Creation’s Suffering & Glory

Series: Romans
Speaker: Tim Perkins
Date: Oct 15, 2023
Scripture: Romans 8:16-25
Title: Creation’s Suffering & Glory

(Romans 8:16-25 ESV) The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing 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 will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 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. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

(Romans 8:16-18 ESV) The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Four Observations on Suffering & Glory

1. Sufferings and glory are part of the

(Romans 8:17b ESV) provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

(John 15:18, 20a ESV) “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you…  Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.

 (2 Timothy 3:12 NIV) In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted

 (1 Peter 4:13-14 ESV) But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

 (2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV) For our light and momentary troubles  are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

(MULTILINE REVEAL)

2. Sufferings and glory each represent ages

(Romans 8:18 ESV) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

(MULTILINE REVEAL)

3. Sufferings and glory be compared

(Romans 8:18 ESV) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

(2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV) For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

(MULTILINE REVEAL)

4. Suffering and glory affect both God’s and His

#1. The suffering & glory of God’s

 (Romans 8:19 ESV) For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

(Romans 8:19 ESV) For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

(Romans 8:20a ESV) For the creation was subjected to futility,

(Romans 8:20a ESV) For the creation was subjected to futility,

 (Romans 8:20 ESV) For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it

 (Genesis 3:17-19 NIV) To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat of it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; all the days of your life. 18   It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.”

 (Romans 8:21 ESV) that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay

 (Romans 8:22 ESV) For we know that the whole creation has been together in the pains of childbirth until now.

(Romans 8:19 ESV) For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

 (Romans 8:21 ESV) that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

(2 Peter 2:10-13 NIV) But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

(Revelation 21:1-5 NIV) Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”

(MULTILINE REVEAL)

#2. The suffering & glory of God’s

(Romans 8:23 ESV) 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. 

(2 Corinthians 5:4 NLT) While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.

(Romans 8:23 ESV) 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) 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.

(1 Corinthians 15:51-53 NLT) But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

(John 14:1-4 NIV) “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

(Romans 8:18 NIV) I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

(Romans 8:24-25 ESV) For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

(Hebrews 6:19 NIV) We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

(MULTILINE REVEAL)