Your June 2nd Expository Sermon

Hope in Suffering: The Glory to Come (Romans 8:18-30)

Sermon Outline: [NOTE to Paid subscribers — scroll down for the full manuscript sermon].

Sermon Outline: "Hope in Suffering: The Glory to Come” (Romans 8:18-30)

Introduction:

Romans 8:18-30 offers a profound exploration of the Christian hope amid suffering, highlighting the future glory promised to believers and the Spirit’s role in helping us during our current struggles. This passage reassures us of God's ultimate plan for our lives and the entire creation.

I. Present Suffering and Future Glory (Romans 8:18-25)

Comparison of Suffering and Glory:

• Suffering Now, Glory Then: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Romans 8:18, ESV). Paul encourages believers to maintain perspective, focusing on the incomparable glory that awaits them.

Creation’s Anticipation:

• Eager Expectation: "For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God" (Romans 8:19, ESV). The entire creation eagerly awaits the fulfillment of God’s redemption plan, reflecting a cosmic scale of anticipation.

• Subjection to Futility: "For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope" (Romans 8:20, ESV). Creation itself is under a curse due to sin, yet it holds hope for future liberation.

Creation’s Liberation:

• Groaning for Freedom: "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" (Romans 8:21, ESV). Creation’s future freedom is intertwined with the glorification of God’s children.

Believers’ Groaning and Hope:

• Firstfruits of the Spirit: "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" (Romans 8:23, ESV). Believers, though possessing the Spirit, also groan in anticipation of full redemption.

• Hope Sustains: "For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?" (Romans 8:24, ESV). The essence of Christian hope is grounded in the unseen future promises of God.

• Patient Waiting: "But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience" (Romans 8:25, ESV). This hope enables believers to wait patiently through present sufferings.

II. Spirit’s Support in Our Weakness (Romans 8:26-27)

Intercession of the Spirit:

• Help in Weakness: "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" (Romans 8:26, ESV). The Holy Spirit assists believers in their prayers, especially when they are unsure of what to pray.

• Divine Intercession: "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" (Romans 8:27, ESV). The Spirit’s intercession aligns perfectly with God’s will, ensuring our prayers are effective.

III. Purposeful Plan of God (Romans 8:28-30)

Providence in All Things:

• All Things for Good: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28, ESV). God orchestrates every detail of believers’ lives for their ultimate good and His purpose.

Predestined Path:

• Foreknowledge and Predestination: "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers" (Romans 8:29, ESV). God’s foreknowledge and predestination ensure that believers are transformed into Christ’s likeness.

Progression to Glory:

• Called, Justified, Glorified: "And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified" (Romans 8:30, ESV). This golden chain of salvation outlines the unbreakable process from predestination to glorification, ensuring the believer’s ultimate destiny in glory.

Conclusion:

Romans 8:18-30 powerfully addresses the tension between current suffering and future glory, providing believers with hope and assurance. This passage encourages us to live in the light of God’s promises, relying on the Spirit’s help and trusting in God’s sovereign plan for our lives. As we navigate the challenges of this world, let these truths anchor our faith, guide our prayers, and shape our perspective, knowing that our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us.

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