The Wait of Glory
The Wait of Glory - Romans 8-18-27 - Ethan Ming
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Romans 8:18–27
[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.
[26] Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. [27] And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (ESV)
Sermon Notes
Romans 8:18-27
Review:
Recall what we have been seeing for the past few chapters of Romans
- We have been released from the burden of the Law, which was satisfied in Christ
- We have switched masters, from the Law of the flesh to the Spirit of righteousness
- We have been given the Spirit in order that we may walk in The Way, having our consciences quickened and made alive in our mortal flesh
- The Spirit is a sign of our adoption.
- If anything is a proof that God is not done with us and that he is coming
again, it is that He gave us His spirit to seal us and sanctify us unto that Day
- Thus, as we are now children of God, we are heirs of the Father, and thus fellow heirs of Christ.
- Furthermore, we are slaves to this new Spirit that cannot tolerate the old flesh.
- Having the Holy Spirit is absolute assurance that God loves us and will or abandon us, for he cannot abandon Himself.
- So we are left with verses 16-17 = “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”
- ISIS killing family story
- Not denying the faith
- Extraordinary Grace
- Dying well testimony
Why Did Christ Come?
- We live selfishly and belittle our faith if we think that our God’s main objective was to come and save us from the consequences of our sins and that we would have health, wealth, and prosperity.
- He came, died, and was resurrected so that he may be glorified through us as we are made dead to our sins and then alive to him by the quickening of our consciences and awoken to his heart.
- Christ never experienced health, wealth, or prosperity. Why should we expect to?
- Why would we presume that the same Holy Holy Holy God of Exodus 3, Isaiah 6, and Revelation 4 should descend His throne so that He may be beaten, mocked, and scorned for us, all so that he may secure an inheritance in this life free of all hardship and discomfort?
- Distinct is the Christian Faith where we are not only warned of the possibility that we may suffer for the sake of Christ, but we are promised that we will do so.
- Furthermore, distinct to Christianity is that it is the highest badge of honor that you may suffer for you Lord, and that you may suffer well!
* Maybe you think, Ethan, that all sounds interesting, but I am not sure that this is Scriptural
- 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 = “7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.”
- 2 Cor. 11: 23-28 = “Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food,[b] in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.”
- All of the apostles died unnatural deaths (except John) and executed horribly for their death
- James - Thrown off a temple then beaten with clubs
- Philip - Hung upside down, Impaled by iron hooks from his ankles
- Matthew - Impaled with spears and beheaded
- Nathaniel - Flayed alive
- Several - were Crucified
- Matthias - Burned alive
- John - Boiled alive, then died in exile
* Even though these truths are terrifying and gruesome, If you are a Christian, this should be absolutely beautiful - suffering well for your Lord as he did for you.
- There is something strangely attractive and comforting about these truths
Vs. 18
- Here is what is so comforting about it:
- “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” - vs 18
- Here is scripture’s promise to you:
- There is no tragedy, heartache, or suffering that you may endure, which
can cast the slightest shadow on the glory given to you by being formed
more and more like Christ.
- We may never suffer to the degree that the apostles did, nor will we ever
suffer as Christ did,
- but we may take comfort in the fact that when we do suffer for
Christ, it is a seal of our promise and
Nature Groans (vs 19-22)
- The thing is, none of this is how it is supposed to be!!
- “All of creation groans and suffers,” longing for the day that all things will be
made right
- When all things are liberated from the current state of decay and imperfection
- Vs. 20 - creation was subjected to this curse because of mans sin and God’s resulting curse.
- Now, no part of creation fully fulfills its original God-given purpose
J Vernon Mcgee -
“Some have called our attention to the fact that nature sings in minor key.
The wind blowing through the pine trees on a mountainside and the
breaking of the surf on some lonely shore – both emit the same sob. The
music of trees has been recorded, and it is doleful. The startled cry of
some frightened animal or bird pierces the night air and chills the blood.
Surely nature bears audible testimony to the accuracy of Scripture.”
- There is something beautiful yet woefully terrifying about nature, we see the
marring of sin upon our world and its groaning out against it, awaiting the day we
will all be liberated from it
Humanity Groans (23-25)
- Likewise, we groan inwardly awaiting our full redemption.
- Humanity is itself restless, unable to find rest or relief in anything this world has
to offer.
- Not in our work, our relationships, or any other thing
- Even as Christians, we yearn inwardly for the day that we will be renewed fully.
- When all our sin and suffering will be gone
- Even now we enjoy “the first fruits” of the Spirit
- A taste of the promised full harvest to come in heaven
- We live in the “already-not-yet”
- Our hope of eternity and full redemption is sealed and secured in Christ
- Yet it is not fully realized
- Thus, it is secured but not realized.
- As such, our “hope” (vs. 24-25) is not wishful thinking, but patience that is
tempered by absolute assurance!
- God has been faithful, he will be again!!
- Like gifts under the tree! Guaranteed, but not opened ;)
- Therefore we wait with patience, redeeming the time that we have been given.
The Godhead Groans (26-27)
● All of this illustrates an attitude and character of humble dependance from the
Christian. We do not know all that we will endure or why will do so.
● Neither do we know when The Lord will make all things right
● All that we know is that God is good and he is sovereign and that he will finish
what He has started.
- Even in something as simple as our personal prayer conversations with our
Father, through Christ who mediates for us, the Spirit will intercede on our behalf.
- Why? Because even in our prayers we are hopelessly dependant upon
the grace and intervention of the Godhead on our behalf!
- How much more can we rely on Him in our suffering and hardships in life?
- He. Is. Faithful.
- Through this lense, all of our difficulties and concerns in life look truly insignificant
and pale in comparison with the sovereign goodness of our God!
To be made like Christ
- Do you remember the night before Jesus’ crucifixion when he was with His
disciples and he established the Lord’s supper with them?
- It was the time he prayed the high priestly prayer
- One thing he asked was:
- To restore to him the glory He had with the Father from the beginning
John 17:5 - “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had
with you before the world existed.”
- He was obedient
- He was about to complete his mission
- There is an end to his mockery and his scorn
- There is a completion to his work
- And what is the result?
- The result is his honor and restoration of his glory
- Revelation 4 shows us the Lamb before the throne, who was glorified before all
of creation.
- Why? For his triumph over evil mankind?
- No! He is honored for his suffering
- “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!”
- Christ was restored to glory after His work and suffering were finished
- Even so will we be glorified, through his righteousness, at our finish lines
- If we are to be made like Christ, we will:
- Suffer for his sake
- And we will be glorified for his sake
1. Believe it
2. Anticipate trials
3. Trust Him through them
4. Thank Him for his faithfulness
