Hope and Anticipation: Embracing Future Glory

Devotional

Day 1: Future Glory Outshines Present Suffering

The present sufferings we endure are temporary and cannot compare to the future glory that awaits us. This perspective helps us endure hardships with hope, knowing that our trials are shaping us for the glory to come. As believers, we are called to focus on the eternal promises of God rather than the temporary challenges we face. This mindset allows us to persevere through difficulties, understanding that they are part of God's refining process. Our faith is strengthened as we trust in His promise of future glory, which far surpasses any present pain. [00:52]

"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: What current challenge are you facing that you can view through the lens of future glory? How might this perspective change your response to it today?

Day 2: Creation's Shared Longing for Redemption

Creation itself is longing for liberation, just as we are. This shared groaning reminds us that we are part of a larger story of redemption, and our hope is anchored in the promise of renewal for all creation. The world around us, subjected to frustration and decay, eagerly anticipates the day when it will be set free from its bondage. As believers, we join in this anticipation, knowing that our redemption is intertwined with the renewal of all things. This understanding deepens our hope and encourages us to live in harmony with God's creation, as we await the fulfillment of His promises. [01:51]

"For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 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." (Romans 8:19-21, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's redemptive work in creation today? What small steps can you take to care for the world around you?

Day 3: The Spirit's Intercession in Our Weakness

The Holy Spirit intercedes for us in our weakness, providing comfort and strength. This divine assistance assures us that we are not alone in our struggles, and God is actively working in our lives. When we find ourselves overwhelmed by our limitations, the Spirit steps in, expressing our deepest needs to the Father with groans that words cannot express. This intercession aligns our hearts with God's will, bringing us peace and assurance that He is in control. As we rely on the Spirit's help, we are empowered to face our challenges with renewed confidence and trust in God's plan. [02:48]

"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." (Romans 8:26-27, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel weak or inadequate? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to intercede and strengthen you in this area today?

Day 4: Hope in the Unseen Promises of God

Our hope is not in what is seen, but in the unseen promises of God. This hope requires patience and perseverance, as we trust in God's timing and His ultimate plan for our lives. The unseen nature of our hope challenges us to live by faith, believing in the fulfillment of God's promises even when circumstances seem contrary. This hope anchors our souls, providing stability and assurance as we navigate life's uncertainties. By focusing on the eternal and unseen, we cultivate a resilient faith that endures through trials and remains steadfast in the face of adversity. [02:16]

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)

Reflection: What is one unseen promise of God that you are holding onto today? How can you cultivate patience and perseverance as you wait for its fulfillment?

Day 5: Living in Readiness for Christ's Return

The imminent return of Christ is our blessed hope, motivating us to live faithfully and expectantly. This anticipation should lead us to examine our lives and ensure we are ready for His return. As believers, we are called to live in a state of readiness, aligning our actions and priorities with God's will. This involves a continual process of self-examination and spiritual growth, as we seek to honor God in all aspects of our lives. By living with an eternal perspective, we are prepared to meet Christ with joy and confidence, knowing that we have faithfully followed His call. [07:06]

"Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." (Matthew 24:42-44, ESV)

Reflection: What changes can you make in your daily life to live in readiness for Christ's return? How can you ensure that your actions and priorities align with His will today?

Sermon Summary

In Romans 8:18-30, we find a profound message of hope and anticipation for the future glory that awaits us as believers. The present sufferings we endure are incomparable to the glory that will be revealed. This passage reminds us that all of creation is eagerly awaiting the revelation of the sons of God, as it too has been subjected to frustration and longs for liberation from its bondage to decay. We, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, also groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. This hope is not seen, but it is a hope that we hold onto with patience and perseverance.

The Spirit helps us in our weakness, interceding for us with groans that words cannot express. God, who searches our hearts, knows the mind of the Spirit, and intercedes for the saints in accordance with His will. We are assured that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. We are predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, and those He predestined, He also called, justified, and glorified.

