Romans 8:18-25

Freedom from discouragement

Welcome!

Would you open your Bibles to...

Heb 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Pray

Intro

√ As we’ve looked at and studied chapter 8 we’ve found that in Christ we have…

Freedom from the Law (vs. 1-11)

Freedom from fear (vs. 12-17)

This week as we look at verses 18-25 we find that as Christians who walk in the Spirit we also have…

Freedom from Discouragement! Okay, so how’s discouragement relate to our scripture reading?

“let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

Ex. Sean’s cross country shirt

“Cross country is like hitting your head against a wall, it feels better when you stop!”

√ Our new life in Christ is likened to a running race – not a sprint in which you can see the finish line from the starting line…

…rather, like a marathon in which the finish line is out of sight!

Ap. It’s easy to get discouraged in the midst of the race – our perspective is so limited that we can’t see around the next corner.

In our study this morning Paul shares with us how it is that we can experience freedom from discouragement!

A fresh perspective (vs. 18)

Rom. 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

√ Conflict

Let’s be honest with ourselves and one another – the Christian life is not easy!

Ex. No Pepsi and ice cream

Rather, our present experience is one of conflict.

Conflict between our flesh and the spirit

Conflict with the world system

Conflict within, and conflict without!

That conflict produces suffering.

Why? Because it’s a constant source of irritation to our soul.

2Pet. 2:7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked

2Pet. 2:8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)--

Ap. The suffering that we experience often produces discouragement in our life – such that we want to quit the race before we reach the finish line.

What’s the solution?

√ A fresh perspective

Note vs. 18…

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Consider = “To think about carefully”

That is, Paul had spent some time alone with the Lord working through this very issue. He had invested some serious thought to the suffering that he experienced as he sought to serve Jesus.

The conclusion that he came to was that when he stacked up his current suffering with the glory that had been promised to him…

…there was no comparison!

Why?

1) Suffering was insignificant when compared to what awaited him in heaven!

2) Suffering was temporary while the glory that he was promised was eternal!

With that fresh perspective he was able to ensure great suffering as he faithfully ran the race the Jesus had given him.

Lest we discount the suffering which Paul experienced I think it would be beneficial to look at what it was that Paul had to endure.

2Cor. 11:24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.

2Cor. 11:25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;

2Cor. 11:26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

2Cor. 11:27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness--

2Cor. 11:28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.

Ap. Listen, if Paul could endure such hardship with this fresh – Godly – perspective…

…then surely there is power for us to face suffering in our own life with that same perspective.

· More than “positive thinking” – positive thinking isn’t based on reality whereas what Paul is speaking about is the solid foundation of the promise of God to reward our faithfulness as we endure suffering.

Ex. Having a baby

Positive thinking says…

“It’s not going to hurt one bit!

A fresh perspective says…

“This hurts like crazy but I’m going to focus on the joy of that new child!”

Neither takes away the pain, but the second gives strength to endure the pain because…

…the end result makes it worthwhile and the suffering is temporary!

√ So, the first thing we need to grasp to experience freedom from discouragement is to get a fresh (or Godly) perspective!

The second thing we need is a sure hope!

Our hope (vs. 19-21)

Rom. 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

Rom. 8:20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope;

Rom. 8:21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

√ Hope

As I said, freedom from discouragement is experienced by those who have hope for something better than their current experience.

What is it that we hope for in Christ?

“the revealing of the sons of God.”- vs. 19

revealing = apokalupsis

Same word as used in Rev. 1:1!

“The unveiling of the sons of God”

That is, our hope is in that future moment when Jesus will claim us as His own – transforming us into His image and sharing His glory with us!

At His return – the Rapture of the Church – when the dead in Christ are raised into their new bodies and those of us who are still alive are changed in the twinkling of an eye! (I Cor. 15:35-58).

Ap. That hope pushes us on when the going gets tough. When the trials and troubles of this life threaten to take us down – when discouragement threatens to overwhelm our soul…

…then we focus on the hope that Jesus has promised to us.

A new body – like that which Jesus now has! No more war between the flesh and the spirit – instead peace!

A body that can move freely between the material and spiritual realm.

A body that can enjoy the very presence of God.

√ Notice also the close relationship that Man has with the creation.

Rom. 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

Rom. 8:20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope;

Rom. 8:21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

The “creation” – that is, the material universe in which we live – looks forward to that day the sons of God are revealed because it is currently subject to “corruption”.

Ex. Entropy – decay – 2^nd Law of Thermodynamics

All of that came about because of Adam’s sin.

Gen. 3:17 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life.

The curse will finally be done away with when God completes His plan of Salvation.

He re-creates the world during the time of the Millennial Kingdom (Rev. 21:5)

He creates a new heaven and earth at the end of the Millennial Kingdom (Rev. 21:1 & II Peter 3:7-13).

Ap. So, we can experience freedom from discouragement by looking ahead to the finish line – to our new body and the glory of heaven.

√ Ah, that sounds good you say – but how can I be sure it’s true?

A sure hope (vs. 22-23)

Rom. 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

Rom. 8:23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

√ First of all we can see the result of Adam’s sin all around us in creation – vs. 22.

√ Secondly we have God’s guarantee that our hope is real by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

Note vs. 23

“Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit”

The translation into English loses the point…

“The Holy Spirit is the firstfruits of our salvation”

Ex.

Eph. 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Eph. 1:14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

And…

2Cor. 1:22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

Paul’s point is that if we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us – the gift of God given to those who trust in Jesus as their savior…

…then we can know for certain that our hope is sure!

Ap. You may be asking – how can I be sure that I have the Holy Spirit living within me?

Note the rest of vs. 23

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

A person who is saved, in whom the Holy Spirit is living, groans within themselves like creation does.

That is, the ministry of the Holy Spirit changes our hearts so that we long for the day we will…

See the Lord!

Receive our new body!

Experience heaven

Live with Jesus forever!

Ap. When I see the consequence of sin and how it effects my life, the people I love, the world around me – it stirs within my soul a longing for Christ’s return and for His Kingdom!

That longing – the frustration with the present world – is an indicator that God the Holy Spirit lives within you – testimony that his world is not your home.

An enduring hope (vs. 24-25)

Rom. 8:24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?

Rom. 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

√ Like that marathon race – you can’t see the finish line when you begin the race.

It may lay behind many turns in the road, and behind many hills that must be conquered.

Yet, the runner keeps on pushing – not knowing exactly where the finish line is but confident that it may be just around that next corner – or just on the other side of the next hill.

So, he runs with endurance (perseverance) because he knows beyond any doubt that the finish line is ahead.

Close

√ So, how is that Paul found freedom from discouragement in his Christian experience?

Get a fresh perspective – get God’s perspective

Suffering is not worth comparing with the awesome promises of God.

Suffering is temporary – glory is forever!

Look ahead to the finish line – though we can’t see it yet Paul has told us what’s ahead – our hope for a new body in an eternal kingdom!