God For Us: Hope Eagerly Waits

We are looking for His glory in our suffering.  17-18

17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

You can be certain of present tribulation. the sufferings of this present time...

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Hebrews. 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the ^dauthor of their salvation through sufferings.

Beware of heretical teaching on suffering.

Name it claim crowd does not embrace the biblical call of suffering with Christ and for Christ.  This heretical teaching contradicts first of the biblical teaching on suffering.

This heretical teaching contradicts the suffering of the first century apostles and believers and all who have suffered through out church history.

Be aware of biblical teaching on suffering.

Suffering can occur. . .

. . . as sin’s consequence.  Generally because of Adam’s sin and specifically because of my sin.  Alcoholism, AIDS,1C11

. . . as Satan’s attack.  1 Peter 5:9 resist steadfast; Job’s life 1:12

. . .as sickness.  Job1:8,22,2:10(after the boils);2C4:16 outward man is

wasting away; 2C12:7-10 Paul’s thorn in the fleshv9--

. . .for Savior’s sake.

Hebrews 11:35-40; Luke 9:2,3; Spurgeon died at 57 suffered gout, wife bedridden; Graham parkinson   Lk 9:23; Phil 3:10

Suffering

Separates the wheat from the tares and the sheep from the goats.

Strengthens our dependence on God.

You can be certain of a promised glorification.

are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

It is a certain glory.

It is a coming glory. Not here yet

It is a clear glory. To be revealed to us.

How can we endure our present tribulation and prepare for our promised glorification?

Live by the Word of God.

Lean on the Grace of God.

Look for the Glory of God.

We are longing for His revealing and redemption. 19-25

19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly 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 also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23  And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?  25  But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Creation longs for the revealing of the sons of God.

19  For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly 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 also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.

The creation here is all creation outside humankind.  Verse 23 points to the distinction with And not only this, but also we ourselves,.

Creation’s anticipation

19  For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God

Creation’s subjection

20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope

Creation’s corruption

21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

Creation’s affliction

22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.

Christ followers long for the redemption

23  And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already ?  25  But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Insurance of the Spirit

...having the first fruits of the Spirit

Adoption as a son

even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

The redemption of our body. . .the broken declining part of us yet to be redeemed.  This reiterates the promise of 8:11 of giving life to our mortal bodies.

Expectation of the unseen

24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 

2 Corinthians 4:18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Anticipation of completion of our hope

25  But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Our future includes suffering with Christ and for Christ.

Our future and present suffering will give way to an incomparable glory.

We along with all creation anxiously and eagerly wait for this future glory at the redemption of our bodies.

Previous Page