In Romans 12 Paul gives what might be the first altar call aimed at surrendering all. Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Today were going to look at one of the most comprehensive and deepest passages of Scripture in Romans 8 to discover what we gain in surrender. Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 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. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. There is a deep groaning inside of us for wrong things to be made right. And for the wrongs of this world to be exposed. We know that day is coming but what about right now? And here is the answer… Romans 8:26 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. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Paul tells us that in this in-between time of finding Jesus and going to heaven we are given a gift, the Holy Spirit. “The Spirit himself.” When we surrender to Jesus we gain the working of the Holy Spirit. If you’ve never understood the Holy Spirit, one of the greatest descriptions of the Holy Spirit’s ministry in our life is in the word “help” or “helper.” The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. He knows our deepest longings and desires and needs. When the Holy Spirit helps you, he’s picking up what you can’t carry. He’s assisting you. He is supporting you. He is aiding you. He is sustaining you. The Holy Spirit is called many things in the Scriptures but the main thing he’s called is your helper. He is your helper in the sense that he knows what to do. There is another big word in this passage; intercedes. The Holy Spirit is interceding for you. He is on your side. He is moving you into the center of the will of God, that zone of blessing and peace. In fact, it says that he is passionately groaning and working and interceding and intervening for you to put you in the place where you will fully experience the glory of God and the love and friendship of Jesus. So thorough and all-encompassing is the work of the Holy Spirit that we have this amazing verse that just sort of sums it up… Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. This is certainly one of the most all-encompassing, almost unbelievable, supernatural and stout promises of the Bible.