of sin and death." Now, let me illustrate that to you. Have you ever seen an
airplane, a big one? Of course you have. Matter of fact, I was reading the other day in a
magazine where they're building now an airplane—I'm talking about a commercial

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airliner—that will seat one thousand people and carry their luggage. One thousand
people—that is a monster airplane. You'd think it'd never get off the ground because
what holds it to a ground is a law; it's called the law of gravity. But there's another law,
and that is the law of aerodynamics. And somehow the wind flowing over those wings
gives a lift to that thing, and you can get on that thing—it weighs tons and tons and tons,
but there's another power that is greater than the law of gravity, and lifts that monster off
the ground. Now, the downward pull in your life is like gravity, but there's a new law—it's
the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus: "Unto those who walk not after the flesh but
after the Spirit." When you say, Oh, God, I can't, you never said I could; but oh, God,
you can, and you always said you would; and now, Lord, I stop trying, and I start
trusting. And when you stop trying, and when you bow your head, and say, I can't—oh,
wretched man that I am, I can't do it—then, Lord, I trust you, then, at that time, the law
of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus makes you free from the law of sin and death.

III. Quit Crying and Start Praising

I'll just tell you the third point, because time is gone. Learn dying and start living.
Stop trying and start trusting. The third law is quit crying and start praising. Oh,
wretched man that I am—that's verse 24—will quit that crying and start praising. I thank
God through Jesus Christ. Begin to say, God, you didn't save me to have me to live a
failing life. Lord, you saved me that I might live a victorious life. And Lord, you have
given all of this to me. And now, by your grace, and for your glory, I, Lord, am going to
possess my possessions. Do you know what? Look at this crowd this morning. What
would happen if everyone of us in Christ were to really lay hold of our possessions and
not bring the flag back to the regiment, but bring the regiment up to the flag? Not to get
a Bible that will match our lives, but let our lives match the Bible.

Conclusion
Let me show you something and I'm going to give an invitation. Everything I've said
today is for Christians, believers. This is not for an unbeliever. No unbeliever can live a
victorious life. No unbeliever can have the Spirit of God in him. You've got to be saved—
you've got to be saved. And, to be saved, you must receive the gift of salvation, the Lord
Jesus Christ. Pastor, would Jesus save me this morning? Oh, yes, He will. Pastor, are
you certain? I'll tell you how certain I am. If you were to come to Jesus in repentance
and faith, and ask Him to save you, and He didn't save you, I would close my Bible and
never preach again. I am telling you—you listen to me. He will save you today, and He'll
keep you saved, if you trust Him. For the Bible says, "For whosoever shall call upon the
name of the Lord shall be saved."
Would you bow your heads in prayer? Heads are bowed; eyes are closed. And if you

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need Jesus, I want you to pray this prayer: Lord Jesus, I need you. I'm tired of struggling
and failing. I need to be saved. Thank you, Jesus, that you paid for my sin with your
blood on the cross. My sin deserves judgment, but I need mercy. Have mercy on me.
Forgive my sin. Take control of my life. Save me, Lord Jesus. Pray that from your heart:
Save me, Lord Jesus. Did you ask Him? Then, pray this way. Thank you for saving me,
Jesus. I believe that you have. I've receive it by faith like a child. Now, Lord Jesus, I'll
make it public. Tell Him that right now: I'll make it public. I'll not be ashamed of you,
because you died for me. In your name I pray. Amen.

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 The Grace, the Groan,
and the Glory
By Adrian Rogers
Date Preached: Novermber 16, 1980

Main Scripture Text: Romans 8

Sponsored by: Sponsor
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy
to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
ROMANS 8:18

Outline
Introduction  
I. The Grace We Experience
A. There Is No More Condemnation for Sin
B. There Is No Control by Sin
C. There Need Not Be Any Continuation in Sin
II. The Groanings We Endure
A. The Groaning of Creation
B. The Groaning of the Christian
C. The Groaning of the Comforter
III. The Glory We Expect
A. We Are Predestined for Glory
B. We Are Preserved for Glory
Conclusion  

Introduction
Now I want you to turn to that eighth chapter of the Book of Romans.I want us to look at
it because, as I was studying the other day, three words came to my mind. The first
word is the word grace. The second word is the word groan. And the third word is the
word glory. And I want us to think today on this subject, “The Grace, the Groan, and the
Glory.” The grace we experience, the groans we endure, and the glory we expect. I
believe all of those are found here in the eighth chapter of Romans. And, of course, we
could preach a year from this one chapter. And we’re just going to give an overview
today, because I want you to pick up this wonderful strand of truth that’s found here in
Romans 8. What a wonderful, wonderful book it is. And it deals with God’s remedy and
God’s anecdote for man’s sin.
I know you were horrified, as I was horrified, to read in our daily newspaper the other

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day the story of a pet python, and eight-foot snake, that slithered out of an aquarium
and into the bedroom of a little infant baby and wrapped itself around that baby and
squeezed the life out of that infant. And I had intended maybe even to read that story.
But then, as I read it over several times, it was too horrible to read, and I really don’t
want to read it. But just to bring it up, and I know it’s a horrible story, but, you know, sin
is a horrible thing. And as I read that story, I thought, How much like sin that serpent is.
Even when you say the word sin, you can hear the hiss of the serpent. It, it was a
serpent that first introduced sin into the world and Satan as he took upon him that form
of a serpent. But I thought, Here’s something that this family had taken as a pet,
something to admire, something to feed, something to stroke and coddle that had
crushed and squeezed the life out of something they held to be so much more dear and
of greater worth. Sin is like that. Sin is like that. Oh, so many times we think that these
sins are so harmless or so beautiful or so tantalizing, but they will squeeze and crush
the life out of the things that we hold the nearest and the dearest. The wages of sin is
death. And I thank God, however, that Romans chapter eight tells us of God’s
marvelous, wonderful remedy and God’s dealing with this thing called sin.

I. The Grace We Experience

So, first of all, I want you to notice with me the grace we experience and as God
deals with our sin. And as we’re thinking about the grace that we experience, I want you
to notice three things that God says about our sin in these first several verses of
Romans 8. First of all, He tells us there’s no more condemnation for sin. Secondly, He
tells us there need be no more control by sin. And, thirdly, He tells us there need to be
no more, ah, continuation in sin. I want you to see if that’s not true, if that’s not what
Paul is telling us here.
A. There Is No More Condemnation for Sin
First of all, there’s no more condemnation for sin. Look in Romans chapter 8 and
verse 1: “There is therefore now no condemnation, no judgment, to them which are in
Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Now the word
condemnation means judgment. Praise God, I’ll never be condemned because I’m in
Christ Jesus. Jesus said, “He that believeth in Me shall never parish, perish.” “There is
therefore now no condemnation…” Ah, I have passed from death unto life because I
have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. I’ll never face the judgment for my sins.
You know, sometimes I hear people say, they pray something like this: “Well, Lord,
grant that one day we may stand before Thy great white throne.” Well, friend, don’t pray
that prayer for me, and don’t pray it for you if you have any sense. Those who stand
before the great white throne are those who are going to face condemnation and
judgment. My judgment’s already passed. My judgment took place two thousand years

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ago at Calvary. Jesus died for me. And I’m in Christ. And since He took my debt, and
I’m in Him, there is therefore now no condemnation. For me to ever be judged for my sin
would be to place me in double jeopardy. It would be like for a man to be adjudicated
guilty to pay the full price for his crime and then to be hauled into court again. God will
never demand payment twice for my sin. I am in Christ Jesus.
But, listen, that phrase, “in Christ Jesus” is so hard to get hold of. And, you know,
sometimes we read things like, “There’s therefore now no condemnation to them which
are in Christ Jesus, “ and we just pass over the phrase, “in Christ Jesus,” ah, so easily,
so glibly. We just pass over it. But what does it mean to be in Christ Jesus? I thank God
that the best book of illustrations for preaching is the Bible itself. And one of the
illustrations of what it means to be in Christ Jesus is Noah’s ark.
Simon Peter told us that that ark was a type, that is, an Old Testament picture, a
prophesy, of the Lord Jesus Christ. What did it mean for Noah to be in the ark? You
remember the ark was prepared. And God said to Noah, “Noah, come thou into the ark.”
Now He didn’t say, “Noah, go into the ark.” He said, “Noah, come into the ark.” Aren’t
you glad He said, “Noah, come into the ark?” Why? Because that meant God was in
there. If, if He had said, “Noah, go into the ark,” that meant God’s out here. You go in
there. But when He said, “Come into the ark,” that means, “Noah, you come in here
where I am.” God was in the ark, and God said to Noah, “Noah, come into the ark.” And
then, the Bible says, and you remember the story in Genesis chapter 7, how God shut
him in. God sealed the door. Now that is a picture of our coming into the Lord Jesus
Christ and being sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, as the Bible tells us in the Book of
Ephesians. Now Noah was shut in and the water was shut out. But here’s the
interesting thing. What did that water represent? That water represented the judgment
of God, for judgment was being poured out upon that world.
But when the ark was built, God gave these instructions to Noah: He said, “Noah, I
want you to put pitch on the outside and on the inside of the ark. Pitch it within and
without. Now this was a thick, gummy, tar-like substance that was to make the wa, the
ark waterproof. And the pitch was put on the outside and the pitch was put on the
inside. That’s the he, two, Hebrew word kaphar. And it is translated other places in the
Bible, atonement. Now that’s not by accident because, you see, the pitch was a
covering and atonement is a covering. The atonement is a covering for our sin, just like
that pitch was a covering for that ark. Now what was the pitch there for? It was to keep
the water out. And what was the water? It was God’s judgment. And where was Noah?
On the in, inside of that ark. Now do you get the picture? Do you get the picture, dear
friend, that while the raging water of God’s wrath beat furiously upon that ark, not one
drop of that judgment came through to Noah because he was on the inside.
And that’s exactly the way we are in the Lord Jesus Christ. We’re in Christ, and

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God’s wrath fell upon Him. But we are safe because He is our atonement within and
without, pitched within and without. Be of sin, the double cure, save from wrath and
make me pure. Oh, that’s so exciting to be in Christ Jesus. You know, sometimes we
stumble. Sometimes we fall, just like the little lady saying, “For it’s just a, a while
back????.” But, thank God, Noah may have fallen down many times in that ark, but he
never fell out of it, amen? He couldn’t fall out. And, and the water couldn’t get to him,
and the judgment couldn’t get to him because he was in that ark. Now that’s a very
good picture of what it means to be in Christ Jesus. No condemnation, no judgment can
get through.
B. There Is No Control by Sin
Now, secondly, not only is there no condemnation for sin, but there is no control by
sin. Look, if you will, in verse 2: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath
made me free fro the law of sin and death.” There are two laws that are in operation in
the world. There’s the law of the Spirit of life, and there’s the law of sin and death. And
either of those laws, one of those laws is working in you right now. Either the law of the
Spirit of life or the law of sin and death. Now that’s another hard concept to get to, and
I’ve tried to find a way to illustrate that so you could understand what he’s talking about.
Think of the law of sin and death. Like the law of gravity, the law of sin and death is
that downward pull in our nature. Do you ever feel a downward pull? Do you ever feel a
tendency to do wrong? Nod your head. Don’t look so holy. Of course, you have. Of
course, you have. We, we sing about it. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; prone to leave
the God I love. There is that constant downward pull. That is the law of sin and death.
It’s like the law of gravity, and the law of gravity operates at all times.
But there are some other laws in physics. For example, when I was making the
notes for this sermon, I was on an airplane coming back from, ah, Michigan. I, I left, ah,
the other day in Marquette, Michigan. I was up there speaking at their convention in a
snowstorm. And, and I came down here. Well, I was sitting on an airplane. I said, “Lord,
I need an illustration for this.” And the Lord said, “Well, the law of the Spirit of life is like
the law of aerodynamics.” Now that airplane – here it is – several tons, flying along in
the air. I was sitting there very comfortable, very safe, because I was in that airplane
again, like Noah was in the ark, and there was another law. Now the law of gravity had
not ceased to operate, but there was another law, a stronger law, a greater law that was
keeping me aloft and keeping me in flight. It was the law, for want of a better word, I’ll
call the law of aerodynamic. And here I am just flying along. And there’s that downward
pull, but, thank God, there was that upward thrust that kept me from falling. Now that’s
the law that’s in you, dear friend, when you receive the Lord Jesus Christ. God cancels
out, well, not really cancels out, but overcomes that old law of sin and death.
Now, you say, “Well, why, then, do Christians sin?” Because sometimes they

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willingly choose to step out of the control of that new law of the Spirit of life in Christ.
Now suppose I said about that airplane, “You know, it’s a little stuffy in here. I think I’ll
step outside.” Well, I wouldn’t, ah, break the law of gravity; I’d demonstrate it, amen?
Because the law of gravity is still there. There is that downward pull. And anytime you
consciously, knowingly, willingly step outside the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus,
that old law takes over. But listen to what Paul is telling us. There is no condemnation
for sin. There need be no control by sin, because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ
hath made me free from that downward pull, that law of sin and death.
C. There Need Not Be Any Continuation in Sin
And, thirdly, therefore, there need be no continuance in sin. Continue to read now in
verse 3: “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh…” Now
that doesn’t mean there was anything wrong with the law. It just means that our old
human flesh can’t keep the law. “…God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful
flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.” Now Jesus did not come to condemn the
sinner, but He did come to condemn sin in the flesh.
Now how did Jesus, in the flesh, condemn sin in the flesh? You know, the more
liberal people get, the, ah, the more, the further they get away from the truth of God’s
Word, the less they make of the death of Jesus and the more they make of His beautiful
life. The liberals make a lot of the life of Jesus. They talk about the peasant from
Galilee, the humble man of Nazareth. They talk about Jesus and the, the Sermon on the
Mount, and all of these things. And they say, “Now, if we could just be more like Him.”
Dear friend, that is sheer foolishness if that’s all the further it goes. Some of these more
liberal denominations have even gone through the hymnals and taken out the songs
concerning the blood of Jesus. Did you know that? Why, they would be appalled for us
to stand and sing, “There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s vein,
and sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.” They would be
repugnant at, “There’s power, power, wonder-working power in the precious blood of
the Lamb.” They don’t like to think about that. They call that a slaughter-house religion.
But I want to tell you the Bible says, “Without the shedding of blood is no remission of
sins.” And the Bible tells us here that His life in the flesh did not save us. His life in the
flesh condemns us. He condemned the sin in the flesh. What does that mean? It means
that His sinless, spotless life tells us how rotten ours is when we put our lives alongside
of His. And we might brag about our goodness until we measure ourselves by Him.
I heard of a woman who was very proud of her wash, and she lorded it over all the
ladies in her neighborhood how clean and how white her sheets were when she hung
them out. But one day, she hung out her wash and then it snowed. And she looked at
those dingy, grey sheets silhouetted against God’s snow, and she said, “What can a
poor woman do in contrast to God’s snow?”

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 Oh, dear friend, when we see our lives in comparison to His life, our so-called
goodness becomes badness. And so He condemns sin in the flesh by His very life.
That’s what He’s saying here in verse 3. Remember this: Pay attention. The Bible says,
look at it now. “…God sending his Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin…” Now
what does that mean, “for sin?” That means that He died on the cross. God
commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
For sin. He condemns sin in the flesh. That “for sin” means that He died on the cross for
us. And salvation, mister, who’s trying to work your way to heaven; lady, who thinks
you’re going to get by by your culture and your religion and all of the rest of it, let me tell
you something. Salvation does not come by learning lessons from the life of Christ.
Salvation comes by receiving life from the death of Christ. Now understand it. Not
learning lessons about the life of Christ, but receiving life from the death of Christ. Christ
condemns sin in the flesh. And, therefore, He died for sin, that we might live through
Him. But what, what am I trying to say? I’m saying that there need be no more
continuance in sin, for look at verse 4 now. “That the righteousness of the law might be
fulfilled (now slow up, way up right now and come to a complete stop), That the
righteous, that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled (what’s that next little
word? What is it? Say it out loud), in, in us…” This righteousness is not fulfilled by us. It
is fulfilled in us because, learned people, not only are we in Christ, but, bless God, He’s
in us. That’s great! That’s exciting! You see, the life I live I live by the faith of the Son of
God who loved me and gave Himself for me, and it is not I, but Christ, that liveth in me.
And the righteousness. Any righteousness that Adrian Rogers does that amounts to
anything is Christ in me. The righteousness of the law is not fulfilled by me. It is fulfilled
in me.
And because of these three marvelous things about the grace of God, there’s no
condemnation for sin because Christ took my judgment. No control by sin, for the law of
the Spirit of life hath made me free from the law of sin and death. And, therefore, no
continuance in sin because Christ is in me, and the righteousness of the law is being
fulfilled – not by me, but in me. Friend, this matter of being a Christian is a supernatural
thing. It is not trying harder. It is trusting Christ and being born again so that He gives
you this new, wonderful, glorious life. And so that’s what I want us to see as we look,
first of all, at the grace we experience.

II. The Groanings We Endure

But now, secondly, let’s move on to something else. Begin in verse 18, if you will,
and I wish I had time just to go verse by verse, but I’m going to have to skip to verse 18.
Paul says, “For I reckon…” And, by the way, that word reckon is a bookkeep, a
bookkeeping term. Paul had been balancing his books, and he says, “For I reckon that

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the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall
be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature…” Now for the word
creature you might put down in your margin the word creation, and some of you have
translations that read creation, which is a better translation, talking about all of God’s
created world. “For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the manifestation
of the sons of God.” In plain English, that means that all of nature is waiting for Jesus to
come again. “And for the creature, or the creation, was made subject to vanity, not
willingly…” In other words, the, the creation didn’t do anything wrong. “…but by reason
of him who hath subjected the same in hope. Because the creation itself also shall be
delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”
Now here comes our word. “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and
travaileth in pain together until now.”
A. The Groaning of Creation
The whole creation groans. All nature is living in a minor key. And if you look around,
dear friend, and, ah, if you look past just the sunshine and the bluebirds and the flowers,
if you look closely enough, you’ll find that all creation has a curse on it. The mineral
kingdom, the animal kingdom, the vegetable kingdom. Cursed is the ground for thy
sake. Cursed are the animals, and all are cursed because of sin. And look around you
and what do you see? Moan and groan and pain and pang and sighing and crying and
dying. And the foul breath of decay and the gnawing tooth of time and the mossy fingers
of corruption are just pulling everything apart. Oh, you say, “Brother Rogers, how
gloomy for a Sunday morning.” But it’s true. It is true. Dear friend, all of creation has a
curse on it. There’s something wrong. The Bible calls it in these verses the bondage of
corruption, the bondage of corruption. And what Darwin might have called the survival
of the fittest is really nothing more than creation in bondage. It is tooth and claw and
fang and death that marks everything. All of creation is out of whack. And verse 20 calls
it vanity, vanity.
Now what does that word vanity mean? It literally means that that’s not the way God
intended for it to be. That was not its original intention. That’s really what the word
means. And so these things have become subject to vanity in verse 20 is what we read.
But, but the Bible tells us that, ah, it wasn’t the creation’s fault. It was Adam’s fault.
Adam sinned, or the birds, the bees, the trees, and the fleas didn’t sin; Adam sinned.
And so the creation is made subject to vanity. That is, it is not fulfilling its original
purpose. But one day it will be. One day the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the
glory of the Lord as waters that cover the sea. One day, dear friend, the desert will
blossom as a rose. One day the lamb and the lion will lie down together. One day there
will be peace in the valley for you and for me. That’s in the millennial reign of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ that is coming. But there is the groaning of creation.

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 B. The Groaning of the Christian
But now, wait a minute. There are three groanings that are mentioned. I want to give
them to you now so you’ll not miss them. There is the groaning of the creation. There is
the groaning of the Christian. And there is the groaning of the Comforter. I want you to
see all three. We’ve just talked about the groaning of the creation. Now I want you to
notice the second groaning, the groaning of the Christian. Notice, if you will, in verse
23: “And not only they (that is, not only the creatures), but ourselves also, which have
the first-fruits of the Spirit (that is, those of us who are born again), even we ourselves
groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” We
Christians groan. Now, folks, pay attention to your pastor. More, more importantly, pay
attention to the Word of God because if you don’t, the devil’s going to pull the rug out
from underneath you. Are you ready for this? You’re going to suffer (noise). That’s it!
You’re going to suffer. And if you think getting saved is going to excuse you from
suffering, you’re wrong. You’re going to suffer. We ourselves, which have been born
again, we groan within ourselves. You say, “Well, if that’s the case, I’ll not get saved.”
Okay, don’t get saved. I’ve got news for you. You’re going to suffer. Saved or lost
makes no difference, no difference. Man that is born of woman is full of trouble. It’s a
part of our experience. There is no way out you’ll never find. Jesus said, “In this world,
ye shall have tribulation.” Peter said, “Think it not strange concerning the fiery trials that
come upon you as though some strange thing happened unto you.” And you can be
right with God, living, walking in the Spirit, and you have the first-fruits of the Spirit, but
you’re going to groan within yourselves. The Spanish have a proverb, “There is no
home without its hush.” I’m not trying to be morbid. I’m just trying to be realistic. And if
you’ve lived very long, you’re already saying amen to what I’m saying ‘cause you know
it’s true. You know it is true. It’s not altogether bad. Why do Christians suffer? Because
we are a part of this creation. We’re caught up in it. We live in it. We eat and breathe
and, and, and drink the germs that all around us as a part of a corrupted creation. We
live in a world where what someone else does affects us, and we ourselves have the
seeds of, of death in our body. And so we groan, too. There is the groaning of the
Christian. But, wait a minute. I don’t mean to be morbid. This is not morbid, so let’s just
go on and look at it here, for the Bible says, ah, in verse 23 that we groan, but we’re
“…waiting the redemption of our body.” And verse 44, 24 says, “Therefore, we are
saved by hope…” Now you say, “Wait a minute. I thought we were saved by grace
through faith and now it says we’re saved by hope.” Ha. Well, the salvation he’s talking
about here is not the salvation of our souls. It’s the salvation of our body. The, the
redemption of the body is what he’s talking about here, not the redemption of the spirit.
And it is that blessed hope that’s going to redeem the body. You see, look.
When I got saved, I was immediately justified in my spirit. I’m being progressively

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sanctified in my body. I will be ultimately glorified…. I’m, I’m progressively sanctified in
my soul. I will be ultimately glorified in my body, you see. Ah, I’ve got a blessed hope.
You know, I was down in Florida, ah, on my vacation this past August, and a man
talked to me; incidentally, he lives in Memphis and we met there. He’s not a member of
this church. He watches sometimes on television. Was very nice to say some nice
things. But he said, “I’d like to say a word of advise to you and other preachers.” I said,
“What is that?” He said, “When you come to a funeral, or so forth,” he said, “don’t talk
about hope. Talk about certainty.” He said, “I hear these preachers talk about the
believer’s hope.” Well, friend, he didn’t understand how the Bible uses the word hope.
When the Bible uses the word hope, it means certainty. It doesn’t mean uncertainty. A
hope in the Bible is not something that might happen, like a woman gets a hope chest
so she can get married, perhaps. You know, puts all those goodies in it. That’s not what
we’re talking about at all. When the Bible use, talks about the blessed hope, it means
the blessed certainty. Jesus is coming again. But it means, listen, more than a certainty,
it means a glad certainty. If, when I was a kid, my dad said, “I’m going to whip you this
afternoon,” and you were to ask me, “Is your Dad going to whip you?” I’d say, “I know
so,” but I wouldn’t say, “I hope so.”
Now, look. What I’m trying to say is this is a hope means something that we know is
going to happen and we can hardly wait for it to get here. We are saved by that hope.
And are you groaning? Are you moaning? Are you feeling pain, heartache,
disappointments, sorrow? Are you? Then, why don’t you pray with the apostle John,
“Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” That is the Christian’s hope.
That’s our way out. You know, sometimes we have it so streamlined, air-conditioned,
upholstered, everything is so fine that we’re not yearning, learning, and, and pleading
for the second coming of Jesus. You let us go through a little more difficulty and
perhaps that blessed hope will become as blessed to you as it was to those early
Christians, huh? Okay. There is that blessed hope.
C. The Groaning of the Comforter
All right, so there is the groaning of creation, number one. Number two: There’s the
groaning of the Christian, because we’re part of that creation. But not only the groaning
of creation and the groaning of the Christian - thirdly, there is the groaning, thank God,
of the Comforter. Now notice, if you will, please, ah, as we continue to read in verses
26 and following. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what
we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself (should be translated “but the Spirit
Himself” maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” There’s
the third time he uses groanings. Now here’s the groaning of the Comforter.
Now why do I call the Holy Spirit the Comforter? Because that’s what Jesus called
Him, the Comforter. It’s the Greek word paraclete, and it means one who is called

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alongside of you to help your weaknesses, just as a doctor stands beside your sick bed,
just as a lawyer stands beside you in a courtroom, just as a fireman may stand beside
you when your house is burning to help you. The Holy Spirit is the one given of God
who stands alongside of us in our weakness, in our infirmities, when our heart is
breaking, when a body is aching. He is there, and He prays and He intercedes and He
helps, because God knows that we need something to stand between the grace and the
glory to help us through the groanings. And He’s given us that dear Holy Spirit of God
who is in us and who takes help alongside of us and just helps us and, and prays for us.
I like the way Phillips’ translation gives this verse. Let me give it to you from Phillips’
translation. “His Spirit within us is actually praying for us in those longing, agonizings
which never find words.” Oh, dear friend, He is the one who is making intercession for
you and through you to the Father. Thank God for that.

III. The Glory We Expect

And so, are you following our, our line of thought? First of all, there’s the grace we
experience. And then, there are the groanings we endure. But there’s something more
wonderful yet coming. There’s the glory that we expect.
Now I want you to back up with me to verse 18 and I want to get that verse and then
come back down right where we are. But look in verse 18 again because that’s the first
verse that mentions this glory, I believe, or one of the first. “For I reckon that the
sufferings of this present time (that’s the groaning) are not worthy to be compared with
the glory which shall be revealed in us.” And now skip on down to verse, ah, 28, excuse
me, ah, skip on down to, yeah, 28: “And we know that all things work together for good
to them that love God, and to them that are the called according to his purpose. For
whom he did foreknow (are you ready to get theological? Okay. Put on your theological
thinking cap), for whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to
the image of his Son, that he (Jesus) might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he
also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” There’s our glory again, the
glory that’s not even worthy to be compared with the sufferings that we, ah, have right
now.
A. We Are Predestined for Glory
Friend, listen. We are going to glory. Two reasons: Number one: We are
predestined for glory. Number two: We are preserved for glory. Are you ready?
We’re predestined for glory. Now I’m not all sure what all predestination means. I know
it doesn’t mean what some people think it means, that whatever is going to happen is
going to happen, and whatever you do about it makes no difference. If I believed that, I
wouldn’t look both ways when I cross the street. I’m not like that little old lady who

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believed that kind of predestination, fell down the cellar store, ah, stairs, got up and
brushed herself off, and said, “I’m glad that’s over with.” Now I don’t, I don’t believe that.
But I do believe that God in His foreknowledge has set His affection upon us. And
because He set His affection upon us, He calls us. Because, because He calls us, He
justifies us. And, and, ah, He, He predestinates us and then He calls us and then He
justifies us. But now, wait a minute. I don’t have time to go through all of that, but, but
just start reading with me again at the last part of verse 30. Now watch it. “….them he
also called (that’s the Holy Spirit saying ‘You belong to Me.’), and, and, ah, whom He
called, them He justified (that’s when you got saved), and whom He justified, them He
also will glorify.” Did I read that right? No. Make me say it right. Don’t let me pull
anything fast on you. Ha, ha. “…them he justify, ah, and whom He justified, them He
also (what?) glorified.” Not will glorify. Friend, it’s already done. Ha, ha.
Now listen. If you’re one of God’s called ones, if you’re one of God’s justified ones, if
you’re one of God’s predestined ones, you’re already glorified in the heart and mind of
God. God lives in eternity, and God says, “It’s as good as done - your glorification.”
Friend, you don’t have to wait till you die to see if you’re going to heaven. God says
you’re already glorified. Did, did that sink in? I mean, are you getting that? You are
already glorified in the heart and mind of God. And, friend, what has been settled in
eternity can never be undone in time. That’s why you have to believe in the eternal
security of the believer. What has been decreed by heaven can never be set aside by
hell. I can’t see how anybody could read this and not believe in the security of the
believer. We are predestined for glory. Whatever else it means, dear friend, it means
that in the heart and mind of God it is DONE, done, done. It is finished. Hallelujah.
That’s a wonderful salvation, isn’t it? I mean, it is, folks. You believe that and you
understand, that’ll make you want to get up and walk around a little bit. Kind of maybe
lift your hands and say, “Hallelujah. Praise the Lord.” What a wonderful salvation we
have in the Lord Jesus.
But now, watch. Not only are we, oh-oh, I just looked at the watch when I said watch.
Okay, we’re going to say goodbye to our television audience. Let me say to our
television audience, let me say to you we’re delighted that you’re watching. I’ll do better
next week. And if you want to be saved, if you want to be a part of this wonderful
salvation, experience this grace of God that’ll help you through the groans, I want you to
call the number given to you on the television screen. Somebody’s standing right by
right now to pray with you and to lead you to Jesus. You just call that number that’s
given to you. And just call the church number. I hope they’ll be able to flash it up on the
screen for you before we go off the air. If not, look it up in the phone book and call us.
We’ll be standing by to pray with you.

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 B. We Are Preserved for Glory
Now, friends, not only are we predestined for glory, but we are also preserved for
glory. Look, if you will, now in verse 31 and following. The Bible says here, “What shall
we say then to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared
not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely
give us all things?” Now watch verse 33: “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s
elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea
rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh
intercession for us.” You know what that means? It means now fault can defile us. No
fault can defile us. I may sin, and I do sin, and you sin, but, you know, that sin is never
written up on my account in heaven. The Bible says, “Who shall lay anything to the
charge of God’s elect?” I’m one of God’s elect. And when I sin, God may carry me to
the woodshed, but on His record in heaven not one entry is ever made. Did you know
that? The Bible says, “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” It
doesn’t mean you can sin and stay out of the woodshed. He’ll beat the tar out of you,
friend. If, if you sin, listen. “Whom the Lord loves, He chastens…” But it does mean
there’s never a charge written against you. There’s no fault that can defile you.
Secondly, look at it, there is no foe that can destroy you. Look in verse, ah, ah, 35:
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ all tribulation, or distress, or persecution,
or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all
the day long; we’re counted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are
more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Now he mentions seven enemies and
they can’t destroy us. All seven of them tried to destroyed the apostle Paul, and Paul
knew from experience there is no foe that can destroy us. You know, these enemies of
the Christian don’t drive him from the Lord; they drive him to the Lord, amen. Bring him
closer if he’s a real Christian. And we’re more than conquerors, super conquerors. But
there’s no fault that can defile us. There’s no foe that can destroy us.
And, therefore, there need be no fear to dismay us, for he goes on to say in verse
38: “For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor
powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other
creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our
Lord.”
Because this chapter begins with no condemnation, it ends with no separation.
There’s nothing can take us out of the hand of our dear Lord. I wish I had time to talk
about this, but I just don’t.

Conclusion
I’m reminded of a little story, though, about a young man who got saved. He was so

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happy for his security in the Lord Jesus. And someone said to him, said, “Aren’t you
afraid you’ll lose your salvation? Aren’t you afraid that you might not be able to hold
on?” He said, “No, it’s not a matter of me of holding on to God. God holds on to me. I’m
in His hand. I’m in the hollow of His hand.” And this man, who was a very wicked man,
said, “Yes, but what if you slip through His fingers?” “Oh,” he said, “I forgot to tell you
that. I’m also one of the fingers.”
We are members of His body, dear friend. For me to perish and go to hell would be
for a part of Jesus to perish and go to hell. I’m a part of His body now. I am in Christ
Jesus. “And I’m persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor
powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other
creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God.” You see, that’s the glory we
expect. We are predestined for glory. We are preserved for glory. Don’t you want to get
in on it? Wouldn’t you like to be saved? Wouldn’t you like to experience the grace of
God? No more condemnation for sin. No more control by sin. No more continuance in
sin. The Holy Spirit here to help you through your sorrows, and to be as certain for
heaven as though you were already there. It’s all possible by receiving Jesus Christ as
your personal Savior and Lord.
I want every head bowed and every eye closed. No one moving, stirring about. Don’t
get your coats. Don’t put your things in your pocketbook. Just bow your head. And I
want you to pray for those around you who may not know Jesus. And if you don’t know
Jesus, I want you to pray for yourself. And I want you to pray a prayer like this: O God,
I’m a sinner, and I’m lost, and I need to be saved, and I want to be saved. And, Lord
Jesus, I trust You to save me right now with all of my heart like a little child. Come into
my heart, forgive my sins, and save me. And He will save you, for the Bible says, “For
whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Father, I pray that many now today will trust Jesus and be saved. In His name I pray,
amen.

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 The Grace, the Groan,
and the Glory
By Adrian Rogers
Date Preached: May 3, 1987

Main Scripture Text: Romans 8

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in

Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
ROMANS 8:1

Outline
Introduction  
I. The Grace We Experience
A. There Is No Condemnation for Sin
B. There Is No More Control by Sin
C. There Is No More Continuance of Sin
II. The Groans We Endure
A. There Is the Groaning of Creation
B. There Is the Groaning of the Christian
C. There Is the Groaning of the Comforter
III. The Glory We Pay Expect
A. God Has Prepared Us for Glory
B. God Has Predestined Us for Glory
C. God Has Preserved Us for Glory
1. No Fault Can Condemn Us
2. No Foe Can Conquer Us
Conclusion  

Introduction
Well, the last month or so I’ve been preaching in and out, around Romans 8. I just can’t
get rid of Romans 8, and I don’t want to. What a blessing this book is. I’ve told you that
Romans has been called the constitution of Christianity, and it is God’s constitution and
my friend, I want to tell you, it has no bill of rights, nothing that we can demand, but it
does tell us not of the bill of rights, but of God’s gifts of grace. What a great book this is.
Tonight I want us to look in Romans chapter 8, and I want us to be thinking together
about God’s answer to man’s sin.
And, as we get into the message—and before we read the scripture I want to read to

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you a horrible story, it is horrible, it is terrible. I even reasoned with myself as to whether
or not I ought to read it. But, I said it so well illustrates what I want to say that I’m going
to read it.
This is something I clipped from the paper a while back. The title of the article is this:
“Python Crushes Sleeping Infant,” and then here’s the story: “A pet eight-foot long
python—that’s a huge snake—apparently in search of food slithered into the crib of a
sleeping baby and crushed the girl to death in a vice like squeeze authorities said.
Seven-month-old Toni Lynn Duboe probably never uttered a cry, because as the victim
tries to breathe the snake squeezes tighter around the body, said a spokesman for the
Dallas County Medical Examiner. The baby, whose body was covered by dozens of
needle-fine tooth marks, was found by her mother about eight a.m. Saturday, authorities
said. The snake was curled on a ledge above the crib. Alerted by his wife, Robert
Eugene Duboe, a thirty five year old machinist, rushed into his daughter’s bedroom,
grabbed the snake and wrestled it into another bedroom. Duboe, near hysteria, shot the
snake with a twenty-five caliber pistol, and partially severed his head with a kitchen
knife, said Dallas police Sergeant Gus Rose. Officers said the non-poisonous snake.
Which has tremendous strength, forced its way out of a thirty gallon aquarium in the
livng room, where it had been kept since Duboe bought it in California one and a half
years ago. The medical examiner’s office ruled the child died from traumatic asphyxia
as a result of the snake’s wrapping itself around her body and squeezing. It may have
taken as long as five minutes for the child to die.” That’s the end of the story.
Isn’t that a tragic thing? Can you imagine how that father must have felt as he took
that snake and with a knife tried to sever its head. But you see, that snake was a snake
they’d purchased. It was a snake they’d bought. It was a snake they valued. It was a pet
and it destroyed what they loved most. And I thought, as I read that, how much like sin
that python is. The thing that we treasure, the thing that we coddle, the thing that we
admire, is the thing that seems to crush and squeeze the life out of that which is,
ultimately, the most precious to us
That’s a horrible story. I say again, I started not even to share it and read it, but
when I thought about that, I said what better way can I illustrate what sin is and what sin
does and how sin brings death, and crushes and squeezes the life out of that which is
beautiful and precious and holy. But thank God there is an answer to sin, and I want us
to see what it is right here in God’s Word. And there are three key words that just jump
out at me: one is grace; the other is groan; and the other is glory.

I. The Grace We Experience

First of all, I want you to notice what I’m going to call the grace we experience. Look in
Romans 8, verse 1: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in

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Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.”
A. There Is No Condemnation for Sin
Because of God’s grace, there is no more condemnation for sin. No longer am I
condemned; no longer does sin’s condemnation hang over my head. Why? Because I
am in Christ Jesus, and you’re in Christ Jesus if you’re saved. You say, what does it
mean to be in Christ Jesus? Well, think of Noah in the ark and then you’ll understand
what it was to be in Christ Jesus, because the Bible teaches that Noah’s ark is a
picture—a type, an illustration—of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, Noah’s ark was covered
within and without with pitch, that is a thick, gooey, gummy substance that just coated
the outside, and the inside, of that ark to keep it from leaking. The word pitch
interestingly—and I believe by divine appointment—is the same word that is translated
atonement in the Old Testament. And, what God said to Noah, when he said put pitch
on the inside and on the outside, he also said put atonement on the inside and the
outside.
Now, what did the water represent? The water represented judgment. Now, the pitch
was there to keep the water out. God’s atonement keeps the waters of God’s judgment
out. Now, those waters beat upon the ark, but they never got in. God’s wrath, and God’s
justice beat upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and He took that for us. But, we are in Christ,
and as Noah was safe in that ark, we are safe inside the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, dear
friend, that’s the security that we have, when God put Noah in that ark, God sealed the
door, and I’ve told you before Noah may have fallen down inside that ark, but bless
God, he couldn’t fall out. Amen.
B. There Is No More Control by Sin
No more condemnation for sin, but it gets better. Not only is the condemnation gone,
look in verse 2: no more control by sin, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus
hath made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2). There’s a law of sin
and death, the law of sin and death is the law that we all feel—that sin just has control
over us, and therefore death works in us, but now there’s a new law. It’s called the law
of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. You see, dear friend, not only did God remove the
condemnation for my sin, but God began a new law working in me.
Now, again I’m going to try to give you an illustration of what I’m talking about. The
law of sin and the law of death is like the law of gravity, the law of gravity is working on
us all the time. That’s the reason you’re held to your seat, that’s the reason I stand on
this platform. That’s the reason my book and everything lies here, the law of gravity is
working all of the time, but there’s another law.
By the way, when I was working—making these sermon notes—I was sitting in an
airplane, riding, and I was thinking there’s a law—like the law of aerodynamics—that

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keeps an airplane in the air. The law of aerodynamics overcomes the law of gravity, and
so the law of gravity always works on an airplane, but there’s another law, the law of
aerodynamics that keeps that airplane in the air. And, as long as I’m in the airplane, the
law of gravity doesn’t have any control over me. That is, I am overcoming the law of
gravity as I sit in that airplane. But, now wait a minute. Suppose I decide that I’m going
to step out for a breath of fresh air. Now, when I do that—if I willingly, stupidly,
voluntarily step out—well then, that law takes over again. But, you see, as long as we
abide in Christ, sin need not have any control over us.
C. There Is No More Continuance of Sin
Not only is there no more condemnation for sin, there’s no more control by sin, and
therefore there need be no more continuance of sin. Now, notice verse 3: “For what the
law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh”—that is, it doesn’t do God any
good to give us laws to change us because of our sinful flesh—”God sending his own
Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh” (Romans
8:3). Now, what Jesus did, He came, and He died for sin, and He told of how God felt
about sin, He condemned sin in the flesh. When you see the cross you understand how
God feels about sin, but why did He do that? Notice verse 4: “That the righteousness of
the law might be fulfilled in us”—if you have your Bible, and don’t mind marking it,
underscore the phrase “in us”—”who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit”
(Romans 8:4).
Now, what happens is this: that Jesus Christ gave Himself for us, that He might give
Himself to us. Jesus is God’s righteousness, and dear friend, when we get saved the
law is not fulfilled by us. Notice, look carefully at what it says, “The law is fulfilled in us,
the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us.” Who is our righteousness? Jesus. Who
lives in us? Jesus, by His Spirit, and that’s the exciting thing, “That the righteousness of
the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans
8:4).

II. The Groans We Endure

When I got saved, God sent forth His Spirit in my heart, and the life I now live is a
supernatural life, and I am experiencing grace. There’s no more condemnation for sin,
there is no more control of sin, and therefore there need be no more continuance in sin.
Hallelujah, that’s the first part of God’s answer to man’s sin, but now I want you to notice
not only the grace we experience, but I want you to notice the groans we endure.
I want you to skip down to verse 18, and notice there’s a change now. “For I
reckon”—he says—”that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of

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the creature”—that literally means the creation, everything that God has made—”waiteth
for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature”—or the creation—”was made
subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in
hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption
into the glorious liberty of the children of God”—now, watch this—”For we know that the
whole creation groaneth”—underscore that—”the whole creation groaneth and travaileth
in pain together until now” (Romans 8:18–22). Now, notice verse 23: “And not only
they”—that is all of God’s creatures—”but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of
the Spirit, even we ourselves groan”—underscore that, we ourselves groan—”within
ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved
by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope
for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it”—now,
watch this, verse 26—”Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not
what we should pray for as we ought: but”—watch—”the Spirit itself maketh intercession
for us”—here’s our word again—”with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans
8:23–26).That’s the third time he mentions groanings.
A. There Is the Groaning of Creation
Now, we’re moving from the grace to the groan, the grace we experience but the groans
we endure. Now, he mentions three kinds of groanings. First of all, there’s the groaning
of creation in verses 18 through 22. He says the whole creation is made subject to
vanity, the word vanity means that it “does not measure up to its original intention.” God
did not make the world the way we see it now. You look around at the world today and
what do you see? Pain, and pain, and pain, and moan, and groan, and crying, and
dying and sighing. Look at nature and you’ll see the law of tooth and fang and claw.
Look at the material world and you see everything rotting, and corrupting, and the
gnawing tooth of time, and the fowl breath of decay, and the insipient power of death,
it’s just working everywhere. That’s not what God made, that’s not what God created,
but the Bible says the creation was made subject to vanity—that is, it does not fulfill it’s
original intention.
There is a groan in nature. If you listen to the wind blow through the trees it almost
seems to sing a song in a minor key. Why is this? God did that. The Bible says the
creation was made that way. Why did God make it that way? Because he didn’t want
you to live in a world that didn’t groan. God wants you to live in a world that has aches
and pains and sorrows. God made it that way. Why? Because man fell in sin, and the
worse thing that could happen to man with a sinful heart would be to live in a perfect
environment. He’d never know his needs. He’d never know anything was wrong, and so
when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, God came into the Garden of Eden

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and God said, “Adam, cursed is the ground for your sake” (Genesis 3:17). Not for your
judgment, but for your sake, because I love you.
Now, you might think it would be wonderful if you could live a life free from pain, but
it would be one of the worse things that could happen to you, wouldn’t it? You step on a
nail and never know it, your slicing a roast and leave your finger in the plate and never
know it. That’s a terrible illustration, I’m sorry. Listen—the worse thing that could happen
I to you. All right, I apologize; the worse thing that could happen to you would be to live
in a world without pain. Whether you know it or not pain is God’s gift. What does pain
tell you? Pain says something is wrong, get it fixed. Something is wrong.
Now, if you didn’t have pain you wouldn’t last very long. God gives you pain to show
you when something is wrong. Well, God gave the whole universe pain to show
something is wrong. He doesn’t want us to live without knowing the terrible, horrible
condition that we’re in, and when you see this pain—this pain, this moan, the groan, this
woe, this sorrow, these tears, this tooth, and fang, and claw, and destruction and
earth—it’s only a symptom to say there’s a sickness, and that sickness is sin. Do you
know what’s wrong with so many people? They’re treating the symptom and not dealing
with the sickness. When a man gets drunk he’s trying to kill the pain. When a man who
lives in pleasure, he’s trying to kill the pain. He does not—he only deals with the
symptom and he doesn’t deal with the sickness. But, my dear friend, God did that, God
put a moan and a groan in creation, to let us know that something is wrong, and he did
it for our sake.
B. There Is the Groaning of the Christian
But, now wait a minute, not only is there the groaning of creation, there’s also the
groaning of the Christian; you need to learn this. Look in verse 23: “And not only they”—
that is, the creatures out there—”but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the
Spirit”—those of us who are saved—”even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting
for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:23). Now, what Paul is
telling us is that we who are Christians are a part of all of this, and because we’re saved
that does mean that we have immunity from pain and suffering, that we’re a part of it,
and we as Christians are caught up in it. Now, notice in verse 24 he says, “…we are
saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet
hope for?” (Romans 8:24). Now, what is the hope that he’s talking about? Well, he’s
talking about the redemption of the body in verse 23: “And we, not only they, but we
ourselves which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within
ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of the body.” Now, you see,
my body is not yet redeemed—my spirit is redeemed—but my body is not yet
redeemed. My body will be redeemed when Jesus comes again.

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 You know, the faith healers tell us there’s healing in the atonement. They’re right,
they’re right, but that comes with the redemption of the body, with the redemption of the
body. I am healed by his strife but, you see, when I—one of these days I’m going to be
made like the Lord Jesus Christ—but, and then I’ll be saved by hope, that is my body is
going to be saved out of these groans, and the pains, and these pangs, and everything
and you know, we might as well face it folks, as long as we’re in this body, we’re
headed for trouble. Now, you’re feeling about as good as you’re ever going to feel. It’s
going to get worse from here on. It doesn’t get better, it gets worse, we’re just running
down to the grave and don’t think some strange thing is happening to you. Friend, that’s
a part of it, but there is a hope. Do you know what that hope is? Our vile bodies are
going to be made like unto his glorious body. There’s—our body is going to be
redeemed.
Now, you say there are a lot of people who know that God redeems the soul and the
spirit, but they don’t understand that God also redeems the body. You see, when God
made us He made us—body, soul and spirit—and when He redeems us, He redeems
us body, soul and spirit. Not one wit will the devil get, he won’t be able to say to the
Father, “Well, you got his soul, but I still got his body.” Oh no, listen, when He saves us
He saves us all, and we are going to have these bodies redeemed. The Bible calls that
the adoption, and the Bible calls that hope. Now, listen folks, the word hope in the Bible
doesn’t mean “maybe it will happen and maybe it won’t.” You know, like a girl gets a
hope chest hoping she’ll get married. No, no, no, no, the word hope in the Bible means
absolute certainty—certainty—that’s the Bible word for hope. Like the second coming of
Jesus is called the blessed hope, but it means more than certainty, it means certainty
with glad expectancy.
When I was a kid and sometimes disobeyed my dad, or something he’d say “Son,”—
maybe we’d be out in the car riding on a Sunday afternoon ride and my brother and I
would get in a fight in the back seat—he’d say, “When I get home I’m going to whip
you.” Now, that was a certainty, but it wasn’t a hope. I mean, I knew it was going to
happen. I mean, if you’d known my dad on the rapture—if the rapture had taken place
he’d done it on the way up. I mean, it was a certainty, but not an expectancy. Now, the
word hope in the Bible means a certainty and a glass expectancy.
C. There Is the Groaning of the Comforter
Now, there’s the groan of creation, there’s the groan of a Christian and folks, don’t think
because you’re saved you’re not going to be sick, you’re not going to have any
problems, you’re not going to suffer. Paul tells us clearly that we also groan. But, now
wait a moment, not only is there the groan of the creator, of the creation, and not only is
there the groan of the Christian, but there’s a third groan that’s mentioned here and it’s

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the groan of the comforter, the Holy Spirit. What a blessing this is, look here, if you will
in verses 26 and 27: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities”—now, God doesn’t
say when you’re saved you’re not going to have any infirmity, God doesn’t take away
the infirmity, but God gives a helper, the Holy Spirit—”for we know not what we should
pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself”—a better translation, the Spirit Himself—
”maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).
Now, the Holy Spirit of God, my dear friend, He’s the one also who groans with us,
and for us, and helps us to bear these groanings. We don’t have to bear them alone. J.
B. Phillips translates it this way: “…his Spirit within us is actually praying for us in those
agonising longings which never find words” (J B Phillips New Testament, Romans 8:26).
Jesus called the Holy Spirit the comforter, that means someone who is called along side
of you to help you. It’s like a doctor along side a sick bed, like a fireman along side a
burning building, like a lawyer along side an accused person. Hallelujah, the Holy Spirit
is there. Friend, you may suffer, you may have pain, you may have difficulty—you will
have—but thank God there is the Holy Spirit Himself who groans along with you, who
loves, who intercedes, who helps, who comforts.

III. The Glory We Pay Expect

So, now there’s a third thing I want you to notice tonight, as I’m talking about God’s
answer to man’s sin. First of all, I’ve talked about the grace we have experienced. Then
I talked about the groanings we endured, but now thirdly, I want to talk to you about the
glory that we may expect. You see, it’s not over yet, there’s something very wonderful.
We are headed for glory. Notice verse 18: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this
present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us”
(Romans 8:18). You take all of the pain that you have and turn it around, and dear
friend, the glory is so much greater than all of that pain. You take all of the trouble and
turn it around, the glory is so much greater than all of that trouble, you can’t even
compare the two. “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not even
worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
A. God Has Prepared Us for Glory
I want to say three things about that glory, and I’ll be finished. The very first thing I want
to say is that God has prepared us for glory. Notice in verse 28: “And we know that all
things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called
according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Everything that God is doing down here, dear
friend, is preparing you for glory. All things are working together for good to make you
like the Lord Jesus Christ, because He goes on to say, “For whom he did foreknow, he
also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son…” (Romans 8:29). And,

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God will let you groan a little, God will let you suffer some. Why? To make you more like
Jesus. He really will. And, so God Is preparing you for glory.
B. God Has Predestined Us for Glory
God has you in school and He allows you to suffer. That’s all right, He’s just preparing
you for glory, and why does He prepare you for glory? Because he’s predestined your
for glory. That’s the second thing. Notice in verse 28: “For whom he did foreknow, he
also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the
firstborn among many brethren”—now, watch it—”Moreover whom he did predestinate,
them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he
justified”—praise God—”them he also glorified” (Romans 8:29–30).
Now, we’ve been talking on Wednesday nights a little bit about these wonderful
words, foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, a glorification. Notice here
that God speaks of glorification in the past tense. Do you know what that means? In
God’s heart and in God’s mind it’s already happened. I don’t have to wait ‘til I die to see
if I’m going to Heaven. Friend, in God’s heart, in God’s mind, I’m already there. In God’s
eternal counsels we’re already glorified. The believer is predestined for glory. I told you
before what has been settled in eternity can never be undone in time, and what has
been decreed in Heaven can never be set aside by Hell, or by humanity.
C. God Has Preserved Us for Glory
Thank God, we are being prepared for glory, because we’re predestined for glory, and
therefore we are preserved for glory. Now, what the apostle Paul says here is, “There’s
nothing, therefore, that can separate us from the love of God” (Romans 8:39).
1. No Fault Can Condemn Us
For example, he says here that no fault can divide us. Notice, if you will, in verses 33
and 34 of this chapter. Romans 8, verse 33: “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of
God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ”—oh listen
to this folks—”It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the
right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Romans 8:33–34). Are you,
are you seeing what I am saying? Listen friend, no fault can condemn you if you are
saved. I’m talking to you dear friend, about being preserved for glory. Listen to it again, I
want to read it. Maybe you didn’t hear it, “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s
elect? It is God that justifieth.” When you’re justified never again can sin be marked up
against your name. “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin” (Romans
4:8). “Who is he that condemneth?”—Paul is throwing out a challenge. Who can
condemn? And, then he says, “It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who
is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

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 2. No Foe Can Conquer Us
Write it down friend, no fault can condemn us, and then write it down no foe can
conquer us. Begin now in verse 35: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?”—
and Paul is going to mention seven enemies, listen—”shall tribulation, or distress, or
persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake
we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all
these things”—now, notice he doesn’t say without all of these things, but in all of these
things—”we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:35–37).
He doesn’t say we just seek by, we don’t kick a field goal in the last three seconds, its
forty to nothing when the game is over. We are more than conquerors. What’s Paul
saying? No fault can condemn us, and no foe can destroy us.

Conclusion
If you read the life of the Apostle Paul he faced all seven of these enemies, and he
knew they could not separate him from Christ. To the contrary, they just draw the
believer all the closer to the heart of God. No fault can condemn us, no foe can conquer
us, and therefore no fear need control us. Read verses 38 and 39 now, listen to it, “For I
am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor
things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall
be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans
8:38–39). Hallelujah. Oh folks, listen, listen, we are preserved for glory, preserved, no
fault can condemn us, no foe can conquer us, no fear need control us, because of what
our Lord has done. He has prepared us for glory, He has predestined us for glory, and
He protects us and preserves to glory. Yes, yes, there’s the grace we’ve experienced,
and thank God for that. Yes, there’s the groans that we endure, He knows what He’s
doing. But, yes there’s the glory that we expect, and it is as sure as my name is Adrian
Rogers, and even more sure. Let’s bow our heads in prayer.

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  Turning  Hurts  into  Hallelujahs    
By  Adrian  Rogers  
Sermon  Date:    April  12,  1998    
Main  Scripture  Text:    Romans  8    

Outline  
Introduction  
I. The  Guilt  We  Express
II. The  Grace  We  Experience
III. The  Groans  We  Endure
IV. The  Glory  We  Expect
Conclusion

Introduction  
Be  finding  Romans  chapter  8.  In  our  journey  through  Romans  we’ve  come  through  
chapter  8.  We’ve  called  Romans  the  constitution  of  Christianity.  This  past  week  I  was  in  
Washington,  D.C.,  and  saw  again  the  original  Constitution  of  the  United  States.  And  in  
the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  there  is  a  Bill  of  Rights.  But  in  the  book  of  Romans  
there  is  no  Bill  of  Rights.  We  have  no  rights.  In  the  book  of  Romans  we  find  the  gifts  of  
grace,  better  than  a  Bill  of  Rights.  Rights  are  for  people  who  think  they  own  anything,  
own  something;;  we  own  nothing  but  judgment.  But  thank  God,  by  the  grace  of  God—by  
the  grace  of  God—and  by  the  gifts  of  grace,  we  are  what  we  are,  Amen?  
Now,  I  want  to  talk  to  you  today  about  how  that  grace,  how  that  resurrection,  how  
what  happened  on  that  Easter  morning,  will  turn  every  hurt  into  a  hallelujah.  Now,  there  
are  people  who  are  hurting.  I  think  of  our  friends  over  in  Jonesboro—and  may  God  
bless  them,  and  this  will  be  a  very  poignant  Easter  for  families  in  Jonesboro,  Arkansas.  I  
think  of  dear  friends,  down  in  Mississippi,  and  over  in  Georgia,  who  have  known  that  
devastating  tornado.  I  think  of  people  in  lands—in  Bosnia,  and  other  places—where  
they’ve  gone  through  something  called  ethnic  cleansing.  
I  think  of  a  friend  that  I  spoke  with  last  night  on  the  telephone  who’s  had  radical  
surgery  for  cancer.  And  I  think  of  people  that  are  here  today—some  that  I  know  
personally—that  are  hurting.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  there’s  a  heartache  on  every  pew,  if  
you’ll  think  about  it;;  and  there’s  no  home  without  its  hush.  And  we  look  around,  and  
everywhere,  there’s  death  and  disease  and  confusion  and  pain  and  pain  and  moan  and  
groan  and  sickness  and  sighing  and  crying  and  dying,  everywhere.  That’s  the  reason  
this  day  is  so  very  important.    

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 I  want  to  show  you  two  verses  from  Romans  8.  Look,  if  you  will,  in  Romans  chapter  
8  and  verse  11:  "But  if  the  Spirit  of  him  that  raised  up  Jesus  from  the  dead  dwell  in  you,  
he  that  raised  up  Christ  from  the  dead  shall  also  quicken  your  mortal  bodies”—that  
means  give  life  to  your  dying  flesh.  He  will  "quicken  your  mortal  bodies  by  his  Spirit  that  
dwelleth  in  you.”  And  then,  look,  if  you  will,  in  verse  18  of  this  same  chapter.  Paul  says,  
"For  I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  
the  glory  which  shall  be  revealed  in  us.”  
Now,  he’s  talking  about  Easter,  and  he’s  talking  about  hurts,  and  he’s  talking  about  
hallelujahs,  and  he  uses  a  term  that’s  a  bookkeeping  term.  He’s  been  doing  some  
figuring,  and  he  says,  I  reckon—I  reckon—that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not  
even  worthy  to  be  compared  to  the  glory  that  shall  be  revealed  in  us.  And  he  says  in  
verse  11—this  is  true  because  of  Easter.  You  see,  it’s  Easter.  
Listen.  It’s  Easter  that  turns  every  hurt  into  a  hallelujah.  It’s  Easter  that  turns  every  
tear  to  a  pearl.  It  is  Easter  that  turns  every  midnight  to  a  sunrise.  It  is  Easter  that  turns  
every  Calvary  to  a  resurrection.  Paul  is  talking  about  the  Spirit  of  Him  that  raised  up  
Jesus  from  the  dead.  And  he  says  if  that  Spirit—the  same  Spirit,  the  Holy  Spirit—that  
raised  Christ  from  that  grave,  if  He  dwells  in  you,  then  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  
are  not  even  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  that  shall  be  revealed  in  us.  

I. The  Guilt  We  Express

Now,  there  are  several  words  that  I  want  us  to  think  about.  The  first  is  the  word  
guilt—guilt.  Think  of  that  word  guilt—just  jot  it  down  on  a  piece  of  paper.  Guilt—the  guilt  
we  express.  Look,  if  you  will,  how  Romans  8  begins,  in  verses  1  through  3:  "There  is  
therefore  now  no  condemnation  to  those  who  are  in  Christ  Jesus,"—underscore  the  
word  condemnation—"who  walk  not  after  the  flesh  but  after  the  Spirit,"—underscore  the  
word  flesh—"for  the  law  of  the  Spirit  of  life  in  Christ  Jesus  hath  made  me  free  from  the  
law  of  sin  and  death.”  Underscore  the  word  sin  and  death,  and  think  of  those  words:  
condemnation,  flesh,  sin,  death.  That’s  a  description  of  the  world  today.  We’re  
condemned;;  we  are  living  lives  according  to  the  flesh,  not  the  Spirit,  and  we  find  
ourselves  under  law  that  the  Bible  calls  here  the  law  of  sin  and  death.  "For  the  wages  of  
sin  is  death  and  the  soul  that  sinneth,  it  shall  surely  die.”    
And  that  brings  up  an  interesting  question.  What  about  this  thing  called  sin?  Did  you  
know  that  there  are  many  people  who  are  not  believers,  and  their  problem  is  not  a  
scientific  problem;;  they’re  not  wrestling  with  ideas  like  evolution  or  creation.  Their  
problem  is  the  problem  of  history.  They  say,  If  there  is  a  God,  and  that  God  is  a  good  
God,  then  look  at  all  of  the  suffering.  Why,  if  God  is  good,  why  do  we  have  sin?  Why  do  
we  have  suffering?  And  they  have  a  little  argument,  a  little  syllogism,  and  here’s  the  way  

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the  syllogism  goes:  If  there  be  a  God,  He  would  be  the  author  of  everything;;  evil  is  
something,  so  God  is  the  author  of  evil.  What  kind  of  a  God  is  it  that  has  created  evil?  
And  so,  they  say,  I  can’t  believe  in  a  God  who  made  everything,  and  He  made  it  like  He  
did,  and  therefore  He  must  not  be  a  good  God,  if  He  is  a  God  at  all.  But  that’s  not  
straight  thinking.    
Let  me  tell  you  the  way  it  truly  is:  God  is  the  author  of  everything.  God  made  
everything  perfect,  and  when  God  made  man,  God  made  His  creature  perfectly  free.  
Free  will,  then—man’s  perfect  free  will—is  the  origin  of  evil.  God  did  not  create  evil;;  God  
created  perfection,  and  God  made  man  perfectly  free.  And  freedom,  therefore,  gave  
wise  to  this  evil.  You  see,  this  is  what  makes  us  moral  creatures.  
Somebody  says,  Well,  why  didn’t  God  just  make  us  where  we  couldn’t  sin?  Well,  if  
God  had  made  us  where  we  couldn’t  sin,  He  could  have  no  more  fellowship  with  me  
than  I  could  have  with  that  pulpit  or  that  speaker.  Because  God  made  us  moral  
creatures.  Love  is  the  highest  good  and  God  wants  us  to  love  Him.  "This  is  the  first  and  
great  commandment:  Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart,  with  all  thy  
soul,  with  all  thy  strength,  with  all  thy  mind.”  
Love  is  the  highest  good,  but  forced  love  is  a  contradiction  in  terms.  Forced  love  is  
not  love  at  all.  In  order  to  love,  we  must  be  free  to  love,  to  choose  to  love;;  and,  in  order  
to  choose  to  love,  we  have  to  be  able  to  choose  not  to  love.  And  so,  God  gave  us  
perfect  choice.  And  Adam  chose  in  the  Garden  of  Eden,  and  the  sons  of  Adam  after  
him,  to  sin.  And  that’s  where  the  heartache  and  the  pain  and  the  groan  and  the  moan  
come  from,  as  we’re  going  to  see  in  a  moment.  
Well,  that  brings  another  question.  Why  doesn’t  God  just  destroy  evil?  I  mean,  if  He  
were  all  powerful,  He  could;;  and  if  He  were  all  love,  He  would;;  so  why  doesn’t  God  just  
step  in,  obliterate  the  devil,  cause  all  sin  to  be  eradicated?  Why  doesn’t  God  just  go  into  
every  cancer  ward  and  empty  every  cancer  ward?  Why  doesn’t  God  just  take  away  the  
curse  from  nature?  Why  doesn’t  God  just  destroy  evil  and  make  it  impossible  for  people  
to  sin?  We’re  right  back  to  the  original  question.  If  God  were  to  destroy  evil,  just  destroy  
evil,  God  would  destroy  every  opportunity  of  choice;;  and  if  God  were  to  destroy  every  
opportunity  for  choice,  then  God  would  destroy  every  opportunity  for  love;;  and  therefore  
God  would  destroy  the  highest  good;;  and  therefore  for  God  to  destroy  evil  would  be  evil.  
No,  God  doesn’t  destroy  evil,  friend;;  God  defeats  evil—God  defeats  evil.  And  how  
does  God  defeat  evil?  Calvary  and  the  resurrection.  And  God  turns  every  hurt  to  a  
hallelujah,  and  God  says,  "For  I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not  
worthy  to  be  compared  to  the  glory  which  shall  be  revealed  in  us.”  You  see,  God  is  not  
finished  yet.  

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II. The  Grace  We  Experience
All  right,  there’s  the  guilt  that  we  express—verses  1  through  3.  Oh,  but  friend,  there’s  
the  grace  that  we  experience.  Again,  look  in  chapter  8,  verse  1:  "There  is  now  no  
condemnation  to  them  which  are  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  walk  not  after  the  flesh  but  after  
the  Spirit,  for  the  law  of  the  Spirit  of  life  in  Christ  Jesus  hath  made  me  free  from  the  law  
of  sin  and  death.  For  what  the  law  could  not  do,  in  that  it  was  weak  through  the  flesh,  
God,  sending  his  own  Son  in  the  likeness  of  sinful  flesh  and  for  sin,  condemned  to  sin  in  
the  flesh,  that  the  righteousness  of  the  law  might  be  fulfilled  in  us  who  walk  not  after  the  
flesh  but  after  the  Spirit.”  Now,  what  does  this  mean?  What  kind  of  grace  do  we  
experience?    
Well,  number  one:  no  condemnation  for  sin,  hallelujah.  No  condemnation  for  sin—
look  at  it  in  verse  1:  "There  is  therefore  now  no  condemnation  to  those  who  are"—
what?—"in  Christ  Jesus.”  Now,  what  does  it  mean  to  be  in  Christ  Jesus?  Well,  God  
wants  us  to  be  saved—He’s  given  so  many  illustrations  of  salvation.  
One  of  the  illustrations  of  salvation  is  Noah’s  ark.  Noah’s  ark,  the  Bible  teaches  us  in  
2  Peter,  is  an  illustration,  a  type,  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  And  so,  if  you  want  to  know  
what  it  is  to  be  in  Christ  Jesus,  know  what  it  was  for  Noah  to  be  in  that  ark.  And  God  
was  going  to  judge  the  world,  and  God  said  to  Noah  and  his  family,  Come  thou  into  the  
ark.  And  Noah  went  into  that  ark,  and  then  the  Bible  says,  "And  God  shut  the  door.”  
Now,  the  ark  was  waterproof.  How  do  you  know  it  was  waterproof?  Well,  God  said  to  
Noah,  Noah,  put  pitch  on  the  inside  and  on  the  outside.  Pitch  was  a  black,  gooey,  sticky  
substance,  and  Noah  got  a  broad  brush  and  he  and  his  helpers,  whoever  it  was,  they  
put  pitch  all  over  the  outside  of  that  ark.  And  then,  they  put  pitch  all  over  the  inside  of  
that  ark.  That  was  to  waterproof  it.  
Now,  water  was  an  emblem,  a  symbol,  of  the  judgment  of  God,  the  wrath  of  God,  
that  flood.  But  not  one  drop  of  water  could  come  through  that  gooey  pitch.  Do  you  know  
what  the  word  pitch  is?  It’s  the  Hebrew  word  qafar,  and  it  is  exactly  the  same  word  that  
is  translated  atonement—atonement—when  Christ  died  on  the  cross,  He  made  an  
atonement  for  our  sin,  and  God  says,  Put  atonement  on  the  outside,  put  atonement  on  
the  inside.  Not  one  drop  of  judgment  can  come  through  that  atonement.  You  see,  we  
are  in  Jesus  as  Noah  was  in  that  ark.  And  because  we  are  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  
wrath,  the  storms  of  God’s  wrath  beat  upon  that  ark,  and  the  storms  of  God’s  wrath  beat  
upon  the  Lord  Jesus.  But  I’m  on  the  inside,  and  not  one  drop  of  judgment  can  come  
through.    
You  see,  because  we’re  in  Christ,  there  is  no  more  condemnation  for  sin,  and  there’s  
no  more  control  of  sin.  Notice,  what  he  says  in  verse  2:  "For  the  law  of  the  Spirit  of  life  in  
Christ  Jesus  hath  made  me  free  from  the  law  of  sin  and  death.”  Remember  our  
 

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illustration  last  week?  We  said  there  are  two  laws  in  the  natural  world;;  there’s  the  law  of  
gravity  and  there’s  the  law  of  aerodynamics.  
The  law  of  gravity  is  constantly  pulling  on  us,  pulling  on  us,  pulling  on  us;;  it’s  holding  
you  in  your  seat.  It’s  causing  you  to  stick  to  the  earth  rather  than  flying  off.  But  there’s  
another  law—the  engineers  call  it  the  law  of  aerodynamics—and  you  can  take  a  great  
airplane  like  one  I  was  on  yesterday  and  that  thing  begins  to  rev  up  those  engines,  and  
it  begins  to  roar,  and  suck  in  air  through  those  great  engines,  and  squirt  that  air  out  the  
back,  and  that  thing  begins  to  rumble  and  roar  and  vibrate,  and  then  suddenly,  it’s  aloft;;  
it’s  flying!  Ten  thousand,  twenty  thousand,  thirty  thousand  feet;;  three,  four,  five  hundred  
miles  an  hour;;  going  through  the  air.  There  is  a  greater  power  than  the  power  of  
gravity—it’s  the  law  of  aerodynamics.  
Now,  we  are  sinners—sinners  by  birth,  sinners  by  nature,  sinners  by  choice—and  
there’s  that  downward  pull  that  the  Bible  calls  the  law  of  sin  and  death.  But  hallelujah—
hallelujah,  I  say—hallelujah,  because  of  that  empty  tomb,  the  law  of  the  Spirit  of  life  in  
Christ  Jesus  hath  made  me  free  from  the  law  of  sin  and  death.  

