Living as God’s Children
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Intro
Illustration: THE Dreaded Under Construction Visit
Our lives often look like scaffolding and dust—groans, not glory. But the “poster” of promised glory is already designed. Present sufferings are real, yet not worth comparing to what will be revealed.
Transition line: With that promise in view, Paul shows us how to wait, how to pray, and how God shapes us into Christ’s image.
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.
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.
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.
-pray
1. As God’s Children, we wait with hope.
1. As God’s Children, we wait with hope.
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.
Illustration:
Waiting for the baby, ultrasounds, preparations, all for the day we get to hold our child.
2. As God’s Children, we pray with the Spirit.
2. As God’s Children, we pray with the Spirit.
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.
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.
Illustration:
Noise Canceling Mic brings clarity to a call—> Holy Spirit clears out the noise and prays on our behalf.
3. As God’s Children, we grow more like Christ.
3. As God’s Children, we grow more like Christ.
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.
Illustration (Master Sculptor)
A block of marble looks stubborn and ordinary. The sculptor chalks a faint outline and begins to chisel. Chips fly, dust rises; at first it feels like loss. But the artist isn’t destroying the stone—he’s revealing the image he envisioned from the start.
Tie-in: God’s loving “chisel” is conformity to the image of His Son (v. 29). Those He foreknew, He predestined, called, justified—and (note the certainty) glorified (v. 30). Sanctification may feel like subtraction, but it’s the revelation of Christ in you.
CLOSING
As Children of God:
we wait with hope.
we pray with the Spirit.
we grow more like Christ.
The Evacuation Bus at the Curb
When the sirens sound, an evacuation bus idles with doors open. The route is planned; the driver is ready. You only need to board.
Appeal: God’s purpose is already moving—called, justified, headed for glory. Today, board by faith; bring your burdens and let the Spirit carry them.
