Glorification

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.

Romans 8:30 ESV

30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

The grass withers and the Flower Fades, but the Word of our God will stand forever.

Tonight has been special and I would like to thank so many in the little time we have remaining. 2PC staff and pastoral team has been a great source of strength through this process. The brothers on stage tonight all have meaning for me in my life: Ceasar and PDS EC chapel; George Moore lifelong partner in the Gospel, Lee a faithful Brother and Elder at the AVe, Sir G is like a brother and we have always been able to encourage one another in different seasons of life, John Alexander and His family were one of our introductions into second many years ago and have been faithful to me and family. David Bowen did a great work in North Carolina with a brother of mine planting a church there. He did not know many people and David helped to get him started on his journey as a Presbyterian Pastor.

When I look out and see these and others, I am overcome by joy and gratefulness for the faithfulness of God in my life. My Wife Erika has been faithful and gracious to me in all phases of my life. And my kids I have no words for how proud I am to be their father.

As great as all of these feelings are, this pales in comparison to the Joy that awaits me, awaits us when the final phase of the Order of Salvation is complete. Glorification is the final and eternal state of every Child of God as they are changed, redemption being completed, in a moment in the twinkling of the eye. At the second coming of Jesus Christ.

John Murray says this:

Redemption: Accomplished and Applied Chapter X: Glorification

GLORIFICATION is the final phase of the application of redemption. It is that which brings to completion the process which begins in effectual calling. Indeed it is the completion of the whole process of redemption. For glorification means the attainment of the goal to which the elect of God were predestinated in the eternal purpose of the Father and it involves the consummation of the redemption secured and procured by the vicarious work of Christ.

It is what we have longed for! This is moment is what we have waited for. The anticipation to be transformed in the presence of God.

Anticipation: I love concerts and live music. The concerts I go to usually have an opening act of two. The music is good, the quality of singing can be great, the atmosphere could be mind-blowing, however the opening act is not what I got dressed for. I can for the main event, I came to see the headliner.

This is what all of the redeem anticipate with eager expectation. Scholars and theologians both maintain that believers have an altered view of what glorification is because Glorification is usually married together with Death.

We know that in death we are in a better position than living in this life. Paul says to be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord. 2 corinthians 5:8

The shorter Catechism says this about death: “The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory: and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.”

This is a wonderful assurance, we will be in God’s presence and be united with Christ and will not have to endure the hardships of life. . . However this is not what Glorification is. Death is not the end goal, the Final part of this order of salvation is Glorification.

The redemption secured for us in Christ is not finalized in death, for God is the God of the living and not the dead. Death does not deliver Believers from death…

We will see the destruction of death at the moment when believers experience glorification. This is our hope!

We want to experience Christ in how Paul describes in Philippians 3:21

Philippians 3:21 ESV

21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

glorification is the complete and final redemption of the whole person when the people of God will be conformed to the image of the risen, exalted, and glorified Redeemer, when the very body of their humiliation will be conformed to the body of Christ’s glory.

Glorification is a mystery. I have never talked to someone who experienced glorification. We don’t have stories of this experience like we do other parts of the Order of Salvation. We hear stories of how regeneration brings about a change in a person’s life once the Spirit grabs a hold of the heart. We hear testimonies of life is like for individuals who place faith in Christ and repent from sin. We can explain Justification and what peace with God looks like.

But there are no case studies on Glorification. This bothers many of us who have to know and want to know all the details. What is it? When will it Happen?

C.S. Lewis wrestled with this thought. What does glorification mean for us.

C.S Lewis pondered on what glory must be like. In His sermon: The Weight of Glory” he says this: the promises of Scripture may be reduced to five headings: 1) we shall be with Christ, 2) we shall be like him, 3) we shall have “glory,” 4) we shall be feasted, and 5) we shall have some official position in the universe. Then he goes on to say that the Scriptures render in glorification we will shine like the Sun. Mat 13:43

Matthew 13:43 ESV

43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

Creation Groans and Hope v. 19-22

Romans 8:19–22 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 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 whole world, all of creation is waiting for Glorification. The fall caused suffering for mankind, all of creation suffered and is suffering. Creation became a sufferer and was given over to futility, decay, and death.

The earth groans in eager expectation for Christ to Return

The Church Groans and Hope v. 23-25

Romans 8:23–25 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. 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.

Romans—Righteousness From Heaven The Church’s Groan and Hope (vv. 23-25)

The thing we groan for is our adoption as sons, which will be completed by the redemption of the body. We are already God’s sons and daughters, but we will not be complete for eternity until we get our new bodies

2 Corinthians 5:2 ESV

2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling,

There are many reasons why we groan. We groan because of the misery of living in our fallen bodies in this fallen world. Ray Stedman writes:

Our lives consist of groans. We groan because of the ravages that sin makes in our lives, and in the lives of those we love. Also we groan because we see possibilities that are not being captured and employed. And then we groan because we see gifted people who are wasting their lives, and we would love to see something else happening.

Positive Groans:

Romans—Righteousness From Heaven The Church’s Groan and Hope (vv. 23-25)

We also groan for a positive reason—we have “the firstfruits of the Spirit” (v. 23). We have the first installment (or down payment) of the inconceivably fabulous heritage God has prepared for us.

Confidence in God’s Sovereignty v. 30

Romans 8:30 ESV

30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

The entire initiative of Our salvation is in God. Before time began he “foreknew” us and “predestined” us to be “conformed to the likeness of his Son.” Then within history he “called” us. The effectual call came to us individually in many ways, but the outcome was the same—justification. The golden chain will conclude: “those he justified, he also glorified.”

John Donne

Romans—Righteousness From Heaven Crowned with Confidence in God’s Sovereignty (vv. 28-30)

John Donne put it this way:

I shall be so like God, as that the devil himself shall not know me from God, so farre as to finde any more place to fasten a temptation upon me, then upon God; not to conceive any more hope of my falling from that kingdome, then of God’s being drivern out of it.

Romans—Righteousness From Heaven Crowned with Confidence in God’s Sovereignty (vv. 28-30)

This ought to fuel our confidence! Everything that happens in life is used by God to prepare us in some way for the future revelation of glory

Lets Pray!

Communion

Table talk 2pc

The lord Jesus wanted to give us regular reminders of that we belong to Him until he comes again. So on the night he was betrayed he took the bread and broke it and said, “this is my body given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way he took the cup and said this is the cup of the new covenant in my blood. As often as you do this, do it in the remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink from this cup you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes again.

if this is your faith, The lord jesus commands you to come forward to strengthen your faith. If you are not a believer we want you to come forward as well, rather than take the elements, we want you to see how close Jesus came to you to save you.

Lets pray and set the elements.

“Use this and seal it benefits to our hearts.”

Benediction

2 Corinthians 13:14

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all"

New Living Translation (Jude)

A Prayer of Praise

24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.