Present Suffering, Future Glory

Romans 8:28 CSB

28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

As we look back at the events of this week, the assassination of Charlie Kirk, this scripture can seem a little strange to read and maybe for some of you a little hard to belief. After all Charlie was not just a political figure, he was a bold proclaimer of the Gospel. All that he did, was a result of his belief in Christ and his calling to speak the truth to college campuses.

So in his life we see both a love for God and him living out his calling, yet maybe you , like many are struggling to see how this worked together for Good.

Let;s look at this timely text this morning. Let’s pray.

Last week we looked at evidences that we are indeed in Christ. The message of Paul forced us to ask these questions.

On what have I set my heart?

Do you and are you able to Obey God?

Does the Spirit of God give you assurance that you are his?

Now I will say that the first question, On what have I set my heart on”? frames the passage we are going to look at today. Because with out a heart that “set” firmly on Christ, Without a heart that’s affections are bound to the things are of God this passage will not make sense to you.

Romans 8:16–17 CSB

16 The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

So then how does suffering and Good go together. How does the martyrdom of a fellow believer fulfill the promise of Good?

I. If we are God’s children then we will suffer with Christ.

If we were to continue on from the theme of last weeks sermon we would see that being willing to suffer with Christ is another evidence of the grace of God in our lives.

Why? because suffering reveals to us what are heart is truly set on. Suffering with Christ puts are hearts and faith to the test. It is the trial by fire that reveals what we truly love. What we truly value.

look at the next verse

Romans 8:18 CSB

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.

The word suffering here is not used in the way we normally think of suffering. Generally we think of just persecution. While persecution is absolutely under the umbrella of suffering this term is broader than that. It includes every form of suffering from living in a sin cursed world. From the constant fatigue of spiritual warfare and fighitng temptation to the effects of sin in our own lives and in the lives of others. In this world we will “suffer” because we were never designed to have to live with the effects of the curse on our lives. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. We were meant to live in Eden full of the splendor of God’s presence and in the peace of his holiness.

But then sin....Yet it is surprising how often we do not hate the very thing that ruined every thing , sin.

But Paul says, even with the constant suffering of this world. I do not consider it even possible to compare with the glory that will be revealed.

He say’s whatever you are going through and will go through. Because of the Glory that is coming you will not even attempt to compare if it was worth it because there will be no contest between the two.

And Paul went through a lot....He was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, and eventually killed for his faith and yet even then...If he was standing here with us today...He would say, the memmories of my suffering don’t even compare with the glory of God and the joy that I am experiencing forever.

But we do not live in that day yet so until that time we wait with unmatched anticipation

II. The whole of creation is waiting for the return of Christ.

Romans 8:19–22 CSB

19 For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of him who subjected it—in the hope 21 that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now.

You see when sin entered the world, it wasn’t just mankind that was affected but everything in creation. Everything around us is in a state of decay. Nothing is working the way it was designed. The weather patterns were not created to bring devastation, animals were not designed to kill and eat each other, even biting Mosquitos and flies were not designed to be a creature of annoyance and distain but rather something that reflected the amazing handiwork of God.

The whole of all creation is in a constant state of disarray, corruption and decay. And even it eagerly waits for the return of Christ.

If creation is wiating then how much more should we be anticipating his return.

Romans 8:23 CSB

23 Not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits—we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

but again this is only true of those that have set thier hearts on the things of God. Those who are not satisfied with the cheap sinful thrills of this current life. For those who are tired of this world...there is unmatched hope

III. Our Hope is found in the promise of glory through our Salvation

Romans 8:24–25 CSB

24 Now in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? 25 Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.

But notice with me...its going to take patience. Why because in this world we will constantly feel and see the effects of sin. We will suffer.

Now some of you might bet thinking but pastor Brett. I often feel that my paiteince is on a razor’s edge. I often feel like I am one step away from losing hope. It’s hard for me to maintain the eternal perspective. I often fall for the foolishness of sin. What do I? How can I possible endure what I am going through?

Understand that suffering is God’s tool in your life and be encouraged because God doesn’t waist suffering.

Romans 5:3–4 CSB

3 And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.

Again if you want success in endurance it starts with setting your heart’s affections on Christ. Choosing to value him above all else.

2. Is to remember that the spirit of God is working in you.

Romans 8:26–27 CSB

26 In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Do you understand that if Christ is in you. If the Holy Spirit is in you. When you are so perplexed by life that you cannot bring yourself to utter any words. That the Holy Spirit utters them for you. When you do not know how or what to pray. The Holy Spirit because of the perfect uniity in the trinity knows what you need, what the will of the father is and so he asks for these things on your behalf.

So if your hope is wavering this morning, let me remind you that if the prayer of a righteous person avails much, how much more will the prayers of a perfect God be enough for you. So if you feel like your discouraged and weary about ready to give up remember that in suffering Christ is with you, In suffering Christ is praying for you. In suffering you are being created in the image of Christ and through this..

We can say

Romans 8:28 CSB

28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

So then how does this verse to apply to Charlie Kirk. He set his affections on the things above. He live out his calling and now because of his death, I beleive we will see a new empowered and motivated generation. He is now in heaven saying. I do not compare the sufferings if this life with the Glory that I am experiencing now.

I don’t know about you but this whole event has made me even more determined to be bold for Christ. To speak truth in love without fear of giving offense. To stop being a coward for the cause of Christ.

Church if this doesn’t stir us to action what will. One of our own was killed for his faith on American soil. When I read the comments of people celebrating his death, I have come to realize that in there are many in our own nation that are secretly and not so secretly rooting for every vocal believers death.

Are we going to hide in fear of this? Or are we going to embrace the calling that God ahs given us to be a light in the world.

As I was texting back and forth with a few friends of mine when all of this was first announced, I sent them this idea that came to my mind.

the church in the US will either learn from the Good shepherds staff or the rod of correction. I feel that there is more of this to come. So what’s it going to be church?

Are we going to set our hearts on Christ. Are we going to place our hope in his eternal glory. Are we going to boldly live out our mission? Are we going to continue to cower and fear and allow ourselves to be distracted by everything else but our mission? Now is the time for action and even a greater determination to speak the truth of the gospel and to preach the righteousness of God with love in every arena that we find ourselves in.

In this way, I believe that Charlies death has already began to work for our Good and his reward.