Our Future Unimaginable Glory: The Expectant Hope of the Believer (Part 2)
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The overarching theme of our text this morning is that what is coming in the future, the glory that God has in store for us, is unimaginable and beyond compare!
The theme of Romans 8 is summed up in one word. Do you remember what that word is? Assurance.
This spiritual blessing of assurance is primarily attributed to the ministry of the Holy Spirit in Romans 8.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
In vv. 2-13 Paul describe the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of LIFE.
Romans 8:2 (ESV)
2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
We have assurance because of the life that we are guaranteed through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
In vv. 14-17 Paul described the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of ADOPTION.
Romans 8:15 (ESV)
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Not only can we have assurance because of a guaranteed eternal life, but we also have assurance because of our guaranteed position as adopted children, and even greater, as adopted sons of God. And it is the ministry of the Spirit that guarantees and bears witness to this glorious truth.
In vv. 18-30 Paul now describes the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of GLORY. We can have assurance because of the ministry of the Holy Spirit who guarantees future unimaginable glory for the children of God.
V. 17 functions as a transitional verse from the theme of adoption as sons to the theme of future glory.
Romans 8:17 (ESV)
17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Paul in this transition highlights the present reality of God’s children— that of suffering.
Now why does Paul highlight suffering as he transitions into the doctrine of our future glory?
I think Paul is anticipating our objections to his previous teaching.
How is it that those united to Christ who are under the law of the Spirit of life, who are adopted as sons of God, how is it that we suffer?
Paul’s answer to these objections is this: we suffer with Christ in order that we may be glorified with him.
Paul wants us to understand that our path to glory follows the same road that Jesus followed. Think of the pattern of our Lord. For Jesus glory only followed suffering.
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
How can it be that God’s very own, dearly loved children suffer? Because that is the pattern set down for us by Jesus Christ. We are simply following in His footsteps. If we endure suffering like Jesus did, then we too have great glory and joy to look forward to.
This teaching should radically alter how we think about and endure our present suffering. This simply idea that on the other side of suffering is glory ought to, not trivialize suffering, but certainly transcend it. So, now that you have heard this from now on you should have no problem whatsoever with suffering in your life right?
That is not our reality! We know the truth that on the other side of suffering is glory, but often times merely knowing that truth does little to aid us in our present suffering. Why is that?
Why doesn’t our future glory motivate us like it should? What is one of the major obstacles to walking by faith in light of God’s promises concerning our future glory?
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.
That means that the glory about which Paul is speaking is not yet fully known, revealed, disclosed, or brought to light.
I want to remind us of this issue because I think it is critical to the text.
The glory that we expectantly hope for is not yet fully revealed. There is a tremendous amount of future glory that not only do we not understand, but in our current unglorified state we cannot understand.
1 Corinthians 2:9 (ESV)
9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—
I want to take some time this morning to clear up some common miss applications of this verse. How have you regularly heard this verse interpreted? Normally, we read this verse and we apply it to our future eternal life. But, this is not Paul’s main point.
1 Corinthians 2:6–9 (ESV)
6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.
7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.
8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—
What Paul is talking about primarily in v. 9 is the wisdom that God employed to secure our justification. That God would save sinners by sending His only Son to suffer for our sins by shedding His blood on the cross was something that not even the most cleaver mind would have dreamed up. That God would save us in this manner was something that no eye saw, no ear hear, and no heart imagined. This wisdom was secret and hidden. It was a wisdom of God alone.
But, we now know and understand this secret hidden wisdom of salvation. We now know what was decreed before the foundations of the earth, before the ages of time. How do we know such wonders?
1 Corinthians 2:10 (ESV)
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.
The only way we can know such secret hidden wisdom is if God chooses to reveal it to us by means of His Holy Spirit. We have the revelation of the Scriptures. How much of our New Testament speaks to the substitutionary death of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? Its pages are filled with this wisdom from above. And God through His Spirit working in our hearts has caused us to welcome this truth for what it really is—
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
But, the only way we can know any of this is if God reveals it to us. And the only way we welcome and accept this wisdom for what it really is—is if God works it our hearts through His Spirit and draws us to Himself.
9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—
So this verse is really speaking of the hidden wisdom of God in our justification that the Spirit has revealed to us through the Scriptures. That being said, we can make application of this truth to our future unimaginable glory.
Why is it that we can know what was previously hidden and secret concerning our justification?
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.
How much of our future glory has God chosen to reveal to us?
