Suffering Produces Edification

Romans 8:18–30 (CSB)

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. For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of him who subjected it—in the hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. 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. Now in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.

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. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.

Grab Attention: Two controversy elements from this text

Election

The goodness of God

Context: The idea being conveyed here is not one of salvation but one sanctification, spiritual growth. Salvation was dealt with in chap[ter 7, and the beginning of this chapter introduces the idea that we are now saved therefore certain things must be understood.

God saved us through Jesus, and we could not be saved otherwise.

Now that we are saved the Holy Spirit lives within us

That as recipients of the Salvation and the Holy Spirit we will now put away sinful things and live for God.

That we are the family of God now, we have a close relationship with the one that saved us.

That as his children we are also his heirs; which we will share not only in his glory but also in the suffering of Christ.

Despite our suffering we still have a great hope to place our faith in.

Although the suffering will expose our weakness in the form of prayer, the Holy Spirit will aid in our prayers.

This all leads us to the main point of the current passage:

CIT: Despite our current circumstances, God is using them for good, our good.

FCF: The problem we have when facing difficult circumstances, is that we put expectations on God without ever putting expectations on ourselves. We expect God to act and be a certain way, no matter the circumstances without any considerations to how we are to be.

Purpose: It is our goal to reassure the believer that God is at work in your life no matter the current circumstance you are facing. It is also the aim of the text to persuade the believe to love the Lord no matter how difficult your circumstances are.

Transition: God is at work in every circumstance in our lives.

God is working through each circumstance to produce something good.

God’s understanding of good and our understanding of good might be considerably different.

Scriptural Example: Joseph thrown into a pit.

God is working through every circumstance to make us more like Christ.

God is not wasting an opportunity to set out to accomplish what he desires, to make us more like Jesus.

Which is the purpose of every circumstance, is not only to teach you something but to make you more like Jesus.

Scriptural Example: God used that situation to provide for his family

How do the saints of God (believers) get to experience the goodness of God from ever circumstances?

The work of God for good is reserved for those who love God.

(28) We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God.

How often do we say, things will work out because God loves us? Yet we never consider how things might work out because we love God.

God has already proven his love for us, he has already proven His faithfulness towards us.

He “foreknew us”, nothing in our life surprises him.

He “predestined” us to be like his son.

He “called” us to response to Him.

He is the one the saved us, “justified”.

He has “glorified” himself in our life now and will bring future glory to us in heaven.

We have no reason to believe God will not work this out based off His previous character.

Yet the question has has yet to be answered is; is has our love, our faithfulness to Him be proven, been observed.

The question we should be asking is not how will this work out but we should be asking how can you love God no matter your circumstance.

Because if you love God nothing will separate you from Him or His goodness. (31-39)

Romans 8:31–39 CSB

What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

How can we show God we love Him? The same way He has shown He loves us, by being faithful.

Be like Jesus in every circumstance, in attitude and character.

Live missionally for Jesus, Share your faith.

Let you life bring Him praise, as part of the church and individually.

Adoration, Confession, Thanking, Trusting (asking), Intercession

Whats at stake: if we only live as recipients of God’s love and never as people who love him back, we very well might miss God working things out for the good.

Share the Gospel.

Close with a call to respond with faith and love.