Perspective Is Everything

INTRO

I. Trying Times

A. It really feels like we’re taking 1 step forward & 2 steps back sometimes huh

a. We navigate our way through the crazy o 2020

b. Finally, after months, we begin to meet in person; taking every precaution we can conceive

c. Step, thankfully in2 2021 only for some o our folks 2 contract COVID

d. With wisdom and guidance from the H.S. we go back 2 online only gatherings via Facebook & Youtube live

B. We’re right back 2 fear for ourselves…our loved ones...

a. We’re tracing who we’ve come in contact w/& how that might affect them

b. We’re concerned for our dear congregant who’s tested positive for COVID

C. All this in the middle of the turmoil o our country & the clear division

D. These are trying, difficult, painful times

a. I mean the Patriots didn’t even make it to the play-offs!!

b. All kidding aside, these times r difficult

What can we do?

II. Possible Responses

A. We could choose not 2 trust God

a. We could wrongfully conclude that there’s no God because o our circumstance

B. We could worry & hang on every news article fearful o what comes next

a. But what if we took a 3rd option

C. What if we decided 2 refocus & take a different, better perspective

a. We r going 2 open the scriptures & take a look at Paul’s God inspired, encouraging words found in Ro.

III. Main Text

Romans 8:18–23 ESV

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.

IV. Prayer

BODY

I. Our Present Time: a normal day-in-the-life of a fallen world

A. As a whole, USA has been somewhat shielded frm the normal day-in-the-life of a fallen world

a. famine, political upheaval, gov. corruption, plague is the normative experience o most o the world

1. It’s been that way since the fall where sin entered the world & spoiled God’s good creation

i. Paul describes it this way

Romans 8:19–22 ESV

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.

B. This world, which the USA is starting to feel it’s affects, is marked w/

a. futility

b. bondage

c. pain & suffering: Paul describes this as creation’s groaning frm pains o childbirth

Which brings us back to our multiple choice options:

i. We could choose not 2 trust God

ii. Worry & hang on every news article fearful o what comes next

iii. Refocus & take a different, better perspective

-Paul Gives us a healthy focus:

II. The Point: Perspective is everything!

— If we don’t see things from the proper vantage point we can’t see things as they truly r—

Paul’s encouragement for the Jesus follower:

Romans 8:18 ESV

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.

A. The Jesus follower has to put suffering in it’s proper place!!

a. In light o our future hope, there’s no comparison!!

Paul describes the hardest of sufferings in 2nd Cor 4:17-18 as...

2 Corinthians 4:17–18 ESV

17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

b. Illust: using a scale to ascribe value

1. if all we put on the scale is our suffering— bang, o course it’s going 2 seem heavy & daunting

2. But, when we add the weight o the glory that will be revealed— bang, the scale tips to glory unquestionably!!

c. There is an awesome, eternal, glorious existence 4 all who who’ve made Jesus their LORD & Savior!!

What is this awesome future that we hope for?

B. Our future Glory Described

Romans 8:23 ESV

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.

a. Adoption as Sons

This is a forever position as God’s Children

i. We’re just waiting for the court date

-What allows us to be so confident as God’s kids?

Romans 8:15 ESV

15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

2. The Spirit is a downpayment allowing us 2 cry out daddy!!

i. We have confidence because The Spirit dwells in us

-He’s our promise & guarantee

Ephesians 1:13–14 ESV

13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

*The H.S. is our seal like a stamp & our guarantee like a downpayment that we will rec. the Glory Promised

-How do we rec. the promise o our adoption as kids?? back 2...

Ephesians 1:13 ESV

13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

3. When we hear the Gospel we place our trust in Jesus as LORD & Savior

i. our future glory is adoption by God…the next:

Romans 8:23 ESV

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.

b. the redemption o our bodies

We get a forever rel. as God’s kids in a new, forever body!!

i. Paul Beautifully describes this in...

2 Corinthians 4:18–5:2 ESV

18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 1 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling,

ii. God is going 2 finish the process of making us new by giving us a forever, perfect, body!!

III. The Struggle now IS real

A. I’m not making light o our struggles here

a. Paul says

Romans 8:23 ESV

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.

we ourselves groan inwardly (we really do hurt)

So, what do we do in the meantime

IV. 3 things we do during the struggle

A. We wait eagerly

a. Paul encourages us in Ro 8:23 to wait w/excitement even while we groan w/pain

B. We hope w/endurance

Romans 8:24–25 ESV

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.

a. We don’t see this Glory w/our eyes, we patiently hope even though we don’t see it

U’ve heard the expression fake it till u make it?? - that’s lying

i. We gotta FAITH it till we MAKE it

-We gotta trust God and so longingly, expectantly look 4ward to the fulfillment o the promise

C. Last we Work

Philippians 1:21 ESV

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

a. We gotta work hard by sharing the Gospel so that others obtain the same glory we will until God calls our number…& then we gain!!

CONCLUSION

I. During these difficult & uncertain times, lets

A. focus on Jesus & our future hope o adoption as God’s kids in a new, eternal, perfect body

B. Wait w/excitement until the promise is fulfilled

C. Hope w/endurance (which is 2 suffer well)

D. Keep working hard 2 see God’s Kingdom Come & will B Done on earth

II. Pray

Offering

I. Invite worship team up

II. Thank u 4 ur generous gifts

A. It’s by your giving that:

a. keep the lights on

b. continue to stream live

c. help those in need

d. continue renovations even through the pandemic

1. God has called us to move forward not hunker down / stall out

III. 3 ways to give

A. online: greenmtn.org

B. text the word “give” to [phone]

a. already gave via text: just text the amount to that same #

C. mail a check to 440 Main St. in Bennington

IV. A continued need above ur tithe & Offering:

A. Building Fund!

a. lots o maintenance & renovation to b done

1. Can select when u fill out the web based form

2. Or put Building fund in the memo line of ur check

V. Song: “Your Promises”