III. The  Groans  We  Endure

So  there  is  the  guilt  that  we  exhibit,  but  there  is  the  grace  that  we  experience.  But  
now  watch,  pay  attention.  The  third  thing:  there  are  the  groans—the  groans,  the  
groans—that  we  endure.  Continue  to  read.  Look,  if  you  will,  in  verse  18  of  this  same  
chapter  here.  And  he  says  this:  "For  I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  
not  worthy—not  worthy—to  be  compared  to  the  glory  which  shall  be  revealed  in  us,  for  
the  earnest  expectation  of  the  creature…"—and  for  the  word  creature  you  may  write  in  
your  margin  creation,  because  that’s  what  it  literally  means—"for  the  earnest  
expectation  of  the  creation"—he’s  talking  about  all  nature—"waiteth  for  the  
manifestation  of  the  sons  of  God.  For  the  creation  was  made  subject  to  vanity,"—that  
means  it  is  not  living  up  to  its  original  intention—"not  willingly,  but  by  reason  of  him,"—
that  is,  God—"who  has  subjected  the  same"—that  is,  the  creation—"in  hope.  Because  
the  creature  itself  also  shall  be  delivered  from  the  bondage  of  corruption  into  the  
glorious  liberty  of  the  children  of  God.  For  we  know…”—now,  listen;;  here’s  a  key;;  if  you  
don’t  understand  this,  are  you  paying  attention?  If  you  don’t  understand  this,  you’re  
going  to  stumble  in  your  Christian  walk—"For  we  know  that  the  whole  creation  groaneth  
and  travaileth  in  pain  together  until  now.”  Now,  what  does  he  mean  by  that?  The  whole  
creation  groans—that  means  pain  and  pang  and  moan  and  groan  and  crying  and  dying  
and  sighing.  Look  at  nature.  Bloody  tooth,  sharp  fang,  claws,  decay,  corruption,  
everything  that  you  see,  is  dying  and  crying  and  sighing.  The  foul  breath  of  decay,  the  
gnawing  tooth  of  corruption,  it’s  on  everything—everything—and  it’s  on  you.  It’s  in  

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creation.  Now,  what  Darwin  called  the  survival  of  the  fittest  is  really  the  bondage  of  
corruption.    
But  there’s  a  better  time  coming—there’s  a  better  time  coming.  All  of  creation  is  
standing  on  tiptoes  waiting  for  the  manifestation  of  the  sons  of  God,  and  God,  when  
Adam  sinned,  God  said  the  worst  thing  that  could  happen  to  a  sinful  creature  would  be  
to  live  in  paradise.  So,  God  took  Adam  out  of  paradise,  and  God  put  Adam  in  a  world  
that  has  the  curse  of  sin  upon  it—thorns  and  thistles  shall  it  bring  forth  unto  thee.  You’re  
going  to  earn  your  bread  by  the  sweat  of  your  face.  Why?  Because  I  want  you  to  know  
there’s  something  deadly  wrong  in  this  world;;  and  all  of  the  pain  and  all  of  the  sorrow  
that  we  see  in  creation,  that’s  the  fever  of  the  infection,  which  is  sin.  
Aren’t  you  glad  that  God  gives  you  fever  when  you  have  an  infection?  You  see,  if  
you  didn’t  have  a  fever,  you  wouldn’t  know  you  had  an  infection,  would  you?  So  the  
fever  is  the  symptom  of  the  deeper  problem.  And  so,  there’s  the  groaning  of  creation.  
Look  around  at  the  world  today.  God  didn’t  make  the  world  this  way;;  God  made  the  
world  perfect.  But  we  see  a  world  that  is  marred  and  scarred,  and  all  of  creation  is  
groaning.  Listen.  Even  to  the  wind  as  it  goes  through  the  trees;;  it’s  in  a  minor  key.  
Everything  is  groaning  and  sighing  and  dying.    
There’s  the  groaning  of  creation.  Now,  watch  this  very  carefully.  There’s  also  the  
groaning  of  the  Christian.  Notice  in  verse  23;;  look  at  it—this  is  talking  about  you:  "And  
not  only  they,"—what?  the  creatures—"but  ourselves  also  which  hath  the  first  fruits  of  
the  Spirit.  Even  we  ourselves  groan  within  ourselves,  waiting  for  the  adoption  to  rid  the  
redemption  of  the  body.  
Folks,  your  body  is  not  yet  redeemed.  Your  spirit  is  redeemed,  but  your  body  is  not  
yet  redeemed.  You  are  waiting  for  the  promise  of  Easter,  and  so  therefore  you  live  in  a  
body  that  has  the  curse  of  sin  in  it,  and  because  you  live  in  a  body  that  has  the  curse  of  
sin  in  it,  I  hate  to  tell  you  this  but  I  need  to  tell  you  this:  you  are  not  immune  to  suffering.  
And  if  you  walk  down  this  aisle,  and  think  if  you  give  your  heart  to  Jesus  Christ  that  
suffering  is  all  behind  you,  and  it’s  going  to  be  all  honey  and  no  bees,  I’m  sorry  to  tell  
you,  friend,  that’s  wrong.  And  I  don’t  want  to  put  any  fine  print  in  the  contract,  or  fail  to  
tell  you  that  there’s  the  groaning  of  creation  and  there’s  also  the  groaning  of  the  
Christian.  
Now,  you  want  me  to  tell  you  why  we  have  so  much  suffering  in  the  world  today?  I’m  
talking  about  those  of  us  who  are  saved.  Well,  number  one,  we  live  in  a  creation  that  
has  a  curse  upon  it.  What  happened  to  those  people  down  there  in  Mississippi  when  
that  tornado  came?  What  happened  to  those  people  over  there  in  Atlanta  when  that  
tornado  came?  Were  they  wicked  people?  No,  God  makes  it  to  rain  upon  the  just  and  
the  unjust.  We  just  live  in  a  world  that  has  the  curse  of  sin  on  it.  Friend,  it’s  just  hereF  

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that’s  the  way  nature  is,  and  that’s  where  we  live.  
And  also,  not  only  do  we  live  in  a  world  that  has  the  curse  of  sin  on  it;;  we  live  with  
other  sinners.  Those  children  that  stepped  outside  of  that  school  over  there  in  
Jonesboro—were  they  doing  anything  wrong?  No,  they  were  doing  something  right—
answering  a  fire  alarm.  But,  you  see,  there  are  other  people  in  this  world,  and  there  are  
other  people  who  would  harm  us;;  there  are  other  people  who  make  choices,  and  we  
suffer  because  not  only  do  we  live  in  a  world  that  has  the  curse  of  sin  upon  it,  but  we  
live  in  a  world  with  other  sinners.  
And  then,  I’m  going  to  tell  you  something  else.  We  live  in  bodies  that  have  the  curse  
of  sin  upon  them.  Your  body  is  not  yet  redeemed.  You  are  a  son,  a  daughter,  of  Adam,  
and  you  were  born  out  of  a  polluted  gene  pool.  I’m  telling  you,  folks,  you  have  a  polluted  
gene  pool,  and  so,  sooner  or  later,  you’re  going  to  get  sick.  Sooner  or  later,  it’s  going  to  
get  you.  Sooner  or  later,  the  doctor’s  going  to  thump  on  your  chest,  at  fifty  dollars  a  
thump,  and  say,  You’ve  got  a  problem.  Now,  I’m  telling  you  this:  sooner  or  later—just  
sooner  or  later—it’s  coming.  Hey,  you  say,  Is  this  Easter  or  what?  It’s  bad  news,  Pastor.  
Well,  listen—it’s  the  bad  news  that  makes  the  good  news  good.    
Now,  "I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  
to  the  glory  which  shall  be  revealed  in  us.”  And  I’ll  tell  you  something  else.  Not  only  do  
we  live  in  a  world  that’s  cursed,  not  only  do  we  live  with  other  sinners,  not  only  do  we  
have  a  corrupted  body,  but  sometimes  we  still  choose  to  do  wrong—don’t  we?—and  
God  has  to  chastise  us.  David—I  was  reading  this  morning  where  David  said,  "Before  I  
was  afflicted,  I  went  astray.”  And  whom  the  Lord  loves,  He  chastens.  And  then,  friend,  
there  are  just  mysterious  reasons  why  people  suffer.  I  mean,  if  anybody  comes  to  you,  
and  they  say,  Well,  I  just  have  all  the  answers,  just  walk  on.  Friend,  they  don’t  have  all  
the  answers.  I’m  telling  you  that  there  are  mysteries  in  this  world  today.    
But  put  it  down  big,  plain,  and  straight:  there’s  the  groaning  of  creation;;  there’s  the  
groaning  of  the  Christian;;  there’s  also  the  groaning  of  the  Comforter.  Look,  if  you  will,  in  
verse  26.  We’re  talking  about  groanings,  now—look  at  this:  "Likewise,  the  Spirit  also  
helpeth  our  infirmities,"—that’s  our  weaknesses—"for  we  know  not  what  we  should  pray  
for  as  we  ought,  but  the  Spirit  itself  maketh  intercessions  for  us  with  groanings  which  
cannot  be  uttered.”  
Now,  what  does  the  word  Comforter  mean?  Jesus  said,  I’ll  send  you  the  Holy  Spirit,  
and  He  said,  He  is  the  Comforter—that’s  the  Greek  word  paraclete;;  that  means  
somebody  who’s  called  alongside  of  you,  like  a  doctor  alongside  a  sick  bed,  like  a  
fireman  alongside  a  fire,  like  a  lawyer  alongside  a  person  who’s  accused.  The  Holy  
Spirit  comes  alongside  of  us  in  all  of  our  sorrow.  Phillips  translates  this  verse  this  way:  
His  Spirit  within  us  is  actually  praying  for  us  in  those  agonizing  longings  which  can  

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never  find  words.  
Have  you  ever  hurt  so  bad  you  couldn’t  even  pray?  I  have.  All  you  can  do  is  just  
groan,  but  you  know,  it’s  the  Holy  Spirit  who  says,  I  will  groan  with  you,  and  I  will  pray  
for  you,  and  I  will  intercede  for  you  before  the  Father.  And  so,  we  have  the  Holy  Spirit  
making  intercession  for  us  to  the  throne,  and  we  have  the  Lord  Jesus,  on  the  throne,  
making  intercession  for  us.    
And  so,  listen—are  you  following  me?  There  is  the  guilt  that  we  exhibit,  there  is  the  
grace  that  we  enjoy,  but  still  there  are  the  groans  that  we  endure—the  groaning  of  
creation,  the  groaning  of  the  Christian,  and,  thank  God,  the  groaning  of  the  Comforter.  

IV. The  Glory  We  Expect

Now  we  come  to  what  I’m  trying  to  say  about  Easter:  where  Easter  turns  every  hurt  
into  a  hallelujah,  every  tear  into  a  pearl,  every  midnight  into  a  sunrise,  every  Calvary  to  
a  resurrection.  Go  back  again,  now,  to  verse  18,  and  look  at  it.  
Now,  remember—Paul  is  doing  some  figuring,  and  Paul  says,  "For  I  reckon  that  the  
sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  to  the  glory  which  shall  be  
revealed  in  us.”  So  now,  the  guilt  we  exhibit,  the  grace  we  enjoy,  the  groans  we  
endure—now,  here  it  comes—the  glory  we  expect.  That’s  verse  18:  "I  reckon  that  the  
sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  which  shall  
be  revealed  in  us.”  Now,  folks,  that’s  what  the  eighth  chapter  of  Romans  is  all  about.  
There’s  not  a  greater  chapter  in  all  of  the  Bible  than  the  eighth  chapter  of  Romans.  
Now,  you  see,  folks,  we’ve  been  prepared  for  glory—we’ve  been  prepared  for  glory  
by  the  death,  burial,  and  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ.  That  is  the  gospel—that  is  the  
gospel.  Not  just  simply  by  trying  to  be  better  people—salvation  doesn’t  come  by  
learning  lessons  from  the  life  of  Christ,  but  by  receiving  life  from  the  death  of  Christ—
you  understand  that?    
And  so,  we  are  prepared  for  glory—but  watch  this;;  look  in  verse  28—not  only  are  we  
prepared  for  glory,  but  we  are  predestined  for  glory:  "And  we  know  that  all  things  work  
together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God  who  are  the  called  according  to  his  purpose,  for  
whom  he  did  foreknow  he  also  did  predestinate  to  be  conformed  to  the  image  of  his  
Son,  that  He"—God’s  Son—"might  be  the  firstborn  among  many  brethren.  Moreover,  
whom  he  did  predestinate,  then  he  also  called,  and  whom  he  called,  them  he  also  
justified,  and  whom  he  justified,  them  he  also  glorified.”  He  puts  it  in  past  tense;;  it’s  as  
good  as  done.  
Do  you  know  what  predestined  means?  It  means  settled.  I  mean,  it  means  settled.  
You’re  looking  at  a  man  that’s  glorified.  You  say,  Well,  you  don’t  look  glorified.  Well,  
you’re  just  seeing  through  your  eyes.  You  haven’t  seen  me  through  God’s  eyes.  In  the  

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heart  and  mind  of  God,  it  is  settled.  And,  friend,  what  has  been  decreed  in  heaven  
cannot  be  annulled  by  hell,  and  it  cannot  be  annulled  by  humanity,  because  predestined  
means  it’s  done.    
I  have  been  prepared  for  glory—the  death,  burial,  and  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  did  
that.  I  am  predestined  for  glory—the  death,  burial,  and  resurrection  of  Jesus  did  that.  
And,  friend,  I,  therefore,  must  be  preserved  for  glory.  Look,  if  you  will  now,  in  this  same  
chapter,  beginning  in  verse  31:  "What  shall  we  say  to  these  things?  Friend,  if  God  be  for  
us,  who  can  be  against  us?  He  that  spared  not  his  own  Son  but  delivered  him  up  for  us  
all,  how  shall  he  not  also,  not  with  him  also  freely  give  us  all  things?”  
If  God  loved  us  enough  to  give  Jesus,  He’ll  give  anything  else  we  need.  And  now,  
you  ask  this  question:  "Who  shall  lay  anything  to  the  charge  of  God’s  elect?  It  is  God  
that  justifieth.  Who  is  he  that  condemneth?  It  is  Christ  that  died,  yea  rather,  that  is  risen  
again.”  Notice  it  is  in  italics.  Read  it  this  way.  Italics  mean  that’s  been  supplied  by  the  
translator  to  make  it  read  more  smoothly.  In  this  case,  it  doesn’t  read  more  smoothly.  
He’s  asking  a  rhetorical  question:  "Who  is  he  that  condemneth?  Christ  that  died,  yea  
rather  that  is  risen  again,  who  is  even  at  the  right  hand  of  God  who  also  maketh  
intercession  for  us?”  
He  says,  do  you  think  my  lawyer  is  going  to  condemn  me?  No!  No,  listen.  He  is  
saying  that  there’s  nothing  that  can  condemn  us.  Listen:  "Who—who—shall  separate  us  
from  the  love  of  Christ?  Shall”—he  mentions  seven  enemies—"tribulation  or  distress  or  
persecution  or  famine  or  nakedness  or  peril  or  sword?”  Verse  37:  "Nay,  in  all  these  
things  we’re  more  than  conquerors.”  Not  just  conquerors,  we  don’t  kick  a  field  goal  the  
last  three  seconds  and  win—super  conquerors!  
What  he’s  saying  is  no  foe  can  conquer  us,  and  friend,  no  fault  can  condemn  us.  
These  seven  enemies  that  Paul  mentions  have  been  the  enemies  of  Christians  from  
time  immemorial.  Paul  had  experienced  every  one  of  these  seven  enemies—
persecution,  trial,  peril—all  of  these.  He  said  they  can’t  separate  you.  Why,  all  they  can  
do  is  draw  you  closer.    
Listen,  folks:  no  foe  can  condemn  us,  because  of  Easter.  No  fear  can  conquer  us,  
because  of  Easter.  No  fault  can  condemn  us,  because  of  Easter.  Look  in  verses  38  and  
39—Paul  says,  "For  I  am  persuaded  that  neither  death,  nor  life,  nor  angels,  nor  
principalities,  nor  powers,  nor  things  present,  nor  things  to  come,  nor  height,  nor  
depth,"—and  in  case  he  left  anything  out—"nor  any  other  creature  shall  be  able  to  
separate  us  from  the  love  of  God,  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord.”  That’s  the  
message  of  Easter,  friend.    
You  know  what  they  would  do  in  Roman  times?  When  a  person  would  be  
adjudicated  guilty  of  a  crime,  they  would  put  that  person  in  prison,  and  then  they  would  

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nail  on  the  prison  door  a  list  of  the  crimes  he’d  committed,  and  they  would  put  under  
there  the  number  of  days,  months,  years  that  he  must  stay  in  prison  to  pay  the  debt.  It  
was  called  a  certificate  of  debt,  and  it  was  nailed  to  the  prison  door.  
When  that  man  had  paid  for  his  crime  against  the  state,  they  would  take  that  
certificate  of  debt,  the  bailiff  would  go  to  the  judge,  and  say,  Here  is  John  Doe,  prisoner.  
John  Doe,  prisoner,  has  paid  in  full  his  crime  against  the  state.  The  judge  would  take  
that  thing  called  a  certificate  of  debt,  and  he  would  write  across  it,  paid  in  full.  One  word  
in  the  Greek  language;;  tetalestai,  paid  in  full.  He  would  hand  it  to  the  condemned  
prisoner,  and  then,  if  anybody  ever  tried  to  bring  him  into  double  jeopardy,  he  could  
show  that  certificate  of  debt,  written,  paid  in  full.  
Jesus  Christ  took  my  sin  and  your  sin  to  the  cross.  The  Bible  tells  us,  in  Colossians  
3,  that  Jesus  took  the  handwriting  that  was  against  us,  and  nailed  it  to  His  cross—nailed  
it  to  His  cross.  And  then,  He  bowed  His  head,  and  He  died,  and  He  said,  Paid  in  full.  It  is  
finished.  That’s  exactly  the  same  word—tetalestai,  I  have  paid  that  sin  debt;;  it’s  paid  in  
full.  He  took  your  certificate  of  debt  and  said,  It’s  paid  in  full.  No  foe  can  condemn  us,  no  
fear  need  control  us,  no  fault  can  separate  us,  and  "I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  this  
present  time  are  not  even  worthy  to  be  compared  to  the  glory  that  shall  be  revealed  in  
us.”    

Conclusion  
There’s  the  guilt,  there’s  the  grace,  there’s  the  grief,  and  thank  God  for  the  glory.  
That’s  what  Easter’s  all  about.  God  doesn’t  destroy  evil.  If  He  did,  you  wouldn’t  have  a  
choice.  God  defeats  evil  with  a  cross  and  a  resurrection,  isn’t  that  good?  I  don’t  mean  
the  preaching,  I  mean,  that’s  good  stuff.  Friend,  that’s  what  Easter  is  all  about,  and  
that’s  why  you  need  to  be  saved.  
Heads  are  bowed  and  eyes  are  closed.  Would  you  begin  to  pray  for  those  round  
about  you  who  may  not  know  the  Lord  Jesus?  And  if  you’re  certain  that  you’re  saved,  
just  pray,  Lord,  bless  that  brother,  that  sister,  that  friend,  that  neighbor—whatever  they  
need  today,  if  they’re  not  saved,  Lord,  that  they  might  be  saved.  And  if  you’d  like  to  be  
saved,  I  don’t  know  of  a  better  day  than  this  day;;  what  a  wonderful  day  to  be  saved.  
Why  don’t  you  pray  a  prayer  like  this?  Dear  God,  I  know  that  you  love  me—and  friend,  
He  does  love  you.  And  I  know,  Lord,  that  you  want  to  save  me—and  friend,  He  does.  
I’m  a  sinner.  I  acknowledge  my  sin—and  friend,  you  won’t  be  saved  unless  you  
acknowledge  your  sin.  For  this  is  the  faithful  saying  and  worthy  of  all  acceptation:  that  
Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners.  I  acknowledge  my  sin;;  my  sin  deserves  
judgment,  but  I  need  mercy.  Lord  Jesus,  I  turn  from  sin  to  you.  Right  now,  by  faith,  I  
receive  you  into  my  heart.  Right  now,  right  now,  I  receive  you.  I’m  not  asking  for  a  

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special  feeling.  I  just  put  my  faith  in  you,  Lord  Jesus.  I  trust  you  right  now,  Lord  Jesus.  I  
turn  from  sin  to  you.  I  receive  you  now  into  my  life  as  my  Lord  and  Savior.  Thank  you  for  
saving  me.  I  receive  it  as  the  gift  of  your  love.  Thank  you  for  saving  me.  And  now,  Lord  
Jesus,  I  will  follow  you  all  the  days  of  my  life.  And  help  me  never  to  be  ashamed  of  you.  
In  your  holy  name  I  pray.  Amen.  

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 Your Spiritual Biography
By Adrian Rogers
Date Preached: May 1, 1994

Main Scripture Text: Romans 8

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.”

ROMANS 8:1

Outline
Introduction  
I. The Guilt We Exhibit
II. The Grace We Experience
A. There Is No More Condemnation for Sin
B. There Is No More Control by Sin
C. There Need Be No More Continuance in Sin
1. You’re Led by the Spirit
2. You’re Loved by the Father
3. You’re Lifted by the Son
III. The Groan That We Endure
A. The Groaning of Creation
B. The Groaning of the Christian
C. The Groaning of the Comforter
IV. The Glory That We Expect
A. We Are Predestined for Glory
B. We Are Preserved for Glory
1. No Fault Can Condemn Us
2. No Foe Can Destroy Us
3. No Fear Need Control Us
Conclusion  

Introduction
This morning we spent a great deal of time in Romans chapter 7 and I would like you
please to turn to Romans chapter 8. I want to speak to you today, tonight on your
spiritual biography. And, your spiritual biography has four chapters in it. And, the reason
I want to do this is just to remind you of how good God has been to you and what God
has in store for you.
As I’ve said before, the book of Romans is the constitution of Christianity. But now,
may I say this, that this constitution has no Bill of Rights. It doesn’t tell us of what we
deserve. We have no rights. But it does tell us of the gifts of grace which are better than

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a Bill of Rights.
I want you to see what the Lord has done for you and is still doing for you. And, I
want to give you tonight four key words. The first word is guilt. The second word is
grace. The third word is grief. The fourth word is glory. And, you’re going to find all of
those right here in Romans chapter 8. And, the very first word I want you to think about
is the word guilt.

I. The Guilt We Exhibit

Now, the Bible says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in
Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Now, however, dear friend, if you’re not in Christ Jesus,
there is condemnation. And, that condemnation is there because of guilt. We talked
about that guilt this morning. Now, if you were to ask the average person, “What is
guilt?”, he would tell you, “Guilt is the feeling you feel when you do bad.” But my friend,
that is not guilt. That is guilt feeling. And, the problem with many psychologists,
psychiatrists and even some liberal preachers is that they want to deal with guilt feeling.
But, you’ll never deal with guilt, until you deal with guilt itself and have that guilt washed
away by the blood of Jesus.
Now, there’s a well-known television pastor on the west coast, in California. I’m not
going to call his name, but if you’ve seen television, you know who he is. And, I just
don’t want to call his name, lest somebody will think I’m picking on him. But, what he
has said, he said in a letter to the editor in Christianity Today, October the 5th, 1984.
And this is what he said, and I quote exactly. “I don't think anything has been done in
the name of Christ that and under the banner of Christianity that has proven more
destructive to human personality and, hence, counterproductive to the
evangelism enterprise than the often crude, uncouth, and unchristian strategy of
attempting to make people aware of their lost and sinful condition.”
That’s what he said. And, then he went on to say on CBS morning news, January
the 17th, 1985. And I quote again, a direct quote. “My number one rule is I don't want to
do anything that would turn somebody off, so that they're not opening to listening to my
invitation to them to accept Jesus Christ—now watch this—as their best friend.”
Now my dear friend, that kind of “feel good” theology, I’m okay, you’re okay, don’t
do anything to turn anybody off, just help us all to go around scratching each other’s
itches and patting each other on the back. My dear friend, that is not Bible Christianity.
So, I’m going to have to stand before you tonight and be one of those people that he
has talked about—that is, crude, uncouth, and unchristian—to tell you if you don’t get
saved, you’re going to hell. My dear friend, I can’t put it any plainer than that. And,
maybe I said it with almost a sense of levity in my voice. But, I want to say it with a
heartbreak and a tear in my voice. If you don’t get saved, you’re going to hell. You’re

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going to die. You’re going to perish in your sin.
The Bible teaches that there is a condemnation if you’re outside of the Lord Jesus
Christ. There is a thing called guilt. The Bible says, “For all have sinned, and come short
of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) and
“the soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4).
And, if God didn’t mean that, He shouldn’t have put it in His book. He put it in His
holy book. And nobody, nobody has ever been saved until he’s seen himself a poor,
lost, undone, hell-deserving, sin-bound, hell-bound sinner. And I hope, by the grace of
God, that God has pierced through your self-righteousness—if you’re a self-righteous
person—and pulled away that veil, that flimsy veil of self-righteousness and shown you
and shown me for what we are, sinners, as we said this morning, by birth, by nature, by
choice, and by practice.

II. The Grace We Experience

Now, I don’t want to spend any more time on that particular point but I want to move on
to chapter 2 of your spiritual biography. Chapter 1 is the guilt we exhibit. Chapter 2 is
the grace we experience. Now, continue to read: There is therefore now no
condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after
the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law
of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh,
God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in
the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after
the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1-4).
A. There Is No More Condemnation for Sin
What this means, dear friend, is three things. Number one, there is no more
condemnation for sin. There is therefore now no condemnation. That means no
judgment to those who are in Christ Jesus. Now, what does it mean to be in Christ
Jesus? To be in Christ Jesus means to be in Christ what Noah was to the ark. The Bible
teaches us that the ark was a type and a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ. And, after
God built that ark, or after Noah built that ark with God’s instructions, God said to Noah,
“Noah, I want you to put some tar, some resin on the inside and on the outside. I want
you to pitch it with pitch inside and outside.
Now, that word that, kaphar is the word that is also translated atonement. It’s
interesting, isn’t it? And I believe God was making a play on words. He was saying,
“Noah, put atonement on the inside and the outside of that ark.” Now, that flood
represented the judgment of God. And what God was saying is, “My atonement is what
keeps the judgment out.” You see, not a drop of water could get in because there was
atonement. There was that thick, gooey substance that sealed the water out as Noah

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was sealed in.
Now my dear friend, Noah may have fallen down many times inside that ark but he
never fell out. Thank God, he couldn’t because God put him in, God shut the door, and
not one drop of water could get in. And so, when the storms of God’s wrath beat upon
that ark, Noah was safe. There was no condemnation to him. There was to the entire
world. The entire world was condemned except for Noah and his family for they were in
that ark. And so, if you’re in Christ, there’s no condemnation for sin. That’s verse 1.
B. There Is No More Control by Sin
But, it gets better. There’s also no control by sin. And, that’s verses 2 through 4.
Look at it: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the
law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2) Not only did that ark keep the water out, it bouyed
Noah up. And, rather than being submerged under the water, he rode up over the water.
There is the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus that makes us free from the law of sin
and of death. And, we’ve talked about that.
C. There Need Be No More Continuance in Sin
And, because there is no more condemnation by sin, there is no more control by sin,
then there need be no more continuance in sin.
Look if you will in verse 3: “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through
the flesh” (Romans 8:3).That is, it doesn’t do God any good or you any good for God
just simply to say, “Don’t do that because you don’t have what it takes not to do that.
“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his
own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh.” Now, Jesus was not sinful flesh just in the
likeness of sinful flesh. He was flesh but sinless flesh. And for sin, He came to die as a
substitute for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.
Now, Jesus condemned sin that I might not be condemned. He took my sin and your
sin and He carried that sin to the cross. He condemned sin in the flesh because it was
in the flesh that Adam sinned. It had to be in the flesh that Jesus redeemed Adam. Only
a man can redeem a man. And, that’s why Jesus took flesh and carried our sins to the
cross.
Now, notice verse 4: “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who
walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:4). Now, what does it mean? It
doesn’t say that the righteousness of the law is fulfilled by us. Pay attention. It says the
righteousness is fulfilled in us. Now, what does that mean? It means that when we come
into Christ, Christ comes into us. And, the life we now live is not our life it is His life.
I told you a few Sundays ago there’s only one person who has ever lived the
Christian life. His name is Jesus. And friend, if the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in
your life, it will be Christ in you doing it. The righteousness of the law is not fulfilled by

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you. It is fulfilled in you. And when that happens, three wonderful things happen to you.
1. You’re Led by the Spirit
Let me show you what happens to you. You’re led by the Spirit. You’re loved by the
Father. You are lifted by the Son. Now, look at verses. Let’s just continue to read here.
Let’s skip on down to verse 11 and look at that: “But if the Spirit of him that raised up
Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also
quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are
debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die:
but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 4For as many
as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:11-14).
So what happens now? I am led by the Spirit. I’m not left to flounder around like a
ship without a rudder; like a mast on a dark and stormy night. But, when God saved me
there’s no more condemnation for sin, there is no more control by sin. Therefore, there
is no more continuance in sin because I am led by the Spirit. And, the Holy Spirit of God
who now lives in me says this is the way. Now, but in order to be led by the Spirit; you
have to have a quiet time. You see, God’s Spirit is a still; small voice and you have to
stop and listen.
2. You’re Loved by the Father
But you see, not only are you led by the Spirit, you’re loved by the Father. Read now in
verse 15. And I’m just hurrying to give you an overview. For he says in verse 14: “We’re
led by the Spirit, and then in verse 15 He says: “For ye have not received the spirit of
bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry,
Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of
God” (Romans 8:15-16).
O dear friend, God loves us as you love your own children and even more than you
love your children. For the Bible says: “When my father and my mother forsake me,
then the LORD will take me up” (Psalm 27:10). And, when the Holy Spirit comes into
us He begins to speak to the Father. And, He puts these words in our spirit, Abba,
Father.
Do you know what the word Abba means. We have a translation today. It just means
daddy, father. da da, Abba, Abba Father. The first words that a little boy would utter in
Bible times, when he looked at his daddy wouldn’t be Da da but Abba. And, that’s what
the Holy Spirit is saying to us. He is our daddy, Father. How intimate, how precious.
3. You’re Lifted by the Son
You see, friend, listen. This is the grace that we experience. No more condemnation for
sin, no more control by sin, no more continuance in sin because we’re led by the Spirit.
We’re loved by the Father and we’re lifted by the Son. Look if you will in verse 17: “And

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if children”— and we are children, now watch this—“then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-
heirs with Christ”—Don’t miss that” (Romans 8:17). Do you know that Jesus Christ is
going to inherit everything? I mean, He’s the heir of everything. People want to know
what the world is coming to. It’s coming to Jesus. Friend, it all belongs to Jesus.
But now, listen. The Bible says, We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus. Now,
if somebody leaves their will and you participate in that will. And, they open that will and
the lawyer reads all of the names of the people who participate in that will. And, then
when he says this, “You share and share alike, that means you get the same portion
everybody else gets. Isn’t that right? You are a joint-heir.” My dear friend, what Jesus
gets, you get. You are an heir of God and a joint heir with the Lord Jesus.
I was down in another city awhile back and a pastor took me out to show me where
the fine homes in the city were. And, we were just riding around. He said, “Look at that.”
Then he said, “Look at that and look at that.” And boy, I’m telling you, there were some
mansions down there by the riverfront. And I said, “Well, you ought to see my brother’s
place.” And he said, “Oh?” Every time he’d show me something big I’d talk about my
brother’s place. After awhile, he said, “Who is your brother?” I said, “Jesus Christ.”
Now, dear friend, let me tell you something. He is my brother. The Bible says that He
is not ashamed to call us His brothers. He’s not ashamed to call us brethren. And
because we’re in the family, because we’re led by the Spirit and loved by the Father
we’re lifted by the Son. We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with the Lord Jesus Christ.

III. The Groan That We Endure

So I’ve talked to you about two things in your spiritual biography. Number one, the guilt
we exhibit. Number two, the grace we experience. But number three, and oh I don’t
want to leave this out. Because what I’ve talked to you about thus far has sounded
good. But the third thing I want to talk to you about is the groan that we endure.
Continue to read now in verse 18—now here’s a darker note that comes—“For I reckon
that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory
which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth —if
you’re Bible says, creature, it may be, and should be translated creation—for the
manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not
willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the
creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious
liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:18-21). Now watch verse 22: “For we know
that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Romans
8:22).
Now in verse 22, you have the groaning of creation. And, now look down in verse
26. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray

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for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us—now watch the word—
with groanings which cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26). That’s the second time He
mentions groanings.
And, now I want you to continue to read as we look in God’s Word and see that
there’s also the groaning of the Christian himself in verse 23: And not only they, but
ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within
ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body” (Romans
8:23). And, he says that this age that we live in is marked by suffering.
I’d like just to paint the clouds with sunshine and tell you if you get saved it’s going to
be all honey and no bees, it’s going to be all flowers and no weeds, it’s going to be all
sunshine and no rain, it’s going to be all joy and no heartache but I’d be telling you a lie.
Dear friend, this is chapter 3 of your spiritual biography. The guilt we exhibit, the grace
we enjoy and the groans that we endure. And there is the groaning—first of all—of the
creation. Then there, my dear friend, there is the groaning of the Christian. And then,
there is the groaning of the Comforter.
A. The Groaning of Creation
Now, let’s look at the groaning of the creation in verse 22. We know that the whole
creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. Everything that you see in
nature is out of kilt. That hurricane that hit the coast of North Carolina wasn’t in God’s
original intention. God didn’t have hurricanes in mind when He spun this world into
space.
When I went to the hospital last night to see Jim Moffatt and he was lying there in
pain, that wasn’t the way God meant for a man’s body to operate when God made us.
There’s something wrong with all creation. I hope you know that. The Bible says, look if
you will in verse 20: “For the creature was made subject to vanity” (Romans 8:20).
And the word vanity means that it does not measure up to its original intention.
Now you just look around at nature. You see pain and pang, and moan and groan,
and crying and dying and sighing, and tooth and fang and claw, and decay and
corruption. And all around us—everything we see—has the foul breath and the gnawing
tooth of decay. Everything is just winding down, everything is corrupting and everything
is decaying. And, what the evolutionist calls the survival of the fittest is really the
bondage of corruption. That’s what it is, what the Bible calls of corruption.
Now, why did God make everything subject to bondage? And, why did God make
the whole creation groan and travail in pain? Well, the worst thing that could happen to
sinful fallen man would be to live still in the Garden of Eden with no pain and no
problems.
You see, God gave us pain, God gave us problems, God gives us heartache, God

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gives us tears, God allows sickness, sorrow and disasters. All of these things to show
us that something is drastically wrong. And, you see if we lived without any tribulation, if
everything was smooth and yet our hearts were wicked, we’d never repent. We’d never
see the need of God. And, so God allows these things to come. As He said to Adam in
the Garden of Eden after Adam had sinned, “Adam, cursed is the ground for your sake,
because I love you.”
Now, what happens with many of us is this. We see this groaning of creation. And,
what we try to do is just simply kill the pain. And, we’re not supposed to kill the pain.
What we need to do is deal not with the symptom but with the sickness, which is sin.
And, preachers like that preacher that I just read to you about, all he’s trying to do is
get rid of the guilt feeling. But, he never deals with the guilt. At least, with that kind of
theology, he wouldn’t be dealing with the guilt. I hope he’s learned how to do it. I really
don’t know. But, there is the groaning of creation. That’s one groaning.
B. The Groaning of the Christian
And, then there’s the groaning of the Christian. Look if you will in verse 23: “And not
only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves
groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body”
(Romans 8:23).Because you’re a Christian, you’re a part because you are a human
being, you are a part of it. And being saved, being born again does not mean immunity
from pain and suffering.
Now, the Bible teaches that we’re saved by hope. Look if you will in verse 24: “For
we are saved by hope” (Romans 8:24). Now, he’s not talking here about the
salvation of our soul. He’s talking now about the redemption of our bodies. You see, our
body has not yet been redeemed. You see verse 23? It says: “waiting for the adoption,
to wit, the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:23). And, our body is going to be
redeemed by the blessed hope when Jesus comes again. Then and only then is the
redemption of our bodies. Now, the Bible does teach that we’re healed by the stripes of
the Lord Jesus. But—this in my estimation is what Isaiah 53 is talking about—when we
are healed in eternity, when we are made just like the Lord Jesus.
There’s not a person in this room that is not sick. Everybody here has a terminal
disease. Did you realize that? I mean, do you know what you’re doing, folks? You’re
sitting there dying. Every moment we live we move one step closer and one heartbeat
closer to the grave. Every one of us have the seeds of death, decay and destruction in
us. And, if you’ll think about it there’s probably very few people here not feeling a pain
somewhere right now. Did you find yours?
Okay, now, now listen. Being a Christian does not make you immune. Look if you
will at verse 18: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be

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compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). But, we’re
saved by hope. And what is hope? Hope, in the Bible, means two things. Number one, it
means a certain expectancy. And number two, it means a glad expectancy. There’s
coming a day when our vile bodies are going to be made unto his glorious body. There’s
coming a day when all of the pain, all of the marred marring and ravages of sin will be
taken away and lifted away.
Now, listen folks. Until that time comes there is the groaning of creation. You might
as well accept it. This world is an imperfect world. There are going to be floods,
tornadoes, droughts, boll weevils, cankerworms, cancer and all of these things in
creation. And, those of you who are saved, those of us who are saved, we ourselves
also groan. Verse 23, “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of
the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the
redemption of our body” (Romans 8:23). Your spirit is saved but your body is yet to
be redeemed. And, your body will be redeemed when Jesus comes again. That is the
redemption of the body.
C. The Groaning of the Comforter
But there’s a third groaning. Not only the groaning of creation and the groaning of the
Christian but there’s the groaning of the Comforter. Look at verse 26: “Thank God for
this. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should
pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings
which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26). Thank God, we don’t have to bear these
groanings alone. The Holy Spirit is there to help us through.
J. B. Phillips translation gives it this way: “His Spirit within us is actually praying for
us in those agonizing longing which never find words.” Now, the Holy Spirit is called a
comforter. And, the word comforter means somebody who’s called along your side to
help, like a doctor beside the bedside of a patient, like a lawyer standing in a courtroom
by his client, like a fireman standing alongside a burning building. He is there. When you
hurt, he hurts. And, there have been times and I’ve experienced those times when I
didn’t even know what to say to God. I prayed everything I knew to pray. And, I just had
to say, “O Spirit of God, pray for me. Pray in me.” Words that I could not say—thank
God—He has said, does say and He groans within us.
And, so what is your spiritual biography? First of all, the guilt we exhibit, then the
grace we enjoy and then the groans that we endure. But, let me give you the fourth
chapter. It’s the glory that we expect. Continue to read now: “And we know that all
things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called
according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be
conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

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Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he
also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” (Romans 8:28-30).

IV. The Glory That We Expect

Now, dear friend, let me talk to you about the glory that we expect.
A. We Are Predestined for Glory
The first thing I want to say to you is this, that we are predestined for glory. The Bible
teaches it very clearly and very plainly here that we are predestined. The Bible says:
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate” (Romans 8:29).
Now, what does predestinate mean? It means that it’s settled in the mind of God,
that you’re going to be like the Lord Jesus. It means it is pre-determined. Now, that
doesn’t take away your free will because the Bible teaches the predestination of
Almighty God and the sovereignty of God. The Bible also teaches that you must choose
but you can only choose Him because He has first chosen you.
Now, notice these wonderful words. First of all, He foreknows. And, those that He
foreknows He predestines. And, those that He predestines, He called. And, those that
He called, He justified. And, those that he justified, he glorified. And notice He puts it in
the past tense. Did you know I’m already glorified? I haven’t been there yet but in the
mind of God it’s already happened. It’s in the past tense.
Now, we don’t have to wait ’til we die to see if we’re going to Heaven. Friend, in the
eternal councils of God it’s already settled. I am predestined to glory. And, what has
been settled in eternity can’t be undone in time. And, what has been decreed by
Heaven cannot be annulled by hell or humanity. I thank God that if you’re in Christ, if I’m
in Christ—and I am and I trust you are—that you are predestined for glory. Because
you’re predestined for glory, you’re preserved for glory.
B. We Are Preserved for Glory
Look if you will now in Romans 8:31 as we continue: “What shall we then say to these
things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Now listen. I want you to see how this
works out. First of all there is no fault that can condemn you. Not anything that the devil
can raise up against you. Notice in Romans 8:32-34: “He that spared not his own Son,
but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he
that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the
right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”
1. No Fault Can Condemn Us
Now, what is He saying here? He’s saying, dear friend, that there is absolutely no
fault that can condemn us. He’s saying the same thing that he said in verse 1. There is

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therefore now no condemnation in Christ Jesus. Well, you say, “Adrian, does that mean
that you can just sin and do anything that you want and it makes no difference? No. If I
sin, I’ll end up in the wood shed. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth” (Hebrews
12:6). But I want to tell you, there is nobody who can lay any fault against me. There
is nobody who can condemn me.
You see, if sin could condemn us, we’d all be condemned. I mean, we all sin. I
wouldn’t trust the best 15 minutes I ever lived to get me to Heaven. But you see, the
Bible teaches that there’s absolutely no one who can who can condemn us. Look at
Romans 8:34: “Who is he that condemneth?” You can’t be condemned. Because no
matter what happens to you Jesus says, “For those sins I died.”
Now, if there’s somebody here who says, “Well, hallelujah! I’ve got a free ticket then.
I can just get saved and sin all I want to.” May I tell you, I sin all I want to. As a matter of
fact, I sin more than I want to. As a matter of fact, I don’t want to. And, if you still want
to, you need to get saved. I mean, you need to get your wanter fixed. No, you need a
brand new wanter. Don’t get the idea that He’s just saying, “Well, you’ve just got to,
you’ve got a ticket to sin here.” No, that’s not what He’s saying.
But, he is saying, once we get in Christ, there’s no more condemnation. I’m telling
you, dear friend, these people who think they get saved, and then they’re going to live
well enough to get to Heaven, they’re so, pardon me, stupid. Don’t you know that one
half of one sin would damn you forever if God put it on your account? God demands
absolute perfection.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus”
(Romans 8:1). And, when you sin it is not marked against your account. Yes, you are
chastised. Yes, you may lose reward in Heaven. Yes, you may lose the answer to your
prayer. But, you’re standing with God is settled when you receive the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. No Foe Can Destroy Us
And I’m telling you, dear friend, listen. We are predestined for glory and we are
preserved for glory. I’m preserved for glory because no fault can condemn me. Number
two, no foe can destroy me. Look Romans 8:35: “Who shall separate us from the love of
Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or
sword?”
He mentions seven enemies. And, the apostle Paul himself had faced all seven of
these enemies if you’ll read his life. And, these have been common enemies of
Christians from the earliest days. But, what the apostle Paul knew from divine revelation
and from personal experience is that none of these things can separate us from the
Lord Jesus Christ.
Look at it again. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation—

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you’re going to have tribulation—or distress?—you’ll have it—or persecution?—you’ll
have it—or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35). You may have all
of these. But on the contrary, rather than separating you from Jesus, they will draw the
true child of God all the closer to his Lord. We are more than conquerors.
Look Romans 8:37: “Nay, in all these things– not without these things, but in all of
these things – we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans
8:37). Now, you know what the word more than conqueror means? It doesn’t mean
super-conqueror. It means supra-conqueror. More than a conqueror. It doesn’t mean
that we win the last thirty seconds with a field goal. Friend, listen. The devil doesn’t even
get in the battle. I mean, in the real battle. I mean, he is defeated, he is stripped,
shamed, and subdued. We are conquerors in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now, friend, this is the glory. I want you to see we are predestined for glory. Not only
are we predestined for glory, we are preserved for qlory. And because of that, no fault
can condemn us, no foe can conquer us and no fear need control us.
3. No Fear Need Control Us
Look if you will now in verses 38 and following: “For I am persuaded, that neither death,
nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to
come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from
the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-40).
This chapter begins with no condemnation and it ends with no separation. What He
is saying is this. Friend, neither death nor life can separate you. It doesn’t matter if you
die, you can’t be separated from Him. If you live, you can’t be separated from Him.
What He is saying is, “Heads I win and tails I win. It makes no difference.” Friend, I don’t
have to worry. No fear needs to control me. I know that I know that I know and there’s
nothing that can separate me from the love of God.

Conclusion
Now, my dear friend, I’ve given you your spiritual biography if you’re in Christ Jesus
from guilt to glory. The guilt we exhibit, the grace we enjoy, the groans we endure and
the glory we expect. It’s all in one chapter. I’ve just given a surface overview of that
chapter. But I pray that you’ll go home, that you’ll read it, that you’ll absorb it and that
you’ll receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.
Heads are bowed and eyes are closed. I wonder tonight how many in this
congregation would say, “Brother Rogers, Pastor, I have received Jesus Christ as my
personal Savior, I am born again”? I’m not just asking are you a baptized member of
this church but you could say, I am born again. I know that I am saved because I’ve
experienced what the apostle Paul wrote about here in Romans chapter 8. I am in
Christ Jesus. God’s Spirit bears witness with my spirit that I have been born again and

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the righteousness of the law is being fulfilled in me.”
I’m not talking about somebody who says, “I’m living in sin and I know I’m saved.” As
far as I’m concerned, if you’re living in sin, you have no right to know you’re saved. Dear
friend, I’m talking about people who are saying, “Pastor, by the grace of God I know that
I’m saved, I know that I’m preserved for glory and I know that nothing can separate me
from the love of Jesus. I know it.”
If you could give me that testimony, would you slip up your hand and hold it up? All
right, take it down. Now, if you couldn’t lift your hand, I want to pray for you right now
and I want to help you to pray to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord.
First of all, I’m going to pray for you and then I’m going to lead you in a prayer. And, in
this prayer you can ask Jesus to save you.
Father God, I want to pray tonight for these who are not saved that even tonight they
might say an everlasting yes to Christ and be saved. O Spirit of God; bring conviction.
Help people to see that outside of Christ there is condemnation, just as those people in
that day were condemned who were outside the ark. But Lord, inside of Jesus there is
safety and security. And O Father God, because there is no condemnation, there can
be no separation. Father, bring this home to their hearts I pray. Open hearts to the
Gospel of Christ that men, women, boys and girls might be saved.
Now while heads are bowed, the way to get into Jesus is to come in by faith. Believe
on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. The word believe does not mean
mere intellectual belief. It is a Bible word that means commitment and trust. Commit
your life to Jesus, trust Him and you’ll be saved.
And, if you couldn’t lift your hand a few moments ago to say I know that I’m saved or
if you lifted it and you had a twinge of conscience or if the Holy Spirit said, “You don’t
know that you’re saved,” then let me help you to get it settled right now. I want you to
pray this kind of a prayer. Pray it silently and fervently in your heart.
“Dear God” – that’s right, just talk to Him – “Dear God, I know that You love me and I
know that You want to save me.” – and friend, He does love you so much. Pray this –
“Jesus, You died to save me. You paid for my sins on that cross and You promised to
save me if I would trust You. I do trust You, Lord Jesus, right now, this moment, with all
of my heart, with all of my soul, I trust You. I open my heart. I receive You into my heart
as my Lord and as my Savior. Forgive my sin. I turn from my sin. I receive You, Jesus,
by faith like a little child. I don’t ask for any special feeling. I just trust You. I take You at
your word. You said You would save me. I trust You tonight, Lord Jesus. Thank You for
saving me, Jesus. I don’t deserve it. But I have received it by faith and that settles it.
Jesus, You’re now my Savior, my Lord, my God forever. And now, Lord Jesus, begin to
make me what You want me to be. Thank you, Lord, that I am predestined for glory and
therefore I’m preserved for glory. Thank You, Lord Jesus, that nothing can separate me

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from You. Thank you, Lord Jesus, because I’ve trusted You, no one can ever condemn
me again, my sins are under the blood, and no sin will ever be marked to my account,
because I’m in You and You’re in me. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Begin now to fulfill the
law in me, that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in me as You live Your life
in me, Lord Jesus.” – and then pray this, if you’ve prayed all of the rest of that – “Lord
Jesus, because You’ve saved me, because You hung naked on a cross and died for
me, help me to live for You. And help me, Jesus, not to be ashamed of You. And Lord
Jesus, help me to make it public that I’ve trusted You. Don’t let me be a coward. Don’t
let me be ashamed of You, Jesus. I will not be ashamed of You, Lord Jesus. I will make
it public. I will. By your grace, I will. And in your name I pray. Amen.”

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 The Agony and the Ecstasy
By Adrian Rogers
Date Preached: January 22, 1984

Main Scripture Text: Romans 8:1–4, 22–39

“And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the
Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for
the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”
ROMANS 8:23

Outline
Introduction  
I. The Grace That We Experience
A. There Is No Condemnation for Sin
B. There Is No Control By Sin
1. The Law of Sin and Death
2. The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus
C. There Need Be No More Continuance in Sin
II. The Groans That We Endure
A. The Groaning of Creation
B. The Groaning of the Christian
1. A Certain Expectancy
2. A Glad Expectancy
C. The Groaning of the Comforter
III. The Glory That We Expect
A. We Are Prepared for Glory
B. We Are Predestined for Glory
C. We Are Preserved for Glory
1. No Fault Can Condemn Us
2. No Foe Can Conquer Us
3. No Fear Need Control Us
Conclusion  

Introduction
“The Agony and the Ecstasy.” And, what I want to do is to spend a few moments in this,
one of the greatest chapters in all of the Word of God, the eighth chapter of Romans.
Now, the book of Romans has been called “the Constitution of Christianity.” You’ll never
be a great Christian, in my estimation, until you have a working knowledge of the book
of Romans. Now, contrary to the Constitution of the United States of America, this

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Constitution of Christianity has no Bill of Rights. We don’t have any rights; they’re all
gifts of grace—not anything that we say we deserve, but, thank God, we have received
plenty by God’s grace and for God’s glory. Now, I’m just going to give us, tonight, just
an overview. And, in this message, I want you to see what God has done for us, what
He is doing for us, and what God will do for us—I’m talking about those of us who are
saved.

I. The Grace That We Experience

Now, first of all, I want you to think of the grace that we experience. Look, if you will, in
verses 1–4: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ
Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in
Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could
not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of
sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law
might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1–4)
Now, there’s a lot in those four verses, but three things stand out to me, first of all.
A. There Is No Condemnation for Sin
First of all, because I’m a Christian, because I’ve been saved, there is no condemnation
for sin. Look at it again in verse 1: “There is therefore now no condemnation to [those
who] are in”—where?—“in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) Now, what does that mean? It
means that Christ is my ark of safety and I’m in Him. In the Old Testament, Noah’s ark
was given not only to preserve Noah but that it might be from time immemorial an
illustration of what happens to us when we are saved. As Noah was in the ark, I am in
Christ. You see that little preposition in? That’s where I am. I am in Christ.
Now, when God told Noah to build the ark, God said, “Noah, put some pitch on the
inside of the ark and put some pitch on the outside of the ark.” (Genesis 6:14) That is,
“Make it doubly secure within and without.” Now, pitch was a tar—a gummy
substance—that was spread all over that ark. The purpose of it was to make the ark
watertight, to make it waterproof, because it had to float. The storm in Noah’s day
represented the wrath of God. The ark represented the place of safety. The pitch… And,
incidentally, the word kaphar, which is translated “pitch” in the Bible, is also translated
“atonement.” And, you could say that God said to Noah, “Put atonement on the outside
and put atonement on the inside,” because it is the atonement that keeps the waters of
God’s judgment from coming through. You see, not one drop of water could get in, and
not one drop of judgment can come to me because I am safe in Christ.
Now, that’s one reason I believe in the security of the believer—because as Noah
was in that ark, I’m in Christ. Noah may have fallen down many times in the ark, but he
could never fall out of the ark—amen?—because God, when He put him in, God sealed

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him in that ark. And, because of that—hallelujah!—there is no condemnation for sin. Do
you see it? Chapter 8:1: “There is therefore now no condemnation to [those who] are in
Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) I’m not going to be judged for my sins—no judgment, no
condemnation. I have settled my case out of court. I am in Christ, and because I’m in
Christ, I am safe.
B. There Is No Control By Sin
But, not only can I say that there’s no condemnation for sin, but there’s no control by
sin. Look in verse 2, if you will: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made
me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)
1. The Law of Sin and Death
Now, there’s a law in the world called “the law of sin and death”—that is, that all of us
are sinners by nature, by choice, by practice, and that sin brings death, and there’s a
downward pull and we all feel it. We even sing about it:
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love.
—ROBERT ROBINSON
It’s called the law of sin and death. It is a downward pull that’s in everybody’s
experience. It’s constantly working. It has never been abrogated. It has never been
annulled. The law of sin and death is still alive, and it is working on you this very
moment.
2. The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus
But, there’s another law that’s also working, and according to verse 2, it’s called “the law
of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.” Now, you have two forces that are working on you as
a Christian: there’s that law of sin and death that pulls you down, and there’s that law of
life in Christ Jesus that keeps you from going down.
When I was making these particular sermon notes, I was on an airplane. And, I
could study good on an airplane. It must be the oxygen. I don’t know what it is, but I was
just doing real good making these sermon notes on an airplane. And, I was thinking,
you know, that the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus is like the law of aerodynamics.
Now, the law of gravity is always working on an airplane, but there’s another law—a
stronger law—that supersedes and takes over the law of gravity. It does not cancel the
law of gravity, but it overcomes the law of gravity. I don’t know what the real name for
that law is; I’m going to call it “the law of aerodynamics”—whatever it is that keeps an
airplane aloft that overcomes the law of gravity. Now, the law of gravity is working on
that airplane, but the airplane is overcoming the law of gravity. Now, I was sitting in that
airplane, and, therefore, the law of gravity had no effect on me—that is, to cause me to
fall to the earth some twenty or thirty thousand feet—because I was in a plane and that

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plane was overcoming that law, that downward pull, that was pulling on the airplane and
pulling on me. But, there was a greater power that was keeping me aloft. Now,
therefore, as a Christian, “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free
from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2) That doesn’t mean that the law of sin and
death is not pulling on me. That doesn’t mean that I’m not tempted. That doesn’t mean
that there’s not that downward pull. There is, but—hallelujah!—there’s that upward pull.
There’s the power of the life in Christ Jesus.
Now, suppose I’m sitting on that airplane, and I say, “You know, it’s kind of getting
stuffy in here. I believe I’ll step outside for a little while.” Well, that would be kind of
dumb to do because when I consciously take myself out of the control of that airplane
by my own choice, which is also my choice to do as a Christian—when I cease to abide
in Christ—I go down. That law of gravity is always there—always there. So, I’ve got to
stay in that airplane. And, dear friend, I want to tell you, the law of sin and death is
always there, but as I abide in the Lord Jesus Christ, there is no more condemnation for
sin. There is no more control by sin.
C. There Need Be No More Continuance in Sin
And so, thirdly, there need be no more continuance in sin. Look in verses 3–4: “For
what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own
Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the
righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after
the Spirit.” (Romans 8:3–4)
Now, notice what he points out, and something you need to understand—even
though you’re saved, how weak your flesh is. Look in verse 3. Here’s one reason you
can’t be saved by keeping the Ten Commandments: “For what the law could not do, in
that it was weak through the flesh…” (Romans 8:3) That is, there’s nothing wrong with
the law, but your flesh is such that the law is weak to save. God can’t just say, “Be good
and be saved,” because we are in the flesh and the flesh is weak. Your flesh is weak,
and my flesh is weak. And, the life of the Lord Jesus Christ condemns the sin in our
flesh.
Look again, if you will: “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through
the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh”—now, Jesus was not
in sinful flesh but only in the likeness of sinful flesh—“and for sin, condemned sin in the
flesh.” (Romans 8:3) Now, how did Jesus condemn sin in the flesh? Well, what that
means is His righteous life condemns my unrighteous life. I mean, when Jesus Christ
was here, He lived as a man ought to live. And, my life, in comparison to His life, is a life
that is condemned. His righteous life shows how unrighteous my life is and shows my
unrighteous life up for what it is.
I heard of a woman who was always proud of her wash and how white her sheets

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and how white her pillowcases and towels were until one day she did her wash and
hung it out. And, it looked so snowy white. And then, God sent a snow. And, when she
looked outside, there was her wash on the line. And, it was against the backdrop of
God’s snow, and her wash looked drab and grey. And, she said, “What can a woman do
in comparison to God’s snow?” Now, dear friend, your life may look good until you
compare it to the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. And “God sending his…Son in the
likeness of sinful flesh…condemned sin in the flesh.” (Romans 8:3)
Now, let me tell you something. You need to get it down straight, and the liberals
need to understand this: we are not saved by imitating Christ. We’re not saved by trying
to be like Christ. I mean, if the Bible tells me that I’m to be like Christ in order to be
saved, then I’m a goner because all His life did is condemn my life. The goodness of His
life points out the badness of my life—and, therefore, He’s no Savior; what He does is
just simply condemn me, if that’s all. Now, I want you to learn this, dear friend: that
salvation does not come by learning lessons from the life of Christ but by receiving life
from the death of Christ. Do you understand that? It’s not the life of Christ that saves
us; it is the death of Christ that saves us. The Bible says that His righteous life
condemns sin in the flesh. (Romans 8:3) And, if all I have is Christ for an example, His
example shows me just how rotten I am.
But now, wait a minute—wait a minute. Let’s continue to read—though, hallelujah!—
as we continue to read here in verse 4. He condemns sin in the flesh; that is, He
showed us that we could no longer depend upon ourselves—“that the righteousness of
the law might be fulfilled”—what’s that next word?—“in us”—not “by us,” but “in us”—
“who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:4) Now, what does that
mean? It means that God has never done away with His righteousness that’s in the law.
It’s not that God just forgets the law. It’s not that God’s standard is not important. But,
God says, “Look, you can’t do it. I’m going to send my Son in the likeness of sinful flesh
and for sin. I’m going to condemn sin in the flesh. I’m going to die for sin, that the
righteousness of the law might be fulfilled not by you, but in you.” Thank God for it. Now,
listen: In Christ, and by God’s grace, there’s no more condemnation for sin. And,
because of that, there need be no more control by sin because “the law of the Spirit of
life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)
And, therefore, there need be no more continuance in sin.
Folks, I wish Baptists were half as afraid of sin as they are sinless perfection. Now,
don’t get the idea that you’re supposed to go around, just because you’re saved by
grace, that you’re living in sin. That’s not so. Paul said in Romans 6: “Shall we continue
in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.” (Romans 6:1–2) I want to tell you that God
expects you to live a righteous and a holy life. Say, “Amen.” You’re no longer
condemned by sin (verse 1). You’re no longer controlled by sin (verse 2). Therefore,

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you should no longer continue in sin (verses 3–4), “that the righteousness of the law
might be fulfilled in [you].” (Romans 8:4) That is, if Christ is in me and He’s living His life
in me, that righteousness is going to show. Don’t call yourself a Christian if you’re not
living a righteous life. Don’t even say, “Well, I may not be living right, but I believe in
eternal security so I’m going to heaven.” You may be going to heaven, but if I were you,
I wouldn’t believe I was until I got my life right. I mean, I wouldn’t bank on that.
I’ll tell you, dear friend, there’s something wrong with a person who says, “I know I’m
saved, but I’m just not living as I ought to live.” I want to ask you, why not? Why not? No
more condemnation for sin, no more control by sin—there need be no more
continuance in sin. I believe some people are going to split hell wide open—never been
saved. They’re living double lives. They’re just like the people of this world. Jesus didn’t
bathe this world with His blood to have you serve the world, the flesh, and the devil.
You’re to be different. Are you saved? I’ll tell you, there’s the grace that we experience.
That’s the first thing I want you to see.

II. The Groans That We Endure

Now, the second thing I want you to see: the groans that we endure. This is the reason I
call this “The Agony and the Ecstasy.” I want you to skip a few verses, and I want you to
look, if you will, where this eighth chapter of Romans begins to pick up the word groan.
Look, if you will, for example, in Romans 8:22: “For we know that the whole creation
groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” (Romans 8:22) And then, look, if you
will, in verse 23: “even we ourselves groan within ourselves.” (Romans 8:23) Then, skip
on down to verse 26: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not
what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with
groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26) Three times Paul mentions
groanings—groanings. That’s the reason why I call this “The Agony and the Ecstasy.”
You’re going to find three groanings here that we experience.
A. The Groaning of Creation
First of all, there’s the groaning of creation, beginning in verse 18. Let me read about it.
Paul says here, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be
compared [to] the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18) Now, underscore
the word suffering. Did you ever get the idea that you’re going to get out of this world
without suffering? Did you ever think when you joined Bellevue Baptist Church and got
baptized, you had a ticket that said, “No more suffering”—all the way into glory with no
more suffering? Well, friend, I just want to tell you, that’s not true. The sufferings of this
present time Paul speaks of as a fact, but he says they’re “not worthy to be compared
[to] the glory which shall be revealed in us”—and he goes on to say—“For the earnest
expectation of the creature”—now, look at that word creature. Literally, it is “the

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creation”; that is, “all of nature”—“For the earnest expectation of the [creation] waiteth
for the manifestation of the sons of God”—that is, all creation is on tiptoes waiting for
God’s people to come into their own when Jesus comes again—“For the [creation] was
made subject to vanity, not willingly”—that is, they didn’t choose that. All of God’s
creatures and all of God’s nature didn’t choose that—“but by reason of him who hath
subjected the same in hope, Because the [creation] itself…shall be delivered from the
bondage of corruption [unto] the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know”—
now, watch it. Verse 22—“that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain
together until now.” (Romans 8:18–22)
Now, in verse 20, where he speaks of vanity, look at it: “For the [creation] was made
subject to vanity.” (Romans 8:20) Vanity does not mean… Well, what it does mean is
this: that it does not measure up to its original intention. In other words, God did not
create nature this way. This is not what God intended. Record cold, record heat,
drought, tornados, floods, pain, pain and tang and moan and groan and crying and
dying and sighing, and tooth and fang and claw and decay and corruption—that’s not
the way God made this world. “The [creation] was made subject to vanity.” (Romans
8:20) What happened is that sin came into the world. And, as I’ve told you before, the
worst thing that could happen to sinful man would be for sinful man to live in a perfect
environment and never know any sickness, never know any sufferings, never know any
pain, never know any disappointment, never know any heartache, never know any
drought, never know any tornados, never know any pestilence. If we lived that way, we
wouldn’t know anything was wrong.
So, God said to Adam, “Cursed is the ground for [your] sake” (Genesis 3:17)—not
“for your punishment,” but “for your sake.” “This is what you need, Adam. Because you
have a sinful nature, I cannot let the world keep its pristine glory that it had when I
created it.” And so, “the [creation] was made subject to vanity.” (Romans 8:20) And, “the
whole creation [groans] and [travails] in pain.” (Romans 8:22) What Darwin would call
“the survival of the fittest” is not the survival of the fittest, but it is the creation groaning
under the burden of corruption. That’s what it is. The law of tooth and fang is just simply
God’s curse on creation.
And so, all creation groans. If you listen to the wind when it blows through the trees,
it’s even in a minor key. All creation has a curse on it. Everything—it just decays. And,
the foul breath of decay and the gnawing tooth of time are just tearing everything apart.
That’s just… You just build a garden and leave it alone—it goes to weeds. Build a
house and leave it alone—it tumbles down. Everything is just—it’s built in. That is true
about all creation.
B. The Groaning of the Christian
But, not only is there the groaning of creation—now, watch it—there’s also the groaning

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of the Christian. Look again, if you will, in verse 23: “And not only they”—that is, the
creatures—“but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit”—that is, the ones
who’ve been born again—“even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the
adoption, to wit, the redemption of [the] body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that
is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for
that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” (Romans 8:23–25) Now, what
does that mean? It means that we also are groaning. You see, we are part of this
physical universe. There’s a curse on this physical universe, and I happen to live in this
physical universe. And, therefore, when the universe groans, and when nature groans, I
groan with it. To be a Christian does not mean that I am immune from suffering.
Now, what does verse 24 mean when it says, “[We’re] saved by hope”? (Romans
8:24) What does that mean? Well, you need to understand how the Bible used the word
hope. The hope that he’s talking of here is the redemption of the body, not the
redemption of the soul. The soul has already been saved. We already have the first
fruits of the Spirit, but the Bible says we are waiting for the adoption—that is, the
redemption—of the body. Look at it. Do you see it—verse 23? “And not only they, but
ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within
ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” (Romans 8:23)
Now, there are some people who tell you that if you’re a Christian, you’re not
supposed to be sick. And, they’ll say that “Jesus bore our sickness on the cross, and by
His stripes we’re healed.” And, almost every faith healer that you see goes up and down
the land telling you that. Well, Jesus did take our sicknesses, and with His stripes we
are healed—but not yet. You see, your body is not yet redeemed. You need to
understand that. You’re waiting for the redemption of your body. You see, when I got
saved, I was instantaneously justified in my spirit. I’m progressively sanctified in my
soul. I will be ultimately glorified in my body.
Now, if you don’t understand that, folks, you’re going to get awfully confused. That’s
the reason Paul said that there’s going to be sufferings—in verse 18: “For I reckon that
the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared [to] the glory which
shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18) “And [we ourselves] which have the firstfruits of
the Spirit…we groan within ourselves.” (Romans 8:23) Now look, folks, if you’ll just think
about it, there’s hardly a person sitting in this building that doesn’t feel a pain
somewhere right now. Just think about it. Did you find yours? Yes. Say, “He’s sitting
next to me.” Now listen, there’s a pain and a groan and a moan—that’s a part of us.
1. A Certain Expectancy
Now, when the Bible says that we have this hope, what’s it talking about? Well, when
the Bible uses the word hope, it means “a certainty”—it means “a certainty.” You see,
when the Bible speaks of the Second Coming of Jesus, the Bible calls the Second

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Coming of Jesus the “blessed hope.” (Titus 2:13) Now, it means “a certain expectancy.”
It doesn’t mean… We use the word hope like, “Well, maybe so and maybe not.” “Is this
going to happen?” “Well, I hope so.” But, when we use the Bible word hope, it doesn’t
mean “maybe so, maybe not.” It means “I know it is coming. It is a certain expectancy.”
2. A Glad Expectancy
But now, wait a minute—it is a glad expectancy.
My dad used to say to me something like this: “Adrian, I’m going to whip you.” Well,
you know, I knew he would. I mean, he just didn’t change his mind. Now, I knew he
would. It was a certainty—but not a glad certainty. I mean, I never called it a “hope,” just
a “certainty.”
But, you see, the Second Coming of Christ and the redemption of the body is a glad
certainty. A glad certainty is called a “hope” in the Bible. And, see, that’s the reason the
Second Coming of Jesus is the “blessed hope.” (Titus 2:13) Now folks, God’s not
finished with us yet. I mean, there’s more. There is more to come. Philippians 1:6:
“[And] being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you
will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) God is not finished with
you yet; and so, there is the groaning. There’s the groaning of creation, and then there’s
the groaning of the Christian.
C. The Groaning of the Comforter
But now, thirdly, there’s the groaning of the Comforter. Look, if you will, in verse 26:
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for
as we ought: but the Spirit”—and, by the way, the best translation is not “the Spirit
Itself,” but “the Spirit Himself”—“maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot
be uttered.” (Romans 8:26) Now, that’s the third groaning—the groaning of creation, the
groaning of the Christian, and the groaning of the Comforter.
Now, God knew that while we were down here in a world cursed with groanings—He
knew that we were too weak to bear these ourselves so He sent us a Comforter,
someone to suffer along with us, someone to bear these groanings with us. And, He is
there, the Holy Spirit of God, to agonize with us. I like the way J. B. Phillips translates
this verse. It says, “His Spirit within us is actually praying for us in those agonizing
longings which never find words.” Thank God—thank God—that the Holy Spirit of God
in me right now—He knows I suffer, He knows I have pain, He knows I’ll have more. He
knows you have trouble, and He knows you’re going to have more trouble. But, He’s
there to groan with you, to pray with you, to agonize with you. Just as a fireman is there
alongside a fire to add aid, and just as a doctor is there alongside a deathbed or
alongside a sickbed to give comfort and instructions, and just as a lawyer is alongside
you in a courtroom to plead your cause, the Holy Spirit of God has been called

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alongside of you to intercede for you, to pray with you, to groan for you “with groanings
[that] cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26)
And that, my dear friend, is the agony. It’s real. It’s in everybody’s life, no matter who
you are. If you’re saved, you’re going to suffer. If you’re lost, you’re going to suffer. But,
if you’re saved, there’s someone to suffer with you. There’s someone to groan with you.
There’s someone to help you. And—hallelujah!—what a helper!

III. The Glory That We Expect

Now, I’ve talked about the grace that we experience. I’ve talked about the groans that
we endure. Now, let me talk to you about the glory that we expect, as we come to the
end of this chapter. I want you to begin reading now in verse 28 of this chapter, and look
at it. Paul says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow,
he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he”—God’s
Son—“might be the firstborn among many [brothers]. Moreover whom he did
predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and
whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we…say [then] to these things? If
God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered
him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay
any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that
condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the
right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. [And] who shall separate us
from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or [persecutions], or famine, or
nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day
long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more
than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor
life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love
of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:28–39)
Now, these verses talk about the glory that we expect—not the groans we endure,
but the glory that we expect. Remember what verse 18 said? “For I reckon that the
sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall
be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18) Now, let me tell you about this glory.
A. We Are Prepared for Glory
First of all, we’re predestined—well, we’re prepared for glory. That’s the grace. I’ve
already talked about that.

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 B. We Are Predestined for Glory
But, not only are we prepared for glory, but because we’re prepared for glory, we’re
predestined for glory. Look, if you will, in verses 28–29: the Bible says, “And we know
that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called
according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate”—did you
know that I am predestined to glory and so are you?—“For whom he did foreknow, he
also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he”—God’s Son—
“might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate,
them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified,
them he also glorified.” (Romans 8:28–30) Now listen, folks, I am predestined for glory;
so are you. That’s what this passage of Scripture tells us.
You say, “Well, I don’t think I understand predestination.” Well, that makes two of us,
but I don’t worry about it because I can’t understand it. As a matter of fact, I wouldn ’t
have any confidence in a God I could understand. I’m glad there are some things about
God I don’t understand. I know that predestination doesn’t take away free will because
the Bible says, “Whosoever will may come,” (Revelation 22:17) and, “The Lord is…not
willing that any should perish.” (2 Peter 3:9) But, I know that God chose me in order that
I might choose Him, and I chose Him because He first chose me. I love Him because
He first loved me. And, I’m so grateful that God, in His infinite wisdom, looked down
through the tunnel of time and God predestined me to be saved.
Now, notice the result of these wonderful words. I was foreknown, and because I
was foreknown, I was predestined. And, because I was predestined, I was called. And,
because I was called, I was justified. And, because I was justified, I am already glorified.
That’s what it says. Look at it. And, it’s just an amazing thing, but look at it—the last part
of verse 30: “and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” (Romans 8:30) You would
expect him to say, “He will glorify,” but it says, “He glorified them.” This verse is in the
past tense, just like all of the others. What does that mean? You see, you and I live in
time, but God lives in eternity; and God sees it as already done. Do you know what
predestined means? It’s already done. I mean, I’m already glorified. You see, friend,
there’s no way that I can miss heaven because I’m predestined to be there. I am so
predestined to be there, and you are so predestined to be there, that God speaks of it
as already done. You are predestined for glory. And friend, what has been decreed and
settled in eternity will never be undone in time, and what has been decreed in heaven is
not going to be undone by hell or by humanity.
Are you predestined for glory? I am—I am. Hallelujah! Praise God! Listen, I was
prepared for glory by His grace. I am predestined for glory by His grace. It’s one of the
reasons I believe in eternal security of the believer. Listen, you can’t be more sure than
predestined, can you? I mean, I am predestined. God has predestined me. You say, “I

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don’t understand that.” Well, “whom [God] foreknow, [them] he also [predestined].”
(Romans 8:29) Now, what does foreknowledge mean? Does that mean He decided to
save some and decided not to save others? Some feel it means that. Others feel it just
simply means that God looked ahead in time and saw who would trust Him. And, when
He saw who would trust Him, then God said, “Those who trust me are predestined for
glory.” Whatever it means, predestined means predestined. However we got there,
we’re still there. We are predestined. And folks, that means we ain’t a gonna lose it. I
mean, it is already settled in the heart and mind of God. It is as good as done. God even
puts it in the past tense. We are predestined for glory. “Whom he did foreknow, he
[predestined]” (Romans 8:29)—“whom He predestined, He called; whom He called, He
justified; and whom He justified, He glorified.” (Romans 8:30)
C. We Are Preserved for Glory
Now, not only are we predestined for glory, but because we’re prepared for glory,
predestined for glory, therefore, we are preserved for glory. You want me to tell you why
I know I’m going to heaven? I’ll give you three reasons and the rest of these verses, and
then I’ll be finished.
1. No Fault Can Condemn Us
Number one: No fault can condemn me. You say, “You mean you don’t have any
faults?” I didn’t say that. But, no fault can condemn me. Look, if you will now, in verse
33 as we continue to read. Listen. Well, let’s get in verse 31, as we begin to read: “What
shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”—that’s a good
question, isn’t it?—“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how
shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge
of God’s elect?”—that is, “Who’s going to bring an accusation against one whom God
has elected?”—“It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that
died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also
maketh intercession for us.” (Romans 8:31–34) Now, what he’s saying is this: that there
is no fault that condemns us—that can condemn us. I mean, who can lay anything to my
charge? You say, “Well, Adrian, you’re not perfect.” That’s right, but in Jesus I’m
perfect. I am in Christ Jesus. And, in order, dear friend, for you to lay anything against
me, you’d have to lay it against Jesus, because I am in Christ and Christ is in me. And,
the Bible says He’s the One who justifies and He makes intercession for us in verse 34.
(Romans 8:34)
Now, the devil is “the accuser of [the] brethren.” (Revelation 12:10) The devil is the
prosecuting attorney, and Jesus is the defense attorney. And, the devil’s up there in
glory. He’s saying, “Look at that Adrian Rogers down there. Look at what he did this
time. Look at what he did that time. Look how he failed you, God. Look how he

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disgraced you, God.” And, he accuses me night and day before the Father. He’s “the
accuser of [the] brethren.” (Revelation 12:10) But, Jesus is there, according to verse 34,
and He’s making intercession. And, He’s saying, “Yes, Father, it is true. He failed in this
way, and he failed in that way. But, he’s my elect. He’s predestined. He is justified. And,
there’s no one who can lay any charge to one of my elect. I make intercession for him.
For those sins I died. My blood now is being applied.” Praise God! The Bible says,
“Blessed is the man [to] whom the LORD [will not impute] iniquity.” (Psalms 32:2) Thank
God! Hallelujah! If you think I’m talking about loose living and just happy-go-lucky living,
I’m not. But, I’m telling you that I wouldn ’t trust —I’ve said this before—the best fifteen
minutes I ever lived to get me to heaven , but there is no fault that can condemn me.
2. No Foe Can Conquer Us
But, not only that—listen, not only is there no fault that can condemn me—but I want to
say also that there is no foe that can conquer me. Look, if you will, in verse 35 now:
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?”—and now, he mentions seven
enemies. Listen to them. Seven foes—“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
shall tribulation”—you’re going to have tribulation—“distress”—you’re going to have
distress—“or persecution”—you’re going to have persecution—“or famine”—you’re
going to have famine—“or nakedness”—you’re going to know nakedness—“or peril”—
you’re going to know peril—“or [the] sword?” (Romans 8:35) You’re going to know the
sword, God tells His people. God’s people are not immune from these enemies. Paul
himself faced all of them, and Paul knew from personal experience that none of them
had the power to sever a soul from Christ. As a matter of fact, these seven enemies
draw the believer all the closer to Jesus Christ. “We are more than conquerors,”
(Romans 8:37) he says—“we’re more than conquerors through the Lord Jesus Christ” in
verse 37. “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors.” (Romans 8:37) That
literally means “super-conquerors.” Don’t get the idea that the Christians win by kicking
a field goal the last three seconds. “We are more than conquerors.” (Romans 8:37) We
don’t just squeak by.
3. No Fear Need Control Us
I’m telling you, no fault can condemn us, no foe can conquer us, and, therefore, no fear
need control us. Continue to read here in verse 38: “For I am persuaded”—and, by the
way, if you don’t believe in the eternal security of the believer, then you just don’t
believe what I’m about to read. As a matter of fact, I’m going to read one of the most
inclusive passages of Scripture in all of literature, and I’m going to stop when I finish
reading it. And, I’m going to find out if anybody can stand up in this congregation and
tell me anything that Paul left out of this statement of the things that he says can’t
separate us from Christ. And, if you can, well, I’ll just bow down and worship… No, I

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won’t worship you. Well, I don’t want to worry about it anyway because you can’t do it.
I’ll take you out to dinner tonight if you can, all right? How’s that? All right, listen to it.
You’re not going to get a dinner out of me. Listen to it—“For I am persuaded”—are you
listening?—“that neither death, nor life”—now, he’s already covered all the bases, right?
I mean, he’s already covered all the bases—“neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities”—what kind of angels? Good angels, bad angels, fallen angels—“nor
principalities”—that word principalities means “princedoms” or “kingdoms,” heavenly
kingdoms, earthly kingdoms, hellish kingdoms—“nor powers”—what kind of power?
White power, black power, atomic power, flower power, electric power, any other kind of
power that you can mention—“nor things present”—that means anything; I mean,
anything that’s in existence right now—“nor things to come”—anything that’s ever going
to come into existence—“Nor height”—that is, anything in heaven above—“nor depth”—
that is, anything in hell beneath. And, in case he missed it, in case he left anything else
out, he says—“nor any other creature”—any other creation—“shall be able to separate
us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38–39) Anybody
want to claim your dinner?
Now, let me tell you something, folks: Paul said there is nothing that can separate
you from the love of Christ if you’re in Christ. Isn’t that wonderful? Now folks, that just
makes you want to stand up and walk around a little bit. I mean, that’s exciting—that is
exciting. I’m telling you that there is no fault that can condemn us, there is no foe that
can conquer us, and there is no fear that need concern us. “[There is nothing that can]
separate from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39) The
grace we experience, the groans we endure, the glory we expect. It’s wonderful—
wonderful—to be a Christian. Hallelujah!

