Inheriting God: The Journey Through Suffering to Glory

Devotional

Day 1: Longing for God Above All

The ultimate treasure for believers is not the gifts of God but God Himself. Our hearts should long for Him above all else, recognizing that He is our strength and portion forever. This longing is the essence of our faith journey. The gifts of God, while good, should not become idols. Instead, they should lead us to worship God, the Giver, who is infinitely more valuable than any gift. Our hearts should cry out, "Whom have I in heaven but You?" This longing for God is the essence of our faith journey. [00:16]

Psalm 73:25-26 (ESV): "Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Reflection: What is one thing in your life that you have placed above God? How can you begin to shift your focus back to longing for Him today?

Day 2: Worshiping the Giver, Not the Gifts

The gifts of God are meant to lead us to worship Him, not become idols. We must see beyond the gifts to the Giver, who is infinitely more valuable. This perspective transforms our enjoyment of God's blessings into acts of worship. When we receive blessings, our response should be gratitude and worship, acknowledging that God Himself is the source of all good things. This mindset helps us to appreciate the gifts without letting them take the place of God in our hearts. [02:13]

James 1:17 (ESV): "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

Reflection: Think of a recent blessing in your life. How can you use this blessing as an opportunity to worship God, the Giver, today?

Day 3: Creation's Groaning and Our Hope

The world is in a state of groaning, awaiting the redemption of our bodies. This groaning reminds us of the brokenness of creation due to sin, but it also points us to the glory that is to come. The suffering and futility we see in the world are not the end of the story. They are birth pangs leading to a new creation where we will fully experience our inheritance, including a glorified body and mind. This hope sustains us as we navigate the challenges of life. [05:31]

Romans 8:22-23 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: In what ways do you see the groaning of creation in your own life? How does the promise of future glory give you hope in these areas?

Day 4: Suffering as a Refiner

Suffering is an integral part of our journey to inheriting God. It refines us, deepens our trust in God, and weans us off false reliances. Through suffering, we are prepared for the eternal joy that awaits. Without suffering, we might become complacent, relying on ourselves and the comforts of this world. But God, in His wisdom, uses suffering to keep us focused on Him and to prepare us for the eternal joy that awaits. [10:18]

1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV): "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent trial you have faced. How has this experience refined your faith and drawn you closer to God?

Day 5: Perspective on Trials

Viewing life as a journey toward a great inheritance helps us see our sufferings in light of the eternal glory that awaits. Like a broken carriage near our destination, our trials are temporary and should not overshadow the joy of our inheritance. This perspective encourages us to persevere through difficulties, knowing that they are momentary compared to the eternal joy that is to come. We are reminded to keep our eyes on the prize and not be discouraged by temporary setbacks. [19:05]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: How can you shift your perspective on a current challenge to see it in light of the eternal glory that awaits? What practical steps can you take to maintain this perspective daily?

Sermon Summary

In this sermon, I explore the profound truth of inheriting God Himself, as revealed in Romans 8:14-18. The ultimate treasure for the people of God has always been God Himself, not merely His gifts. Our hearts should cry out, "Whom have I in heaven but You?" This longing for God is the essence of our faith journey. The gifts of God, while good, should not become idols. Instead, they should lead us to worship God, the Giver, who is infinitely more valuable than any gift.

The world is in a state of groaning, akin to childbirth pangs, as it awaits the redemption of our bodies. This groaning is a reminder of the futility and brokenness of creation due to sin. Yet, it is through this suffering that we are led to glory. Our inheritance includes not only the world and all that is in it but also God Himself and a glorified body and mind. This transformation is essential for us to fully enjoy the inheritance God has prepared for us.

Suffering is an integral part of our journey to this inheritance. It is through suffering that we are refined and drawn closer to God. The trials we face wean us off false reliances and deepen our trust in God as our only hope and treasure. Without suffering, we might become complacent, relying on ourselves and the comforts of this world. But God, in His wisdom, uses suffering to keep us focused on Him and to prepare us for the eternal joy that awaits.

In closing, I shared a vivid illustration from John Newton, who likened life to a journey toward a great inheritance. If our carriage breaks down just before reaching our destination, we should not despair but continue with joy, knowing the inheritance is near. This perspective helps us to see our sufferings in light of the eternal glory that awaits us.

