After This (There Will Be Glory)

Sermonic Scriptural Reading

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.

Introduction- Glory of the African-American’s History in America

The "glory" of African American history in America refers to the remarkable achievements and resilience of African Americans despite facing centuries of slavery and systemic racism, including their contributions to the nation's culture, arts, politics, military service, and civil rights movements, demonstrating extraordinary strength and perseverance in the face of adversity; key examples include the bravery of Black soldiers during the Civil War, the leadership of figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks in the Civil Rights Movement, and the groundbreaking accomplishments of Black athletes and artists across various fields. 

Key aspects of this "glory":

Overcoming slavery

Despite being forcibly brought to America as slaves, African Americans created a rich culture and resilient communities while fighting for their freedom. 

Civil War contributions

Black soldiers played a crucial role in the Union victory during the Civil War, demonstrating their courage and commitment to the cause of emancipation. 

Civil Rights Movement

The nonviolent resistance strategies led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and the widespread participation of African Americans significantly contributed to dismantling segregation and achieving major civil rights advancements. 

Cultural impact

African American music (blues, jazz, gospel, hip-hop), literature, art, and cuisine have profoundly influenced American culture and are celebrated globally. 

Sports achievements

Black athletes have broken barriers and achieved excellence in various sports, including baseball (Jackie Robinson & Hank Aaron), basketball (Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Maya Moore, Tamika Catchings, Lisa Leslie), football (Jim Brown, Jerry Rice, & Deion Sanders), boxing (Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, & Mike Tyson), gymnastics (Dominique Dawes, Gabby Douglas, & Simone Biles), and track and field (Jesse Owens, Carl Lewis, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, & Sydney Michelle McLaughlin-Levrone), inspiring generations. 

Political activism

African Americans have made significant contributions to American politics, including the election of the first Black president, Barack Obama. 

Important points to remember

Complex history

While celebrating the "glory" of African American history, it's crucial to acknowledge the painful realities of slavery, segregation, and ongoing racial disparities. 

Unsung heroes

Many African Americans who made significant contributions are often overlooked and deserve recognition. 

Continuing struggle

The fight for racial equality is still ongoing, and the legacy of African American history serves as a reminder to strive for a more just society. 

Transition To Body- Suffering that accompanies membership into the family of God

Romans 5:1–5 ESV

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Last we left off at

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.

Having mentioned in v. 17 the suffering that accompanies membership in the family of God

Body- Paul Provides Three Points or Principles for ourEncouragement

Acclaim for God’s Revealed Children (Rom. 8:18–25)

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.

Glory

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 79.18 δόξα, ης

the quality of splendid, remarkable appearance—‘glory, splendor.’

Govenar, Alan. Untold Glory: African Americans in Pursuit of Freedom, Opportunity, and Achievement (Kindle Locations 234-244). Crown. Kindle Edition.

Glory is achieve-ment—the honor and admiration that is bestowed upon somebody who does something important. Glory may lead to fame, but in the everyday world, it may simply be defined in terms of the personal triumph over adversity or in that satisfaction that comes from strengthening the bonds of family and community. Among African Americans, especially during the years of segregation, there were countless events and ceremonies that were designed and organized to bolster self-esteem by conferring admiration or praise. The enduring significance of these celebrations of glory is often enshrined in photographs and in the stories that people tell.

Revealed

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 28.38 ἀποκαλύπτω; ἀποκάλυψις, εως

to cause something to be fully known—‘to reveal, to disclose, to make fully known, revelation.’

What We Will Be Has Not Yet Appeared…

1 John 3:1–3 ESV

1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Preparation 4 An Eternal Weight Of Glory Beyond…

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 ESV

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 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.

We Have The Firstfruits of the Spirit

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 57.171 ἀπαρχή, ῆς

a foretaste and pledge of blessings to come—‘foretaste, pledge, foretaste and pledge.’

Confident Expectant Hope (5X)

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. ἐλπίς

the looking forward to someth. with some reason for confidence respecting fulfillment, hope, expectation:

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Acclaim for God’s Revealed Children (Rom. 8:18–25)

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Assistance of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:26–27)

Romans 8:26–27 ESV

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Helps Us By Joining In Our Prayers

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 35.5 συλλαμβάνομαι; συναντιλαμβάνομαι; συνυπουργέω

to help by joining in an activity or effort—‘to join in helping.’

Thoughtful Planning Mind of the Spirit

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 26.15 φρήν, φρενός; φρόνησις, εως; φρόνημα, τος

the psychological faculty of thoughtful planning, often with the implication of being wise and provident—‘thoughtful planning, way of thinking, outlook.’

Intercedes

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 33.348 ὑπερεντυγχάνω

to intercede on behalf of someone, with specific emphasis upon the fact that what is being done is for the sake of someone else—‘to intercede on behalf of, to intercede for.

The Holy Spirit Is A Helper

John 14:25–27 ESV

25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Praying Earnestly

Luke 22:44–46 ESV

44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

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Acclaim for God’s Revealed Children (Rom. 8:18–25)

Assistance of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:26–27)

}

Assurance through Jesus the Christ (Rom. 8:28–30)

Romans 8:28–30 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 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.

Foreknew

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 30.100 προβλέπομαι; προγινώσκω

to choose or select in advance of some other event—‘to choose beforehand, to select in advance.’

Predestined

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 30.84 προορίζω; προαιρέομαι

to come to a decision beforehand—‘to decide beforehand, to determine ahead of time, to decide upon ahead of time.’

What is predestined is that we become like Christ (cf. 2 Cor 3:18). The purpose is that Christ might be the “eldest in a vast family of brothers” (Weymouth). If we were to bear no family resemblance to him, the intention of the Father would never be realized. The supremacy of Christ is reflected in the designation “firstborn” (cf. Col 1:15, 18; Heb 1:6; Rev 1:5). It speaks both of his priority in time and of his primacy of rank. It also implies that there are to be others who will share in his sonship.

Robert H. Mounce, Romans, vol. 27 of The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995), 189.

Justified

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 34.46 δικαιόω; δικαίωσις, εως; δικαιοσύνη, ης

to cause someone to be in a proper or right relation with someone else—‘to put right with, to cause to be in a right relationship with.

Justified by the Gift Of God’s Grace

Romans 3:24 ESV

24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Glorified (Become Gloriously Great) Like Jesus

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 87.24 δοξάζω

to cause someone to have glorious greatness—‘to make gloriously great, to glorify.’

John 17:5 ESV

5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

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Acclaim for God’s Revealed Children (Rom. 8: 18–25)

Assistance of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:26–27)

Assurance through Jesus the Christ (Rom. 8:28–30)

}

Transition To Close- One Day When The Glory Comes

Song by Common and John Legend in 2015

From the movie Selma's soundtrack.

One day when the glory comes It will be ours, it will be ours Oh one day when the war is won We will be sure, we will be sure Oh glory (glory, glory) Oh (glory, glory)

Hands to the Heavens, no man, no weapon Formed against, yes glory is destined Every day women and men become legends Sins that go against our skin become blessings The movement is a rhythm to us Freedom is like religion to us Justice is juxtapositionin' us Justice for all just ain't specific enough One son died, his spirit is revisitin' us

In This World …

John 16:33 ESV

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Close- Is Is For The Glory Of God

Romans 8:11 ESV

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Ephesians 2:1–10 ESV

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

John 11:1–7 ESV

1 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”

John 11:14–15 ESV

14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

John 11:21–27 ESV

21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”