Hope and Glory: Promises for the Suffering

Devotional

Day 1: The Promise of Future Glory

The glory that awaits believers is described as an overwhelming, all-satisfying beauty and greatness that will be revealed after our time of suffering. This promise encourages us to endure present hardships with the assurance of future joy. The current sufferings of this world are temporary and pale in comparison to the eternal glory that God has prepared for His children. This hope is not just a distant dream but a reality that shapes our present lives, enabling us to endure suffering with perseverance and joy. As we hold onto this promise, we are reminded that our struggles are not in vain, and they serve a greater purpose in God's divine plan. [03:39]

"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 hardship are you facing that you can view through the lens of future glory? How can this perspective change your approach to it today?

Day 2: The Revelation of God's Children

The revealing of the children of God is a transformation that all creation eagerly anticipates. This revelation is not just about seeing glory but being glorified to savor it fully, removing every hindrance to joy. The transformation that awaits believers is one that will be witnessed by all of creation, as the children of God are revealed in their full glory. This promise assures us that our identity in Christ will be fully realized, and we will experience the fullness of joy that comes with being in His presence. As we await this revelation, we are encouraged to live in a way that reflects our true identity as children of God, knowing that our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us. [08:16]

"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 does knowing that you will be revealed as a child of God impact the way you live today? What changes can you make to align your life with this future reality?

Day 3: Hope in the Midst of Futility

God's design in subjecting creation to futility is one of hope, reminding us that our suffering is not without purpose. This divine plan leads to a glorious future, encouraging us to trust in God's sovereignty. Despite the suffering and decay we witness in the world, there is a divine purpose that leads to a glorious future. This perspective transforms our understanding of suffering, seeing it as part of a divine process that culminates in new life. As we trust in God's sovereignty, we are reminded that our present struggles are not meaningless, and they serve a greater purpose in His plan for redemption. [12:05]

"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: In what areas of your life do you struggle to see God's purpose in your suffering? How can you begin to trust in His sovereignty and find hope in the midst of futility?

Day 4: Labor Pains of Creation

The miseries of the universe are labor pains, not death throes, leading to the birth of God's kingdom. This perspective transforms our understanding of suffering, seeing it as part of a divine process that culminates in new life. The struggles and pains we experience are not the end but are part of a process that leads to the birth of something new and glorious. This understanding encourages us to persevere through difficulties, knowing that they are temporary and serve a greater purpose in God's plan. As we endure these labor pains, we are reminded of the hope that awaits us and the new life that will be birthed through our struggles. [16:39]

"For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 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 8:22-23, ESV)

Reflection: How can you view your current struggles as labor pains leading to new life? What steps can you take to persevere through these challenges with hope and anticipation?

Day 5: Redemption of Our Bodies

Our bodies will be redeemed from all groaning, completing our adoption as God's children. This transformation will be complete when we are fully adopted as God's children, encouraging us to persevere with hope and joy. The promise of redemption assures us that our physical bodies, which are subject to decay and suffering, will be transformed and glorified. This hope encourages us to persevere through the challenges of this life, knowing that our ultimate redemption is secure in Christ. As we await this transformation, we are reminded of the hope that we have in Christ and the joy that comes with being fully adopted as His children. [20:28]

"So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power." (1 Corinthians 15:42-43, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways do you long for the redemption of your body? How can this hope motivate you to live with perseverance and joy today?

Sermon Summary

In this message, we explore the profound hope and promise that awaits those who trust in Christ, as revealed in Romans 8:18-25. The future that God has prepared for His children is one of unimaginable glory and joy, where the current sufferings of this world pale in comparison to the beauty and greatness that will be revealed. This hope is not just a distant dream but a reality that shapes our present lives, enabling us to endure suffering with perseverance and joy.

The first promise is that after our time of suffering, we will witness an overwhelming, all-satisfying beauty and greatness. This glory is not just something we will see; it is something we will experience with our glorified bodies, free from all hindrances to joy. The second promise is that the children of God will be revealed in their glory, a transformation that all of creation eagerly awaits. This revelation is not just about seeing glory but being glorified to savor it fully.

The third promise is that God's design in subjecting creation to futility is one of hope. Despite the suffering and decay we witness, there is a divine purpose that leads to a glorious future. The fourth promise assures us that all creation will be freed from its bondage to decay and will share in the freedom of the glory of the children of God. This transformation will be so profound that our current world will not suffice; a new heavens and a new earth will be necessary to match our glorified capacities.

The fifth promise is that the miseries of the universe are not death throes but labor pains, leading to the birth of God's kingdom. This perspective transforms our understanding of suffering, seeing it as part of a divine process that culminates in new life. Finally, the sixth promise is the redemption of our bodies from all groaning, a transformation that will be complete when we are fully adopted as God's children.

Key Takeaways

1. The glory that awaits us is an overwhelming, all-satisfying beauty and greatness that will be revealed to us after our time of suffering. This promise encourages us to endure present hardships with the assurance of future joy. [03:39]
2. The revealing of the children of God is a transformation that all creation eagerly anticipates. This revelation is not just about seeing glory but being glorified to savor it fully, removing every hindrance to joy. [08:16]
3. God's design in subjecting creation to futility is one of hope, reminding us that our suffering is not without purpose. This divine plan leads to a glorious future, encouraging us to trust in God's sovereignty. [12:05]
4. The miseries of the universe are labor pains, not death throes, leading to the birth of God's kingdom. This perspective transforms our understanding of suffering, seeing it as part of a divine process that culminates in new life. [16:39]
5. Our bodies will be redeemed from all groaning, completing our adoption as God's children. This transformation will be complete when we are fully adopted as God's children, encouraging us to persevere with hope and joy. [20:28]
** [20:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - The Promise of a Renewed Creation
[01:11] - Hope in Suffering
[02:26] - The First Promise: Glory Revealed
[04:03] - The Beauty of Creation
[06:02] - The Second Promise: Revealing the Children of God
[08:16] - Creation's Eager Anticipation
[10:24] - The Third Promise: Hope in Futility
[12:38] - The Fourth Promise: Freedom from Corruption
[14:20] - The New Heavens and New Earth
[16:22] - The Fifth Promise: Labor Pains of Creation
[18:18] - All Pain as Labor Pain
[20:28] - The Sixth Promise: Redemption of Our Bodies
[22:37] - Perseverance in Hope
[23:46] - Invitation to Trust in Christ