Conclusion
Let’s bow in prayer. Heads are bowed, and eyes are closed. Now, while heads are
bowed and eyes are closed, I just wonder, have you experienced God’s grace? You
remember how this chapter started out? “There is therefore now no condemnation to
[those who] are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) Everybody in this building tonight is
either in Christ or you’re out of Christ. If you’re out of Christ, you’re in Adam, and “in
Adam all die…in Christ…all [are] made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22)
Now, are you saved or lost? Are you in Adam or are you in Christ? Are you saved or
are you lost? I mean, as Marvin Mellon gave that testimony, he went around asking
people, “Do you know if you died right now, you’re absolutely certain you’d go to
heaven?” Well, I want to ask you that question: If you died right now, are you absolutely
certain you’d go to heaven? Friend, if you have repented of your sin and received
Christ, if you are in Christ, there’s no more condemnation for sin. There’s no more

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control by sin. There need be no more continuance in sin because of that grace that you
experienced.
Now, if you’d like to be saved tonight, let me tell you how to be saved. You can be
saved right where you are. You don’t have to come down to the front of the church to be
saved. You don’t have to join a church to be saved. You don’t have to be baptized to be
saved. You don’t have to keep the Ten Commandments to be saved. You don’t have to
obey the Golden Rule to be saved. Salvation is a gift. You can be saved right where you
are, right this moment. I mean, instantaneously, tonight, you can be saved. You must
recognize that you’re a sinner. You must repent of your sin. You must believe that Christ
died for your sins and by faith receive Him into your heart. The Bible says, “Believe on
the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31)
Now, you might just pray a prayer like this out of your heart; pray it and mean it:
“Dear God”—just speak to Him right now out of your heart—“Dear God”—I mean, right
now, do it, friend. If you’re not absolutely certain you’re saved, do it right now—“Dear
God, I know you love me, and I know you want to save me”—friend, He does love you.
This message is His love crying out and calling out to you—“I know you love me, and I
know you want to save me. Jesus, you died to save me”—confess that—“Jesus, you
died to save me, and you promised to save me if I would trust you. I do trust you,
Jesus”—would you tell Him that right where you are? I mean, with all of your heart,
sincerely, from the depths of your being right now, would you pray that way?—“I do trust
you, Jesus, right now. I trust you. I open my heart. I receive you, Jesus”—tell Him that—
“I receive you, Jesus. I receive you, Jesus. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus”—invite
Him in right now. He’s standing at your heart’s door, knocking, wanting to come in—
“Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Forgive my sin, and save me”—ask Him right now,
where you are—“Save me, Lord Jesus. Save me, Lord Jesus”—the Bible says, “For
whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13) Right
where you are—“Save me, Lord Jesus.”
Did you ask Him to save you? Did you? Then, thank Him for it. Here’s where the
faith comes in. You ask Him. You meant it. Then, by faith, pray this way: “Thank you for
saving me, Jesus. I don’t deserve it. I could never earn it, but I receive it now. You
promised, and you cannot lie, so I receive it now, Lord Jesus. I receive your grace. I
receive you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, for forgiving my sin. Thank you for saving me. I
receive it by faith like a little child, and that settles it, Jesus. Praise your holy name.”
Now, speak to Him this way: “You are my Lord, my God, my Savior, and my friend
forever. Praise your holy name.”
Now, I want you to pray one other thing now, and if you prayed all of this in your own
way—you prayed and said, “Lord, come into my heart and save me”—I’m going to ask
you to pray something else. Heads are still bowed. I want you to pray this: “Now, Lord

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Jesus, because I’m trusting you, give me the courage to make it public.” One of the
ways that we can know that we mean business is that we’re willing to confess Christ
before men. Jesus said, “If you’re ashamed of me and of my Word before this sinful and
adulterous generation, I’ll be ashamed of you when I come in the glory of the Father
with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38) The Scripture says, “Whosoever believeth [in] him
shall not be ashamed.” (Romans 9:33; 10:11) So, I’m going to ask you to pray, “Now,
Lord Jesus, give me the courage tonight—give me the courage tonight—to make it
public and to give you the glory. In your name I pray.”

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 Eternal Security of the Believer
By Adrian Rogers
Date Preached: March 10, 1991

Main Scripture Text: Romans 8:1–39

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in

Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
ROMANS 8:1

Outline
Introduction  
I. Eight Reasons I Believe in the Eternal Security of the Believer
A. The Clear Promise of Scripture
B. The Nature of the Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross
C. The Continuing Work of the Holy Spirit
D. The Predestination We Have to Be Like Jesus
E. The Relationship We Have with Jesus
F. The Eternal Life We Already Have When We Believe in Jesus
G. The Constant Prayers of Jesus for His Own
H. The Sovereignty of God
II. Some Answers to Apparently Conflicting Scriptures
A. 2 Peter 2:20–22
B. Matthew 24:13
C. Hebrews 6:4–6
Conclusion  

Introduction
Take your Bibles, turn to Romans 8 for just a moment, Romans chapter 8. Now, we’re
going to look at a lot of Scriptures, but we’re going to begin in Romans chapter 8. Now,
let me ask you a question. And, I know the answer, but I’m going to ask the question
and let you just think about it. Question number one, isn’t it wonderful that we can be
saved? Say, “Amen.” It’s just wonderful. Is there anything better than being saved? Yes,
there is. What is it? Well, it’s being saved and knowing that you’re saved. Amen? Isn’t it
wonderful that not only can we be saved, but the Bible teaches that those who are
saved can know that they’re saved? Well, is there anything better than being saved and
knowing that you’re saved? Oh yes. What could be better than that? It is being saved,
knowing that you’re saved and knowing that you can never lose your salvation. Now
friend, that is trice wonderful.

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 Look in Romans chapter 8 verse 1, the Bible teaches in verse 1 that we can be
saved. “There is therefore now no condemnation…” Hallelujah (Romans 8:1). The word
“condemnation” means judgment. Judgment for those who are in Christ Jesus is past, it
is over. We will never come into condemnation. Hallelujah we can be saved.
But, there’s something better than that. Look, if you will, in verse 16 of Romans 8,
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God”
(Romans 8:16). So, that’s the second wonderful thing. Not only can we be saved, we
can know that we’re saved. The Holy Spirit of God tells us that we’re saved, born again.
But, even more wonderful than that is that we can know that when we’re saved, and
know that we’re saved, we can also know that we are eternally secure and can never
lose that salvation. Look in Romans 8 verses 38 and 39, the Apostle Paul says, “For I
am persuaded”—this is not some whimsical view—“I am persuaded, that neither death,
nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to
come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from
the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–39).
Do you know why Romans 8 is such a wonderful chapter? It begins with no
condemnation, it ends with no separation. Isn’t it a wonderful chapter? You see,
Romans 8:1, “There is therefore no condemnation…” And, then in Romans 8 verses 38
and 39, “There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God…” Oh how
wonderful it is to be saved, and to know that we are eternally secure in the Lord Jesus.
You say, “Well are you talking about the Baptist doctrine of eternal security?” No. I’m
talking about the Bible doctrine of eternal security. If we have any Baptist doctrine, we
better get rid of it. And, Presbyterians and Methodists ought to get rid of Presbyterian
and Methodist doctrine. Episcopalians get rid of Episcopalian doctrine, and just
everybody go to what the Bible says the Word of God.
I’m not talking to you about Baptist doctrine. Well, you say, “You mean, a man can
walk down an aisle, shake a hand with a preacher, live like the devil and go to Heaven?”
Oh no. He’s going straight to Hell. I’m talking about people who have been twice born.
I’m talking about people who have received a new nature. I am saying that a person
who has been made a partaker of the divine nature, a person who has been twice born,
a person who has been justified, washed in the blood of Christ can never, ever again be
a lost soul.
Now, there are many who talk the talk, but have never had the experience. Look with
me now, and we’re going to look at a lot of Scriptures tonight, so just get your Bibles out
and we’re going to have a good time. Look with me for example, in Matthew chapter 7
for just a moment. Matthew chapter 7, and let me show you a verse of Scripture. The
reason I’m going to show you this Scripture is, if I talk to you about eternal security right
away, rather than looking in the Word of God, you’re going to parade it all past the

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judgment bar of your mind. And, you’re going to say, “Now, wait a minute, that doctrine
can’t be true, because I know someone who was once a Christian and they’re no longer
a Christian.”
May I tell you, that you think you knew someone who was once a Christian and who
is no longer a Christian? Number one, they still may be saved, and you don’t think they
are. Number two, they may never have been saved. Now, look here, there are many
people who look like they’re saved who are not saved at all. Our Lord is speaking of the
judgment and He says in verse 21, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall
enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in
heaven” (Matthew 7:21). You see, there are a lot of people who give lip service to our
Lord, but our Lord knows they’ve never been saved. But, He says, “Many will say to me
in that day”—Now, this is the judgment day—“Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy
name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful
works?” (Matthew 7:22). In “prophesying His name” means that, they preached.
They cast out devils, or at least to think they cast out devils, means that they were in
the business of spiritual service. And, to have done many wonderful works, maybe they
sang in the choir, maybe they took the offering, maybe they gave their money. All of
these things. But, notice what He says to these people, who sound right and look right,
He’s going to say to them, “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart
from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:23).
Now, someone would say, “They lost their salvation.” But, Jesus said, “They never
had it.” He didn’t say, “I once knew you and then you lapsed from the faith.” They looked
outwardly like they were saved, but they were not saved. Jesus said, “I never knew you:
depart from me, ye that work iniquity. What you called good works, I call iniquity.”
Now, leave Matthew chapter 7 and go to John chapter 10 and let me show you a
corresponding verse that is so different that it impinges on the same thing. Now, in John
chapter 10, look with me in verse 27, He says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know
them”—Notice, He says to the others, “I never knew you.” But, He says to His sheep—“I
know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them”—What?—“eternal life; and they
shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which
gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's
hand. I and my Father are one” (John 10:27–30).
So my dear friend, you may see somebody. You say, “Oh, I know somebody, he was
once a deacon, he was once a Pastor, he was once an evangelist, he was once a
missionary, he was once a soul winner, could not have been a more saintly, godly
person than that person. And, now he denies the faith. He’s living like the devil. Are you
trying to tell me Pastor that he’s saved?” No. I’m just trying to tell you he never was
saved. They may prophesy, and cast out devils, and do many wonderful works, but

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Jesus said, “I never knew you.” But, He says, “Those that I know, My sheep hear My
voice, I know them, I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish.”
Now, keep all of that in mind and turn with me please to 1 John, 1 John back in the
back of your Bibles. And, look if you will in chapter 2. And, this explains what happens
to so many people who profess the Lord Jesus Christ and they go back and they fall
away. And, somebody says, “Oh, they lost their salvation.” Of course they didn’t. Here’s
what happened to them. 1 John chapter 2 and verse 19: “They went out from us, but
they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with
us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us” (1
John 2:19). Not everyone who professes faith in Christ is saved. “They went out from us
because they were not of us. Had they been of us, they no doubt would have continued
with us. But, they went out to make it manifest, they were not all of us”. We have a
saying around here, “The faith that fizzles before the finish had a flaw from the first.”
They never were truly, truly saved. Now, but the Bible teaches that those who are truly
saved, are kept by the power of God.

I. Eight Reasons I Believe in the Eternal Security of the Believer

Now, let me give you some reasons for that. Let me give you some reasons for that.
Let me give you some reasons for why I believe in the eternal security of the believer.
Now, somebody just recently spoke to me about this, and I think that’s what has
engendered this message. They said, “Please, please bring a message on the eternal
security of the believer.”
Now, I want to give you eight ironclad Bible reasons why a born-again child of God
can never, ever, ever, ever, ever again be a lost soul.
A. The Clear Promise of Scripture
Number one, is the clear plain promise of the Scriptures. Now, go back to Romans
8, where we began, and look in verses 38 and 39. Notice what the Apostle Paul says, “I
am persuaded”—I am persuaded. This is something that I have thought about, I have
prayed about, this is something by inspiration of the Holy Spirit—“I am persuaded, that
neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor
things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate
us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”
Now, my dear friend, have you ever read a more all-inclusive statement than that?
There is nothing in Heaven above, earth beneath, Hell below, no creature, no
principality, no power, nothing that you can name, conjure up, or think of that could
possible separate you from the love of God. This is an all-inclusive verse, and if we
didn’t have any other verse in the Bible, any other verses than Romans 8, verses 38
and 39, I would say that would settle it beyond any peradventure, beyond any

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statement, God says, there is nothing, no nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing that can
separate you from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
B. The Nature of the Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross
All right, now here’s the second reason. The second reason is the nature of the
sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Look, if you will in Hebrews chapter 10, with me for just
a moment. Hebrews chapter 10 and verse 14, The Bible says, “For by one offering
he”—that is Jesus—“hath perfected”—Now, notice the next little phrase—“for ever them
that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). The offering of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross
bought salvation for you, sanctified you, made you perfect in the sight of God, once and
for all, now and forever.
Now, when you got saved, God didn’t just give you a new start. God made you
perfect and complete in His sight by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, you see,
in the Old Testament, sacrifices had to be made over and over again, because those
sacrifices could never really take away sin. All they did was to picture the sacrifice that
would come. All they did was, as it were, roll the sins of the people forward. All they
were was a promise of God to pay. Go back to Hebrews 10 verses 1 and 2: “For the law
having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can
never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers
thereunto perfect” (Hebrews 10:1). I mean, they offered the blood of bulls and goats, but
they had to do it year after year, after year, after year, after year, after year, after year,
after year as the centuries and the millenniums rolled on.
But, my dear friend, they never were made perfect. Notice in verse 2, “For then
would they not have ceased to be offered?”—That is, if the blood of a bull or a goat
could save you, why then they would just say, “It’s done”—“because that the
worshippers”—now watch it—“once purged”—that is once cleansed—“should have had
no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made
of sins every year”—Every time they went to that bloody place for a sacrifice, God was
saying, “You’re a sinner, you’re a sinner, you’re a sinner.” That’s what those Old
Testament sacrifices did. And, look in verse 4—“For it is not possible that the blood of
bulls and of goats should take away sins” (Hebrews 10:2–4). We all know that. Now,
having that in mind, look if you will, in again in verse 14 of this chapter. He speaks now
of Jesus and he says, “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are
sanctified.”
Now, the death of the Lord Jesus Christ was not like the death of those bloody
sacrifices of bulls and goats. When you come to Jesus, your sins are not just rolled
forward. Your sins are paid for. When you got saved, you didn’t just get a new start. My
dear friend, I’m trying to tell you something. If you were to get saved, and then lose your
salvation, in order for you to get saved again, Jesus would have to die again. Do you

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understand what I’m saying? I mean, when Jesus died, He provided something for you.
And, it says, “Good for one salvation only.” “By one offering, He hath perfected” for how
long? “For ever.” Forever. I mean, dear friend, forever.
Now, if you ever lost your salvation, Jesus would have to leave Heaven, come back
to this earth, and die again in order to save you. That’s the reason you will never find in
the Bible a record of anybody being saved twice. Have you ever thought about that?
Nowhere in the Bible will you find it, not one place. My dear friend, you will never find in
the Word of God anybody ever saved twice. Why? “For by one offering, He hath
perfected forever, them that are sanctified.”
You say, “Well, what if I sin after I get saved?” Did I hear you correctly? What if? Let
me show you what happens to your sins. Turn to Romans chapter 4 here for just a
moment. Oh my dear friend, I’m going to read to you something here that’s one of the
most incredible blessings in all of the Word of God. You’re not saved, my dear friend, by
good works. If you could work for your salvation, it wouldn’t be a gift, it would be a
reward. The Bible says in Romans 4 verse 4: “Now to him that worketh is the reward not
reckoned of grace, but of debt”—If you were save by your good works, then salvation
would be something God owes you. That’s what he’s saying in verse 4. But, he says in
verse 5—“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly,
his faith is counted for righteousness”—When you stop trying and start trusting, at that
moment you become a child of God. And, then he gives an illustration—“Even as David
also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness
without works” (Romans 4:4–6).
You say, “All right, how am I made righteous?” God imputes righteousness to you.
You say, “What does ‘imputeth’ mean?” Well, it just means He puts that on your
account. Next time you go to the department store, don’t say, “Charge it,” just say,
“Impute it.” It’s the same thing. “Put that on my account.” God imputes righteousness
without works. Not anything that you do, not one cent of a half of an act helps get you
saved. God imputes righteousness to you.
Now, “Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven”—Now, that’s
wonderful isn’t it? Sin forgiven. Hey, but folks, that’s not the best part, look. “Blessed are
they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered” (Romans 4:7). Oh
thank God for that. I mean, He didn’t just forgive me and then leave the record there. Oh
friend, He forgave me and then He covered it. With His precious blood He blotted it out.
You say, “It can’t get better than that.”
Oh wait a minute. It does get better. “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not
impute sin” (Romans 4:8). Whew!! Hey, forgiven that’s wonderful, blotted out that’s
better. “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Now, He’ll carry you to
the woodshed and beat the daylights out of you. But, friend, He does not put it on your

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account. These people who think you can lose your salvation if you don’t live just right.
What arrogance. What consummated arrogance. So, you think you’re living good
enough to get you to Heaven. My dear friend, if God put one-half of one sin on your
account, you’d go to Hell. I wouldn’t trust the best fifteen minutes I ever lived to get me
to Heaven, much less some of my worst ones.
But, my dear friend, by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, my iniquity is forgiven, it is
covered. And, then God says, “I will not, I will not, I will not impute that sin to you.” This
has nothing to do with the fact that God will chastises children, and God will carry you to
the wood shed and God will judge you. But, my dear friend, if God were to impute sin to
you, you’d be lost again and you’d have to get saved again. But, then Jesus would have
to die again, and He’s not going to die again. “For by one offering He hath perfected
forever them that are sanctified.”
I like it, and I get excited about it. You want me to tell you how many times you want
to get saved? You can get saved as many times as Christ died. That’s how many times
you can get saved.
C. The Continuing Work of the Holy Spirit
Now, I’ll tell you another reason that I believe in the eternal security of the believer.
And, that is by the continuing work of the Holy Spirit of God.
Turn with me please to the book of Philippians chapter 1 for just a moment.
Philippians Chapter 1 and verse 6, now the Bible says, “Being confident of this very
thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus
Christ” (Philippians 1:6). Who started this salvation thing in you? Did you seek God or
did God first seek you?
The Bible says, “there is none that seeketh after God” (Romans 3:11). No not one.
He sought us. You say, “I sought Him.” It’s only because He first sought you. You say, “I
love Him.” It’s only because He first loved you. My dear friend, He began a good work in
you, the Holy Spirit of God. Salvation originated in the heart and the mind of God, not in
your heart and your mind, it is God’s sovereign work in your life. Who began it? The
Holy Spirit of God. And, the Bible says, “…he which hath begun a good work in you”—
What will He do? He will finish it—He “will perform it…”
Now, let me tell you what the Holy Spirit did, in your in your salvation. Number one,
the Holy Spirit was the convictor. He was the convictor. He convicted you of your sin.
Number two, the Holy Spirit was the convincer. The Holy Spirit made Jesus Christ real
to you. Number three, He was the converter. You were born again of the Spirit of God.
And, may I tell you that the convictor and the convincer and the converter is also the
completer. He’s the completer. He’s the completer. “He who hath begun a good work in
you, will,” He will, He will, He “will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Now, folks
you’re in better hands than All State, I want to tell you.

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 D. The Predestination We Have to Be Like Jesus
Now, I want you to turn back to Romans chapter 8, with me for just a moment. And,
here’s another reason that a child of God is eternally secure. And, it is because we have
been predestined by sovereign God to be with the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, in Romans
chapter 8 begin in verse 29. The Bible speaks of “the golden chain of redemption.” The
wonderful sequencing of events. And, He says here in verse 29, “For whom he did
foreknow”—that’s the first step—“he also did predestinate”—that’s the second step—“to
be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many
brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called”—That’s the third
step—“and whom he called, them he also justified”—That’s the fourth step—“and whom
he justified, them he also glorified” (Romans 8:29–30).
It doesn’t say, “He will glorify.” Did you know you’re just as glorified now, as you’ll
ever be. You say, “Well, man I don’t look like it, I don’t feel like it, I don’t think like it.” No,
but in the mind of God—who sees the finished transaction—my dear friend, God sees
you now glorified. You’re now glorified. Now, the Bible says, “Those whom He foreknew,
He also predestined.”
Do you know what “predestined” means? It means, folks, the sovereign God has
decreed it’s going to happen. Now, if you have been saved, God says, “That you’re
predestined, predestined to be conformed to the image of God’s Son.” Now, what does
that mean? It means nothing can stop it. It is done in the heart and mind of God. You
cannot be sure than predestined. Your destiny is predetermined by a sovereign God.
When I received Christ, I was predestined to be like Him. Now, my dear friend, if I’m
not like Him, I’m not predestined to be like Him. If it doesn’t happen. All I’m trying to tell
you, dear friend, is you cannot be more sure than predestined.
E. The Relationship We Have with Jesus
All right, now let me give you the fifth reason. The next reason is, the relationship
that you have with the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, the Bible tells us here in 2 Corinthians
chapter 5 and verse 17, and you may want to look at it. The Bible says, “if any man be
in Christ, he is a new creature” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Now, where am I tonight? Well you say, “You’re up there on the platform.” Well,
that’s right. But, you see, when God sees me, God doesn’t see me up here on the
platform. He knows I’m up here on the platform, but that isn’t the way He sees me. He
sees me in Christ. You see, everybody here tonight is either in Adam or in Christ.
The really only two men who ever lived, Adam and Christ. The first Adam and the
last Adam. And, either you are in Christ, or you’re in Adam. Now, in Adam all die.
Hallelujah, in Christ all are made alive. Now, if you are in Christ that is your position
tonight. Now, if I, therefore who am in Christ were to lose my salvation, a part of the
body of Christ would die. I mean. He would have an amputation. A part of the body of

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Christ would die. You see, I could not ever be lost unless the head of a new creation,
the Lord Jesus, fails.
I’ve illustrated it with you and other congregations in times past by Noah’s ark. Peter
tells us that Noah’s ark is a picture, a type of the Lord Jesus Christ. And, God said in
Genesis chapter 7 verse 1 to Noah, “…Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the
ark…” (Genesis 7:1). Now, He didn’t say, “Noah go into the ark.” I read the Living Bible
says, “Go into the ark.” But, that isn’t what the language says. That’s one of the dangers
of paraphrases. The Scripture says, “God said to Noah, Noah, come into the ark.” Now,
if I stand out here and I say, “Go in that room.” That means you go where I’m not. But, if
I go in that room and say, “Come in that room,” you’d come where I am. Right? God
said to Noah, “Come into the ark.” God was in the ark. “Noah, come into the ark.”
And, then when Noah came in the ark, the Bible says what? “…the LORD shut him
in” (Genesis 7:16). Now, remember that ark is a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ. Just as
Noah went into the ark, I have come into Christ. And, then God shut the door. Now, why
did God shut the door? Two reasons, to shut Noah in and to shut the water out. You
see, the Bible says in the book of Ephesians, after that, “ye were sealed with that holy
Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13). Just as Noah was sealed into that ark, you are
sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise.
Now, how safe was Noah from that flood? He was as safe as the ark. Now, if the ark
had gone down, Noah would have gone down. If the ark survives, Noah survives. You
see dear friend, Noah may have fallen down inside of the ark, but He couldn’t fall out of
it. Do you understand? Because He was shut into that ark by the grace of God.
Now, there are a lot of people who think they’re not going to be secure until they get
to Heaven. Well, now wait a minute friend, what makes you think you’d be secure when
you get to Heaven if you’re not secure down here. The angels fell from Heaven.
Security is not in a place, but in a person. His name is Jesus. His name is Jesus. You
see, you’re already in Christ. And, in Christ, in Christ all are made alive. If any man be in
Christ He is a new creation. You are in the Lord Jesus Christ if you’re saved. Now, if
you’re not saved, you’re not in there and you’re just as lost as those outside the ark in
Noah’s day.
F. The Eternal Life We Already Have When We Believe in Jesus
Now, let me give you another reason. Reason number six. And, reason number six
is that when you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, you already have eternal life. Eternal
life is not something you get when you die. It’s something you get when you believe.
Turn with me to John chapter 5 and verse 24, would you please. John chapter 5 and
verse 24. Jesus said, “Verily, verily…” And, by the way, when our Lord says, “Verily,
verily” that means, “Pay attention, this is of the utmost importance.” “Verily, verily, I say
unto you, He that heareth my word”—have you heard it? Nod your head—“and

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believeth on him that sent me” have you believed? All right. Do you believe in the God
who sent Jesus to be the Savior of the world, have you? All right. “He that heareth my
word, and believeth on him that sent me”—What’s that next little word?—“hath” H-A-T-
H, which is old English for what? “Has.” Present tense, “hath everlasting life…” (John
5:24).
Now, don’t get the perverted idea that you get everlasting life after you die. You get
everlasting life the moment you believe. “He that believeth on Me has,” already has,
“everlasting life.” Now, you’re looking at a man that has everlasting life because I
believe. Now, if I have everlasting life, when will it end? It can’t end. Well you say, “What
if after ten years you lose it?” Then I have ten-year life. If I had lost it after fifty years, I
would have fifty-year life. But, my dear friend, the Bible says I have not. I’m going to get,
I now have, right now, this moment, everlasting life. Jesus said, “And whosoever liveth
and believeth in me shall never die” (John 11:26). That’s a good place for an “Amen.”
That’s wonderful. Praise God.
G. The Constant Prayers of Jesus for His Own
Now, let me give you another reason. Reason number seven, Jesus Christ is
constantly praying for His own. He is interceding for His own. Turn with me to John
chapter 17 here for just a moment. John chapter 17, I begin in verse 9. Our Lord has
prayed for His disciples, and He has prayed a wonderful prayer for His disciples. He
says in John 17, verse 9: “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which
thou hast given me; for they are thine” (John 17:9). Our Lord says, “I’m going to pray a
special prayer now. This prayer is a limited prayer. This prayer is for the saints, the ones
that you have given me Father. Well what did He pray for them? Go down to verse 15. “I
pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep
them from the evil” (John 17:15). Literally the evil one, from Satan.
Now, our Lord just prayed for those disciples, Peter, James, John, Matthew,
Bartholomew. He prayed, “Lord God, while they’re down here in this old sinful world,
wicked, filthy, debouched world, this veil of tears. God keep them, keep them, keep
them.” Oh you say, I wish He had prayed for me like that. Well, I’ve got good news for
you. My dear friend, just continue to read right here, if you will, in verse twenty, Our Lord
says, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me
through their word.” He might as well put my name right there. Our Lord, prayed with
tears, “Lord God keep Adrian. Keep Him.”
I want to ask you a couple of questions. Did Jesus Christ ever pray for anything that
was ever out of the will of God? Of course not. Our Lord said, “not my will, but thine, be
done” (Luke 22:42). And, His will and the Father’s will were just like that. Now, the Bible
says, “…if we ask any thing according to his will”—what?—“he heareth us” (1 John
5:14). It would be impossible for the Son of God to pray a prayer that’s not answered.

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 Hebrews chapter 7, Our Lord says there, “Wherefore he is able also to save them to
the uttermost…”—I used to think that meant He could save the worst of people. You
know I would say from the guttermost to the uttermost. But, that isn’t what it says. I
mean, He’s able to save you all the way to the end—“Wherefore he is able also to save
them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make
intercession…” (Hebrews 7:25). That one verse proves eternal security. It means that
because He’s praying for you, He’s praying that you’ll be kept, and His prayers are
always answered, Hallelujah for that.
H. The Sovereignty of God
The last reason is because He is a sovereign God. Turn to 1 Peter chapter 1 with
me for just a moment. 1 Peter chapter 1 and I begin reading in verse 3. 1 Peter chapter
1 and verse 3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which
according to his abundant mercy”—and hallelujah it is—“hath begotten us again unto a
lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”—Now, He goes on to
say—“To an inheritance incorruptible”—that means the foul breath of decay and the
gnawing tooth of time can’t get it—“and undefiled”—that means there’s going to be no
court that says it doesn’t belong to you—“and that fadeth not away”—that means
inflation can’t take it—“reserved in heaven for you”—that means that thieves can’t steal
it. Who? Those who are kept by their good works. Huh? No, look at it—“Who are kept
by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1
Peter 1:3–5). My friend, you’re kept by God. You’re not kept by yourself.
I hear these folks say, “Oh pray for me I’ll hold our faithful until the end.” Well, I hope
you will hold out faithful to the end, but dear friend, you’re being held faithful to the end.
Can you imagine when God told Noah to build that ark, He said, “Now Noah, put some
pegs on the outside of the ark. Eight of them. One for you and one for Mrs. Noah, and
one for Shem and one for Hamm, and one for Jacob and one for their wives. And, when
the rain starts to fall, you get a stepladder, go up and get a hold of that peg and hold on
to that slimy thing til the water goes down, you’ll be saved.” Noah said to Mrs. Noah,
“Honey, pray for me I’ll hold out faithful ’til the end. Would you please?” Do you think
any of them had been saved? No. They were in that ark. They were sealed in that ark.
They were kept by the power of God. We think we’re holding on to Him.
I heard of a father who was taking his son across the street, a busy intersection. He
was about a little four-year-old boy. He said, “Take Daddy’s hand.” And, gave him a
finger. You know how they do? They grab hold of the finger. They start walking across,
and the light changed there, and the father saw what was happening, the traffic rushing
this way, the father then took the little boys hand off of His finger, and put that entire
little grubby hand in his big massive hand and drug that little boy across the street. His
toes this way dragging him across. When they got to the other side, the little fellow

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looked up at his daddy and said, “I held on, Daddy.” My dear friend, listen, it is God that
holds on to us.

II. Some Answers to Apparently Conflicting Scriptures

Now, let me just take just a few moments and answer some things, because some of
you are saying, “Yes Pastor, that’s all right, but what you have done tonight is you have
just selected some verses. You have dealt with all of the verses that say we can lose
our salvation.” Well, my dear friend, the only reason I haven’t is because there are not
any. But, let me just give you what seems to be some conflicting Scriptures. Just for a
moment, in all honesty, let’s look at them.
A. 2 Peter 2:20–22
For example in 2 Peter chapter 2 and verse 20 the Bible says, “For if after they have
escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse
with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way
of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment
delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The
dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in
the mire” (2 Peter 2:20–22).
Somebody says, “See, that proves you can be saved and lose it again.” No, it proves
just the opposite. Just the opposite. Peter here’s not talking about a person who is
saved and lost their salvation, he is talking about those ones that John was talking
about, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they
would no doubt have continued with us” Now, here’s a dog who eats some purification,
he gets dyspepsia, he regurgitates—or to be plain about it, he vomits—and there is that
warm, slimy vomit on the ground. Now, let me tell you what a dog will do. He’ll walk
away, and then he’ll say, “Now, wait a minute. There’s a warm meal.” It’s disgusting.
And, he’ll go and return to his own vomit.
Let me tell you what a sow will do. You can take a sow, any sow, out of a pigpen.
Take that sow and get a stiff bristle brush, and scrub that pig until she is pink. And, get a
big toothbrush and polish those teeth, you polish it up good, and put a little deodorant
under all four legs, and put that sow in your living room. And, something will be
changed, but it wont be the sow, it’ll be your living room. And, you let that sow out, and
what will she do? She’ll go right back to the mire. Isn’t that right? Do you think God is
talking here about a child of God who is losing his salvation? Do you think God has ever
called one of His own a hog or a dog? No. What God is saying, “The reason they go
back is they’re had no change of nature. But, dog regurgitates, the sow is washed, but
neither are changed.

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 I’ve seen it happen so many times. Somebody is sick of his sin. His wife has left him.
His children despise him. His boss has fired him. He says, “I’m tired of this way of life, I
want a new life. He comes and joins the church and gets baptized. He regurgitates, but
he’s never saved. And, he just goes back to that which made him sick to begin with. I
see people who have reformation, but they don’t have regeneration. They are washed,
but they are not saved. They still have that old sow nature.
Here’s what somebody else says. Look, if you will in John chapter 10 for a moment.
Let me tell you how these people argue about this thing, John chapter 10 beginning in
verse 27. Remember that our Lord said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them,
and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish,
neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” And, somebody says, “Oh yes, a
man can take you out of the hand of God, but the devil can’t.” Well first of all, if you have
the King James Version of the Scripture, you’ll notice the word “man” is italicized, which
means it’s not in the original at all. It says, “neither shall any man pluck them out of My
hand.” “Any” what? You name it. “Any.” Remember the word “man” is italicized. It is
there so the translators let you know that it’s not in the original. There’s nothing that can
take you. “Neither shall any take them out of My hand.”
You say, “Well, maybe you can take yourself out. Nothing could, but you could.”
Well, if self could, look if you will, in verse 28. “And I give unto them eternal life; and
they shall never perish” Now, the word “perish” and the word “destroy” are the same in
the Greek language. This is in the middle voice. And, what it literally says is, “They shall
never destroy themselves.” “They will never destroy themselves.” My friend, you can’t
do it, and the devil can’t do it.
B. Matthew 24:13
Somebody says, “Oh yes, but Pastor, the Bible says in Matthew 24, verse 13: ‘But
he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved’” (Matthew 24:13). You’re
exactly right, brother, if you’re saved, you endure to the end. He’s not saying you’re
saved because you endure to the end. He’s saying you endure to the end because
you’re saved. You want to know who’s saved, see who endures.
C. Hebrews 6:4–6
One last verse, and these are just some of a number. Turn to Hebrews chapter 6
and verse 4, he’s going to be talking about something that is impossible. And, he says,
“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the
heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good
word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them
again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and
put him to an open shame” (Hebrews 6:4–6).

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 Well they say, “That proves that you can be saved and lost again.” It proves no such
thing. As a matter of fact, if it proved to these people that they can be saved and lost
again, it proves too much for them. Because it proves if they can be saved and lost
again, if they use it that way, it also proves that they can never be saved again, after
they’re lost. In other words what it says is, “If you use this to mean that a person has
fallen away from salvation, that a person is no longer saved, the same Bible says it is
impossible to renew them to repentance.” So, my friend, put it down big and plain and
straight, if you use this verse, and you don’t believe in once saved, always saved, you
will have to believe in twice lost, always lost.
You follow what I’m talking about? I mean, if you say, “This means somebody has
been saved, and now they’re lost again.” Well, then be honest, it also says, “You’ll never
be saved again.” Now, these denominations that believe you can get lost after you’re
saved, you know you must be born again, and again, and again, and again, and again. I
mean, they believe that you can be lost and saved, and lost and saved, and lost and
saved, and lost and saved. But, if you use this verse to prove that, it proves too much
for that group.
Well, then what does this talk about? It’s talking about a person who never has been
saved. You see, it talks about a person who comes to a threshold of salvation and then
commits the unpardonable sin. I mean he understands, he’s enlightened. He’s tasted of
the Heavenly gift. He’s made partaker of. He’s gone along with the Holy Ghost. I mean,
God is doing business with him. He has tasted the good Word of God. The powers of
the world to come. This is no casual hearer. This is a person who’s come to the
threshold of salvation and then he said, “No. I will not give my heart to Jesus.” The Holy
Spirit ceases to strive with him. It’s impossible to bring him back to that point of
repentance.
Now, let me give you an illustration. And, I’m so glad. You see verse 6? It says,
“…they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”
You see, when Jesus died the first time, He prayed for those who nailed Him up on that
cross, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). He could not
pray this prayer for these people. They are enlightened. They know what they’re doing.
He can’t pray that prayer for them. It’s impossible to renew them to repentance. And,
then here’s the illustration, look in verse 7. Do you see where it begins, “For”? Now, “for”
if a part of verse 6, “For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and
bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God”
(Hebrews 6:7).
All right so here’s a farm. And, right here on one side of the fence is the cultivated
earth. The earth is dressed. The rain comes down, and the crops grow, and the herbs
grow, the vegetables grow. But, look in verse 8, “But that which beareth thorns and

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briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned” Right across the
fence is the ground that’s not cultivated. And, the same rain falls on that, but it doesn’t
bring forth herbs, it doesn’t bring forth vegetables, it brings forth thorns and briers. The
same word, the same rain falls upon both. One is saved. One is lost. Now, notice verse
9. And, here’s the key to the whole thing, “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things
of you, and things that accompany salvation…” See, he’s not describing a saved
person. He’s describing a person that brings forth thorns and briers. Had he been
describing a saved person, he wouldn’t say, “It’s impossible to renew them to
repentance.” He’s describing a person that comes to the very threshold of salvation and
then says, “No.”
You say, “Pastor Rogers, if I believe that, I’d get saved and sin all I want to.” Well,
friend, I sin all I want to. I sin more than I want to. I don’t want to. And, if you still want
to, you need to get saved. You need to get your wanter fixed. I mean, you need to get a
brand new wanter. You need to be born again. It’s not that I don’t sin. I sin. You sin. But,
dear friend, there is in my heart, isn’t there one in yours, never to sin again? Do you
have a desire to be a sinner or not to be a sinner? You don’t want to be a sinner. I
mean, a person says, “Oh I’d get saved and man I’d have a ball.” He doesn’t know
Jesus. He’s not saved. “Well,” you say, “But, Pastor, if you tell people they’re eternally
secure, that’s going to be so dangerous.” My dear friend, truth is never dangerous. Lies
are dangerous.

Conclusion
Let’s take a little child in an earthly family. Let’s suppose that one day that child
says, “I’m a member of the family.” The next day, he’s not a member of the family. Next
day, he is a member of the family. Two weeks later he’s not a member of the family. Six
months later he’s a member of the family again. My dear friend, that child is ready for
the mental ward. That child needs to know that Mother and Daddy love him, he’s born
into the family, he cannot be unborn. If that child sins or disobeys, he’ll be disciplined,
but he is a part of the family of God. We are born in to the family of God. It’s not
dangerous to believe the truth. It is dangerous not to believe the truth. You say, “It’ll
cause people to let down.” No. I cannot tell you the number of people who are so
discouraged because they don’t understand that God keeps them.
When they were building the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, that bridge,
spanning those swirling icy waters was so tall. The people looking down doing that
ironwork got dizzy, and they were frightened, and they could hardly concentrate on their
work. And, some of the workers let go and plunged to their death. Then at great
expense, they built a net under that bridge, a safety net for the workers. My dear friend,
when the safety net was there, do you think more people fell or fewer people fell?

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Fewer. They didn’t say, “The nets there, I can be careless now.” They said, the net is
there, I can now concentrate on what I’m doing. You take all that energy you’ve been
worrying about keeping yourself saved and just put it into serving Jesus. Be able to
concentrate on serving the Lord Jesus and know that He is able to keep to the end
because He ever lives to make intercession for you.
Now, I’m not trying to tell you my dear friend, to think that you have eternal security if
you’ve never been saved again. The Bible says, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in
the faith…” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Some church members who walk down the aisle, and
got baptized are going to split Hell wide open in the vernacular, wide open, because
they’re trusting the doctrine of eternal security when they’ve never been saved. You
better get saved. You better have a changed life. And, I am telling you, don’t you sit out
there and think, “I’m not going to come to Jesus, because I’m not able to live it.” Friend,
you just bring yourself to Jesus, sincerely, and He will keep you to the end. Hallelujah.
Father God, I just pray tonight for those who may need the Lord Jesus Christ that
tonight they will trust you, once and for all, now and forever as their personal Savior and
Lord, in Jesus’ holy name, amen.

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 Getting To Know
Your Best Friend
By Adrian Rogers
Date Preached: October 10, 1990

Main Scripture Text: Romans 8:9

“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God
dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
ROMANS 8:9

Outline
Introduction  
I. As the Spirit of Life, He Gives Us Our Life
II. As the Spirit of Christ, He Glorifies Our Lord
III. As the Spirit of Adoption, He Guarantees Our Legacy
A. We Have a New Relationship
B. We Have a New Assurance
C. We Have a New Certainty
Conclusion  

Introduction
Take your Bibles and turn to Romans chapter 8 with me. Sunday morning, I spoke on
this subject: Don’t Mistreat Your Best Friend. Now, tonight, I want to speak to you on
this subject: Getting to Know Your Best Friend. Perhaps I should have brought this
message first, but Romans chapter 8, I want you to notice a very interesting verse. The
Bible says in verse 9, “But ye are not in the flesh but in the spirit, if so be that the Spirit
of God dwell in you.” And then, Paul makes a very emphatic statement that, if you don’t
mind underlining, you ought to underline in your Bible: “Now, if any man have not the
Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” And in the Greek language that’s an emphatic
negative, and he’s just saying plainly and clearly that, if the Spirit of Christ doesn’t dwell
in you, my dear friend, do not belong to Christ; you are on your way to hell.
Now, Romans chapter 8 is a great chapter on the Holy Spirit of God. Many things
are taught in Romans chapter 8, but it is a great chapter on the Holy Spirit. And in
Romans chapter 8 the apostle Paul is making a comparison between the saved and the
lost, the saints and the ain’ts. And that comparison, my dear friend, hinges on the Holy
Spirit—those who have the Holy Spirit and those who do not have the Holy Spirit. What

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is the distinguishing mark of a Christian? What is the one test beyond all other tests that
a person has been saved? It is this: does he have the Holy Spirit? Does the Holy Spirit
dwell in him?
Now, just put your bookmark there in Romans 8, because we’re going to come back
to that, and look with me in John 14 for just a moment, and notice what the Lord Jesus
says also about this comparison. In John chapter 14, beginning in verse 16, “Jesus
said, And I will pray the Father and he will give you another comforter that he may abide
with you forever, even the Spirit of truth”—now, here He’s talking about the Holy Spirit,
and He calls Him the Word of truth—”whom the world cannot receive.” And there again
the Lord is making the difference. The saints of God have the Holy Spirit, they receive
the Holy Spirit, but the world does not receive the Holy Spirit, “because it seeth him not.”
Now, the word seeth him does not mean that the world does not literally see Him. We
know the world literally doesn’t see Him, but neither do you. He is a spirit, and a spirit
can’t be seen. The word see here means that the world does not perceive Him, the
world does not understand Him. It’s used in the same sense in which Jesus said, in the
third chapter of John, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of
heaven.” That means you can’t perceive. If I’m talking to you about something, I say,
See? I mean, do you understand that? What Jesus is saying here is, the world can’t
perceive Him, the world doesn’t understand Him, and then, He goes on to say that,
“neither knoweth him.” Now, you may know about Him, but you do not know Him
intimately. You can’t perceive the Holy Spirit, you cannot fellowship with the Holy Spirit,
if you are of the world. It is impossible. You may know about Him, but you do not know
Him intimately. And, because you have not received Him.
Now, a good test as to whether you’re saved or not is just simply this: Have you
received the Holy Spirit? As a matter of fact, in Acts chapter 19, Paul met some
disciples and he had reason to believe, just wonder whether they were saved at all or
not. He asked them, he said, Have you received the Holy Ghost since you were saved,
since you believed? And they said, We didn’t even know if there was a Holy Spirit. Paul
said, Is that right? What were you baptized for? Oh, they said, We were baptized with
John’s baptism. And then, Paul realized that these people had come right up to the
threshold of salvation but they’d never received the Lord. And he preached unto them
Jesus, and they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus and received the Holy
Spirit. My dear friend, the distinguishing mark of a child of God is this: that he has the
Holy Spirit.
If you don’t have the Holy Spirit, you don’t know anything about God. And we’re
coming back to Romans 8 in just a moment, but go to 1 Corinthians chapter 2 for a
moment. I want to read a passage of Scripture that’s often used at funerals, but it’s
taken out of context a little bit when you use it at a funeral. And turn with me, if you

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would, to 1 Corinthians chapter 2 and verse 9. The apostle Paul is talking about
understanding or perceiving the things that belong to God, and he says, “But as it is
written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man,
the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
Now, so many times we use this as a funeral text, and we say, Oh, isn’t it wonderful?
Aunt Susie is seeing what eyes can’t see, and hearing what our ears can’t hear, and
knowing what our hearts can’t know, because now she’s in heaven. But that isn’t what
this verse means. Look at it right now. What he is saying is that your natural eye cannot
perceive, understand, behold spiritual truths, neither can your natural ear perceive
spiritual truth, neither your natural heart. What he’s saying is that you will never
comprehend spiritual things visually, audibly, emotionally—never. Not by the eye-gate,
not by the ear-gate, not by your heart. “As it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ears
heard, nor entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them
that love him.” But notice: “God hath”—not will, but already has—”revealed them unto
us by his Spirit, for the Spirit says of all things, Yea, that be things of God.”
Now, he’s just contrasting two types of people: those who live by their senses and
those who live by the Spirit. Verse 12: “Now, we have received not the spirit of the world
but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us
of God.” What Paul is saying is, you don’t have to wait till you get to heaven to see and
experience these things, but the only way you’re going to know them is by the Holy
Spirit. Verse 14: “But the natural man”—that is, an unsaved man, a man in his natural
state—”receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they’re foolishness unto him.”
Now, if I preach the gospel to you, and you say that that’s foolish, or if God’s Word
appears foolish to you, well, you’re just giving proof positive that you have never been
saved. They’re foolishness to the natural man: “neither can he know them, because
they’re spiritually discerned.” He doesn’t have the equipment to know them. There’s no
way that he can know these truths, “but he that is spiritual judgeth all things,” that is, he
discerns all things.
And so, again, turn with me to the next to the last book of the Bible, to Jude. And
we’re going to get back to Romans 8 in just a moment, but I’m really trying to set the
stage, and I’m trying to get you to see what makes the difference is the Holy Spirit. The
Holy Spirit is the distinguishing mark of a Christian. And the book of Jude here, there’s
just one chapter, so we don’t give a chapter reference, but look in verse 10. He’s
speaking of the unsaved, and he says, “But these speak evil of those things which they
know not”—why don’t they know them? Because they’re spiritually discerned—”but
what they know naturally as brute beasts.” That is, a man without the Holy Spirit has no
head start over an animal in knowing God. They’re like a brute beast. And then, look, if
you would, in verse 19 of Jude: “These be they who separate themselves, sensual,”—

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that is, they’re living by their senses—”having not the Spirit.” So you have the sensual
man and the spiritual man, the natural man and the spiritual man. I’m just trying to tell
you in all of these verses what Paul has said in Romans chapter 8 and verse 9: “If any
man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
Now, back to Romans 8. All of that’s by way of introduction. All right now, back to
Romans 8, and I want you to see that God is your best friend, through description.
There are three references to the Holy Spirit, and he’s described three ways. For
example, in Romans 8, verse 2, He is called the Spirit of life. Do you see that? “For the
law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”
There, the Holy Spirit—and the word Spirit is capitalized in my Bible—it’s talking about
the Holy Spirit; He is called the Spirit of life. Your best friend is the Spirit of life.
Now, go down to verse 9, and there He’s called the Spirit of Christ. Notice the last
part: the Spirit of God is called the Spirit of Christ. In this verse, He’s called both the
Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ. “Now, if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is
none of his.” So the Holy Spirit is called in verse 2 the Spirit of life; He’s called in verse 9
the Spirit of Christ. Now, go down to verse 15 and in verse 15 He is called the Spirit of
adoption. Now, I believe in these three references you really have the office work of the
Holy Spirit, your best friend, in your life. He is the Spirit of life, He is the Spirit of Christ,
and He is the Spirit of adoption. And I want you to get to know your best friend because
this is His threefold ministry to you. He ministers to you as the Spirit of life; He ministers
to you as the Spirit of Christ; He ministers to you as the Spirit of adoption.

I. As the Spirit of Life, He Gives Us Our Life

Now, let’s look at these. As the Spirit of life, He gives us our life. We have life by the
Holy Spirit. I don’t mean existence. Even an unsaved man has existence—he will exist
forever; but he doesn’t have life. Jesus said in John 10:10, “I’ve come that you might
have life.” Well, how do we get this life? We receive this life by the Holy Spirit. The Bible
says it is the Spirit that quickens; it is the Spirit that gives life. Now, the difference
between the people of the world who are religious and true Christians is this: the people
who are truly saved live by the impartation of life; the unsaved live by the imitation of
life. They just simply imitate the Lord. But a Christian is somebody who has received
life. Jesus said in John chapter 3 we have to be born of the Spirit. When you are born,
that’s when you have life. You are born literally from above, which is life.
You see, man is body, soul, and spirit. Now, I know that theologians argue this, and
they say, No, he’s just physical and spiritual, but the Bible says in 1 Thessalonians
chapter 5, verse 23, “And I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved
blameless until the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Now, man is more than
a plant, because he has a soul. Plants have a body but they don’t have a soul. But man

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is more than an animal. Animals have a body and a soul, but animals don’t have a spirit.
Only man has body, soul, and spirit. And your spirit is that organ of knowledge, that part
of your nature that enables you to know God. For the Bible says, “God is a spirit, and
they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” And when we get saved,
God’s Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.
Now, I want to point this out, that man by nature is spiritually dead. He may be
physically alive, he may be soulishly or psychologically alive, but he is spiritually dead
until he receives the Holy Spirit. Now, it is the Spirit that gives life. You cannot have life
apart from the Spirit of God. You only have existence, and the reason that some people
are religious but lost, they have never ever received the pentecostal difference, the Holy
Spirit of God. And that’s the reason the Bible says, “If any man have not the Spirit of
Christ, he is none of his.” You’re just dead, spiritually dead. You may have physical life,
you may have emotional life, but unless the Holy Spirit has come into you, you are
spiritually dead.
You remember reading in John 1, verse 4, where John is describing Jesus, and the
Bible says, “In him”—that is, the Lord—”was light, and the light was the life of man.” The
Lord has the light, and the light is the life—John 1:4. All right, what happened when
Adam sinned is, the Lord went out; and when the Lord went out, the life went out; and
when the life went out, the light went out. And now he doesn’t have the Lord—he’s
depraved; and now he doesn’t have the life—he’s dead; now, he doesn’t have the
light—he’s darkened. And in order for a man to be saved again, he’s got to get the Lord
back in. And when the Lord comes back in, the life comes back in; and when the life
comes back in, the light comes back in.
Now, how does the Lord come back in? The Lord comes back in by His Holy Spirit—
which brings up a very interesting question: Who lives in you? Does God live in you—
God the Father? Or, does Jesus the Son live in you? Or, does the Holy Spirit live in
you? Well, all live in you. Romans 8, verse 9, says, “If any man have not the Spirit of
Christ, he’s none of his,” but in that same verse, it calls Him the Spirit of God. And then,
in Colossians 1, verse 27, the Bible says it’s “Christ in you, which is the hope of glory.”
Don’t ever make the mistake of trying to segment the Holy Trinity so precisely that you
think that because the Holy Spirit is in you that Jesus is not in you. The Holy Spirit is
Christ in you. The Holy Spirit is God the Father’s agent to make Jesus Christ real to
you. Jesus is in us by the agency of the Holy Spirit, and there’s no contradiction.
And so, your best friend, first of all, is the Spirit of life, and He gives our life. The life
that I have now I have because the Holy Spirit lives in me. What a difference that
makes. Let me give you an illustration if I can. God formed Adam out of the dust of the
earth. That we know: out of the dust of the ground, God made Adam. And there’s Adam.
Let’s just imagine he’s lying down there because he doesn’t have any life yet. God has

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formed him, and he’s perfect. He really is; I mean, he’s a specimen of a man.
Everything is perfect except for one thing. He doesn’t have any life. I mean, God has
made him absolutely, totally perfect, but there’s no life. Now, suppose God were to say
to Adam, Adam, get up and act like a man. There’s no way he can act like a man,
because he has no life. And then, the Bible says that God breathed into Adam the
breath of life, and the word breath of life may be translated the spirit of life. He breathed
the spirit of life into Adam, and physically and spiritually and emotionally, Adam is
quickened. God breathes into this lump of clay the life.
Now, God doesn’t have to say to him, Now, Adam, act like a man. Get up and walk
around like a man. It’s natural for him to walk like a man. He doesn’t have to be begged
or instructed to do it—that’s just natural. He has the life; the life is inside of him right
now. May I tell you, dear friend, that the same thing is true spiritually. You are a spiritual
corpse until God infuses you spiritually with His life, until you receive the Holy Spirit, and
to encourage you to live the Christian life before you receive the Holy Spirit is to
encourage you in an impossibility. But once you do receive the Holy Spirit, once your
best friend comes into you, it is perfectly natural for you to live the Christian life. I mean,
it’s just natural, because you have the life of God in you. Well, is it a miracle? Well, yes,
it’s a miracle, but once it’s a miracle, you become supernaturally natural and naturally
supernatural. Because you have received, there has been an impartation of life. So your
best friend is called the Spirit of life. You have no life, no spiritual life, apart from the
Holy Spirit of God.

II. As the Spirit of Christ, He Glorifies Our Lord

Now, not only is He the Spirit of life, who gives us life, but now, secondly, He’s called
the Spirit of Christ. Now, what does He do as the Spirit of Christ? As the Spirit of life, He
gives our life. As the Spirit of Christ, He glorifies our Lord—He glorifies our Lord. He is
called the Spirit of Christ. It is Jesus in you who is the Holy Spirit; He is the Spirit of
Christ.
What is He going to do in you? When this man gets up and walks around, this man
who has received the Holy Spirit spiritually, whose life is in him? What is the Spirit of
life? The Spirit of life is the Spirit of Christ. Now, if I have the Spirit of Christ, who am I
going to act like? I’m going to act like Christ. The Holy Spirit just reproduces Jesus
Christ in me. I’ve told you this many, many times, but I want to tell you this one more
time: there’s only one person who has ever lived the Christian life. His name is Jesus—
His name is Jesus. And if the Christian life is lived at your house, it’ll be Jesus in you;
it’ll be the Spirit of Christ, who not only gives us life but glorifies our Lord. He is the one
who makes Jesus Christ real in you. I mean, there’s no other way; other than this, you’d
just be a little cheap tin imitation of Jesus.

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 I’m not a golfer, Brother Sorrell is an excellent golfer, so he tells me. I am not a
golfer. I’ve never played golf. I tried one time. I had some friends who took me out, and
they said, Adrian, we want you to go golfing. I said, Fine—several preachers, and I’m a
has-been athlete, and I thought I knew something about athletics, and I read some
books about golfing, that you don’t try to kill the ball, you let the club do the work, and
you follow through, keep your eye on the ball, and all that—I thought they were going to
be amazed at how well I golfed. But they were rolling in the grass laughing at me. One
of them said, Adrian, you look like you’re trying to kill a snake. And I just said, Well, until
somebody teaches me how to play this game, I’m not going to fool with it.
But suppose I tried, when I was a kid, and a young man, to play golf like the golfer
that everybody knew was Arnold Palmer. I mean, you know, he’s not on the circuit as
much now except on the Seniors Tour, but he was about my age; Arnold Palmer and I
are about the same age. I keep my eyes on him, but Arnold Palmer, when I was, you
know, a younger man, and he was a younger man, boy, he was the golfer—Arnold
Palmer. Well now, suppose, back in that day, I decided I’m going to play golf just like
Arnold Palmer. When I went out to play golf, Arnold Palmer was in his prime. And all I
had to do is just say, well, what does Arnold do? Well, Arnold lines up, and he hits it off
the tee down the fairway. Well, that’s what I’m going to do. Well, friend, my deciding I’m
going to do that doesn’t do any good. I mean, they’re still rolling on the grass laughing at
me. But if there’s some way that I could put Arnold Palmer in a pill and swallow him
down, and his very life would permeate me, and his mind and his senses and his
coordination and his eye and all he knows about golf would permeate every bit of my
being, and I would come out there on the golf course with my friends, and tell them, I’ve
never done this before, but line up and hit that ball straight down the fairway, and
maybe birdie the first hole or two, they’d say, Adrian, that is amazing. But I’d have a
secret, you see. I’d say, Well, it’s really not me; it’s Arnold in me.
Now, you say, that’s a silly illustration. It is in a way, but you see, the apostle Paul
said, “I’m crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ who lives in me,
and the life I now live I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave
himself for me.”
Now, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of life, and He’s the Spirit of Christ. He gives us our
life; He glorifies our Lord. He gives our life; He glorifies our Lord. He is the Spirit of
Christ. And, by the way, if you want to know whether a person has the Holy Spirit, don’t
ask if they can speak with tongues—that’s not the sign that they have the Holy Spirit.
Ask: Are they like Jesus? Are they like Jesus? That’s the sign whether or not the person
has the Holy Spirit of God.

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III. As the Spirit of Adoption, He Guarantees Our Legacy
Now, there’s a third thing that your best friend does. He’s called the Spirit of life,
He’s called the Spirit of Christ, and He’s also called the Spirit of adoption. Notice in
verse 15 now: “And the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the
children of God,”—and, by the way, if you’re reading from the King James, don’t let the
word itself bother you, as if the Holy Spirit is a thing. That is the correct way to write that
in the Greek, because in the Greek, the word spirit and itself have to line up, and they’re
both neuter, and so that’s just a linguistic idiosyncracy, but it certainly ought to say, and
may say “the Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of
God; and if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ, if so be we
suffer with him, that we may also be glorified together.” I skipped really the verse that I
wanted, verse 15, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but
have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba Father,” so verses 15
through 17 is what I meant to read.
Now, He’s called the Spirit of adoption. What is adoption? When this was written,
adoption was a process in which a man would make perhaps a son that he had sired by
a slave, an heir to his riches, although being the son of a slave, that son would not
necessarily be an heir. Or he might take another man’s son, as we would do today, and
adopt that other man’s son into his family. Adoption is a legal act where a man takes his
own son, or the son of another man, and gives to him legal position, legal advantage,
and legal privilege. Now, spiritually, we’re born into the family of God; legally, we are
adopted into the family of God. Now, a man could disinherit a natural son, but he could
not disinherit by law an adopted son—it’s very interesting. For example, the way they
reason that is this: a natural son might be accidentally conceived—that is, we didn’t
mean to have a child when this child was conceived, and I don’t want this child to have
a part of the inheritance—but, when a man adopts a child, he knows what he’s doing
legally, and he locks himself in. Now, what God is saying here is that we have the Holy
Spirit who is the Spirit of our adoption. It’s very interesting.
Now, what does the Holy Spirit, your best friend, do? He gives our life; He glorifies
our Lord; He guarantees our legacy. Those are the three things: He gives our life; He
glorifies our Lord; He gives our legacy. He is the Spirit of life; He is the Spirit of Christ;
He is the Spirit of adoption. Now, the Holy Spirit is there to attest to and to make real
what happened to you legally when you got saved.
A. We Have a New Relationship
For example, there is a new relationship.
Look, if you will here, in verse 15: “For we have not received the spirit of bondage
again to fear, but have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”

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Now, two words are here together, Abba Father. The one is Aramaic; the other is
Hebrew. Abba is not a Hebrew word. It is an Aramaic word, and it literally means
Daddy, or Papa. Now, I’m not being irreverent, but when the Holy Spirit of God comes
into you, He gives you such a relationship with the One who has adopted you that you
can call Him Abba, Father.
Now, let me tell you the difference. There were plenty of people in Abraham’s day
who would call him Father Abraham, because he was a patriarch; and we call him
Father Abraham, but we don’t call him Abba Abraham, just Father Abraham, because
we know him as the father ruler of the patriarchs. But Isaac would call him Abba
Abraham, or Abba Father, Daddy. You see, the Holy Spirit of God, is the Spirit of
adoption, where we can call Him Abba, Father.
It means very much to me. You see, I didn’t understand a lot of what my dad did
when I was a little boy. My dad, when I was growing up, sold automobiles. He worked
for East Coast Motors, and he sold Buicks. I didn’t know that. My dad would go off, and
he would say, I have an appointment with a party. I thought, Boy, he gets to go to more
parties, and he’d go off to work; or, I’m going to see a party about this or that. And I
never could figure that out until I got to be about 8 or 9 what kind of a party it was he
kept going to. But he would go off; it didn’t make any difference to me. I didn’t have to
understand what my dad did. He was my daddy. I can jump up in his lap, and hug his
neck, and kiss him, and rub his beard, and play ball with him, or help catch minnows for
him when he fished. And I loved it: he was just my Dad. And I called him Daddy. You
couldn’t call him Daddy; you call him Mr. Rogers. But I called him Daddy, because—and
I still do. I talked to him last night on the phone. I called him Daddy—because he’s my
daddy.
Now, dear friend, you don’t have to understand God; you don’t have to know how
God runs this universe. You can’t understand. The ways of God are so far beyond your
ways, as high as the heavens are above the earth. But you can know Him—you can
know Him. You see, the Holy Spirit is not given to us that we might understand God.
“Who hath known the mind of the Lord and who has been his counselor?” But you know
God by the Spirit, and it’s the Spirit of adoption that shows you this new relationship,
this intimacy, that you have with God the Father.
B. We Have a New Assurance
But not only do you have a new relationship—listen—you have a new assurance, a
reassurance. Now, continue to read, and look right here, if you will here. It says in verse
16, “And the Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of
God.” That’s very interesting. What does it mean, the Spirit bears witness with our
spirit? Well, in Galatians chapter 4 and verse 6, the Bible says that God hath sent forth
the Spirit of his Son into your heart crying, Abba, Father. God sent the Spirit of Jesus

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into your heart crying Abba, Father. Now, why does the Holy Spirit cry Abba, Father?
Because it is the Spirit of His Son. What was Jesus’ favorite name for God? It was
Father. And so, if the Holy Spirit is in you, and the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ, then
the Holy Spirit is saying what? Abba Father, Abba Father, because it is the Spirit of
Christ. Galatians 4:6: the Spirit of His Son is in your heart, and He’s just saying, Abba
Father, Abba Father.
Now, when you say, Abba Father, and the Holy Spirit is saying, Abba Father, then
His Spirit is agreeing with your spirit; you’re both saying the same thing. I mean, that’s
what He’s saying, but the Spirit agrees with our spirit; this is the way that you know
you’re saved. The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children
of God, because the Holy Spirit and your spirit are so mingled that it is Christ in you just
addressing God as Abba Father.
C. We Have a New Certainty
Now, not only do you have a new relationship, and a new assurance, but you have a
new certainty, a guarantee of your riches, for he says in verse 17—here’s the logic: “If
you’re children,”—that is, if you’re an adopted child—”then an heir—and not just an heir,
an heir of God; and not merely an heir of God, but a joint heir with Christ. Do you know
what a joint heir is? The lawyers that are here will tell you that a joint heir means share
and share alike. I don’t know, dear friend, if you understand what’s coming to you, but in
the age to come, you’re going to share and share alike with the Lord Jesus Christ,
because God has given you legally the position Jesus has intrinsically. You will have
been adopted as a son of the Lord Jesus Christ and how, how blessed this is. Now, a
man can disinherit a natural son, even, but he could not disinherit an adopted son. And
so, your best friend, He gives our life, because He’s the Spirit of life; He glorifies our
Lord, because He’s the Spirit of Christ; He guarantees our legacy, because He’s the
Spirit of adoption.

Conclusion
Now, I want to tell you again that, if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none
of His. Well, how do you get the Spirit of Christ? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, trust
Christ as your personal Savior and Lord, repent of your sin, and the Holy Spirit of God
will come into you, as He did into me as a teenage boy so long ago.
Let’s bow our heads in prayer. Heads are bowed and eyes are closed. If you’d like to
be saved tonight and be a child of God, let me help you to do it right now tonight. Even
while heads are bowed in this place, just forget that anybody else is here but you and
the Lord, and I’m your friend here to help you to pray, and if you want Jesus Christ to
come into your life, to give you life, to glorify Jesus, and to guarantee your legacy, would
you pray a prayer like this: Dear God, I need you so much. I know that you love me. I

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know that you want to save me. I confess that I’m a sinner. I confess that I’m spiritually
dead, but I need life. I need to be born again. I need to be saved. Jesus, you died on the
cross to pay for my sin. You died to save me. You promised to save me, if I would trust
you. I do trust you, Jesus. Would you tell Him that, from your heart: Oh, Lord Jesus, I
commit my life to you. I receive you now as my personal Savior and Lord. Come into my
heart through your Holy Spirit. Change me right now. Come in. I don’t ask for a feeling. I
just accept it by faith. I receive you by faith now as my Lord, and as my Savior, and as
my Friend. Thank you, Lord, for saving me, and begin now to make me the person that
you want me to be, and help me to live for you and never to be ashamed of you. In your
name I pray. Amen.

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 The Spirit of Easter
By Adrian Rogers
Date Preached: April 12, 1998

Main Scripture Text: Romans 8:9–11

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead
dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also
quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
ROMANS 8:11

Outline
Introduction  
I. As the Spirit of Life, He Gives Us Life
II. As the Spirit of Christ, He Glorifies the Lord
III. As the Spirit of Adoption, He Guarantees Our Legacy
Conclusion

Introduction
Would you take your Bibles and turn to Romans chapter 8 tonight as, we continue
thinking about Easter. And, the title of our devotional thought tonight is simply this: “The
Spirit of Easter.” “The Spirit of Easter.” When I say, “The Spirit of Easter,” I’m not talking
about the good will that we have one toward another. I’m not talking about the joy and
the fellowship and all of the things that we share on this wonderful day. But I’m talking
about the dear, precious, Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Easter. Look in Romans
chapter 8, beginning in verse 9: “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit—and when
he says, “the Spirit,” he means the Holy Spirit—if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in
you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his—that is, he doesn’t
belong to Christ if he doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ. And if Christ be in you, the body
is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of
him that raised up Jesus from the dead…” Who raised Jesus from the dead? The Holy
Spirit. “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that
raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken—make alive—your mortal bodies by
his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
Now what Paul is doing here in this passage of Scripture is making a comparison
and a distinction between the saved and the lost: if you prefer, the saints and the ain’ts.
What is the line of demarcation? What makes the difference between those who are
saved and those who are lost? Well, the Bible tells us very clearly, in verse 9. Look at it.

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And he says here, “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” The
distinguishing mark of a Christian is that he has in his life the Holy Spirit. There’s no
such thing as getting saved and then receiving the Holy Spirit. If you don’t have the Holy
Spirit in you, you are not saved. The distinguishing mark of a Christian is, therefore, the
Holy Spirit.
Now I want you to take your Bibles and just put your bookmark there in Romans 8,
because we’re going to be right back to it, but I want you to see what the Lord Jesus
said in John chapter 14. So turn to John chapter 14 and read with me verses 16 and 17,
and it will be even more clear that the distinguishing mark of a child of God is the Holy
Spirit. Jesus, getting ready to ascend to heaven said this: “And I will pray the Father,
and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the
Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither
knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you.”
Now, again, Jesus is saying the same thing. There’s a difference between the child
of God and those in the world, and that difference is the Holy Spirit. The Bible says,
that, “…ye see him…” That means that, the people in the world see Him not. That
means they don’t comprehend. They don’t understand the Holy Spirit because they’re
not saved. It says that the people of the world don’t know Him. The word know speaks
of a personal relationship. You may know about Him. You can learn that from a study of
pneumatology or the study of the Holy Spirit, but you cannot know Him without being
saved. You cannot receive Him, unless you are a child of God. So a good test as to
whether or not you are saved is the Holy Spirit.
Now if you don’t have the Holy Spirit, you are a natural man. You might want to look
over in the book of Jude, the last book, before the book of Revelation. It doesn’t have
any chapter heading because it’s just one chapter. In Jude verse 10 speaks of those
who are not saved, and it says, “These speak evil of those things which they know not:
but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves.”
Now he says they are like an animal. They’re like brute beasts. Animals don’t have the
Holy Spirit in them. And then he mentions again in Jude, verse 19: “These are they
which separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.” That is, they’re creatures of
their five senses. They don’t know this, the Holy Spirit, which is the sixth sense of a
Christian. So the criteria as to whether or not you’re saved is not a matter of doctrine,
not a matter of denomination, not a matter of demeanor; but the distinction is whether or
not you have the Holy Spirit. Go back to Romans 8 again now and look again if, in verse
9, the last part of verse 9: “…if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
And that Spirit is the Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead in verse 11: “But if the Spirit
of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the
dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” So the

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question tonight is not, “Have you been baptized?” The question tonight is not, “Do you
live a good life?” But the question tonight is, “Do you have the Holy Spirit in you?”
Now in just a moment, to help you to answer yes or no to that question, I’m going to
give you three marks of the Holy Spirit, three descriptions of the Holy Spirit, that Paul
gives here in Romans chapter 8, and you can measure yourself by that. And look, if you
will, in chapter 8 and verse 2. There He’s called the Spirit of life. “For the law of the
Spirit of life in Christ Jesus…” So the first distinction of the Holy Spirit: He’s called the
Spirit of life. Then look down, if you will, in verse 9: “If any man have not the Spirit of
Christ, he is none of his.” So the Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of life. He’s also called
the Spirit of Christ. And then look in verse 15: “For ye have not received the spirit of
bondage again to fear; but have received the Spirit of adoption…” So the Holy Spirit that
raised up Jesus from the dead is called in this chapter the Spirit of life. He’s called the
Spirit of Christ. And He’s called the Spirit of adoption. Now Paul says, “If you don’t have
Him, you are not saved.”
So let’s look a little bit and see what the Holy Spirit of God does, the same Holy
Spirit that brought Jesus out of that grave. What has the Holy Spirit done for us?

I. As the Spirit of Life, He Gives Us Life

Number one: As the Spirit of life, He gives us life. Now let me tell you the difference
between true salvation and religion. Salvation is the impartation of life; religion is the
imitation of life. Salvation is the impartation of life; religion is the imitation of life. Now if
you are saved, you don’t have life like His life; you have His life. You are born of the
Spirit.
Now let’s see if I can illustrate this. When God first made Adam, God formed Adam
of the dust of the ground and God fashioned his body. At that moment, as he is, his
body is lying there, beautifully crafted by the omnipotent hand of Almighty God
sculptured out of the clay, the dust of the ground, he’s lying there. He cannot stand. He
cannot walk. He cannot talk. He cannot animate in any way. He is but a lump of clay—
until God did something. God breathed in his nostrils the breath of life. And when God
breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, that lump of clay then began to get up and
walk around and act like a man. Now, correspondingly, until the Holy Spirit of God
comes into us we are spiritually just a lump of clay. We do not have what it takes to walk
as a godly man, as a Christian man, until the Holy Spirit of God comes into us.
Joyce and I read in our devotional this morning from Oswald Chambers before we
prayed. And one thing that Oswald Chambers said for today’s reading, if you read that,
is that the gift of eternal life is God Himself. God does not just give us eternal life apart
from Himself; He gives us Himself. God is the gift of eternal life, Himself. God comes
into us. And so the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of life, the Spirit of life—Romans 8, verse 2.

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Without the Holy Spirit, you have no life. You are spiritually dead. And there’s no such
thing as getting saved and then later on receiving the Holy Spirit. “If any man have not
the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” So, number one is the Spirit of life. He gives life.

