Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For Series

Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For

Text: Rom. 8:18-30

Introduction

1. Video: Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For by U2

2. When this song came out back in the late 80’s I heard a lot of Christians complain. They said, “If the members of U2 are Christians, how can they say they haven’t found what they’re looking for?” Well my question to them is “have you found what you’re looking for?”

3. You see my answer to that question is if a global pandemic and racial riots is what you’re looking for then I beg to be excused!

4. I think what U2 had in mind when they wrote that song was exactly what Paul is talking about here in Romans 8. Yes, we have found Jesus and he has promised us abundant life here and now, but what he has planned for us if far better than anything we are experiencing right now.

5. In this section (8:18-30) Paul speaks of the full experience of God’s glory that awaits believers beyond this life, the ultimate goal of becoming like Christ, and the Spirit’s role in bringing that about. (Mohrlang, Volume 14: Romans and Galatians, 134).

6. Paul tells us about…

a. Suffering To Glory

b. Groaning Of Creation

c. Groaning Of The Christian

d. Groaning Of The Spirit

e. Foreknowledge To Glory

7. Let’s stand together as we read Rom. 8:18-30.

Proposition: God has given us the hope of sharing in his glory even though we may have struggles in this life.

Transition: First, Paul tells us about…

I. Suffering To Glory (18).

A. Nothing Compared To The Glory

1. After telling us about the necessity of sharing in Christ's sufferings in order to participate in his glory, Paul now illustrates why this is so important.

2. In v. 18 Paul says, “Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.”

a. Paul is not merely giving a personal opinion but a "firm conviction reached by a rational thought on the basis of the Gospel" (Cranfield 1975: 408).

b. While suffering is something that all believers must deal with, they are present sufferings, which are only temporary.

c. Paul is not the only NT writer that expresses this idea. Peter says,

d. 1 Peter 1:6 (NLT2)

6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.

e. Then in chapter 5 Peter says,

f. 1 Peter 5:10 (NLT2)

10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.

g. And in the Revelation, John writes,

h. Revelation 2:10 (NLT2)

10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.

i. And Paul, in his 2nd letter to the Corinthians says,

j. 2 Corinthians 4:17(NLT2)

17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

3. The trials we face are only for this present age, and even they are only for a short period of time. Paul says that they are nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.

a. This continues the idea of already/not yet idea of the letter.

b. We are God's children, but we do not see him face to face yet.

c. We are already his heirs, but we have not received our full inheritance.

d. We have already been glorified but we have not yet received the full glory we have been promised.

e. In the not yet time of this life we have to struggle in the middle of suffering and sacrifice.

f. But Paul gives us a divine guarantee: the glory he will reveal to us later.

g. This means that God is preparing a glorious future for us.

h. And we need to fix our eyes not on this life but the glory that is to come.

B. Fix Your Eyes

1. Illustration: What Does Hope Do For Mankind?

Hope shines brightest when the hour is darkest.

Hope motivates when discouragement comes.

Hope energizes when the body is tired.

Hope sweetens while bitterness bites.

Hope sings when all melodies are gone.

Hope believes when evidence is eliminated.

Hope listens for answers when no one is talking.

Hope climbs over obstacles when no one is helping.

Hope endures hardship when no on is caring.