The Intercession of the Holy Spirit

Temple Baptist Church - 6-17-2018

Romans 8:26-27

Introduction:

A.  This verse says nothing about praying in the Holy Ghost.  It relays to the believer a tremendous biblical truth: The Holy Spirit makes intercession for God’s children.

B.  Prayer and intercession is a vital part of the believer’s life and spiritual welfare.  The Bible has much o say at this point so I will just rehearse a few verses to re-emphasize our need to be faithful in our prayer life.

Jeremiah 33:3  Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Romans 8:26-27  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.  (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.

Ephesians 3:20  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Ephesians 6:18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Colossians 4:2  Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

1 Thessalonians 5:17  Pray without ceasing.

Romans 12:12  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

1 Timothy 2:1-3  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  (2)  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  (3)  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

James 4:2-3  Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.  (3)  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

1 Peter 4:7  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

1 John 5:14-15  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:  (15)  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

C.  Simple enough?  Just pray believing, all day, every day!  Right?

D.  Paul is telling the believer that there will come times in everyone’s life when they do not pray or do not know how to pray.  Times when we are confused and do not know what we are to do or even what needs to be done.  Have you been there?  I have!

E.  I have been in trouble with the waves over my head.  There have been times when a problem was so complex that there were no simple answers.  I knew that I was to pray but told the Lord that I did not know what to do and asked Him to lead me.

F.  Romans, chapter 8, begins with “no condemnation.”  Because there is no condemnation for the child of God, then there are times when you and I must have heavenly help.

G.  Thank God for other verses such as:

Isaiah 43:1-2  But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.  (2)  When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;  (4)  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 Timothy 4:17  Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

Hebrews 13:5-6  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  (6)  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

H.  I gave these verses so that we would understand that God has and will work on our behalf.  Not only does the Spirit comfort the believer, He also communicates for us.  The Work of the Holy Spirit when we do not know how to pray.  The Spirit communicates with the spirit of man and communicates with God the Father about things that concern us.

1.  Verse 26 - The Spirit knows our Infirmities – weakness, frailty

2.  Verse 26 - The Spirit knows our Confusion.

3.  Verse 26 – The Spirit knows what we Need.  The Holy Spirit prays for us when.

a)  When we are discouraged.

b)  When we are disappointed.

c)  When we are confused.

d)  When we are crushed.

e)  When we are sinful.

f)  When we are dying.

4.  Verse 26 – fervent but silent praying.  Not false tongues of our day.

5.  Verse 27 – Jesus Christ, the searcher of our hearts, makes intercession according to the mind of the Spirit in the perfect will of God.