II. As the Spirit of Christ, He Glorifies the Lord

Number two: As the Spirit of Christ, He glorifies the Lord. Look in verse 9 again. “But
ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. If so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if
any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” So, question: When you got
saved, who came into you—the Holy Spirit or Jesus? Well, be careful how you answer
that because both the Holy Spirit and Jesus came into you because it is the Holy Spirit
that is the representative of the Lord Jesus. Jesus, speaking of the Holy Spirit, said, “He
dwelleth with you—He was speaking of Himself—and shall be in you.” He was talking
about the Holy Spirit.
Now listen to this verse in Colossians 1 and verse 27. The Bible says, “To whom
God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the
Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” So who lives in Adrian—the Holy
Spirit or Jesus? Both. Christ lives in me through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit lives in
me because He is Christ in the Christian. And so, that’s the reason the Apostle Paul
said in Galatians 2, verse 20: “I’m crucified with Christ; nevertheless, I live, yet not I, but
Christ liveth in me.” It is not a life like His life; it is His life in me. If you want to know
whether I’m saved or not, and want to know whether I have the Holy Spirit or not, or
better, if I want to know if I’m saved, because you may not have enough information, I’ll
look to see if Jesus Christ is in me. And I don’t want to say it braggingly, but I want to
say it thankfully: I know that Jesus is in my heart. Christ is in me. And I have the Spirit of
Christ in me. It’s not life like His life; but His life. You see, there’s only one person who
has ever lived the Christian life. I’ve told you this before, and that’s Jesus. And if the
Christian life is lived in your home, in your school, in your business, it’ll be Jesus Christ
in you.
I’ve been watching a little bit of the Masters Golf Tournament. Now I’m not a golfer. I
think it’s pagan, Brother Bob. Not really. I’m just too rotten proud to play golf because
I’m not good at it. And that’s the truth, folks. And, you know, I would hate for Bob Sorrell
to beat me at golf, so I just act like I don’t want to play. But you know something? If I
watch those men—and Bob was telling me tonight, he said, “You know, Pastor, that
course over there in Augusta.” He said, “It’s an extremely hard course to play.” I don’t
know how he knows that, but he says that’s an extremely hard course to play. And I
watched those men, and they’re masters at their art. But for me to say, “All right, I’ll take
one of those men out there playing golf, the Masters, and, since that man is a great
golfer, and I want to be a golfer, I’ll just go out and play golf like him.” That would be

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ridiculous. There’s no way just by admiring that person and wanting to play golf like that
person, I’ll just say, “Well, he’s my model, he’s my example, and I’ll just play golf like
him.” That’s the fallacy of people who say, “Well, Jesus is my example; I’ll just follow
Him.” Friend, you would have a much easier time imitating one of those golfers at the
Masters, one of those pros, than you would have imitating the Lord Jesus Christ.
There’s no way. But now, and I know this is going to be a little ridiculous, but if I could
take one of those golfers and boil him down and put him in a pill and swallow him down
and let him expand and fill me, and then I could go out there and say, “Sorrell, let’s play
golf, buddy.” And off we’d go. And he’d say, “Well, Adrian, you’re doing good. That’s
great.” But it wouldn’t be me; it would be somebody in me.
Now I know that’s a silly illustration, but I want you to understand, folks, we are not
just imitating Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of life, in verse 2. And He is the Spirit of
Christ. It is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Don’t be some cheap, tin, little imitation of
Jesus. You won’t make it. You’ve got to have Jesus Christ in you. “And if any man have
not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

III. As the Spirit of Adoption, He Guarantees Our Legacy

All right, now what is He? He, as the Spirit of life, He gives life. As the Spirit of
Christ, He glorifies the Lord. And then, as the Spirit of adoption, He guarantees our
legacy. Look, if you will, now in verses 15 through 17: “For ye have not received the
spirit of bondage again to, to fear; but have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we
cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself…” Now, by the way, let’s just pause right here. I’m
reading from the King James Version, and the Bible says here, “The Spirit itself.” That’s
just an idiosyncrasy in the Greek language. It doesn’t mean that the Holy Spirit is not a
person. That’s just trying to make these words match, because the word Spirit is neuter
in gender and, what this literally says is, “The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our
spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of god, and joint-
heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
Now, are we born into the family of God or are we adopted into the family of God?
Now the truth is, that we are both born into the family of God and adopted into the family
of God. God comes at it from both directions to help us to understand all that we get.
Spiritually we are born into the family of God. Legally we are adopted into the family of
God. Now adoption was a legal action, where a man would take the son of another man
to be his own son and give him all of the legal position, advantages, and privileges of a
son by birth. Now, we are born into the family of God spiritually; we are adopted into
God’s family legally. And, because we are adopted into God’s family, we have some
prerogatives that sometimes a spiritually born son who was not adopted would not
have. Of course, we’re both spiritually born and adopted.

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 Now what is, what is the, what does a, what does an adopted son have? Well, he
becomes an heir. Look again in verse 17: “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God…”
And so it means that I have all of the riches, all of the riches of Almighty God are mine
through the Lord Jesus Christ. And notice I said all of the riches, because, “…if children,
then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ…” Do you know what a joint-heir is?
The lawyers here can tell you. In a will, joint-heirs means share-and-share-alike. Now,
folks, that’s almost too much to take in. We are joint-heirs with the Lord Jesus Christ.
And when we get adopted, the Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of adoption, comes into
our lives. Here’s a good verse to put in your margin, Galatians 4 and verse 6 right by
this verse, and it says, “Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son
into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
Now what does that mean? Well, the Holy Spirit of God comes into your heart. And
the way that you know that you’re saved is that God becomes a Father to you and
you’re just constantly saying, “Abba, Father.” Now the word Abba, Father is an Aramaic
term, and it’s a, it’s a diminutive form. It’s, it literally means “Daddy, Father.” Now it’s not
irreverent to speak of Almighty God as your daddy. “…God has sent forth His Spirit into
your heart, crying, Abba, Father.” Abba, Ab-ba are little words that a little baby would
say. The first lisping words in an Arabic family or Aramaic family, a Jewish family today,
“Abba, Abba, Father,” very much like our daddy father. It speaks of the, the greatest
intimacy with the Father.
Years ago, I told you a story about a father who was a bookkeeper, and he was an
accountant, and he did his work at home. And he was very proud of his ledgers, back
before word processors. His books were perfect. He had his office at his home. Had a
little boy there that he loved very much. And this man was very proud that he kept his
books just so. But the little guy came in and threw open the study door, ran and jumped
in his father’s arms. And the father was sitting in a swivel chair. He had his pen there on
the paper. And when he did, the pen just went right across the paper and made a mark,
just ruined the whole page. And the father put his pen down, and he said, “Son, hasn’t
daddy told you not to come in this office when I’m working? Son, look what you did!
You, look, son, you messed up everything that daddy did.” And the little boy’s chin
started to quiver and a big tear popped out of his eye, and he said, “Daddy, I’m sorry. I
just wanted to sit in your lap and rub your beard and hug you.” Well, you know what that
dad did. He put down his pen, closed the book, and said, “Come here, son, come sit in
daddy’s lap,” and hugged him and kissed him and spent some special time with him and
talked with him about the things that a father and a son ought to do.

Conclusion
Now, folks, I want to tell you, God never gets so busy keeping His books, flinging out

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the sun, the moon, and the stars and running this mighty universe, that He doesn’t have
time for you to come and just sit in His lap, just sit in His lap. I mean, it’s not that He’s so
important, that He’s so busy that you cannot come to Him and call Him Abba, Father.
You have been adopted into His family. A child may be born into a family that’s not
particularly wanted, but I’ll guarantee you, when a child is adopted, that child is wanted.
That child is chosen. As a matter of fact, according to the law, a man could disinherit a
natural son; he could not disinherit an adopted son. So what is the Spirit that raised up
Jesus from the dead? Better question: Who is the Spirit that raised up Jesus from the
dead? He is the Spirit of life. He gives us life. He is the Spirit of Christ. He glorifies the
Lord. And He is the Spirit of adoption. He guarantees our legacy. And that’s the whole,
the same Holy Spirit that brought our Savior out of the grave. Isn’t that a blessing?
Praise God for the Holy Spirit. And so, what is the distinguishing mark of a child of God?
The Holy Spirit in his life. Now, the Holy Spirit in your life doesn’t mean some emotional
feeling. It’s deeper than that. It is the awareness of these truths that I’m talking about.
Father, seal this thought to our hearts as we prepare for Your table. In the name of
Jesus. Amen.

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  How  to  Make  Sense  
out  of  Suffering    
By  Adrian  Rogers  
Sermon  Date:    February  16,  1997    
Main  Scripture  Text:    Romans  8:18–23  

Outline  
Introduction  
I. Bondage:  Yesterday’s  Curse
II. Liberty:  Tomorrow’s  Conquest
III. Hope:  Today’s  Comfort
Conclusion

Introduction  
Romans  chapter  8,  and,  when  you’ve  found  it,  look  up  here,  and  let  me  ask  you  this  
question:  Do  you  know  sorrow,  suffering,  pain,  disappointment,  fear,  frustration,  
confusion?  If  you  don’t,  just  wait  a  while.  You  will!  You  will  not  escape.  The  age  in  which  
we  live  is  filled  with  sickness,  war,  hate,  riots,  sorrow,  and  confusion.  And  man  doesn’t  
seem  to  be  able  to  do  anything  about  it.  He  longs  for  a  better  day,  and  it  gets  worse.  
Man’s  golden  dream  turns  to  rust.  Man’s  millennium  turns  to  pandemonium.  What  does  
the  Bible  have  to  say  about  all  of  this?  
Well,  look,  if  you  will,  now,  in  verse  18.  The  apostle  Paul  has  been  doing  some  
figuring.  The  word  reckon  here  is  a  bookkeeping  term.  And  he  says,  “For  I  reckon  that  
the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  which  
shall  be  revealed  in  us.  For  the  earnest  expectation  of  the  creature  waiteth  for  the  
manifestation  of  the  sons  of  God.”  
Now,  there  are  some  things  you’d  better  get  in  perspective,  because  if  you  don’t  get  
them  into  perspective,  you’re  going  to  get  into  trouble.  You  may  get  into  doubt,  or  you  
may  get  into  rebellion.  When  tragedy  hits  you,  and  things  don’t  work  out  the  way  you  
think  that  they  ought  to  work  out,  when  that  person  who  is  dearest  on  earth  to  you  is  
being  consumed  by  some  greedy  malady,  you  may  lift  a  clenched  fist  in  the  face  of  God  
in  defiant  rebellion  and  accuse  God  of  unfairness  or  lack  of  love.  Or  rather  than  being  
filled  with  rebellion,  you  just  may  be  filled  with  doubt,  and  you  say,  “Where  is  God?  I  
mean,  if  God  cares,  doesn’t  He  have  any  power  to  do  anything  about  it?  Or,  could  it  be  
that  He  has  the  power  and  He  really  doesn’t  care?  Or,  could  it  be  that  there  is  no  God  at  

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all?”  
Now,  we  might  as  well  be  honest.  A  lot  of  people  are  facing  these  kinds  of  questions,  
and  let  me  ask  ourselves,  How  are  we  going  to  deal  with  this?  Well,  the  apostle  Paul  
has  already  dealt  with  it  for  us  by  divine  inspiration.  And  Paul  has  been  doing  some  
divine  calculation,  and  so  he  says,  “For  I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  
are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  which  shall  be  revealed  in  us.”  It’s  a  
bookkeeping  term.  Over  here  is  the  suffering.  Over  here  is  the  glory.  And  Paul  says,  
“I’m  not  in  the  red.  I  am  in  the  black.”  
Now,  take  your  Bibles,  and  I  want  you,  if  you  don’t  mind  writing  in  your  Bible,  to  
underscore  or  circle  three  words.  Look  in  verse  21,  and  find  the  word  bondage.  He  
says,  “For  the  creature  itself  shall  be  delivered  from  the  bondage  of  corruption.”  Circle  
the  word,  if  you  don’t  mind.  I’ve  circled  it  in  red  in  my  Bible—the  word  bondage.  And  
then,  go  down  a  little  further,  and  circle  the  word  liberty.  “Because  the  creature  itself  
shall  be  delivered  from  the  bondage  of  corruption  into  the  glorious  liberty  of  the  children  
of  God.”  And  then,  go  over,  if  you  will,  to  verse  24,  and  circle  the  word  hope.  “For  we  
are  saved  by  hope:  but  hope  that  is  seen  is  not  hope:  for  what  a  man  seeth,  why  doth  
he  yet  hope  for?  But  if  we  hope  for  that  which  we  see  not,  then  do  we  with  patience  wait  
for  it.”  You  see  the  word  hope?  
All  right,  now  take  these  three  words.  Get  them  in  your  heart.  The  first  one  is  
bondage.  Say  it.  All  right,  the  second  one  is  liberty.  Say  it.  The  third  one  is  hope.  Say  it.  
All  right  now,  keep  those  three  words  in  your  mind:  bondage,  liberty,  and  hope.  And  
then  you’re  going  to  understand  about  suffering,  and  you’re  going  to  learn  to  make  
sense  out  of  suffering.  And  you’re  going  to  find  out  that  there  is  a  God,  and  that  this  God  
is  a  good  God.  

I. Bondage:  Yesterday’s  Curse

Now,  let’s  think  first  of  all  about  the  word  bondage,  and  bondage  deals  with  
yesterday’s  curse.  Have  you  got  that?  Yesterday’s  curse!  Folks,  look  around,  there  is  
something  desperately  wrong  in  our  world!  And  what  is  it?  There  is  a  curse  on  our  
world.  Begin  in  verse  20.  “For  the  creature—and  that  literally  means  the  creation—
everything  God  made—was  made  subject  to  vanity—the  word  vanity  means  
senselessness,  futility,  that  which  does  not  seem  to  add  up—“For  the  creation  was  
made  subject  to  vanity,  not  willingly,  but  by  reason  of  him  who  hath  subjected  the  same  
in  hope.”  Now,  that’s  speaking  of  God  who  made  it  all  where  it  seems  to  be  filled  with  
confusion.  “Because  the  creature  itself  shall  be  delivered  from  the  bondage  of  
corruption.”  Now,  what  is  the  bondage  of  corruption?  And,  how  did  it  come?  
What  causes  all  of  this  confusion,  this  disease,  this  war,  this  strife,  this  suffering?  

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Why  is  it  here?  Well,  because  of  a  curse  that’s  on  mankind.  It’s  here  because  of  sin—
because  of  sin.  You  can’t  give  it  any  other  word  than  that  one  short  little  three-­letter  
word:  sin.  God  made  a  perfect  world,  but  sin  entered  into  that  world.  Adam  sinned,  and  
when  he  did,  he  dragged  all  of  creation  down  with  him.    
Now,  that  brings  us  a  real  question.  Why  did  God  allow  that?  I  mean,  if  God  is  a  
good  God,  why  did  God  even  allow  Adam  to  sin?  Why  did  God  even  create  the  
potentiality,  the  possibility,  of  sin?  People  say,  “If  God  is  a  good  God,  why  doesn’t  He  do  
something?”  Now,  you  think  about  it.  God  made  everything,  right?  Sin  is  something,  so  
somebody  says,  “God  made  sin.  God  is  the  author  of  everything,  suffering  is  something,  
so  God  is  the  author  of  suffering.”  You  see  how  our  minds  work?  
And,  when  we  say  that,  we  get  ourselves  into  a  problem.  We  say,  before  God,  there  
was  nothing.  Sin  is  something.  All  things  have  come  from  God.  Sin  has  come  from  God.  
Before  God,  there  was  nothing.  Now,  there’s  evil  and  pain  and  pang  and  moan  and  
groan  and  woe.  Then,  it  must’ve  come  from  God.  How  could  a  good  God  allow  such  
things?  Now,  look  up  here,  and  be  honest.  Isn’t  that  a  hard  question?  That,  my  friend,  is  
a  hard  question.  That  is  what  the  apostle  Paul  is  dealing  with  here,  so  that  we  can  make  
sense  out  of  our  suffering.    
Now,  let  me  back  up  and  tell  you  that  God  is  the  author  of  everything,  that  God  did  
make  everything,  and  when  God  made  everything,  God  made  it  absolutely  perfect.  And  
He  made  a  man  and  a  woman,  put  that  man  and  woman  in  a  perfect  environment—now  
listen  carefully,  listen—and  the  perfect  God  gave  to  man  and  woman  perfect  freedom.  
That’s  what  God  made.  God  made  everything  perfect.  He  made  a  perfect  man,  He  
made  a  perfect  woman,  put  them  in  a  perfect  place,  and  gave  them  perfect  freedom!  
Now,  why  did  He  make  man  perfectly  free?  Because  what  is  the  highest  good?  
Love.  God  is  a  God  of  love.  Now,  what  good  is  love  if  there’s  nobody  to  love,  no  love  to  
give,  and  no  love  to  receive?  A  song  is  not  a  song  until  you  sing  it.  A  bell  is  not  a  bell  till  
you  ring  it.  Love  is  not  love  until  you  give  it  and  receive  it.  So  God  wants  love.  So  God  
created  two  creatures,  Adam  and  Eve,  that  He  could  love  and  so  they  could  love  Him.    
Now,  why  did  God  make  them  free?  Because  forced  love  is  not  love.  Forced  love  is  
a  contradiction  in  terms.  God  has  to  give  us  freedom  so  that  we  can  love.  In  order  to  
choose  good,  we  have  to  have  the  freedom  to  choose  evil,  or  else  the  choice  to  choose  
good  is  not  a  choice  at  all.  Now,  so  God  made  man  perfect,  and  God  put  man  in  a  
perfect  environment,  and  God  gave  that  man  perfect  freedom  and  that  woman  perfect  
freedom.  He  gave  them  the  ability  to  choose,  but  they  chose  sin,  they  chose  evil.  And  
when  they  did,  all  of  creation  fell  into  a  bondage  that  the  Bible  calls  “the  bondage  of  
corruption.”  
Dr.  M.  R.  DeHaan  III  was  watching  television.  He  tells  about  this,  and  it  was  when  
 

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there  was  a  disastrous  earthquake  that  hit  Mexico  City  in  1985,  and  the  live  cameras  
were  there,  and  they  were  showing  the  devastation  of  this  earthquake,  and  down  at  the  
bottom  were  these  words:  Courtesy  S-­I-­N.  Courtesy  Sin.  Well,  that  was  the  Spanish  
International  Network.  But  this  earthquake  brought  to  you,  the  courtesy  of  sin.  That’s  
what  is  happening  in  our  world.  We  live  in  a  sin-­sick  world,  and  sin  is  like  a  virus.    
Now,  somebody  says,  “Okay,  that’s  what  caused  it.  Adam  sinned.  He  drug  creation  
down  with  him.  The  entire  creation  has  now  the  curse  of  sin  on  it.  But  why  doesn’t  God  
now  do  something?  Why  doesn’t  God  just  step  in?  Why  doesn’t  God  just  kill  the  devil?  
Why  doesn’t  God  just  destroy  evil?  I  mean,  after  all,  if  He’s  God,  He  could.”  
Now,  listen  to  me  carefully.  God  could  not  destroy  evil  without  destroying  freedom.  
And,  if  God  destroyed  freedom,  God  would  destroy  love.  And,  if  God  destroyed  love,  
God  would  destroy  the  highest  good.  God  could  not  destroy  evil  without  destroying  
freedom!  If  we’re  not  free  to  choose  good,  then  we’re  not  free.  There  must  be,  therefore,  
the  ability  to  choose  evil.  God  could  not  destroy  evil  without  destroying  freedom.  He  
could  not  destroy  freedom  without  destroying  love.  And,  if  God  destroyed  love,  God  
would  destroy  the  highest  good.  
Now,  listen  to  me.  For  God  to  destroy  evil  would  be  evil.  For  God  to  destroy  evil  
would  be  evil,  because  God  would  be  destroying  the  capability  for  the  highest  good,  and  
that  is  for  His  creatures  to  choose  to  love  Him  and  to  serve  Him.  Well  then,  what  is  God  
going  to  do  about  evil?  What  is  God  going  to  do  about  suffering?  God  is  not  going  to  
destroy  it;;  God  is  going  to  defeat  it—to  defeat  it.  You  see,  there  were  two  gardens.  
There  was  the  Garden  of  Eden,  and  there  was  the  first  Adam.  And  there  is  the  Garden  
of  Gethsemane,  and  the  second  Adam.  And  the  Lord  Jesus,  the  very  Son  of  God,  took  
that  sin  upon  Himself,  and  carried  that  sin  to  a  cross,  and  on  that  cross  died  for  it,  and  
therefore,  ultimately  God,  through  Christ,  and  that  amazing  grace  that  we  sang  about  it,  
will  triumph  over  it  all.  
Now,  we’re  thinking  about  the  word  bondage—yesterday’s  curse.  When  Adam  
sinned,  I  said  he  drug  all  of  creation  down  with  him.  What  is  this  bondage  that  we  talk  
about  in  verses  21  and  22?  Let  me  tell  you  what  happened  to  creation.  You  want  to  
know  why  today’s  newspaper  reads  like  it  does?  There’s  a  curse!  Yesterday’s  curse  is  
upon  everything.  For  example,  there’s  a  curse  on  the  animal  kingdom.  Now,  write  these  
scriptures  down—Genesis  3  verse  14:  “And  the  Lord  God  said  unto  the  serpent,  
Because  thou  hast  done  this,  cursed  art  thou—or  thou  art  cursed—above  all  cattle.”  
Now,  the  idea  is  that  not  only  was  the  serpent  cursed,  but  the  cattle,  the  animal  
kingdom,  is  cursed.  You  look  at  the  animal  kingdom,  and  what  some  call  “the  survival  of  
the  fittest”  is  really  just  creation  groaning  under  the  curse.  When  God  made  creation,  
when  God  put  the  animals  in  the  Garden  of  Eden,  He  did  not  put  them  in  there  with  the  

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law  of  tooth  and  fang  and  claw.  That’s  the  result  of  the  curse  of  sin!  The  animal  kingdom  
was  cursed.    
There’s  a  curse  on  the  mineral  kingdom.  Listen  to  Genesis  chapter  3  verse  17:  “And  
unto  Adam  he  said,  Because  thou  hast  hearkened  unto  the  voice  of  thy  wife,  and  hast  
eaten  of  the  tree  of  which  I  commanded  thee,  saying,  Thou  shalt  not  eat  of  it:  cursed  is  
the  ground  for  thy  sake;;  in  sorrow  shalt  thou  eat  of  it  all  the  days  of  thy  life.”  That’s  the  
reason  that  we  see  all  of  this  ecological  problem  that  so  many  are  worried  about  in  
politics.  The  desert,  the  waste  places,  the  barren  land—all  of  this  is  because  God  says,  
“Cursed  is  the  animal  kingdom.  Cursed  is  the  mineral  kingdom.”  Cursed  is  the  vegetable  
kingdom.  Genesis  3  verse  18:  “Thorns  also  and  thistles  shall  it  bring  forth  unto  thee;;  and  
thou  shalt  eat  the  herb  of  the  field.”  This  world,  that  was  meant  to  be  like  the  Garden  of  
Eden,  has  become  a  garden  of  weeds.  Have  you  ever  noticed  how  much  easier  it  is  to  
grow  weeds  than  vegetables?    
Not  only  that,  but  there’s  a  curse  upon  the  human  kingdom—mankind.  Man  was  
meant  to  have  dominion  upon  this  earth.  Why  did  God  make  Adam  and  Eve,  and  how  
did  He  make  them?  Genesis  chapter  1,  verse  26:  “And  God  said,  Let  us  make  man  in  
our  image,  after  our  likeness:  and  let  them  have  dominion  over  the  fish  of  the  sea,  and  
over  the  fowl  of  the  air,  and  over  the  cattle,  and  over  all  the  earth,  and  over  every  
creeping  thing  that  creepeth  upon  the  earth.”  
But  man  doesn’t  have  dominion  today.  Why?  Because  of  sin!  Man  is  morally  
depraved.  His  mind,  like  the  earth,  has  become  a  garden  of  weeds.  His  imagination  is  
evil.  Look  at  the  newsstands.  Not  since  Manhattan  Island  was  sold  for  24  dollars,  has  so  
much  dirt  been  sold  so  cheaply.  Man  is  emotionally  disturbed.  Psychoses  and  neuroses  
are  there  because  of  sin  in  his  life.  He  is  morally  depraved,  emotionally  disturbed,  
physically  diseased.  Why  do  our  bodies  wear  out?  Romans  5,  verse  12:  “Wherefore  as  
by  one  man  sin  entered  into  the  world,  and  death  by  sin.”  You  have  a  polluted  gene  
pool.  You  have  the  seeds  of  death  in  you.  You  are  dying.  I  am  dying.  We  all  have  a  
terminal  disease.  It’s  death.  It’s  caused  by  sin.  And  none  of  us  is  immune.    
Look,  if  you  will,  in  verse  23.  “And  not  only  they—he’s  talking  about,  he’s  talking  
about  the  creatures  now—“And  not  only  they,  but  ourselves  also,  which  have  the  
firstfruits  of  the  Spirit,  even  we  ourselves  groan  within  ourselves,  waiting  for  the  
adoption,  to  wit,  the  redemption  of  the  body.”  Folks,  my  spirit  is  saved,  but  my  body  is  
not  yet  saved.  It  is  not  yet  redeemed.  Not  yet—neither  is  yours.  We’re  waiting  for  that.  
Now,  I  have  the  firstfruit  of  the  Spirit  in  my  heart!  When  I  received  Jesus  Christ  as  
my  personal  Savior  and  Lord,  the  Holy  Spirit  came  into  me;;  but  I  live  in  a  body  that  
groans,  and  so  do  you.  There  is  a  curse  on  the  animal  kingdom.  There  is  a  curse  on  the  
vegetable  kingdom.  There  is  a  curse  on  the  mineral  kingdom.  There  is  a  curse  on  the  

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human  kingdom,  and  the  Bible  calls  this  curse  “the  bondage  of  corruption.”  Now,  do  you  
have  that?  That  is  yesterday’s  curse.  It  happened  in  the  Garden  of  Eden,  and  what  we  
are  doing  is  just  reaping  the  bitter  fruit  of  it  today.  Yesterday’s  curse—bondage.  

II. Liberty:  Tomorrow’s  Conquest

Now,  here’s  the  second  thing  I  want  you  to  see.  First  of  all,  the  first  word  was  
bondage.  What’s  the  next  word?  Liberty.  All  right,  that,  my  friend,  is  tomorrow’s  
conquest.  Yesterday’s  curse;;  tomorrow’s  conquest.  Now,  remember  God  does  not  
destroy  evil;;  what  God  does  is  God  defeats  evil.  
Now,  look,  if  you  will,  in  verses  21  through  23  again.  Look  at  it.  “For  the  creature  
itself  also  shall  be  delivered  from  the  bondage  of  corruption  into  the  glorious  liberty  of  
the  children  of  God.  For  we  know  that  the  whole  creation  groaneth  and  travaileth  in  pain  
together  until  now.  And  not  only  they,  but  ourselves  also,  which  have  the  firstfruits  of  the  
Spirit,  even  we  ourselves  groan  within  ourselves—watch  it  now—waiting  for  the  
adoption,  to  wit—that  is—the  redemption  of  our  body.”  There  is  a  better  day  coming.  
The  whole  creation  is  moaning  and  groaning  and  sighing,  pressed  down  with  grief  
and  distress,  and  to  try  to  save  this  old  world  with  ecology  and  politics  would  be  like  
rearranging  the  deck  chairs  on  the  Titanic.  But  when  Jesus  comes,  He’s  going  to  
change  it.  When  Jesus  comes,  He  is  going  to  change  it!  And  this  creation  is  waiting  with  
outstretched  arms.  It  is  called  “the  earnest  expectation  of  the  creation.”  When  Jesus  
comes,  the  trees  of  the  field  will  clap  their  hands.  The  hills  will  skip  like  little  lambs.  And  
the  earth  shall  be  filled  with  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  the  Lord  as  waters  that  cover  
the  sea.    
When  Jesus  comes,  the  animal  kingdom  will  be  changed.  Listen  to  the  prophet  
Isaiah—Isaiah  chapter  11,  verses  6  and  following:  “The  wolf  also  shall  dwell  with  the  
lamb,  and  the  leopard  shall  lie  down  with  the  kids;;  the  calf  and  the  young  lion  and  the  
fatling  together—and  a  little  cluck—and  a  little  child  shall  lead  them.  And  the  cow  and  
the  bear  shall  feed;;  and  their  young  ones  shall  lie  down  together:  and  the  lion  shall  eat  
straw  like  an  ox.  And  the  suckling  child  shall  play  on  the  hole  of  the  asp,  and  the  
weaned  child  shall  put  his  hand  on  the  cockatrice  den.  And  they  shall  not  hurt  or  destroy  
in  all  my  holy  mountain:  for  the  earth  shall  be  full  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord,  as  
waters  that  cover  the  sea.”  We  sing  about  it,  Brother  Jim,  when  the  beasts  of  the  wild  
shall  be  led  by  a  child,  there  shall  be  peace  in  the  valley  for  me.  The  animal  kingdom  is  
going  to  be  changed.    
The  mineral  kingdom  will  be  changed.  Isaiah  35,  verse  1:  “The  wilderness  and  the  
solitary  place  shall  be  glad  for  them;;  and  the  desert  shall  rejoice,  and  blossom  as  a  
rose.”  The  vegetable  kingdom  will  be  changed.  Isaiah  55,  verses  12  through  13.  “For  ye  

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shall  go  out  with  joy,  and  be  led  forth  with  peace:  the  mountains  and  the  hills  shall  break  
forth  before  you  into  singing,  and  all  the  trees  of  the  field  shall  clap  their  hands.  Instead  
of  the  thorn  shall  come  up  the  fir  tree,  and  instead  of  the  brier  shall  come  up  the  myrtle  
tree:  and  it  shall  be  to  the  Lord  for  a  name,  and  for  an  everlasting  sign  that  shall  not  be  
cut  off.”  
And  the  human  kingdom  is  going  to  be  changed.  Our  bodies  are  going  to  be  
redeemed.  Look  in  verse  23.  We’re  waiting  for  the  redemption  of  the  body.  Ole  Dr.  
Vance  Havner  used  to  say,  “You’re  not  going  to  be  towed  into  heaven  by  a  wrecking  
crew.  You  are  going  to  have  a  body  like  unto  His  glorious  body.”  And  that’s  why  
Romans  chapter  8,  verse  18,  says,  “For  I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  
are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  which  shall  be  revealed  in  us.”  Because  
we’re  going  to  be  like  Jesus.  That’s  the  reason  the  psalmist  said,  “I  shall  be  satisfied  
when  I  awaken  in  thy  likeness.”  And  this  dear  great  God  who  has  redeemed  us  is  going  
to  turn  every  hurt  to  a  hallelujah  and  every  tear  to  a  pearl,  and  every  Calvary  to  an  
Easter,  and  every  sunset  to  a  sunrise,  when  Jesus  comes.  When  Jesus  comes!  
Yesterday’s  curse;;  tomorrow’s  conquest.  And  that’s  why,  my  friend,  we  ought  to  be  
praying,  longing  for,  looking  for,  waiting  for  the  manifestation  of  the  sons  of  God.    

III. Hope:  Today’s  Comfort

But  now,  what’s  our  third  word?  First  word,  bondage.  Second  word,  liberty.  Third  
word—what?  Hope.  Okay  now  watch  it.  Yesterday’s  curse.  Tomorrow’s  conquest.  
Today’s  comfort.  Today’s  comfort—that’s  the  hope.  Today’s  comfort.  You  see,  
remember  this,  that  the  groans  that  we  endure  are  temporary,  the  glory  we  expect  is  
eternal.  If  you’re  making  notes,  write  that  down.  The  groans  we  endure  are  temporary.  
The  glory  we  expect  is  eternal.  That’s  the  reason  he  says,  “I  reckon—I’ve  been  
figuring—that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  to  the  
glory  which  shall  be  revealed  in  us.”    
Now,  there  are  three  groanings  that  are  mentioned  here.  Look,  if  you  will,  in  verse  
20,  and  you  have  the  groaning  of  creation.  Look:  “For  we  know  that  the  whole  creation  
groaneth  and  travaileth  in  pain.”  Everything  God  made  is  full  of  pain  now  because  of  sin.  
There’s  the  groaning  of  creation.  Then,  look,  if  you  will,  down  in  verse  23.  There’s  the  
groaning  of  the  believer:  “And  not  only  they,  but  ourselves  also,  which  have  the  firstfruits  
of  the  Spirit,  even  we  ourselves  groan  within  ourselves.”  The  groaning  of  the  creation;;  
the  groaning  of  the  Christian.  And  now,  look,  if  you  will,  down  to  verse  26,  and  you  have  
the  groaning  of  the  Comforter:  “Likewise  the  Spirit  also  helpeth  our  infirmities.”  Three  
groanings.  
The  groaning  of  creation—all  of  creation  has  a  curse  on  it!  Moan  and  groan  and  pain  

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and  pang,  woe!  And  the  believer  who’s  saved  cannot  escape.  Being  saved  does  not  
make  you  immune  from  suffering.  Our  bodies  are  not  yet  redeemed.  Even  we  
ourselves,  which  have  the  firstfruits  of  the  Spirit,  we  groan.  The  groaning  of  the  creation,  
the  groaning  of  the  Christian,  but,  oh,  the  groaning  of  the  Comforter,  the  Holy  Spirit.  He  
is  there  with  us.  Jesus  said,  He  is  One  called  alongside  of  us,  just  like  an  attending  
physician  beside  the  bedside  of  a  patient.  Jesus  calls  the  Holy  Spirit  the  Comforter;;  that  
means  One  who  is  called  alongside  to  help.  Yes,  we  know  suffering.  Yes,  we  know  
sorrow.  But  that’s  not  the  end  of  the  story.  “For  I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  this  
present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  which  shall  be  revealed  in  
us.”    
Now,  listen.  The  groans  we  endure  are  temporary.  Notice  what  he  says—the  
groanings  of  what?  This  present  time—this  present  time.  Creation  has  a  curse  on  it.  The  
Christian’s  body  are  not  yet  redeemed.  And  so  creation  groans.  The  Christian  groans.  
But  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  knows  our  infirmity,  and  He  groans  with  intercessions  and  
prayers  that  cannot  be  uttered.  Now,  listen.  Listen  to  me  now.  The  groans  we  endure  
are  temporary.  The  glory  we  expect  is  eternal.    
Now,  look,  if  you  will,  now  in  verse  28.  Look  at  it.  “And  we  know—K-­N-­O-­W—know  
that  all  things  work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God,  who  are  the  called  
according  to  his  purpose.  For  whom  he  did  know,  he  also  did  predestinate  to  be  
conformed  to  the  image  of  his  Son,  that  he—God’s  Son—might  be  the  firstborn  among  
many  brethren.”  
God  had  a  Son  He  loved  so  much  He  said  I’m  going  to  make  a  lot  more  like  Him.  I’m  
going  to  make  a  lot  more  like  Him.  I’m  going  to  make  a  lot!  I’m  going  to  make  a  family  in  
His  image!  And  I’m  going  to  take  those  people,  and  I  have  determined  it,  I  have  
predestined  it—that  they’re  going  to  be  like  Jesus.  Every  blood-­bought  child  of  God  
sitting  in  this  building  today,  you  can  put  it  down.  Everybody  in  the  choir,  all  this  
orchestra,  even  these  two  birds  over  here—listen  to  me—they’re  going  to  be  like  Jesus!  
I’m  going  to  be  like  Jesus!  He’s  going  to  be  like  Jesus!  And  all  hell  can’t  stop  it,  because  
it  is  predestined.    
You  know,  he  speaks  of  these  things  in  the  past  tense.  Look  at  it,  if  you  will.  Oh,  how  
wonderful,  “Whom  he  did  foreknow,  them  he  did  also  predestinate  to  be  conformed  to  
the  image  of  his  Son.”  Now,  look,  if  you  will,  verse  30:  “Whom  he  did  predestinate,  them  
he  also  called—past  tense—and  whom  he  called,  them  he  also  justified—past  tense—
and  whom  he  justified,  them  he  also  glorified.”  Now,  wait  a  minute.  I  thought  you  said  
the  glory  that  will  be  revealed.  Yes,  but  God  says  it’s  as  good  as  done.  It’s  as  good  as  
done.  In  my  mind,  in  my  heart,  I  don’t  speak  of  it  as  something  going  to  happen.  It’s  
done.  It  is  done.  It  is  finished.  God  has  predestined  it.  And  what  has  been  decreed  in  

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heaven  cannot  be  annulled  by  hell.  It’s  done!  It’s  done!  
We’re  predestined  for  glory,  and,  therefore,  we’re  preserved  for  glory.  Look,  if  you  
will,  now,  in  verses  31  and  following:  “What  shall  we  say  to  these  things?”  What  things  
is  he  talking  about?  Suffering.  Pain.  Pang.  Moan.  Groan.  “What  shall  we  say  to  these  
things?”  I’ll  tell  you  what  we’ll  say  to  them:  “If  God  be  for  us,  who  can  be  against  us?  He  
that  spared  not  his  own  Son,  but  delivered  him  up  for  us  all,  how  shall  he  not  with  him  
also  freely  give  us  all  things?  Who  shall  lay  any  thing  to  the  charge  of  God’s  elect?  It  is  
God  that  justifieth.  Who  is  he  that  condemneth?  It  is  Christ  that  died,  yea  rather,  that  is  
risen  again,  who  is  even  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  who  also—along  with  the  Spirit—
maketh  intercession  for  us.”  Friend,  we  are  predestined  for  glory.  We  are  preserved  for  
glory.  Listen.  No  fault  can  condemn  us,  and  no  foe  can  destroy  us.  
Now,  think  about  these  sufferings.  Paul  doesn’t  deny  them;;  he  faced  them  all.  Look  
in  verse  35:  “And  who  shall  separate  us  from  the  love  of  Christ?  Shall  tribulation,  or  
distress,  or  persecution,  or  famine,  or  nakedness,  or  peril,  or  sword?  As  it  is  written,  For  
thy  sake  we’re  killed  all  the  day  long:  we  are  accounted  as  sheep  for  the  slaughter.  Nay,  
in  all  these  things…”—he  doesn’t  say  that  you’re  going  to  escape  all  of  these  things;;  he  
says  in  all  of  these  things—“…we  are  more  than  conquerors.”  Doesn’t  mean  that  we  
kick  a  field  goal  in  the  last  three  seconds.  It  literally  means  we  are  super-­conquerors.  “In  
all  these  things,  we  are  more  than  conquerors  through  him  that  loved  us.”  For  I  am  
persuaded  that  neither  death,  nor  life,  nor  angels,  nor  principalities,  nor  powers,  nor  
things  present,  nor  things  to  come,  nor  height,  nor  depth,  nor  any  other  creature,  shall  
be  able  to  separate  us  from  the  love  of  God,  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord.”  Hey,  
folks,  he  doesn’t  say  that  you  will  not  suffer,  but  he  says  you  are  predestined  for  glory,  
you  are  preserved  for  glory,  and  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  
compared  to  the  glory  which  shall  be  revealed  in  us.    

Conclusion  
First  word  is  what?  Bondage.  That’s  yesterday’s  curse.  Next  word  is  what?  Liberty.  
That’s  tomorrow’s  conquest.  Third  word  is  what?  Hope.  That’s  today’s  comfort.  We  
know!  We  know  that  we  know  that  we  know  that  we  know  that  we  know  that  nothing  can  
separate  us  from  His  great  love.  Aren’t  you  glad  you’re  saved?  Hallelujah!  
Father,  thank  You  for  Your  Word.  O  God,  seal  it  to  our  hearts.  And  I  just  pray,  dear  
God,  today  for  those  who  may  not  be  saved,  that  today  they  will  say  an  everlasting  yes  
to  Jesus  and  receive  Him  as  their  Lord  and  Savior.    
Now,  while  heads  are  bowed  and  eyes  are  closed,  I  think  it’s  time  that  you  did  
business  with  God.  I  believe  there  are  some  here  today  who  would  like  to  receive  Jesus  
Christ  into  their  heart  as  their  Lord  and  Savior.  It  is  my  duty  to  tell  you  that  you’re  a  

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sinner  by  nature,  by  birth,  by  practice,  by  choice.  You’ve  broken  God’s  holy  law,  and  a  
holy  and  a  righteous  God  must  judge  your  sin.  And  if  you  die  not  being  saved,  you  will  
face  an  eternity  in  hell,  eternally  separated  from  Almighty  God.  But  God  doesn’t  want  
that  to  happen,  and  God  has  sent  His  Son,  the  Lord  Jesus,  to  be  your  sin-­bearer,  and  
He  has  taken  your  sin  to  the  cross.  Him  who  knew  no  sin—that’s  Jesus—God  made  to  
be  sin  for  you—that  is,  He’s  your  representation,  He’s  your  substitute.  He  took  your  sins  
to  the  cross,  and  there  with  His  blood  He  atoned  for  your  sin.  And  your  sin  debt  has  
been  paid  for  in  the  precious  blood  of  Jesus  Christ.  And  because  He  died  for  you,  if  you  
will  receive  His  atoning  death,  receive  Him  into  your  heart  by  faith,  I  can  promise  you  on  
the  authority  of  the  Word  of  God,  He  will  save  you,  and  He  will  predestine  you,  and  He  
will  preserve  you  for  glory.    
Would  you  pray  this  way?  Forget  anybody  else  is  here.  “Dear  God,  thank  You  for  
loving  me.  Jesus,  You  died  to  save  me,  and  You  promised  to  save  me,  if  I  would  only  
trust  You.  I  do  trust  You,  Lord  Jesus.”  Tell  Him  that:  “I  do  trust  You,  Lord  Jesus.  I  
believe  You’re  the  Son  of  God.  I  believe  You  died  for  my  sin  on  that  cross.  I  believe  that  
God  raised  You  from  the  dead.  I  believe  it.  And  now,  by  faith,  like  a  child,  I  now  receive  
You  as  my  Lord  and  my  Savior.  Right  now,  I  receive  You.  Now,  I  open  my  heart,  I  turn  
from  my  sin,  I  receive  You  as  my  Lord  and  Savior.  Come  into  my  heart.  Forgive  my  sin.  
Save  me,  Lord  Jesus.”  Would  you  pray  that  prayer?  “Save  me,  Lord  Jesus.”  Just  pray  it  
from  your  heart:  “Save  me,  Lord  Jesus.”  Just  ask  Him:  “Save  me,  Lord  Jesus.”  And  if  
you  prayed  that  prayer,  I  want  you  to  thank  Him  for  saving  you.  By  an  act  of  sheer  faith,  
just  say,  “Lord,  thank  You.  I  don’t  look  for  a  sign.  I  don’t  ask  for  a  feeling.  I  stand  on  
Your  Word.  You  cannot  lie.  Thank  You  for  saving  me,  because  I  turn  from  my  sin  to  You  
with  childlike  faith.  And  now,  Lord  Jesus,  because  You  died  for  me,  because  You  have  
forgiven  me,  because  You’ve  made  me  Your  child,  because  You  have  glory  for  me,  help  
me  never  to  be  ashamed  of  You.  Help  me  never,  Jesus,  to  be  ashamed  of  You.”  

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  The  Problem  of  Pain    
By  Adrian  Rogers  
Date  Preached:      May  16,  1993    

Main  Scripture  Text:    Romans  8:18–23  

“For  I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  
the  glory  which  shall  be  revealed  in  us.”  
ROMANS  8:18  

Outline  
Introduction  
I. The  Depravity  Factor
II. The  Disobedience  Factor
A. We  Were  Judged  as  Sinners
B. We  Will  Be  Judged  as  Servants
C. We  Are  Judged  as  Sons
III. The  Dependence  Factor
IV. The  Discipline  Factor
V. The  Development  Factor
VI. The  Demonic  Factor
VII. The  Devotion  Factor
VIII. The  Declaration  Factor
IX. The  Darkness  Factor
Conclusion

Introduction  
Be  finding  in  your  Bibles  Romans  chapter  8—one  of  the  great,  great,  great  chapters  in  
all  of  the  Bible—and  I’m  going  to  begin  reading  in  verse  18:  Romans  chapter  8  and  
verse  18.  The  Apostle  Paul  says,  “For  I  reckon…”  (Romans  8:18)—the  word  reckon  
here  means  that  he  has  been  balancing  the  books;;  it’s  a  bookkeeping  term.  “For  I  
reckon…the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  
which  shall  be  revealed  in  us.”  (Romans  8:18)  “For  the  earnest  expectation  of  the  
creature”—that  may  be  translated  also  “the  creation”—“waiteth  for  the  manifestation  of  
the  sons  of  God.”  (Romans  8:19)  “For  the  creature  was  made  subject  to  vanity,  not  
willingly,  but  by  reason  of  him  who  hath  subjected  the  same  in  hope,  Because  the  
creature”—or  the  creation—“itself  also  shall  be  delivered  from  the  bondage  of  corruption  
into  the  glorious  liberty  of  the  children  of  God.”  (Romans  8:20–21)  “For  we  know  that  the  
whole  creation  groaneth  and  travaileth  in  pain  together  until  now.  And  not  only  they,  but  

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ourselves  also,  which  have  the  firstfruits  of  the  Spirit,  even  we  ourselves  groan  within  
ourselves,  waiting  for  the  adoption,  to  wit,  the  redemption  of  our  body.”  (Romans  8:22–
23) Now,  in  verse  22  we  read  this:  “[And]  we  know  that  the  whole  creation  groaneth  and
travaileth  in  pain  together  until  now”:  (Romans  8:22)  The  Problem  of  Pain.  Now,  there
are  many  kinds  of  pain,  and  the  child  of  God  is  not  immune.  I  told  you  this  morning  that
someone,  a  wise  man,  said,  “Be  kind  to  every  one  you  meet,  for  every  one  is  fighting  a
battle.”  And  that  is  true.  And  there’s  a  heartache  and  a  hurt  on  every  pew  here  tonight.
Now,  it’s  not  the  normal  battles  that  cause  us  so  much  difficulty.  We  all  know  that  
sooner  or  later  we’re  going  to  get  sick.  We  all  know  that  sooner  or  later  our  bodies  are  
going  to  wear  out.  And  we  more  or  less  expect  that,  and  we  accept  that  when  it  comes.  
It’s  not  those  normal  battles.  It’s  the  abnormal  things.  We  find  ourselves  in  a  war  
sometimes  that  we  didn’t  declare.  Sometimes  we  find  ourselves  eating  bitter  fruit  from  
trees  that  we  did  not  plant.  Sometimes  we  find  ourselves  drinking  water  from  a  well  that  
we  did  not  dig.  Sometimes  life  just  seems  to  cave  in,  and  we  pick  up  a  telephone,  and  
on  the  other  end  is  a  message,  and  we  don’t  want  to  hear  it.  Or  we  go  to  the  doctor  and  
he  says,  “You  better  be  seated.  I  have  a  message  for  you,”  and  you  probably  don’t  want  
to  hear  it.  
Now,  the  philosophers  have  dealt  with  the  problem  of  pain,  but  they  haven’t  come  up  
with  an  answer.  Epicurus,  a,  a  Greek  philosopher,  put  it  this  way,  and  I  want  you  to  
listen  to  what  he  said.  He  said,  “Either  God  wishes  to  take  away  evil  and  is  unable,  or  
He  is  able  and  unwilling,  or  He  is  neither  willing  or  able,  or  He  is  both  willing  and  able.  If  
He  is  willing,  but  unable,  He  is  feeble,  which  is  not  in  accordance  with  the  character  of  
God.  If  He  is  able  and  unwilling,  He  is  envious,  which  is  equally  at  variance  with  God.  If  
He  is  neither  willing  nor  able,  He  is  both  envious  and  feeble  and,  therefore,  not  God.  If  
He  is  both  willing  and  able,  which  alone  is  suitable  for  God,  from  what  source  then  are  
evils?  Why  then  doesn’t  He  remove  them?”  That’s  the  question  the  philosophers  have.  
Or  let  me  just  put  it  in  plain  English.  Why  do  good  people  suffer?  Why  the  problem  of  
pain?  
I  want  tonight  to  give  you  eight  reasons,  and  then  I  want  to  give  you  a  reason  that’s  
not  a  reason.  Eight  reasons  plus  one,  and  the  last  one  is  not  a  reason,  and  you’ll  see  
why  I  said  it  this  way.  

I. The  Depravity  Factor

The  very  first  is  what  I  want  to  call  the  depravity  factor,  just  sin  in  general.  Folks,  sin  
causes  suffering.  Ephesians  2:3  says  that  we  “[are]  by  nature  the  children  of  wrath.”  
That  is,  there’s  something  in  nature  that  is  wrong.  The  Apostle  Paul  said,  “…The  whole  
creation  [groans]  and  [travails]  in  pain…”  (Romans  8:22)  Now,  in  Genesis  2,  God  said  to  
Adam,  “Adam,  if  you  disobey  Me,  if  you  eat  of  the  forbidden  fruit,  in  the  day  that  you  eat  

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you  will  surely  die.”  (Genesis  2:17)  Adam  disobeyed  God,  and  sin  entered  into  the  
world,  and  death  by  sin.  We  talked  about  that  this  morning  from  Romans  5:12.  And  we  
live—you  might,  might  as  well  face  it—in  a  sin-­filled,  sin-­cursed  world.  And  my  body  and  
your  body,  we  bear  in  our  body  the  curse  of  Adam.  And  when  we  were  born,  we  were  
born  out  of  a  polluted  gene  pool.  
And  not  only  do  we  suffer  because  we  have  the  seeds  of  depravity  in  us,  but,  friend,  
we  live  with  other  sinners,  and  other  sinners  can  cause  you  to  suffer.  You  cross  the  
street,  and  a  drunken  driver  hits  you,  and  your  suffering  may  come  at  the  hands  of  other  
sinners.  And  then  not  only  that,  but  the  entire  earth,  everything,  it  has  the  curse  of  sin  
on  it.  In  Genesis  3:17  God  said  to  Adam  and  Eve,  “…cursed  is  the  ground  for  thy  
sake…”  In  the  Scripture  that  I  read  to  you  it  says,  “The  whole  creation  [groans]  and  
[travails]  in  pain.”  (Romans  8:22)  
And,  folks,  we  just  happen  to  live  here.  We  live  on  a  planet  that  has  the  curse  of  sin.  
When  Noah  came  out  of  the  ark,  and  Mrs.  Noah,  and  Ham,  and  Shem,  and  Japheth,  
God  said  in  Genesis  8:22:  “While  the  earth  remaineth,  seedtime  and  harvest,  and  cold  
and  heat,  and  summer  and  winter,  and  day  and  night  shall  not  cease.”  That  is,  
sometimes  it’s  going  to  be  cold  and  sometimes  it’s  going  to  be  hot,  and  we  just  happen  
to  live  here  when  it’s  cold  and  we  happen  to  live  here  when  it’s  hot.  
You  see,  when  a  hurricane  comes,  the  hurricane  doesn’t  just  hit  the  pagans.  If  you  
lived  in  South  Miami  and  Homestead  when  that  hurricane  hit,  it  didn’t  matter  whether  
you  were  saved  or  lost.  You  just  happen  to  live  where  a  hurricane  hit.  You  might  say,  
“I’m  a  child  of  God.  Why  did  this  happen  to  me?”  It  happened  to  you  because  you  live  
on  a  planet  that  is  cursed  with  sin.  Natural  disasters  fall  on  Christians  and  non-­
Christians  alike.  And  Jesus  said  in  Matthew  5:45  that  God  makes  the  rain  to  fall  upon  
the  just  and  the  unjust.  Saved  or  lost.  You  say,  “Well,  the  unsaved  farmer  doesn’t  
deserve  the  rain  to  fall  on  his  crops.”  But  God  makes  the  rain  to  fall  on  his  crops  just  like  
He  does  the  crops  of  a  saved  man.  You  say,  “Well,  the  saved  man  didn’t  deserve  the  
flood,”  but  God  allows  the  flood  to  come  to  the  saved  man  just  as  He  does  the  unsaved  
man.  “God  makes  the  rain  to  fall  upon  the  just  and  the  unjust.”  (Matthew  5:45)  
•M.  R.  DeHaan  III  was  watching  television  one  time  when  there  was  that  great
earthquake  down  there  in  Mexico  City  in  1985.  And  the  television  crew  was  down  there,  
and  they  were  sending  out  the  signal  through  television,  and  they  were  showing  the  
heartache,  the  sorrow,  the  devastation,  the  buildings  that  had  collapsed,  the  groaning  
and  the  moaning,  and  all  of  this.  And  over  there  in  the  corner  of  the  television  set  were  
these  words,  “Courtesy  SIN—Courtesy  SIN.”  What  that  really  stood  for  was  the  Spanish  
International  Network—“Courtesy  SIN.”  Well,  every  storm  that  we  have  we  can  just  
simply  say,  “That’s  the  courtesy  of  sin.”•  
Folks,  admit  it.  We  have  a  polluted  gene  pool.  “[We  are]  by  nature…children  of  

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wrath.”  (Ephesians  2:3)  We  live  with  other  sinners.  And  we  live  in  a  world  that  is  cursed,  
and  the  curse  of  sin  rests  on  all  creation.  “Cursed  is  the  ground  for  thy  sake.”  (Genesis  
3:17)  But  I  just  want  to  give  you  a  word  of  encouragement  before  we  leave  this  point.  
There  was  the  first  Adam.  He  lost  it  all  in  the  garden.  There  was  the  second  Adam,  the  
last  Adam,  the  Lord  Jesus  who  prayed  in  the  garden,  “Not  my  will,  but  thine  be  done.”  
(Matthew  26:39)  And  thank  God  for  the  last  Adam  who  is  going  to  undo  what  the  first  
Adam  did.  Reason  number  one—do  you  have  it?—we  suffer  because  of  the  depravity  
factor.  

II. The  Disobedience  Factor

Reason  number  two:  we  suffer  because  of  the  disobedience  factor.  Sometimes  we  
suffer  not  because  of  other  people,  or  not  because  of  our  ancestors,  or  not  because  of  
our  environment.  Folks,  we  have  just  done  wrong  and  we  sin;;  and  because  we  sin  God  
has  to  chastise  us.  Now,  I’ve  told  you  before  there  are  three  kinds  of  judgment.  We’re  
judged  three  ways.  We’re  judged  as  sinners,  we’re  judged  as  sons,  and  we’re  judged  as  
servants.  
A. We  Were  Judged  as  Sinners
Now,  our  judgment  as  a  sinner,  that  was  Calvary.  And  that  judgment  will  never  come  to  
us  because  this  chapter,  Romans  8:1  says,  “There  is  therefore  now  no  condemnation  to  
[those  who]  are  in  Christ  Jesus…”  I  will  never,  ever  be  judicially  judged  for  my  sins.  One  
half  of  one  sin  put  on  my  account  would  send  me  to  hell  forever,  but  that  judgment  is  
passed  for  me.  I  settled  my  case  out  of  court.  Jesus  suffered,  bled,  and  died,  and  with  
His  blood  He  atoned  for  my  sin.  And  that  sin  will  never,  ever,  ever,  ever,  ever  be  
brought  up  against  me  anymore.  Hallelujah,  praise  God!  I  was  judged  as  a  sinner  at  
Calvary.  
B. We  Will  Be  Judged  as  Servants
But  I  will  be  judged  as  a  servant  at  the  Judgment  Seat  of  Christ.  Paul  said,  “We  must  all  
appear  before  the  Judgment  Seat  of  Christ,  that  everyone  may  receive  the  things  done  
in  his  body,  whether  it  be  good  or  whether  it  be  evil.”  (2  Corinthians  5:10)  And  I’m  going  
to  be  rewarded  or  not  rewarded  according  to  my  service.  That’s  my  judgment  as  a  
servant.  
C. We  Are  Judged  as  Sons
But  right  now  I  am  judged  as  a  son.  And  the  way  that  God  judges  me  as  a  son  is,  is  His  
chastisement,  and  God  may  chastise  me.  Hebrews  12:5–11,  God  speaks  of  this  
chastisement.  And  the  Bible  says,  “…Whom  the  [Father]  [loves]  He  [chastens],  and  [He]  
[scourges]  every  son  whom  he  [receives].”  (Hebrews  12:6)  And  then  He  says,  “If  you  
endure  chastening,  God  [deals]  with  you  as  with  sons;  for  what  son  is  he  whom  the  

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father  chasteneth  not?”  (Hebrews  12:7)  “But,”  He  says,  “If  [you  are  not  chastened],  then  
[you]…[illegitimate]  and  not  [true  children  of  God].”  (Hebrews  12:8)  God  says,  “If  you  
were  my  child  and  you  behaved  that  way,  I  would  carry  you  to  the  woodshed.”  Now  we  
have  a  generation  that  doesn’t  know  what  the  woodshed  is,  so  what  He  means  is,  “I  
would  punish  you.  I  would  chastise  you.  I  would  whip  you.”  And  sometimes  the  pain  that  
we  know  is  the  chastisement  of  God.  
Now,  God  is  far  more  concerned  about  your  holiness  than  He  is  your  happiness.  A  
couple  of  Saturday  mornings  ago,  Ron  Dunn  spoke  from  this  platform,  and  we  love  Ron  
Dunn.  And  Ron  Dunn  was  talking  also  about  suffering,  and  he  said,  “We  need  to  learn  
the  difference  between  sentiment  and  compassion”—sentimentality  and  compassion.  
He  said,  “If  a  little  child  disobeys  its  mother  and,  the  mother,  rather,  says  to  that  child,  ‘If  
you  do  that  one  more  time,  I’m  going  to  punish  you’—maybe  the  mother  has  warned  the  
child  over  and  over  again—and  says,  ‘One  more  time  and  I’m  going  to  punish  you.  I’m  
going  to  whip  you.’  And  the  child  does  it.  And  the  mother  says,  ‘All  right,  now  I’m  going  
to  whip  you.’  That  little  chin  begins  to  quiver,  and  a  tear  gathers  in  the  corner  of  those  
big  brown  eyes,  and  he  says,  ‘Mommy,  I’m  sorry.  Please,  please  don’t  whip  me.’  And  
she  looks  down.  She  just  can’t  do  it.  Now,  that’s  sentimentality.  But  the  little  child  says,  
‘Mama,  I’m  sorry.  Please  don’t  whip  me,’  and  she  wails  the  daylights  out  of  him,  that’s  
compassion,  that’s  compassion.  She  loves  him  too  much  to  let  him  grow  up  to  be  a  
rebel.  She  loves  him  too  much  to  let  him  get  away  with  disobedience.  That  is  
compassion.”  
And  God  loves  you  too  much  to  let  you  sin  without  suffering.  You  see,  God  is  
teaching  you  that  sin  is  wrong.  God’s  not  trying  to  get  even,  but  God,  the  Bible  says,  
“…Whom  the  Lord  [loves]  He  [chastens],  and  [scourges]  every  son  whom  He  
[receives].”  (Hebrews  12:6)  Now,  if  you’re  sick  or  if  you’re  in  pain,  that  does  not  
necessarily  mean  that  God  is  chastising  you.  This  is  only  one  reason.  

III. The  Dependence  Factor

We  talked,  friend,  about  the  depravity  factor.  We  live  in  a  depraved  society.  That’s  one  
of  the  reasons.  We’ve  talked  about  the  disobedience  factor.  Let  me  give  you  the  third  
factor,  and  it  is  the  dependence  factor.  Sometimes  we  suffer  because  God  wants  our  
sufferings  to  make  us  dependent  upon  Him.  You  know,  God  doesn’t  want  us  to  live  
independent  of  Him,  but  if  we  never  had  any  pain,  if  we  never  had  any  problems,  if  we  
never  had  any  difficulty,  if  we  never  had  any  heartache,  if  we  never  had  any  tears,  we  
would  just  sail  through  life  and  never  really  depend  upon  God.  
The  Apostle  Paul  experienced  this.  In  2  Corinthians  12  is  that  classic  story  of  Paul’s  
thorn  in  the  flesh,  and  that  thorn  in  the  flesh  was  a  messenger  of  Satan  to  buffet  him.  
And  Paul  asked  God  to  take  away  the  thorn  in  the  flesh,  but  God  didn’t  do  it.  As  a  

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matter  of  fact,  2  Corinthians  12:9  says  this:  “And  he  said  unto  me,  My  grace  is  sufficient  
for  thee:  for  my  strength  is  made  perfect  in  weakness.”  Then  Paul  said,  “…Most  gladly  
therefore  will  I  rather  glory  in  my  infirmities,  that  the  power  of  Christ  may  rest  upon  me.  
Therefore  I  take  pleasure  in  infirmities,  in  reproaches,  in  necessities,  in  persecutions,  in  
distresses  for  Christ’s  sake:  for  when  I  am  weak,  then  [I’m]  strong.”  (2  Corinthians  12:9–
10) Oswald  Chambers  says,  “An  unguarded  strength  is  a  double  weakness.”  The
Apostle  Paul  had  seen  visions.  He  had  seen  ecstasies.  He  was  taken  up  into  the  third
heaven.  He  saw  things  not  lawful  for  a  man  to  even  utter.  And  God  allowed  him  to  be
impaled  upon  a  stake,  as  it  were,  figuratively.  There  was  a  thorn  in  his  flesh.  It  doesn’t
mean  a  thorn  like  grows  on  roses.  It  actually  means  a  stake  that  impaled  him.  It,
whatever  it  was,  it  was  excruciating.  But  what  was  God  doing?  God  was  saying,  “Paul,
you  cannot  depend  upon  your  own  strength.  You’re  going  to  have  to  depend  upon  Me,
and  My  strength  is  going  to  be  made  perfect  in  your  weakness.”  And  sometimes  God
allows  us  to  suffer  to  make  us  weak  in  order  to  make  us  depend  upon  Him.
Years  and  years  ago,  when  I  was  a  young  preacher,  I  read  a  book.  I  don’t  know  
whether  it’s  in  print  or  not.  But  if  it  is,  I  want  you  to  get  it.  By  L.  E.  Maxwell.  The  title  of  
the  book  is  “Crowded  to  Christ”—“Crowded  to  Christ.”  And  what  Dr.  Maxwell  said  was  
this:  We  would  not  come  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  sometimes  unless  we  were  crowded  
to  Him.  It  is  difficulty,  and  heartache,  and  pain,  and  sorrow,  and  tribulation,  and  
persecution,  that  crowds  us  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  And  so  there  is  the  dependency  
factor;;  God  wants  us  to  depend  upon  Him.  

IV. The  Discipline  Factor

The  fourth  reason,  and  it  is  the  discipline  factor.  We  suffer  sometimes  because  that’s  
the  way  God  teaches  us,  and  the  only  way  we  can  learn  sometime  is  for  God  to  teach  
us  through  suffering.  Here’s  the  verse  for  that:  Psalm  119:67.  David  said,  “Before  I  was  
afflicted  I  went  astray…”  (Psalm  119:67)  Isn’t  that  an  incredible  verse?  “Before  I  was  
afflicted  I  went  astray:  but  now  [I  have]  kept  thy  word.”  (Psalm  119:67)  And  in  Psalm  
119:77  he  says,  “Let  thy  tender  mercies  come  unto  me,  that  I  may  live:  for  thy  law  is  my  
delight.”  Now,  God  showed  him  His  mercy  after  he  suffered.  Sometimes,  and  it’s  
happened  to  me,  sometimes  God  brings  things  into  focus  through  suffering.  We  never  
see,  sometimes,  as  clearly  as  we  see,  than  when  we  see,  through  eyes  that  have  been  
washed  through  tears.  
I  can  remember  when  our  son  Philip  died.  Joyce  and  I  had  been  in  seminary,  and  I’d  
kind  of  had  a  philosophy  while  we  were  in  school.  And  I  don’t  think  this  is  for  everybody,  
but  it  was  my  philosophy.  I  didn’t  think  that  Joyce  ought  to  work,  that  is,  outside  the  
house,  outside  the  home.  And  so  I  said,  “Joyce…”  And  Joyce  and  I  decided  we  wanted  
to  start  our  family  while  we  were  in  school  also.  Our  children  didn’t  just  happen;  we  

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wanted  them.  We  were  hoping  for  them  while  we  were  in  school.  We  were  married  
seven  years  of  schooling,  getting  an  education.  And,  and  I  worked  at  many,  many  
different  jobs.  And  we  didn’t  have  very  much—I  mean,  folks,  we  really  did  not  have  very  
much.  We  lived  from  hand  to  mouth,  but  God  blessed  us.  We  were  able  to  go  through  
all  of  that  school  and  come  out  without  any  debt,  without  Joyce  having  to  leave  the  
babies  and  go  into  the  work  force.  Now  I’m  not  saying  if,  if  some  seminary  students  
have  to  do  that,  that  it’s  wrong  or  their  wives,  or  whatever.  For  us,  we  just  felt  that  we  
ought  not  to  do  it.  So  we  went  to  that  first  little  church;;  I  can  remember  that  first  little  
church  there.  And  we’d  not  had  any  furniture.  Oh,  we  had  some  sticks  and  some  things,  
but  no  furniture  really.  And  I  remember  going  to  J.  J.  Cater  Furniture  Company  with  
Joyce  and,  down  in  West  Palm  Beach,  and  we  picked  out  some  furniture.  It  wasn’t  
exquisite  furniture,  but  it  was  new,  and  it  was  ours—little  pieces  of  furniture.  Not  
expensive  furniture,  but  it  was  new,  and  it  was  ours,  and  we  had  bought  it  out  of  
seminary.  And  we’d  not  had  it  but  just  a  few  days.  I  had  not  been  out  of  seminary  but  
just  a  few  days  when  our  Philip  died  on  a  Mother’s  Day.  And  I  remember  the  day  that  
boy  died,  and  I  remember  looking  at  that  furniture.  And  do  you  know  what  I  thought  
when  I  saw  that  furniture?  “It  does  not  even  come  up  to  the  level  of  junk!  Not  even  to  the  
level  of  junk!”  I  thought  to  myself,  “How  incredibly  worthless  is  that!”  And  God  gave  me  a  
vision—and  I  pray,  God,  that  I  won’t  lose  that—of  what  physical  material  things  are.  
If  God  blesses  with  physical  material  things,  that’s  fine.  The  Bible  says,  “The  
blessing  of  the  Lord,  it  maketh  rich…”  (Proverbs  10:22)  and,  “…God…[gives]  us  richly  
all  things  to  enjoy.”  (1  Timothy  6:17)  And  material  goods  and  possessions  are  not  
wrong.  Many  times  they’re  a  blessing  of  God.  But,  you  know,  sometimes,  sometimes  we  
just  have  to  have  some  pain,  some  suffering  to  get  things  in  focus,  don’t  we,  to  see  what  
really,  really  matters.  Sometimes  the  things  that  we  think  are  so  important  are  not  
important  at  all  until  we  see  with  eyes  that  have  been  washed  with  tears.  And  so  
sometimes  there  is  that  discipline  factor  God  is  teaching  us.  

V. The  Development  Factor

Now  let  me  give  you  the  fifth  factor;;  and  it’s  the  development  factor.  Not  only  is  God  
teaching  us,  but  God  is  developing  us.  Sometimes  suffering  teaches  us  patience,  for  
example,  and  we  all  need  patience.  Not  a  one  of  us  don’t.  But  when  you  pray  for  
patience,  you  know  what  you’re  praying  for?  “Tribulation  [works]  patience,”  (Romans  
5:3)  the  Bible  says.  You’re  praying  for  tribulation.  And  James  said  in  James  1:2–3,  “My  
brethren,  count  it  all  joy  when  ye  fall  into  divers  temptations.”  (James  1:1)  That  doesn’t  
mean  a  temptation  to  jump  in  the  water.  Divers  temptations  means  “different  kinds”  of  
temptation.  “Knowing  this,  that  the  trying—the  testing—of  your  faith  works  patience.”    
(James  1:2)  And,  friend,  patience  doesn’t  mean  the  ability  to  thread  a  needle  or  to  do  

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something  tedious.  It  means  endurance,  stick-­to-­it-­iveness,  to  stay  with  the  things  that  
really  matter,  to  bear  up  under  pressure.  
•I  was  reading  of  a  pastor.  You  know,  we  pastors,  sometimes  our  preaching
exceeds  our  living.  And  this  pastor,  a  godly  man,  but  he  got  up  late  one  morning  
because  the  alarm  clock  did  not  go  off.  So  he  was  in  a  hurry  to  make  his  appointment,  
and  he  cut  himself  shaving.  Then  on  top  of  that,  when  he  finally  got  out  to  the  
automobile,  a  tire  was  flat.  Can  you  image  that?  Oh,  I  forgot  to  tell  you  also  he  didn’t  
have  a  clean  shirt.  His  shirt  wasn’t  ironed.  The  alarm  clock  didn’t  go  off,  he  cut  himself  
shaving,  there  was  no  shirt  ironed—that  had  to  be  done—and  then  when  he  got  out,  it’s  
almost  like  a  comedy  of  errors—a  tire  was  flat.  He  said,  “I  can’t  believe  all  of  this.”  So  
when  he  got  the  tire  changed,  he’s  on  his  way  trying  to  get  there  and  he  was  doing  
something  wrong.  He  was  going  too  fast,  and  he  went  through  a  stop  sign  without  
stopping  completely,  and  there  was  a  motorcycle  policeman,  and  the  policeman  
stopped  him.  Now  can  you  imagine?  I  mean,  this,  this  is  a  true  story.  I  mean,  it  all  
happened  to  this  guy.  I  mean,  bang,  bang,  bang,  bang,  bang.  And  there  he  is,  being  
arrested,  stopped  for  going  through  a  stop  sign  without  stopping.  He  said,  “Boy,  this  
does  it.”  He  got  out  of  the  car.  He  said,  “All  right,  give  me  a  ticket.  You  might  as  well.  
Everything  else  has  gone  wrong  today.”  You  know  what  the  policeman  said  to  him?  He  
said,  “You  know,  sir,”  he  said,  “I  used  to  have  days  like  that  too  before  I  gave  my  heart  
to  Jesus,”  to  this  pastor,  “I  used  to  have  days  like  that  before  I  gave  my  heart  to  Jesus.”  
•
You  imagine  how  he  felt?  Can  you  imagine  how  he  was  rebuked?  You  know  what  
that  story  tells  us?  It  really  tells  us  two  things.  It  tells  us  that  we  who  are  Christians  need  
patience,  but  it  also  tells  us  we  can  have  patience.  And  the  God  that  gave  that  
policeman  patience  will  give  you  patience.  And  sometime  God  allows  us  to  go  through  
episodes,  just  like  that  pastor  went  through,  in  order  to  teach  us  patience.  And  so,  
there’s  the  development  factor.  

VI. The  Demonic  Factor

I  want  to  tell  you  another  reason  that  we  sometimes  suffer,  and  this  is  the  sixth  of  these  
reasons.  There  is  the  demonic  factor.  We  suffer  sometimes  at  the  hands  of  Satan.  Now  
that  may  come  as  a  surprise  to  you,  but  Satan  can  cause  some  of  your  sufferings.  First  
Peter  5:8  says,  “Be  sober,  be  vigilant;;  because  your  adversary  the  devil  [goes  about]  as  
a  roaring  lion,  seeking  whom  he  may  devour.”  And  if  that  were  not  a  possibility,  Peter  
never  would  have  given  that  warning.  
Now,  I  don’t  believe  that  believers  in  Christ  can  be  demon-­possessed.  Some  people  
may  believe  that;;  I  don’t  believe  that.  But  I  do  believe  that  they  can  be  demon-­
oppressed.  I  believe  they  can  be  obsessed.  I  believe  they  can  be  vexed.  Job  suffered  at  

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the  hand  of  Satan.  That’s  the  key  to  understanding  the  book  of  Job.  He  was  attacked  by  
Satan,  not  because  he  was  a  sinner,  but  it  was  a  test.  But  in  the  book  of  Job  we  learn  
that  even  though  Job  could  attack  Satan,  still  there  was  nothing,  absolutely  nothing  that  
Satan  could  do  to  Job  except  what  God  allowed.  You  remember  there  in  Job  1:9?  Satan  
put  that  question  to  God  the  Father  and  said  what?  “Doth  Job  fear  God  for  nought?”  
(Job  1:9)  That  is,  “God,  You  bought  him.  You  bribed  him.  You’ve  been  so  good  to  him.  
No  wonder  he  serves  you.  “Hast  thou  not  made  an  hedge  about  him,  and  about  his  
house,  and  about  all  that  he  hath  on  every  side?  Thou  hast  blessed  the  work  of  his  
hands,  and  his  substance  is  increased  [to  the],  in  the  land.  But  put  forth  thine  hand  now,  
and  touch  all  that  he  hath,  and  he’ll  curse  you  to  your  face.”  (Job  1:10–11)  “God,  he  
doesn’t  really  love  you.  He  just  loves  the  blessings  you’ve  given  him.  That’s  the  only  
reason  he  is  serving  you.”  And  then  in  that  same  chapter  in  verse  12:  “And  the  Lord  said  
unto  Satan,  Behold,  all  that  he  hath  is  in  thy  power;;  only  upon  himself  put  not  forth  thine  
hand.  [And]  so  Satan  went  forth  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord.”  (Job  1:12)  Now,  you  
see,  God  allowed  Satan  to  do  certain  things,  but  God  limited  Satan.  And  in  Job  2:6,  
“And  the  LORD  said  unto  Satan,  Behold,  he  is  in  thine  hand;;  but  save  his  life.”  Satan  
has  power,  but  his  power  is  limited.  Now,  I  thank  God  that  Job  was  able  to  stand  all  that  
Satan  did  to  him  and  Job  was  able  to  say,  “Though  he  slay  me,  yet  [shall]  I  trust…him.”  
(Job  13:15)  
Do  you  know,  I  don’t  know  whether  or  not  I’d  be  able  to  do  what  Job  did?  I  really  
don’t  know,  but  I’ll  tell  you  something:  God  does  know.  You  see,  God  will  not  allow  
anything  to  come  to  me  that  I’m  not  able  to  bear.  He  won’t  allow  it.  He  knows  our  frame.  
He  remembers  that  we  are  dust,  and  so  that’s  a  wonderful  thing.  If  God  allowed  this  to  
happen  to  Job,  it’s  only  because  God  knew  the  incredible  inner  strength  that  Job  had  
through  faith  in  Him.  And  so  God  will  not  allow  anything  to  come  to  you  that  you’re  not  
able  to  bear.  Satan  has  no  power  over  you  that  God  will  not  allow  and  God  will  not  use  
for  His  good  and  His  glory.  And  God  used  the  suffering  of  Job  to  shut  the  devil’s  mouth.  
And  there  are  many  people  who  have  a  testimony,  but  their  testimony  doesn’t  ring  
nearly  as  true  as  it  does  when  they  have  endured  suffering  at  the  hand  of  Satan  and  
they  still  serve  God.  Sometimes  Satan  himself  can  cause  us  to  suffer.  “We  wrestle,”  the  
Apostle  Paul  said,  “not  against  flesh  and  blood,  but  against  principalities  [and]  
powers…”  (Ephesians  6:12)  And  the  Apostle  Paul  said,  “Take  the  shield  of  faith  
because  there  are  fiery  darts  that  are  coming  your  way.”  (Ephesians  6:16)  So  that’s  one  
reason—the  demonic  factor.  

