2023 0709 Romans 8 Suffering and Glory

Adopted by the Father

Romans 8:15

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

The Spirit of Truth

Romans 8:16

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Suffering into Glory

Romans 8:18–21 NIV

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

Present Suffering

Romans 8:18 NIV

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

we have suffering in our daily existence

firstly we all struggle in our walk of salvation

every day we have to renew our minds

every day we must make godly decisions to do what is right

these struggles are momentary, not to considered permanent

the glory being revealed in us is far greater

revealed for the glory is already there, waiting for the right time

2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

The Four Sufferings

personal from our sinning

that we endure for Christ’s sake

persecution that comes from professing Christ

that which comes from living in an imperfect and broken world

But My Trauma, My Troubles

we must also recognize that sometimes our troubles are big

so big that we can often question our faith

so prolong that we doubt even if God exists

so damaging that some will doubt their worth and their destiny in Christ

our self worth can be so distorted that life itself is not worth licing

Glory of Jesus

I am here today to say not to believe the lie

we have a destiny, a purpose and a plan for our life

Jesus gives us the glorious hope of eternal life

stay true to the promise of God

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Eyes Fixed on Jesus

the Lord plans not to harm you

our eyes must be fixed on the glory not the turmoil

Psalm 141:8 NIV

But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.

Creation Of God

Romans 8:19 NIV

For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.

Paul expands the suffering to include creation

mankind cannot be isolated from the creation we live in

we suffer and so does creation

as creation suffers so we also share in that suffering

environmental movement recognizes that hurt

they look to human endeavour , but we look to Jesus Christ

Romans 8:20 NIV

For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope

the created universe has a divine purpose

yet that purpose was lost with Adam;s disobedience

the domain of the world was given to the prince of darkness

sin has corrupted the world, as much as it has corrupted mankind

God allowed this as he gave Adam free will

and Adam chose to believe the lie thus sinning

the creation was thus frustrated in its divine expression

hope remains and is the end chapter

Romans 8:21 NIV

that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

creation will be liberated

its bondage and decay is not of importance to itself

creation is connected to the freedom and glory of the children - us

the world is liberated because we are redeemed

the future of the world is tied to the glory we share in Christ

let us fixed our minds, indeed our whole being on this truth

the glory of Jesus will be revealed in us!