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 8:18-25

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Observation Questions:

According to Romans 8:18, how does Paul compare the sufferings of this present time with the glory that is to be revealed? [02:48]
What does the sermon say about the role of creation in relation to the revealing of the children of God? [08:16]
How does the sermon describe the transformation that will occur in the children of God, as mentioned in Romans 8:21? [07:07]
What metaphor does the sermon use to describe the current sufferings of the universe, and what does this imply about the future? [16:39]

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Interpretation Questions:

In Romans 8:18, Paul speaks of a glory that will be revealed. How does the sermon interpret this glory, and what does it mean for believers today? [03:07]
The sermon mentions that creation eagerly awaits the revealing of the children of God. What does this anticipation suggest about the relationship between humanity and creation? [08:16]
How does the sermon explain the purpose behind God subjecting creation to futility, and what hope does this provide for believers? [10:44]
The sermon describes the redemption of our bodies as part of our adoption as God's children. How does this future promise impact the way believers view their current physical struggles? [20:28]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a current hardship you are facing. How can the promise of future glory help you endure this suffering with perseverance and joy? [02:48]
The sermon suggests that creation is eagerly waiting for the revealing of the children of God. How can this perspective change the way you interact with the world around you? [08:16]
Consider a time when you felt overwhelmed by the futility of the world. How can the understanding of God's design in this futility provide you with hope and purpose? [10:44]
The sermon describes all pain as labor pain leading to the birth of God's kingdom. How can this perspective transform your understanding of personal and global suffering? [16:39]
Think about the promise of the redemption of our bodies. How does this future hope influence the way you care for your physical health and well-being today? [20:28]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of seeing suffering as part of a divine process. How can you remind yourself of this truth in moments of doubt or despair? [18:18]
Identify one area in your life where you struggle to trust in God's promises. What steps can you take this week to strengthen your faith in His future glory and redemption? [23:46]

Sermon Clips

God promises that after this time of suffering we will see an all-satisfying beauty and greatness. Let me read it: I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that is to be revealed to us. Now I take the term glory here to mean overwhelming, all-satisfying beauty and greatness. [00:158]

When this age of suffering is over, this lifetime of pain is over, you will see an overwhelming, all-satisfying beauty and greatness. Now that is not all that our hope is, but let's stay here for a minute and see whether or not that matters. Ask yourself this question: Do I not find much of the pleasures of my life by seeing beauty and greatness? [00:209]

God promises that the children of God will be revealed with glory of their own. Verse 19: for the anxious longing of creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. Now isn't this interesting? Verse 18 said something's going to be revealed to us. And now verse 19 says we're going to be revealed. [00:359]

Verse 18 says "Something is going to be revealed to you of an unspeakable glory." That's verse 18. Something will be revealed to you. And then verse 19 says you won't just see it. You will be so changed that you will be glorified to savor it as you ought. You'll see it, verse 18, you'll savor it with your glorified body. [00:461]

God promises that his ultimate design in the decree of futility is hope for his children. Verse 20: for the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it in hope. This should have an effect on us of making us tremblingly soberly hopeful. [00:633]

Whenever you feel overwhelmed by your own suffering or the sufferings of the world as you look at it on television, always say there's a design in this. This is not the final point of the universe. There's a design in this in hope, and then let yourself be drawn into the kingdom where the children experience the full measure of the inheritance. [00:720]

God promises that all creation, not just the children of God, will be freed from misery of futility and corruption and groaning. Verse 21: the creation itself will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. [00:752]

This world will be set free from all of its bondage to decay and dissolution and disorder. And it will be a new heavens and a new earth. And then we, with our new eyes, our new ears, our new hands, our new taste buds, will be able to enjoy it. And its greatness and our greatness will come together to produce an almost infinite joy. [00:869]

God promises that the miseries of the universe are not the throes of death but the labor pains of childbirth. Do you see that in verse 22? For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. This is just another way of saying he subjected the creation to futility in hope. [00:988]

This text says you're on the maternity ward on planet Earth if you trust him. All things work together for good. All pain is labor pain for those who love God and are called according to his purpose. Now here this most radical way of saying it: This text is in the Bible to lure people into being children of God through faith in Christ. [01:078]

God promises that our bodies will be redeemed from all groaning. Will be redeemed from all groaning. Verse 23: And not only this, but we ourselves, having the first fruits of the spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption. Yes, you've been adopted already, Christian. [01:225]

You shall not all sleep, but you shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised, and we shall be changed. For this mortal must put on immortality, and this perishable must put on the imperishable. [01:283]

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Hope and Glory: Promises for the Suffering

Devotional

Day 1: The Promise of Future Glory

Day 2: The Revelation of God's Children

Day 3: Hope in the Midst of Futility

Day 4: Labor Pains of Creation

Day 5: Redemption of Our Bodies

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Hope and Glory: Promises for the Suffering

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