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Ephesians 2:7 (ESV)
7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
For eon after eon God is going to show us the incomprehensible and immeasurable riches of this grace? So we have eons of the glory of the grace of God to look forward to. How much do we know about the future immeasurable riches of His grace? Why?
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.
The only way we could know is if God revealed them to us. And God has told us this much about the coming glory.
Revelation 22:5 (ESV)
5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
That is all the revelation we get!
We really have to think about this truth that we cannot comprehend what our future glory will be like!
The problem with our future promised glory is that it is unimaginably good.
Friends this is the glory we have to look forward to! It is so good we CANNOT imagine it!
If we cannot imagine the good, then how do we act in faith upon it? The answer is- we trust every word that comes from God.
At the end of the day all we have is God’s word that the best is yet to come. Do we really trust God’s words about our future glory?
How can we tell?
Paul gives us four tests so that we can know if we are trusting God’s words about our future glory.
I. You will constantly weigh present sufferings in the balance with the future glory promised to us by God (v. 18)
I. You will constantly weigh present sufferings in the balance with the future glory promised to us by God (v. 18)
How do you handle suffering well? How do you follow the example of Jesus? How do you endure your cross and despise your shame? You trust God’s words about the coming glory that He has in store for us. How do you know if you are really trusting God’s words about your future glory? You will constantly weigh sufferings in the balance with future glory promised by God.
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.
For I am always causing my mind to dwell on this truth- that the sufferings we are going through here and now do not deserve even to be compared to the future coming glory that is to be revealed to us.
Do we really trust God’s words about our future glory? The second test that Paul gives us to see if we are really trusting God’s words is this:
II. You will have an eager expectant longing to see the promises of God fulfilled (vv. 19-21)
II. You will have an eager expectant longing to see the promises of God fulfilled (vv. 19-21)
If you are really trusting God’s words about your future glory there will be a normative eagerness and expectancy in your longing for when and how God will keep His promises.
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.
Friends, how do you know that you are trusting God’s words about our future unimaginable glory? Do you regularly have a deep longing in your heart for the promises of God to come to fruition? Do you long for them eagerly? Do you long for them expectantly?
Test #3:
III. You will experience regular inward groanings as you see the effects of the corruption of sin (vv. 22-23)
III. You will experience regular inward groanings as you see the effects of the corruption of sin (vv. 22-23)
22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
Because of the corruption of sin, it is as if creation is in a constant state of groaning. Like it remembers what it was like before the fall and longs to be returned to that perfect state.
Creation is suffering like a woman in pains of childbirth. What a perfect analogy. Childbirth is painful and difficult, but knowing the little bundle of joy that awaits makes it all worth it. The suffering leads to joy. This is how creation is suffering.
20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.
21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.
22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
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.
It is not only the creation but also the children of God who groan. We sigh inwardly. This reflects our attitude of frustration when we see the remaining moral and physical corruption that clings to us. We see ourselves still in a state of weakness. So we groan knowing what we are destined to become.
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.
We do understand a little of the good God has in store for us. Why? Because we have been given the firstfruits of the Holy Spirit. We have been sealed with the Spirit of God, we have been indwelt with the Spirit of God. And any true Christian knows just how sweet of a gift the Holy Spirit really is. And if this is only the firstfruits of the goodness God has for us, then we groan for the full possession of our inheritance. Here Paul calls it the full manifestation of being adopted as sons of God- we will receive the redemption of our bodies. We will be glorified!
“A healthy balance is necessary in the Christian life, in which our joy at the many blessings we already posses should be set beside our frustration at our failures and our intense yearning for that day when we will fail no more— when “we shall be like him.” —Moo
Application:
How often do you groan because of your sin?
What does real groaning look like?
Mortification of Sin—John Owen
Without universal sincerity for the mortifying of every lust, no lust will be mortified.
Speaking of a man who has fallen under the lust of sin Owen says,
“it is powerful, strong, tumultuating (great emotional agitation), leads captive, vexes, disquiets, takes away peace; he is not able to bear it; wherefore he sets himself against it, prays against it, groans under it, sighs to be delivered: but in the meantime, perhaps, in other duties, -- in constant communion with God, -- in reading, prayer, and meditation, -- in other ways that are not of the same kind with the lust wherewith he is troubled, -- he is loose and negligent. Let not that man think that ever he shall arrive to the mortification of the lust he is perplexed withal.
Owen then gives this illustration:
He that has a "running sore" (it is the Scripture expression) upon him, arising from an ill habit of body, contracted by intemperance and ill diet, let him apply himself with what diligence and skill he can to the cure of his sore, if he leave the general habit of his body under distempers, his labour and travail will be in vain.
