Certain Hope (in an Uncertain World)

Claim: Suffering prepares us for future glory, trusting more in the Spirit who garantees our salavtion in Christ.

Focus: Assuancce in sufferign

Function:

More than conquerers - does not mean we overcome all sin and suffering now - Christ has done that - we are conquerers,

our experince now is suffering - not superhumanity!

The idea behind calling it a golden chain is that each link (foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification) is divinely forged and cannot be broken. This aligns perfectly with Paul's argument that God's saving work is certain and secure.

I heard a sermon once on Romans 8. It was a good sermon, thinking about how suffering will be used by God now to prepare us for the hope we have coming in the future. And that our circumstances may not be comfortable, but they are for our good.

It was a church we had concerns about, and as the sermon finished, I was encouraged - that is until the alter call in response to the sermon was to come to the front and they would bring the blessing down from God on anyone who had a difficult life and they would be delivered from their trials and difficulties.

There was a disconnect - that I think we are all prone to, between what we say we believe theologically, and what we actually feel, or want to be true experientially.

Of course, we are all for praying and practically trying to relieve one another form suffering.

But the aim in this present life for us is often to be freed from all discomfort - and if God doesn’t do that for us, heal, us, free us, deliver us - then has either he, or our faith let him, or us down.

But is Rom 8 28 a promise of good things now for us.

After all,

Romans 8:28 NIV 2011

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.

SO ,what is good - do we actually belive this verse, and if we do, what does it actually mean for us?

Is it instantaneous blessing and healing, and money, or is it something else?

Are we too quick to jump to the assumption that we are promised, or deserve, or expect, comfort and blessing and happy feelings all time?

And if something isn’t right, our health, our mental health, our cicumstances,

then something is very wrong with our faith, or with God?

Or with your church, becasue we didn’t get what we needed this or that Sunday sermon,

or from our friend at church , who didn’t ask the ritgh questions or pray at the right time?

Today’s passage asnwers this questions - will my life be happy and compfrtable now?

And if not, how is it for my good, and how can i keep going?

John Clavin, the 15th Centruy reformer answers both those questions in relation this passage:

"This is the chief consolation by which we are sustained in adversity, that all things contribute to our salvation."

I. Present Suffering vs. Future Glory (Romans 8:18-25)

A. The Christian Perspective on Suffering (v. 18)

Paul declares that "the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us."

The Puritan Thomas Watson wrote, "Affliction may be lasting, but it is not everlasting."

Our suffering, though real and painful, is temporary and will be far outweighed by the eternal glory that awaits us.

B. Creation’s Groaning (vv. 19-22)

Paul personifies creation as groaning in eager anticipation of the revealing of the sons of God.

The fall brought corruption, not just to humanity but to all creation (Genesis 3).

John Owen noted that the disorder of creation mirrors the brokenness of the human soul apart from Christ.

C. Believers’ Groaning in Hope (vv. 23-25)

Even we who have the Spirit groan as we wait for the redemption of our bodies.

William Perkins, a Puritan theologian, called this “the groan of hope”—a longing that is certain because it rests in God’s promises.

Hope in the biblical sense is not wishful thinking but an anchor for the soul (Hebrews 6:19).

Application:

In trials, we do not despair like the world. We press on with endurance, knowing our suffering is momentary compared to the eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17).

II. The Spirit’s Help and God’s Purpose (Romans 8:26-30)

A. The Spirit Helps Us in Our Weakness (vv. 26-27)

We do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit intercedes for us with "groanings too deep for words."

Richard Sibbes described the Spirit’s intercession as "the sweet whisperings of heaven in the soul of the believer."

Even when we are weak and uncertain, the Spirit ensures that our prayers align with God’s will.

B. The Assurance of God’s Sovereign Purpose (vv. 28-30)

"All things work together for good." This verse has been a rock for believers throughout history.

John Calvin emphasized that this promise is not for all people but for "those who love God, who are called according to His purpose."

Paul then gives us the golden chain of salvation (a term used by the Puritans and Reformers):

Foreknown – God’s eternal love set upon His people before time began.

Predestined – Chosen to be conformed to Christ’s image.

Called – Effectively drawn to Christ through the gospel.

Justified – Declared righteous through faith.

Glorified – Spoken as already accomplished, so certain is God’s plan!

Thomas Watson wrote, "There is a golden chain let down from heaven to draw us up to God."

Application:

If God has ordained our salvation from eternity past, what have we to fear? No trial, sin, or weakness can undo what God has decreed.

III. The Unbreakable Love of God (Romans 8:31-39)

A. If God Is for Us, Who Can Be Against Us? (vv. 31-34)

Paul asks a series of rhetorical questions, each reinforcing the absolute security of believers.

"If God did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?"

Christ is interceding for us—no accusation can stand against God’s elect.

The Puritan John Flavel famously illustrated this with the story of a father who gave up his own son to save others, asking, "If He gave us His Son, will He withhold anything else?"

B. Nothing Can Separate Us from Christ’s Love (vv. 35-39)

Paul lists possible threats: tribulation, distress, persecution, famine…

Yet, he triumphantly declares that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus!

The Puritan Samuel Rutherford, who suffered greatly for his faith, wrote, "Our hope is not hung upon such an untwisted thread as ‘I imagine so’ or ‘it is likely.’ Our salvation is knit to Christ, the strong cable of God’s unchanging decree."

Application:

No suffering, sin, or demonic attack can sever us from Christ’s love. We must rest in this assurance.

Conclusion:

Main Takeaway: The Christian’s hope is certain because it rests on God’s unbreakable purpose and unfailing love.

The Reformers and Puritans lived through persecution and trials, yet they clung to this hope. So must we.

Encourage the congregation to live with confidence, endurance, and joy, knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Final Exhortation:

If you are in Christ, rejoice—your salvation is secure!

If you are not in Christ, turn to Him today, for this hope belongs only to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

"He who did not spare His own Son… will He not also give us all things?" (Romans 8:32)