19/07/2020
6TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY - 19TH JULY, 2020.
PSALM OF THE DAY - PSALM 119:57-64.
THEME: -
LUTHERAN ENGLISH HYMNAL - 123
The helper is always needed when you are unable to do things by yourself alone. - A word used by Jesus to describe the .
The Holy Spirit is the one called to our side by Jesus to help us, to stand by us, to strengthen us and give assistance when needed. The Holy Spirit is the "other" helper (John 14:16).
Just as Jesus was the Great Helper while on earth, the Holy Spirit is now our Helper, if we desire His help. Remember last week sermon with the theme: ‘In the spirit of sonship’ it was reiterated that you must accept Jesus Christ as you Lord and savior to be eligible for adoption as son of God.
Our text today points to the fact that the Holy Spirit helps the sons of God in their weakness and confusion. In Rom 8:22-27 “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
23: Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons,
24: For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?
25: But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
27: And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.”
We see here the purpose and activity of the Holy Spirit in us. Firstly as we sermonized last week he must first have the Holy Spirit through adoption as son of God . “...who have the first-fruits of the Spirit,” (vs 23)
Secondly, when the holy spirit is within us he does the work of sanctification by “... the redemption of our bodies.” From the perishable to imperishable, from corruptible to incorruptible. He works in us on daily basis to bring about perfection in eternity.
Thirdly, since we are dealing with issues of faith, on things we do not see but hope for; the Holy Spirit helps us to strengthen and keep us in faith as “…we wait for it patiently." (vs 25).
And finally, the Holy Spirit helps us to pray in line with the will of God “…because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.”
This is exemplified in our Gospel reading in Matthew 13: 24-30 the true harvester is the holy Spirit described as in Isa 9:18 “Surely wickedness burns like a fire; it consumes briers and thorns, it sets the forest thickets ablaze,…”
Let me at this juncture inform you that the Holy Spirit is here to help us in all our weakness and will surely see us through in this turbulence year of CIVID-19 as we continue to grapple with this pandemic.
Remember what God says to you in Isaiah 44:8 “Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."
AMEN!
SHALOM!!!
Vicar Mfon Ndon, Lutheran Church of Nigeria Immanuel Lutheran Hospital, Eket.
