Righteous Living: The Joy of Perseverance

Romans 8:18-24

Intro: Last week we spent time talking about the spirit filled life, now we find ourselves learning how we endure our times of suffering with the Lord

We do not quit- there seems to be a surgence

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Shortest Major League Baseball Career

Shortest Major League Baseball Career

The record for the shortest major league baseball career probably belongs to a member of the old Brooklyn Dodgers, a pitcher named Harry Hartman. He was a gifted young ballplayer whose day of glory arrived in 1918 when he was called up from the minors to pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates. This was the moment he’d dreamed about, the beginning of a great career, but his dreams began to fade when his first pitch was hit for a single. The next batter tripled. Rattled, he walked the hit for a single. The next batter tripled. Rattled, he walked the next batter on four straight pitches, and when he did throw a strike to the next hitter, it went for a single. At that point, Hartman had had enough. He headed for the showers, dressed, and walked out of the stadium to a naval recruiting office, where he enlisted. The next day, he was in a military uniform, never to be heard from in professional baseball again.

Gary Inrig, A Call to Excellence, (Victor Books, a division of SP Publ., Wheaton, Ill; 1985), p. 62

Keeping our eyes on the future hope: Spirit led living in light of eternity: here is the practical side of Christianity

1 Corinthians 15:19 “19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.”

Today we will be given three truths that speak to the hope that is found in an honest side of Christianity

Perspective (Vs 18)

The sufferings of the Present time

Paul was aware of the sufferings associated with mankind

Things outside of our control

Remember we live in a sinful world- there are things that happen that are not in our control

I am not sure what current sufferings you are in… some are unavoidable but may I caution us with not being honest that

There are somethings you have been given that you and I need to be disciplined

When I am not disciplined is when I make my own trouble- can you relate-

The discipline to get up

The discipline to pray

The discipline to read

The discipline is surrender

God is brining clarity to you and I- He knows us best

Not many want to suffer

Not many can look past their suffering

Do not compare to the Glory revealed

Last week we spent some time in scripture as we learned we know Christ as we share in His sufferings.

I want to know you I want to seek your face I want to know you more… It is Christ revealed in these that is our focus… discipleship (can we turn our focus to the why we do things here at foothills)

I am asking you all to come along side an catch this vision that the Lord must lead us in

1 Peter 4:13 “13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”

2. Pining and Promise (vs 19-22)

Deep Longing

Anxious longing - vs 19

This is the waiting for the redemption of mankind becuase of sin

This anxious waiting occurs here now- Man is aching to be free from sin-the only way is through a relationship with Jesus when submit to the father and He leads us to repentance

Its a longing in life and death God is glorified

Philippians 1:20 “20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”

Sons of God- Last week Spirit lead living

John 1:12 “12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,”

What is it to believe in the name of Jesus

His life, His teachings, His death and resurrection

It is faith, (Israel)

Who leads us to this faith well it is the Lord

1 John 3:1 “1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.”

The world will not understand suffering through knowing Him the world did not want a suffering savior

We are not hidden from the world- we are called to be salt and light- but thee world does not understand suffering, there are those who are close (it is not for us)

Creation was subjected to futility- vs 20

Genesis 3:17 “17 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life.”

It is our sin that all else is futile

Ecclesiastes 1:2 “2 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.””

Subjected in Hope - This only a work of God

God would be justified to leave us in our sin and its consequences, but He has great love for His creation

In the time of Adam there was a promise of the Salvation through the offspring of Eve

There is hope today and it is Christ- all we do is becuase of this hope! This longing

I mean you are free to try it on your own but it is all vanity

We have a promise to be set free from our sin

2 Peter 3:13 “13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”

Son’s of God- have you felt discouraged, that you have not done good today, yesterday or last year - what are you dwelling on

We subject ourselves to see God glorified in our life and death

Forgiveness and humility- seek forgiveness, and seek those who have wronged

It may not be pretty but why are you expecting it to- on this side of eternity

Obedience and growth aren’t pretty

God’s promise of redemption with impact all of creation and they are longing for it- things changed with sin

Jeremiah 12:4 “4 How long is the land to mourn And the vegetation of the countryside to wither? For the wickedness of those who dwell in it, Animals and birds have been snatched away, Because men have said, “He will not see our latter ending.””

Adam was given charge of looking over the creation: sounds like a daunting task- when it became about him that inlies the problem

Does God give us things in life so we rely on Him- absolutely- isn't this what this study is about.

3. Perseverance (Vs 23-24)

First Fruits-

We have been given partial revelation in us that will be fulfilled in eternity

What are these first fruits well

Salvation

Faith

God’s Sovereign work in our lives

(Jesus- Spirit)

2 Corinthians 1:22 “22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.”

Why must we persevere it is becuase we long for eternity- not only as a creation but even as we are in the right relationship with Christ

2 Corinthians 5:2 “2 For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven,” 2 Corinthians 5:4 “4 For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life.”

When we are burdened do we become idol- I hope you and I as the church will become burdened for eternity and remain active- The Lord is leading!

At our town hall we want to see more small groups and we are in need of servants- why? Our burden comes from the Lord

You know I truly know the benefit of volunteering- so many stories of God’s faithfulness

Hope that is seen is not hope for who hopes that has already seen

The great news is we haven’t seen what awaits us becuase it is so glorious that if those who knew what was ahead for us they all would repent-

This perseverance is in the hope to come

Titus 3:7 “7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

He is making us heirs He has done the work He has justified us but there is so much more that awaits us.

This is the Joyful Perseverance

What we do not see we are eager to see-

May I for a second encourage us to understand this is why we are doing what we are doing here.

Application: Persevere with Joy

Not this isn’t a fake happiness

When we can’t see what God is doing it can be discouraging, it can mess up momentum but know God is calling us to persevere

Therefore the enemy will want us to quit George Noble gave us some encouragement I want to leave

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Don’t Quit …

Don’t Quit …

• In prayer,

Communion:

New American Standard Bible, 1995 Edition: Paragraph Version Chapter 11

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.