Romans 8 - Future Glory
Romans 8 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 7 viewsNotes
Transcript
Good afternoon! As I have had the opportunity, I have been going through Romans 8 with you all. Today will go through Romans 8:18-30 where Paul discusses the future glory we look forward to as those saved by our Lord Jesus.
Our Journey So Far
Our Journey So Far
What has been our journey so far in Romans 8? Paul’s letter to the Romans is primarily a defense of the Gospel.
Romans 1:16–17 “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.””
Romans 1:16–17 “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.””
Before Romans 8, we first see that we are dead in our sins. There is no way for us to get to God through our own merit.
Romans 7:10–13 “10 The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. 11 For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.
Romans 7:10–13 “10 The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. 11 For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.
12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. 13 Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.”
12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. 13 Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.”
Then, beginning in Romans 8, we see that, through Jesus Christ, we no are no longer condemned. We have new life and freedom through Him!
Romans 8:1–2 “1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”
Romans 8:1–2 “1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”
The last time I was here, we ended our teaching by seeing that even with our hope in Jesus now, this life will not be easy. We will have suffering and share in the sufferings of Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:16–17 “16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 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.”
Romans 8:16–17 “16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 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.”
Our hope does not just end with our current life. That hope is the freedom from sin we receive as believers in Jesus. Our hope continues as we have hope in the resurrection! Now, let us read the text for today and see our hope in our future glory.
Romans 8:18–30 “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.
Romans 8:18–30 “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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.”
Creation Waits for Glory
Creation Waits for Glory
First, we see that creation itself waits for glory. Paul starts to explain why we have hope for the future and that what we hope for outweighs any suffering we may encounter in our lives.
Romans 8:18 “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.”
Romans 8:18 “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.”
What is the glory that Paul is talking about? It is the glorification of ourselves, our bodies and our whole selves, when we are resurrected in the last day. Paul explains this glory to the Corinthians. He says:
1 Corinthians 15:40–44 “40 There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.
1 Corinthians 15:40–44 “40 There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.
42 So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.
42 So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.”
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.”
1 Corinthians 15:49 “49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.”
1 Corinthians 15:49 “49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.”
I believe the hope of such glory is not only that we will be raised with imperishable perfect bodies, but also what comes at that time: the new heavens and new earth! And even Paul brings that line of thought out in the next verses in our text today.
Romans 8:19–20 “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”
Romans 8:19–20 “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”
God, Himself, put the effects of our Sin upon the world. We see God’s sovereignty and power in this. It was God’s will! We see this in the beginning.
Genesis 3:17–18 “17 And to Adam he [God] said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; 18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.”
Genesis 3:17–18 “17 And to Adam he [God] said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; 18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.”
But this is not a permanent state of God’s creation! Just as we will be glorified, creation will be glorified!
Romans 8:21–22 “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.”
Romans 8:21–22 “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.”
So, after our resurrection, creation itself will experience its glorification through a remaking from God! John shows us this in Revelation:
Revelation 21:1–5 “1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Revelation 21:1–5 “1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.””
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.””
We Wait for Glory in Hope
We Wait for Glory in Hope
Creation is waiting, and we are waiting as well for glory, but in hope!
Romans 8:23 “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.”
Romans 8:23 “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.”
Just as creation is groaning under the weight of sin. So also we groan under the weight of sin: both our sin and the effects of sin on us.
And there is yet a future redemption. We have been redeemed from Sin to God by Jesus and His death on the cross. But, there is an unfulfilled redemption. Christ was the firstfruits of this: the resurrection. We will then be resurrected to receive the fullness of our redemption: our physical bodies. We must have hope in this!
Romans 8:24–25 “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.”
Romans 8:24–25 “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.”
As we wait, we wait both eagerly and patiently. But we do not force ourselves into the resurrection. God has work for us to do while He determines the time that we will be with Him. While we wait, we work. We are on mission as witnesses of Jesus’ work of salvation that is available to all who would believe. This was Jesus’ command for us as His disciples:
Matthew 28:19–20 “19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””
Matthew 28:19–20 “19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””
Let us continue in what God has laid out for us while we are here on this Earth!
Our Help and Our Hope as We Wait
Our Help and Our Hope as We Wait
We do not wait in our own strength. We do have help, a Helper who also gives us hope while we wait.
Romans 8:26–27 “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.”
Romans 8:26–27 “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.”
We have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us to help us wait patiently and endure the sufferings in our lives! The Holy Spirit helps us in our prayers. He helps us to pray but also in what to pray. God is one and the Holy Spirit, being also God, knows the will of the Father. We can pray in the will of God by relying on the Holy Spirit in our prayers. What is also amazing is that we have two intercessors! Both Jesus and the Holy Spirit!
Romans 8:28 “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.”
Romans 8:28 “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.”
As God’s children, everything that happens in our lives, God works it so that it will be for our good. Ultimately, it is for His glory and His name that he does this. But, He also loves us! In His love for us he does this as well! The good may not be something we see in our lifetime, but we can be comforted that the end of all things for us is good. Our God is love and we are His children whom He dearly loves!
Romans 8:29–30 “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.”
Romans 8:29–30 “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.”
What we just read is the sovereign grace of God:
Foreknew -> Predestined -> Called -> Justified -> Glorified.
Foreknew -> Predestined -> Called -> Justified -> Glorified.
It has also been called the Golden Chain of Salvation. Every act in the chain is from God and is from His power. That is why we do not see Sanctification in the chain. Because sanctification is something we have a part in.
Philippians 2:12 “12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,”
Philippians 2:12 “12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,”
Romans 8:30 “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.”
Romans 8:30 “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.”
Looking back at our last verse for today, Paul’s use of the verb tense, glorified, is an act of confidence! Although we are yet to be glorified, it is a sure thing! Just as all of God’s purposes and promises are sure. They will happen! So will our glorification! God is the one in control and the one who is all powerful to accomplish His own will. Aren’t you glad that neither our justification nor our glorification depends up us!
Conclusion
Conclusion
In conclusion, brothers and sisters, let us endure and wait patiently through the sufferings that have been accounted to us! But, let us rely on the Holy Spirit who indwells us to accomplish this! As we wait, let us wait in hope because we have a resurrected Savior in Heaven and we have both the Holy Spirit and Jesus interceding on our behalf before the Father! May we maintain our hope in Him. He will accomplish and finish what He has begun in us until the end! Amen!
