Sunday, November 3, 2019, Evident Grace Fellowship looked at Romans 8.18-25:

 

Romans 8.18 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. 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.

 

From these verses, we pursued this Big Idea and these three points:

 

Big Idea: How to Suffer Well

 

You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet

Creation’s Gender Reveal Party

Hope is Your Imaginary Friend

 

You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet

 

Romans 8.18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

 

Paul’s hope of heaven was so great, that he didn’t consider the suffering of this world anything by way of comparison. Paul was a man who understood suffering. He had been shipwrecked, beaten, and imprisoned. Yet, the hope and glories of heaven were so great, he could handle his suffering. He suffered, and so do we, but when see heaven as our true home and reward, we suffer in a way that honors God and reflects Jesus.

 

Creation’s Gender Reveal Party (Creation Longs With and For You)

 

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.

 

Not only do we suffer, but creation suffers from the curse of sin, and creation has longed for to be renewed. What has it longed for? Two things. First, the sons of God. Christians in light of the faith of Jesus are agents of Gospel and mercy in this world, proclaiming faith in Jesus and the fulfillment of all things. Creation also longs for the return of Jesus as the earth itself will be renewed and transformed just as our bodies will be.

 

Hope is Your Imaginary Friend (Hope for What Is Not See)

 

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.

 

Waiting on these is an essential aspect of our hope and our faith. Not seeing but trusting is the nature of faith and hope. What do we hope and wait for? The return of Jesus, the redemption of our bodies, and the ultimate end of suffering.

 

Big Idea: How to Suffer Well

 

You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet

Creation’s Gender Reveal Party

Hope is Your Imaginary Friend

 

Truth: The redemption of this earth, the redemption of our earthly bodies, and the hope of Heaven give us hope in the midst of our pain and suffering.

 

Application: Live knowing that your suffering has a purpose.

 

You are made like your brother, Jesus.

You play a part in the redemption of the world.

And your heart is drawn to your home in Heaven.

 

Action: Determine to seek joy whether your circumstances change or not. “Consider it all joy.”