VII. The  Devotion  Factor

Now  number  seven—number  seven.  There  is  the  devotion  factor.  We  suffer  sometimes  
in  order  to  glorify  God.  Your  suffering  can  glorify  God.  Suffering  can  help  you  to  do  that.  

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Now,  these  children  sang  up  here  tonight,  talking  about  abiding  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  
abiding  in  the  vine,  and  that  was  a  beautiful  song  the  kids  sang.  But  in  John  15:2  Jesus  
said,  “Every  branch  in  me  that  beareth  not  fruit  he  taketh  away:  and  every  branch  that  
[bears]  fruit,  he  [purges]  it,  that  it  may  bring  forth  more  fruit.”  Do  you  know  what  the  word  
purge  means?  “It  prunes”.  He  prunes  it.  Now,  if  you  were  a  vine,  how  do  you  think  we  
would  react  to  the  pruning  shears?  Would  you  say,  “Hey,  hey,  I  don’t  want  any  pruning  
shears”?  But  you  know  it’s  the  vine  that  is  pruned  that  brings  forth  the  fruit.  “…Every  
branch  [in  me]  that  [bears]  fruit,  he  [prunes]  it,  that  it  may  bring  forth  more  fruit.”  (John  
15:2)  And  then,  this  is  what  He  says:  “[And]  herein  is  my  Father  glorified,  that  ye  bear  
much  fruit…”  (John  15:8)  So  suffering  and  the  glory  of  God  are  linked  together.  
Psalm  50:15  is  a  wonderful  verse.  “…Call  upon  me  in  the  day  of  trouble:  [and]  I  will  
deliver  thee,  [and  you  will  glorify  me]  and  thou  shalt  glorify  me.”  (Psalm  50:15)  “Call  
upon  me  in  the  day  of  trouble:  I  will  deliver  thee,  and  thou  shalt  glorify  me.”  (Psalm  
50:15)  There  have  been  some  times  in  my  life—one  time,  and  not  the  too  far  distant  
past—where  I  had  an  excruciating  problem.  I  cried  out  to  God  over  and  over  and  over  
again,  and  God  heard  me,  and  God  answered  me.  And  I  can  tell  you  there  are  times  
when  I  just  drive  down  the  road  and  lift  my  heart  to  God  and  just  say,  “O  God,  how  I  
praise  you!  How  I  glorify  you!”  
Sometimes  sickness  brings  glory  to  God.  John  11:4,  when  Lazarus  was  sick,  Jesus  
heard  that  he  was  sick  and  said,  “This  sickness  is  not  unto  death,  but  for  the  glory  of  
God…”  (John  11:4)  Now,  any  way  that  you  want  to  slice  that,  Jesus  said,  “This  sickness  
is  for  the  glory  of  God.”  I  know  the  “health  and  wealth”  boys  tell  us  that  it’s  never  God’s  
will  for  anybody  to  be  sick  and  so  forth,  and  that  sickness  doesn’t  glorify  God.  But  how  
do  you  deal  with  John  11:4?  “This  sickness,”  Jesus  said,  “is  for  the  glory  of  God.”  And  
then  Jesus  said  to  Mary  and  Martha  there  in  John  11:40,  Jesus  said,  “Said  I  not  unto  
thee,  that,  if  thou  wouldest  believe,  thou  shouldest  see  the  glory  of  God?”  (John  11:40)  
And  the  glory  of  God  when  God  worked  in  the  sickness  and  through  the  sickness  of  
Lazarus  was  the  end  result.  
And  I  was  reading  this  verse  tonight  in  my  study.  Jesus  suffered  in  order  to  glorify  
God.  He  set  the  example  in  John  12:  27  and  28.  Jesus  said,  “Now  my  soul  [is]  troubled;;  
and  what  shall  I  say?  Father,  save  me  from  this  hour:  but  for  this  cause  came  I  unto  this  
hour.”  (John  12:27)  “Father,  glorify  thy  name…”  (John  12:28)  Jesus  said,  “I’m  not  
asking,  Father,  that  I  not  suffer.  I  am  asking,  Father,  that  your  name  will  be  glorified.”  
Joseph  Tson,  the  Romanian  pastor,  stood  here  in  our  World  Missions  week  and  
spoke.  Joseph  told  on  another  occasion  how  he  was  taken  by  the  Communists.  They  
broke  into  his  house.  They  said,  “Joseph,  we  believe  you’re  guilty  of  subversion.”  What  
Joseph  had  done  was  this:  Joseph  had  preached  a  sermon  because  the  Communists  
had  said  that  the  Christians’  kids,  the  kids  who  were  Christians,  could  not  get  

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scholarships.  They  could  not  go  on  to  higher  education.  They  needed  to  be  weeded  out.  
They  needed  to  be  culled  out.  And  they  systematically  excluded  the  best  and  the  
brightest  of  the  young  Christian  kids.  And  they  could  not  get  further  education.  It  was  
wrong,  and  Joseph  knew  it  was  wrong.  And  in  the  Community  of  Nations  where  
Romania  was  trying  to  have  that  Communist  dictatorship  and  at  the  same  time  enjoy  
most-­favored  nation  status,  Joseph  knew  it  was  wrong.  And  he  preached  a  sermon  
about  it,  a  very  dangerous  thing  to  do.  Somebody  got  a  tape  of  that  sermon  and  they  
played  it  on  an  international  radio  broadcast.  The  Communists  heard  it.  They  broke  into  
Joseph’s  house,  they  arrested  him,  they  took  him  off,  came  very  early  in  the  morning.  
And  the  very  first  thing  they  did,  they  brutally  beat  him.  They  beat  him,  the  same  man  
that  stood  right  here.  Most  of  us  have  never  been  beaten.  You’ve  probably  never  been  
beaten.  You’ve  never  been  beaten,  I’ve  never  been  beaten  for  Jesus.  They  beat  him  
brutally,  and  then  kept  him  in  that  room  by  himself,  and  day  after  day  they  would  
interrogate  him.  Joseph  said,  “I  was  there  in  that  room,  and  I  got  to  thinking.”  He  said,  
“You  know,  this  is  Easter  week.  This  is  the  week  of  the  suffering  of  Jesus.”  He  said,  “I’ve  
just  been  beaten.”  He  said,  “I  have  been  counted  worthy—worthy.  I  have  been  counted  
worthy  to  suffer  for  Jesus.  Thank  you,  Jesus!”  When  that  guard  came  back  in,  Joseph  
said,  “Would  you  forgive  me?”  He  said,  “What  do  you  mean,  forgive  you?”  He  said,  
“Would  you  forgive  me?”  He  said,  “Why  should  I  forgive  you?  What  do  you  want  me  to  
forgive  you  for?”  “Oh,”  he  said,  “forgive  me  for  yelling  so  loud  when  you  beat  me.”  He  
said,  “What  do  you  mean?”  Joseph  said,  “You  know,”  he  said,  “we  prisoners  had  made  
up  our  mind  that  when  one  was  beaten  he  would  yell  so  the  other  down  the  hall  would  
know  he  was  being  beaten.”  Because,  you  see,  they  would  beat  them  in  private  and  
there  would  be  no  way  that  they  could  authenticate  and  document  the  fact  that  they’d  
been  beaten.  So  they  had  this  agreement  among  them  that  when  one  would  be  beaten,  
he  would  yell  loudly  enough  that  the  others  could  hear,  and  they  would  keep  a  record  of  
it,  so  to  somehow  corroborate  the  fact  that  they  were  being  beaten.  And  Joseph  said,  
“While  I  was  being  beaten,”  he  said,  “I  yelled  so  loudly.”  He  said,  “I  want  you  to  forgive  
me  for  doing  that.”  And  he  said,  “Furthermore,  I  want  to  thank  you  for  giving  me  a  
privilege  to  suffer  for  my  Lord  Jesus.  Thank  you  for  giving  me  the  privilege  of  suffering  
for  Jesus  Christ.”  And  Joseph  said,  “The  fear  of  that  man  broke  when  I  told  him  that.”  
You  see,  friend,  when  we  suffer  as  a  Christian,  we  glorify  God.  Many  times  we  suffer  
because  of  sickness,  and  sorrow,  and  disappointment,  and  persecution,  but  when  we  
suffer  as  the  Lord  Jesus  did,  we  glorify  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  

VIII. The  Declaration  Factor

Now  here’s  the  eighth  reason:  declaration,  the  declaration  factor.  We  suffer  in  order  to  
communicate  a  message  to  comfort  and  win  others.  You  remember  that  classic  

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passage  of  Scripture  in  2  Corinthians  1:  3  and  4?  “Blessed  be  God…the  Father  of  our  
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Father  [of],  of  mercies,  and  the  God  of  all  comfort;;  who  
comforteth  us  in  all  our  tribulation,  that  we  may  be  able  to  comfort  them  which  are  in  any  
trouble,  by  the  comfort  wherewith  we  ourselves  are  comforted  of  God.”  (2  Corinthians  
1:3–4)  You  see,  when  we  suffer  and  God  comforts  us,  it’s  a  proof  to  those  who  are  
around  us  that  our  God  is  real.  And  one  of  the  greatest  testimonies  that  we  have  is  the  
comfort  that  God  gives  that  we  can  pass  on  to  others.  
About  a  month  ago,  up  in  the  Pastor’s  Conference  upstairs,  I  heard  this  story.  There  
was  a  young  pastor  and  his  wife;;  they  were  having  their  first  baby.  It  was  to  be  a  time  of  
joy,  and  great  expectancy,  and  great  joy.  But  when  the  little  baby  was  born,  the  baby  
was  a  mongoloid  child.  The  doctor  told  the  father  before  he  told  the  mother,  a  young  
pastor,  and  said,  “I  think  you  need  to  tell  her  that  the  child  is  a  mongoloid  child.”  This  
pastor,  not  wanting  to  face  his  wife  right  away,  went  and  found  another  pastor,  and  said,  
“How  can  I  tell  her?”  He  was  so  heartbroken.  He  said,  “What  shall  I  say?”  And  that  
pastor  showed  him  a  passage  of  Scripture  over  there  in  Exodus  4:11  where  God  says,  
“I’m  the  one  who  makes  the  blind,  and  I’m  the  one  that  makes  the  dumb,  and  I’m  the  
one  that  makes  the  deaf.  I  am  the  one  that  makes  these  kinds  of  folks,  too,  that  God,  
God  is  a  sovereign  God  over  all  of  that.  I’m  the  one  who  does  that,  whether  you  can  
understand  it  or  not.”  And  then  this  pastor  said,  “Then,  your  baby  is  a  gift  from  God.  You  
need  to  understand  that.  Your  baby  is  a  gift  from  God.”  That  gave  strength  to  that  
pastor.  He  went  up  to  see  his  wife,  and  she  was  saying,  “Where’s  my  baby?  I  want  to  
see  my  baby.  Is  there  something  wrong?”  And  he  said  to  her,  “Sweetheart,  God  has  
given  us  a  special  baby,”  and  told  her  about  it.  And  they  wept,  and  they  cried,  and  they  
hugged,  and  they  prayed,  and  they  thanked  God  for  their  special  baby.  Then  she  got  on  
the  phone,  this  little  pastor’s  wife,  to  call  her  mama  to  tell  her  mama.  And  the  telephone  
operator  listened  in.  Now  they’re  not  supposed  to  do  that,  but  she  listened  in.  She  knew  
this  was  a  pastor’s  wife,  and  it  had  gone  all  over  the  hospital  what  had  happened.  And  
this  telephone  operator  wanted  to  know  what  was  that  pastor’s  wife  going  to  say  to  her  
mother.  What  was  their  faith  going  to  be  like  now?  And  that  sweet  little  pastor’s  wife  got  
on  the  phone  and  said,  “Mama,  God  has  given  us  a  special  baby.  I  don’t  know  why  He  
did  it,  but  He  does  everything  well.  And  God  has  given  us  a  special  baby.  And  we  don’t  
know  how  He’s  going  to  do  it,  but  we  know  that  He’s  going  to  do  it  for  our  good  and  His  
glory.  God  is  in  control.”  That  operator  eavesdropping,  listening  in  on  that,  could  hardly  
believe  what  she’d  heard.  She  was  so  moved  that  she  went  through  that  entire  hospital  
telling  everybody  what  she’d  heard,  confessed  the  fact  that  she’d  been  eavesdropping,  
just  confessed  it,  and  said,  “This  is  what  I  heard.”  The  next  Sunday  in  that  pastor’s  little  
country  church  there  were  over  seventy  people  from  that  hospital  who  showed  up  to  
worship.  Thirty  of  them  came  forward  to  give  their  heart  to  Jesus  Christ,  and  one  of  

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them  was  that  telephone  operator,  because  here  was  a  person  who  had  found  the  
comfort  of  God  and  was  passing  that  comfort  on  to  other  people.  
“Blessed  be  God…the  Father  of  all  mercies,  the  God  of  all  comfort,  who  [comforts]  
us  in  all  our  tribulation,  that  we  may  be  able  to  comfort  [others]…[with]  the  [same]  
comfort  wherewith  we  ourselves  are  comforted  of  God.”  (2  Corinthians  1:3–4)  The  
declaration  factor—where  we  say  God  is  real  in  trouble,  in  heartache,  in  sorrow.  He’s  
real,  and  He  has  comforted  me,  and  He  can  comfort  you.  

IX. The  Darkness  Factor

Now,  those  are  eight  reasons.  Now  I’m  going  to  give  you  a  reason  that’s  not  a  reason:  
the  ninth  reason.  It’s  the  darkness  factor.  Friend,  sometime  we  just  don’t  know;;  we  just  
don’t  know  why.  You  can  say,  “Why,  why,  why,”  and  you  never  will  get  an  answer.  You  
just  don’t  know.  For  God  says,  “My  ways  are  not  your  ways,  neither  are  your  thoughts  
my  thoughts.  As  the  heavens  are  high  above  the  earth,  so  are  my  thoughts  and  my  
ways  above  your  ways.”  (Isaiah  55:8–9)  And  sometimes  we  just  simply  have  to  say,  “Let  
God  be  God.”  Amen?  Just  let  God  be  God.  I  don’t  know.  And  when  you  come  to  
somebody  who’s  going  through  pain,  and  suffering,  and  heartache,  be  very  careful  that  
you  don’t  try  to  explain  it,  because  you  may  not  be  able  to  explain  it.  You  just  bring  them  
to  God  and  say,  “He  is  sufficient,  and  He  is  able.”  

Conclusion  
But  I’m  going  to  tell  you  one  thing,  my  dear  friend.  Romans  8:18  says,  “…That  the  
sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  [to]  the  glory  [that]  shall  be  
revealed  in  us.”  We’re  awaiting  the  redemption  of  the  body;;  it’s  not  over  yet.  And  He’ll  
turn  every  heartache  to  a  hallelujah.  He’ll  turn  every  tear  to  a  pearl.  He,  my  friend,  will  
turn  every  Calvary  to  an  Easter  and  every  sunset  to  a  sunrise.  And  one  of  these  days—
one  of  these  days—He’ll  make  it  right.  You  can  call  that  sentimentality  if  you  want,  but,  
friend,  I’m  telling  you  there’s  a  great  day  coming  for  those  who  love  God.  Hallelujah!  
Amen!  
Let’s  bow  in  prayer.  Lord,  I  thank  you  that  you’re  a  sovereign  God,  and,  Lord,  that  
we  don’t  live  by  explanations,  but  we  live  by  promises.  And,  Lord,  you  have  promised  to  
take  care  of,  ultimately,  those  who  love  you  and  know  you.  Thank  you,  Jesus.  In  your  
name  we  pray,  Amen.  •  

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 Desert Storms and Desert Roses
By Adrian Rogers
Date Preached: February 3, 1991

Main Scripture Text: Romans 8:18–25

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to
be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
ROMANS 8:18

Outline
Introduction  
I. Bondage
A. There Is a Curse on the Animal Kingdom
B. There Is a Curse on the Mineral Kingdom
C. There Is a Curse on the Vegetable World
D. There Is a Curse on the Human Kingdom
1. Man Is Spiritually Dethroned
2. Man Is Morally Depraved
3. Man Is Emotionally Disturbed
4. Man Is Physically Diseased
II. Liberty
A. The Curse Will Be Removed from the Animal Kingdom
B. The Curse Will Be Removed from the Mineral Kingdom
C. The Curse Will Be Removed from the Vegetable Kingdom
D. The Curse Will Be Removed from the Human Kingdom
III. Hope
A. The Groaning of Creation
B. The Groaning of the Christian
C. The Groaning of the Comforter
Conclusion  
A. Adapt to the Groaning of the Christian
B. Appropriate the Groaning of the Spirit

Introduction
Take your Bibles, please, and turn to Romans chapter 8. If I, God forbid, were
shipwrecked on an island and could have only one book, I would want the Bible. If I
could have only one testament in the Bible, I would want the New Testament. If I could
have one book in the New Testament—this is where it’s going to get very hard—but I
think I would want the book of Romans. And, if I could have one chapter in the book of

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Romans, I believe—and again, it’s getting very difficult here—I just believe if this is all I
could have, I would want the eighth chapter of the book of Romans. What an incredible
passage of Scripture this is! And, I want us to begin, in just a moment, reading in verse
18 in Romans 8. The title of the message tonight is “Desert Storms and Desert Roses.”
You know, we always dream for and long for a better day. And, it seems like when
things look like they’re going to get better—the Berlin Wall comes down—and then
suddenly things are worse. And, we feel now that we’re on the threshold, perhaps, of
Armageddon. The Golden Age turns to rust. The prospective millennium turns to
pandemonium. Trouble is on every hand. We look around, and we see a world, if we
read our newspaper—which I am a consummate newspaper reader—we see a world
that’s filled with sickness, war, hate, riots, sorrow, confusion. And, it seems that, more
and more, there’s becoming a shortage of everything except filth, and we’re seeing
more and more filth.
Now, my dear friend, if you don’t have a proper perspective of things, it’s going to
cause you to get discouraged. The questions that people are asking today are not
questions dealing primarily with science in the Bible. It’s not the problem of science—
where did man come from?—and all of that. The problem today is more the question of
history: If there is a God, and this is our Father’s world, why is our age an age of
suffering? And why, if there is so much suffering, are Christians included? Why aren’t
somehow Christians excluded from all of this? It can lead to discouragement. It can lead
to doubt. It can lead to rebellion, a clenched fist in the face of God.
Now, with that in mind, I want you to begin reading in verse 18. And, understand that
all of these things have not taken God by surprise. As a matter of fact, God tells us
exactly why all of this is happening. Paul says in verse 18: “For I reckon that the
sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared [to] the glory which shall
be revealed in us”—so now, he looks at the present, and then he looks at the future.
And now, he’s going to look in a moment at the past. He says—“For the earnest
expectation of the creation waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the
creature”—the King James says, “the creature”—“was made subject to vanity”—now,
he’s looking at the past—“not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the
same in hope, Because the [creation] itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of
corruption”—now, if you have a Bible and don’t mind writing in it, just circle the word
bondage. That’s one of our key words—“the bondage of corruption into the glorious
liberty of the children of God”—put a circle around the word liberty—“For we know that
the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they,
but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan
within ourselves, waiting for the adoption”—that is, “the redemption”—“of our body. For
we are saved by hope”—put a circle around the word hope—“but hope that is seen is

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not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that
[which] we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” (Romans 8:18–25)
Now, let’s just stop there and tell you that the Apostle Paul is writing. And, he is a
great philosopher and a philosopher by the Holy Spirit, indeed, but he’s a thinking man.
And, the Apostle Paul has been looking at things as they are, and he has known
incredible suffering. And, he uses a term in verse 18 which is a bookkeeping term. He
says, “I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared [to]
the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18) Now, what he’s doing is
balancing the ledger. The word reckon here means “to balance a ledger.” It’s a
bookkeeping term. So, over here, he puts sufferings. Over here, he puts glory.
Present—suffering; future—glory. “And, the glory so outweighs the suffering,” he said,
“it’s not even worthy to be compared. There’s hardly anything on this side of the scale.”
Now, when the Apostle Paul says that “the sufferings of this present time are not
[even] worthy to be compared,” (Romans 8:18) we might think, “Well, Paul didn’t suffer.”
My dear friend, Paul suffered incredibly. Just listen to these scriptures. Second
Corinthians chapter 4, beginning in verse 8. Now, here’s Paul. He’s a beloved brother.
He is a missionary. He is a preacher, a statesman, a scholar, and a sacrificer, and he
says, “[We’re] troubled on every side”—is that you? Well, it was Paul—“troubled on
every side, yet not distressed; [we’re] perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not
forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of
the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” (2
Corinthians 4:8–10) Paul knew what it was to suffer. He was acquainted with suffering.
Again, listen to this scripture: 2 Corinthians chapter 4, verse 17: he says, “For our
light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory.” (2 Corinthians 4:17) I feel like saying, “Paul, did I read that
right? Did you say, ‘light affliction’?’” Now remember, Paul had been beaten nearly to
death. He’d been scarred. He’d been lashed. He’d been stoned. He fought with wild
beasts. He was pickled in the Mediterranean after he was shipwrecked. And yet, he
says, “a light affliction,” and then he says, “It’s just but a moment.” (2 Corinthians 4:17) I
say, “Paul, is thirty-five years of this a moment?” “Oh,” he says, “it’s light, and it’s just for
a moment.” I say, “Why is that, Paul? Why do you say that?” He says, “Well, I’ve been
doing some thinking. I’ve had a glimpse of the glory,” and he says, “I reckon that the
sufferings of this present time are not [even] worthy to be compared [to] the glory which
shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18) And then, he explains something that every
child of God needs to learn, and it’s rooted in these three words: bondage, liberty, and
hope.

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I. Bondage
Now, right now, you need to understand that this world is a world in bondage.
Something is very wrong with the world. Look, if you will, in verse 20: “For the [creation]
was made subject to vanity”—now, anything that’s subject to vanity is not fulfilling the
purpose for which it was created—“[it] was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by
reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, [For] the [creation] itself…shall be
delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”
(Romans 8:20–21) Now, what happened is this: our entire world—everything that we
see—is in bondage, and the Bible calls it “the bondage of corruption.” (Romans 8:21) It
happened in the Garden of Eden. When Adam sinned, Adam pulled creation down with
him, and something happened to all that God created. And, there came bondage to
everything that God created; there came a curse upon everything that God created.
A. There Is a Curse on the Animal Kingdom
There is a curse, for example, upon the animal kingdom. In Genesis 3 and verse 14:
“And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed
above all cattle.” (Genesis 3:14) The serpent was cursed, and the cattle was cursed.
And, you know what the evolutionist calls the survival of the fittest—that is, the law of
tooth and fang and claw? It’s not the survival of the fittest. What it is, is creation
groaning under the curse. It’s a part of the curse of sin. All of the animals today are
under the curse of sin. That’s the reason that we have the ferocity that we have in
nature.
B. There Is a Curse on the Mineral Kingdom
But, not only is there a curse on the animal kingdom; there’s a curse on the mineral
kingdom. Why is it so hard to grow vegetables? Why is it so hard to tickle the earth and
make the flowers spring forth? Genesis chapter 3 and verse 17: “And unto Adam he
said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the
tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground
for thy sake.” (Genesis 3:17) The animal kingdom is cursed. The mineral kingdom is
cursed. And, sometimes those of you who have been farmers can identify with Dr. Lee,
who said, “We were raised on a farm that was so poor you couldn’t even raise an
umbrella on it.” Why is that? There’s a curse upon the mineral world.
C. There Is a Curse on the Vegetable World
But, not only is there a curse upon the mineral world; there’s a curse upon the vegetable
world. Genesis chapter 3 and verse 18: God said to Adam, concerning this world,
“Thorns…and thistles shall it bring forth [unto] thee.” (Genesis 3:18) Before man sinned,
roses didn’t have thorns. Before man sinned, there were no weeds in the Garden of
Eden. Thorns and thistles are part of the curse. What I’m trying to tell you is that all of

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our world is in bondage.
D. There Is a Curse on the Human Kingdom
And, not only was there a curse on the animal kingdom and the mineral kingdom and
the vegetable kingdom; there is a curse on the human kingdom. You see, human beings
themselves are under the curse. In Romans 8 and verse 22, look. He talks about all
creation. He says, “We know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain.”
(Romans 8:22) That’s all of these other kingdoms I’ve been talking about. And now, look
in verse 23: “And not only they, but ourselves also, [who] have the firstfruits of the Spirit,
even we ourselves groan within ourselves.” (Romans 8:23) There’s a curse upon
human beings.
1. Man Is Spiritually Dethroned
Man was meant to be the king of the earth. When God made man, God said in Genesis
chapter 1 and verse 26: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them
have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle,
and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”
(Genesis 1:26) When God made Adam, God, as it were, put a crown upon Adam, and
Adam was to be king of the earth. He was to have dominion over all of the creatures. He
was to have dominion.
When the Lord Jesus was here, He demonstrated the dominion that Adam was to
have had. Jesus rode a wild Syrian donkey that no one ever had ridden before. You try
that, and see what happens to you. But, Jesus did. Jesus had a rooster to crow at the
precise moment He wanted that rooster to crow. You try that. Jesus, when He directed
a fishing expedition, put so many fish in the net the nets broke. Jesus, when He needed
to pay His taxes, took a fish like a guided missile, had him pick up a coin in his mouth
and then go to Simon Peter’s hook. The Lord Jesus was in control of the fowls of the air,
the fish of the sea, and the beast of the field. But, you see, that’s what Adam was to
have been, but Adam was spiritually dethroned.
2. Man Is Morally Depraved
And, Adam was morally depraved. Did you read this in the newspaper yesterday?
“Cheerleader Battle Cited in Death Try”: “‘A Texas mother was so intent on making sure
her daughter made the cheerleading squad that she tried to hire a hit man to kill a
competitor’s mother,’ police said Friday.” Did you read that? Now, you say, “That’s
incredible.” Well, my dear friend, it’s just a part of the fact that man is spiritually
dethroned. He is morally depraved. Not since Manhattan Island was sold for twenty-
four dollars has so much dirt been sold so cheap in America.

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 3. Man Is Emotionally Disturbed
Man is also emotionally disturbed. I mean, people are full of neurosis and conflicts.
Adam’s first words in the Garden of Eden after he’d sinned were these: “I was afraid.”
(Genesis 3:10) Up until this time there was no fear, but we’re filled with fear. And, a
Chicago psychologist has described humanity as “living in a veritable hell of neurosis
and psychosis because of sin and guilt.”
4. Man Is Physically Diseased
And, man is physically diseased. There’s not a person here, if you’ll not think about it
long enough, will say, “I have a pain somewhere tonight”—or very few. Most of us right
now don’t understand the fact that every one of us has a terminal disease; we’re going
to die.
We are—listen—spiritually dethroned, morally depraved, emotionally disturbed, and
physically diseased. We are in bondage. The whole world is in bondage. That’s the
reason that nothing seems to work out right, because no matter how you stir bad eggs,
you can’t make a good omelet. It never will work out right. That’s the word bondage.
The Bible calls it “the bondage of corruption,” (Romans 8:21) and you’re a part of it.
And, because you’re a part of it, you suffer.

II. Liberty
Now, that’s what happened yesterday. What’s going to happen tomorrow? Well, the
Bible says there’s going to come liberty tomorrow. Look again in verse 21: “[For] the
[creation] itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption [unto] the glorious
liberty of the children of God.” (Romans 8:21)
Now, our world is going to be changed. There’s a new world coming. Don’t get the
idea that God is just going to take us out of Planet Earth and destroy Planet Earth—not
so. God is going to change nature. How many times have you prayed, “Thy kingdom
come, Thy will be done”—what’s the next phrase?—“[on] earth, as it is in heaven.”
(Matthew 6:10) Well, God’s kingdom is not come. And, God’s will is not being done on
earth yet, but it will be. Have you ever heard this: “The meek shall inherit the”—what?—
“the earth”—“the earth.” (Psalms 37:11) Don’t get the idea that God is finished with this
earth. My dear friend, creation is under bondage, and creation is coming to liberty. All of
creation right now is moaning and groaning and sighing, pressed down in grief and
distressed. But, I’m telling you, a golden age is going to come. That golden age will be
here when Jesus comes. And, all nature is waiting, yearning with outstretched arms, for
the coming of her King. And, when Jesus comes, the hills will skip like little lambs, and
the trees of the field will clap their hands. “And the desert [will] blossom as [a] rose.”
(Isaiah 35:1)

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 A. The Curse Will Be Removed from the Animal Kingdom
We said there was a curse upon the animal kingdom. The animal kingdom will have
that curse removed. Listen to this scripture: Isaiah chapter 11, verses 6 and following:
“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and
the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them”—
you can say to your child, “Go out and play with the wolves, honey. It’ll be quite all
right”—“the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and
the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And [a] sucking child shall play on the hole of the
asp”—that is, “Baby, go out and play with your baby rattler”—“[a] child shall play on the
hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den”—that is,
“the poisonous creature’s den”—“[And] they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy
mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as…waters [that]
cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:6–9) Now friend, that is a promise from God. Won’t that be a
day when the curse is removed from the animal kingdom?
B. The Curse Will Be Removed from the Mineral Kingdom
And, the curse is going to be removed from the mineral kingdom. And, here comes the
title of my message, “Desert Storms and Desert Roses.” Isaiah chapter 35, verse 1:
“The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall
rejoice, and blossom as the rose.” (Isaiah 35:1) How wonderful! How wonderful that will
be! There will be no dry places like Saudi Arabia.
C. The Curse Will Be Removed from the Vegetable Kingdom
And, if there were—and there will be—but there’ll be no war there either, because not
only will the animal kingdom be changed, and not only, my dear friend, will the mineral
kingdom be changed; the vegetable kingdom will be changed. Listen to these verses:
Isaiah 55, beginning in verse 12: “For [you] shall go out with joy, and be led forth with
peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing…all [of] the
trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree,
and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a
name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” (Isaiah 55:12–13)
D. The Curse Will Be Removed from the Human Kingdom
And, my dear friend, not only these kingdoms, but the human kingdom is going to be
changed. Look, if you will now—we’re still in Romans 8—look, if you will, in verse 23.
God says that all of creation is going to brought into liberty. And then, verse 23: “And
not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even…ourselves
[do] groan with ourselves, waiting for the adoption”—that is, “the redemption”—“of our
[bodies].” (Romans 8:23) My dear friend, all of nature is going to be changed, and we’re
going to be there in a new and a glorified body. The Bible calls this “the adoption”—that

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is, when we receive our full legacy. When a child is adopted, he may be a little baby. His
father may be incredibly rich, but he does not get the legacy until he reaches maturity.
Our maturity comes in the Millennium when our Lord gives us—and in our
resurrection—when our Lord gives us that full adoption. I can tell you, that’s what the
Apostle Paul meant when he was saying in Romans 8, verse 18: “For I reckon that the
sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared [to] the glory which shall
be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)

III. Hope
And so, I’ve talked to you, first of all, about bondage. That happened in the past. I talked
to you about liberty. That’s coming in the future. But, in the meanwhile, let’s think about
the word hope for just a moment. Oh, thank God for the word hope! Notice in verse 24:
“For we are saved by hope.” (Romans 8:24) That’s what keeps us. The word saved
means “delivered.” I mean, how are we going to endure? By hope! Now, the word hope
does not mean “maybe so”; the Bible word hope means “a divine certainty based upon
the promise of God.” But, it means more than “certainty”; it means “a glad certainty,” an
expectation of joy.
Now, I want you to see something here that’s very, very exciting to me. Three times
he uses the word groan, and I want you to look at this. Verse 22: “For we know that the
whole creation groaneth.” (Romans 8:22) Look in verse 23: “we ourselves groan.”
(Romans 8:23) And then, look in verse 26: “the Spirit [Himself] maketh intercession
[with] us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26) Now, if you miss this,
you’re going to miss one of the great blessings in all of the Bible. Three times he
mentions groanings right here, and all of it is in the context of hope.
A. The Groaning of Creation
First of all, you have the groaning of creation—moan, and groan, and ping, and pain,
and sigh. If you listen to the wind blow, it just blows in a minor key. Everything is
groaning. All of creation—tooth, and claw, and fang—it’s all there. All of creation is in
bondage, and it is groaning. That’s the groaning of creation.
B. The Groaning of the Christian
And then, next, you have the groaning of the Christian in verse 23: “we ourselves [also]
groan.” (Romans 8:23) Why do we groan? Because we’re part of it. We’re part of it, and
we can’t escape it. We don’t have immunity from pain. We do not have immunity from
suffering.
C. The Groaning of the Comforter
There’s the groaning of the creation. There’s the groaning of the Christian. Now, watch
it: there’s also the groaning of the Comforter—the groaning of the Comforter—in verses

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26 and following: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities”—our weakness, our
bondage—“for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit
[Himself] maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans
8:26) I like how J. B. Phillips translates it. He says this: “His Spirit within us is actually
praying for us in those agonizing longings which never find words.”
So, what is hope? Hope is knowing that liberty is coming. Hope is knowing that one
day, when Jesus comes, the desert will blossom as a rose. And, in the meanwhile,
creation is groaning. In the meanwhile, the Christian is groaning. Our hearts break
within us. We’re crushed. But also, the Holy Spirit is groaning, interceding, and saying,
“Father, help him. Help her. Encourage them, and keep them.” I have a Savior—a dear
loving Savior—who is interceding for me in the glory and praying before the Father for
me. And, I have the Holy Spirit in me interceding to the Father and praying for me in this
day and age in which we live.

Conclusion
So, having said that, let me just very quickly sum up the message. In this day, what do
you do?
A. Adapt to the Groaning of the Christian
When you see the groaning—listen—when you see the groaning of creation, the key
word is adapt. Just adapt yourself to it—you might as well. I mean, friend, you are a part
of it. When you see the groaning of the Christian, accept it. Just accept it. You are going
to suffer—you are. You say, “That’s grim, pastor.” Call it what you want. It’s a fact. “Man
that is born of woman is…full of trouble.” (Job 14:1)
You say, “Well, then, I’d rather not be a Christian.” You’ll still suffer, but your
suffering won’t make sense, and Romans 8:28 won’t be over your suffering, and the
Holy Spirit of God will not be groaning in you and for you and making intercession for
you. Listen, you just—when there’s the groaning of the creation—you just adapt. You
say, “I’m a part of it. I’m going to acclimate myself to it.” The groaning of the Christian—
accept it; just simply accept it. Say, “I acknowledge it”—“I acknowledge it.” Don’t think
some strange thing happened to you.
I heard about a woman whose pastor came to see her. She was an elderly woman in
her seventies or eighties, and she was confined to her bed. And, she said, “Pastor, can
you help me? Can you tell me why I am suffering like I am?” He said, “Yes, ma’am, I
can.” “Well,” she said, “why?” He said, “You’re getting old.” That’s it. Hey, folks, we’re
wearing out. Just admit it—just admit it.
B. Appropriate the Groaning of the Spirit
Adapt to the groaning of creation. Accept the groaning of the Christian. It’s a part of life.

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But, appropriate the groaning of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit of God is there to see you
through. Now friend, a Christian is not some sort of a Pollyanna person who’s saying,
“God is in His heavens; all is right in the world.” God is in His heaven, my dear friend,
but this world is in a mess—bondage, corruption. One of these days, there’ll be liberty.
But in the meanwhile, creation groans, and we groan. But, thank God, the Holy Spirit
groans. “[He makes] intercession for us.” (Romans 8:26)
And, there’s a better day coming. And, I tell you, the more I study this Bible, the
more I realize that when we’re trying to save civilization and we’re trying to redeem this
world, it’s like painting the decks of a sinking ship. What we need to do right now is win
as many to Jesus as we can and pray, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20)
We’re waiting on the redemption, the adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
Heads are bowed; eyes are closed. While heads are bowed and eyes are closed, I
want you to thank God for the dear Holy Spirit and just say, “Holy Spirit of God, I thank
you for living in me, for giving me comfort and help. Holy Spirit of God, help me to know
you and love you better.” And then, what I ask you to do is this: Would you pray, “Even
so, come, Lord Jesus”? Desire the coming of Jesus. Pray for His coming. What a day it
will be when Jesus comes! And, if you don’t know Jesus, I want you to receive Him right
now. Father, I pray that many in this place tonight will say “yes” to Jesus and be saved.
In His wonderful name. Amen.

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  The  Problem  of  Pain    
By  Adrian  Rogers  
Sermon  Date:    July  27,  2003    
Main  Scripture  Text:    Romans  8:18–39    

Outline  
Introduction  
I. Yesterday’s  Curse  Brings  Bondage
II. Tomorrow’s  Conquest  Brings  Liberty
III. Today’s  Comfort  Brings  Hope
Conclusion

Introduction  
Proposition  number  one:  Yesterday’s  curse  brings  bondage,  
Proposition  number  two:  Tomorrow’s  conquest  brings  liberty,  
Proposition  number  three:  Today’s  comfort  brings  hope.  

Hallelujah!  What  a  friend!  Wonderful,  wonderful  music  this  morning!  Thank  you  so  very  
much.  
Find  the  Book  of  Romans,  and  find  in  my  favorite  book  my  favorite  chapter  in  my  
favorite  book:  the  eighth  chapter  of  the  Book  of  Romans.  And  go  to  the  heart  of  the  
Book  of  Romans,  and  find  verse  18.  In  a  moment,  I’m  going  to  read  it.  But  the  message  
today  deals  with  the  problem  of  pain.  
Now,  we  have  pain.  There  are  many  kinds  of  pain:  physical  pain—obvious;;  
emotional  pain;;  spiritual  pain.  Man  that  is  born  of  woman  knows  pain,  and  many  times  
we  have  pain  not  because  of  our  own  choosing.  We  suffer  from  wars  we  didn’t  declare,  
and  reap  the  bitter  fruit  of  plants  and  trees  that  we  did  not  cultivate.  And,  if  you  were  to  
look  around  the  globe  today,  you  would  say  there  is  a  problem,  and  that  problem  is  
suffering.  There  is  disease,  unbelievable  disease.  AIDS  is  ravaging  Africa  and  other  
civilized  countries  around  the  globe.  There  is  starvation  and  hunger.  There  is  war,  
pillage,  hatred,  rape,  calamities,  natural  disasters,  storms  that  come  suddenly  out  of  
nowhere,  and  we  find  ourselves  right  in  the  middle  of  it.  Now,  what  does  God’s  Word  
say?  Look,  if  you  will,  at  the  key  verse  here  in  verse  18:  “For  I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  
of  this  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  which  shall  be  
revealed  in  us.”  So  what  you  have  is  suffering.  There’s  no  fine  print  in  the  contract.  
There’s  no  denying  it.  There’s  no  painting  the  clouds  with  sunshine  and  filling  the  air  
with  the  aroma  of  lavender.  Problems  are  real.  Pain  is  real.  There  are  some  in  this  

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building  today  who  are  suffering  quietly  unmentionable  pain.  And,  if  you  don’t  get  some  
solution,  if  you  don’t  have  some  answer,  it’ll  cause  discouragement.  You’ll  get  
discouraged  in  your  Christian  life.  And  worse  than  discouragement,  it  might  cause  
rebellion.  It  might  cause  you  to  lift  a  clenched  fist  in  the  face  of  God,  and  say,  “God,  how  
did  You  let  this  happen?  Why,  God,  do  I  suffer  as  I  do?”  Or,  even  greater  the  question,  
“Why  do  my  loved  ones  suffer  as  they  suffer?”  And,  if  you’re  not  careful,  you  can  have  a  
spirit  of  rebellion.  Or,  if  not  discouragement  and  rebellion,  just  sheer  doubt—doubt.  
When  you  look  at  pain  and  suffering  and  heartache  and  fears  and  tears,  you  say,  
“Where’s  God?”  As  a  matter  of  fact,  the  atheists  and  the  agnostics  have  worked  out  a  
little  syllogism.  It  goes  this  way:  we’re  cast  on  a  three-­fold  thing  here,  a  question.  
Perhaps  when  all  of  this  suffering  comes,  God  really  does  care,  but  He  has  no  power.  
He  can’t  do  anything  about  it.  So,  therefore,  He  is  sort  of  a  wimpy,  impotent  God,  not  
worthy  of  service,  because  He  cares,  but  He  can’t  do  anything  about  it.  Or,  the  other  
part  of  the  equation  is  that  He  has  the  power.  He  could  do  something  about  it,  but  He  
doesn’t  care.  He  just  lets  us  suffer,  twists  like  a  worm  in  hot  ashes,  and  He  sits  up  there  
in  His  heaven  dispassionately,  and  doesn’t  care.  Or  else,  there  is  no  God  at  all,  a  God  
who  is  non-­existent,  no  God  at  all.  And  so,  the  atheist  asks  us,  which  of  these  three  
things,  when  you’re  in  pain,  is  it:  a  God  who  cares  who  can’t  do  anything  about  it;;  or  a  
God  who  could  do  something  about  it,  but  doesn’t,  a  non-­loving  God;;  or  is  there  no  God  
at  all?  It  causes  doubt.  Maybe  rebellion.  Maybe  discouragement.  That  was  not  the  
apostle  Paul’s  problem.  Paul  had  been  doing  some  figuring.  Look  again  in  verse  18—
look  at  it.  He  says  here  in  verse  18,  “For  I  reckon…”—now,  underscore  that  word  
reckon.  In  the  King  James  Version  that  I’m  reading  from—“For  I  reckon  that  the  
sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  which  shall  
be  revealed  is  us.”  
Now,  the  word  reckon,  brothers  and  sisters,  is  a  bookkeeping  term.  Paul  had  been  
doing  some  figuring.  Paul  had  been  adding  things  up.  Paul  had  been  taking  inventory.  
Paul  had  come  to  the  bottom  line.  He  had  done  some  reckoning,  and  Paul  said,  “I  am  in  
the  black.  I’m  not  in  the  red;;  I’m  in  the  black.”  Now,  how  do  you  figure  this?  How  did  
Paul  reckon?  Well,  wrapped  around  verse  18  is  the  rest  of  the  chapter,  obviously.  And,  
in  the  rest  of  the  chapter,  we’re  going  to  see  three  things,  as  we  look  at  the  problem  of  
pain,  as  we  try  to  make  sense  out  of  suffering,  because  we  all  suffer.  And,  if  you’re  not  
suffering  right  now,  sooner  or  later,  you  will.  And  I  don’t  want  to  be  negative  about  that.  
It’s  just  a  fact  of  life.  Our  bodies  are  winding  down  to  the  grave.  Most  of  us  feel  just  
about  as  good  as  we’re  ever  going  to  feel,  and  it’s  going  to  get  worse.  Sorry  about  that,  
but,  folks,  that’s  the  way  it  is.  The  sufferings  of  this  present  time.  No  need  to  deny  it.  So  
I  want  to  give  you  three  propositions  here,  and  help  you  to  understand  the  problem  of  

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pain,  maybe  help  us  all  to  make  sense  out  of  suffering.  

I. Yesterday’s  Curse  Brings  Bondage

Proposition  number  one:  Yesterday’s  curse  brings  bondage—yesterday’s  curse  
brings  bondage.  Now,  notice.  Go  forward  to  verse  20—the  apostle  Paul  says,  “For  the  
creature”—now,  when  he  says  creature,  actually  the  Greek  is  the  creation;;  that  is,  
everything  God  created—“was  made  subject  to  vanity,  not  willingly  but  by  reason  of  him  
who  hath  subjected  the  same  in  hope.”  Now,  the  creation  is  made  subject  to  vanity.  The  
word  vanity  means  that  it  does  not  reach  its  original  conclusion.  What  happened  to  the  
creation  is  it  is  subjected  to  vanity.  It  is  in  bondage,  for  notice  verse  21:  “For  the  
creature  himself—for  the  creation  itself—also  shall  be  delivered—underscore  this  word  
now—from  the  bondage  of  corruption  into  the  glorious  liberty  of  the  children  of  God.  For  
we  know  that  the  whole  creation  groaneth  and  travaileth  in  pain  together  until  now.”  
Look  around.  All  of  creation  is  in  bondage.  Pain  and  pang,  moan  and  groan,  tribulation  
and  trouble,  problems  and  perplexity  everywhere.  Ours  is  a  sick  world,  and  it  is  a  sin-­
sick  world.  Well,  why  did  this  happen?    
Well,  when  Adam  sinned,  Adam  dragged  the  entire  creation  down  with  him.  It’s  
called  the  corruption  of  bondage.  God  did  not  create  this  world  this  way.  Some  people  
say,  “If  God  created  everything,  why  did  God  create  evil?  Why  did  God  create  pain?”  
God  did  not  do  that.  God  is  a  good  God.  And  when  God  made  a  creation,  God  stepped  
back,  and  God  said,  “It  is  good—it  is  good.”  God  made  everything  good.  Now,  what  this  
good  God  did,  however,  is  to  make  man  perfect.  And  when  this  good  God  made  man  
perfect,  He  gave  man  a  gift,  and  that  was  the  gift  of  choice.  He  made  man  perfect  and  
perfectly  free.  Now,  don’t  forget  this.  You  see,  because,  if  you  don’t,  you’re  going  to  get  
a  faulty  syllogism.  Here’s  the  faulty  syllogism.  God  is  the  author  of  all  things.  Evil,  pain,  
and  suffering  is  something,  so  God  is  the  author  of  evil,  suffering,  and  pain.  You  see,  
that’s  what  some  people  think.  God  made  everything.  Evil  is  something.  Then  God  
created  evil.  So  we  have  a  problem.  It’s  another  problem.  But  that’s  not  the  way  the  
syllogism  works.  That’s  not  the  argument.  Here’s  the  argument:  God  made  everything,  
and  He  made  it  perfect.  When  God  finished,  God  rested.  God  said,  “It  is  good.”  He  
made  man.  He  made  man  perfect,  but  He  made  man  perfectly  free.  That  is,  He  gave  
man  a  choice.  Why  did  God  give  to  man  a  choice?  Because  God  wanted  something  
from  man  that  is  unique,  special,  wonderful,  and  glorious.  He  wants  man’s  love.  He  
wants  you  to  love  Him.  That’s  the  highest  good,  to  love  God  and  to  love  one  another,  for  
God  is  love.  Now,  why  didn’t  God  just  force  us  to  love  Him?  Well,  forced  love  is  a  
contradiction  in  terms.  There’s  no  such  thing  as  forced  love.  Love  has  to  choose.  Now,  
in  order  for  the  lover  to  choose  to  love,  he  has  to  be  able  to  choose  not  to  love,  or  else  

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it’s  forced  love,  and  it’s  not  love  at  all.  So  what  is  the  highest  good?  It  is  love.  Man,  
therefore,  must  be  perfectly  free  to  choose  to  love  God.  But  in  order  to  have  the  ability  
to  choose  to  love  God,  he  has  to  have  the  ability  to  choose  not  to  love  God,  or  he  has  
no  choice  at  all.  And  not  to  love  God  is  evil.  The  greatest  commandment  is  to  love  God  
with  all  of  your  being,  so,  therefore,  the  greatest  sin  would  be  not  to  love  God.    
Now,  Adam  and  Eve  chose  to  sin  because  they  were  perfect  and  perfectly  free,  and,  
when  they  did,  this  world  that  we  live  in  fell  into  the  bondage  of  corruption.  We  live  in  a  
sin-­sick  world.  The  Bible  calls  it  the  bondage  of  corruption.  And  corruption,  like  a  virus,  
has  corrupted  the  entire  world,  and,  as  we’re  going  to  see  in  a  moment,  we’re  on  board.  
We’re  part  of  it.  Well,  somebody  says,  “Well,  okay,  if  Adam  and  Eve  sinned,  why  didn’t  
God  just  step  in  and  God  stop  it?  Why  doesn’t  God  just  kill  the  devil,  and  why  doesn’t  
God  destroy  evil?  It  would  not  be  good  for  God  to  just  step  in  and  destroy  evil.  If  God  
were  to  step  in  and  destroy  evil,  God  would  be  destroying  freedom.  If  God  destroyed  
freedom,  God  would  destroy  the  opportunity  to  love.  If  God  destroyed  the  opportunity  to  
love,  God  would  destroy  the  highest  good.  So  God  does  not  destroy  evil.  Now,  listen—
the  key  point:  God  defeats  evil,  and  there  is  a  big  difference.  The  second  Adam,  the  
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  came  to  this  earth  to  undo  what  the  first  Adam  did,  and,  on  the  cross,  
He  defeats  evil  with  His  death.    
Now,  what  is  this  bondage  of  corruption  that  we  read  about  in  verses  21  and  22?  
You  think  about  it.  All  of  God’s  creation  fell.  For  example,  when  Adam  and  Eve  sinned,  
there  came  a  curse  on  the  animal  kingdom.  Put  in  your  margin  Genesis  3:14:  “And  the  
Lord  God  said  unto  the  serpent,  because  thou  hast  done  this,  thou  art  cursed  above  all  
cattle  and  above  every  beast  of  the  field.”  Now,  the  serpent  was  cursed  above  the  
others,  but  all  of  the  others  were  cursed.  There  is  a  curse  on  the  animal  kingdom,  and  
what  the  evolutionist  calls  the  law  of  the  survival  of  the  fittest,  tooth  and  claw  and  fang  
and  blood,  all  that  is,  is  creation  groaning  under  the  curse.    
There’s  also  a  curse  on  the  mineral  kingdom.  Genesis  3,  verse  17—God  said,  
“cursed  is  the  ground  for  thy  sake;;  in  sorrow  shalt  thou  eat  of  it  all  the  days  of  thy  life.”  
Have  you  ever  tried  to  grow  a  garden?  It’s  not  easy.  To  grow  weeds  is  easy.  There’s  a  
curse  on  the  mineral  kingdom.  Cursed  is  the  ground.  
There’s  a  curse  on  the  vegetable  kingdom.  Genesis  3,  verse  18:  “Thorns  and  thistles  
shall  it  bring  forth  unto  thee.”  It’s  easier  to  grow  weeds,  as  I’ve  said,  than  it  is  to  grow  
tomatoes.  And,  by  the  way,  somebody  gave  me—well,  I’ll  just  tell  you  who  it  is.  Brother  
Danny  gave  me—some  of  the  best  tomatoes  you’ve  ever  seen.  Thank  you,  Danny.  A  
little  commercial  slips  in  there  every  now  and  then.  And  there’s  a  curse  on  the  vegetable  
kingdom.  Tomatoes,  they’re  not  grown  naturally  and  normally.  They  have  to  be  
cultivated.  They  have  to  be  planted.  Weeds,  they’ll  just  come  up.    

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 There’s  a  curse  on  the  human  kingdom.  Man  was  meant  to  have  dominion.  Genesis  
1,  verse  26,  God  said,  concerning  Adam  and  Eve,  “let  them  have  dominion.”  But  look  
around  at  the  people  that  you  go  to  work  with,  that  you  go  to  school  with,  that  you’re  in  a  
club  with,  your  neighbors,  and  yourself.  Look  in  the  mirror.  Man  today  is  morally  
depraved.  His  imagination  is  a  garden  of  weeds.  Not  since  Manhattan  Island  was  sold  
for  $24  has  so  much  dirt  been  sold  so  cheaply  today.    
I  was  watching  television  news  last  night,  and  I  saw  a  reporter  talk  about  salacious  
advertising  that  comes  from  Abercrombie  and  Fitch,  pure  perverted  pornography  
pitched  to  your  kids.  I  hope  you  parents  will  be  indignant  enough,  if  your  child  dares  to  
want  to  wear  some  of  their  filth,  that  you’ll  say,  “No,  we’re  not  going  to  wear  that,  
darling.”  And  we’re  not  going  to  advertise  for  these  filthy,  immoral  people  who  have  tried  
to  seduce  our  kids.  Man’s  mind  is  morally  depraved.  Man  is  emotionally  depraved,  
emotionally  disturbed.  Adam’s  first  words,  after  he’d  sinned,  were  these:  “I  was  afraid.”  
God  put  him  in  a  perfect  garden,  gave  him  everything  he  needed,  and  now  he  says,  “I  
was  afraid.”  Man  is  spiritually  diseased.  The  Bible  says,  in  Romans  5,  verse  12:  
“Therefore,  as  by  one  man  sin  entered  in  to  the  world,  and  death  by  sin,  so  death  
passed  upon  all  men,  for  that  all  have  sinned.”  Every  now  and  then,  we  say  somebody  
has  a  terminal  disease.  Look  up  here.  I  want  everybody  in  this  auditorium  just  to  lift  your  
hand,  everybody.  Just  lift  your  hand.  Now,  everybody  with  your  hand  up,  you’re  got  a  
terminal  disease.  You’ve  got  a  terminal  disease.  You  are  dying!  Death  passed  upon  all  
men.  We  all  have  a  polluted  gene  pool.  And  being  saved  does  not  make  you  immune.  
Look,  if  you  will,  in  verse  22:  “And  we  know  that  the  whole  creation  groaneth  and  
travaileth  in  pain  together  until  now.”  Now,  watch  this.  If  you  don’t  watch  it,  you  might  
get  discouraged.  “And  not  only  they,  but  ourselves  also…—not  just  the  pagans—but  
ourselves  also,  which  have  the  first  fruits  of  the  Spirit,  even  we  ourselves  groan  within  
ourselves,  waiting  for  the  adoption,  to  whit,  the  redemption  of  our  bodies.”  Our  bodies  
are  not  yet  redeemed.  Because  our  bodies  are  not  yet  redeemed,  we’re  not  free  from  
pain  and  suffering.  So  the  point,  very,  very  simple,  is  yesterday’s  curse  brings  bondage.  
When  Adam  sinned,  he  brought  all  of  creation  down  with  him,  and  we’re  not  immune.  
This  world  has  a  viral  infection.  

II. Tomorrow’s  Conquest  Brings  Liberty

Now,  here’s  the  second  thing  I  want  to  lay  on  your  heart.  Yesterday’s  curse  brings  
bondage.  Tomorrow’s  conquest  brings  liberty.  Now,  notice  there’s  going  to  be  a  bright  
tomorrow,  because,  verse  21,  “Because  the  creature  itself  also  shall  be  delivered  from  
the  bondage  of  corruption  into  the  glorious  liberty  of  the  children  of  God.  For  we  know  
that  the  whole  creation  groaneth  and  travaileth  in  pain  together  until  now.  And  not  only  

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they—that  is,  all  of  the  creatures  and  all  of  the  pagans—but  ourselves  also,  which  have  
the  first  fruits  of  the  Spirit,  even  we  ourselves  groan  within  ourselves,  waiting  for  the  
adoption,  to  whit,  the  redemption  of  our  bodies.”  What  does  he  mean,  the  adoption?  
Well,  a  child  who  is  adopted  into  a  rich  family,  he  doesn’t  get  the  load  until  he  reaches  
maturity.  He  doesn’t  get  all.  I  mean  that  you  don’t  give  a  child  of  a  wealthy  king  millions  
and  billions  of  dollars  to  spend;;  he’s  under  a  caretaker  until  he’s  old  enough.  That’s  
what  he’s  talking  about  now.  Tomorrow’s  conquest  brings  liberty.  Now,  all  of  creation  is  
moaning  and  groaning  and  sighing  in  grief  and  distress.  And,  really,  the  ecologists—and  
I’m  pretty  much  of  an  ecologist;;  I  believe  in  ecology;;  I  like  clean  air  and  pure  water  and  
nice  trees,  and  I  believe  in  being  kind  to  animals;;  I  believe  about  95%  of  what  these  
believe—but  the  last  5%  are  some  of  these  whackos.  But  you  can  do  all  you  want  to  do  
with  ecology,  but  friend,  you’re  not  going  to  change  it.  If  you  think  you’re  going  to  
change  it,  or  retrieve  it,  through  ecology,  you  ought  to  get  you  a  job  rearranging  the  
deckchairs  on  the  Titanic.  The  golden  age  is  going  to  come  tomorrow.  It  is  tomorrow’s  
conquest,  not  today’s  energy,  that’s  going  to  change  this  old  world.  This  world  is  going  
to  be  changed.  I  mean,  Planet  Earth  is  going  to  be  changed.  There  will  be  a  new  birth  
for  Planet  Earth  when  Jesus  comes  again.  
For  example,  the  animal  kingdom  that  we  talked  about  is  going  to  be  changed.  Put  
down  Isaiah  chapter  11,  verses  6  through  9:  “The  wolf  also  shall  dwell  with  the  lamb,  
and  the  leopard  shall  lie  down  with  the  kid;;  the  calf  and  the  young  lion  and  the  fatling  
together,  and  a  little  child  shall  lead  them.  And  the  cow  shall  eat,  and  the  bear  shall  feed  
their  young  ones,  and  the  cow,  and  the  bear  shall  feed.  Their  young  ones  shall  lie  down  
together.  And  the  lion  shall  eat  straw  like  the  ox.  And  the  suckling  child—that  is,  the  little  
nursing  child—shall  play  on  the  hole  of  the  asp—that’s  a  poisonous  snake,  a  once-­
poisonous  snake—and  the  weaned  child  shall  put  his  hand  on  the  cockatrice’s  den.  
They  shall  not  hurt  nor  destroy  in  all  my  holy  mountain—I  love  this  verse—for  the  earth  
shall  be  full  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord,  as  waters  that  cover  the  sea.”  When  the  
beasts  of  the  wild  shall  be  led  by  a  child,  there  shall  be  peace  in  the  valley  for  me.    
Not  only  will  the  animal  kingdom  be  changed;;  the  mineral  kingdom  shall  be  changed.  
Put  down  Isaiah  35,  verse  1:  “And  the  wilderness  and  the  solitary  place  shall  be  glad  for  
them;;  and  the  desert  shall  rejoice,  and  blossom  as  the  rose.”  The  Sahara  Desert  will  be  
like  the  Garden  of  Eden.  
And  the  vegetable  kingdom  is  going  to  be  changed.  Isaiah  55,  verse  13:  “Instead  of  
the  thorn  shall  come  up  the  fir  tree,  and  instead  of  the  brier  shall  come  up  the  myrtle  
tree;;  and  it  shall  be  to  the  Lord  for  a  name  and  for  an  everlasting  sign  that  shall  not  be  
cut  off.”  
And  the  human  kingdom  is  going  to  be  changed.  Look,  if  you  will,  in  verse  23  now—

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Romans  8:23:  “And  not  only  they,  but  ourselves  also,  which  have  the  first  fruits  of  the  
Spirit,  even  we,  we  ourselves  groan  within  ourselves,  waiting  for  the  adoption,  to  whit,  
the  redemption  of  the  body.”  My  body  is  not  yet  redeemed.  I  am  saved.  I  am  heaven-­
born  and  heaven-­bound,  but  I  am  waiting  for  the  redemption  of  the  body,  and  so  are  
you.  But,  friend,  our  bodies  are  going  to  be  redeemed,  and  when  we  go  to  heaven,  
we’re  not  going  to  be  towed  in  by  a  wrecking  crew.  We’re  going  to  have  a  redeemed  
body.  What’s  our  body  going  to  be  like?  It’s  going  to  be  like  His  glorious  body.  Paul  
knew  that.  Go  back  to  verse  18,  and  you  can  understand  this.  Look  at  it:  “For  I  reckon  
that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  to  the  glory  which  
shall  be  revealed  in  us.”  Why  such  glory  in  us?  Because  He’s  going  to  change  our  vile  
body  like  unto  His  glorious  body.  Paul  said,  “You  can’t  even  compare  the  glory  that  we  
will  receive  with  the  suffering  that  we  now  know.”  He’s  going  to  turn  every  tear  to  a  
pearl,  every  hurt  to  a  hallelujah,  and  every  defeat  into  a  victory,  and  every  Calvary  into  
an  Easter,  when  Jesus  comes.  That,  my  friend,  is  tomorrow’s  conquest  that  brings  
freedom.  First  of  all,  there’s  bondage.  Then  there  is  liberty,  freedom.  Now,  what  is  the  
bridge  between  these  two?  That’s  where  we’re  living  right  now.  

III. Today’s  Comfort  Brings  Hope

And  so,  here’s  the  third  and  final  thing.  It  is  today’s  comfort  that  brings  hope.  Now,  if  
you  miss  this,  I  feel  sorry  for  you.  Look,  if  you  will,  in  verse  24:  “For  we  are  saved—and  
the  word  saved  means  delivered—by  hope.  But  hope  that  is  seen  is  not  hope;;  for  what  
a  man  seeth,  why  doth  he  yet  hope  for?”  Hope  is  something  that  you  don’t  have  in  your  
hand  but  you  know  is  yours,  and,  therefore,  when  we  have  this  hope,  we  understand  
that  the  groans  that  we  endure  are  temporary.  Now,  I  want  to  show  you  something  in  
this  passage,  if  you  have  your  Bible  open  in  front  of  you.  I  want  you  to  see  three  times  
he  uses  the  word  groan.  First  of  all,  there’s  the  groaning  of  creation.  Look  in  verse  22:  
“For  we  know  the  whole  creation  groaneth  and  travaileth  in  pain  together  until  now.”  
Everything  has  decay  and  I  was  thinking  of  a  scientific  word  I  don’t  want  to  use  it—
entropy.  I  used  it.  All  right,  everything  is  winding  down.  Everything  is  decaying.  It’s  
coming  apart.  All  right.  And  so,  all  of  creation  groans.  Even  if  you  hear  the  wind  blowing  
through  the  trees,  it  seems,  Brother  Ken,  to  be  in  a  minor  key.    
Now,  there’s  the  groaning  of  creation.  And  then,  there’s  the  groaning  of  the  
Christian.  Notice  verse  23:  “And  not  only  they,  but  ourselves  also,  which  have  the  first  
fruits  of  the  Spirit,  even  we  ourselves  groan  within  ourselves,  waiting  for  the  adoption,  
the  redemption  of  our  body.”  I’ve  been  to  the  hospital  so  many  times.  I’ve  seen  the  
precious  saints  of  God  writhing  in  pain,  groaning.  They’ve  not  sinned.  Well,  all  have  
sinned,  but  they’re  not  there  because  of  their  personal  sin,  because  some  clenched  fist  

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in  the  face  of  God.  Some  of  God’s  choicest  of  saints  have  suffered.  We’ve  all  known  
them,  have  we  not?  And  yet,  they  groan.    
There’s  the  groaning  of  creation.  There’s  the  groaning  of  the  Christian.  Thirdly,  
friend,  there’s  the  groaning  of  the  Comforter.  Look,  if  you  will,  here  in  verses  26  and  
following:  “Likewise,  the  Spirit—talking  about  the  Holy  Spirit—also  helpeth  our  
infirmities—that  is,  we  have  infirmities—for  we  know  not  what  we  should  pray  for  as  we  
ought;;  but  the  Spirit  itself  maketh  intercession  for  us  with  groanings  which  cannot  be  
uttered.”  Thank  God  there’s  one  in  the  glory  who  groans.  We  serve  a  God  with  tears  in  
His  eyes.  We  serve  a  God  who  loves  us,  who  cares,  who  said,  “Cast  all  your  care  upon  
Me,  for  I  care  for  you.”  And  there’s  the  groaning  of  creation,  and  groaning  of  the  
Christian,  and  the  groaning  of  the  Comforter,  the  Spirit.  Why  did  I  say  Comforter?  He’s  
called  the  Paraclete.  That  means  one  who  is  called  alongside  of  us.  You  don’t  have  to  
bear  this  alone.    
Now,  listen  to  me.  The  suffering  that  we  know  is  temporary.  All  of  the  suffering  you’ll  
ever  know  is  this  side  of  the  grave.  And,  by  the  way,  if  you’re  unsaved,  all  of  the  joy  
you’ll  ever  know  is  this  side  of  the  grave.  The  suffering,  the  groans,  we  endure  are  
temporary.  The  glory  that  we  have  is  eternal.  Now,  very  quickly,  and  I  must  go.  Friend,  
we  are  prepared  for  glory.  Look  in  verse  16:  “The  Spirit  itself  beareth  witness  with  our  
spirit,  that  we’re  children  of  God.”  When  pain  comes,  when  suffering  comes,  when  
sorrow  comes,  let  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  within  you  bear  witness  with  your  spirit  that  you  
belong  to  God.  Now,  if  you  don’t  know  you  belong  to  God,  friend,  you’re  going  to  suffer  
anyway,  saved  or  lost.  Man  that  is  born  of  woman  is  full  of  trouble.  But  there  is  this:  that  
we  are  prepared  for  glory.  And  then,  we’re  predestined  for  glory.  Look  in  verse  28:  “And  
we  know  that  all  things  work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God,  to  them  who  are  
the  called  according  to  his  purpose.  For  whom  he  did  foreknow,  he  did  also  predestinate  
to  be  conformed  to  the  image  of  his  Son,  that  he  might  be  the  firstborn  among  many  
brethren.  Moreover,  whom  he  did  predestinate,  them  he  also  called;;  and  whom  he  
called,  them  he  also  justified;;  and  whom  he  justified,  them  he  also  glorified.”  Wait  a  
minute,  Paul.  You’re  supposed  to  say  then  he  will  glorify.  That’s  not  what  it  says:  “and  
he  glorified.”  He  talks  about  us  being  in  glory  in  the  past  tense.  It’s  as  good  as  done.  
And  what  has  been  settled  in  heaven  can  never  be  annulled  in  time  or  by  hell.  We  are  
prepared  for  glory.  We  are  preserved  for  glory.  And  friend,  I  want  you  to  know  that  we  
can  never  be  separated  from  our  Lord.  No  fault  can  condemn  us.  Look,  if  you  will,  in  
verses  33  and  34.  If  you’re  suffering,  let  me  give  you  some  hope  here.  Romans  chapter  
8,  verses  33:  “And  who  shall  lay  any  thing  to  the  charge  of  God’s  elect?  It  is  God  that  
justifieth.  Who  is  he  that  condemneth?  It  is  Christ  that  died,  yea  rather,  is  risen  again,  
who  is  even  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  who  also  maketh  intercession  for  us.”    

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 Friend,  I  have  a  dear,  loving  Savior  who’s  praying  for  me  right  now  as  I’m  preaching  
this  sermon.  We  are  prepared  for  glory.  We  are  predestined  for  glory.  We  are  preserved  
for  glory.  No  fault  can  condemn  us.  No  foe  can  conquer  us.  And  no  fear  need  control  us.  
I  must  go  to  the  end,  so  I’m  going  to  pass  some  material,  but  two  of  my  favorite  
verses  in  all  of  the  Bible.  And,  by  the  way,  if  you’d  like  a  free,  all-­expense-­paid  trip  to  the  
place  of  your  desire,  whatever  resort  you  what  to  go  to,  I’ll  fly  you  there  first  class,  take  
care  of  all  of  your  meals,  bring  you  back  home,  you  stay  as  long  as  you  like,  if  you  can  
find  anything  that  Paul  left  out  of  this  statement  here.  Now,  listen  to  it.  He’s  talking  about  
the  God  who  has  not  only  prepared  us  and  predestinated  us,  but  has  preserved  us  for  
glory.  Listen  to  it.  “For  I  am  persuaded…”—now,  here’s  the  way  to  get  your  vacation,  so  
listen  carefully—“For  I  am  persuaded  that  neither  death,  nor  life”—anything  happens  to  
you  after  you  die,  or  while  you’re  living,  you  already  lost  your  vacation—“nor  
angels…”—what  kind  of  angels:  good  angels,  bad  angels,  fallen  angels?—“nor  angels,  
nor  principalities”—hat  means  kingdoms.  What  kind  of  kingdoms?  Just  principalities:  
earthly  kingdoms,  heavenly  kingdoms—“nor  powers”—that  means  authorities,  
governmental  authority,  military  authority,  ecclesiastical  authority—“nor  things  
present”—anything  that’s  in  the  world  today—“nor  things  to  come”—anything  that  may  
ever  come,  anything  that  may  be  created  in  the  future—“nor  height”—that  means  
anything  in  heaven  above—“nor  depth”—anything  in  hell  beneath.  And,  in  case  he  left  
anything  out—“nor  any  other  creature,  shall  be  able  to  separate  us  from  the  love  of  God  
in  Christ  Jesus,  our  Lord.”  Amen.  Hallelujah.  Praise  God.  Nothing.    
So  Paul  is  sitting  there.  Paul  knew  suffering.  He  knew  what  it  was  to  have  the  lash  
laid  on  his  back.  He  knew  what  it  was  to  fast.  He  knew  what  it  was  to  be  pickled  in  the  
Mediterranean  when  he  was  shipwrecked.  He  knew  what  it  was  to  languish  in  prison.  
He  knew  what  it  was  to  need  food  and  water  and  clothing.  But  Paul  says,  in  Romans  
8:18:  “I’ve  been  doing  some  figuring,  and  I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  
are  not  even  worthy  to  be  compared  to  the  glory  that  shall  be  revealed  in  us.”    

Conclusion  
Now,  folks,  you  listen  to  me.  You  have  a  choice.  God  gave  you  a  choice  like  He  
gave  Adam  a  choice,  and  there’s  no  reason  that  you  should  be  hell  when  all  this  is  
going  on.  There’s  no  reason  you  should  miss  it,  because  Jesus  Christ  suffered  and  bled  
and  died  for  you,  and  the  last  Adam,  Jesus,  has  undone  what  the  first  Adam  did  in  the  
Garden  of  Eden.  I’d  rather  be  a  saved  sinner  than  an  innocent  angel,  to  have  what  we  
have  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  
Bow  your  heads  in  prayer.  
Now,  if  you’re  not  sure  that  you’re  saved,  this  is  your  time  to  get  saved,  and  I  want  to  

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lead  you  and  guide  you  in  prayer.  Right  now  you  can  pray  and  ask  Christ  into  your  
heart.  Would  you  pray  this  prayer.  If  you’re  not  certain  that  you’re  saved,  and  you  want  
to  know  for  certain,  I  promise  you  on  the  authority  of  the  Word  of  God  that  God  will  save  
you  today  where  you  are  in  your  seat  right  now.  I’m  not  asking  you  to  become  a  Baptist  
or  a  Methodist  or  a  Presbyterian  or  Episcopalian.  I’m  not  asking  you  give  anything  or  
buy  anything.  I’m  asking  you  right  now  to  receive  someone  whose  name  is  Jesus.  I  take  
it  back.  I  am  asking  you  to  give  something.  I’m  asking  you  to  give  yourself  to  Him.  
Would  you  pray  this  prayer?  Lord  Jesus,  thank  You  that  You  shed  Your  blood  on  the  
cross  for  me.  Thank  You  that  You  paid  my  sin  debt  with  Your  blood.  Thank  You  that  
You  have  prepared  me  for  glory.  You’ve  predestined  me  for  glory.  You  are  preserving  
me  for  glory  when  I  trust  You.  I  do  trust  You.  Come  into  my  heart;;  come  in  right  now.  
Wash  away  my  sin.  Cleanse  me.  Save  me,  and  take  control  of  my  life,  and  begin  now  to  
make  me  the  person  You  want  me  to  be.  And,  Lord  Jesus,  thank  You  for  saving  me.  I  
don’t  look  for  a  sign.  I  don’t  ask  for  a  feeling.  I  just  stand  on  Your  Word.  You  promised  
and  You  cannot  lie.  So  by  faith  now,  I  want  to  confess  that  You’re  my  Lord  and  Savior.  
Begin  now  to  make  me  the  person  You  want  me  to  be.  And,  Lord  Jesus,  give  me  the  
courage  to  make  it  public.  Help  me  not  to  be  ashamed  of  You.  In  Your  name  I  pray.  
Amen.    
Now,  look  up  here.  If  you  prayed  that  prayer,  I’m  going  to  ask  you  to  settle  it  and  
seal  it  by  coming  forward.  You  say,  “Well,  Pastor  Rogers,  wasn’t  I  saved  when  I  just  
prayed  and  asked  Jesus  to  save  me?  Do  I  have  to  come  forward  to  be  saved?”  No.  You  
can  be  saved  in  an  airplane,  a  bicycle,  at  home  at  the  kitchen  sink,  anywhere,  by  calling  
on  the  name  of  the  Lord,  but  let  me  tell  you  something.  God  puts  us  to  a  test  to  show  if  
we  really  mean  business,  and  He  says,  “If  you’re  ashamed  of  Me  before  men,  I’ll  be  
ashamed  of  you  when  I  come  in  the  glory  of  the  Father  with  the  holy  angels.”  
Confession  does  not  bring  salvation;;  it  shows  salvation.  And  I’m  going  to  tell  you,  if  you  
don’t  trust  Him  enough  to  confess  Him  openly  and  publicly,  you  ought  to  put  a  big  
question  mark  after  that  thing  you  call  salvation.  The  Bible  says,  “Let  the  redeemed  of  
the  Lord  say  so.”  So  we’re  going  to  sing  an  invitational  hymn,  and  the  ministers  of  our  
church  are  going  to  be  standing  at  the  head  of  each  of  these  aisles  all  the  way  across  
the  front.  And  when  we  stand  and  sing,  Lord,  I  believe;;  Lord,  I  receive;;  Lord,  I  confess  
you  now,  I  want  you  to  leave  your  seat,  and  come  forward,  and  say  to  the  minister,  “I  
am  trusting  Jesus.”  It’ll  sound  good  in  your  mouth  when  you  say  it.  We  want  to  give  you  
some  Scripture  to  stand  on,  rejoice  with  you,  answer  any  questions  that  we  can  answer,  
and  seal  it  with  you  in  prayer.  It’ll  take  just  a  few  moments.  You’ll  be  so  glad  you  did.  
Now,  if  you’re  in  the  balcony,  there’ll  be  someone  waiting  to  receive  you  under  the  
banner  to  my  right  that  says  Redeemer,  or  the  one  up  there  in  the  corner  over  here  to  

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my  left  that  says  Messiah.  Now,  there  are  others  of  you  here  today  who  are  saved,  and  
you  know  it,  have  already  been  saved,  but  some  have  never  had  believer’s  baptism.  I  
invite  you  to  come  forward,  and  say,  “Look,  I  know  I’m  saved.  I  want  to  make  an  
appointment  for  my  baptism.  I  want  to  be  baptized  and  added  to  the  fellowship  of  the  
church.”  There  are  others  of  you  who’ve  been  saved  and  baptized,  have  membership  
elsewhere.  You  know  that  you’re  saved.  You  need  a  church  home.  In  the  name  of  
Jesus,  I  invite  you  to  come  forward,  and  say,  “I  want  to  place  my  membership  here.”    
Let’s  stand  together.  And,  as  you  stand,  let’s  bow  our  heads  for  just  a  moment  in  
prayer,  as  soon  as  we  stand.  Get  quiet  now;;  just  get  quiet.  Lord  Jesus,  I  pray,  Lord  
Jesus,  that  You  would  open  hearts,  and  You,  Lord  Jesus,  would  draw  people  to  
Yourself  and  to  Your  church.  Help  us,  Lord,  to  obey  You,  and  not  to  be  ashamed  of  
You.  And  help  people  to  step  out  now  and  say  yes  to  You.  In  Your  dear  name  I  pray.  
Amen.  
Let’s  sing.  You  step  out  and  come.  

