Glory > Suffering (2)

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The California Gold Rush was sparked by the discovery of gold nuggets in the Sacramento Valley in early 1848 and was arguably one of the most significant events to shape American history during the first half of the 19th century. As news spread of the discovery, thousands of prospective gold miners traveled by sea or over land to San Francisco and the surrounding area. At the start of 1848 the non-native population of the California territory was less than 1,000, but by the end of 1849 this number jumped to over 100,000 people. A total of $2 billion worth of precious metal was extracted from the area during the Gold Rush, which peaked in 1852.

In the end, while some left California with newfound fortunes, many more left empty-handed, saddened by their lack of success.

We hear this story this morning. And I don’t know about you, but there is a certain appeal to early US History. The pioneers who traveled west, or perhaps the 49ers who were in search of gold… but There’s a certain sense of adventure and excitement, that comes from these stories, the stories of how the west was won…

But here’s the key, out of the thousands of gold miners that made the trip to California, most of them were unsuccessful. Most of them endured hardship, some lost their lives while others we’re plagued with different sorts of tragedy in search for this gold.

We transition then to ourselves this morning… We too, looking to better times, looking to heaven. You get to the end of Hebrews 11, the hall of faith as it’s often called. We look at people Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac And Jacob. The bible says:

13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13-16

That’s our eternity as well, as believers. An eternity with Christ Jesus.

But here’s the key… oftentimes, in between A, and B… Life is hard, life is full of difficulties.

You see if you were here last week, we jumped from Romans, to 2 Corinthians 4. And we’ve been discussing this idea glory is greater than suffering… but in coming back to Romans this morning… I was like, well that’s great, we can move past suffering, and maybe onto easier topics… and then, conveniently, one of the next chapters, and where God brought me for today, is Romans 8. Which one of the central themes, is in fact suffering as believers…

But here’s what I want us to see… The last few weeks, we focused on how Suffering produces (perseverance, perseverance character, character, hope.) Last week we said In your (suffering): 1. To not lose heart. because we know our 2. For suffering is achieving eternal glory… Therefore we are to 3. Fix our eyes on Jesus

This morning, we’re going to continue with this topic of suffering. But our focus this morning is His role, in our suffering.

So turn with me to Romans 8:18-30, as we see that In our suffering 1. God waits with us (not just us going it alone.) 2. He intercedes for us. 3. God works for our good.

1. Beginning with point 1. In our suffering, God waits with us.

Vs 18 explains 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

As we stop and consider the scripture for a moment. We recall that God is using Paul to write to the Roman church, during his 3rd missionary journey, from the city of Corinth. And Up until this point, the central theme of Romans has focused on our need for Justification, and how we, as believers are engrafted into God’s family. We are his children.

But the key theme of Romans… The main idea, is who God is… and our relation to Him… And this might sound obvious, but the word for God (Theos) occurs a much higher percentage in relation to the rest of the text… in the book of romans… Than any of Pauls other letters, or the new testament as a whole.

So God is the main focus… and here, in Chapter 8… we’re drawn to this idea of suffering, but as we’re looking at suffering this morning… let’s do so with a lens of GOD…. and his Role, during our suffering…

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

The word suffering here being the Greek word meaning: A numerical calculation; so not just a quick consideration… but idea, after deep reflection, and careful study… that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

In other words, if you have 2 scales, weighing our suffering on one side, and our eternal glory on the side… there is no comparison… our eternal glory far outweighs, our temporary suffering… In their current suffering, and really a foreshadowing of their suffering to come… there is no comparison, between eternal glory and suffering.

Suffering by the way, is the word: pathema it means:

· an inward state, an affliction… · But it’s also brought about externally, as suffering takes place from troubles in the world or evil.

1. And by definition… this word speaks to not only the sufferings of Christ 2. But also the afflictions which Christians must undergo on behalf of the same cause which Christ patiently endured.

Hebrews 4:15-16 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. You see here’s the point. We like the benefits, the positive benefits of being a Christian. The love, the goodness, maybe prosperity, certainly the get out of Hell part, that sounds good… But don’t sign me up for the suffering… And yet here’s the key, suffering is a reality, we can try to avoid it, we can try to sweep our problems under the rug, we can pretend suffering doesn’t take place… But in this world you will have trouble. (period.) not if, not maybe… Friends, in this world you will have trouble… and this is the result of sin. Vs 20 says: 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. Sin carried a price. Because of sin, no part of nature exists as God originally intended it to be… and because of sin, everything we see… has been subjected to the effects of sin. Sin always carries a price. And so day-to-day, in this post fallen state of sin… life is difficult, we suffer… (one of the effects of the fall) and we Groan… 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Has anyone groan as of late? I’ll tell you a secret about myself… when life is really tough… there have been moments… (few and far between) but I’ll literally let out a yell, or a groan… hopefully by myself… but there is an audible groan, because of the frustration of life… we’ve been subjected to it. But here’s the good news. Romans 8:23-25 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

The good news, is Just like our Gold miners, who were hoping for better times… many falling flat on their face. We hope, we look forward to better days. We wait patiently for them… but here’s the key, while we wait, he waits with us. You see, we don’t go life alone. This idea of firstfruits here in the scripture. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies

First fruits speaks to the Holy Spirit who indwells within us… who goes through life with us… who is for us this morning. You see one of the glorious truths about our faith, and what Paul leans into this morning… is not that when we become believers, God takes us out of the world… but that he indwells within us… and that He bears the pain that we ourselves bear. And he too is eager for our adoption to sonship

In Man in the Mirror, Patrick Morley tells of a group of fishermen who landed in a secluded bay in Alaska and had a great day fishing for salmon. But when they returned to their sea plane, they found it aground because of the fluctuating tides. They waited until the next morning for the tides to comes in, but when they took off, they only got a few feet into the air before crashing back into the sea. Being aground the day before had punctured one of the pontoons, and it had filled up with water.

