Renewed Hope

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. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Three Characteristics of the Christian Life

Faith

Hope

Love

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

I am hoping for something that is guaranteed

Not wishful expectation, but anticipated expectation

With “groaning” there is a significant desire for this anticipated expectation.

1 John 5:13 ESV

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

In this instance, what is Paul’s anticipated hope?

Our Glorification

Romans 8:23 ESV

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.

1 Corinthians 15:42–44 ESV

So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

2 Corinthians 5:1–5 ESV

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. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

Look Forward to a Hope that is Not Seen

Romans 8:24–25 ESV

For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

I don’t have to hope for my IPad

I see death, destruction, sickness, evil, all kinds of evil

What I hope for, but do not see YET

Revelation 21:4 ESV

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.”

We Wait for Adoption as Sons with Patience

In pain, in sorrow, when we’re torn down, heaped with a multitude of trials,. In our failings, like Paul we press on

Philippians 3:13–15 ESV

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

1 Corinthians 15:19 ESV

If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

What we hope for (our adoption as sons), cannot and will not be obtained in this life

As Christians are you different than who you once were? (For the mature - YES)

But are you now who you hope to be? Is Jesus finished with you NO

He loves you so much that he’ll take you as you are

And he loves you too much to leave you as you are

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