As we gather in the presence of the Lord, we are reminded of the climax of our faith journey—waiting for His return. This is our blessed hope, and it is what sustains us through difficult times. The anticipation of His return should inspire us to remain faithful and ready, knowing that His coming is imminent. We are encouraged to live in a state of readiness, so that when He returns, we will be caught up with Him and not left behind. This is a call to examine our lives and ensure that we are living in a way that honors God and prepares us for His return.

Key Takeaways

1. The present sufferings are temporary and cannot compare to the future glory that awaits us. This perspective helps us endure hardships with hope, knowing that our trials are shaping us for the glory to come. [00:52]
2. Creation itself is longing for liberation, just as we are. This shared groaning reminds us that we are part of a larger story of redemption, and our hope is anchored in the promise of renewal for all creation. [01:51]
3. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us in our weakness, providing comfort and strength. This divine assistance assures us that we are not alone in our struggles, and God is actively working in our lives. [02:48]
4. Our hope is not in what is seen, but in the unseen promises of God. This hope requires patience and perseverance, as we trust in God's timing and His ultimate plan for our lives. [02:16]
5. The imminent return of Christ is our blessed hope, motivating us to live faithfully and expectantly. This anticipation should lead us to examine our lives and ensure we are ready for His return. [07:06]
** [07:06]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:52] - Present Sufferings vs. Future Glory
[01:26] - Creation's Longing for Liberation
[01:51] - Our Shared Groaning
[02:16] - Hope in the Unseen
[02:48] - The Spirit's Intercession
[03:17] - God's Purpose in Our Lives
[04:25] - Climax of Our Faith Journey
[06:08] - Waiting for His Return
[07:06] - Our Blessed Hope
[08:10] - Redemption of Our Bodies
[09:00] - Conformed to His Image
[10:11] - Readiness for His Return
[12:24] - Examining Our Lives
[16:21] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 8:18-30

Observation Questions:

What does Romans 8:18 say about the relationship between present sufferings and future glory? How does this perspective help believers endure hardships? [00:52]
According to Romans 8:22-23, what is the shared experience between creation and believers? How does this relate to the concept of "firstfruits of the Spirit"? [01:51]
How does the Spirit assist us in our weaknesses according to Romans 8:26-27? What role does intercession play in this assistance? [02:48]
What assurance do we find in Romans 8:28 about God's work in our lives? How does this relate to those who are called according to His purpose? [03:17]

Interpretation Questions:

How does the anticipation of future glory influence a believer's perspective on current trials and sufferings? [00:52]
In what ways does the groaning of creation and believers reflect the larger story of redemption? How does this shared longing impact our understanding of hope? [01:51]
What does it mean for the Holy Spirit to intercede for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words? How does this shape our understanding of prayer and divine assistance? [02:48]
How does the concept of being predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ provide comfort and purpose to believers? [03:41]

Application Questions:

Reflect on a recent hardship you faced. How can the promise of future glory help you endure similar challenges in the future? [00:52]
In what ways can you actively participate in the larger story of redemption, both in your personal life and in your community? [01:51]
How can you become more aware of the Holy Spirit's intercession in your life? What steps can you take to align your prayers with the Spirit's guidance? [02:48]
Consider a situation where you feel weak or inadequate. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit's strength and intercession to overcome this challenge? [02:48]
How does the assurance that God works all things for good influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? [03:17]
What practical steps can you take to live in a state of readiness for Christ's return? How can this anticipation shape your priorities and actions? [07:06]
Identify one area of your life where you need to be more conformed to the image of Christ. What specific changes can you make to reflect His character more fully? [09:00]

Sermon Clips

"Romans chapter 8 18 to 34 I reckon that a suffering of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed to us for the aliens looking out of the creature expects revelation of the sons of God for the creature has been made subject to vanity not of his will by reason of him who have subjected the same in hope that the creature itself also shall be set free from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God for we know that the whole creation grows together and travails in pain together until now and not only that but even we ourselves who has the firstfruits of the Spirit we also our cell growth in ourselves awaiting adoption that is the redemption of our body for we have a savior hope the hope seen is not hope for what anyone sees why does he also hope but if what we see not we hope we expect impatience in like manner the spirit joins his help to our weakness for we do not know what we should pray for as is fitting but a spirit itself may intercession with groanings which cannot be uttered but he who searches the heart know what is the mind of a spirit because he intercedes for Saints according to God but we do know that all things work together for good to those who love God to those who are called according to purpose because for he has foreknew he also has also destined to be conformed to the image of his son that he should be the firstborn I'm a merit brethren but whom he has predestined these also he is cold and home he is cold they also has justified but whom he justified dear soul he has just closed" [00:31:49]