The sea plane slowly began to sink. The passengers, three men and a 12-year-old son of one of the men, prayed and then jumped into the icy cold waters to swim to shore. The riptide was strong, but two of the men reached the shore exhausted. They looked back, and saw the father with his arms around his son being swept out to sea. The boy had not been strong enough to make it. The father was a strong swimmer, but he had chosen to die with his son rather than to live without him.

You see here’s the point, In your pain. In your hurting this morning… Your father choice to die for you… so that you wouldn’t have to live without him. For some of us, life has gone sideways…. But that’s not the end of the story… for some of us, even this morning. We’re struggling to make sense of things… but listen church, your father waits with you.

18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 are we looking to him today?

2. In our suffering God intercedes for us

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Romans 8:26-27

As we go back to the scripture, we’re told: 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedesfor us through wordless groans.

In looking, the words wordless groan here speak to the intertrinitarian communication, divine articulation from the Holy Spirit, to God the Father. Where the Holy spirit intercedes on our behalf.

You see the problem is, although we are redeemed this morning… we are still flesh. We are still limited in our scope of thinking, in our perception of life, in our understanding of the will of God… and yet, here’s the beauty, is that Holy Spirit is advocating for us.

Notice it’s not according to our will. Like Jesus who would pray to the father in the garden of Gethsemane, Father, not my will, but yours be done.

So too, we see vs 27: 27 And he who searches our hearts (that is God) knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. But here’s the key, the spirit is interceding on our behalf.

You see if we fast forward to vs 31 Paul would write: 31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

You see church, this morning… in our weakness. (although) We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. The Holy spirit advocates on our behalf, in these moments, Jesus intercedes on our behalf.

Friends, that should bring immense comfort to you this morning. The fact that the God of our creation, the God who formed this world, in everything in it, is interceding for you this morning, God is for us.

So not only Is God with us… Church, God is for Us. Again, Romans 8:31 reminds us… 31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Some of us this morning, feel like we’re alone, some of us feel lost, and isolated, like maybe our prayers aren’t being answered… Church God is for you this morning. God knows what you’re going through, he empathizes with you and he loves you.

A came across an article about a church pastor who explains this…. One day our church copier broke down. He Explains: “I'm not mechanically minded, but I called the repair shop to see if they could tell me what the problem was and if I could do anything about it. I quickly discovered, however, that I didn't even know how to describe what was broken. I didn't know the names of the parts or what was specifically wrong. I just knew the copy machine didn't work.

So, the repair shop sent out a technician. While working on our machine, he also called the shop. Unlike me, he knew how to describe what was needed. He used words I didn't understand, but the person at the shop did, and soon the copier was repaired. My need was met because someone came and communicated to headquarters in words I could not express.”

Guys I don’t know about you... but there are things in my life that are beyond my comprehension. Whether it’s auto repairs, or construction work… there are things, that I don’t understand… But here’s the good news, in my limited understanding of things… God is omniscient… He knows it all, he owns it all, he is all powerful, and again he is for you…

So, what’s our response? Pray, look to him… Would we learn from the Lord’s prayer, Your kingdom Come your will be done… Know that in these moments, right now, he is interceding for us.

Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

He’s for you this morning, would you go to Him?

3. In our suffering God works for our good.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

As we prepare to close our time this morning. We see Paul discuss those who love God, those who have been called according to his purpose.

And we make this distinction, from us, as believers this morning… Who have been called by God. and Even foreknew. And I’m reminded of the words of Matthew 10:29-31 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

So, God foreknew us, he knows us better than we know ourselves.

But here’s the beauty of it all, not only is God with us (Immanuel), not only is he For us (interceding on our behalf.) In the bad news, in the lost job, in the financial crisis, in the pain of this life, in the loss of a loved one, in the uncertainty of times… God is working for the good of those who love him.

I don’t know about you, but there are days… hot summer days perhaps, where I feel like it’s all I can do just to get out of bed, let alone accomplish amazing tasks.

But God, he doesn’t tire. He doesn’t grow weary…

You see for some of us this morning, we’re going through hardships. Maybe we can’t make sense of what’s going on in life… but here’s the good news… He gets us…. He’s good… He’s working on our behalf. His promises don’t return void.

He is for you this morning.

I’m going to call the worship team back up at this time.

Ready Bible. (Isaiah 40:21-31)

· Where are you this morning? What are you facing?

· What struggles are you facing? What season of life are you in?

· Do we remember he is for us? Do we remember he is with us? Do we remember he working all things for God???

Pray