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  The  Problem  of  Pain    
By  Adrian  Rogers  
Date  Preached:      July  27,  2003    

Main  Scripture  Text:    Romans  8:18–39  

“For  I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  
the  glory  which  shall  be  revealed  in  us.”  
ROMANS  8:18  

Outline  
Introduction  
I. Yesterday’s  Curse  Brings  Bondage
II. Tomorrow’s  Conquest  Brings  Liberty
III. Today’s  Comfort  Brings  Hope
Conclusion

Introduction  
Well,  we’ve  been  blessed  this  morning  with  great  music,  have  we  not?  Take  God’s  
Word.  Find  the  Book  of  Romans,  the  “Constitution  of  Christianity”,  I  suppose,  my  
favorite  book  in  the  whole  Bible.  And  find  my  favorite  chapter  in  that  favorite  book,  
Romans  chapter  8.  In  a  moment,  we’re  going  to  begin  looking  in  verse  18.  But  what  I  
want  to  talk  to  you  about  today  is  the  problem  of  pain.  
You  know,  we  live  in  a  world  that  is  filled  with  pain,  and  moan,  and  groan,  and  
heartache,  and  tears,  and  fears,  death,  destruction,  disaster,  war,  famine,  disease.  And  
some  who  are  sitting  in  this  building  this  morning  have  pain.  And  pain  comes  in  different  
packages.  Sometimes  it’s  physical  pain,  but  many  times  it’s  emotional  pain,  worse  than  
physical  pain.  And  some  are  asking  why—why  did  a  good  God  allow  all  of  this?  What  is  
wrong  in  the  world  today?  Sometimes  we  could  understand,  if  it  were  the  law  of  sowing  
and  reaping,  but  sometimes  we  eat  fruit  from  trees  we  did  not  plant,  and  sometimes  we  
find  ourselves  in  battles  and  wars  that  we  never  declared,  and  we  long  for  a  better  day,  
and  we  long  for  peace  on  earth.  We  want  it  all  to  somehow  turn  out  all  right.  But  our  
golden  dreams  turn  to  rust,  and  our  millennium  is  more  like  pandemonium,  and  we  say,  
“Why?  Where  is  God?”  And  sometimes  when  these  things  happen,  it  causes  us  to  get  
discouraged,  and  we  have  suffering  and  pain.  After  a  while,  we  just  kind  of  want  to  
throw  in  the  towel.  And  then,  if  it  doesn’t  cause  discouragement,  sometimes  it  causes  
rebellion.  You  lift  a  clenched  fist  to  the  face  of  God,  and  say,  “God,  how  could  you  allow  
this?  Where  are  you?  Why  don’t  you  do  something?”  We  get  angry  with  God.  Or,  if  it  

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doesn’t  cause  discouragement  or  rebellion,  sometimes  it  just  causes  doubt.  I  mean,  we  
say,  “Can  we  really  believe  Him?”  Because  here’s  the  way  the  human  mind  works:  If  
God  loves  us,  why  doesn’t  He  do  something  about  it?  So  maybe  God  is  a  God  of  love  
who  is  a  weak  God,  an  impotent  God,  a  namby-­pamby  God,  a  God  who’s  more  a  victim  
than  an  overcomer.  That  answer  doesn’t  seem  to  suffice,  that  God  loves  us  but  can’t  do  
anything  about  it.  Then,  we  turn  it  around,  and  we  say,  “Well,  God  is  all  powerful.  God  
can  do  anything,  but  He  doesn’t.  He  just  doesn’t  seem  to  care.  He  sits  up  there  in  His  
glory,  in  His  heaven,  with  all  of  His  power,  and  we  kind  of  squirm  like  a  worm  in  hot  
ashes.  God  has  the  power,  but  He  doesn’t  have  the  love.”  Or,  we  say,  “Well,  maybe  
there’s  no  God  at  all.  The  reason  we  don’t  see  the  power,  and  the  reason  we  don’t  see  
the  love,  is  there’s  no  God  there  with  power  and  love  to  display  Himself.”  And  so,  we  
have  doubt  when  pain  comes.  But  that  was  not  so  with  the  Apostle  Paul.  
The  Apostle  Paul  had  been  thinking  about  it,  and  the  Apostle  Paul  had  come  to  a  
quiet  satisfactory  conclusion  in  his  own  heart  and  mind.  Look  in  verse  18.  “For  I  
reckon…”—do  you  see  that?  Romans  8:18:  “For  I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  this  
present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  [to]  the  glory  which  shall  be  revealed  in  us.”  
Now,  the  word  reckon  is  a  bookkeeping  term.  Paul  had  been  doing  some  calculating;;  
he’d  been  doing  some  figuring.  He  had  come  to  a  conclusion,  a  reckoning.  He  had  been  
taking  inventory,  and  he’d  come  to  the  bottom  line,  and  he  said,  “I  am  convinced  that  
the  problems  that  we  have,  the  pain,  the  suffering,  the  toil,  the  tears.”  And,  friend,  I  want  
to  tell  you  Paul  knew  it.  Paul  knew  what  it  was  to  be  beaten,  stoned,  left  for  dead,  
shipwrecked,  languish  in  prison,  fastings,  tumult,  accusations.  He  knew  all  of  it.  Don’t  
think  this  is  the  musing  of  an  armchair  theorician.  Paul  says,  “…I  reckon  that  the  
sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  [to]  the  glory  which  shall  
be  revealed  in  us.”  (Roman  8:18)  He’s  not  saying,  “So  bad  the  suffering,  so  good  the  
glory.”  He  said,  “There’s  no  comparison—there’s  no  comparison.”  Well,  why  could  Paul  
say  that?  
Well,  I  want  to  talk  to  you  today  about  the  problem  of  pain,  and  making  sense  out  of  
suffering,  and  I  want  you  to  see  what  Paul  saw,  and  it’s  all  wrapped  up  in  this  8th  
chapter  of  Romans.  And  we’re  going  to  look  into  it,  because  there  are  three  basic  things  
that  are  there.  Of  course,  there  are  many,  many  more  things.  But  let’s  look  a  little  bit  
and  see  why  the  world  is  so  full  of  pain,  and  what  we  can  reckon  concerning  it.  

I. Yesterday’s  Curse  Brings  Bondage

First  thing  I  want  you  to  see  is  what  I’m  going  to  call  yesterday’s  curse  that  brings  
bondage.  Let’s  look  in  verse  20.  We  were  in  verse  18.  Paul  says,  “For  the  creature…”—
now,  when  he  says  word  creature  here,  he  doesn’t  mean  “a  creature”,  but  he  means  
“creation”,  all  that  God  has  created.  “For  the  creature”—or  creation—“was  made  subject  

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to  vanity”—vanity  means  “it  does  not  fulfill  its  original  purpose”—“not  willingly,  but  by  
reason  of  him  who  hath  subjected  the  same  in  hope.”  (Romans  8:20)  That  is,  somehow  
God  subjected  creation  to  vanity,  but  He  did  it  that  we  might  have  hope.  And  now  he  
explains  it  in  verse  21:  “Because  the  creature”—or  creation—“itself  also  shall  be  
delivered  from  the  bondage  of  corruption”—now,  that’s  a  rich  phrase  right  there,  and  I  
want  you  to  underscore  it:  the  bondage  of  corruption—“into  the  glorious  liberty  of  the  
children  of  God.”  (Romans  8:21)  Yesterday’s  curse  brings  bondage.  The  Bible  calls  it  
the  bondage  of  corruption.  
Now,  you  don’t  have  to  be  a  rocket  scientist  to  look  around  and  see  there’s  
something  wrong  in  today’s  world.  There’s  confusion,  and  frustration,  and  suffering  that  
rests  upon  all  that’s  in  this  planet.  And  why  did  this  happen?  Because  of  sin.  When  
Adam  sinned,  Adam  pulled  creation  down  with  him.  He  dragged  the  whole  creation  
down  with  him.  Now,  remember,  we  asked  you,  we  said  the  doubter  has  these  
problems:  If  God  is  good,  why  doesn’t  He  do  something?  Or,  if  He’s  able,  does  He  really  
care?  Let  me  try  to  explain  that  a  little  bit.  God  is  good,  and  everything  that  God  created  
is  good.  After  God  created  His  magnificent  universe,  and  universes  dripped  from  His  
fingers,  and  then  He  took  this  world,  and  said,  “The  earth  is  the  Lord’s,”  and  formed  it,  
and  made  it  fruitful,  and  put  man  in  the  garden,  God  stepped  back,  and  God  said,  “That  
is  good.”  God  did  not  create  evil.  God  did  not  create  pain  and  suffering,  heartache,  tears  
and  fears.  No,  He  didn’t  do  that.  God  made  a  perfect  world.  And  when  God  made  a  
perfect  world,  He  made  a  perfect  man,  and  set  that  man  in  that  perfect  world.  And  let  
me  tell  you  how  perfect  that  man  was.  God  gave  that  perfect  man—are  you  listening?—
perfect  freedom.  It’s  very  important  that  you  understand  that.  That  perfect  man  had  
perfect  freedom.  
Well,  why  did  God  give  him  perfect  freedom,  the  ability  to  choose?  I’ll  tell  you  why  
God  gave  him  the  ability  to  choose:  because  God  wanted  something  out  of  that  man  
that  He  wants  out  of  me,  He  wants  out  of  you.  God  wants  love.  God  is  love.  Love  wants  
to  love  and  be  loved.  And  one  of  the  definitions  of  God:  God  is  love.  Now,  in  order  to  
love,  you  have  to  choose  to  love.  Forced  love  is  a  contradiction  in  terms.  There’s  no  
such  thing  as  forced  love.  If  it’s  forced,  it  is  not  love.  Love  has  to  be  willing.  It  has  to  be  
voluntary.  It  has  to  be  volitional.  You  have  to  choose.  So  God  made  man,  and  God  
made  man  perfect,  gave  him  perfect  freedom,  liberty,  to  choose.  But  in  order  to  choose  
right,  he  had  to  able  to  choose  wrong,  or  he  would  have  had  no  choice  at  all.  Again,  
we’d  be  back  to  forced  love.  So  man  had  to  have  the  ability  to  choose  wrong,  in  order  to  
have  the  ability  and  the  joy  and  the  privilege  to  choose  right.  And  Adam  chose  wrong.  
And  because  Adam  chose  wrong,  we  have  sin  in  this  world.  It  is  a  result  of  man’s  
choice.  God  is  not  the  author  of  sin.  God  is  the  author  of  man’s  freedom,  and  man  
chose  some  things  that  are  evil.  Well,  somebody  says,  “Well,  if  that  is  true,  why  doesn’t  

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God  just  step  in  and  clean  up  the  mess?”  He  could,  if  He  wanted  to.  “Why  didn’t  God  
just  destroy  the  devil  and  eradicate  sin?”  Well,  we’re  right  back  to  where  we  were.  If  
God  were  to  do  that,  just  step  in  and  destroy  the  devil  and  eradicate  sin,  as  such,  God  
would  put  us  right  back  where  we  were.  We  would  have  no  more  choice.  Now,  I  want  to  
say  it,  and  I  want  you  to  listen  to  it:  If  God  were  to  destroy  evil,  that  would  be  evil,  
because  that  would  destroy  the  ability  for  the  highest  good.  What  is  the  highest  good?  
Somebody  asked  Jesus,  “[What]  is  the  great  commandment…?”  (Matthew  22:36)  “Thou  
shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart…with  all  thy  soul…with  all  thy  mind.”  
(Matthew  22:37)  Love  is  the  great  commandment.  Therefore,  it’s  the  greatest  good.  And  
had  man  no  choice,  he  cannot  serve  the  greatest  good  and  know  the  greatest  joy.  And,  
therefore,  to  destroy  evil  would  be  an  act  of  evil.  God  does  not  destroy  evil;;  God  defeats  
evil  through  the  cross.  The  first  Adam  sinned  in  the  Garden  of  Eden,  and  drug  it  all  
down.  The  last  Adam,  the  Son  of  God,  steps  into  this  world  not  to  simply  eradicate  evil,  
but  to  overcome  it  with  the  blood  of  redemption.  Now,  there  is  what  we  call  here  the  
bondage  of  corruption.  Do  you  see  it  again  in  verse  21?  The  bondage  of  corruption.  And  
it’s  on  everything.  Look  around.  Everything  has  the  curse  of  it,  yesterday’s  curse.  
For  example,  there  is  a  curse  on  the  animal  kingdom.  In  Genesis  3:14—put  that  in  
your  margin—God  is  speaking  to  the  serpent  who  deceived  Eve:  “And  the  Lord  God  
said  unto  the  serpent,  because  thou  hast  done  this,  thou  art  cursed  above  all  cattle  ,and  
above  every  beast  of  the  field.”  Now,  not  only  was  the  serpent  cursed;;  according  to  this  
verse,  all  cattle  and  all  beasts  are  cursed.  There’s  a  curse  on  the  animal  kingdom.  What  
we  call  the  survival  of  the  fittest,  the  law  of  tooth  and  fang  and  claw,  is  not  the  survival  of  
the  fittest;;  it  is  creation  groaning  under  the  curse.  
Not  only  is  there  a  curse  on  the  animal  kingdom;;  there  is  a  curse  on  the  mineral  
kingdom.  Genesis  3,  verse  17:  “…cursed  is  the  ground…”  “Thorns…and  thistles…it  
[brings]  forth…”  (Genesis  3:18)  It  easier  to  grow  weeds  than  it  is  to  grow  roses.  We  
have  desert  wastes.  We  have  erosion.  We  have  pollution,  and  all  the  ecologists  of  this  
world  put  together  could  not  ultimately  change  it.  Not  only  is  there  a  curse  on  the  animal  
kingdom,  and  a  curse  on  the  mineral  kingdom;;  there’s  a  curse  on  the  vegetable  
kingdom.  Genesis  3,  verse  18—God  speaks  of  this  cursed  mineral  world,  and  says,  
“Thorns…and  thistles  shall  it  bring  forth  unto  thee.”  That’s  why  you  have  dandelions  in  
your  yard.  That’s  the  reason  you  tear  your  trousers  when  you  walk  through  the  
brambles:  thorns  and  thistles.  
And  there’s  a  curse  also  on  the  human  kingdom.  We  are  a  part  of  it.  Man  was  
supposed  to  have  had  dominion  over  this  earth,  but  notice  in  Genesis  1,  verse  26:  “And  
God  said,  Let  us  make  man  in  our  image,  after  our  likeness:  and  let  them  have  
dominion  over  the  fish  of  the  sea,  and  over  the  fowl  of  the  air,  and  over  the  cattle,  and  
over  all  the  earth,  and  over  every  creeping  thing  that  creepeth  upon  the  earth”—every  

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creeping  thing.  
•I  was  out  in  my  backyard.  I  came  in  the  house,  sat  down  to  watch  the  news.  I
looked  on  that  thumb  there,  and  it  was  blue  and  yellowish  looking,  and  it  looked  like  
somebody  hit  me  with  a  hammer  right  there.  And  I  looked  at  it,  and  I  said,  “Now  what  is  
that?  What  did  I  do  to  myself?”  There  was  a  little  white  spot  right  in  the  middle.  After  a  
while,  my  wife  came  in,  and  said,  “You’ve  been  bitten  by  a  spider.”  I  said,  “Thanks  a  lot.”  
Ended  up,  Dr.  Castellaw  had  given  me  a  shot,  you  know  where.  I  don’t  know  what  that  
had  to  do  with  my  hand,  but  somehow  there’s  a  connection.  And  I  still  have  right  there  a  
little  lymph  node.  It’s  a  little  bump  right  there  because  of  the  poison  of  that  creeping  
thing.  I  didn’t  have  dominion  over  that  creeping  thing.  I’d  like  to  have  dominion  over  it,  if  
I  get  hold  of  it,  find  out  where  it  is.•  
Now,  that’s  the  kind  of  a  world  that  we  live  in.  And  man  now,  meant  to  be  in  the  
image  of  God  and  to  have  dominion,  is  morally  depraved.  Look  at  the  filth  on  the  
newsstands,  on  television,  radio,  and  it’s  getting  worse.  Not  since  Manhattan  Island  was  
sold  for  twenty-­four  dollars  has  so  much  dirt  been  sold  so  cheaply.  Man  is  morally  
depraved.  He  is  emotionally  disturbed.  Adam’s  first  words  after  he’d  sinned  were  these:  
“I  was  afraid.”  (Genesis  3:10)  We  have  people  today  who  live  in  a  jungle  of  neurosis,  
and  fears,  and  sort  of  a  veritable  hell,  because  there’s  sin  in  the  world.  Man  is  physically  
diseased,  morally  depraved,  emotionally  disturbed,  physically  diseased.  We  all  have  a  
polluted  gene  pool.  Sometimes  we  talk  about  people  who  have  terminal  diseases.  If  you  
don’t  mind  doing  something,  I  want  everybody  here  to  lift  your  right  hand.  Just  hold  it  
way  up,  everybody.  Now,  look  around.  All  these  people  have  a  terminal  disease,  
including  you.  You’re  dying.  Folks,  you  are  dying.  I  am  dying.  We  are  physically  
diseased.  I  don’t  want  to  discourage  you  too  much,  but  you  feel  about  as  good  as  you’re  
ever  going  to  feel  right  now.  We’re  winding  down  to  the  grave.  It  gets  worse  and  worse  
until  we  turn  to  rust  and  dust.  We  have  a  polluted  gene  pool.  Now,  that’s  yesterday’s  
bondage.  Now,  yesterday’s  bondage,  it’s  on  us.  

II. Tomorrow’s  Conquest  Brings  Liberty

But  now  let’s  move  to  the  second  point.  Let’s  think  not  only  about  yesterday’s  curse  that  
brings  bondage,  but  tomorrow’s  conquest  that  brings  liberty.  I’ve  got  good  news.  It’s  
going  to  be  wonderful.  Notice,  if  you  will  again,  in  verse  21  here  in  this  chapter.  He  says  
here,  “Because  the  creation  itself  also  shall  be  delivered  from  the  bondage  of  corruption  
into  the  glorious  liberty  of  the  children  of  God.”  (Romans  8:21)  There  is  coming  a  time  of  
deliverance.  Go  on  down,  and  let’s  read  through  verse  23:  “For  we  know  that  the  whole  
creation  groaneth  and  travaileth  in  pain  together  until  now.  And  not  only  they,  but  
ourselves  also,  which  have  the  first  fruits  of  the  Spirit,  even  we  ourselves  groan  within  
ourselves,  waiting  for  the  adoption,  to  wit,  the  redemption  of  our  [bodies].”  (Romans  

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8:22–23)  Now,  there’s  yesterday’s  corruption,  but  there’s  tomorrow’s  conquest.  One  of  
these  days,  God  is  going  to  make  it  all  better.  One  of  these  days,  all  of  creation  is  going  
to  be  changed,  “[and]  the  earth  shall  be  filled  with  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  the  
Lord,  as…waters  that  cover  the  sea.”  (Habakkuk  2:14)  Let  me  give  you  some  verses  
that  point  that  out,  the  day  when  Jesus  comes,  when  “the  trees  of  the  field  [will]  clap  
their  hands”  (Isaiah  55:12)  and  the  hills  will  skip  like  lambs.  (Psalm  114:4)  
Let  me  show  you.  The  animal  kingdom—we  said  there’s  a  curse  on  the  animal  
kingdom—it’s  going  to  be  changed.  Isaiah  11,  verses  6  through  9:  “The  wolf  also  shall  
dwell  with  the  lamb,  and  the  leopard  shall  lie  down  with  the  kid;;  and  the  calf  and  the  
young  lion  and  the  fatling  together;;  and  a  little  child  shall  lead  them.  And  the  cow  and  
the  bear  shall  fee;;  their  young  ones  shall  lie  down  together:  and  the  lion  shall  eat  straw  
like  the  ox.  And  the  suckling  child  shall  play  on  the  hole  of  the  asp”—that’s  a  poisonous  
snake,  was  poisonous—“and  the  weaned  child  shall  put  his  hand  on  the  cockatrice’  den.  
They  shall  not  hurt  nor  destroy  in  all  my  holy  mountain:  for  the  earth  shall  be  [filled  with]  
the  knowledge  of”—for  the  earth  shall  be  full  of—“the  knowledge  of  the  Lord,  as  waters  
that  cover  the  sea.”  “When  the  beasts  of  the  wild  shall  be  led  by  a  child…there  shall  be  
peace  in  the  valley  for  me.”  (Thomas  Dorsey)  
And  not  only  will  the  animal  kingdom  be  changed;;  the  mineral  kingdom  is  going  to  be  
changed.  Isaiah  chapter  35  and  verse  1  says,  “[And]  the  wilderness  and  the  solitary  
place  shall  be  glad  for  them;;  and  the  desert  shall  rejoice,  and  blossom  as  the  rose.”  The  
Sahara  will  be  like  the  Garden  of  Eden.  
And  the  vegetable  kingdom  is  going  to  be  changed.  Isaiah  55,  verse  13:  “Instead  of  
the  thorn  shall  come  up  the  fir  tree,  and  instead  of  the  brier  shall  come  up  the  myrtle  
tree:  and  it  shall  be  to  the  Lord  for  a  name,  for  an  everlasting  sign  that  shall  not  be  cut  
off.”  Won’t  that  be  a  day  when  the  hideous  scarred  and  marred  places  of  Planet  Earth  
become  like  Eden  again?  
And  the  human  kingdom  is  going  to  be  changed.  You’re  going  to  be  changed.  Now,  
you  haven’t  been  changed  yet,  because  the  Bible  says  we’re  waiting  for  the  redemption  
of  the  body.  Look  in  verse  23:  “[But]  not  only  they”—that  is,  the  creatures—“but  
ourselves  also,  which  have  the  firstfruits  of  the  Spirit,  even  we  [within]  ourselves  groan  
within  ourselves,  waiting  for  the  adoption,  to  wit,  the  redemption  of  the  body.”  (Romans  
8:23)  Your  body  is  not  yet  redeemed.  Your  body  is  not  yet  redeemed.  We’re  waiting  for  
the  redemption  of  the  body.  Our  spirits  are  redeemed,  but  not  our  bodies.  But  one  of  
these  days  our  bodies  are  going  to  be  redeemed,  and  we’re  going  to  be  made  like  the  
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  We’re  not  going  to  heaven  in  these  bodies.  We’d  have  to  be  towed  in  
by  the  wrecking  crew.  No,  we’re  going  in  changed,  glorified  bodies.  The  Bible  says  that  
He’s  going  to  “change  our  vile  body,  that  it  might  be…like  unto  His  glorious  body”.  
(Philippians  3:21)  That’s  the  reason  the  Apostle  Paul  was  saying  there  in  Romans  8:18,  

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“For  I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  to  
the  glory”—now,  watch  it,  not  the  glory  around  us,  but  the  glory—“[that]  shall  be  
revealed  in  us.”  Friend,  you’re  going  to  be  like  Jesus.  I  mean,  like  Jesus,  in  His  glorified,  
resurrected  body.  That  seems  almost  too  much  to  take  in.  But  Paul  said,  “[Look]…the  
sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not  [even]  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  which  
shall  be  revealed  in  us.”  (Romans  8:18)  One  of  these  days,  our  vile  bodies  are  going  to  
be  changed  like  to  His  glorious  body.  He’ll  turn  every  tear  to  a  pearl,  every  hurt  to  a  
hallelujah,  every  Calvary  to  an  Easter.  We’re  going  to  be  made  like  the  Lord  Jesus  
Christ.  

III. Today’s  Comfort  Brings  Hope

Now,  we  talked  about  yesterday’s  curse:  bondage.  We  talked  about  tomorrow’s  
conquest:  liberty.  Meanwhile,  back  at  the  range.  “Yesterday,  uh-­huh.  Tomorrow,  okay.  
But  what  about  today?”  Friend,  today’s  comfort  brings  hope—today’s  comfort  brings  
hope.  Yes,  corruption;;  yes,  conquest;;  but  what  about  today?  What  about  meanwhile?  
Well,  look,  if  you  will,  in  verse  24—Romans  8,  verse  24.  Look  at  it:  “For  we  are  saved  by  
hope”—the  word  saved  means  that  we  “endure”.  We  are  delivered  by  hope—“but  hope  
that  is  seen  is  not  hope:  for  what  a  man  seeth,  why  doth  he  yet  hope  for?”  Now,  what  he  
is  saying  is  that  the  groans  that  we  are  enduring  right  now  are  temporary.  You  may  not  
have  caught  it,  but  three  times  Paul  uses  the  word  groans  here,  and  I  want  you  to  see  
them—three  kinds  of  groans.  
First  of  all,  there’s  the  groaning  of  creation.  Look  in  verse  22:  “[And]  we  know  that  
the  whole  creation  groaneth  and  travaileth  in  pain  together  until  now.”  (Romans  8:22)  
Everything  that  God  has  made  groans.  Even  the  wind  blowing  through  the  trees  is  in  a  
minor  key.  Pain  and  pang,  moan  and  groan,  is  on  all  of  creation.  All  of  creation  groans.  
There’s  the  groaning  of  the  creation.  
Now,  here’s  the  second  thing.  There’s  the  groaning  of  the  Christian.  That’s  very  
important  that  you  see  this.  Look,  if  you  will,  in  verse  23.  And  there’s  no  fine  print  here.  
“And  not  only  they”—that  is,  the  creatures—“but  ourselves  also,  which  have  the  
firstfruits  of  the  Spirit,  even  we  ourselves”—he’s  talking  about  believers—“groan  within  
ourselves,  waiting  for  the  adoption,  to  wit,  the  redemption  of  our  body.”  (Romans  8:23)  
You  can  have  an  unredeemed  body,  and  you  can  writhe  in  pain  upon  a  bed  of  illness  
and  sickness.  I’ve  been  there  many  times  to  the  hospital,  folks.  For  over  half  a  century,  I  
have  been  by  the  bedside  of  people  who  groan,  and  it’s  very  real,  and  some  of  them  the  
sweetest  saints  that  have  ever  walked  the  face  of  this  earth  writhe  and  groan.  And  not  
only  is  there  the  physical  groaning,  but  there  are  people  with  emotional  problems,  
heartaches,  children  who  break  their  hearts,  husbands,  wives,  broken  romance,  and  
people  just  say,  “Oh,  oh,  oh,  oh,  oh.”  They  groan,  and  they’re  believers.  They  love  

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Jesus  Christ  with  all  of  their  heart.  You  say,  “Then  I’ll  not  be  a  believer.”  Okay,  then  
groan  alone.  You’re  going  to  groan,  too.  Saved  or  lost,  “man  that  is  born…of  woman  
is…full  of  trouble.”  (Job  14:1)  If  you  got  here  any  other  way,  you’re  excluded.  If  you’re  
born  of  a  woman  that  means  you’re  human.  
There’s  the  groaning  of  the  creation,  or  the  creature.  Then,  there’s  the  groaning  of  
the  Christian.  But  there’s  a  third  groaning  here,  and  I  don’t  want  you  to  miss  that.  
There’s  the  groaning  of  the  Comforter.  Look,  if  you  will  now,  in  verses  26  and  27  of  this  
wonderful  chapter:  “Likewise,  the  Spirit”—now,  he’s  talking  about  the  Holy  Spirit—“also  
helpeth  our  infirmities”—that  is,  our  pains—“for  we  know  not  what  we  should  pray  for  as  
we  ought:  but  the  Spirit  himself  maketh  intercession  for  us  with  groanings  which  cannot  
be  uttered.  And  he  that  searcheth  the  hearts  knoweth…the  mind  of  the  Spirit,  because  
he  maketh  intercession  for  the  saints  according  to  the  will  of  God.”  (Romans  8:26–27)  
Thank  God  for  the  Comforter,  the  Holy  Spirit.  There’s  a  God  with  tears  in  His  eyes.  
There’s  a  God  who  loves  us.  There’s  a  God  who  cares.  There’s  a  God  who  says,  “[Cast]  
all  your  care  upon  [Me];;  for  [I]  [care]  for  you.”  (1  Peter  5:7)  And  you’re  not  meant  to  bear  
these  groanings  alone.  
Now,  I  want  to  tell  you  the  groaning  of  the  creation,  the  groaning  of  the  Christian,  
and  the  groaning  of  the  Comforter,  all  of  these  groanings  are  temporary  because  there  
is  something  that  is  eternal  that  we’re  looking  for,  and  that  is  the  glory.  Now,  remember  
Romans  8:18:  “For  I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  
compared  with  the  glory  which  shall  be  revealed  in  us.”  What  makes  that  glory  real  is  
the  hope  that  we  have.  Now,  let  me  tell  you  what  our  hope  is  based  on.  
First  of  all,  our  hope  is  based  on  the  fact  that  we  are  prepared  for  glory.  Look,  if  you  
will,  in  verse  16:  “[For]  the  Spirit  [himself]  beareth  witness  with  our  spirit,  that  [we’re]  
children  of  God.”  (Romans  8:16)  Now,  you’re  not  prepared  for  glory,  if  you’re  not  a  child  
of  God.  Does  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  tell  you  that  you’re  saved?  I  mean,  not  what  Adrian  
says,  not  what  your  creed  says,  not  what  your  intellectual  beliefs  say,  but  do  you  know  
Him?  Does  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  in  you  say,  yes,  you’re  a  child  of  God?  If  so,  you’re  
prepared  for  glory.  
But  not  only  are  you  prepared  for  glory;;  then,  hallelujah,  you  are  predestined  for  
glory.  Look,  if  you  will,  in  verse  28:  “And  we  know  that  all  things  work  together  for  good  
to  them  that  love  God,  to  them  who  are  the  called  according  to  his  purpose.  For  whom  
he  did  foreknow,  he  also  did  predestinate  to  be  conformed  to  the  image  of  his  Son…”  
(Romans  8:28)  Do  you  know  what  predestinate  means?  It  is  already  determined.  It’s  
already  settled.  It  is  already  done.  You’re  going  to  be  like  Jesus.  “[You  are  predestined]  
to  be  conformed  to  the  image  of  [God’s]  Son,  that  He,”  God’s  Son,  “might  be  the  
firstborn  among  many  brethren.”  (Romans  8:29)  God  had  one  Son,  and  He  loved  Him  
so  much,  He  said,  “I  want  a  whole  lot  more  like  Him.”  Now,  notice  this:  “Moreover  whom  

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he  did  predestinate,  them  he  also  called:  and  whom  he  called,  them  he  also  justified:  
and  whom  he  justified,  them  he  also  glorified.”  (Romans  8:30)  You  would  expect  him  to  
say,  “Will  glorify,”  but  he  says,  “No,  I’ve  put  it  in  the  past  tense.  It’s  as  good  as  done—D-­
O-­N-­E.”  You  are  glorified  in  the  heart  and  mind  of  God.  You  are  predestined.  You  don’t  
have  to  wait  until  you  die  to  see  whether  you’re  going  to  heaven.  
The  believer  is  prepared  for  glory.  He’s  predestined  for  glory.  And  then,  he’s  
preserved  for  glory.  Now,  look,  if  you  will,  in  verse  31  of  this  same  wonderful  chapter.  
Look  at  it:  “What  shall  we  say  then  to  these  things?  If  God  be  for  us,  who  can  be  against  
us?  He  that  spared  not  his  own  Son,  but  delivered  him  up  for  us  all,  how  shall  he  not  
with  him  also  freely  give  us  all  things?”  (Romans  8:31–32)  “Who  is  he  that  condemneth?  
It  is  Christ  that  died,  yea  rather,  that  is  risen  again,  who  is  even  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  
who  also  maketh  intercession  for  us?  Who  shall  separate  us  from  the  love  of  Christ?  
Shall  tribulation,  or  distress,  or  persecution,  or  famine,  or  nakedness,  or  peril…?  As  it  is  
written,  For  thy  sake  we  are  killed  all  the  day  long;;  we  are  accounted  as  sheep  for  the  
slaughter.  Nay,  in  all  these  things  we  are  more  than  conquerors  through  him  that  loved  
us.”  (Romans  8:34–37)  Now,  what  he  is  saying  is  this—now,  listen  very  carefully:  no  
fault  can  condemn  us.  That’s  what  he’s  saying.  Look  in  verse  33:  “Who  shall  lay  any  
thing  to  the  charge  of  God’s  elect?”  (Romans  8:33)  You  say,  “Well,  Adrian,  what  if  you  
sin?”  Did  I  hear  you  correctly?  Did  you  say  what  if?  We  all  sin,  but  thank  God—thank  
God—not  one-­half  of  one  sin  will  ever  be  marked  on  my  account.  “Who  shall  lay  any  
thing  to  the  charge  of  God’s  elect?”  (Romans  8:33)  When  that  gets  in  your  heart,  you’ll  
want  to  sing  about  it.  You’ll  want  to  sing  like  “Amazing  Grace.”  Friend,  I  want  to  tell  you  
that  no  fault  can  condemn  us,  and  no  foe  can  conquer  us.  Look  in  verse  35:  “Who  shall  
separate  us  from  the  love  of  Christ?  Shall  tribulation,  or  distress,  or  persecution,  or  
famine,  or  nakedness,  or  peril,  or  sword?”  (Romans  8:35)  These  things  don’t  separate  
you  from  Jesus;;  they  just  draw  you  all  the  closer  to  Him,  and  no  fear  can  control  you.  
I  made  this  proposition  to  the  earlier  congregation,  so  I  might  as  well  make  it  to  you.  
If  you’d  like  to  have  an  all-­expense  vacation,  I’ll  fly  you  first-­class  to  the  resort  of  your  
choice  for  a  full  month,  all  expenses  paid—and  you’ve  got  a  lot  of  witnesses  here  that  
heard  me  say  it—if  you  can  tell  me  anything  Paul  left  out  of  this  next  statement  that  
might  separate  you  from  the  love  of  God.  All  right,  I  want  you  to  listen  to  it.  Verses  38  
and  39:  “For  I  am  persuaded,  that  neither  death,  nor  life”  (Romans  8:38)—all  right,  
you’ve  already  lost  your  vacation—anything  that  happens  after  you  die,  or  anything  that  
happens  while  you’re  alive.  “Nor  angels”  (Romans  8:38)—what  kind  of  angels—good  
angels,  bad  angels?  Satan  is  a  fallen  angel.  “Nor  principalities”  (Romans  8:38)—that  
means  kingdoms.  What  kind  of  kingdoms?  Heavenly  kingdoms,  earthly  kingdoms,  
devilish  kingdoms.  “Nor  powers”  (Romans  8:38)—what  kind  of  powers?  That  means  
authorities,  governmental  authorities,  spiritual  authorities,  ecclesiastical  authority.  “Nor  

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things  present”—anything  that’s  in  the  universe  today—“nor  things  to  come”  (Romans  
8:38)—that’s  anything  that  may  come  into  existence—“nor  height”—anything  in  heaven  
above—“nor  depth”  (Romans  8:39)—anything  on  earth,  in  hell  beneath.  And  in  case  he  
left  anything  out—“nor  any  other  creature,  shall  be  able  to  separate  us  from  the  love  of  
God…in  Christ  Jesus,  our  Lord.”  (Romans  8:39)  Isn’t  that  wonderful?  I  say,  isn’t  that  
wonderful?  Is  that  not  glorious,  friend?  I’m  telling  you,  no  fault  can  condemn  you,  no  foe  
can  conquer  you,  no  fear  need  control  you.  There  is  nothing,  no,  nothing,  no,  nothing,  
nothing,  nothing  that  “[can]  separate  us  from  the  love  of  God,  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  
our  Lord.”  (Romans  8:39)  And  so  that’s  the  reason  the  Apostle  Paul  dips  his  pen  in  
golden  glory,  and  writes  Romans  chapter  8,  and  puts  in  the  middle  of  Romans  chapter  
8,  verse  18:  “For  I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  
compared  with  the  glory  which  shall  be  revealed  in  us.”  

Conclusion  
There’s  yesterday’s  curse  that  brings  bondage.  There’s  tomorrow’s  conquest  that  brings  
liberty.  And  there  is  today’s  hope  that  brings  comfort.  And  you’d  better  get  hold  of  it.  You  
better  hold  onto  it  and  know  that  there’s  nothing  that  can  separate  you  from  the  love  of  
God,  to  those  who  are  prepared  and  preserved  and  predestined  for  glory.  Bow  your  
heads  in  prayer.  
Now,  if  you’re  not  sure  that  you’re  saved,  God  brought  you  here  today  that  you  might  
be  saved.  I’ll  tell  you  there  are  millions  who  sit  in  darkness  who  would  give  a  hundred  
worlds  like  this  one  to  have  the  opportunity  that  you  have  right  now  to  give  your  heart  to  
Jesus.  I  want  to  promise  you  on  the  authority  of  the  Word  of  God  that  God  will  save  you  
today  instantaneously,  and  God  will  keep  you  eternally  if  you  will  trust  Him.  Now,  I  
cannot  do  it  for  you,  but  I  want  to  guide  you  in  this  decision,  and  I  want  to  pray  a  prayer  
called  the  sinner’s  prayer,  and  I  want  you  to  pray  it  in  your  heart.  You  may  already  be  a  
church  member.  That  doesn’t  save  you.  It’s  Jesus  that  saves.  And  if  you’ll  pray  this  
prayer  sincerely—not  just  repeating  words,  but  out  of  your  heart  pray—God  will  save  
you  today,  for  the  Bible  says,  “For  whosoever  shall  call  upon  the  name  of  Lord  shall  be  
saved.”  (Romans  10:13)  
I  invite  you  to  pray  this  way:  “Dear  God,  I  know  that  you  love  me,  and  I  know  that  
you  want  to  save  me.  Jesus,  I  believe  you’re  the  Son  of  God.  I  believe  you  paid  my  sin  
debt  with  your  blood  on  the  cross.  Thank  you  for  your  shed  blood  that  pays  for  my  sin.  I  
believe  that  God  raised  you  from  the  dead.  You  promised  to  save  me  if  I  would  trust  
you.  I  do  trust  you  right  now,  this  moment,  like  a  little  child.  I  open  my  heart.  I  receive  
you  into  my  life  as  my  Lord  and  Savior  and  Master.  I  yield  my  life  to  you,  and  I  give  it  to  
you.  Take  control  of  my  life,  and  begin  now  to  make  me  the  person  you  want  me  to  be.  
Save  me,  Lord  Jesus.”  Now,  pray  that;  pray  it  sincerely.  “Save  me,  Lord  Jesus.”  Did  you  

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ask  Him?  Were  you  sincere?  Then  pray  this  way:  “Thank  you  for  doing  it,  Jesus.  I  
receive  it  by  faith,  and  that  settles  it.  You’re  now  my  Lord,  my  Savior,  my  God,  and  my  
Friend  forever.  Now,  Lord  Jesus,  I’m  weak,  but  you’re  strong,  so  give  me  strength.  
Make  me  what  you  want  me  to  be,  and  give  me  the  courage  to  make  it  public.  Help  me  
never  to  be  ashamed  of  you,  because  you  died  for  me.  In  your  name  I  pray,  Amen.”  
Now,  look  up  here.  “Pastor  Rogers,  if  I  prayed  that  prayer,  did  Jesus  save  me?”  
Well,  it  depends.  Were  you  sincere?  “Well,  I  think  I  was  sincere,  Pastor.  How  can  I  
know?”  One  of  the  best  ways  I  know  that  you  can  show  that  you’re  sincere  is  to  make  it  
public,  for  Jesus  said,  “[If  you’ll]  confess  Me  before  men,  [I’ll]  confess  [you]…before  my  
Father…in  heaven.”  (Matthew  10:32)  He  also  said,  conversely,  “[If  you’re]  ashamed  of  
Me  and  of  my  words  [before]  this  sinful  and  adulterous  generation,  [I’ll]  be  ashamed  [of  
you]  when  [I]…[come]  in  the  glory  of  [the]  Father  with  the  holy  angels.”  (Mark  8:28)  I  
don’t  want  Jesus  to  be  ashamed  of  me  when  He  comes.  That’s  the  reason  why  if  you  
could  give  me  an  opportunity  to  stand  on  the  tallest  mountain  with  a  megaphone  and  tell  
the  world  I’d  want  to  tell  them  I  love  Jesus  Christ.  And  if  you’re  truly  trusting  Him,  here’s  
what  I  want  you  to  do.  I  want  you  to  show  it.  As  we  stand  and  sing,  I  want  you  to  leave  
your  seat  and  come  forward.  You  can  come  down  any  of  these  aisles.  Standing  at  the  
head  of  each  of  these  aisles  all  the  way  across  the  front  will  be  a  man  of  God,  a  minister  
of  this  church,  to  welcome  and  receive  you.  Now,  if  you’re  in  the  balcony,  there’ll  be  
someone  standing  under  that  banner  over  there  that  says,  “Redeemer,”  in  that  corner  or  
under  this  one  over  here  that  says,  “Messiah,”  to  welcome  those  of  you  in  the  balcony.  
And  if  you  prayed  that  prayer,  when  we  stand  and  sing,  we’re  going  to  sing,  “Lord,  I  
believe.”  You  say,  “I  do.  Lord,  I  receive.”  You  say,  “I  have.  Lord,  I  confess  you  now.”  
You  say,  “I  will,”  and  you  step  out  and  come.  That  will  help  settle  it,  and  seal  it,  shame  
the  devil,  give  glory  to  God.  I  want  you  to  do  it  today.  For  His  sake,  for  your  sake,  for  our  
sake,  don’t  be  ashamed  of  Jesus.  If  you  mean  business,  then  you  step  out  and  come.  
Others  of  you,  you  say,  “Pastor,  what  would  I  say  when  I  go  down  there?”  Say  this:  “I’m  
trusting  Jesus.”  What  will  happen,  Pastor?  Well,  we’ll  rejoice  with  you.  We’ll  give  you  
some  Scripture  to  stand  on,  answer  any  questions,  and  seal  it  in  prayer.  It  will  take  just  
a  few  moments.  You’ll  be  glad  you  did.  Others  of  you,  perhaps  you’ve  given  your  life  to  
Christ  in  your  automobile,  at  your  kitchen  sink,  in  your  bedroom,  in  your  office,  some  
other  place.  I  want  you  to  come  also  and  say  to  the  minister,  “Look.  I  know  I’ve  been  
saved.  I  want  to  make  an  appointment  for  my  baptism.  I  want  to  be  baptized  in  
obedience  to  Jesus,  and  added  to  the  fellowship  of  His  church.”  There  are  others  of  you  
here  today  who  are  saved  and  baptized.  Your  membership  is  elsewhere.  You  live  here  
and  work  here,  worship  here,  this  is  where  you’re  blessed,  and  God  speaks  to  you;;  
you’re  always  welcome  as  an  attender,  also  welcome  as  a  visitor,  but  God’s  plan  is  for  
us  to  be  a  member  of  a  local,  New  Testament  church.  If  not  this  one,  one  somewhere  

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where  you  say  not,  “That  church,”  but,  “My  church”;;  not,  “That  pastor,”  but,  “My  pastor”;;  
not,  “What  they’re  doing,”  “What  we’re  doing.”  You  need  to  be  a  part.  So  I  want  to  invite  
you,  if  you  need  a  church  home,  to  slip  out,  and  come  forward,  and  say  to  the  minister,  
“I  want  to  place  my  membership  here.”  And  he’ll  tell  you  how  you  may  do  that.  Some  
are  coming  saying,  “I’m  trusting  Christ.”  Others  are  coming  saying,  “I  want  to  make  an  
appointment  for  my  baptism.”  Others  are  coming  saying,  “I  want  to  place  my  
membership  here.”  Respectfully,  I’m  going  to  ask  that  no  one  leave  during  the  invitation  
unless  it  is  an  emergency.  Be  in  a  spirit  of  prayer.  If  you’re  with  a  friend  who  would  like  
to  come  forward,  you  can  volunteer  to  come  forward  with  him.  How  beautiful  to  see  one  
friend  bring  another  friend  to  Jesus  Christ.  Father  God,  bless  the  invitation.  Bring  the  
lost  to  Jesus.  And  help  us  all  to  be  obedient  to  you,  in  your  holy  name.  
Let’s  stand  together.  You  step  out  and  come  on  the  first  stanza.•  

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 A Biblical Response to Katrina
By Adrian Rogers
Date Preached: September 6, 2005

Main Scripture Text: Romans 8:20–28

“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”
ROMANS 8:22

Outline
Introduction  
I. The Power of Sin and the Groaning of Creation
II. The Problem of Suffering and the Groaning of the Christian
III. The Promise of Strength and the Groaning of the Comforter
Conclusion

Introduction
Chris Fabry: Welcome to Love Worth Finding with pastor, teacher, and author Dr.
Adrian Rogers. We have something a little different for you today. We’ve set aside our
normal schedule to cover some important matters as we go into this weekend. This, of
course, will be the anniversary of September 11, 2001, coming up in just a couple of
days. And in the past week or two we’ve seen the tragedy unfolding in New Orleans and
Mississippi and the rest of the Gulf Coast. We’re titling our program today “A Biblical
Response to Katrina.” Adrian Rogers answers the question “Why?” And I think that
question is on the minds of many today. Pastor, we watched in horror at what occurred
in New Orleans at the time of the hurricane and then the rescue effort in that whole
region. What was your reaction at what was going on?
Pastor: Well, I think the word horror is a good word. The word to me was, Where is
God, and where should His people be in the midst of all of this? And I was thinking so
much from heaven’s viewpoint as to what our reaction will be to that which we have no
control over and especially the reaction of the saints of God. And right away, Chris, I
had in my heart a desire to share with people from the Word of God concerning this,
because, very frankly, there is no other place to turn in a time like this but to the Word of
God.
Chris Fabry: We have something for each listener struggling with these questions
today. I’ll encourage you to listen as we continue the program, but I know that you have
a lot of thoughts and some encouragement for people who are really, really struggling,

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so take as much time as you need.
Pastor: Well, Chris, you know in the disaster that we’ve seen, we see a
manifestation of Mother Nature and human nature. And I’ve watched the reaction of
people to this horrendous tragedy, and there’ve been some who’ve just simply lowered
their head and endured in suffering and confusion. Then, next, there’ve been some who
have humbled themselves and turned to God with greater faith. And I thank God for
that. And then, our hearts have been broken as we’ve seen those who’ve turned to
rebellion and anarchy and looting and rape and murder and depravity. And it’s terrible
what happens when that thin veneer of civilization is scraped away. And then again, my
heart has been broken as I’ve seen those who have tried to merchandize misery. The
price gouging, the political finger pointing, and all of that. And then again, I have been
heartbroken as those who have blasphemed and literally cursed God. But I’ve been
blessed. There have been a lot who have done an enormous, enormous outpouring of
love, sacrifice, and personal help which shows the other side of human nature. But
there are those who’ve asked honest questions: Why? Why did God allow this?
Now, I want to share with our listeners from Romans chapter eight, and I hope that if
you’re at home with a Bible, you’ll get your Bible and open to Romans chapter eight,
and I’m going to read three verses from Romans chapter eight, and I think these three
verses as much as anything I know will speak to Katrina, will speak to the tsunami, will
speak to 9/11 and all of the other things that we have known in these recent days.
Romans chapter eight, beginning in verse: For the creature…—and, by the way, that
word creature literally is translated “for the creation,” and I’ll read it that way from now
on—For the creation was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who
hath subjected the same in hope, because the creation itself shall also be delivered
from the bondage of corruption—underscore that, the bondage of corruption—into the
glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know the whole creation groaneth and
travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have
the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the
adoption, to wit, the redemption of our bodies.
And then, the Bible says that the Holy Spirit Himself is groaning, and we’ll get to that
in a moment. But in these scriptures, the word groaning is mentioned three times. There
is the groaning of creation, there’s the groaning of the Christian, and the groaning of the
Comforter.
Now, I want our listeners to pay attention to those three groanings because I really
do believe that they unlock the mystery of all of this.

I. The Power of Sin and the Groaning of Creation

First of all, I want you to think about the power of sin and the groaning of creation.

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Remember again what the Scripture says: The creation was made subject to vanity.
And then the Bible says in verse twenty-two, We know that the whole creation groaneth
and travaileth in pain together until now.
Now, we talk lovingly about Mother Nature, but Mother Nature is not a kind goddess.
As a matter of fact, it’s time for all of these who worship nature to turn from Mother
Nature to Father God. If you look at nature, all creation is marked with sickness,
disasters, calamities, storms, fires, earthquakes. And all of creation is moaning, and
groaning, and sighing—pressed down with grief and distress, and all around us suffers
from the foul breath, the gnawing tooth, of decay. It’s easy to see that something is
wrong with this whole creation. Why? Why the confusion? Why the frustration? Why the
suffering? This word groan actually means labor pains, like a woman in labor. And when
we see these things, some people may ask question: Where’s God? Either God cares
and He has no power to do anything about it, or else He has power but He doesn’t care,
or else there’s no God at all.
Well, I want to say that God is not the creation of chaos and sin and anguish and
pain. When God made this world, He made it perfect, and He stepped back, and He
said, It is good. And God made the world perfect, and He made His creatures perfectly
free. Because He made His creatures perfectly free, He gave them the ability to choose
good or to choose evil. God can’t just force us to love Him. Forced love is a
contradiction in terms. And so, the ability to choose evil is necessary for the ability to
choose good.
So when Adam sinned, by his free choice, when he sinned, he dragged the entire
whole creation down with him. And that’s what the Bible calls here in Romans 8:21, the
bondage of corruption. You want to know, why all the suffering, the pain, the moan, the
groan? I’ll tell you why: it is because of sin.
A great Bible teacher, M. R. DeHaan II, told one time about an earthquake that hit
Mexico City in 1985. He was watching live satellite coverage. Devastation was
everywhere. At the lower left hand of the television screen was this superscription:
“Courtesy S. I. N.” That stood for the Spanish International Network. But there’s
something cryptic about that. Here is an earthquake, courtesy of sin. You can say,
Here’s a tornado, here is a hurricane, here’s a flood, here’s a mudslide, courtesy of sin.
It’s the bondage of creation.
Look around. There’s a curse on the animal kingdom. When Adam sinned, the Lord
God said to the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle,
and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat
all the days of thy life. The serpent was cursed, but all of the cattle, the animal kingdom,
was cursed.
There’s a curse on the mineral kingdom. God says in Genesis 3:17, cursed is the

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ground for thy sake. We see deserts and waste places, and earthquakes and
mudslides, and tornadoes and hurricanes and floods.
And there’s a curse on the vegetable kingdom. Genesis 3:18: Thorns also and
thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat of herb of the field. The world has
become a garden of weeds. Why, is the courtesy of sin.
But why did God put a curse upon creation? Why is there a curse upon Mother
Nature? The Bible says that God did it for our sake. Adam, cursed is the ground for thy
sake. The worst thing that could ever happen to human beings would be to live in
paradise with sinful hearts. We would never know that anything is wrong. You see, it’s
the pain and the fever that tells us that our body is sick. It would be foolish simply to
deaden the pain without dealing with the disease. And all of this suffering, all of this
pain, all of this chaos, all of this misery, is God’s reminder there is something
desperately wrong with creation and with human nature.
Now, one day—one day—there’s going to be a change. The Bible says God has
subjected the same in hope, and in verse twenty, and I thank God for that. I want to tell
all of our listeners that, one day, the desert is going to blossom as a rose. One day, the
lamb and the lion will lie down together. One day, the earth shall be filled with the
knowledge of the glory of the Lord as waters that cover the sea. That’ll be when Jesus
comes, and I’m looking forward to that. But the first thing I want us to see, and I want
our listeners to write this upon their heart: we see the power of sin and the groaning of
creation.

II. The Problem of Suffering and the Groaning of the Christian

But secondly, not only is there the power of sin, but there is the problem of suffering and
the groaning of the Christian. Listen to Romans 8:23: And not only they—he means the
creatures—but ourselves also—he’s including the Christians now—which have the
firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the
adoption, to wit, the redemption of the body. And every Christian who is listening to me
needs to understand that he is not exempt. Being saved does not mean immunity from
pain and suffering. And there are many godly people in New Orleans, and on the Gulf
Coast and other places, who have suffered along with these others. Why is that?
Because our world has a curse upon it. And it’s the world in which we live. And the virus
of sin, and the results of sin, they’re everywhere. And then, our personal bodies also
bear the curse of Adam’s sin.
Now, we’re not in the image of God precisely. It was Adam that was in the image of
God. But that image of God was marred in Adam. The Bible says that Adam brought
forth a son after his likeness and in his image. Now, what I’m trying to say is this: that
we have been born out of a polluted gene pool. And the marks of sin are in our body.

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And because of that we suffer. Now, God, in mercy, allows this tribulation. Cursed is the
ground for thy sake.
Now, we’re in the book of Romans chapter eight. I’d like for our listeners to go back
to Romans five, verses one through five. Listen to it: Therefore being justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access
by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God—
now, if it just ended there, we we’d love it, but it doesn’t end there—and not only so, but
we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience,
experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of
God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which God, which is given unto us.
And there God says that not only do we have this peace but we have tribulation. They
exist side by side. And the word tribulation literally means “pressure.” It referred to the
crushing of grapes in the wine press, and olives in the oil press. And what God is
looking for is the oil and the wine of Christian character. And, therefore, God allows
tribulation.
My friend, it takes pressure to make something beautiful out of a life. And the
conflicts that we face, all of us, we need to see them not as obstacles, but as
opportunities. A diamond is a lump of coal that has stayed under pressure. Now, we
may not understand all the ways of God, but God is in control. And take the word luck
and the word fate out of your vocabulary. They don’t belong there. And put the word
faith and trust in their places—and providence there. You know there are so many
Christians who fail to understand that tribulation is a part of life—whether you are saved
or whether you’re lost. We also which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we groan because
of this tribulation. And friend, it’s a false gospel that says, if we come to Christ, there’ll
be no adversity, no misfortune, no persecution, or pain.
Here’s what the apostle Paul said about himself in 2 Corinthians chapter four,
beginning in verse eight: We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are
perplexed, but not in despair; we are persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not
destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life
also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. Now, what is Paul saying? He’s
saying, Look, there’s trouble on every side. Are you saved? You are? I’m happy. Are
you better than the apostle Paul? You are not going to get out of this world unscathed.
Tribulation is there to teach us patience.
Now, a crisis like this storm doesn’t make a person. It reveals what the person is
made of. The same sun that melts the ice is going to harden the clay. The word
patience that Paul used here is the word for endurance or perseverance. As a matter of
fact, one translation gives it: “It brings about tribulation, brings about perseverance.”
Another translation, “Produces endurance.” What kind of endurance is this? It is that

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courageous endurance that enables us to keep on going without quitting.
Precious friend, if you’ve been through some kind of tribulation—this storm or
anything else—stay true to God. Don’t quit. Endure. Winston Churchill reminds us that a
bulldog’s nose is pointed backward so he can continue to breathe while he still holds on.
That’s what I want you to do, and, friend, you’re not a failure until you quit. William
Barclay has described this kind of endurance and patience in this way—listen to him: It
is not the patience that can sit down and bow its head and let things descend upon it
and passively endure until the storm has passed. It is the spirit that can bear things not
simply with resignation, but with blazing hope. It is not the spirit that sits statically
enduring in one place, but the spirit that bears things, because it knows that these
things are leading to a goal of glory. It is not patience that grimly waits for the end, but
patience which radiantly hopes for the dawn.
Now, as a Christian, you’re going to suffer, and there’s going to be tribulation, and
that’s going to work patience or endurance in your heart and in your life. I wish I could
tell you there’s an easy way, a lazy way, to escape this, but there is none. Jesus said
plainly, finally, without a shadow of a doubt, in this world you will have tribulation. Now,
what can you do? Well you can retreat. You can try to run away. Buy a plane ticket.
Take a pill. Turn up a bottle. Stick in the needle. Take a gun and kill yourself. Drop out.
Give up. That’s retreat. Don’t do it.
Or you can resent. You can complain against God and shake your fist in the face of
God. You can become critical, even blaspheme God. But don’t do it. You can resign and
just throw in the towel and give up. Don’t do it! Don’t give way to discouragement and
despondency. You can retreat, resent, resign. But you need to rely. Depend upon the
Lord Jesus Christ, and say with Job, Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. And
remember that Romans 8:24 says, We are saved by hope. Thank God there is hope.
What is hope? Hope is faith in the future tense.
Now, in a dark world of despair, there shines the bright star of hope from an empty
tomb. It is Easter that can turn every hurt into a hallelujah, every tear to a pearl, every
midnight to a sunrise, and every Calvary to a resurrection. There is hope.

III. The Promise of Strength and the Groaning of the Comforter

Now, the third thing in this marvelous passage is not only the groaning of creation and
the groaning of the Christian. But there is the promise of strength and the groaning of
the comforter. Now, I begin reading Romans 8:26: Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our
infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself
maketh intercession for us—now, listen to this—with groanings which cannot be uttered.
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he—
the dear Holy Spirit—maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

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 Friends, are you listening? There is the groaning of creation. There is the groaning
of the Christian. But, thank God, there is the groaning of the Comforter. We don’t have
to bear our groanings alone. The Spirit within us is actually praying for us in agonizing
longings which can never find words. Now, you see, listen. God enters into our suffering
with us. God does not spare us from the furnace of affliction. He joins us in it. But
whether He should spare, or whether He would share, we know He’s there. And
hallelujah for the Holy Spirit of God within my heart and your heart.
You know sometimes in tragedy, we don’t know how to pray. We’re almost numb.
Sometimes we are inarticulate. We pray until we’re out of breath. All we can do is just
simply sigh and groan. That’s when God steps in. That’s when the dear Holy Spirit of
God says, He needs help! She needs help! And He intercedes for us.
You know, that word, the Spirit helps, is only used one other time in the Bible. It is
used when Martha was complaining about Mary—two sisters that loved Jesus. Martha
was a homemaker. And Mary was deep in her devotional life. And Martha was in the
kitchen working, and Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus. And Martha came out with
flour up to her elbows out of the kitchen. Of course I’m just reading into that part of it.
But she put her hands on her hips—I can see it in my mind—and she says to Jesus,
Jesus, tell Mary to come help me. That’s the same word that’s used here when the Bible
says, He helps our infirmities. That means, tell Mary to bear her part of the load. I want
to tell you, the Holy Spirit of God is there to help you bear that part of the load. It’s the
Holy Spirit that inspires and guides and energizes and sustains our praying. And when
we don’t know how to pray, or what to pray for, thank God the Holy Spirit of God is
interceding.
And, precious friend, if you’ve been through the storm, if you’re in the storm, or going
into a storm, thank God there’s one Who groans for you, the Comforter. And the word
comforter literally means “with strength.” Com, meaning “with,” fort, which means
“strength” — like a fortress. And so, He’s there. God is there for you. You say, well, I
don’t understand it all. Friend, you don’t have to understand it. He does. We live by
promises, and not by explanations.
There is the power of sin and the groaning of creation. There is the problem of
suffering and the groaning of the Christian. But there is the promise of strength and the
groaning of the Spirit. And you can just take all of it, and arch the rainbow of hope over
it, and write down Romans 8:28: And we know that all things work together for good to
them that love God, who are called according to his purpose.

Conclusion
Now, as I just bring this to a conclusion, let me tell you, friend, trust the Lord. He is still
in control. Lean hard on Him. Secondly, find somebody to help. Show the love of Jesus

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to all that you meet. Everybody that you meet, whether they’ve been in the storm or not,
is hurting someway. Thirdly, pray and look for Jesus to come. All of these calamities are
signs of His coming. One day, the curse is going to be lifted, and, hallelujah, the groans
will be gone. And, finally, if you’ve never really trusted Jesus Christ, precious friend,
come to Him in faith. Jesus died for a groaning creation; and for the curse of those
thorns that came after the Garden of Eden Jesus wore a crown of thorns. For the curse
of the sweat that was on Adam’s brow Jesus would sweat blood. And for the curse of
the dust of death that Adam entered into Jesus laid down His life in the dust of death for
us. And I can promise you—listen, friend—I can promise you that our dear Savior is not
a casual spectator to your trouble. He’s knocking at your heart’s door, and He wants to
come in.
And if you would pray and say, Lord Jesus, I need You. I want You. Come into my
heart. Forgive my sin. Cleanse me. Save me and help me to trust in You through all of
this problem. And thank you, dear Spirit of God, that You will make groanings and
intercessions for me because I need you so much. Save me, Lord Jesus. Friend, pray it,
say it, and mean it. And may God bless us all in these tragic days.
Chris Fabry: Pastor Rogers, you have explained, Pastor Rogers, you’ve answered
this question of why in the message. I want to ask you a personal question. I’ve heard
the story of a family invited to a church to be basically rescued from the evacuation of
their area, and they didn’t want to go to a church because they were upset with God that
He would let this happen. What would you say to that family?
Pastor: I would say they’ve been completely duped by the devil. Well, let me say
this. If a person does not come to the Lord, they have lined up with the enemy. And why
would I line up with the one who has hurt me? God is not the one who hurts. The Bible
says, The thief comes but to kill to steal and to destroy. And Jesus said, I’ve come that
you might have life and have it abundantly. Why would a person line up with the one
who has hurt them? Had there been no Satan, there’s no sin. No sin, no suffering. I
choose God. I’m coming to the answer no to the perpetrator. And it’s just a shame that
these people can be so deceived. But they eventually, when they see the love of Christ
through Christians, many of them will be changed and will repent of this rebellion that
they have right now.
Chris Fabry: You know, one of the things that I see on television that really hasn’t
been highlighted is the response of the church. And there are believers all around this
country who are getting involved, and who are praying, and who are giving, and who are
reaching out with God’s love to people who have basically no hope other than someone
getting involved.
Pastor: Well I agree 100%, Chris. You know, the government has to do what it can
do, but one thing government cannot do is make us good. Only government can guard

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and protect us, but the government cannot make us good. There’s not a law on Earth
that can make you love me. So I have to have one to keep you from killing me. You see,
we hear people say, You can’t legislate morality. Well, they’re right. So therefore, we
legislate against immorality. We legislate against stealing and killing and these things.
But only God can make us good, and, therefore, in this time of tribulation and trouble,
thank God for the government. But, oh, friend we’re the ones that have the answer, the
message of hope and love, and I think this can be the church’s finest hour.
Chris Fabry: There are many who say New Orleans will never be the same; the Gulf
Coast will never be the same. And part of me thinks that’s true, and I hope it is true,
because there need to be changes in our lives, and we need to get our priorities
straight, don’t we?
Pastor: Well, indeed we do. There’s something about a storm like this that humbles
us all. We realize in spite of our vaulted ingenuity, our cyclotrons, our computers, our
philosophers, and our government, here comes a storm, and we cannot stop it. And this
teaches us that we are not sovereign in this world. And, whether or not we like it, or
think God should allow it, we must come to the bottom line, and it is because of sin, and
we live in a sinful world. There are some people that say, Well, why should I suffer for
Adam’s sin? Well, forget Adam; you’ve sinned. Is there’s anybody who hasn’t sinned?
And of course we all know that we have. And I thank God for the fact that by one man
sin entered into the world, because, hallelujah, thank God, by one Man, Jesus, there is
an answer. And so, I don’t mind a one-man condemnation, if I can have a one-man
salvation.
Chris Fabry: Pastor Rogers, you have answered the question of why through the
Scripture. I want to give you the personal slant on that, and it would be this: a family
who was evacuated from the area was so upset at what had happened, so upset at
God, that when a church reached out to them and wanted them their services, they said
no, we don’t want any part of this, because it was God who did this to us. Come
alongside that family. What would you say to them?
Pastor: Well, I think that is tragic, and while I can understand humanly their thinking,
it is a flawed thinking. You know, one time Joyce and I had a heartache that was
horrendous in our family. We lost a little baby. The baby died, and one of those sudden
crib deaths. And I had been visiting the hospital days before that and was witnessing to
a man, and when I came back shortly after the funeral of our baby boy, the man looked
at me, and he said, What are you doing here? Are you still serving God after what He
did to you? I said, Oh, friend, I’m serving God all the more, because I’m not lining up
with the enemy. The enemy is Satan. He came to steal and to kill and to destroy. Had
there been no Satan, no sin, there’d have been no death. And do you think that now I’m
going to line up with the enemy? Satan has a greater foe than he’s ever had before, and

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Jesus is the only One who has the answer to sin and sorrow and death. And I’m giving
my heart to Him in a richer fuller way than I ever have before. And I would hope that
friends like this would not turn from the Lord and dishonor Him by failing to turn to Him,
but use this as an opportunity to come to Him in a richer fuller way than ever before.
Chris Fabry: There are some who look at the situations in our world like this and say,
well, there it is; that proves that we’re in the end times. How do you respond to that?
Pastor: No, it doesn’t prove that we’re in the end times, but it certainly is an
indication that we may be. This word groaning that we used in our message is a word
for childbirth, labor pains, and we believe that something is about to come forth. And,
you know, when labor pains intensify, and when they concentrate, you know you’re
getting closer to the delivery. And what we’re seeing now, the signs of the times, you
know earthquakes and fires and floods and tribulation, we’ve always had those things,
but now it seems they are intensified, and they are closer together, and I believe that we
may be very, very, very close to the coming of Jesus. And all of these Scriptures that I
have shared from Romans eight mention the word hope—hope, hope. God subjected
the same in hope. And we must never lose sight of the blessed hope which is the
Second Coming of Jesus.

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  How  to  Pray  in  the  Spirit    
By  Adrian  Rogers  
Sermon  Date:    January  26,  1997    
Main  Scripture  Text:    Romans  8:26–27  

Outline  
Introduction  
I. The  Activation  of  Our  Will
II. The  Animation  of  Our  Bodies
III. The  Adaptation  of  Our  Requests
IV. The  Administration  of  Our  Access
V. The  Articulation  of  Our  Words
VI. The  Enunciation  of  Our  Confidence
VII. The  Amplification  of  Our  Victory
Conclusion

Introduction  
Turn  to  Romans  chapter  8  and  a  classic  verse  on  praying  in  the  Spirit—Romans  chapter  
8,  verses  26  and  27.    
And,  as  you’re  turning  to  that,  let  me  say  that  prayer  is  the  greatest  Christian  
privilege.  Secondly,  prayer  is  the  greatest  Christian  service.  Thirdly,  alas,  prayer  is  the  
greatest  Christian  failure.  I  think  that  we  fail  more  in  our  prayer  life  than  in  most  any  
other  place.  If  I  were  to  ask  you,  one  by  one,  are  you  satisfied  with  your  prayer  life,  most  
of  us  would  hang  our  heads  and  say  no.  Now,  the  reason  for  that  is  that  we’re  in  a  battle  
with  the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil,  that  do  not  want  us  to  pray.  Many  of  us  have  the  
problem  of  indifference.  We  really  don’t  want  to  pray.  Some  of  us  have  the  problem  of  
ignorance.  We  don’t  know  how  to  pray  or  what  to  pray  for.  Some  of  us—that’s  the  
problem  with  our  inability.  We  do  not  have  the  energy  and  the  strength  to  pray.  Some  of  
us  have  problems  with  language.  We  don’t  know  how  to  form  and  articulate  our  prayers.  
Some  of  us  have  problems  with  satanic  attack.  When  we  endeavor  to  pray,  the  devil  
comes  in  to  invade  our  minds  and  to  draw  away  our  attention.  And  many  of  us  have  
some  of  these,  or  all  of  these,  that  cause  us,  sometimes,  to  fail  to  pray  as  we  ought.  
Now,  God  knows  this,  and  so,  God  has  given  someone  to  help  us  in  our  prayer  life.  And  
that  someone  is  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God.  
Look  in  verse  26:  “Likewise  the  Spirit  also  helpeth  our  infirmities—that’s  our  
weaknesses—for  we  know  not  what  we  should  pray  for  as  we  ought:  but  the  Spirit  itself  
maketh  intercession  for  us  with  groanings  which  cannot  be  uttered.  And  he  that  

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searcheth  the  hearts  knoweth  what  is  the  mind  of  the  Spirit,  for  he—the  Spirit—maketh  
intercession  for  the  saints  according  to  the  will  of  God.”  Oh,  what  a  great,  great  text  that  
is.  And  may  God  help  us  to  understand  it.  
Now,  this  is  one  of  several  texts  in  the  Bible  that  teaches  that  we’re  to  pray  in  the  
Spirit.  For  example,  another  one  is  Ephesians  chapter  6,  verse  18.  The  apostle  Paul  
admonishes  the  church  at  Ephesus  to  be  praying  “…always  with  all  prayer  and  
supplication  in  the  Spirit.”  Now,  he’s  not  talking  about  spirited  praying.  He’s  not  talking  
about  praying  with  energy,  as  we  say,  “That’s  the  spirit.”  No,  he’s  talking  about  in  the  
Spirit.  He’s  talking  about  in  the  Holy  Spirit.    
And  then,  in  that  classic  verse,  in  Jude  verse  20:  “But  ye,  beloved,  building  up  
yourselves  on  your  most  holy  faith,  praying  in  the  Holy  Ghost”—praying  in  the  Holy  
Ghost.  To  pray  in  the  flesh  is  to  fail.  To  pray  in  the  Spirit  is  to  succeed.  Now,  when  I  say  
the  flesh,  I  don’t  mean  the  hide,  the  hair,  the  skin,  the  bones,  the  muscle,  the  sinew,  the  
corpuscle  that  make  up  the  house  that  you  live  in.  The  flesh  is  just  another  word  for  the  
old  nature.  To  pray  in  the  flesh  is  to  fail.  To  pray  in  the  Spirit  is  to  succeed.    
Have  you  ever  wondered  why  the  early  church  was  able  to  do  what  it  did?  That  early  
church  advanced  on  its  knees.  They  were  mighty  in  power  because  they  were  mighty  in  
prayer.  And  they  were  mighty  in  prayer  because  they  were  filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit.    
Now,  in  our  message  today  I  want  to  mention  to  you  seven  ways—and  all  of  them  
are  found  right  here  in  the  8th  chapter  of  the  book  of  Romans—seven  ways  that  the  
Holy  Spirit  of  God  will  help  you  in  your  prayer  life.  And  then,  we’ll  see  the  necessity  not  
only  to  be  saved,  but  to  be  filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit.  

