Enduring Suffering: The Hope of Future Glory

Devotional

Day 1: A Christian's Unique Perspective on Time

Christians view time not merely as a linear progression but as a division between the present age and the age to come. This understanding provides a profound sense of hope and comfort, allowing believers to endure suffering with the assurance of eternal glory. While the world is confined to the limitations of chronological time, Christians are encouraged to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that the trials of this life are temporary and that a glorious future awaits. This perspective is rooted in the belief that the current sufferings are incomparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. [05:00]

"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)

Reflection: How does viewing your life through the lens of eternity change the way you handle current challenges and sufferings?

Day 2: The Present Reality of Future Glory

The glory to be revealed is not a distant creation but a present reality that will be unveiled at the return of Christ. This understanding transforms how Christians perceive suffering, as they anticipate the revelation of this glory. The Christian hope is deeply rooted in this future event, which is the culmination of God's promises. By living in anticipation of this revelation, believers are encouraged to endure present hardships with the knowledge that they are part of a greater divine plan. [36:54]

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

Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself daily of the glory that is already present but yet to be fully revealed?

Day 3: The Centrality of Christ's Second Coming

The second coming of Christ is central to Christian hope, marking the end of time and the beginning of eternity. This event signifies the fulfillment of God's promises and the sharing of His glory with believers. The anticipation of Christ's return shapes the lives of Christians, encouraging them to live with an eternal perspective and to focus on the things that truly matter. By keeping their eyes fixed on this future event, believers find motivation to persevere through present sufferings, knowing that their ultimate hope lies in the return of their Savior. [34:57]

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: How does the anticipation of Christ's return influence your daily decisions and priorities?

Day 4: Partakers in God's Glory

Christians are not merely spectators of God's glory but partakers in it. The glory to be revealed in believers signifies their transformation and participation in God's eternal plan. This truth offers profound comfort and motivation to persevere through present sufferings, as it assures believers of their place in God's kingdom. By understanding their role as partakers in this glory, Christians are encouraged to live lives that reflect their identity in Christ and to actively participate in His mission on earth. [43:15]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in God's mission, knowing that you are a partaker in His glory?

Day 5: The Holy Spirit's Assurance of Glory

The Holy Spirit provides believers with a foretaste of the coming glory, sealing and assuring them of their inheritance. This experience strengthens their faith and hope, enabling them to live with their affections set on things above, rather than on earthly concerns. By relying on the Holy Spirit's witness, Christians are empowered to endure present sufferings with the assurance that their future is secure in Christ. This divine assurance encourages believers to focus on their eternal inheritance and to live lives that reflect their heavenly citizenship. [41:35]

"In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper reliance on the Holy Spirit to strengthen your faith and focus on your eternal inheritance?

Sermon Summary

In Romans 8:18, Paul presents a profound truth: the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us. This teaching is unique and unparalleled in any other literature or religion. It is a reasoned conclusion, not based on feelings, and is accessible only to those who believe in Christ. The world, under God's wrath, finds no comfort in this message, but for Christians, it offers hope and consolation.

Paul often presents his conclusions first, capturing attention before detailing his reasoning. In our current world, with its trials and tribulations, understanding how to face suffering is crucial for Christians. Some sufferings are unique to Christians, like persecution for Christ's sake, while others are common to all humanity. Paul’s argument is built on several propositions that enable Christians to triumph over suffering.

Firstly, a correct view of time is essential. For non-Christians, life is limited to chronological time, with no hope beyond this world. In contrast, Christians understand time as divided into the present age and the age to come. This perspective allows Christians to endure suffering with hope, knowing that this life is temporary and eternity awaits.

Secondly, Christians grasp the scriptural teaching of the coming age, marked by the revelation of glory. This future event, anticipated throughout the Bible, is inaugurated by the second coming of Christ. It signifies the end of time and the beginning of eternity, where the glory already present will be revealed.

Paul, having glimpsed this glory, assures us of its reality. Though we haven't seen it, we believe by faith, supported by the Holy Spirit's witness. This glory is not just to be observed but shared in by believers. We are not mere spectators; we are partakers in the glory that will be revealed in us.

