Sermons on Romans 8:18-23
The various sermons below interpret Romans 8:18-23 by focusing on the theme of enduring present suffering with the hope of future glory. They collectively emphasize the ultimate redemption and glorification of both believers and creation, highlighting the eternal state that awaits. A common thread is the use of a balance scale analogy, where present sufferings are weighed against the future "weight of glory," rendering current hardships insignificant in comparison. The sermons also delve into the Greek term for "not worthy to be compared," enhancing the understanding of the passage by exploring its implications in terms of both value and weight. Additionally, they underscore the continuity of human suffering from the first century to the present, attributing it to the fall of man and presenting Christian hope as a future redemption and glorification, distinct from secular philosophies.
While the sermons share common themes, they also present unique perspectives. One sermon emphasizes the finality and permanence of the glory to be revealed, contrasting it with the temporary nature of a millennium, and underscores the complete redemption of creation and believers as essential to God's ultimate victory. Another sermon explores the intimate connection between humanity and creation, explaining that creation's fate is linked with that of humanity, as it eagerly awaits liberation alongside the children of God. A different sermon introduces the theme of the Christian view of time, contrasting present sufferings with future glory, and emphasizes that Christian hope lies not in world reform but in God's eternal plan of redemption, including the second coming of Christ and the ultimate glorification of believers.
Romans 8:18-23 Interpretation:
Eternal Glory: Hope Amidst Present Suffering (MLJTrust) interprets Romans 8:18-23 as a passage that emphasizes the final and permanent deliverance of creation and believers from corruption. The sermon argues against the idea of a temporary millennium, suggesting that the passage refers to the eternal state of glorified believers and creation. The preacher highlights that the passage is about the ultimate redemption of both body and creation, not just a temporary state or intermediate condition.
Enduring Suffering: The Promise of Future Glory (MLJTrust) interprets Romans 8:18-23 by emphasizing the Christian method of reckoning present sufferings against future glory. The sermon uses the analogy of a balance scale, where present sufferings are weighed against the "weight of glory" that is to come. This comparison renders current sufferings insignificant. The sermon also highlights the Greek term for "not worthy to be compared," explaining it in terms of both value and weight, which deepens the understanding of the passage.
Enduring Suffering with Hope: The Christian Perspective (MLJTrust) interprets Romans 8:18-23 by focusing on the continuity of human suffering from the first century to the present, arguing that the fundamental problems of humanity remain unchanged. The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding the world as God's creation and the fall of man as the root cause of suffering. It presents the Christian hope as a future redemption and glorification, contrasting it with the hopelessness of secular philosophies.
Romans 8:18-23 Theological Themes:
Eternal Glory: Hope Amidst Present Suffering (MLJTrust) presents a distinct theological theme by emphasizing the finality and permanence of the glory to be revealed, contrasting it with the temporary nature of a millennium. The sermon underscores the complete redemption of creation and believers, including the body, as essential to God's ultimate victory over Satan and sin.
Enduring Suffering: The Promise of Future Glory (MLJTrust) presents the theme of the intimate connection between man and creation, explaining that the fate of creation is linked with that of humanity. This theme is explored through the idea that creation was subjected to frustration due to man's sin, and it eagerly awaits liberation alongside the children of God.
Enduring Suffering with Hope: The Christian Perspective (MLJTrust) introduces the theme of the Christian view of time, contrasting the present sufferings with the future glory. The sermon emphasizes that the Christian hope is not in world reform but in God's eternal plan of redemption, which includes the second coming of Christ and the ultimate glorification of believers.
Romans 8:18-23 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Eternal Glory: Hope Amidst Present Suffering (MLJTrust) provides historical context by discussing the popular teaching of the millennium over the past hundred years and its influence on Christian eschatology. The sermon critiques this view by highlighting the absence of a millennium in the broader biblical narrative, emphasizing the symbolic nature of the Book of Revelation.
Enduring Suffering: The Promise of Future Glory (MLJTrust) provides historical context by explaining the cultural understanding of creation's subjection to vanity and corruption as a result of man's sin. The sermon references the Genesis account of the fall and the subsequent curse on creation, highlighting the biblical explanation for the current state of the world.
Enduring Suffering with Hope: The Christian Perspective (MLJTrust) discusses the historical context of the first-century world, drawing parallels between the sufferings of that time and those of the present day. The sermon argues that the fundamental problems of humanity have remained consistent throughout history, rooted in the fall of man as described in Genesis.
Romans 8:18-23 Cross-References in the Bible:
Eternal Glory: Hope Amidst Present Suffering (MLJTrust) references several biblical passages to support its interpretation of Romans 8:18-23. It cites Philippians 1:21-23 to explain the intermediate state of believers being with Christ after death. The sermon also references 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4 to discuss the resurrection and glorification of the body. Additionally, it mentions 2 Peter 3 and Titus 2 to emphasize the anticipation of the final redemption and the new heavens and new earth.
Enduring Suffering: The Promise of Future Glory (MLJTrust) references several biblical passages to support the interpretation of Romans 8:18-23. These include 2 Corinthians 4:17, which speaks of the "eternal weight of glory," and Hebrews 11, which highlights the faith of figures like Abraham and Moses who looked forward to a future reward. The sermon also references Genesis 3 to explain the curse on creation and the fall of man.
Enduring Suffering with Hope: The Christian Perspective (MLJTrust) references various biblical passages to expand on the message of Romans 8:18-23. These include Genesis 3, which describes the fall and the curse on creation, and Philippians 3:20-21, which speaks of the transformation of believers' bodies at Christ's return. The sermon also references Isaiah 11 and 35 to describe the future harmony and restoration of creation.
Romans 8:18-23 Christian References outside the Bible:
Eternal Glory: Hope Amidst Present Suffering (MLJTrust) does not explicitly reference any non-biblical Christian authors or theologians in its discussion of Romans 8:18-23.
Enduring Suffering with Hope: The Christian Perspective (MLJTrust) explicitly references the philosopher Bertrand Russell, quoting his pessimistic view of the future to contrast it with the hope offered by the Christian gospel. The sermon uses Russell's words to highlight the bankruptcy of secular philosophies in providing hope and consolation.
Romans 8:18-23 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Eternal Glory: Hope Amidst Present Suffering (MLJTrust) does not use any illustrations from secular sources to illustrate Romans 8:18-23.
Enduring Suffering with Hope: The Christian Perspective (MLJTrust) uses the example of scientific advancements, such as landing men on the moon, to argue that despite technological progress, the fundamental problems of humanity remain unchanged. The sermon also references the political and social efforts of humanism, science, and world religions, illustrating their inability to provide true hope and consolation in the face of suffering.