I. The  Activation  of  Our  Will

Now,  number  one:  The  Holy  Spirit  works  in  the  activation  of  your  will  to  pray—the  
activation  of  your  will  in  prayer.  Look  now  in  Romans  chapter  8,  verses  5  through  7:  “For  
they  that  are  after  the  flesh—that  is,  the  old  Adamic  nature—for  they  that  are  after  the  
flesh  do  mind  the  things  of  the  flesh;;  but  they  that  are  after  the  Spirit  the  things  of  the  
Spirit.  For  to  be  carnally  minded…—that’s  just  another  way  of  saying  fleshly  minded.  
Carnus  is  the  Latin  word  for  flesh.  A  carnivorous  animal  is  a  flesh-­eating  animal—For  to  
be  carnally  minded  is  death;;  but  to  be  spiritually  minded  is  life  and  peace.”  Now,  do  you  
wonder  sometimes  why  you  don’t  want  to  pray?  Here  it  is  in  verse  7:  “Because  the  
carnal  mind  is  enmity  against  God:  for  it  is  not  subject  to  the  law  of  God,  neither  indeed  
can  be.  So  then  they  that  are  in  the  flesh  cannot  please  God.”  That’s  the  reason  I  said  
to  pray  in  the  flesh  is  to  fail.  To  pray  in  the  Spirit  is  to  succeed.  We  might  as  well  admit  
it:  most  of  us  do  not  pray  when  we  do  not  pray  because  we  do  not  want  to  pray.  We  do  
not  want  to  pray.  Now,  be  reasonable—be  reasonable.  Don’t  we  do  what  we  want  to  

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do?  Now,  think  with  me.  Don’t  we  do  what  we  want  to  do?  Why  is  it  that  we  don’t  want  
to  pray?  Because,  friend,  the  flesh  doesn’t  like  it.  And  so,  when  we  don’t  want  to  pray,  
what  does  that  tell  us?  It  tells  us  that  we’re  carnally  minded  rather  than  spiritually  
minded.  Look  again  in  verse  7:  “Because  the  carnal  mind  is  enmity  against  God…”  The  
carnal  mind  has  no  more  desire  to  pray  than  your  dog  has  to  watch  opera.  I’m  telling  
you,  there’s  something  in  us  in  that  old  nature  that  not  only  doesn’t  want  to  pray;;  it  has  
an  antipathy  toward  prayer.  And  we  need  to  stop  trying  to  cover  it  up,  and  admit  it,  that  
the  reason  that  we  don’t  pray  when  we  don’t  pray  is  we  don’t  want  to  pray.  And  the  
reason  we  don’t  want  to  pray  is  we’re  in  the  flesh  rather  than  the  Spirit.  Now,  you  get  
Spirit-­filled,  and  you’ll  have  to  backslide  to  keep  from  praying.  I’m  telling  you,  the  Holy  
Spirit  of  God  will  activate  your  will  in  prayer.  
Now,  let  me  show  you  how  that  happens.  Look,  if  you  will,  in  chapter  8  and  verse  15:  
“For  we  have  not  received  the  spirit  of  bondage  again  to  fear—we’re  no  longer  slaves,  
you  see—but  you  have  received  the  Spirit  of  adoption…”—now,  the  Spirit  of  adoption  is  
the  Holy  Spirit  that  puts  us  in  the  body  of  Christ.  And  when  you  receive  the  Spirit  of  
adoption,  God  becomes  your  Father.  And  then  what  happens?—“…whereby  we  cry,  
Abba,  Father.”  You  see,  what  happens  is  when  you  are  filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit,  that  
Spirit  in  you  recognizes  God  is  your  Father,  and  it  is  the  natural  thing  for  the  Spirit-­filled  
person  to  say,  “Father,  Abba,  Father,”  to  worship  Him  and  to  praise  Him.    
Let  me  give  you  another  verse  that  says  exactly  the  same  thing  in  another  place.  In  
Galatians  chapter  4  and  verse  6,  and  here’s  what  Paul  says:  “And  because  you  are  
sons,  God  has  sent  forth  the  Spirit  of  His  Son  into  your  hearts,  crying  Abba,  Father.”    
Question:  Did  Jesus  love  to  pray?  Yes.  Was  it  natural  for  Jesus  to  pray?  Yes.  Who  is  
the  Holy  Spirit?  That’s  the  Spirit  of  God’s  Son.  If  the  Holy  Spirit  is  in  your  heart  and  in  
control  of  your  life,  then  what  will  happen?  You  will  have  the  nature  of  Jesus.  You  will  be  
like  Jesus.  And  just  as  it  was  normal  and  natural  for  Jesus  to  pray  to  God  the  Father  
and  to  say,  “Abba,  Father,”  it  will  be  normal  and  natural  for  you.  You  will  want  to  pray.  
Listen  to  it  again.  “And  because  you  are  sons—that  means  because  you’ve  been  born  
again.  You’re  in  God’s  family—God  has  sent  forth  the  Spirit  of  His  Son—that’s  the  Spirit  
of  Jesus—into  your  hearts,  crying  Abba,  Father.”    
You  see,  when  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  is  in  you,  and  you’re  yielded  to  the  Spirit,  
you’re  not  walking  in  the  flesh.  It  is  as  normal  as  breathing  to  pray  to  God.  This  is  the  
answer  to  the  problem  of  a  lack  of  appetite  for  prayer.  What  does  the  Holy  Spirit  do?  His  
ministry  is  the  activation  of  the  will  in  prayer.  And,  you  see,  we’re  not  just  taking  
ourselves  by  the  nape  of  the  neck  and  making  ourselves  pray  as  a  discipline,  though,  
indeed,  if  it  takes  that,  we  ought  to  do  it.  But  Philippians  3,  verse  13,  says,  “For  it  is  God  
that  worketh  in  you  both  to  will  and  to  do  of  His  good  pleasure.”  You  get  filled  with  the  

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Holy  Spirit,  you’ll  want  to  pray.  Let  me  say  that  again.  When  you  get  filled  with  the  Holy  
Spirit,  you  will  want  to  pray.  So,  if  you  don’t  have  a  desire  to  pray,  admit  it.  The  carnal  
mind  is  enmity  with  God.  Got  it?  That’s  the  first  ministry  of  the  Holy  Spirit—praying  in  
the  Spirit.  It  is  the  activation  of  our  wills.  “It  is  God  that  worketh  in  you  both  to  will  and  to  
do  of  His  good  pleasure.”  Got  it?  Got  it!  
Now,  let  me  tell  you  what  else  the  Holy  Spirit  will  do.  Not  only  the  activation  of  our  
wills,  but  the  animation  of  our  bodies—the  animation  of  our  bodies  in  prayer.  When  you  
pray,  do  you  ever  get  tired,  sleepy,  lazy,  can’t  concentrate,  your  mind  gather  wool?  How  
many  of  you?  Let  me  see  your  hands.  Come  on.  Bunch  of…  you  know  it’s  true.  If  you’ve  
ever  prayed,  you  get  sleepy,  you  get  groggy,  your  mind  goes  out  the  door  and  around  
the  world,  and  you  get  to  thinking  about  all  kinds  of  things.  Why  is  that?  Because  not  
only  do  we  have  a  problem  with  our  wills;;  we  have  difficulty  with  our  bodies.  

II. The  Animation  of  Our  Bodies

But  do  you  know  what  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  will  do?  Not  only  will  He  activate  your  
will,  but  He  will  animate  your  body.  Now,  I’m  not  saying  that  every  time  you’re  tired,  not  
that  you’re  sinning,  or  that  you’re  out  of  the  will  of  God.  There  is  a  legitimate  rest.  And  
Jesus  said  to  His  disciples,  “Come  ye  apart  and  rest  a  while.”  And  I  read  where  Jesus  
was  so  sleepy  one  time  He  went  to  sleep  in  the  midst  of  a  storm  in  a  sea.  There’s  
nothing  wrong  with  physical  tiredness.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  it’s  good  to  get  tired  and  get  a  
good  night’s  sleep.  But,  folks,  I’m  telling  you  that  sometimes  you  can  go  to  pray  and  get  
too  yawny  and  sleepy  and  your  mind  will  get  so  fuzzy,  and  then  a  football  game  will  
come  on,  and  you’re  all  awake.  Where’s  the  problem?  Your  problem  there  is  not  
physical.  The  devil  has  teamed  up  with  your  flesh  to  keep  you  from  praying.    
Do  you  remember  what  happened  there  in  the  Garden  of  Gethsemane?  Matthew  
chapter  26,  verses  40  and  41.  And  Jesus  had  asked  His  disciples  to  watch  and  pray,  
and  the  Bible  says,  “And  he  cometh  unto  the  disciples,  and  findeth  them  asleep,  and  
said  unto  Peter,  What,  could  ye  not  watch  with  me  one  hour?  Watch  and  pray,  lest  ye  
enter  into  temptation.”  And  then,  notice  what  He  said.  Listen  to  this:  “The  spirit  is  willing,  
but  what?  the  flesh  is  weak.”  So  what  do  you  need?  You  need  help.  You  need  help.  It  is  
the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  that  is  willing  to  help  you  to  pray  in  these  times.  Now,  what  the  
Holy  Spirit  of  God  will  do  is  refresh  your  bodies.    
You’re  in  Romans  chapter  8.  Look,  if  you  will,  in  verses  10  and  11:  “And  if  Christ  be  
in  you,  the  body  is  dead  because  of  sin…”—what  does  that  mean?  It  means  you’ve  
been  crucified  with  Christ,  and  because  of  your  sin,  that  sin  was  carried  to  the  cross—
“…but  the  Spirit  is  life  because  of  righteousness.”  Not  only  did  Jesus  give  Himself  for  
you;  He  gave  Himself  to  you.  So  when  He  gave  Himself  for  you,  the  body  is  dead  

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because  of  sin.  But  when  He  gave  Himself  to  you,  the  Spirit  is  life  because  of  
righteousness.  Now,  look,  if  you  will,  in  verse  11:  “But  if  the  Spirit  of  him  that  raised  up  
Jesus  from  the  dead  dwell  in  you,  he  that  raised  up  Christ  from  the  dead  shall  also  
quicken  your  mortal  bodies  by  his  Spirit  that  dwelleth  in  you.”  Quicken  your  mortal  
bodies—that  is,  give  you  vitality,  give  you  energy,  give  you  power.  I’m  not  talking  about  
keeping  you  from  your  legitimate  rest,  because  He  also  giveth  His  beloved  sleep.  I’m  
talking  about  energizing  you  when  you  need  the  power  to  do  the  will  of  God.  When  the  
Spirit  is  willing  and  the  flesh  is  weak,  when  you  yield  to  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God,  He  will  do  
that.  It  is  obvious  that  Jesus  was  not  expecting  Peter,  James,  and  John  to  be  asleep  in  
the  Garden  of  Gethsemane.  And  the  reason  that  they  were  is  they  were  in  the  flesh  and  
they  were  not  in  the  Spirit.  I  know  from  personal  experience  that  when  I  yield  myself  in  
these  times  when  my  mind  wanders,  and  I  get  all  groggy  and  distracted,  when  I  yield  
myself  to  the  Holy  Spirit,  I  get  energized.    
Let  me  give  you  an  example  of  what  I’m  talking  about  from  the  life  of  Jesus.  The  
Bible  says  that  Jesus  was  on  a  journey  to  Galilee,  and  He  must  needs  go  through  
Samaria.  It  was  a  torturous  trek.  They  did  not  go  by  airplane  or  bus  or  automobile.  And  
Jesus,  about  the  halfway  point  in  His  journey,  is  tired.  He  comes  to  a  place  called  
Sychar.  He’s  tired,  hot,  thirsty,  hungry,  and  He  is  sitting  on  the  curbing  of  that  well.  And  
then,  there’s  this  opportunity  for  ministry.  This  Samaritan  woman  that  we  spoke  about  a  
few  Sundays  ago,  if  you  remember,  came  and  met  the  Lord  Jesus  there,  and  Jesus  
ministered  to  her.  When  the  disciples  came  back,  they  found  Jesus  refreshed.  They  had  
gone  into  the  city  for  groceries  to  feed  Him,  to  give  Him  energy,  to  give  Him  strength.  
And  they  came  back,  Scotty,  and  they  found  Him  full  of  energy,  full  of  vitality.  They  said,  
“Who  gave  Him  something  to  eat?  Who’s  been  ministering  to  Him?”  You  know  what  He  
said?  He  said,  “I  have  food  to  eat  you  don’t  know  anything  about.”  What  happened?  The  
Holy  Spirit  of  God  had  energized  the  body  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  And  the  Holy  Spirit  
of  God  will  energize  your  body  and  refresh  you  and  to  help  you.  Let’s  see  how  He  does  
it.  
Look,  if  you  will,  now  in  verse  26  of  this  same  passage:  “Likewise  the  Spirit  also  
helpeth  our  infirmities…”  That  literally  means  our  weaknesses.  Now,  look  up  here  and  
let  me  tell  you  something.  You  ought  to  accept  and  confess  your  weakness.  Don’t  deny  
it.  I’ll  tell  you,  the  first  reason  you  ought  to  do  it,  because  it’s  a  fact.  The  Bible  declares  
it.  Our  weakness.  Our  infirmity.  Okay?  It’s  a  fact.  Got  it?  Admit  it.  Number  two:  It’s  an  
access.  You  say,  “No,  my  weakness  is  a  liability.”  No!  Your  weakness  is  an  access.  
What  did  God  tell  the  apostle  Paul  in  11  Corinthians  chapter  12,  verse  9?  He  says,  “And  
he  said  unto  him,  My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee;  for  my  strength,  my  strength  is  made  
perfect  in  weakness.”  You  see,  our  problem  many  times  is  not  that  we’re  too  weak;  our  

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problem  is  we’re  not  yet  weak  enough.  We  have  never  finally  said,  “Lord,  I  can’t.  I  don’t  
have  what  it  takes.”  And  we’re  still  struggling.  But,  folks,  when  you  come  to  the  end  of  
your  strength,  and  then  you  appropriate  His  strength,  then  you  understand  how  He  will  
not  only,  activate  your  will,  but  He  will  animate  your  body.  You  see,  God’s  plan  is  to  
deliver  us  from  self-­sufficiency  and  cast  ourselves  upon  His  sufficiency,  so  He  makes  us  
perpetually  weak  that  we  might  be  perpetually  strong.    
This  word  helpeth,  it’s  a  very  interesting  word,  in  verse  26.  It  has  a  double  prefix  in  
the  Greek  language.  On  the  one  hand,  it  means  to  take  hold  of.  The  only  other  time  it  
was  used  is  when  Martha  came  out  of  the  kitchen,  and  said,  concerning  Mary,  her  
sister,  “Jesus,  would  You  tell  her  to  come  in  the  kitchen  and  help  me—come  in  here  and  
get  her  hands  in  the  kitchen  and  help  me  with  these  pots  and  pans?”  It  means  “to  take  
hold  of,”  and  it  also  means  “instead  of.”  That’s  very  interesting.  That’s  the  way  the  Holy  
Spirit  of  God  helps  us—together  with  and  instead  of.  That’s  what  it  means.  Together  
with—  to  take  hold  of—  together  with  and  instead  of.  Now,  this  is  not  a  contradiction.    
So,  when  you’re  praying  in  the  Spirit,  who  is  praying:  you  or  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  in  
you?  The  answer  is  yes—yes.  The  Holy  Spirit  of  God  is  praying  instead  of  you,  but  He  
is  praying  together  with  you.  You  cannot  do  it  without  Him;;  He  will  not  do  it  without  you.  
Oh,  what  a  partnership  and  what  a  privilege  to  pray  with  the  Holy  Spirit!  You  see,  the  
Holy  Spirit  of  God  wants  to  think  through  our  minds.  He  wants  to  speak  through  our  lips.  
He  wants  to  weep  through  our  eyes.  He  wants  to  groan  through  our  spirits.  It  is  the  Holy  
Spirit  in  the  human  spirit  together  with  and  instead  of.  

III. The  Adaptation  of  Our  Requests

Now,  here’s  a  third  thing  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  does  in  our  prayers.  First  of  all,  there  
is  the  activation  of  our  wills.  Secondly,  there  is  the  animation  of  our  bodies.  Thirdly,  
there  is  the  adaptation  of  our  requests—the  adaptation  of  our  requests.  You  know,  
another  problem  is  that  sometimes  we  just  don’t  know  what  to  pray  for,  as  we  ought.  
Look  again  in  verse  26:  “Likewise  also  the  Spirit  helpeth  our  infirmities:  for  we  know  not  
what  we  should  pray  for  as  we  ought…”  You  know,  a  lot  of  times  we  just  don’t  know  
what  to  ask  for.  But  look,  if  you  will,  in  chapter  8,  verse  14:  “But  as  many  as  are  led  by  
the  Spirit  of  God,  they  are  the  sons  of  God.”  We  don’t  know  what  to  ask  for,  but  the  Holy  
Spirit  of  God  knows  what  to  ask  for.  And  so,  what  He  does  is,  He  adapts  our  prayers.    
You  see,  we  all  have  specific  duties  for  prayer.  I  know  that  I  ought  to  pray  for  my  
wife.  I  know  I  ought  to  pray  for  these  men  on  the  platform.  I  do  pray  for  them.  I  know  I  
ought  to  pray  for  you  as  a  congregation,  and  so  forth.  I  have  certain  responsibilities.  But  
there  are  many  things  I  don’t  know  whether  I  ought  to  pray  for  them  or  not.  I  mean,  I  
can’t  pray  for  everything.  If  I  tried  to  pray  for  everything,  I’d  end  up  not  praying  for  

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anything.  My  prayer,  rather  than  being  a  mighty  river,  would  become  a  stagnant  swamp.  
In  order  for  prayer  to  be  effective,  it  must  be  elective.  And  even  when  we  know  what  to  
pray  for,  we  don’t  know  what  to  pray  in  the  specific  thing.    
Suppose  you  have  a  loved  one  who’s  sick.  How  are  you  going  to  pray  for  that  loved  
one?  “Lord,  heal  them.”  Well,  yes.  But  what  if  God  wants  to  take  them  to  heaven?  I  
mean,  you  know  what  Jesus  prayed  in  John  17?  “Father,  I  pray  for  them  whom  thou  
hast  given  me  that  they  may  be  with  me  where  I  am;;  that  they  may  behold  my  glory.”  
We’re  praying,  “Lord,  let  them  stay.”  Jesus  is  praying,  “Father,  let  them  come.”  Do  you  
ever  think  about  that?  You  get  in  an  average  Baptist  prayer  meeting.  How  many  people  
are  praying  for  the  unsaved?  Most  people  are  praying  for  the  sick.  And  they’re  praying  
not  only  for  the  sick;;  they’re  praying  for  sick  saints.  They’re  praying  for  Aunt  Bessie  
who’s  one  of  the  finest  Christians  in  the  church.  They’re  praying  for  Deacon  Jones,  saint  
of  God:  “Lord,  heal  him.”  And  God  sometimes  directs  our  prayers  that  way.  But  have  
you  ever  noticed  that  sometimes  we’re  more  interested  in  keeping  the  saints  out  of  
heaven  than  the  lost  out  of  hell?  Have  you  ever  noticed  the  way  we  pray  sometimes?  
We’re  not  agonizing  to  get  the  lost  saved.  How  do  we  pray?  Sometimes  we  don’t  know  
how  to  pray.  Admit  it.  We  don’t  know  what  to  pray  for.  And  then,  we  don’t  know  how  to  
pray,  when  we  know  what  to  pray  for.  
When  the  apostle  Paul  was  making  havoc  of  the  church,  before  he  was  the  apostle  
Paul,  he  was  the  persecutor  of  the  church.  His  name  was  Saul.  And  he  was  having  
Christians  put  to  death.  He  even  held  the  clothes  while  they  stoned  one  of  the  greatest  
Christians  who  ever  lived.  His  name  was  Stephen.  I  imagine  that  early  church  said,  
“That  man  is  the  archenemy  of  the  church.  God,  strike  him  dead!”  But  God  didn’t  strike  
him  dead;;  God  struck  him  alive.  God  made  him  the  great  apostle  Paul.  We  don’t  know  
what  to  pray  for,  sometimes,  as  we  ought.  But  I’m  telling  you  that  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  
is  active  in  the  adaptation—in  the  adaptation—of  our  requests.    
Now,  I  was  in  my  study  with  some  deacons  a  while  back.  It  was  on  Wednesday  
night.  We  were  having  a  committee  meeting.  One  of  the  deacons  dismissed  in  prayer,  
and  he  said,  “Bless  the  pastor  as  he  preaches  tonight.”  Well,  folks,  I  wasn’t  going  to  
preach.  Someone  else  was  going  to  preach  that  night.  But  he  said,  “Lord,  bless  the  
pastor.”  Greg  Addison  was  going  to  preach,  not  me.  But  he  said,  “God,  bless  the  pastor,  
as  he  preaches  tonight.”  And  you  know  what  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  did?  He  just  brought  
that  prayer  right  on  to  heaven.  And  God  heard  the  prayer.  Now,  he  was  asking  for  
Adrian  to  be  blessed,  but  it  was  Greg  that  needed  to  be  blessed.  You  think  that  
confused  God?  No.  God  said,  the  Holy  Spirit  said,  “Here’s  what  he’s  asking  for.  Here’s  
what  he  needs.”  And  it’s  done.  You  know,  isn’t  that  wonderful  how  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  
takes  our  prayer  energy?  

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 There’s  a  transformer  up  on  the  telephone  pole  near  your  house,  or  the  light  pole,  
and  that  takes  that  incredible  voltage  that  comes  to  that  transformer.  And  in  that  
transformer  it  is  transformed  and  it  goes  into  your  toaster,  and  so  you  had  toast  this  
morning.  But,  friend,  if  it  had  come  from  that  big,  fat  wire  into  your  toaster,  your  toaster  
would  have  been  toasted,  right?  Right!  Because  it  has  to  go  through  that  transformer.  
It’s  the  same  energy,  but  it’s  transformed.  The  Holy  Spirit  of  God  is  that  transformer.  He  
takes  our  prayers,  and  God  sees  our  heart,  and  sometimes  we  know  not  what  we  
should  ask  for  as  we  ought,  “…but  the  Spirit  himself  maketh  intercession  for  us  
according  to  the  will  of  God.”  Isn’t  that  great?  So,  folks,  sometimes  we  don’t  know  
exactly  what  to  pray  for.  Just  pray!  God  knows  your  heart.  Pray  with  a  clean  heart.  Pray  
with  a  right  spirit,  and  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  is  the  one  who  will  adapt  your  prayers.  I  
love  verse  27:  “And  he  that  searcheth  the  hearts—that’s  God—knoweth  what  is  the  
mind  of  the  Spirit—of  course  He  does—because  he—the  Spirit—maketh  intercession  
for  the  saints  according  to  the  will  of  God.”  And  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  knows  what  we  
need.  So  my  prayer—I  may  not  always  get  what  I  ask  for,  but  that  doesn’t  mean  my  
prayer  is  not  answered.  If  God  doesn’t  give  you  what  you  asked  for,  He’ll  give  you  
something  better  than  you  asked,  when  you’re  praying  in  the  spirit—praying  in  the  spirit.  

IV. The  Administration  of  Our  Access

Number  four:  Here’s  another  thing  that  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  does.  When  you  pray  
in  the  Spirit,  He  presides  over  the  administration  of  our  access.  Now,  not  only  the  
adaptation  of  our  requests,  but  the  administration  of  our  access.  Now,  you  see,  you  just  
don’t  burst  into  the  holy  presence  of  God.  That  may  be  a  surprise  to  you.  But  you  need  
someone  to  bring  you  into  God’s  presence  to  give  you  access  to  God.  Look  in  Romans  
8  and  verse  14—look  at  it:  For  as  many  as  are  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  they  are  the  
sons  of  God.  For  ye  have  not  received  the  spirit  of  bondage  again  to  fear;;  but  ye  have  
received  the  Spirit  of  adoption,  whereby  we  cry,  Abba,  Father.”  Now,  what  that  means  is  
that  it’s  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  that  gives  us  access.  Put  this  verse  down—Ephesians  2  
and  verse  18:  “For  through  him  we  both  have  access  by  one  Spirit  unto  the  Father.”  
Through  who?  Through  Jesus  we  have  access  by  one  Spirit  to  the  Father.  How  does  
prayer  work?  We  pray  to  God  through  Jesus  in  the  Spirit—to  God  through  Jesus  in  the  
Spirit.  We  have  access  by  one  Spirit.    
One  time  I  was  invited  to  go—well,  I’ve  been  invited  several  times—to  go  into  the  
Oval  Office  to  meet  with  the  President  of  the  United  States.  How  do  you  think  you  get  
into  the  Oval  Office?  You  think  you  get  out  of  a  cab  and  just  walk  through  the  gates  and  
go  in  the  Oval  Office  and  say,  “Hi,  Prez?”  Do  you  think  you  do  that?  No,  you  don’t  do  
that.  What  you  do,  you  go  into  a  particular  room,  and  there’s  a  person  who  meets  you  

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there  who  is  the  personal  envoy  of  the  President,  and  talks  with  you,  and  chats  with  
you,  until  he’s  ready.  And  then  he  takes  you,  and  he  brings  you  into  that  office.  That’s  
what  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  does  when  you  come  into  a  higher  office  than  the  Oval  
Office.  
When  you  come  before  the  throne  of  grace,  you  have  a  Father  to  pray  to.  You  have  
a  Savior  to  pray  through.  You  have  a  Spirit  to  pray  in.  Have  you  ever  prayed,  and  it  feels  
like  you’re  just  praying  at  God  rather  than  to  God,  and  God’s  a  billion  light  years  away?  
Have  you  ever  heard  the  expression,  “My  prayers  don’t  get  above  the  light  bulb?”  You  
see,  that’s  our  problem.  God’s  underneath  the  light  bulb.  We  think,  Oh,  way  out  yonder.  
Maybe  if  I  can  just  get  my  prayers  through.  Friend,  when  you’re  in  the  Spirit,  God  is  in  
you  and  you’re  praying  in  the  Holy  Ghost.  And  prayer  is  not  just  simply  sending  prayer  
missiles  to  heaven;;  it  is  talking  with  a  friend.  God  gives  us  the  royal  invitation  to  pray,  
and  then  God  gives  us  a  palace  and  guide  to  bring  us  in,  a  palace  attendant  to  bring  us  
right  in  to  God.  

V. The  Articulation  of  Our  Words

Now,  let  me  tell  you  what  else  praying  in  the  Spirit  will  do.  Number  five:  Not  only  do  
we  have  the  administration  of  our  access,  but  we  have  the  articulation  of  our  words.  
Another  problem  in  prayer  is  that,  folks,  we  get  tongue-­tied,  we  run  out  of  words.  You  
know  what  words  are?  Words  are  just  trucks  to  carry  thoughts.  That’s  what  words  are.  
They’re  just  trucks  to  carry  thoughts.  Sometimes,  folks,  the  thought  is  too  heavy  for  any  
truck.  Sometimes  there  are  things  that  are  so  deep,  so  big,  so  heavy,  so  imponderable,  
that  we  don’t  know  how  to  put  it  into  words.  That’s  when  we  need  to  be  praying  in  the  
Spirit.    
Look,  if  you  will,  in  the  last  part  of  verse  26:  “…but  the  Spirit  himself—and  every  time  
you  say  itself  in  the  King  James  there,  it  may  better  be  translated  the  Spirit  Himself—
maketh  intercession  for  us  with  groanings  which  cannot  be  uttered.”  That  means  sighs  
that  are  too  deep  for  words.  Did  you  know  there  is  a  form  of  wordless  praying?  Who  is  
doing  the  groaning  here?  Well,  it’s  the  divine  Spirit  merged  with  the  human  spirit.  This  
word  for  groaning  is  the  word  that  means  “birth  pains.”  If  you’ve  ever  been  around  a  
woman  in  labor,  you’ve  heard  that  groan.  You  know  what  that  groan  is?  That  groan  is  
pain  transfigured  by  hope.  That’s  what  prayer  is.  Pain  transfigured  by  hope.  Look  in  
verse  22  of  this  same  chapter—look  at  it:  “And  we  know  that  the  whole  creation  
groaneth  and  travaileth  in  pain  together  until  now.  And  not  only  they,  but  ourselves  also,  
which  have  the  first-­fruits  of  the  Spirit,  even  we  ourselves  groan  within  ourselves,  
waiting  for  the  adoption,  to  wit,  the  redemption  of  our  body.”  Our  bodies  have  not  yet  
been  redeemed.  Our  souls  are  redeemed.  Our  spirits  are  redeemed.  Our  bodies  are  not  

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yet  redeemed.  And,  therefore,  dear  friend,  we  live  in  a  world  full  of  pain  and  pang  and  
moan  and  groan  and  sorrow  and  sickness  and  sighing  and  dying  and  crying.  It’s  about  
us.  And  saved  or  lost,  you  are  not  immune.  Don’t  get  the  idea  that  if  you  get  saved,  
there’s  no  sorrow,  there’s  no  groaning.  The  whole  creation  groans.  Verse  22:  “…and  we  
ourselves,  which  have  the  first-­fruits  of  the  Spirit,  groan…”  But  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God,  
when  you  pray,  He  enters  into  that  agony.  And  as  Jesus  wept  in  Gethsemane,  in  your  
darkest,  deepest  hours  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  merges  with  your  spirit  in  wordless  prayer,  
groanings  too  deep  to  be  uttered.  If  you’ve  never  been  here—you  don’t  know  anything  
about  prayer,  if  you’ve  never  been  there.  But  the  time  will  come  when  you’ll  get  there.  
You  won’t  know  what  to  do.  You  won’t  know  what  to  say.  But  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  will  
blend  with  your  spirit,  and  the  dear  Holy  Spirit  of  God  will  help  you,  not  only  in  the  
administration  of  the  access,  but  the  articulation  of  your  desires.  And  God  knows  what  it  
means,  even  when  you  can’t  put  it  into  words.  Isn’t  that  neat?  Isn’t  that  wonderful?  

VI. The  Enunciation  of  Our  Confidence

Now,  I’ll  tell  you  what  else  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  does  when  you  pray  in  the  Spirit.  
Not  only  the  articulation  of  our  desires,  but  the  enunciation  of  our  confidence  comes  
from  the  Holy  Spirit.  Look,  if  you  will,  now—you’re  in  verses  26  and  27—now,  notice  
how  it’s  followed:  “And  we  know  that  all  things  work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  
God,  to  them  who  are  the  called  according  to  his  purpose.”  Now,  notice  in  verse  28,  it  
says  He  makes  intercession  for  the  saints  according  to  the  will  of  God.  In  verse  27,  he  
says  that.  In  verse  28,  he  says,  “What  is  the  will  of  God?”  Well,  God  is  working  all  things  
together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God,  who  are  called  according  to  his  purpose,  
according  to  his  will.”  And  then,  the  next  verse  says  that  He’s  doing  it  to  make  us  like  
the  Lord  Jesus.    
Now,  sometimes  you  pray,  and  you  groan,  and  you  weep,  you  ask,  and  it  seems  like  
nothing  is  happening.  You  say,  “I  prayed,  and  God  didn’t  hear  my  prayer.”  Yes,  He  did!  
All  things  are  working  together  for  good.  It  literally  means  that  God  is  working  all  things  
together  for  good.  God’s  plan  for  you  is  not  to  make  you  healthy  and  wealthy  and  
happy.  God’s  plan  for  you  is  to  make  you  holy  and  to  make  you  like  the  Lord  Jesus,  to  
be  conformed  to  the  image  of  His  Son;;  and  God  is  hearing  prayers.  And  you  may  be  
asking  for  one  thing,  but  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  is  giving  another  thing  to  make  you  more  
and  more  and  more  and  more  like  Jesus.  And  that’s  what  it’s  all  about,  folks.  Prayer  is  
not  making  God  some  sort  of  a  heavenly  bellhop  to  wait  on  you  and  give  you  your  
whims  and  your  wants.  Prayer  is  God’s  plan  to  make  you  like  Jesus.  And  so,  the  Holy  
Spirit  is  the  enunciation  of  our  confidence.    
I  had  a  prayer  burden  one  time,  the  heaviest  prayer  burden  I’ve  ever  had.  I  stained  

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heaven.  I  even  came  to  the  place  one  time  where  I  yelled  at  God,  not  out  of  disrespect,  
but  I  cried  out  to  God  almost  with  a  shout,  not  in  defiance,  but  “O  God,  where  are  You?”  
Do  you  know  what  God  did?  God  said  to  me,  “Adrian,  I  have  heard  your  prayer.  I’ll  take  
care  of  it.”  He  didn’t  tell  me  how.  He  just  said,  “Don’t  worry  about  it.  I’ll  take  care  of  it.”  
That’s  Romans  8:28:  “And  we  know  that  all  things  work  together  for  good  to  those  who  
love  God…”  There  is  the  enunciation  of  our  confidence.  

VII. The  Amplification  of  Our  Victory

And,  last  of  all,  when  we  pray  in  the  Spirit,  there  is  the  amplification  of  our  victory.  
You  see,  the  devil  doesn’t  want  you  to  pray.  Look,  if  you  will,  in  Romans  8,  now,  verses  
31  and  32:  “What  shall  we  say  to  these  things?  If  God  be  for  us,  who  can  be  against  
us?”  The  devil  will  do  all  that  he  can  do  to  keep  you  from  praying.  He  doesn’t  want  you  
to  pray.  He  comes  against  you.  All  of  the  artillery  of  hell  is  leveled  against  you  when  you  
pray.  Why?  The  devil  must  say  to  his  demons,  “Boys,  keep  him  from  praying,  because  if  
he  fails  to  pray,  we  can  beat  him  every  time.  But  if  he  prays,  he’ll  beat  us  every  time.”  
He’s  against  you.  He’s  against  you.  You  have  an  enemy.  He’s  against  you.  But  if  God  
be  for  us,  who  can  be  against  us?  That’s  why  you  can’t  pray  in  the  flesh:  because  you’re  
no  match  for  Satan.  But  when  you  pray  in  the  Spirit,  if  God  be  for  you,  who  can  be  
against  you?    

Conclusion  
Those  are  seven  things  the  Holy  Spirit  does  when  we  pray  in  the  Spirit.  Now,  listen  
to  me.  You  can’t  pray  in  the  Spirit,  you  can’t  even  pray  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  till  you  get  
saved.  But,  you  know,  you  could  be  saved,  and  get  in  the  flesh,  and  your  flesh  won’t  
even  want  to  pray.  So,  if  you’re  not  saved,  you  need  to  get  saved.  And,  if  you’re  saved,  
you  need  to  be  surrendered  and  filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God.  Amen?  Father  God,  
seal  this  message  to  our  hearts.  In  the  name  of  Jesus.  Amen.  
Now,  look  up  here.  Look  at  me.  Every  eye  here.  Don’t  even  gather  your  books.  Just  
look  right  here  at  me.  Today,  if  you’re  not  a  Christian,  could  be  the  most  wonderful  day  
of  your  life,  because  this  can  be  the  first  day  of  your  new  life.  This  can  be  the  day  that  
you  can  say  an  everlasting  yes  to  Jesus  Christ,  have  every  sin  forgiven,  have  God  the  
Holy  Spirit  to  come  and  live  in  you,  inhabit  your  humanity,  teach  you  to  pray,  help  you  to  
be  the  person  He  wants  you  to  be,  and  give  you  the  absolute  assurance  if  you  died  
today  you’d  go  to  heaven.  That’s  by  repenting  of  your  sin  and  trusting  Jesus  as  your  
personal  Savior  and  Lord.  He  paid  for  your  sin.  He’s  the  Son  of  God.  The  Bible  says,  
believe  on  Him,  trust  Him,  and  He  will  save  you.  Acts  16:31  puts  it  this  way:  “Believe  on  
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  thou  shalt  be  saved.”  And  that  word  believe  doesn’t  mean  

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intellectual  belief;;  it  means  trust.  Trust  Him  and  you’ll  be  saved.  

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    Praying  in  the  Spirit  
By  Adrian  Rogers  
Sermon  Date:    May  15,  1983    
Main  Scripture  Text:    Romans  8:26–27    

Outline  
Introduction  
I. The  Spirit  Encourages  Our  Prayer
II. The  Spirit  Enlightens  Our  Prayer
III. The  Spirit  Enlivens  Our  Prayer
IV. The  Spirit  Expresses  Our  Prayer
V. The  Spirit  Helps  Us  to  Endure  in  Prayer
Conclusion

Introduction  

O   kay,  take  God’s  Word,  and  turn  with  me  to  the  eighth  chapter  of  Romans.  And  I  
don’t  know  of  a  more  pertinent  passage  on  praying  in  the  Spirit  than  Romans  
chapter  8—the  entire  chapter,  but  especially  verses  26  and  27.  Romans  8:26–27:  
“Likewise  the  Spirit”—that’s  speaking  of  the  Holy  Spirit—“also  helpeth  our  infirmities:”—
now,  another  word  for  infirmities  is  weaknesses—“for  we  know  what  we  should  pray  for  
as  we  ought:  but  the  Spirit  itself”—that’s  the  translation  in  the  King  James,  but  a  better  
translation  is  “the  Spirit  Himself”—“maketh  intercession  for  us  with  groanings  which  
cannot  be  uttered.  And  he  that  searcheth  the  hearts  knoweth  what  is  the  mind  of  the  
Spirit,  because  he  maketh  intercession  for  the  saints  according  to  the  will  of  God”  
(Romans  8:26–27).  
We’ve  already  been  reminded  that  prayer  is  the  greatest  Christian  privilege.  Not  only  
is  prayer  the  greatest  Christian  privilege,  but  prayer  is  the  greatest  Christian  service.  
Greater  than  singing,  greater  then  preaching,  greater  than  soul  winning,  greater  than  
testifying,  and  greater  than  teaching  is  prayer—our  greatest  privilege,  our  greatest  
service,  and,  alas,  our  greatest  failure.  I  believe  that  far  and  beyond  the  majority  of  the  
people  in  my  congregation  tonight  would  say,  “Pastor,  I’m  not  satisfied  with  my  prayer  
life.”  Isn’t  that  true?  “I  am  not  satisfied  with  my  prayer  life.  I  wish  my  prayer  life  were  
better,  greater,  stronger,  and  purer  than  it  is.”  
Well,  praying  in  the  Spirit  is,  indeed,  the  key  to  a  vital  prayer  life.  It  is  the  answer  to  
our  indifference,  when  God  seems  far  away.  It  is  the  answer  to  our  ignorance,  when  we  
don’t  know  what  to  pray  for.  It  is  the  answer  to  our  weakness,  when  we  don’t  seem  to  be  

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able  to  concentrate.  It  is  the  answer  to  our  inability,  when  we  are  not  able  to  articulate  
the  things  that  we’d  like  to  articulate  when  we  pray.  
Again,  I  want  to  remind  you  that  not  only  do  these  verses  in  Romans  teach  us  about  
praying  in  the  Spirit,  but  other  verses—some  that  I  mentioned  this  morning—teach  
about  prayer  in  the  Spirit.  Again,  Ephesians  chapter  6  and  verse  18—we’re  admonished  
to  be  “praying  always  with  all  prayer  and  supplication  in  the  Spirit”  (Ephesians  6:18).  
And  again,  in  the  Book  of  Jude,  chapter  1:  “But  ye,  beloved,  building  up  yourselves  on  
your  most  holy  faith,  praying  in  the  Holy  Ghost”  (Jude  1:20).  
I  told  you,  this  morning,  that  praying  in  the  Holy  Spirit  will  turn  prayer  from  drudgery  
to  a  delight.  The  early  Church  had  so  little.  They  had  no  fine  auditoriums.  They  had  no  
printing  presses.  They  had  no  radio.  They  had  no  television.  They  had  no  electric  lights.  
They  had  none  of  the  things  that  we  have.  They  did  so  much  with  so  little.  We  do  so  
little  with  so  much.  But  the  difference  is  in  the  prayer  life  of  that  early  Church  and  in  the  
prayer  life  of  the  modern  Church.  
Now  Paul,  here,  in  this  passage,  in  Romans  chapter  8,  mentions  the  weaknesses  of  
the  saints.  Now  notice,  again,  in  verse  26:  “Likewise  the  Spirit  also  helpeth  our  
infirmities”  (Romans  8:26).  Now  people,  you  might  as  well  admit  it:  Your  weakness  that  
you  have  is  not  unique.  You  have  a  weakness.  It  is  not  an  inferiority  complex.  It  is  an  
inferiority.  I  have  it.  You  have  it.  And  Paul  had  it.  It  is  a  great  encouragement  to  me  that  
the  Apostle  Paul  did  not  say,  “The  Spirit  helps  your  infirmities.”  I  am  grateful  that  the  
Apostle  Paul  said,  “The  Spirit  helps  our  infirmities”  (Romans  8:26).  It  is  fact.  Admit  it—
number  one—because  it  is  a  fact;;  but,  rejoice  in  it  because  it  is  not  a  liability;;  it  is  an  
asset.  
You  say,  “Pastor,  how  could  a  weakness  be  an  asset?”  Well,  I  want  to  refer  you  to  2  
Corinthians  chapter  12,  verse  9:  “And  he  said  unto  me,  My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee:  
for  my  strength  is  made  perfect  in  weakness”  (2  Corinthians  12:9).  You  see,  God  makes  
us  weak,  that  we  might  depend  upon  Him  and  be  stronger  than  we  could  ever  be.  The  
Holy  Spirit  helps  us  in  our  weakness—that’s  the  way  He  helps  us.  That  is  the  stage  for  
His  helping;;  that  is  the  platform  for  His  helping.  “Likewise  the  Spirit  also  helpeth  our  
infirmities.”  
Now  if  we  were  not  weak,  we  would  not  have  His  help.  And  so  God  wants  to  deliver  
me  from  the  peril  of  self-­sufficiency.  The  worst  thing  that  could  happen  to  me  would  be  
for  me  to  be  strong  enough  to  be  sufficient  upon  myself.  Therefore,  I  could  never  know  
the  help  of  the  blessed  Holy  Spirit.  He  has  made  me  perpetually  weak,  that  I  might  be  
perpetually  dependent;;  and,  therefore,  that  I  might  be  perpetually  powerful.  Sodon’t  go  
around  complaining  about  your  weakness.  Thank  God  for  it.  Paul  said  that  he  rejoiced  
in  his  weakness  (2  Corinthians  12:9).  

   

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 Now  the  Holy  Spirit  helps  us.  I  want  to  you  to  look  at  that  word  help  here,  for  a  
moment:  “Likewise  the  Spirit  also  helpeth  our  infirmities”  (Romans  8:26).  That’s  a  very  
interesting  word—help.  It  literally  means,  “take  hold  of.”  And  that  is,  “to  lay  hands  to,  in  
order  to  help.”  As  a  matter  of  fact,  the  only  other  time  it’s  used  in  the  entire  New  
Testament  is  when  Martha  complained  about  Mary,  who  was  sitting  at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  
and  Martha  came  out  of  the  kitchen  and  said  to  Jesus,  “Tell  her  to  help  me.  Tell  her  to  
help  me”  (Luke  10:40).  And  that  means  “Let  her  come  into  the  kitchen,  and  lay  hands  on  
these  matters,  and  get  them  done.”  Now  this  word  is  a  very  interesting  word,  because  it  
is  preceded  by  a  double  prefix.  The  first  part  of  the  prefix  means  “together  with.”  The  
other  part  means  “instead  of.”  That’s  very  interesting.  The  Holy  Spirit  helps  together  with  
us,  and  the  Holy  Spirit  does  it  instead  of  us.  That’s  very  interesting.  A  unique  word—a  
“together  with”  and  “instead  of”  kind  of  help.  
That  is  not  contradictory,  but  there  is  a  beautiful  thought  here.  The  Holy  Spirit  of  God  
does  the  work,  but  He  will  not  do  it  apart  from  us—a  “together  with”  and  “instead  of”  kind  
of  help.  What  a  glorious  partnership!  I  said,  this  morning,  that  the  Holy  Spirit  wants  to  
think,  but  He  wants  to  think  through  our  mind.  The  Holy  Spirit  wants  to  speak,  but  He  
wants  to  speak  through  our  lips.  The  Holy  Spirit  wants  to  weep,  but  He  wants  to  weep  
through  our  eyes.  The  Holy  Spirit  wants  to  groan,  but  He  wants  to  groan  through  our  
spirit.  He  does  it  instead  of  us.  He  does  it  together  with  us.  That’s  a  wonderful,  
wonderful  partnership  of  praying  in  the  Spirit.  Friend,  He  needs  us,  and  we  need  Him.  
Hallelujah!  He  wants  to  minister  through  us.  And  so  in  order  to  minister  through  us,  He  
ministers  to  us.  And  He  helps  our  infirmities,  and  then,  He—the  dear  Holy  Spirit  of  
God—uses  these  vessels  as  instruments  of  intercession,  that  the  great  purpose  of  God  
would  be  fulfilled  in  this  world.  
Now  I  want  to  tell  you  some  things  that  the  Holy  Spirit  does  as  we  pray  in  the  Spirit,  
to  help  you  to  understand  the  reason—the  importance—of  praying  in  the  Spirit.  

I. The  Spirit  Encourages  Our  Prayer

The  very  first  reason  is  the  matter  of  encouragement—encouragement.  It  is  the  Holy  
Spirit  who  encourages  us—encourages  us  to  pray.  Back  up,  if  you  will,  to  verses  5  and  
following  of  Romans  8—chapter  8,  verse  5:  “For  they  that  are  after  the  flesh  do  mind  the  
things  of  the  flesh;;  but  they  that  are  after  the  Spirit  the  things  of  the  Spirit.”  You  see,  
there  are  two  principles  in  you—two  propensities:  the  flesh  and  the  spirit.  And  they’re  
warring  together,  in  our  hearts  and  in  our  minds.  Now  he  goes  on  to  say,  “For  to  be  
carnally  minded  is  death;;  but  to  be  spiritually  minded  is  life  and  peace.  Because  the  
carnal  mind  is  enmity  against  God:  for  it  is  not  subject  to  the  law  of  God,  neither  indeed  
can  be.  So  then  they  that  are  in  the  flesh”—that  is,  they  who  are  carnal—“cannot  please  

   

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God”  (Romans  8:5–8).  
Now  do  you  know  why  it  is  that  it’s  so  hard  for  you  to  pray,  if  you’re  not  in  the  Spirit?  
The  flesh  doesn’t  want  to  pray.  The  flesh  is  indifferent  to  prayer.  The  flesh  has  no  desire  
to  pray.  The  flesh  is  completely  apathetic  to  prayer.  And  so  if  you’re  carnally  minded,  
you’re  not  going  to  want  to  pray.  Look  again:  “For  they  that  are  after  the  flesh  do  mind  
the  things  of  the  flesh;;  but  they  that  are  after  the  Spirit  [mind]  the  things  of  the  Spirit”  
(Romans  8:5).  Now  if  the  Spirit  of  God  is  alive  and  active  in  you,  then  you’re  going  to  
want  to  pray,  because  prayer  is  a  thing  of  the  Spirit.  Now  so  many  of  us  are  indifferent  
to  praying.  We’re  apathetic  about  prayer,  and  it  is  because  we’re  in  the  flesh  and  we’re  
not  in  the  Spirit.  You  see,  the  Bible  teaches  that  the  Holy  Spirit  in  us  energizes  our  
prayer.  
Look,  if  you  will  please,  in  verse  15  of  this  chapter:  “For  ye  have  not  received  the  
spirit  of  bondage  again  to  fear;;  but  ye  have  received  the  Spirit  of  adoption,  whereby  we  
cry,  Abba,  Father”  (Romans  8:15).  Now  when  the  Holy  Spirit  comes  into  you,  and  you’re  
adopted  into  the  family  of  God,  that  Holy  Spirit  comes  into  you,  praying.  The  very  nature  
of  a  newborn  child  is  to  mimic  those  simple  words,  and  the  easiest  two  syllables  for  a  
baby  to  say  are  “ahh”  and  “bah”—“ah  bah,  Ahbah.”  This  is  an  Aramaic  term,  a  
diminutive  that  a  baby  would  speak.  I  want  to  tell  you  that  the  birth  cry  of  a  newborn  
babe  is  prayer:  “Abba,  Father”;;  the  Spirit  in  us  is  crying,  “Abba,  Father,”  as  Jesus  taught  
us  to  pray  “Our  Father.”  
Now  friend,  the  Holy  Spirit  encourages  prayer.  And  when  you’re  in  the  Spirit,  you’re  
going  to  find  that  Spirit  crying,  “Abba,  Father.”  By  the  way,  let  me  give  you  another  
verse  very  closely  akin  to  it—it  is  Galatians  4,  verse  6:  “And  because  ye  are  sons,  God  
hath  sent  forth  the  Spirit  of  his  Son  into  your  hearts,  crying,  Abba,  Father”  (Galatians  
4:6).  That  makes  it  even  clearer.  “God  hath  sent  forth  the  spirit  of  his  Son  into  your  
hearts.”  Who  is  God’s  Son?  Jesus.  Who  is  the  supreme  example  of  prayer?  The  Lord  
Jesus  is  the  supreme  example  of  prayer.  There  is  no  prayer  life  like  the  prayer  life  of  the  
Lord  Jesus,  for  “he  ever  liveth  to  make  intercession”  (Hebrews  7:25).  
How  would  you  like  to  have  the  Spirit  of  Jesus  in  your  heart?  Well,  you  do.  God  has  
sent  forth  the  Spirit  of  his  Son  into  our  hearts  crying,  “Abba,  Father.”  And  friend,  when  
the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  is  let  loose  in  your  heart,  He  will  encourage  you  to  pray.  You’re  
not  going  to  be  apathetic  about  prayer.  

II. The  Spirit  Enlightens  Our  Prayer

Now  let  me  tell  you  what  else  the  Holy  Spirit  does:  Not  only  the  encouragement  to  pray,  
but  the  Holy  Spirit  gives  you  the  enlightenment  to  pray.  Now  there’s  another  reason  that  
I’m  glad  that  the  Apostle  Paul  used  the  pronoun  we.  Look,  again,  if  you  will,  in  verse  26:  

   

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“Likewise  the  Spirit  helpeth  our  infirmities:  for  we  know  not  what  we  should  pray  for  as  
we  ought”  (Romans  8:26).  And  isn’t  that  true?  Isn’t  it  hard  to  know  how  to  pray,  
especially  when  you’re  trying  to  think  up  the  things  to  pray?  
For  example,  what  areas  to  pray  for.  You  can’t  pray  about  everything.  So  many  
times,  people  come  to  me  and  say,  “Brother  Rogers,  put  me  on  your  prayer  list.”  They  
say  that  so  glibly.  Friend,  I  want  to  tell  you,  if  I  put  you  on  my  prayer  list,  it  will  be  
because  I  feel  impressed  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  put  you  on  my  prayer  list.  Oh,  I  pray  for  
the  church  in  general,  because  the  Holy  Spirit  has  put  this  church  on  my  heart.  But  I  
can’t  pray  for  everybody.  And  when  people  tell  me  that  they  have  me  on  their  prayer  list,  
I  want  to  tell  you  that  humbles  and  breaks  my  heart.  J.  Sidlow  Baxter  said,  “Adrian,  Mrs.  
Baxter  and  I  pray  for  you  every  morning.”  I  thought,  “What  a  privilege!  What  a  privilege  
to  be  on  that  man’s  prayer  list!”  And  other  people  tell  me,  “I  pray  for  you.”  And  there  are  
people  that  I  pray  for.  But  I  can’t  pray  for  everything.  I  don’t  know  everything  to  pray  for.  
Friend,  listen.  If  you  tried  to  pray  for  every  possibility  of  every  need  of  all  of  the  
people—all  of  the  countries,  all  of  the  nations,  all  of  the  problems,  all  the  lost  people—
your  prayer,  rather  than  being  a  mighty  river,  would  become  a  stagnant  swamp,  and  
your  prayer  would  cease  to  be  powerful.  In order for your prayer to be effective, it must
be selective.  Paul  says,  “We  don’t  know  what  to  pray  for  as  we  ought.”  There  are  so  
many  things  to  pray  for.  
And  then,  not  only  that,  but  we  don’t  know  how  to  pray.  So  many  times  we’re  asking  
God  to  do  things,  and  we’re  asking  for  the  wrong  thing.  Sometimes,  someone  gets  sick,  
and  we’re  praying,  and  pleading,  and  saying,  “God,  heal  that  person,”  when  God  might  
have  a  higher  plan.  We  might  be  praying,  “God  let  them  stay,”  but  God’s  will  and  all  of  
Heaven  is  saying,  “Let  them  come.”  “For  to  me  to  live  is  Christ,  and  to  die  is  gain”  
(Philippians  1:21).  I’ve  told  you  before:  In  our  churches,  so  many  times,  so  many  of  our  
prayer  requests  are  for  the  sick,  rather  than  for  the  lost.  We’re  praying  for  sick  saints  
rather  than  lost  sinners.  We’re more interested in keeping the saints out of Heaven than
we are the lost out of Hell.  We  don’t  want  them  to  die,  when  yet,  Jesus  is  praying,  
“Father,  I  pray  for  them  whom  Thou  hast  given  me,  that  they  may  be  with  Me  where  I  
am,  that  they  may  behold  My  glory”  (John  17:24).  As  you  sang  about  tonight,  face  to  
face,  even  before  He  comes,  beholding  His  glory.  
It’s  hard  to  know.  Your  grand-­mama  gets  sick.  She’s  been  serving  the  Lord  all  these  
years,  and  now,  her  body’s  old  and  worn  out.  We’re  saying,  “How  do  we  know  whether  
to  pray  that  God  will  cure  them  or  God  will  take  them  home?”  It’s  not  easy;;  we  need  
divine  leadership  in  this  matter.  What  about  if  a  person  in  the  church  is  causing  
problems?  How  do  you  pray  about  that  person?  Think  of  the  Apostle  Paul—the  Apostle  
Paul,  who  was  making  havoc  of  the  Church.  I’m  sure  there  were  a  lot  of  people  praying  

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about  him,  and  some  of  them  were  probably  praying,  “Lord,  strike  him  dead.”  God  had  a  
better  plan:  He  struck  him  alive,  made  a  great  apostle  out  of  him.  
You  see,  so  many  times,  we  really  don’t  know  how  to  pray,  but  the  Holy  Spirit  knows  
how  to  pray.  I  want  you  to  look,  again,  in  this  passage,  in  Romans  8,  verse  14:  “For  as  
many  as  are  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  they  are  the  sons  of  God”  (Romans  8:14).  The  
Holy  Spirit  can  lead  our  prayer.  He  can  take  our  prayers  and  make  them  effective  
because  they’re  selective,  make  them  powerful  because  He  takes  our  ignorance  and  
makes  intercession  for  us,  and  leads  us  in  our  praying,  and  shows  us  how  to  pray,  in  
spite  of  our  ignorance.  
I  love  that  designation  and  description  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  Isaiah  chapter  11  and  
verse  2.  Here  is  the  Holy  Spirit  that  rests  upon  the  Lord  Jesus.  Listen  to  it:  “And  the  
spirit  of  the  LORD  shall  rest  upon  him,  the  spirit  of  wisdom  and  understanding,  the  spirit  
of  counsel  and  might,  the  spirit  of  knowledge  and  of  the  fear  of  the  LORD”  (Isaiah  11:2).  
That’s  the  Holy  Spirit.  Listen  to  it  again:  “The  spirit  of  the  LORD  shall  rest  upon  him,  the  
spirit  of  wisdom  and  understanding,  the  spirit  of  counsel  and  might,  the  spirit  of  
knowledge  and  of  the  fear  of  the  LORD.”  And  that  is  the  dear,  precious  Holy  Spirit  who  
lives  in  you.  
“We  know  not  what  we  should  pray  for  as  we  ought”  (Romans  8:26).  But  “As  many  
as  are  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  they  are  the  sons  of  God”  (Romans  8:14).  How  important  
it  is,  therefore,  that  we  abide  in  the  Holy  Spirit!  Sometimes,  even  when  we  pray  wrongly,  
the  Holy  Spirit  is  so  gracious  as  to  say,  “Now  Father,  Adrian  said  this.  That’s  what  he  
thinks  he  wants,  but  he  doesn’t  really  want  that.  This  is  what  he  needs;;  and,  Father,  
give  him  what  he  needs  and  not  what  he  asks  for.”  Look  in  verse  27:  “And  he  that  
searcheth  the  hearts  knoweth  what  is  the  mind  of  the  Spirit,  because  he  maketh  
intercession  for  the  saints  according  to  the  will  of  God”  (Romans  8:27).  You  say,  then,  
“Well,  is  it  my  prayer,  if  I’m  asking  for  something  and  God  gives  me  something  else?”  
Yes,  it’s  still  your  prayer.  Thank  God  the  Holy  Spirit  just  takes  it  and  makes  it  acceptable  
to  the  Lord.  
On  these  power  lines  outside  this  church  there  is  great  electrical  power  in  those  
lines,  surging  through  those  lines.  And  if  it  were  to  come  into  this  building  and  be  
connected  to  our  sound  amplification  system,  this  light  system,  and  this  air  conditioning  
system,  without  going  through  a  transformer,  it  would  just  blow  everything  up.  It’d  just  
burn  it  to  smithereens.  We’d  have  fuses  blowing  all  over  the  place.  Sothere’s  a  
transformer.  That  power  comes  from  the  great  generators,  and  it  comes  into  that  
transformer;;  and,  that  transformer  changes  that  electrical  energy  into  a  form  that  is  
acceptable,  that  can  be  used.  
Now  the  dear  Holy  Spirit  is  that  Great  Transformer  who  takes  my  prayer,  and  I’m  the  

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dynamo.  And  I  originate  these  prayers  with  His  help,  but  then,  the  Holy  Spirit  takes  
those  prayers,  and  He  transforms  them  and  makes  intercession  according  to  the  will  of  
God.  
And  that’s  so  wonderful—so  wonderful!  Even  when  you  might  be  praying,  “Lord,  this  
is  what  I  think  You  want.  But  Lord,  if  it’s  not,  Lord,  I  want  what  You  want,”  and  God  sees  
your  heart;;  God  knows  that  you’re  praying;;  God  knows  that  you  desire  the  will  of  God.  
And  it’s  so  wonderful  that  the  dear  Holy  Spirit  is  there—that  Divine  Transformer,  that  is  
taking  that  prayer  energy  and  making  it  acceptable  to  the  heart  and  the  mind  of  the  
Father.  Look  at  it,  again,  in  verse  27:  “And  he  that  searcheth  the  hearts  knoweth  what  is  
the  mind  of  the  Spirit,  because  he  maketh  intercession  for  the  saints  according  to  the  
will  of  God.”  

III. The  Spirit  Enlivens  Our  Prayer

And  so  it  is  the  Holy  Spirit,  on  the  one  hand,  who  encourages  my  prayer.  It  is  the  Holy  
Spirit,  on  the  other  hand,  who  enlightens  my  prayer.  And  then,  it  is  the  Holy  Spirit  who  
enlivens  my  prayer.  Look,  if  you  will,  in  verses  10  and  11  of  this  same  chapter:  “And  if  
Christ  be  in  you,  the  body  is  dead  because  of  sin;;  but  the  Spirit  is  life  because  of  
righteousness.  But  if  the  Spirit  of  him  that  raised  up  Jesus  from  the  dead  dwell  in  you,  
he  that  raised  up  Christ  from  the  dead  shall  also  quicken”—that  means  enliven—“your  
mortal  bodies  by  his  Spirit  that  dwelleth  in  you”  (Romans  8:10–11).  
Now  some  people  think  this  refers  to  the  Resurrection.  I  don’t.  I  think  that  it  refers  to  
the  right  now.  I  believe  that  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  in  you  is  there  to  enliven  you,  to  give  
you  spiritual  quickening  and  spiritual  life  that  you  need  to  pray.  Friend,  it  takes  energy  to  
pray.  It  takes  life  to  pray.  It  takes  a  quickening  to  pray.  It  takes  spiritual  strength  to  pray.  
That’s  what  Jesus  meant,  when  He  said  to  those  sleepy  disciples,  “The  spirit…is  
willing,  but  the  flesh  is  weak”  (Matthew  26:41).  Now  Jesus  would  not  have  commanded  
them  and  encouraged  them  to  pray,  had  they  truly  needed  to  sleep.  They  did  not  need  
to  sleep.  Did  you  know  that  when  you  pray…  Oh,  I’m  not  saying  you  never  need  to  
sleep.  I’m  saying  those  disciples  did  not  need  to  sleep  at  that  time.  There  was  sufficient  
strength  for  them  to  pray.  You’ll  never  convince  me  that  the  Lord  asked  of  them  an  
impossibility.  Did  you  know  that  sleepiness  is,  many  times,  an  attack  of  the  devil?  Did  
you  know  that  laziness,  many  times,  is  an  attack  of  the  devil?  Did  you  know  that,  many  
times,  your  inability  to  concentrate  is  an  attack  of  the  devil?  
Now  there  is  a  legitimate  tiredness.  There  is  a  legitimate  need  for  sleep.  The  Bible  
says,  graciously  and  beautifully,  in  the  Book  of  Psalms,  “God  gives  his  beloved  sleep”  
(Psalm  127:2).  And  Jesus  said  to  His  disciples,  “Come  ye…apart…and  rest  a  while”  
(Mark  6:31).  And  we  need  to  rest.  But  I  am  telling  you  this:  that  the  devil  is  able  to  make  

   

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you  sleepy.  The  devil  is  able  to  make  you  drowsy.  It  is  a  work  of  the  flesh.  “The  spirit…is  
willing,  but  the  flesh  is  weak.”  Matthew  26,  verse  40:  “And  he  cometh  unto  the  disciples,  
and  findeth  them  asleep,  and  he  said  unto  Peter,  Could  ye  not  watch  with  me  one  
hour?”  (Matthew  26:40).  Peter  was  asleep.  It  was  the  work  of  the  flesh.  
You  see,  there  is  a  divine  dynamo—the  Holy  Spirit,  who  enlivens  us.  Friend,  listen.  I  
depend  upon  the  Holy  Spirit  to  give  me  strength  when  I  preach.  I  honestly  do  not  
believe  that  I  would  have  the  physical  stamina  to  preach,  without  the  power  of  the  Holy  
Spirit.  I  honestly  believe  that.  I  believe  that  the  Holy  Spirit  quickens  my  body  when  I  
preach.  I  have  come  to  this  pulpit,  sometimes,  absolutely  tired,  and  breathe  a  prayer,  
and  say  it  and  claim  it—“The  joy  of  the  Lord  is  my  strength”  (Nehemiah  8:10)—and  God  
infuses  me  with  strength.  I  believe  that  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  quickens  our  bodies.  He  is  
the  One  who  encourages  our  prayers.  He  is  the  One  who  enlightens  our  prayers.  He  is  
the  One  who  enlivens  our  prayers  and  gives  us  that  strength.  
Do  you  remember  the  story  of  the  Lord  Jesus  there,  in  the  fourth  chapter  of  John,  
when  He  was  on  His  journey,  and  the  Bible  says  that  He  was  weary,  and  they  were  
hungry?  And  the  disciples  went  into  the  city  of  Sychar,  the  city  of  Samaria,  to  get  food  
and  provisions.  And  Jesus  was  there,  at  the  well  of  Sychar,  and  He  was  tired.  The  Bible  
says  He  was  sitting  there,  on  the  curving  of  that  well.  Those  of  you  who  are  going  with  
us  to  Israel,  God  willing,  we’ll  visit  this  very  spot.  It’s  one  of  the  most  authentic  spots  in  
all  of  the  land  of  Israel.  We’ll  drink  water  out  of  that  same  well.  It  is  still  there—that  same  
deep  well.  And  Jesus  was  sitting  upon  the  curving  of  that  well.  But  when  that  woman  
came—that  woman  who  had  lived  a  life  of  debauchery,  and  sin,  and  disappointment,  
and  failure—Jesus  witnessed  to  her,  and,  Jesus  won  her,  and  she  was  saved.  When  
the  disciples  came  back  with  provisions,  and  they  offered  food  to  Jesus,  Jesus  said,  “No  
thank  you.  I’m  not  even  hungry.  I  have  meat  to  eat  that  you  know  not  of”  (John  4:32).  
Jesus  had  been  so  quickened,  so  energized,  so  given  strength  by  that  spiritual  
experience;;  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  had  quickened  Him.  
Now  listen.  You  can  use  some  common  sense  in  your  prayer  life,  also.  I  mean,  you  
ought  to  save  the  best  time  for  prayer.  I  don’t  know  when  the  best  time  for  prayer  for  
you  is.  I  mean,  well,  for  me,  it  is  not  immediately  after  I  awake.  I’ll  guarantee  you  that.  
Listen.  My  blood  is  like  molasses.  I  have  to  put  my  knee  on  the  toothpaste  to  squeeze  it.  
I  mean,  I  just  greet  the  Lord  when  I  first  wake  up.  And  I  move  around  a  little  bit,  until  I  
get  my  motor  running  a  little  bit.  And  then,  I  pray.  But  you  find  out  when  that  best  time  
for  you  is.  Now  that’s  just  common  sense,  there.  Don’t  wait  until  you’re  tired,  or  worn  
out,  or  get  some  overstuffed  chair,  and  bury  your  face  in  your  pillow,  and  want  to  go  
sleep.  It’s  a  lack  of  oxygen.  Use  common  sense.  
But  don’t  you  let  that  devil  just  give  you  an  attack  of  the  sleepr eases.  Don’t  you  let  

   

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that  devil  give  you  an  attack  of  the  lazies.  Many  times,  that  is  not  a  legitimate  need  for  
rest.  It  is  an  attack  of  the  devil.  It  is  a  ploy  of  the  flesh.  And  the  Holy  Spirit  will  enliven  
your  prayer.  And  the  Holy  Spirit  will  enable  you  to  pray,  as  you  pray  in  the  Spirit.  

IV. The  Spirit  Expresses  Our  Prayer

Now  not  only  does  He  encourage  your  prayers,  not  only  does  He  enlighten  your  
prayers,  not  only  does  He  enliven  your  prayers;;  I  want  to  say,  He  expresses  your  
prayers.  Thank  God  for  that.  Thank  God  that  the  Holy  Spirit  gives  expression  to  our  
prayers.  Look  again,  if  you  will,  in  verse  26:  “Likewise  the  Spirit  also  helpeth  our  
infirmities:  for  we  know  not  what  we  should  pray  for  as  we  ought:”—hallelujah  for  this—
“but  the  Spirit  [himself]  maketh  intercession  for  us  with  groanings  which  cannot  be  
uttered”  (Romans  8:26).  He—the  Holy  Spirit—expresses  our  prayers.  “Groanings  which  
cannot  be  uttered”  means  “sighs  that  are  too  deep  for  words,”  a  form  of  wordless  
praying.  
Who  is  doing  the  groaning?  Is  it  the  Holy  Spirit,  or  is  it  you?  It  is  both.  He  is  groaning  
instead  of  us.  He  is  groaning  together  with  us.  It  is  that  partnership  that  I  was  talking  
about  when  God  the  Holy  Spirit,  in  the  human  spirit,  enables  you  to  pray  what  is,  
sometimes,  an  inarticulate  prayer.  This  word  groaning  is  the  word  that  is  used  of  the  
pains  at  childbirth.  Look,  if  you  will,  at  verse  22  of  this  same  chapter:  “For  we  know  that  
the  whole  creation  groaneth  and  travaileth  in  pain  together  until  now”  (Romans  8:22).  
Oh,  like  a  woman  travails  in  pain,  giving  birth  to  a  child,  the  groans,  the  sighs,  the  
pain—that’s  the  idea  of  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  in  us  making  that  deep  intercession—
those  things  that  you  feel  so  deeply  about;;  those  hurts,  those  wounds,  those  sorrows,  
those  pleas,  those  sighs.  And  you  say,  “God,  I  don’t  know  how  to  say  it.  Spirit  of  the  
living  God,  help  me  to  pray.”  And  God’s  dear  Holy  Spirit,  moving  in  your  heart,  just  takes  
those  inexpressible,  unutterable,  non-­articulate  desires  and  carries  them  to  the  throne.  
And  He  prays  for  us,  instead  of  us,  together  with  us,  just  as  a  woman  in  travail  has  pain.  
She’s  looking  past  that  pain  to  that  childbirth.  It  is  pain  that  is  transfigured  by  hope.  It  is  
pain  that  is  transfigured  by  expectation.  It  is  the  prayer  of  Jesus  in  the  Garden  of  
Gethsemane—the  prayer  of  agony,  transfixed,  transposed,  by  hope.  

V. The  Spirit  Helps  Us  to  Endure  in  Prayer

There’s  another  thing  the  Holy  Spirit  does:  Not  only  does  He  encourage  our  prayers,  not  
only  does  He  enlighten  our  prayers,  not  only  does  He  enliven  our  prayers,  not  only  does  
He  express  our  prayers,  but  He  helps  us,  that  we  might  endure  in  our  prayers.  You  see,  
again,  I  want  to  tell  you  what  I  told  you  this  morning:  that  the  enemy—the  enemy,  the  
devil—doesn’t  want  you  to  pray.  Prayer  is  warfare.  

   

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 SoPaul  is  asking  in  this  same  chapter  on  the  Holy  Spirit—look,  if  you  will,  in  verse  
31:  “What  shall  we  say  to  these  things?  If  God  be  for  us,  who  can  be  against  us?”  
(Romans  8:31).  When  you  go  to  prayer,  and  the  devil  lets  loose  with  all  of  the  artillery  of  
Hell,  the  Holy  Spirit  is  there.  He’s  saying,  “My  child,  I’m  for  you.”  “Greater  is  he  that  is  in  
you,  than  he  that  is  in  the  world”  (1  John  4:4).  
And  I  want  to  remind  you,  again,  that  the  devil  is  very  clever.  The  Bible  says  that  
he’s  more  subtle  than  any  beast  of  the  field  (Genesis  3:1).  Let  me  tell  you  how  clever  
the  devil  is:  The  devil  is  so  clever  that  he  will  encourage  you  to  witness,  if  it  will  keep  
you  from  praying.  The  devil  is  so  clever  that  he  will  encourage  you  to  attend  church,  if  
that  will  keep  you  from  praying.  Now  no  one  who  lives,  in  my  estimation,  as  he  ought  to  
live  has  to  choose  between  church  attendance  and  prayer.  But  if  you  had  to  choose,  it’d  
be  better  to  stay  home  and  pray  than  it  would  to  be  a  prayer-­less  Christian  in  church.  
The  devil  would  even  encourage  you  to  study  the  Word  of  God,  if  that  becomes  a  
substitute  for  your  prayer  life.  There  is  no  substitute  for  prayer—not  enthusiasm,  not  
eloquence,  not  energy—no  substitutes  for  intercession  and  prayer.  And  so  we  must  
pray.  Prayer  is  warfare.  
But  it  is  the  Holy  Spirit  who  gives  us  endurance.  And  in  that  sixth  chapter  of  
Ephesians,  Paul  says,  “We  wrestle  not  against  flesh  and  blood,  but  against  
principalities,  and  powers…and  spiritual  wickedness  in  high  places”  (Ephesians  6:12).  
That  wrestling  is  prayer.  When  we  put  on  the  armor,  then  we  show  up  to  the  battle.  And  
the  battle  is  prayer,  for  he  says,  in  chapter  6,  verse  18:  “Praying  always  with  all  prayer  
and  supplication  in  the  Spirit”  (Ephesians  6:18).  Satan  is  no  match  for  the  Holy  Spirit.  
And  only  prayer  in  the  Spirit  can  overcome  the  interference  of  the  devil.  That,  ladies  and  
gentlemen,  is  why  we  must  pray  in  the  Spirit.  

Conclusion  
But  in  order  to  pray  in  the  Spirit,  we  must  be  filled  with  that  Spirit.  And  in  order  to  be  
filled  with  the  Spirit,  we  must  first  of  all  be  saved.  And  in  order  to  be  saved,  we  must  
receive  Christ  as  our  Lord  and  Savior.  Have  you  done  that?  Does  Jesus  live  in  your  
heart?  Have  you  invited  Him  in?  I  want  every  head  bowed.  Heads  are  bowed.  Eyes  are  
closed.  
O  dear  Holy  Spirit  of  God,  energize  the  prayer  life  of  this  church  and  my  own  prayer  
life.  Thank  You,  Lord,  that  You’ve  not  left  us  helpless;;  that,  Lord,  You  help  our  
weaknesses,  our  infirmities,  if  we’ll  only  yield  to  You.  Holy  Spirit,  one  more  time,  anew  
and  afresh,  I  yield  myself  to  You  to  be  an  instrument  of  prayer.  Come  into  my  heart  and  
my  life  in  a  new  and  a  full  way.  And  now  Holy  Spirit  of  God,  bless  those  who  are  not  
saved,  that  they  might  come  to  know  Jesus  as  their  personal  Savior  and  Lord.  For  we  

   

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pray  in  His  name.  Amen.  

