The Hope of Glory

Romans 8:18-25 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (19) For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. (20) For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, (21) Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (22) For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. (23) And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. (24) For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? (25) But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Introduction: Many Christians have the idea that Christians should not suffer, but suffering is as much a part of life as is good health. That is like saying that the rainy season is as natural as the dry times, that cold is as natural as hot, and that feast is co-equal with famine as part of life's variety. Sin introduced suffering into the world. There are many reasons why Christians suffer. Before we turn to those, let us look again at my paraphrase of the passage.

18. Because of our confidence in God, we are certain that there is no comparison between the sufferings of today and the glory which we shall experience afterward.

19. All of god's creation is eager for Him to show who His children are.

20. The creation has been kept in check because of man's disobedience, yet not without hope.

21. When god reveals who His children are the curse of the earth shall be removed and all of creation shall emerge into glorious liberty with them.

22. Even now, throughout the whole earth, all of creation experiences birth pains with us.

23. There is a yearning deep within us for God to show who his children are, for then those of who have experienced the redeption of the spirit will also experience the redemption of the body and our whole being will be free.

24. We are saved by hope and since we have not yet received the promise, we continue in our earnest expectation that His next blessing will be the best blessing.

25. Though we have not yet received this blessing, the nearer we come to the time, the more precious is appears to us.

I. THE GLORY WHICH SHALL BE REVEALED IN US. v.18

A. Revelation of the sons of God.
B. No comparison! How shall we know?

II. ALL OF CREATION IS EAGER FOR THIS REVELATION. v.19

A. All of creation was cursed because of man's sin but not without hope. v.20
B. When God reveals His chilren this curse shall be removed. v.21

III. EVEN NOW THE WHOLE EARTH IS EXPERIENCING THE PAINS OF THIS BIRTH. v.22

A. We have a deep down yearning for God to reveal His Children.
B. Up to now we have only received the redemption of the Spirit.
C. We await the redemption of the body. v.23
D. Our whole being will be free.

IV. WE SAVED BY HOPE. v.24

A. This hope is based upon our relationship with Him.

For we are not timid as slaves, but the Spirit gives us condfidence to be intimate with God as a child looks to his earthly father expecting the next blessing. Romans 8:15.

B. We are certain that His next blessing will be the best. v.24.
C. The longer we wait, the more precious this blessing appears to us.

Conclusion: Our glory, which Paul speaks of in ths passage comes when "the fulness of days" has come and God reveals who His children are. We can't know just when that time will come but we can answer His call to prepare in order to be ready for His coming. Jesus spoke of five wise virgins and five foolish virgins. Five were ready. Five were not. Which group will you be a part of?

Green Brier Baptist Church
Utica, KY
September 3, 2006