Romans 8 Bible Study (3)

18 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. 19 For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of him who subjected it—in the hope 21 that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. 23 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. 24 Now in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? 25 Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience. 26 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. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Have you ever had to wait for something or travel somewhere uncomfortable in order to see something amazing? The summer after Lindsey and I got married we flew to Florida with her sister and her husband. Lindsey and her sister had never been to Disney world before so we spent several days going to the various parks (Disney has 5 parks and each one is larger than Silver Dollar City) and seeing the sights and riding the rides. One of the most fun rides at Disney is called the Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios and we found ourselves waiting in line for this ride for about 2 hours in the scolding hot Florida sun. It wasn’t the most comfortable or memorable experience. The line dragged along and to make matters worse, we saw people move to the front of the line because they had what’s called a “fast pass” for the ride. So we find ourselves patiently waiting and getting a little discouraged. I had ridden the ride and my brother in law had too - we knew that it would be worth the wait but Lindsey and Taylor were’t exactly sold. Eventually we got inside and got on the ride itself. We made our way up an elevator shaft on this ride of sorts and were moving ever so slowly until the floor opened up beneath us and we dropped 131 feet straight down before being shot back up and down for a minute or two of exhilaration. Years later, we still talk about that ride and the 2 hours wait feels like a worthwhile price to pay for the fun we had on the ride. You could say that it was well worth the wait.

The Bible reminds us that we are created for eternity. We will either spend eternity with God in glory or we will spend eternity separated from Him in agony. If you are not a Christian, this life is the best you will ever experience… But if you’re in Christ, as Romans 8:1 told us a couple of weeks ago, you have the hope of eternal celebration. You have the hope that what is coming your way is so much better than anything this world has to offer. This world looks like a 2 hours wait and heaven is like the ride to follow only it doesn’t stop. This doesn’t mean that your earthly life is easy and without problems, you still suffer and have to wait in line, but the joy of what is coming next gives you a renewed focus and hope that the suffering really isn’t all that bad. Tim Keller says this about Romans 8:18

Romans 8–16 for You Is It Really Worth It?

Paul is saying: If you know where you are heading in the future, you won’t even entertain the idea that your current problems and pain aren’t worth it

All human beings suffer, Christians are not exempt from suffering… But Christians are able to have hope during their suffering.

Think of a time that you experienced suffering. What helped you get through it?

Friends and family

Remembering that Christ is still present

Keeping my eyes on eternity

As Paul is talking to this church in Rome about suffering, think of some of the sufferings they would have been experiencing

Background to Romans:

Paul wrote this letter around 57 BC while in Corinth

Romans started out as a primarily Jewish church - most of the Christians had Jewish backgrounds - likely in the late 30s/40s AD

As the Gospel was proclaimed, Gentiles came to accept Christ as Lord

Roman church is diverse church but also a divided one

Paul spends much of his time explaining theology in Romans and sharing what Jesus has done and why Jesus had to do what He did - but Romans ends with practical exhortations for Christians

Why does Paul do this?

Because the Jews were kicked out of Rome in 49 AD due to infuriating the Emperor Claudius (see Acts 18)

Acts 18:1–2 CSB

1 After this, he left Athens and went to Corinth, 2 where he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul came to them,

The non-Jews stayed, though and Christians who were not of Jewish background made up the entire Roman church

Jews were welcomed back into Rome several years later and the Jewish Christians found Gentile Christian churches everywhere in the city

This led to conflict because some Jewish Christians believed that they had to keep the Mosaic laws in addition to following Christ and that every Christian had to do the same

This led to issues in the Roman church between Christians due to their background and beliefs

Christians were suffering both inside and outside the church. They were suffering persecution just like we experience persecution and suffering… What does Paul encourage them with, though?

The suffering of this present time is not comparable with the glory that is coming!

If we had a glimpse of how great eternity with Jesus will be, we would never complain about the suffering in this life. One pastor put it like this, “If I could hear Jesus praying for me in the other room, I wouldn’t fear a thousand foes… But distance makes no difference… He is praying for me.” We have to keep our mindset on eternity and the glory awaiting us in Christ and whenever we do this our present struggles begin to fade a little bit.

V. 19 Christians are called God’s sons - this is due to our adoption discussed in verses 14-15. Christians do not get special privileges in this life - we appear like other people, we suffer and bleed too! Yet, on the last day, the day of restoration and glorification, creation and Christians will suffer no more for all will be made right as frustration gives way to transformation.

This passage talks about suffering. Why does suffering exist?

Verse 20 tells us why: Sin!