"brothers and sisters to me I feel we have already reached the climax of our time together when we broke the parade before the Lord this is the climax because we have been brought to his very presence if we should stay in his presence waiting for his return that is all that we need to do so brothers and sisters I always feel it is not necessary for us to meet after the lord's table that is the climax thank God by His grace we have be brought into his very presence we remember him at the table we worship Him we'll be glory to him and he we stay there waiting for his return that is all we need to do so dear brothers and sisters when the brothers arranged that I should speak after the Lord's table I thought he was a waste of time stay in the presence of the Lord waiting for his human return that's all God requires to do" [00:54:14]

"brothers and sisters I realize that today is a most difficult time but we have hope for the coming of the Lord nothing can be compared with the coming of the Lord however the time maybe it is but a short time and Allah shall return when we think of a given return all difficulties disappear this is our Blessed hope indeed the time is difficult but nothing can be compared with his soon return all creation grows for the difficult time we also have the firstfruits of the Spirit we also groaning waiting for the adoption the redemption of our body this will be the airing of the suffering time this is our Blessed hope let us be patient the Engler Holy Spirit is working in de-seeding with us now he intercedes according to God may he come this is our Blessed hope and his return we shall see him as he is and we shall be conformed to his own image the eternal purpose of God will be fulfilled and God will be glorified" [01:07:07]

"when we think of the coming glory our hearts to law for his glory this is our blessing hence by the grace of God we will press on towards the goal that God has prepared for the sons of glory will be fully fulfilled in the last age he cannot fail for his God blessed be his name so this is my last exhortation the heir brothers and sisters the Lord is coming back the next event that will happen on earth will be his return are you ready thank God for gathering us together these days the purpose is that we be ready whenever he shall return we will respond so it is my hope there sure the Lord come at this moment this whole auditorium will be emptied no will be left behind" [01:30:39]

"weeping of teeth we been with gnashing of teeth repenting that we have not been faithful while there was time I believe brothers and sisters you have been faithful you have prepare yourself for his human and return so when our Lord shall return this auditorium will be emptied thank God for that so this is my last exhortation dear brothers and sisters God has gathered us these days these were blessed days we were in the presence of the Lord and I believe the Lord is preparing us for his dominant return to me I feel that there is nothing stand between his return all the prophecies they're preceded his return have been fulfilled dear brothers and sisters the next one that is going to happen is the Lord's return are we ready" [01:48:48]

"should it all come back now we're this auditorium be ended oh well there'll be still some because they love the world they will left behind they were cut into two they were weaving repenting because our God has given them time they have not wasted their life I hope this is not a whole case my hobbies should the role come back at this moment this whole auditorium will be held in no will be left behind because by the grace of God we have been ready so may the Lord bless you as we depart to our various localities let us continue to be faithful to the Lord waiting for his imminent return somehow I feel that the Lord will return in my lifetime there's the reason I feel he allows me to live that law I'm waiting for his return I believe you all waiting for his return" [02:09:21]

"saw the one hand we thank God for gathering us together these days he has given us a blessed time we are thankful to him but on the other hand brothers and sisters this may be our last session it is my prayer that when the Lord shall return and it is at any moment no longer delay that is auditorium who will be empty so dear brothers and sisters see you not on earth but you in heaven praise the Lord that is pretty dear Heavenly Father we do want to thank thee for gathering us together these days these were blessed days we thank thee that thou are preparing us for the human and return with nd knowing that darker come back any moment oh dear Lord where they shall happen may this auditorium be emptied that we all be caught up and be gathered together in thy presence we commit all the brothers and sisters into thy tender care as we return to our various localities we pray that our keepers faithful waiting for thy human and return this is a cry of my heart come Lord Jesus come we are seeing a precious name" [02:34:34]

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