Understanding Infirmities: Prayer, Surrender, and Divine Assistance
Summary
Infirmities are not inherently sinful; they are the consequences of the original fall of man. These weaknesses, disabilities, and limitations are part of the human condition, affecting both the physical and spiritual realms. While infirmities can lead to sin, they are not sins themselves. They are a reminder of our imperfection and the brokenness of the world. Even as Christians, saved and assured of salvation, we are not free from these infirmities. We groan within ourselves, longing for the redemption of our bodies and the day when we will be delivered from all manifestations of sin.
Infirmities can arise from physical conditions like illness or tiredness, affecting our spiritual life and our ability to engage in prayer and Bible study. They can also stem from external circumstances that discourage and perplex us. Our greatest challenge is knowing what to pray for in specific situations. This is not about the general act of prayer but about discerning the specific needs and requests that align with God's will.
The Apostle Paul highlights this struggle, emphasizing that our infirmity often leaves us uncertain about what to pray for. Even great figures like Moses and Paul himself have prayed for things that were not in line with God's will. Moses was rebuked for asking to enter the Promised Land, and Paul was told that his thorn in the flesh would not be removed. These examples illustrate the difficulty of knowing what is best for us.
In moments of perplexity, it is better to acknowledge our limitations and bring our uncertainties to God. Even Jesus, in His humanity, experienced this struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane. He prayed for the cup to pass from Him but ultimately submitted to the Father's will. This teaches us the importance of surrendering our desires to God, trusting that His wisdom surpasses our understanding.
Key Takeaways:
- Infirmities are not sins but consequences of the fall, affecting both our physical and spiritual lives. They remind us of our imperfection and the brokenness of the world, leading us to long for the redemption of our bodies. [18:18]
- Our greatest challenge in prayer is not knowing how to pray but discerning what to pray for in specific situations. This requires a deep understanding of God's will and a willingness to submit our desires to Him. [24:30]
- Even great figures like Moses and Paul struggled with praying for things that were not in line with God's will. Their experiences teach us the importance of seeking God's wisdom and guidance in our prayers. [33:08]
- In moments of perplexity, it is better to acknowledge our limitations and bring our uncertainties to God. Jesus Himself experienced this struggle, teaching us the importance of surrendering our desires to the Father's will. [41:09]
- The Holy Spirit helps us in our infirmities, interceding for us with groanings that cannot be uttered. This divine assistance assures us that even when we do not know what to pray for, God understands our needs and works for our ultimate good. [45:26]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[17:45] - Understanding Infirmities
[18:36] - Infirmities vs. Sin
[19:31] - The Impact of Infirmities
[20:22] - Physical and Spiritual Effects
[21:28] - External Circumstances
[22:13] - Infirmities of Christ
[23:26] - The Challenge of Prayer
[24:44] - Translation Differences
[26:21] - What to Pray For
[31:13] - Praying for the Wrong Thing
[33:08] - Moses and Paul's Examples
[36:28] - Acknowledging Our Infirmity
[38:29] - Admitting Perplexity
[40:31] - Jesus' Struggle in Prayer
[45:26] - The Spirit's Intercession
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 8:26-27
2. Deuteronomy 3:23-26
3. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 8:26-27, how does the Holy Spirit assist us in our weaknesses, especially in prayer? How does this relate to the sermon’s discussion on infirmities? [45:26]
2. In Deuteronomy 3:23-26, what was Moses' request to God, and how did God respond? How does this illustrate the sermon’s point about praying for things not aligned with God's will? [33:08]
3. What was the Apostle Paul's "thorn in the flesh," and how did he initially respond to it according to 2 Corinthians 12:7-10? How does this example support the sermon’s message about understanding what to pray for? [34:34]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between infirmities and sins? Why is it important to distinguish between the two? [18:36]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the Holy Spirit's role in interceding for us with "groanings that cannot be uttered" provide comfort in times of uncertainty and weakness? [45:26]
2. Reflecting on Moses' experience in Deuteronomy 3:23-26, what does this teach us about the importance of aligning our prayers with God's will, even when our desires seem good? [33:08]
3. In what ways does Paul's acceptance of his "thorn in the flesh" demonstrate a shift from human reasoning to spiritual understanding? How can this shift be applied to our own struggles? [34:50]
4. The sermon mentions that even Jesus experienced moments of perplexity in prayer. How does this human aspect of Jesus' experience encourage us in our own prayer lives? [41:09]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt uncertain about what to pray for. How did you handle that situation, and what might you do differently after hearing this sermon? [30:54]
2. Consider a current challenge or "thorn" in your life. How can you seek God's wisdom to understand its purpose rather than simply asking for its removal? [34:50]
3. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in the Holy Spirit's intercession during times when you feel weak or unsure in your prayer life? [45:26]
4. Think about a desire or request you have been bringing to God. How can you ensure that it aligns with His will, and are you open to His answer, even if it differs from your own? [33:08]
5. In what ways can acknowledging your limitations and uncertainties in prayer lead to a more authentic relationship with God? How can you practice this in your daily prayer routine? [38:29]
6. How can the examples of Moses and Paul help you to be more patient and discerning in your prayer life, especially when facing difficult decisions? [33:08]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about the brokenness of the world and our longing for redemption. How does this perspective influence your daily walk with Christ and your interactions with others? [18:18]
Devotional
Day 1: Infirmities as a Reminder of Our Imperfection
Infirmities are not sins but are consequences of the original fall of man, affecting both our physical and spiritual lives. They serve as a reminder of our imperfection and the brokenness of the world, leading us to long for the redemption of our bodies. These weaknesses, disabilities, and limitations are part of the human condition and affect everyone, including Christians who are saved and assured of salvation. We groan within ourselves, longing for the day when we will be delivered from all manifestations of sin. This longing is a natural response to the recognition of our current state and the hope for future redemption. [18:18]
"For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." (Romans 8:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel the weight of imperfection? How can you bring this to God in prayer today, acknowledging your longing for redemption?
