Oh Holy Night: The Thrill of Hope

Romans 8:18–25 ESV

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.

Opening Prayer

The Evaluation of Our Current Reality.

Romans 8:18 ESV

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.

Everyone (even if the most optimistic among us) must look at the world and admit … There is suffering.

It has become so prevalent that suffering is considered a part of life.

We do different things in order to mitigate the suffering that we ourselves (or our loved-ones) have to endure.

But for a Christian: we also look forward to a future that doesn’t involved any suffering.

Illustration: Runners focus on a distant object.

This perspective of the future glory (Paul says), make today’s suffering more tolerable.

We understand the concept...

“Friday is coming.”

“It’s Friday but Sunday is coming.”

“# days and a wake up.”

Current suffering doesn’t even compare to glory that will be revealed to us.

Evaluate our current situation.

Believe that what is coming is immeasurably better.

As Christian we aren’t supposed to live completely detached from the reality of our current suffering.

Our hope begins with an honest evaluation of our current reality.

But our hope also doesn’t stop there. we also have...

The Expectation of a Better Future.

Romans 8:19–20 ESV

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

Paul personifies creation (although we are part of creation) to make a point about out current situation.

The Very nature of an expectation is to “REGARD SOMETHING AS PROBABLY OR LIKELY.”

“For Creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.”

“Eager Longing.”

Notice the attitude of this expectation?

not sheepishly, or timidly, or with embarrassment.

You might even say unapologetically.

Eager longing has already made an honest evaluation of current realities

but has also coupled that with an expectation

NOT ONLY A BETTER FUTURE PHYSICALLY BUT ONE THAT ALSO HAS A SPIRITUAL COMPONENT!!!

“ … revealing of the sons of God.”

The day when God’s people (those who have put their faith in Jesus) receive their glorified body and are with God for eternity.

Romans 8:21–22 ESV

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.

The expectation is for a future that is

“set free from it’s bondage to corruption”

This now acknowledges our actual need.

Conflict Resolution Training: Get the root cause.

This takes the focus of our current struggles out of focus, and adjust our sights on the real ROOT CAUSE of the problem … CORRUPTION of the world brought on by SIN.

Creation (like us) longs for a day when we are no longer bound to sin and corruption.

“obtain the freedom of the glory”

freedom from sin and it’s consequence.

The Hope in a Promise from God.

Romans 8:23 ESV

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.

Who could fault us for believing in a better future to come?

There are some very specific things about our hope that makes it hard to others to accept. But they are at the core of our hope.

1. We believe this hope is exclusive.

“ … we who have the first fruits of the Spirit,...”

2. We don’t hope for better we hope for new.

“ … the redemption of our bodies.”

(More truth bombs about the reality of our hope.)

Romans 8:24–25 ESV

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.

“In this hope we are saved...”

Current suffering doesn’t compare to future glory

All of creation longs to be set free from the bondage of sin.

This will happen when the son’s of God are redeemed.

This will happen for those who are in Christ.

What will happen is a total redemption of our bodies.

“Hope that is seen is not hope”

On the surface it seems like Paul is preparing us to be just a little tougher.

“Accept the sensational reality of our believe and just dig in your heals.”

But I don’t think that is what Paul is saying here...

This is simply how hope works.

You can’t see the object of what you hope for.

Otherwise you don’t have hope.

That is the same situation as everyone who hopes in ANY KIND OF FUTURE.

How could you believe in such a sensational and unrealistic future?

Because my hope is not based on my own ability. It’s based on God.

That’s also why we wait for it with patience.

Closing Prayer