to describe creation’s plight: suffering (v. 18); ______________ (v. 20); ______________ (v. 21), ______________ (v. 21) and ______________ (v. 22). This is not a useless groaning. One day creation will be delivered from its groaning. The believer does not focus on today sufferings; he looks forward to tomorrow’s glory (vs 18; 2 Cor 4:15-18).
that believers groan is because we have experienced the first ______________of the Spirit, a foretaste of glory to come. Just as the nation Israel tasted the first fruits of Canaan when the Spies returned (Num 13:23-27), so Christians have tasted of the blessings of heaven through the ministry of the HS. This makes us want to see the Lord and live with Him and serve Him. We are waiting for the adoption which is the redemption of the body when Christ returns (Phil 3:20-21).