Romans 5 tells us that death spread to the entire world through one man’s sin. Think of the consequence of Adam’s sin in the garden. There was separation from God for Adam and Eve as they are kicked out of the garden… But there is also a newfound understanding… There is shame because they are naked. How is this problem solved? By being covered by the skin of an animal. Sin results in death. It required death to cover their shame. It requires Christ’s death to cleanse us from our unrighteousness. See, whenever Adam and Eve sinned, God had every right to condemn all of creation and consign us to hell. That’s His right as King and Creator. He said that if they sinned, they would surely die! Yet, in God’s kindness He demonstrated His infinitely wise plan to send a snake crushing Savior to reverse this curse. Our hope as verses 20 and 21 lay out is that just like creation has hope, we have hope too because of the 2nd Adam, Jesus Christ.

Today there is suffering and decay due to sin, but because of Jesus we have hope that there will one day no more suffering and life in abundance

Our hope today is gained by looking ahead to Jesus and what His Word promises us about our future in Him…

According to Romans 8, what does the future look like for a follower of Jesus?

No condemnation (8:1)

Eternal Celebration (8:11)

Eternal Life (8:13)

Entry to God’s family (8:15-17)

Hope (22)

What is the meaning of these labor pains in verses 22-23?

Labor pains

Paul notes that we have the firstfruits - we have the Holy Spirit now but we wait for the ultimate freedom from sin in our resurrected, glorified bodies.

We have been legally adopted and we are sealed with the judge’s seal (Holy Spirit), but we’re going to have our adoption celebration whenever we enter into eternity with our Judge turned Father

FF Bruce, “The grave could no more hold the Redeemer than birth pains can hold back the baby.”

Labor pains indicate groaning and pain, but something good is coming out of that intense pain - change is coming

Paul wraps up this section of Scripture with a reminder of what the Holy Spirit does on our behalf… He groans with and for us

What comes to your mind whenever you hear the the Spirit intercedes for you as a Christian?

Hope

Joy

There are times whenever a tragedy happens or you are so deep into your suffering that it’s hard to even know where to begin praying. Yes, we pray that God’s will be done. Yes, we pray for peace and understanding. But there are times in our humanity where we don’t even have the words to say. Times of deep loss that happens in the blink of an eye. Times of sorrow that we dare not speak about. Times where we know what we’re supposed to do but we seemingly can’t bring ourselves to do it… In those moments, what a joy to remember that we have a Savior who reaches down to our lowest point and picks us up. Often we think of Jesus as the mighty warrior and roaring lion, which are absolutely true… But He’s also the shepherd who is tender to His sheep. There are times that we groan because of our suffering and the struggle we endure… But there are other times that we groan because of our shame and weakness because we think that we’ve done something so great that Christ can’t undo or redeem.

Dane Ortlund’s book, Gentle and Lowly talks about the truth that Jesus brings to our lives as we come to realize that He not only forgives us but genuinely loves us

He shares this bit from John Bunyan

“No, wait” we say, cautiously approaching Jesus - "you don't understand. I've really messed up, in all kinds of ways."

I know, he responds.

"You know most of it, sure. Certainly more than what others see. But there's perversity down inside me that is hidden from everyone.”

I know it all.

"Well-the thing is, it isn't just my past. It's my present too.”

I understand.

"But I don't know if I can break free of this any time soon.”

That's the only kind of person I'm here to help.

"The burden is heavy- and heavier all the time.”

Then let me carry it.

"It's too much to bear.”

Not for me.

"You don't get it. My offenses aren't directed toward others. They're against you."

Then I am the one most suited to forgive them.

"But the more of the ugliness in me you discover, the sooner you'll get fed up with me."

Whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

_______

If you are in Christ Jesus, He will never cast you out. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, His grace is sufficient. His Spirit lives inside of you and intercedes on your behalf. In your weakness, in your suffering, in your shame, He is with you and He is for you. He will give you more than you can handle so that you are forced to trust completely in Him… But if you look His way, you’ll see that He’s got you safe and secure in His hand.

Gabriel loves to grab my hand and walk… Last night my dad and I took him to their neighborhood pool and he’s holding my hand but it’s a pretty loose grip. He started to bend down to touch the water and just about dove headfirst in and let go of my hand to brace himself for impact. Gabriel’s grip wasn’t that strong, but mine was. I wasn’t letting my boy fall into that pool facefirst. I had his hand. We so often think that in our suffering, we have to hold tighter to Jesus and that’s not in and of itself a bad idea… But what if we simply rested in the fact that He has us held tight enough? He has saved us. He has sealed us. Sure we suffer now, but He promises to sanctify us through our suffering to come out on the other side looking more like Him.

Conclusion

Facts about suffering:

Suffering is not permanent (18)

Suffering is the result of sin (20)

The Holy Spirit helps us in our suffering (26-27)

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