Day 2: The Challenge of Discerning God's Will in Prayer
Our greatest challenge in prayer is not knowing how to pray but discerning what to pray for in specific situations. This requires a deep understanding of God's will and a willingness to submit our desires to Him. Often, we find ourselves uncertain about what to pray for, as even great figures like Moses and Paul struggled with this. Moses was rebuked for asking to enter the Promised Land, and Paul was told that his thorn in the flesh would not be removed. These examples illustrate the difficulty of knowing what is best for us and the importance of seeking God's wisdom and guidance in our prayers. [24:30]
"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ." (Philippians 1:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a specific situation where you are unsure of what to pray for. How can you seek God's wisdom and guidance in this matter today?
Day 3: Learning from the Prayer Struggles of Moses and Paul
Even great figures like Moses and Paul struggled with praying for things that were not in line with God's will. Their experiences teach us the importance of seeking God's wisdom and guidance in our prayers. Moses desired to enter the Promised Land, but God had other plans. Paul prayed for the removal of his thorn in the flesh, but God chose to leave it as a means of demonstrating His grace. These stories remind us that our understanding is limited and that God's plans are higher than ours. In moments of perplexity, it is better to acknowledge our limitations and bring our uncertainties to God. [33:08]
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when your prayers were not answered in the way you expected. How can you trust in God's greater plan and wisdom in your current prayers?
Day 4: Surrendering Our Desires to God's Will
In moments of perplexity, it is better to acknowledge our limitations and bring our uncertainties to God. Jesus Himself experienced this struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He prayed for the cup to pass from Him but ultimately submitted to the Father's will. This teaches us the importance of surrendering our desires to God, trusting that His wisdom surpasses our understanding. By following Jesus' example, we learn to let go of our own desires and trust in God's perfect plan for our lives. [41:09]
"And going a little farther, he fell on his face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.'" (Matthew 26:39, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to God? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 5: The Holy Spirit's Intercession in Our Infirmities
The Holy Spirit helps us in our infirmities, interceding for us with groanings that cannot be uttered. This divine assistance assures us that even when we do not know what to pray for, God understands our needs and works for our ultimate good. The Spirit's intercession is a powerful reminder that we are not alone in our struggles and that God is actively involved in our lives, guiding us and providing for us in ways we may not fully comprehend. [45:26]
"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." (Romans 8:26, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to intercede in your life today, especially in areas where you feel weak or uncertain?
Quotes
"Infirmity is not sinful in and of itself. There is a difference between infirmities and sins. Our infirmities may lead us to sin, but our infirmities in and of themselves are not sinful. They are undoubtedly the result and the consequences of the original fall of man because there were no infirmities in man as God made him." [00:17:30]
"Even in the Christian, though we are saved and though our Salvation is absolutely certain and sure, though we are dead to sin, dead to the law, dead to any possible condemnation, we are still not perfect. We are still encompassed with many infirmities. That is why, you see, he says in verse 23 that even we ourselves who have the first fruits of the spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves." [00:19:43]
"Things happen to us, other people do things, circumstances are so arranged that they become a discouragement to us. We become perplexed. We don't know what to do. We don't know where to turn. Well, and the result is that because of our lack of understanding and of knowledge, these things affect us in a depressing manner, and thus we groan within ourselves." [00:21:24]
"Because of our infirmity, we know not what to pray for as we ought. That's the one he's particularly interested in. There are many others, as I've told you, but here's the one he takes up, and of course, it is the crucial one because there is nothing that is more important than our relationship with God, our ability to speak to God and to listen to God." [00:23:34]
"The problem is this: what to pray for in particular and in certain given circumstances. Now, this isn't just my idea. I maintain that what the Apostle actually wrote in the original compels us to say this. Now take this word 'what.' You will find in the original that the article is before it. It is 'the what.'" [00:26:24]
"We may pray for the wrong thing because we don't understand. We don't always know what is best for us, what is right for us, and we may very well pray for the wrong thing. Greater men than any of us here tonight have done so. Let me give you one example immediately: Moses." [00:31:13]
"Moses offered a petition there which he shouldn't have offered. That's the kind of difficulty that the Apostle is dealing with. But come, let me give you one another one with which you are more familiar. It is perhaps in many ways the classic classical example of this very matter with which we're dealing: turn to 2 Corinthians 12." [00:33:36]
"The Apostle was in trouble. Thorn in the flesh comes, and he acts in a very natural way in terms of human reason. This is going to my work. This is going to put a limit upon my efficacy. Obviously, this is wrong, so he prays God to remove it, and he did so three times." [00:35:08]
"Better than rushing into prayer and offering a wrong petition, better to talk to ourselves about it and to consider it as the Psalmist did there and as Paul did subsequently. He should have done it before, but he didn't. Let's talk to ourselves about it and recognize our infirmity." [00:38:44]
"It is better still to acknowledge our perplexity. In other words, if you're in doubt and if you are uncertain and if you don't know the what to pray for as you want, well, don't be afraid or don't be ashamed of admitting it and confessing it and doing so quite openly." [00:39:42]
"Now I say it is better, if necessary, that we should acknowledge the perplexity and take it to God and tell God that we don't know. Leave it entirely in his hands. That's much better than forcing ourselves to a decision or rushing to offer a petition that seems to us to be natural and quite good." [00:40:57]
"The Spirit himself helpeth our infirmities. He maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered, and what he thus produces in us is known to God and of God. Indeed, it is originated by God himself as a part of this process of our ultimate glorification." [00:45:26]
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