Romans, Part 24
Romans 8:16-22
Introduction
- Christ was the only way God could reconcile us to Himself
- The Law (shedding of blood) had to be fulfilled for mankind to be forgiven
-- Hebrews 9:22, “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
- It is in this teaching (Romans) that Paul reaches out to the Gentiles
-- Even in our struggles from day to day God is faithful to provide
-- Regardless of how we are feeling, He is still faithful
-- So because of His faithfulness, we have opportunity to live fully for Him
- Read Romans 8:16-22/ Pray
Point 1 – The Spirit Identifies the Spirit (16-17)
16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
- As God’s children we are co-heirs with Christ, if we share in His sufferings
-- Go to Philippians - Expound on suffering
- Phil 1:29, “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him”
- Phil 3:10, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death”
- It is critical that we adopt the same mentality; to seek after Jesus – live for Him
-- To desire to walk in the footsteps of Christ is a good thing
-- It brings healing, understanding, and more importantly humility
- Col 1:24, “Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.”
- There is rejoicing in what we go through because of who Jesus is
- These are the sufferings that come to us because we follow Jesus
-- These are the sufferings that drive us to a closer walk with Him
-- It is not a matter of wondering what’s next; but walking after Him daily
- Because we walk after Him, this gives us access to God in an intimate way
- It is not in a way that we have to be timid, but we can come to Him directly
-- Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
- TRANS: Our suffering leads to our being glorified because He is Glory
Point 2 – God’s Glory Outshines Everything Else (18-22)
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
- When God speaks about creation waiting the revelation, what does this mean?
- Genesis 3:17-19, “To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”
- Creation awaits the revelation of the sons of God because it was subjected to futility when we failed when we disobeyed God
- So, when Paul writes here about our waiting eagerly, it has always been just that
- Illustration:
-- The image is of a coiled spring, tightly compressed, waiting to be released.
-- Creation is standing on its tiptoes, leaning forward, straining its neck with anticipation.
- Consider for a moment the importance of God’s patience with us, even in sin
- He awaits our returning for repentance and forgiveness; which he gives freely
- Read verse 22
-- Genesis 1 and 2 gives us a clear understanding of how perfection “was”
-- However, today we see paradise completely lost to a fallen world
- Application:
Creation waits with eager longing. It groans in the pains of childbirth. What we must grasp is this is where are living today. We can no longer make excuses to paint over our current situation, and we must be able to express this to all.
Today, our world continues to fall apart through natural disasters and through God’s very clear revelation to us this is not going to end immediately. Our present state of living in a sin fallen world has brought us to where we are now.
- TRANS: But, it is not all bad news!
Conclusion
- It is true that the creation is in shambles today, but Jesus has overcome it all
- It is Jesus that has given us an example of right living that we must endure
- We must strive to suffer through today for the glory revealed tomorrow
- Will you be willing to endure what God has set before you?
- 1 Cor 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
- We are able to overcome if we remain faithful to Christ; for He is the only way!
- Pray
