Present Groaning & Future Glory

Church, it won’t always be like this. In this fallen and redeemed world there is some correspondence to suffering prior glory. I’m not speaking of unnecessary suffering by way of evil or trauma. Because in this life there are some unspeakable and nonredeemable evils that we face. But, Church, it won’t always be like this. And we can look at examples of suffering in this life that have benefits. God has a way of showing us how temporary suffering can be eclipsed by future glory.

Athlete

Scholar

Architect

Dr.

Patient

Present Groaning (suffering)

With Christ (v.17)

We are not alone, Jesus is not alone. We suffer with Jesus in the kingdom building agenda of winning souls for salvation and and liberating the oppressed. That simple. But that work comes with suffering. Being a Christian is not a promise for comfort in this life.

Not worth Comparing (v.18)

All Creation Waits (v.19)

When Adam fell, everything fell. Its like if when kids play in house when the cake is in the oven. If the kid falls to hard, so does the cake. When Adam introduced sin into the world it introduced it to all creation.

Future Glory

With Christ (v. 15)

The scripture we read said that we are “heirs.” That means we have something coming our way.

No Comparison (v.21)

Freedom.

Statue of Liberty. Give me your tired, you poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free. With a crown of seven spikes for seven seas and seven continents. With a chain at the bottom of her feet that has been broken.

Jesus is offering something better.

Its Getting Close (v.22)

Paul uses labor as an illustration.

New Creation (v.23)

Paul now brings it full circle to what he has already mentioned in v.17 that we will be glorified with Him. That in the same way that Jesus received a glorified body so will we. 1 Corinthians 15:50-54 “Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

We are awaiting the redemption of our bodies that Jesus paid for on Calvary.

Kmart. Lay-away. Jesus paid it all.

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine; Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long. This is my story, this is my song,   Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight, Visions of rapture now burst on my sight; Angels descending, bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blest; Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love