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 Prayer
By Adrian Rogers
Date Preached: April 26, 1998

Main Scripture Text: Romans 8:26–28

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not
what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh
intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
ROMANS 8:26

Outline
Introduction  
I. The Problems in Prayer
A. The Problem of Indifference
B. The Problem of Ignorance
C. The Problem of Interference
II. The Answer: the Holy Spirit
A. The Holy Spirit Activates Our Wills in Prayer
B. The Holy Spirit Animates Our Body in Prayer
C. The Holy Spirit Adapts Our Requests in Prayer
D. The Holy Spirit Administrates Our Access in Prayer
E. The Holy Spirit Articulates Our Needs in Prayer
Conclusion  

Introduction
Now, take your Bibles and find Romans chapter 8. Romans is the constitution of
Christianity. We are looking at the foundations of our faith, a solid word in an unsure
age, and we've been right in the heart of this eighth chapter, which is the heart of the
book of Romans, which is the heartbeat of all theology. And today we're going to be
talking about prayer. We're going to retrace some things that we've told you before, re-
emphasize these things because they are of such great importance.
Romans chapter 8, and we begin in verse 26: "Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our
infirmities, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself
maketh intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered, and he that
searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he"—that is, the
Spirit—"maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know
that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called
according to his purpose."

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 Now, it's very obvious that there are two words that are standing out here. One is the
Spirit, and the other is the word prayer. Now, I want to talk to you about how to pray in
the Spirit. As I said a few moments ago, I don't know a one of us that would say, I am
satisfied with my prayer life. And I think all of those of us who know and love the Lord
Jesus want to pray better. Prayer is the greatest Christian privilege. That was a good
place for an amen. Prayer is the greatest Christian privilege. I want to say it is the
greatest Christian service. You can do more than pray after you've prayed, but you
cannot do any more than pray until you pray. It's the greatest privilege, it is the greatest
service, but alas, it is the Christian's greatest failure. We fail in our prayer life, and very
few of us would say, I am satisfied with my prayer life.

I. The Problems in Prayer

Now, what are the problems?
A. The Problem of Indifference
Well, first of all, there is the problem of indifference. Many times we just don't have a
desire to pray. We just don't want to pray; we don't have a longing to pray. We might as
well admit it: there's something in every one of us that doesn't want to pray. Now, don't
look so holy. I'm telling you, there's something in every one of you, it's the flesh; and
we're going to see in a moment, it doesn't want to pray. There's the problem of
indifference.
B. The Problem of Ignorance
And then, there's the problem of ignorance. We don't know how to pray or what to
pray for.
C. The Problem of Interference
And then, not only is it the problem of indifference, and the problem of ignorance, but
folks, there's the problem of interference. I mean, when you go to pray, the devil moves
heaven and earth, and hell beneath, to try to keep you from praying—he really does.
The beans will burn; the kids will get in a fight; the telephone will ring; you will get
sleepy; your mind will gather wool; you'll think silly thoughts. Has that ever happened to
you—or just me? All right, when you're trying to pray, there's interference. Do you know
why? The devil laughs at our organization; he mocks our schemes; he ridicules our
good intentions; he fears our prayers. You can imagine the devil talking to his demons,
and saying to his demons, There's that Baptist preacher there. Whatever you do, keep
him from praying, because, if he prays, he'll beat us every time. If you can keep him
from praying, we can beat him every time. So, when you go to pray, the devil is going to
level all of the artillery against you, because he does not want you to pray, and your
indifference, and your ignorance, and his interference, sometimes just line up against

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us, and then we just say, Well, we're not very good at prayer. We like to talk about
prayer, sing about prayer, but many of us really do not have a satisfying, fulfilling prayer
life.

II. The Answer: the Holy Spirit

Now, what is the answer? The answer is to find that God has given us an ally, an
asset, a helper, an encourager—and He is the Holy Spirit. And this passage of Scripture
says, "Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities." We're going to talk about that
word help in just a moment, and show you how the Holy Spirit of God helps you,
energizes you, enlightens you, empowers you to pray. And we're going to find all of that
right here in the eighth chapter of Romans. We're not going to have to go to any other
place; well, we'll have some ancillary scriptures, but they'll all impinge on scriptures that
we find right here in the eighth chapter of Romans, praying in the Spirit. By the way, this
is not the only place we're told to pray in the Spirit. You might want to put in your margin
a couple other verses. For example, Ephesians chapter 6 and verse 18: "Praying
always, with all prayer and supplication, in the Spirit." "Praying always, with all prayer
and supplication, in the Spirit." Or Jude, verse 20, "But ye, beloved, building up
yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost." Praying in the Holy
Ghost. To pray in the flesh is to fail; to pray in the Spirit is to succeed. The early church
advanced on its knees. Bellevue Baptist Church can be no greater than the prayer life of
her members. My ministry would be no better than my prayer life.
Now, what are some ways that the Holy Spirit of God helps us to pray? Let's look
right here.
A. The Holy Spirit Activates Our Wills in Prayer
First of all, the Holy Spirit of God activates our wills in prayer. The Holy Spirit of
God—listen—He activates our wills in prayer. That is, the Holy Spirit of God moves your
will to pray. We might as well admit it: the reason, basically, that we don't pray is, there
is a lack of desire; we have no will, we have no appetite, we have no hunger. Come up
close, I'm going to tell you something: the reason you don't pray more than you pray is
because you don't want to. People do what they want to do—people do what they want
to do. But there's a part of us called the flesh—now, he's not talking about your hide,
your hair, your skin, your, the bones, the sinew, the flesh, the meat on those bones;
that's not what the Bible means when it says flesh. When the Bible uses the word
flesh—in this instance anyway—it's talking about your old nature, that Adamic nature,
that predisposition to sin, that part of you that doesn't love God. You were born with it.
Let's see how the Bible describes it. Look, if you will, here in verse 5. You're in
chapter 8—look in verse 5—watch it: "For they that are after the flesh do mind the
things of the flesh." And some of you, right now, have already checked me out on this

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sermon. I mean, your mind, right now, you're thinking about business, you're thinking
about a movie, you're thinking about sports, you're thinking about your lawn, or
something right now. You don't have an appetite even to hear about prayer. You are in
the flesh, and you are minding the things of the flesh. "But they that are after the Spirit,
the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded…"—the word carnally is just another
way of saying fleshly minded—"to be carnally minded is death"—he’s not talking here
about physical death only; he's talking about spiritual death, he's talking about death to
goodness, purity, power, prayer, it's death—"but to be spiritually minded is life and
peace."
Now, you here today, you have a carnal mind or a spiritual mind. You are hungry to
know more, or you probably are bored. It all depends on what your mind is set on. Now,
look, if you will, at the explanation of that, in verse 7: "Because the carnal mind is enmity
against God." Do you know what the word enmity means? It means warfare. "It is not
subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." So, you have to be filled with the Holy
Spirit to desire to pray. Because, if you're not filled with the Holy Spirit, the flesh in you
says, Hey, I don't care about that; I'm not interested in that; I don't want to know about
that. You see, we do what we want to do.
Now, how does the Holy Spirit of God activate our wills? Well, this is beautiful; this is
wonderful. You see, look if you will, in verse 15 of this same chapter—Romans chapter
8 and verse 15: "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye
have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba Father." Now, there's the
spirit of bondage. That's the old devil, he wants to keep you in bondage, he wants to
keep you down—that's the spirit that motivates the children of this world. But he's
saying, when you get saved, you have received the spirit of adoption. Now, what is
adoption? Well, we are born into the family of God spiritually, we are adopted into the
family of God legally, and the spirit of adoption means that we are heirs of God, and
once we are adopted into the family of God, God puts His Holy Spirit into us, and the
Holy Spirit in us just loves the Father. The Holy Spirit says, Abba Father. It's as normal
and natural to pray when you're Spirit-filled. God has taken away the spirit of bondage
that keeps you from praying. God puts the Holy Spirit of God in your heart and in your
life, and you just say, Father.
Did you know that you don't have to be a junior-sized Shakespeare in order to pray.
Sometimes you'll ask a person to pray in public, they say, Well, I can't pray. What they
mean is, I can't rattle off some poetical praises. Jesus said we're not heard for our much
speaking. He says here is: Abba Father. That's the most primary speech that a child can
make; that's the counterpart of daddy, father. Suppose when my girls were growing up,
one of my teenage daughters would say to me, Hail, yon, eminent pastor of Bellevue
Baptist Church, biddest thou, have a wonderful sojourn down interstate 40 coming to

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our domicile. Thy second daughter, Janice, would request of her father that thou
wouldest grant to thy daughter Janice a dollar or two that I may sojourn to yonder
apothecary and procure some necessities for my cosmological appearance. It'd be a lot
better to say, Daddy, hey, I love you. Papa, good to have you home. Here's a kiss,
Daddy. Daddy, I need some things down at the drugstore. You got a couple of bucks?
Well, it'd be better—it'd be better. God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our
hearts crying, Abba Father. It is as natural for you to pray as it would be to speak to
your own daddy when you're filled with the Holy Spirit.
Because, you see, look, if you will, in verse 9 of this same chapter. The Bible calls
the Holy Spirit the Spirit of Christ. You see that? Look, if you will: "But if you're in the
flesh, but you're not in the flesh but in the Spirit, it so being that the Spirit of God dwell in
you. Now, if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he's none of his." So, when you're
filled with the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit is just Christ in the Christian. Well, what was the
prayer life of Jesus like? His prayer life was so wonderful, when the disciples saw Him
pray, said, Lord, teach us to pray, after they heard Him pray, and saw Him pray. Well,
the Spirit of Christ is in you; you have the spirit of adoption. It is normal, it is natural, it is
easy to pray, when you're in the Spirit. But I'm telling you, to be carnally minded is
death. The carnal mind is enmity against God. There's a part of you that does not want
to pray. That is your old nature. Now, you know it is true, but friend, if you don't have a
desire to pray, it's because you're not filled with the Holy Spirit.
B. The Holy Spirit Animates Our Body in Prayer
Now, the first thing the Holy Spirit of God does to help us to pray is that the Holy
Spirit of God activates our will. "And for it is God that worketh in you"—the Bible says, in
Philippians 2, verse 13—"both to will and to do of his good pleasure." God works in you;
He activates your will. Listen to that verse again: "For it is God that worketh in you both
to will and to do his good pleasure." So, you have to let the Holy Spirit of God come into
you and activate your will.
But not only will the Holy Spirit of God activate your will; I'll tell you what else the
Holy Spirit of God will do. He will animate your body. It's not only the activation of your
will, but the animation of your body. It means He makes your body alive. Now, look, if
you will—look in verses 10 and 11 of this same chapter: "And if Christ be in you, the
body is dead because of sin,"—that is, the wages of sin is death and because of our sin
Jesus died for us, we died with Him, the old person is crucified—"but the Spirit is life
because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead
dwell in you…"—who was it that brought Jesus out of that grave? Well, according to this
verse, it's the Holy Spirit. Now, the Holy Spirit that brought Jesus actually, literally,
visibly, bodily out of that grave, He's the Holy Spirit that came into you when you got
saved—"Now, if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he

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that raised up Jesus from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit
that dwelleth in you." You know what the word quicken means? It means give life,
energy, to animate.
You see, He not only activates your will; He animates your body. He gives you
strength to pray. Did you know it takes energy to pray? Did you know I had rather
preach for an hour than to pray for a half an hour, so far as energy is concerned? It
takes great strength to pray. Paul talked about laboring with me in prayer. The reason
many of us don't pray is, very frankly, we're lazy, and we go to pray, our energy just
drains out of us. Do you ever feel that? You're tired, you're sleepy, your head gets full of
cobwebs. Part of it is your fault. You get in a big, overstuffed chair, put your face down
in it, you smother. Get your head up anyway, and breathe. Sometime, you know, I'll just
go for a walk and pray. That's a wonderful thing to do. And, walk and pray and breathe,
and so forth. But, I'm talking on top of that. That there's a part of the flesh, the old
nature, the body, we just don't have the strength to pray. Jesus was in the Garden of
Gethsemane, and He was praying, and He wanted His disciples to pray, and He said,
Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. And He came back, and what were they
doing? They were sleeping—sleeping. And what did Jesus say? Listen to this very
carefully. He said, "Watch and pray; the Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Had they
been filled with the Spirit they wouldn't have prayed. Many times we're sleeping when
we ought to be praying, and the reason we're sleeping when we ought to be praying is
we're not praying in the Spirit.
If the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus Christ from the dead dwell in you, that Spirit
will quicken your mortal bodies. There's something about the Holy Spirit that gives you
energy. You know, when the Spirit of God is there, joy is there, and the joy of the Lord is
your strength. When Jesus was there—you read about it in the fourth chapter of John—
Jesus was at Sychar in Samaria, and Jacob's well was there, and Jesus was weary, He
was sitting on the rim of that well. I've been there many times. I've drunk water from that
same well. It's still there, a deep well. Jesus was sitting on the rim of that well. He was
tired, and the woman of Samaria came, and Jesus began to witness to her, and she
came to saving faith. And, I don't want to digress and get into that too much—many of
you know the story—but the interesting thing is that Jesus was tired. He was sitting
there, and He was hungry, because the disciples had gone into town to get some food,
and they'd come back, and Jesus is vibrant, and they say, Here's some food. And He
says, Hey, I've got food to eat you don't know anything about; I have food to eat you
don't know anything about. Jesus' actual body had been invigorated by the Holy Spirit of
God. And when you're in the Spirit, the Holy Spirit of God will literally strengthen, He will
animate your body, as well as activate your will. And, you can just say, Lord, I'm weak,
I'm fading, I am numb and sleepy, and my mind is gathering wool. Come, Holy Spirit of

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God; my flesh is weak, the Spirit is willing—okay?
C. The Holy Spirit Adapts Our Requests in Prayer
Now, let me tell you a third thing the Holy Spirit of God will do. Not only is there the
activation of your will in prayer, and the animation of our bodies in prayer, but, number
three, there's the adaptation of our requests in prayer. Now, look at this—it's very
interesting. Go, if you will, to verse 26; look, if you will, in verse 26: "Likewise, the Spirit
also helpeth our infirmities,"—now, let's just stop there for a moment and say that Paul
includes himself. He didn't say your weaknesses. Paul's the greatest Christian that ever
lived, and he included himself, says our infirmities—"for we know not what we should
pray for." He didn't say, You bunch of carnal people don't know what you should pray
for. It says, "we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself
maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
Now, you ought to accept your weakness for two reasons. Reason number one: it's
a fact. Paul said my infirmity, your infirmity—it's a fact. Number two: it is an asset. You
say, How can my weakness be an asset? Well, Paul learned that his weakness was an
asset. Put this verse down, in 2 Corinthians chapter 12 and verse 9. Paul had a thorn in
the flesh; he asked God to take it away from him, and God refused, and, beginning in
verse 9, "He said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made
perfect in weakness." Isn't that great? You see, many of us think we're too weak—
maybe we haven't been weak enough; maybe we haven't come to the place where
we've said, Lord, I can't. Have you ever done that? Lord, I just can't. So long as we're
struggling, we don't cry out to Him. But when we say, Lord, I can't, and you can, then
God says, All right, that strength is a fact; it's going to become an asset; because my
strength will be made perfect in your weakness. What God wants to do in prayer is to
deliver us from self-sufficiency. He makes us perpetually weak that we might be
perpetually dependent, that we might be perpetually powerful, as we depend upon Him.
And so, the Spirit helpeth our infirmities. You see, the Holy Spirit of God adapts our
requests in prayer. He just moves in alongside of us. Now, look at the word helper. It's a
very interesting word. Oh, you're going to be blessed by this—it has a double prefix. I
know you've been waiting all morning to hear that; oh my, you can carry that home with
you. But now, listen—a double prefix. All right, it begins with the word sun—we'd say s-
u-n—sun—or, if you want to Anglicize it more, s-o-o-n—soon—which means with. And
then, another prefix is anti—a-n-t-i—which means face to face. And then, the third word
is lambano, which means to take hold of. All right, sun-anti-lambano. That's the word
helper. The only other time it's used in the Bible, I think, is when Martha was in the
kitchen, and she came out of the kitchen like she was mad, because Mary was sitting at
the feet of Jesus, and Martha was in the kitchen fixing a meatloaf, and she comes out
there, and she says, Jesus, would you tell Mary to come in this kitchen and help me?

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Now, think of these words: sun—means with; and anti—means face-to-face; and
lambano—means to take hold of.
Now, I'm going to tell you how the Holy Spirit—the adaptation of our requests in
prayer, that's what we're talking about—how He helps our infirmities. I heard Dr.
Herschel Hobbs use this illustration, and it was a great blessing to me. He said,
suppose here's a man, he has a wagon, and on that wagon he has a 500-pound bale of
hay. And he's going over a little bridge, and the back of that wagon tilts, and that bale of
hay falls out on the ground. And you come up to this man, and he's struggling, trying to
put that 500-pound bale of hay back on that wagon, and he just can't do it. And you say,
What are you doing? He'll say, I'm trying to load this hay—hay, cotton; did I say hay?
Well, let's make it cotton, a better illustration—trying to put this cotton back on this
wagon. So, you say, Well, let me help you. So, you get on one side, and he gets on the
other side. Now, you're looking at each other over that bale of cotton. You're anti—face-
to-face. Then you take hold of it—with Him, he's on one side; you're on the other side—
that's sun, with. Anti—face-to-face—and then, you both take hold—that's lambano—and
you both lift that load on that wagon. Now, that's a good illustration about what this
verse is about.
You see, when we pray in the Holy Spirit, we are face to face with Him. There is that
vital relationship, face-to-face with Him. He with me, and I with Him; and He takes hold,
and I take hold, and together we do it. I cannot do it without him; He will not do it without
me; but together, in prayer, the Holy Spirit of God helps us to pray. And that is so very
important, because, friend, this thing of prayer is a mystery, and the Holy Spirit of God
has to adapt our prayers. You know, there are so many questions about prayer. I mean,
what should you pray for? Folks, there are so many needs in our world today. If you go
just to pray according to need—that's like trying to bail out the ocean with a teacup—
you'll get discouraged. If you try to pray for everything, you'll end up praying for nothing.
I've been there. I mean, you'll never get finished. There are so many people, so many
hurts, so many problems, so many nations, so much to pray about, you just don't know
what to pray about.
And you don't know, once you know what to pray about, you don't know how to pray
about what you know to pray about. Aunt Susie, she's sick—is it God's will to heal her,
or does God want to take her home? I mean, when you pray for the sick, you know
Jesus prayed, Father, I pray for those whom thou hast given me that they may be with
me where I am. Jesus is saying, Father, I want them in heaven. We're praying, Lord,
don't let them go to heaven, isn't that true? Now, sometimes, it is God's will for people to
stay here, and God extends our lives, and God, in mercy to us, let's them stay with us.
But God has made us for heaven. How do you pray about dear old Aunt Susie who's
walked with the Lord for so long? Jesus is up there saying, Father, let her come. We're

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down here, O God, don't let her go. And in most of our prayer meetings in our churches,
how many people are praying for the lost that need to be saved? Far more people are
praying for the saints to get well. Nothing wrong with that. Always seemed more strange
to me we're more interested in keeping the saints out of heaven than the lost out of hell.
How do you pray about these things?
What do you pray about a troublemaker in the church? Troublemakers, Pastor, in
the church? Well, I've heard about them in other churches. How do you pray about
people like that? Do you pray, Lord, get them out, or Lord, get them right? You may not
know how to pray. I know when Saul was making havoc of the church, and hauling off
Christians to prison and to death, I can just imagine how the church was praying about
old Saul. O God, strike him dead. God struck him alive; God saved him, became the
great apostle Paul. Hey, folks, it's hard to know how to pray.
If you try to pray about everything, rather than being a river, your prayer will become
a swamp. You have to pray with selectivity and specificity in order to pray with power.
Well, how are you going to know? Well, listen—listen to this passage of Scripture. Look,
if you will again: "Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities, for we know not what
we should pray for as we ought. But the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with
groanings which cannot be uttered." Thank God that the Holy Spirit of God, when we
pray, will lay prayer burdens on our heart, and teach us what to pray for.
D. The Holy Spirit Administrates Our Access in Prayer
Now, here's something else that the Holy Spirit of God will do: the Holy Spirit of God
will administrate your access to God—the administration of our access in prayer. Look,
if you will again, in verses 14 and 15. We've already looked at this, but look at it again,
in chapter 8, verse 14: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of
God. Will you not receive the spirit of bondage again of fear, but have received the spirit
of adoption whereby we cry, Abba Father." Now, what the Holy Spirit of God does, He
energizes you, and leads you into the presence of God. Question: have you ever tried to
pray, and it just seemed like the heavens were brass? I mean, that your prayers hit the
ceiling, and bounced back off; you just can't seem to get through, and God seems
thousands of light years away—you just can't seem to get through. Well, the Bible
teaches that it is the Holy Spirit that ushers us into the throne room. I want to give you a
verse that you put down in your margin, because it refers again to Romans 8, verses 14
and 15, and it's Ephesians 2, verse 18: "For through him"—through Jesus—"we both
have access by one Spirit unto the Father." Now, listen carefully. We pray to the Father,
through the Son, in the Spirit—to the Father, through the Son, in the Spirit. "For by
him"—Jesus—"we have access by one Spirit unto the Father."
Now, yes, the Lord has invited us to come boldly to the throne of grace, but you
need the Holy Spirit of God to usher you into the throne room. When I was first elected

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president of the Southern Baptist Convention back in 1979, that year, the ensuing year,
1980, President Jimmy Carter was elected, and he's a Southern Baptist, and I'm a
Southern Baptist, so he was my president, and I was his president. He invited me to the
Oval Office. I went to the Oval Office. Well, how do you go into the Oval Office? Well, I'll
tell you what you don't do. You don't catch a cab, go to the front gate, go sauntering in,
go knock on the door of the Oval Office. You just don't do that. What you do, you go to a
particular room, and you wait there, and there is an envoy for the president who will
come and get you and usher you into that office. Even if you've been invited, you need
that person to bring you in. Now, friend, the Holy Spirit is that person who'll bring you in
to the throne room—the throne room. You say, Well, I'll never get invited to the Oval
Office, Pastor. Well, let me tell you something, friend: you're invited into the throne
room. Come boldly—boldly—to the throne of grace. And, it's the Holy Spirit of God,
when you're filled with the Holy Spirit of God, He'll take you by the hand, and bring you
right into the Shekinah glory, the presence of God. "For by him"—Jesus—"we have
access by one Spirit"—the Holy Spirit—"unto the Father." Isn't that great? Not because I
said it; it's just great anyway.
You see, it's praying in the Spirit. There is the activation of our will, the animation of
our bodies. Friend, there's the adaptation of our requests. We don't know what to pray
for, as we ought. Then, there's the administration of our access, as we're brought right
in.
E. The Holy Spirit Articulates Our Needs in Prayer
Now, I must close this with one other thing the Holy Spirit will do. There's the
articulation of our needs. You know, sometimes also, when we pray, we don't have the
vocabulary. There are certain things that we cannot put into words. Look again at this
passage of Scripture, in Romans chapter 8.
Now, go back over here. Watch this: "Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities,
for we know now what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself maketh
intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." He's not talking about
praying in tongues here; that's an utterance. He's talking about groanings that can't be
uttered. Do you know what a word is? A word is like a truck; a word is like a vehicle, that
delivers a thought from one person to another person. My words are the trucks, the
vehicles, that are getting my thoughts to you. But sometimes, you know, there are some
thoughts that are too heavy for the truck. I mean, we might have a four-ton problem and
a two-ton truck. We may have something that we don't know what to ask for, we don't
know how to ask it, we don't know how to articulate it, and there are just things, friend,
that we don't know what to do. And the Bible says the Spirit himself maketh intercession
for us with groanings that cannot be uttered. One translation gives it, sighs that are too
deep for words. This word groanings is a word that's used for labor pains. You ever

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been there? I've been there. Well, I've never had them; I've had sympathetic labor
pains, but you know, when that groaning that sometimes that mother who is about to
bring forth. She's not making a speech; she's just in agony. But it is a groaning, the
desires to bring forth. There's a need, something that needs to be delivered, to happen,
and the Holy Spirit of God makes groanings that cannot be uttered. It's a form of
inarticulate prayer.
I've been there. Some years ago, there was a problem in our family. It broke my
heart. I stained heaven with my prayers. There came a time when I would just say, O
God, that's it, not know how to pray, what to pray for. Just, O God. You know what? The
Holy Spirit was saying, Father, Adrian doesn't know what to ask for, but I know. He that
searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, and He makes intercession for
the saints according to the will of God. And, you know, sometimes we don't know how to
pray, what to pray for; but when you're in the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit of God is
helping you, and praying, that's so wonderful.
You know, if you go down the streets of Memphis Tennessee, and look up on these
poles, you'll see something called a transformer—it's a big box. And that heavy voltage
comes into that transformer, and then it comes out of that transformer. Those wires that
come into your house come into your toaster that you toasted that bagel in this morning;
or it comes down to your refrigerator that kept your orange juice cold; came down to
your hair dryer that enabled you to blow it, fluff your hair; or it came down to those light
bulbs, and so forth. But, you know, if you just took that energy, and, as it comes into that
transformer, and put it just right into your hair blower, you probably wouldn't have any
hair, or a hair blower, you know. Or, put it into your toaster, you wouldn't have a bagel,
and you wouldn't have a toaster.
Now, it's the same energy, but it goes through a transformer. The Holy Spirit of God
will take your prayers sometimes, and put them in the divine transformer, and make
them adaptable to heaven. Sometimes, I'll be back in my study, and say, Well, we're
going out to such-and-such a person. Will you pray for me before we have the service?
And that person, maybe be a friend, preacher friend—and he'll pray something like this:
And God, bless Adrian as he preaches tonight. And I have a guest preacher. He doesn't
know that. I'm not going to preach. But he's saying, Lord, bless Adrian as he preaches
tonight. Will that prayer be answered? Sure. It's a sincere prayer. The Holy Spirit says,
Father, he doesn't know Adrian's not going to preach tonight. Ron Dunn is going to
preach tonight, and so, Lord, just take that prayer, and apply it to Ron. That's the way
the Holy Spirit does. Isn't that neat? Isn't that wonderful? "We know not what we should
pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us, sometimes with
groanings that cannot be uttered."

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Conclusion
Now, to pray in the Spirit, how do you get started? First of all, you've got to get
saved. You can't have the Holy Spirit unless you're saved. Romans 8, verse 9: "If any
man have not the Spirit of Christ, he's not of his." Now, friend, without being saved you
cannot have the Holy Spirit. But now, wait a minute. You can be saved, and the Holy
Spirit of God can be in you, and still not pray in the Spirit. Because not only are you to
have the Holy Spirit; He is to have you; you are to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Not only
is He to be resident, but He needs to be president. And what you need to do right now,
well, let's just bow our heads right now—every head bowed, right now. Why don't you
pray, O God, I admit that the problem in my prayer life is I'm just carnally minded. I don't
want to pray, and it's because I've been walking according to the flesh, and not
according to the Spirit. Lord, I take myself off the throne, and I enthrone the Lord Jesus.
Just fill me with the Spirit. Right now, Holy Spirit, I yield anew and afresh my heart and
my life to you. Fill me, Spirit of God. Fill me, Spirit of God. Take control of my life.
Now, those of you who have never truly been saved, let me lead you in a prayer. Right
now, you can pray and ask Jesus Christ into your heart. Now, you may already be a
church member, but I'm talking about being truly saved. Let me help you to pray. Would
you pray like this: Dear God, Dear God, I know that you love me, and I know that you
want to save me. Jesus, you died to save me. Thank you for paying for my sin with your
blood on the cross. You promised to save me, if I would trust you. I do trust you, Jesus.
Friend, tell him that; tell him that right now. I trust you, Jesus. I really do. Come into my
heart. Forgive my sins. Save me, Jesus. Pray it, friend. Pray it right now, right now.
Save me, Jesus. Forgive my sin. Save me, Lord Jesus. Lord Jesus, I thank you for
saving me. Just pray that, by faith. I thank you for saving me. You're now my Lord, my
Savior, my God, and my friend. And, Lord Jesus, give me the courage to make this
public. In your name I pray. Amen.

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 God Works All Things
Together for Good
By Adrian Rogers
Date Preached: July 9, 1989

Main Scripture Text: Romans 8:28

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that
love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
ROMANS 8:28

Outline
Introduction  
I. The Certainty of the Promise
II. The Completeness of the Promise
III. The Cause of the Promise
IV. The Condition of the Promise
V. The Consequences of the Promise
Conclusion

Introduction
The book of Romans has been called the constitution of Christianity. And, every chapter
in that wonderful book of Romans is a power-packed chapter. But, there’s no chapter in
that book like the eighth chapter of Romans. I want you to turn to Romans chapter 8
and look with me tonight at a familiar verse, one that our hearts can rejoice in. Romans
8 verse 28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Ladies and
gentlemen, that one verse will help you to go to sleep at night when nothing else will.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God…”
Someone gave us some wonderful and beautiful garden grown tomatoes. I had
some of those tomatoes for lunch, as Joyce fixed our family a wonderful lunch after
church. But, I put some poison on them and then ate them. I really did. But, it didn’t hurt
me because what was poison wasn’t poison. Actually, it was a white substance. It was
sodium chloride. Some people call it salt. Made up of two ingredients being sodium,
which is deadly poison and chloride, which is deadly poison. But, compounded
together—table salt—in the right amount is good for your health. And, certainly does
cause tomatoes to taste even better than these wonderful tomatoes did.

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 Now, there are certain things, in and of themselves that are not good. In and of
themselves they are bad, even terrible. But—by the chemistry of the cross—God takes
these things that in themselves are bad and God compounds them in the crucible of his
omnipotence. He mixes them with the hand of his love and they become to us that
which is good. They become to us flavors of life and they actually nourish us. Now, I
want you to think of that as we think of Romans chapter 8 and verse 28. I declare unto
you that it is is perhaps—other than John 3:16—the most precious promise in all of the
Bible. I want you to notice several things about this great promise.

I. The Certainty of the Promise

First of all I want you to notice how certain it is. I want you to notice how sure it is.
Because, notice what the apostle Paul says. He said, “And we know that all things work
together…” (Romans 8:28) This is not conjecture. This is not surmising. This is not
perhaps so. The apostle Paul says, “We know that it is true.” You see, the promises of
God are yea and amen in Jesus Christ.
Dr. F. B. Meyer is one of my favorite writers. He said, “On an occasion, if any
promise of God should fail, the Heaven would clothe themselves with sackcloth. The
sun, the moon, and the stars would reel from their courses. The universe would rock.
And, a hollow wind would moan through a ruined creation the awful message that God
can lie. But, thank God, while many may lie, God cannot lie. He abides faithful.” And, we
know that when he said Romans 8:28. When he put it in the Bible, it cannot fail. We
know that all things work together for good. Now, don’t get your eyes on circumstances.
If you get your eyes on circumstances, you’ll get confused.
One woman said to another man, “I got married.” He said, “That’s wonderful.” “Uh”
she said, “but my husband is not good looking.” “Oh,” he said, “that’s too bad.” She said,
“He’s very rich though.” “Oh,” he said, “that’s good.” “But he’s very stingy,” she said.
“Oh,” he said, “that’s bad.” “But,” she said, “He did build us a big house.” “Oh,” he said,
“that’s good.” “But it burned,” she said. “Oh,” he said, “that’s bad.” “But he was in it,” she
said. Then he didn’t know what to say. We look at circumstances and sometimes we
say this is good, then it’s bad, then it’s good, and then it’s bad. Hey, folks, just wait till
God is finished. Just wait till God is finished.
Someone wrote these words:
“On the far reef the breakers
Recoil in shattered foam,
While still the sea behind them
Urges its forces home;
Its song of triumph surges
O’er all the thunderous din,

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 The wave may break in failure;
But the tide is sure to win!
… mighty sea! thy message
In clanging spray is cast;
Within God’s plan of progress
It matters not at last
How wide the shores of evil,
How strong the reefs of sin,
The wave may be defeated,
But the tide is sure to win!
—PRISCILLA LEONARD
Get your eyes off the waves and get your eyes on God’s mighty tide. And, the same
God that programmed the planets to draw that tide back and forth is the God that
controls your life. He is the same God that controls this universe. There’s the certainty
of it.

II. The Completeness of the Promise

But, I want you to notice something else. I want you to notice the completeness of it.
Notice what he said. He says, “And we know that all things work together for good”
(Romans 8:28). Not some things, not a few things, and not most things. There is nothing
that is outside the pale of this promise. He says all things work together for good. Now,
we know that the sweet things work together for good. Thank God for the kiss of a baby.
Thank God for the love of a wife. Thank God for friendship. Thank God for health.
Thank God for happiness. Thank God for the church. Thank God for joy. Thank God for
music. Thank God for all of these good gifts. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is
from above…” (James 1:17).
And, God takes these things and God uses them for good even when we’re not
good. The Bible says, “…the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans
2:4). The sweet things work together for good. What about the sorrowful things? They
work together for good also. Turn with me to the book of Jeremiah. Let me show you
something here. Jeremiah chapter 24 is an interesting passage of Scripture. You can
see how God dealt with his ancient people, Judah. Jeremiah chapter 24. And, I want to
read verse 5. Look at it with me please. The Bible says, “Thus saith the LORD, the God
of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive
of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans—now watch
this next phrase—for their good.” (Jeremiah 24:5).
What would happen if the Soviets were to take over the United States and export us
all to Siberia? We would say, “God has forsaken us.” That’s what happened to Judah.

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The Babylonians came in and took them out of their land. And, God had them put into a
foreign country as captives. But, why did God say he did it? Had God forsaken them?
No. God said, “I did it for their good.” You’re in the Old Testament. Turn with me to the
book of Psalms. Psalm 119. And, look with me for just a moment in verse 71. David
said, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted…” (Psalm 119:71). Have you ever said
that? It takes a lot of faith to say that. Anybody afflicted? Anybody sick? Anybody
sorrowful? Anybody under the gun? Anybody hurting? Would you say it is good? It
takes a lot of faith to say that. But, that’s what David said. You see, God had to get
David’s attention. And, what God taught David when he was afflicted was more than
God could teach him when he was well. Sometimes the bed of affliction and a sickbed
will do more than a sermon.
I want you to look—you’re still in the Old Testament—at Genesis chapter 50. It’s the
first book, but near the end of that first book. Genesis chapter 50. There was a man—I
think one of the finest men in the Bible—whose name was Joseph. I can’t find anything
really bad said about Joseph. I know he was a sinner like the rest of us, but how he was
mistreated. If you would read the story of Joseph you would find that he was betrayed
by his brethren. He was put into a pit and left for dead. And, then brought out of that pit
and sold into slavery. After he was sold into slavery, he was cast into prison. He was
maligned and ridiculed. And, his brothers did it to him, those closest to him. But, I want
you to notice what this man—Joseph—said in Genesis chapter 50 and verse 20. As he
looked at his brethren he said, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God
meant it unto good…” (Genesis 50:20). There it is again.
Now, suppose that had happened to you. Suppose you’d been left in a pit by your
brothers. Suppose you’d been sold as a slave. Suppose you’d been lied about,
languished and rotted in prison. Suppose you had been falsely accused of rape and all
of these things. That happened to Joseph. Joseph said to his brothers, “you meant it for
harm.” But, God meant it for good. God arched Romans 8:28 over that entire situation.
You’re in the Old Testament. Again turn to 2 Chronicles with me for just a moment. 2
Chronicles, and let’s look for a moment in chapter 33, verse 11. “Wherefore the LORD
brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh
among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. And when he
was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before
the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his
supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh
knew that the LORD he was God” (2 Chronicles 33:11–13).
Here was a king on his throne. And, God took that king from his throne. The Bible
says that God did it. He took away Manasseh’s golden crown and gave Manasseh iron
chains. And, yet the Bible says that when that happened, it brought about a spiritual

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revival, it’s the life of Manasseh. What am I trying to say, dear friend? You may be like
Joseph, suffering at the hand of your brethren. You may be like David, afflicted in body.
You may be like King Manasseh, dragged from your throne. You may be like Judah,
carried into captivity. And, I tell you my dear friend all of the sorrowful things that
happen if you’re a Christian and if you love God they will work together for good. Sweet
things do happen and sorrowful things do happen. I want to tell you, my friend, that
Satanic things do happen. You say, what about what the devil does? Does that work
together for good? It does. You see, the devil himself—though he doesn’t desire to and
though he doesn’t want to—gives glory to God. The Bible says that, God makes even
the wrath of man to praise him. Let me give you an example of what I’m talking about.
The apostle Paul had a vision from God. It was so big, so great, and so glorious. The
Bible tells us about it in 2 Corinthians chapter 12. It tells us that Paul was in danger of
being carried away into perhaps pride, egotism, or going beyond certain bounds that
God had set for him. And he said there in 2 Corinthians chapter 12 verse 7, “…there
was given to me a thorn in the flesh—and then notice what he said—the messenger of
Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure” (2 Corinthians 12:7).
Now, here God wanted to humble Paul. And, God allowed the devil to become his
messenger, his errand boy, and his servant. That doesn’t mean that the devil meant it
for good. That didn’t mean what the devil did was good. That doesn’t mean a thorn in
the flesh is good. But, here is God who takes everything that happens and he works it
together for good. And, here was the apostle Paul who was broken, humble, and hurt.
But, he said, when I’m weak, then I’m strong. And, God gave him added grace. And,
that grace made him greater than he ever could have been. And, even satanic things
work together for good to those who love God. I’ll go a step further. Sinful things work
together for good to those who love God. I didn’t say sin was good any more than I said
Satan was good.
But, I am telling you, my dear friend, that God is over all and God is the final answer.
God is sovereign. And, even where there is sin, the Bible says, “…where sin abounded,
grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:20). If a man sins then he will suffer. If a
man sins then he will be hurt. If a man sins then it’s terrible, it’s horrible, and it’s
heinous. But, when Simon Peter cursed and swore and denied the Lord Jesus Christ,
Jesus said to Simon, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not…” (Luke 22:32).
And, then he said, Simon, “…and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren”
(Luke 22:32). Jesus was telling Simon that what he did was bad. It was
terrible. But, I know that you’re going to come out on the other side. And, even the sin
that you committed is going to be used as a platform to help and strengthen others.”
Isn’t it wonderful? Isn’t it amazing how God works all things together for good? Peter
suffered, and he wept bitterly. Because “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to

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be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of
righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:11).
Not only do the sinful work together for good. But my dear friend, the simple things.
Anything you can mention. Did you know that the very hairs of your head are
numbered? Did you know not a blade of grass moves without God’s permission? Did
you know, dear friend that God takes the most minute and inconsequential detail, and
He is moving it and working it all according to His sovereign purpose? I think of
Pharaoh—the mighty king and ruler of Egypt—he’d decreed that all the little boy babies
would be put to death. Little Moses was hid in the bulrushes. There’s a verse of
Scripture that says, “…the babe wept…” (Exodus 2:6). Pharaoh’s daughter heard that
baby crying and her maternal instincts went out. She found that little baby and she
raised him. He became mighty Moses that led the children of Israel out of Egypt, and
brought about the demise of that great monarchy. And, what caused it? One of the
events was a baby’s cry. Mighty Pharaoh. Waaa—the sound of a baby’s cry. A little
baby. That small thing. Simple things. Great things.
O my dear friend, whatever it is, there is completeness to this thing. “And we know
that all things—all things, all things, all things—work together for good to them that
love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

III. The Cause of the Promise

Now, I want you to see something else. I want you to see not only the completeness
of it but I want you to see the cause of it. Why does it happen this way? Well, now in the
King James Version of the Scripture I read from tonight it says, “and we know that all
things work together for good…” (Romans 8:28). But, that may be translated—I think
could be and should be—and we know that God works all things together for good.
Things in themselves don’t work together. You see, where God does not rule, God
overrules. God is the one who brings order out of confusion and harmony out of discord.
Don’t forget—if this verse seems too much for you to take in—that there is a God in the
Heavens who’s doing all of this.
The choir and orchestra were playing tonight, “A mighty fortress is our God, a
bulwark never failing.” This is one of the greatest pieces of music the world has ever
heard. It was written by Martin Luther, one of the greatest theologians, a courageous
man. But, what a lot of people don’t realize is that sometimes he had fits of
despondency, almost despair. He would get in a blue mood. He would go in his study or
in his basement and stay there day after day after day. He would not want to see
anybody. He would feel depressed and melancholy. This man who had such great faith
would go down into the depths of despair.
His wife would try to cheer him and help him but she couldn’t. One day his wife—

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whose name was Catherine, he called her Cathy, her Catherine—tried to bring him out.
She couldn’t so she thought she would shock him. She put on a funeral dress. It was
black. She put on black gloves. She put on a black hat and a black veil. Everything
dressed in black as if she were going to a funeral. And, then she walked into the room
where he was. And, he said, “Why Cathy, who has died? Who has died?” “Oh,” she
said, “Martin, haven’t you heard? God is dead.” He said, “Cathy, that’s blasphemy.” She
said, “It is. And, it’s blasphemy for you to live like God is dead also.” We know that God
works all things together for good. There’s a God in the Heavens whether you can
understand it or not.
Dear friend, it’s not things that work together for good. The cause is that God himself
does it.

IV. The Condition of the Promise

I want you to notice not only the cause of it, but I want you to notice the condition of
it. There’s a condition here. It’s not just automatic. The Bible says. “And we know that all
things work together for good to them that love God…” (Romans 8:28). Those who love
him. Listen to it again. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together
for good to them that love God…” That’s the condition of it.
If you’re here tonight, and you don’t love God then Romans 8:28 doesn’t apply to
you. The despisers of God cannot claim this. The haters of God may not claim this. But,
let me tell you something very wonderful. Everybody who loves God can claim it. Now,
I’ll tell why that’s so wonderful. There are people who can preach better that I can.
There are people who can sing better than I can. There are people who can give more
money than I can. There are people who are more gifted in service than I am, but
nobody can love God better than I can or you can. Isn’t that wonderful? Boys and girls,
anybody, just love God. That’s the condition. He didn’t say, “Be able to play an
instrument.” He didn’t say, “Be able to give a million dollars”. He just simply said, “The
one condition is that you love God”. And, if you love God, then this verse applies to you.
But, now let me say something else while we’re here. If you don’t love God, this
verse applies to you only in reverse. All things work together for bad to those who don’t
love God. Now, you think for a moment. The bad things work together for good if you do
love God. The good things work together for bad if you don’t love God. Let me give you
an example. Preaching of the Gospel. Is preaching the Gospel good or bad? I didn’t say
is the kind of preaching I do good or bad? I don’t answer that. I’m just saying preaching
is—we know—a good thing. But, you see dear friend, this book is a sword and it’s a two
edged sword. And, when it is preached, it cuts. And, if it does not cut to heal, it will
wound. If it does not bless you, it will convict you and judge you. You’re never the same
after hearing The Word of God. The same wind that blows one ship into the harbor is

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the same wind that blows another ship upon the rock. You see, dear friend, the Gospel
is either good or bad. If you are in this service tonight and you hear me preach and you
get saved and you love God then that’s working together for your good. But, if you hear
me preach and you don’t love God, what I do tonight is hurting you. If you don’t get
saved, it will be used against you.
Jesus said, when you go to a house to witness, you knock on the door. Jesus said, if
they receive you, go into that house and share, and let your peace be upon that house.
But. Jesus said, If they will not receive you, shake the dust off your feet. Shake it off.
Because he said that dust will be used against them in the judgment. O God, I didn’t
have a chance. There’s the dust off the shoes of my servant that I sent to your house.
And, that which would have worked together for good to bless will work together for bad
to blast. The Bible is a two-edged sword. What about the resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Is that good or is that bad? Well, if you’re saved, it works together for good but if you’re
not saved, do you know what it means? In Acts chapter 17 the Bible says, “Because he
hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man
whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath
raised him from the dead” (Acts 17:31). You see, if you’re not saved and you don’t
intend to get saved, you ought not to come to church on Easter. You should not put on
your glad rags and celebrate. Easter is the day that seals your doom. You can’t hold
court if the judge is dead and you can’t hold court if the defendant is dead. But, what
God is saying is that he rose up Jesus Christ to judge and he will raise you up. And,
you’ll not be able to pull the dirt over your face and hide from God. The resurrection of
Jesus Christ works together for bad if you don’t love God. I’m telling you, there’s nothing
that is good, that will work for good for you if you don’t love God. Ultimately, it will all be
bad.
The Bible says, “…and the plowing of the wicked, is sin” (Proverbs 21:4) I
remember reading in Judges chapter 5 and verse 20 about a man named Sisera who
set out against God’s army. And, the Bible says of Sisera, “They fought from heaven;
the stars in their courses fought against Sisera” (Judges 5:20). No wonder he lost the
battle. The very stars in their courses were against him. You talk about star wars. The
stars in their courses fought against Sisera Do you know what that verse means. I will
tell you what it means. It means that the entire universe is against the man who is
against God. Every grain of sand and very stellar body is against the man who is
against God. The condition of it is that you love God. That is one thing that anybody and
everybody can do if they will do. That’s the condition of it.

V. The Consequences of the Promise

One last thing I want to say and that is the consequences of it. How do all things

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work together for good? Well, that you will be wealthy? No. That you will be healthy?
Not necessarily. That you will be happy. Perhaps, but not necessarily. What are the
consequences? Well, continue to read Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work
together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his
purpose” (Romans 8:28). Just underline that phrase. Well, what is His purpose? Well,
I’m glad you asked. Let me read it. “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate
to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many
brethren…” (Romans 8:29). Now, that is what it all works together for. That’s the
consequences of it that you might be like Jesus.
So many people have the wrong idea. They think, well, everything is working
together for good. Here’s the construction that some people put on it. They are driving
down the road and they have a blow out and they say, “Oh well, praise God, all things
work together for the good, there is a sale on tires somewhere.” That isn’t what that
means. Now, God may do that in mercy and that’s fine and I think frequently He does.
But, dear friend, that’s an awfully cheap application of this verse. God’s plan for you is
not that you have new tires on your tires. God’s plan for you is that you are like Jesus
and that you will be conformed to the image of His Son.

Conclusion
Suffering and pain, sunshine and rain, good and bad times, sweet and sorrowful things,
sinful and satanic things, simple and sublime things all things work together to those
who love God. It happens to make then like Jesus Christ. Friend, I want to tell you,
that’s wonderful. It’s one of the greatest promises in The Word of God. Let’s bow in
prayer. Father, God, I pray tonight if there are those in this building who don’t truly love
you that they might understand, Lord, that the entire universe is programmed against
them. That even the things that they think are good will ultimately be against them. But,
help us dear Lord God, O, God those that do love you to know that ultimately that
everything is going to be worked together for their good and your glory. In Jesus’ name,
amen.

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 The Chemistry of the Cross
By Adrian Rogers
Date Preached: September 12, 1993

Main Scripture Text: Romans 8:28

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that
love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
ROMANS 8:28

Outline
Introduction  
I. The Certainty of the Promise
II. The Completeness of the Promise
III. The Cause of the Promise
IV. The Condition of the Promise
V. The Consequences of the Promise
Conclusion

Introduction
Take God's Word and find Romans chapter eight—Romans chapter eight—and we're
going to see a very familiar verse. But I pray God, that He'll take the familiarity of that
verse, and He will mix it with a brand new freshness for your heart and for your mind
today—Romans chapter eight and verse twenty-eight.
One time, I took an old high school friend to breakfast after we had been apart for
many, many years. We were in another city. I was staying in a hotel and I looked
forward to being at breakfast with Richard. And, after breakfast, I said, I'll get the tab.
And I picked it up, and I meant to sign my room number on the tab, but often someone
will ask me to inscribe a Bible, and when I inscribe a Bible, I just inscribe the Bible many
times, Adrian Rogers, and then put a verse of Scripture under it. Sometimes it's Psalm
34. Sometimes it's Romans 8:28. And sometimes it's Romans 1:16. But often I'll sign
Romans 8:28, which is our text for today.
And so, I said, I'll sign the ticket, and I meant to put my room number, but rather than
putting my room number, I put a Scripture verse there: Romans 8:28. And I went up and
handed it to the cashier, and she looked at it. She said, Mister, we don't have a room
828.
I said, Oh, I'm sorry, that's a verse out of the Bible. That's not the room I'm staying in,
but that's a verse from the Bible. But come to think of it, it's a wonderful room to live

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in. And here's what it says; I want you to hear what it says right here—Romans eight
and verse twenty-eight: And we know that all things work together for good to them that
love God and to them that are the called according to His purpose.
What an incredible verse that is! I want to talk to you today about the chemistry of
the cross. If you go to the pharmacy, you need some medicine, that pharmacist will take
bottles from his shelf sometimes, and powders and other things that may be by
themselves noxious poison, but he mixes them together, and makes medicine for us.
And, so many times, God does the same thing. He takes situations and problems and
things that in themselves look that they're bad and hurtful and harmful, and the God
mixes these together in the crucible of His love, and the crucible of His wisdom, and the
result is medicine for our souls—something good and something wonderful.
This morning when I had my oatmeal, in that oatmeal there was some salt. And salt
is what? Sodium chloride—chlorine, deadly poison. But, put together they make salt,
necessary for life. And so, I want you to see how God takes the situation of your life, the
circumstances, and God, by the chemistry of the cross, makes these things work
together for your good and for His glory.

I. The Certainty of the Promise

Now having said that, I want you to look at our text very carefully, because we're just
going to camp right here in Romans chapter eight and verse twenty-eight. And as we
think of the chemistry of the cross, the very first thing I want you to think about is the
certainty of it. Do you have that? The certainty of it.
How does that verse begin? Look at it. It says, and we know that all things work
together for good. We know that all things work together for good. No ifs, ands, and buts
about it. This is a promise of God. It is ironclad. It is rock-ribbed. No stutter, no stammer.
You can say, I don't care what happens, I don't care how bad it may seem, I know that I
know that I know that this is going to work together for God's glory and for my good.
F. B. Meyer was a preacher of another generation, but he said something so
wonderful I copied it down. And, this is what he said—he said, if any promise of God
should fail, the heavens would clothe themselves with sackcloth. The sun, moon and
stars would reel from their courses. The universe would rock, and a hollow wind would
moan through a ruined creation, the awful creation, that God can lie. But, friend, He
can't lie. He cannot lie. And, He says that all things work together for good to those who
love God.
And so, the very first thing I want you to get into your heart and in your soul today is
the certainty of it—the certainty of it, the certainty of it. Do you have it?

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II. The Completeness of the Promise
Second thing: not only the certainty of it, but I want you to see the completeness of
it. Look at that verse again: And we know that all things work together for good. Not
most things. Not some things. Not even almost all things. But that big little word, I thank
God that it is there: we know that all things—hallelujah—all things work together for
good.
Now, let’s just think about those all things. Now, we know that the sweet things work
together for good. Oh, there are many sweet things that happen in our lives today.
Today, my wife fixed me an extra special breakfast. And, I looked over at her and
thought, you know, she's such a wonderful woman. She's so sweet and so good to me,
and I'm grateful for every blessing. I've been thanking God all this morning for the
blessings of God. And they just make me want to be a better Christian. They just make
me want to be a better Christian. They ought to make you want to be a better Christian.
For the Bible says, in Romans chapter two and verse four, the goodness of God leads
us to repentance. The goodness of God leads us to repentance. The goodness of God
leads us to repentance. God is so good. Count your many blessings. Name them one
by one. It will surprise you what the Lord has done. The sweet things.
You say, yes, I can understand that; but now, wait a minute, not only the sweet
things, but the sorrowful things. Do you have a broken heart today? You say, no, I don't
think a broken heart is good. But I'll tell you this: it will work for good—it will work for
your good. I was looking at some scriptures this morning, and I want to share them with
you, as to how sorrowful things work for good.
For example, think about how God worked with the people of Judah. And, God
carried the people of Judah away to a strange land. It would be as if the Russians had
subjugated the United States and took us and put us in Siberia. Would we say that's
good? We'd say, no, that's not good. But put in your margin Jeremiah chapter twenty-
four and verse five, where God is speaking about how He carried His people away. And
God says, I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have
sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans, for their good.
Now, if you and I were to wake up this morning in Siberia, we would say, this is
terrible. But it may be that God would have done it for our good. As a matter of fact, I
think God is getting ready to do some terrible things to America, for our good. We have
been cursed with blessings. I think we're about to be blessed with cursings. We don't
know how to handle our blessings. And it seems like the more that God blesses us, the
more arrogant and more sinful that we get. And it may be that God will have to do
something to America, for our good, just like He did to Judah, for their good.
I was thinking about David also. David, who was a man after God's own heart, but
David had a tendency to stray from God, to get away from God, and you know what

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God did for David? God afflicted David, and God made David sick. And, I want you to
see what David wrote in Psalm 119, verse 71. Do you have it? Psalm 119:71—he said,
it is good for me that I have been afflicted. Have you ever said that? O God, thank you
for this sickness. Thank you for this suffering. Thank you for this adversity. Thank you
for this problem. Thank you for this heartache. Thank you for this thing I'm going
through. Takes a lot of faith to say, it is good for me that I have been afflicted. And
David said, it is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn Thy statues.
Did you know that affliction is sometimes the best teacher, and we never see as clearly
as when we see through eyes that have been washed through tears. And when we get
on our back, it's then that we begin to look up into the face of God. And a sick bed can
often teach more than a sermon.
And then, look at Joseph. I was thinking about Joseph—what a wonderful man was
Joseph! Joseph loved God with all of his heart. But you know what happened to
Joseph? Joseph was put in a pit by his brothers. He was sold as a slave. He was cast
into prison, and languished in prison for two years, and he'd not done anything wrong.
But his abasement made him ready for his advancement, and he became the prime
minister of Egypt. And this is what he said to his brothers, in Genesis chapter fifty and
verse twenty—listen: but as for you, you thought evil against me. Do you have
somebody who's doing you wrong? Do you have an enemy? Just keep on loving God.
Because, listen: but as for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it unto
good. You see, all things work together for good—your enemy trying to do your harm.
And here's Joseph, cast in a pit by his brothers, sold for a slave, languishing in prison,
being blamed for assault and rape and all of these terrible things. The devil is saying,
look what I'm doing to Joseph! But God was saying, you just don't understand the
chemistry of the cross. You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.
There was a king whose name was Manasseh. And Manasseh had difficulty serving
God. God just couldn't get Manasseh's attention. And if you're taking notes, write this
down, because this is a blesser: 2 Chronicles chapter thirty-three, verses eleven
through thirteen. Now listen to it carefully: "Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the
captains of the host of the king of Assyria…" Now, the Assyrians were cruel and wicked
people. Now Manasseh is the king. Now, listen: "…which took Manasseh among the
thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. And, when he was in
affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of
his fathers…" When? When he was in affliction. "And he prayed unto him: and he was
entreated of him—that is, God heard him—and heard his supplication and brought him
again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God."
Listen. His iron chains did him more good than his golden crown. And I want to tell you,
friend, that that was a greater blessing to him. And God may sometime have to pull you

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from your throne, just like He did Manasseh. God may have to put you in a prison, that
you will seek God. Now, what am I saying? I'm saying the sweet things work together
for good. The sorrowful things work together for good.
I'll tell you another thing: The satanic things work together for good. Well, you say,
why doesn't God just kill the devil? Did you know that God uses the devil? That may be
a surprise to you. But Paul had an affliction. That affliction was called a thorn in the
flesh. And then, Paul called it a messenger of Satan. But he says, there was given to
me a messenger of Satan. Who gave it to him? God gave it to him. You say, I don't
understand this. Well, you see, all things work together for good, and God rules in the
heavens. And even Satan unwittingly becomes the servant of God.
I think I have an illustration that fits perfectly here. Years and years and years ago, I
heard of a poor woman who lived in a threadbare apartment, and she loved God with all
of her heart. She had a landlord. The landlord didn't love God at all. As a matter of fact,
he took great joy in ridiculing her because of her faith and trust in the Lord. And this
poor woman, this widow, was living from hand to mouth. And the time came that she
had no food in the house, and she prayed to God. And she said, God, I don't have any
food. I don't have any groceries. O God, you promised to meet my need. Lord, I ask
you, give me some groceries. The old landlord was listening through the paper-thin
walls. He heard her praying. He thought he would cure her from her religious
superstitions. So, you know what he did? He went out and bought a bountiful basket of
groceries. And while she was away, he went in with his passkey, unlocked the door to
her apartment, and put this basket of groceries there on her table, and backed out and
waited. He was listening. When she came in, there was a squeal of delight. Oh, Jesus!
Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Lord! Thank you! Hallelujah! Thank you for an answered
prayer! She rejoiced, and did a little dance there in the room, and then, knock, knock,
knock, knock, knock—she was knocking at his door. You say there's no God? You say
that God doesn't' answer prayer? Come in here—I want to show you something. Look
over there. Do you see that basketful of groceries? Let me tell you about that basketful
of groceries. I didn't have anything. I was down to nothing. And I prayed and asked God
for groceries. And now, look what God has given me. His lips twisted in a cynical smile.
And he said, you poor, old, deluded, religious fanatic and fool. I heard you pray for
those groceries. I heard you ask God. I bought those groceries. I put them there on your
table. Here is the receipt for those groceries. I knew that you would say that God did it.
God didn't give you those groceries. I gave you those groceries. You Christians are
always ready to give any coincidence, any happening, to give God the glory and the
credit. I am the one that bought those groceries. What a fool you are! She said, no,
you're the one who's wrong. I'm the one who is right. And you listen to me, sir. I asked
God for groceries, and I got groceries, even if God did send it by the devil. Now, you

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think about that—you think about that. There is a God who rules in the affairs of this
world, and God is over all. The satanic things work together for good.
But not only the satanic things, now, listen. This is going to be hard to believe, but
sinful things work together for good. Now, no Christian should willingly, deliberately sin,
because if you're bound to sin, you’re bound to suffer. But even that suffering will work
together for your good. The Bible says that God makes the wrath of man to praise Him.
And the Bible says, where sin abounds, grace doth much more abound.
The illustration I'm thinking about is Simon Peter. Before the crucifixion of Jesus,
Simon Peter had boasted that he would go with Christ both to prison and to death. And
Jesus prophesied, and said, Simon, before the cock crows, you'll thrice deny that you
know me. But He said, Peter, I've prayed for you that your faith fail not. And then He
said, Peter, when you're converted, strengthen your brethren. And Peter denied Jesus.
And Jesus was betrayed by that denial. Peter cursed and swore. A terrible thing. But
God arched the rainbow of Romans 8:28 over what Peter did. And did you know that his
bitter weeping, the Bible says that he went out and wept bitterly. But Jesus forgave him.
Jesus restored him. And in a very odd sense, a strange way, even that disobedience
was used to strengthen Adrian Rogers. When you are converted, strengthen your
brethren. Isn't that amazing—how God could take even that sin and use that sin to help
strengthen me and to strengthen Simon Peter?
You know, the Bible says, no chastening for the present time seems to be joyous,
but grievous. Peter wept bitterly. But afterward—afterward—it yielded the peaceable
fruit of righteousness to them that exercise thereby. That's what the Bible tells us in
Hebrews chapter twelve.
And what am I saying? Friend, listen to this pastor this morning. The Bible means it
when it says that all things work together. The sweet things. The sorrowful things. The
satanic things. The sinful things. The simple things. The smallest things work together
for good. It's amazing how God sits at master control.
Pharaoh has decided that all Jewish babies are going to be put to death. But God
takes a little baby, puts that little baby in the bulrushes, and Pharaoh's daughter comes
by and decides that she wants to bathe in the Nile. Can you imagine this, this princess
who can bathe in her marble tubs? Maybe she remembers the little swimming hole
where she used to play as a kid. She decides she's going to go down to the Nile. And
then, the Bible says this: And the baby wept. Lo, the baby wept. Have you ever heard a
baby cry? Waaahh, a baby cried. And God took the cry of a baby and brought
Pharaoh's mighty kingdom crashing down. The smallest things. God—God is the
sovereign God. The certainty of it. The completeness of it.

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III. The Cause of the Promise
Now, I want you to notice a third thing, as we look at Romans 8:28. I want you to
notice the cause of it. How does this happen? "And we know that all things work
together for good." Literally, some translations give it this way: And we know that God
works all things together. And put that with Ephesians chapter one, verse eleven. The
Bible speaks of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will—Him, who
worketh all things after the counsel of His own will. Now, if you think that what I'm saying
today about all things working together for good to those who love God, if you think
that's far-fetched, do you know why you think it's far-fetched? Because you just don't
believe in a big enough God. You see, we know that God is the one who is working all
things. That's the cause of it. And sometimes we get our eyes off of that.
Martin Luther was the mighty reformer. Martin Luther who led in the Protestant
Reformation, was a man of great, great faith. But, you know what? Martin Luther, like
some of us, was given to fits of despondency and depression. And, one day, Martin
Luther, in spite of his great faith, he just got depressed. He got his eyes on the
circumstances and the situation rather than on God. And he went into his room. And,
there in his room, he was brooding. There in his room, he was in a state of melancholy.
Looking at circumstances, looking at the situation, and he wouldn't come out. His wife's
name was Katrinka. He called her Cathy. She tried to coax him out of the room, but he
wouldn't come out. Then, you know what Cathy did? One day, she put on a black dress.
She put on a black hat. She put a black veil over her face. She put black gloves on, and
came into that room. She was dressed for a funeral. He looked at her. He said, Cathy,
who has died? Oh, she said, Martin, haven't you heard? God is dead. He said, what did
you say? She said, I said, God is dead. He said, Cathy, that's blasphemy! She said,
yes. And it's blasphemy for you to be living like He's dead. Whew! Martin Luther said, O
God, forgive me. Forgive me. And Martin Luther got up and went out and began to live
like God is not dead. God is alive. And he wrote, I guess, my favorite hymn, "A Mighty
Fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing. Our helper He amid the flood, of mortal ills
prevailing. Did we in our own strength confide? Our striving would be losing. Were not
the right man on our side, a man of God's own choosing." That's Jesus. And we know
that all things work together for good. That's the cause of it. God is the cause of it.

IV. The Condition of the Promise

Now, I want you to notice next, not only the cause of it, but I want you to notice the
condition of it. This is not a promise for everyone. This is not axiomatic for everybody.
There is a condition to Romans 8:28—listen to it. And we know that all things work
together for good, to what? Do you see it? Look at it. To them that love God—to them
that love God. You can't put your initial by this, unless you love God. Despisers of God

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cannot claim this promise. Haters of God cannot claim this privilege and this promise.
And, by the way, if you don't love God, there's something wrong with you. It's well been
said that somebody who does not love God is a beast with a man's head. You know
what encourages me about this condition? I'll tell you what encourages me about this
condition. Others may be able to give more than I can give. Others may be able to sing
or preach or serve better than I can. But there's nobody on earth who can love God
more than I can, or you can, or anybody else. I mean, the person next to you may have
a lot more talent than you have. They may have a lot more resources than you have.
They may have more opportunities than you have. But, my friend, there is nobody who
has a monopoly on love. Isn't that wonderful? I mean, listen. You want to love God?
Just have at it. Anybody can love God as much as they want to love God, and that is the
condition for having Romans 8:28 work in your life: "And we know that all things work
together for good to them that love God."
Have you ever thought about it? That you could put Romans 8:28 in reverse? All
things work together for good to those who love God. And to those who don't love God,
all things work together for bad. Did you know that? Just put it in reverse. You say, well,
I'm living high, wide, and handsome right now. But, friend, it's working, not for your
good, but for evil, in your life. All things work together for evil—let me put it that way—to
those who don't love God.
Let me show you how seemingly good things can work against you. For example,
preaching can work against you. Did you know it's dangerous to come to church? If you
don't love God, and you come and listen to me preach, and you have no desire to love
God, and you don't want to know God—maybe you've come for whatever reason, I don't
know; but you don't intend to love God—did you know this sermon will do you damage?
It will do you harm. The Bible says the gospel that we preach is a savor of life unto life,
or death unto death. The gospel sword is a two-edged sword. Jesus said, when you go
into a place to preach, into a village to preach, if they hear you, wonderful. But, He said,
if they won't hear you, He said, shake the dust off your feet. And then, Jesus said, that
dust will be used against them in the day of judgment. Somebody knocks on your door
to invite you to Jesus Christ, and you say, would you get out of here? I don't want to
hear that. Listen, you folks quit pestering me. And the door is slammed. There is the
dust of the soul-winner right here. God says, angel, get that dust. Now, put it in the
vaults up in heaven. The final judgment comes. You're there. You say, I didn't have an
opportunity to hear God. God, you can't let me die and go to hell. O God, you can't let
this happen to me. O God, have mercy upon me. O God, I never had a chance to be
saved. God says, Angel, get exhibit A. Angel comes out there with a little dust in the
palm of his hand. You say, what is that? Oh, you see that dust? That's the dust off the
foot of my servant Bob Gallina, that came and knocked at your door when you shut the

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door in his face. You see that? That is a witness against you in the day of judgment.
Now preaching is good, but not if you refuse it. It works together for bad.
Think about Jesus. Is Jesus good or is Jesus bad? It all depends. If you receive Him,
He's wonderful. But if you don't receive Him, He works together for bad. Did you know
that? Did you know that Jesus is the door? I want to ask you a question. That piece of
wood over there, is that the door, or is the opening the door? How many of you believe
that the opening is the door, let me see your hand. Come, you’re scared to death. How
many of you believe the piece of wood is the door, let me see your hand. How many of
you say, I think you're trying to trap me, and I'm not going to lift my hand? All right, what
is the door? What is the door? Is the door the opening that you come through? Or, is the
door the piece of wood that closes the opening? Which is the door? Well, if you didn't
have an opening, you couldn't have a door. Can you have a door without a shutter or
closer or piece of wood in it? I guess so. But, if you went down to the hardware store,
and said, I want to buy a door. They couldn't sell you an opening. They just sell you a
piece of wood, or metal, or whatever it is. What is the door? Friend, you're both right.
The door is what let you in, and the door is what keeps you out. And His name is Jesus.
He'll either let you in, or He'll keep you out. You see, listen: to those who love Him, He's
the way in. But to those who refuse Him, His righteousness and His holiness say, you
cannot come in here. All things work together for bad to those who don't love God.
Did you know that the wicked pluck death from the tree of life? And if Jesus is not
your savior—listen to me—He'll be your judge. You're going to meet Jesus. I mean, you
have a date with Deity. You will meet Jesus. And you will bow the knee to Jesus. You
will bow either to Him as Savior and Lord, or you will bow to Him as judge and
executioner. But you will bow the knee to Jesus Christ as I live, saith the Lord. Every
knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
Now, think of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Is the resurrection of Jesus Christ
good? You’d better believe it's good. But what about if you're not saved, is it good? No.
In Acts chapter seventeen, the apostle Paul, preaching on Mars Hill, said this: God has
appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he
hath ordained. Whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he raised him from
the dead. Now what does that mean? It means that the assurance of judgment is the
resurrection of Jesus. Why? Well, you can't hold court, if the judge is dead. And you
can't hold court, if the defendant is dead. What Paul is saying is this: that the same God
that raised up Jesus Christ is the God that will raise you up, and you'll come to
judgment. What he is saying is this—and listen very carefully: you cannot crawl up in
the grave and pull the dirt over your face and hide from God. The resurrection of Jesus
Christ seals your doom. I've never been able to understand why unsaved people will put
on their glad rags and celebrate Easter. I'm glad they come, because I can shoot 'em

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full of Jesus. I'm glad they come, hoping they get saved. But if they don't intend to get
saved, why should a person celebrate the day that seals his doom? God hath given
assurance unto all men that there will be a judgment, in that He raised Jesus from the
dead.
Oh, my friend, the condition of Romans 8:28 is that you love God. If you don't love
God, Romans 8:28 goes into reverse for you. And all things work together for bad to
those who don't love God. But to those who love God, all things work together for good.
That's the condition of it.

V. The Consequences of the Promise

Now, let's come to the best part and the vital part. I want you to notice the
consequences of it. What are the consequences? What is the good? What is the good
that it all works together for? You know, sometimes we trivialize this verse so much.
And we just take such a short-sighted view of this verse. We're driving down the road
and we have a blow out, and we say, Oh well, all things work together for good. I guess
there's a sale on tires somewhere. No, that's not what this verse means. That's not what
this verse means. Listen. In verse twenty-eight—I'm going to tell you something
profound: it's followed by verse twenty-nine.
Now look in verse twenty-nine: For—and that word for is a preposition which means
unto; it moves toward something—For, because whom he did foreknow he also did
predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son. Do you know what the good is
that all things are working together for? Do you know what it is? Not to make you
healthy. Not to make you wealthy. Not to make you happy. Not to give you fun. But to
make you like Jesus. That was a good place for an amen. To make you like Jesus. The
good is that we be conformed to the image of God's Son. And how wonderful that is that
you and I can be like the Lord Jesus Christ, and be with the Lord Jesus Christ—be
glorified with Him in eternity. What a blessing! What a blessing! Let me tell you
something: God's not finished with you yet. God is not finished with you yet. He who
hath begun a good work in you will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ.

Conclusion
Now, if you're not saved, and everything is going good for you right now—you're
healthy, you're happy, you're wealthy, but you don't love God; and so you're sitting here
saying, I don't need his God; I don't need his Savior—the Bible says, in Judges chapter
five and verse twenty, the stars in their courses fought against Sisera. Sisera didn't love
God, and the whole universe was against him. And God has programmed the whole
universe against you. And I don't care how good things are right now, one of these
days, it's going to cave in for you, because all things work together for bad to those who

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don't love God. And you're going to die and drop into hell, because you don't love God.
Let me tell you about the devil. The devil always gives the best first. The bread of
deceit is sweet, but afterwards a man's mouth will be filled with gravel. Let me tell you
about Jesus. Jesus always saves the best for the last. Remember the wedding feast?
The man said, I don't understand it. People generally put out the best wine first, but
you've saved the best for the last. He always does. Do you know what the
consequences of loving God are? That, friend, one day we'll be glorified with the Lord
Jesus Christ. We'll be made like Him. This is what God is working for in my life, and in
your life. All things work together for good to those who love God, and that good is that
you'll be like Jesus. And when the purpling dawn of eternity is mingled with the setting
sun of your life, when all of the things that you've dreamed for and schemed for have
gone, and you see Him, and you're like Him, you'll say, hallelujah, Romans 8:28. And
we know, we know, we know, that all things work together for good to them that love
God, who are called according to His purpose. Amen?
Father, we thank you for your Word. In Jesus name. Amen.

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    Why  Do  Good  Things  
Happen  to  Bad  People?    
By  Adrian  Rogers  
Date  Preached:      June  14,  1998    

Main  Scripture  Text:    Romans  8:28–39  

“And  we  know  that  all  things  work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God,  to  them  who  
are  the  called  according  to  his  purpose.”  
ROMANS  8:28  

Outline  
Introduction  
I. I  Am  Graced  by  His  Purpose
II. I  Am  Guided  by  God’s  Providence
III. I  Am  Guarded  by  His  Power
A. No  Intimidation
B. No  Deprivation
C. No  Incrimination
D. No  Condemnation
E. No  Separation
IV. I  Am  Gladdened  by  God’s  Presence
Conclusion

Introduction  
Would  you  take  God’s  Word  and  turn  to  Romans  chapter  8?  And,  we’re  going  to  
backtrack  and  revisit  Romans  chapter  8.  My  wife  reminded  me—she  said,  “Adrian,  you  
left  out  a  passage  of  scripture  that  I  was  waiting  to  hear  you  preach  on.”  And,  I  said,  
“Well  Joyce,  I  guess  I  was  moving  too  fast.”  And  so,  this  is  a  sermon  meets,  shall  we  
say,  requirements,  but  not  in  reality.  It’s  something  that  is  burning  in  my  heart.  And,  let  
me  just  ask  you  a  question:  What  is  life  all  about?  I  mean,  folks,  we’re  here  for  such  a  
short  time,  and  then  we  die.  Yes,  we  die.  Death  runs  in  my  family,  and  it  runs  in  your  
family;;  and  at  best,  life  is  a  puzzle.  There  are  things  that  we  don’t  understand.  There  are  
circumstances  that  we  cannot  control.  And  then,  there  are  joys  unspeakable  and  full  of  
glory.  Life  is  full  of  mystery,  misery,  and  magnificence,  but  it  doesn’t  seem  to  make  
sense.  
Now  friend,  if  you  get  into  the  eighth  chapter  of  Romans,  you’re  going  to  find  that  
God  will  bring  an  incredible  sense  to  all  that  we  see.  And,  we’re  going  to  learn  

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