Key Takeaways

1. A Christian's view of time is distinct from the world's. While the world sees life as limited to chronological time, Christians understand it as divided into the present age and the age to come. This perspective provides hope and comfort, enabling believers to endure suffering with the assurance of eternal glory. [05:00]
2. The glory to be revealed is not a future creation but a present reality that will be unveiled. This understanding transforms our view of suffering, as we anticipate the revelation of this glory at Christ's return. The Christian hope is rooted in this future event, which is the culmination of God's promises. [36:54]
3. The second coming of Christ is central to Christian hope. It marks the end of time and the beginning of eternity, where believers will share in the glory of God. This anticipation shapes our present lives, encouraging us to live with an eternal perspective. [34:57]
4. Christians are not merely spectators of God's glory but partakers in it. The glory to be revealed in us signifies our transformation and participation in God's eternal plan. This truth offers profound comfort and motivation to persevere through present sufferings. [43:15]
5. The Holy Spirit provides a foretaste of the coming glory, sealing and assuring us of our inheritance. This experience strengthens our faith and hope, enabling us to live with our affections set on things above, not on earthly concerns. [41:35]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to Romans 8:18
[01:56] - The Uniqueness of Christian Hope
[03:54] - Understanding Christian Suffering
[05:00] - A Correct View of Time
[07:21] - The Christian Division of Time
[09:12] - The Present Age and the Age to Come
[11:37] - The Coming Age and Its Glory
[13:56] - The Second Coming of Christ
[15:34] - Biblical Anticipation of Glory
[19:12] - The Promise of Restoration
[24:26] - The Day of Jesus Christ
[29:28] - Living in Light of Future Glory
[34:57] - The Revelation of Glory
[39:13] - Faith in the Unseen Glory
[43:15] - Partakers in the Glory
[49:19] - Conclusion and Prayer

Sermon Clips

The Apostle is not thinking of his death only he isn't just saying here the sufferings that I'm enduring while I'm still alive and which will go on until I die are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed that isn't it at all the present time doesn't end at death the present time ends when the age to come comes in. [00:09:24]

The Christian has a division of time that's not strictly accurate as you'll see in a moment and yet it's a good way of beginning to put it the Christian talks about this present time and something which lies Beyond it now I shall be showing you in a moment that what does lie Beyond it doesn't belong to time at all. [00:07:27]

The Christian not only has a correct view of time and of life in this world he has grasped and know something about the teaching of the scripture with regard to that coming age now then here is the thing that the Apostle introduced produces to us of course by means of this phrase shall be revealed. [00:11:44]

The glory is already there it isn't something that is to be made it's already in existence what he's saying is that when this great day comes the glory that is already there will be revealed if I may use an obvious comparison again it's exactly as if imagine a stage and there you sit in the theater and you see nothing but curtains and you have no idea what's behind the curtains but there's something there. [00:36:54]

The glory which shall be revealed in us well now then what is this well clearly you see this is something that is going to be ushered in by the second coming the reappearance and manifestation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as the Angels said to the disciples on Mount oliv it even as he's gone he'll come back again. [00:34:57]

The Holy Spirit seals it to us the holy spirit is the earnest of it is the first installment of the glory itself so as we know these things we know something about this Glory which is going to become is is which is going to come very wellcome there says the Apostle is the thing that you must bear in mind as you are suffering in this present time. [00:41:35]

We are going to be partakers in it we are going to be involved in it it's going to happen to us it is in us the glory which shall be revealed in us the glory which shall be revealed unto us the glory which shall be revealed to us Lord it is a glory which will be bestowed upon us and we shall be actually partakers in it. [00:43:15]

The Christian has got a view which enables him to handle time as it ought to be handled the Christian does it like this you see he says yes here I am in this world I may have to live another 10 years 20 30 40 50 60 even 70 I look at it as a man and in Earthly terms and it seems a terrible long time but when I think of Eternity. [00:46:56]

The glory that shall be have you got hold of this Christian people this is only this present time this is only this present age this is only this present world the thing to lay hold of is that Glory that is coming the End of Time the Everlasting the Eternal state to which we are going the glory which shall be revealed the coming age. [00:48:24]

The Apostle Paul was certainly in a privileged position in respect to this matter it's not surprising that he talks about the glory that is going to be revealed to us he certainly had had glimpses of it you remember what happened to him on the road to Damascus he saw the Risen Lord in his glory he saw him as he is now he saw the glory of the Lord and he never forgot it. [00:39:13]

The Christian is able to view suffering in a way that nobody else can possibly view it now I want to put it like that in terms of the contrast between the Christian and the non-Christian when things go wrong with a non-Christian he's got nothing to fall back upon he's got no Comfort he's got no consolation he's got nothing to look forward to. [00:06:29]

The whole trouble of course with a man who's not a Christian with the worldly men is that to him this life and this world are the only life and the only world he knows nothing except what you can call if you like chronological time time as measured by the clock or by the calendar that's all he knows about time he knows of nothing Beyond this. [00:05:41]

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