So will his attempts be that shall endeavour to stop a bloody issue of sin and filth in his soul, and is not equally careful of his universal spiritual temperature and constitution.
This kind of endeavour for mortification proceeds from a corrupt principle, ground, and foundation; so that it will never proceed to a good issue.
Now, it is certain that that which I speak of proceeds from self-love. You set yourself with all diligence and earnestness to mortify such a lust or sin; what is the reason of it? It disquiets you, it has taken away your peace, it fills your heart with sorrow, and trouble, and fear; you hast no rest because of it. Yea; but, friend, you hast neglected prayer or reading; you hast been vain and loose in your conversation in other things, that have not been of the same nature with that lust wherewith you art perplexed. These are no less sins and evils than those under which you groanest. Jesus Christ bled for them also. Why dost you not set yourself against them also? If you hatest sin as sin, every evil way, you wouldst be no less watchful against every thing that grieves and disquiets the Spirit of God, than against that which grieves and disquiets your own soul. It is evident that you contends against sin merely because of your own trouble by it. Would your conscience be quiet under it, you wouldst let it alone. Did it not disquiet you, it should not be disquieted by you. Now, canst you think that God will set in with such hypocritical endeavours, -- that ever his Spirit will bear witness to the treachery and falsehood of your spirit? Dost you think he will ease you of that which perplexes you, that you may be at liberty to that which no less grieves him?
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.
Friends, why do we groan? Do we groan out of a self-love? Do we groan only when sin interrupts our comforts? Or do we groan because with eyes of faith we can look forward to what is waiting for us? Do we groan because we realize the purpose for why God made us? Do we groan with godly sorry when we fall short of that purpose? Do we groan because we hate sin? Do we groan because we offend God?
2 Corinthians 7:8–10 (ESV)
8 For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while.
9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.
10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
What kind of grief do you have? What kind of groaning do you partake in?
Implementation:
How will you implement this Scriptural truth into your life this week?
Spend some time in honest reflection, asking whether you have been godly or worldly in your groaning? Ask God to help you be honest in your answer. Write down the real reasons for you grief.
Spend time in prayer asking for Christ’s forgiving grace for your self-love in your groaning. Ask for Christ’s transforming grace to fill your heart with godly sorrow over your sin. Ask Christ to fill your mind with our coming glory and the redemption of our bodies.
Take some time to meditate on some passages (Revelation 21-22) that speak of our coming glory and how we will be restored to the purpose of God’s creating us. As the glory of that day fills your hearts and minds may God grace you to be able to groan with a godly grief now.
Do you long for that day? And do you experience groanings within your soul as you strain to be free of sin and its effects forever?
Test #4:
IV. You will wait for God’s promises with patient fortitude even when the sufferings of life all but erase your future hope (vv. 24-25)
IV. You will wait for God’s promises with patient fortitude even when the sufferings of life all but erase your future hope (vv. 24-25)
24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?
This again highlights the difficulty we face. Our hope, our future glory is unseen. That is why the Christian life requires faith.
Sometimes this is difficult. We can go through some very hard heart wrenching trials. Sometimes these trials can all but erase the image of our future glory.
And yet, God has promised to us this coming glory. Do we really trust his words? How will we respond to deep trials, when our eyes of faith are dim and our vision fades, and it feels like our hope is an impossible dream?
25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
If we trust God’s words about our future unimaginable glory, then we will wait for God’s words to become our reality with patience.
Patience- patient endurance, patient fortitude. It is the idea of bearing up under a heavy weight. It is the idea of perseverance.
My life is really hard, but in the face of that, I know God’s words to be true. And so I make what God says in his Word my reality. And if his words are my reality then I have the grace necessary to wait for God’s promises with patience- with patient fortitude.
17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Do you really trust God’s words about your future unimaginable glory?
Do you will constantly weigh present sufferings in the balance with the future glory promised to us by God? Do you then find your present sufferings light and momentary in comparison to your future weighty glory?
Do you have an eager expectant longing to see the promises of God fulfilled? Are you straining your neck looking forward to all that God has promised?
Do you experience regular inward groanings as you see the effects of the corruption of sin? Do you sigh inwardly because of sin? Do you have this deep sense within you that you are destined for glory?
Do you wait for God’s promises with patient fortitude even when the sufferings of life all but erase your future hope? Are you able to bear up under the weight of trials because of your dogged confidence that God will keep His promises?
Our future unimaginable glory: It is our expectant hope, it is our great joy. So we walk by faith- looking not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.