12 Days of Warfield

A writer over on espn.com has a lengthy weekly article. In it he muses on a variety of topics. One of those topics is entitled "Christmas Creep".  He keeps a log of how early radio stations, shops, malls, etc get started on selling "Christmas" merchandise.  It really is "creep-ing."

Recently, I dug out a book from seminary that I never read fully. (Disclaimer: we were only required to read one chapter from the book and very few us actually bought the book; I did.) It is a collection of sermons, articles and reviews on the topic of the Holy Spirit written by B.B. Warfield. Check the link if you don't know much about him.   

In this collection were 12 sermons, hence the 12 days of Warfield song that is now stuck in my head. I plan on reading one a day. Last night I read his sermon "The Spirit's Help in Our Praying" from Romans 8:26-27:

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. 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.

I found his sermon to be both intellectually stimulating as well as heart penetrating. Additionally, it was especially timely for me and for many of you who are praying for us.  When I consider the overwhelming nature of planting a church from scratch, it is easy to feel lost as to what to pray for.  When people ask me what they should be praying about I sometimes struggle with either giving too many details or to only give generalizations.  This passage is a good source of instruction and encouragement.

As you pray for us, for our support raising and eventually for our church plant keep the follow points from Warfield in mind.  When summarizing his thoughts on this passage Warfield gave these four points of application:

1. The Holy Spirit quickens us to the perception of our real need

2. The Holy Spirit frames in us an infinite desire for this needed thing

3. The Holy Spirit leads us to bring this desire in all its unutterable strength before God

4. God, who sees it within our hearts, cannot but grant it, as according to his will

Thank goodness we have a Helper at work within us!