Key Takeaways

1. Inheriting God Himself: The ultimate treasure for believers is not the gifts of God but God Himself. Our hearts should long for Him above all else, recognizing that He is our strength and portion forever. This longing is the essence of our faith journey. [00:16]
2. Gifts as Acts of Worship: The gifts of God are meant to lead us to worship Him, not become idols. We must see beyond the gifts to the Giver, who is infinitely more valuable. This perspective transforms our enjoyment of God's blessings into acts of worship. [02:13]
3. The Groaning of Creation: The world is in a state of groaning, awaiting the redemption of our bodies. This groaning reminds us of the brokenness of creation due to sin, but it also points us to the glory that is to come. [05:31]
4. Suffering as a Path to Glory: Suffering is an integral part of our journey to inheriting God. It refines us, deepens our trust in God, and weans us off false reliances. Through suffering, we are prepared for the eternal joy that awaits. [10:18]
5. Perspective on Suffering: Viewing life as a journey toward a great inheritance helps us see our sufferings in light of the eternal glory that awaits. Like a broken carriage near our destination, our trials are temporary and should not overshadow the joy of our inheritance. [19:05]
** [19:05]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:16] - The Treasure of Inheriting God
[00:52] - Romans 8:14-18: Glory and Suffering
[01:30] - Hope in the Glory of God
[02:13] - Gifts as Acts of Worship
[03:40] - Inheriting God and His Glory
[05:13] - Creation's Groaning and Our Redemption
[06:08] - The Promise of a Glorified Body
[07:23] - The Need for Transformation
[09:40] - The Role of Suffering in Inheritance
[11:02] - Types of Suffering on the Path to Glory
[13:23] - Suffering with Jesus
[14:36] - The Purpose of Suffering
[17:23] - Perseverance Through Trials
[19:05] - John Newton's Illustration of Inheritance

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading
- Romans 8:14-18
- Revelation 21:3
- Romans 5:2

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Observation Questions

According to Romans 8:14-18, what does it mean to be led by the Spirit of God and how does this relate to being children of God?
In the sermon, what is described as the ultimate treasure for believers, and how does this differ from merely receiving God's gifts? [00:16]
How does the sermon describe the current state of the world and its relation to the concept of "groaning"? [05:13]
What illustration does John Newton provide to help us understand our journey toward our inheritance, and what is its significance? [19:05]

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Interpretation Questions

How does the idea of inheriting God Himself challenge or change the way believers view their relationship with God? [00:16]
What does it mean for the gifts of God to become acts of worship rather than idols, and how can this perspective transform a believer's life? [02:13]
In what ways does suffering refine believers and prepare them for eternal joy, according to the sermon? [10:18]
How does the illustration of a broken carriage near the destination help believers maintain perspective during trials? [19:05]

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Application Questions

Reflect on your current relationship with God. Do you find yourself longing for God Himself, or are you more focused on His gifts? How can you shift your focus if needed? [00:16]
Consider the gifts you have received from God. How can you use these gifts as opportunities for worship rather than allowing them to become idols? [02:13]
Think about a recent trial or suffering you have experienced. How did it affect your reliance on God, and what did you learn from it about your faith journey? [10:18]
How can you cultivate a mindset that views life as a journey toward a great inheritance, especially when facing difficulties? [19:05]
Identify an area in your life where you might be relying on false comforts. What steps can you take to deepen your trust in God as your only hope and treasure? [16:01]
How can you remind yourself of the eternal glory that awaits, especially during moments of despair or frustration? [19:05]
What practical steps can you take this week to focus on the eternal joy that God promises, rather than the temporary challenges you face? [10:18]

Sermon Clips

Revelation 213 Behold The Dwelling Place of God is with man he will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will be with them as their God hasn't that always been the bottomline Treasure of the people of God whom have I in heaven but thee and on Earth there's nothing that I desire besides thee My Flesh and my heart May Fail but you are the strength of my heart and my portion forever hasn't that always been the Cry of the heart for God [00:07:46]

If all you are hoping in is the gift of God and not God you're an idolator the only thing that keeps the gifts of God which are good and meant for our Joy from being Idols is that we hope in God Beyond them in them and through them so that every good and perfect gift that is from our father doesn't cause our hearts to terminate on it but go through it and become an act of worship [00:01:38]

We know that the whole creation has been groaning together until now in the Pains of childbirth so this world is in childbirth pangs the world is pregnant as it were and the groanings of this world are like birth pangs verse 23 and not only the creation but we ourselves who have the first fruits of the spirit grown inwardly as we eagerly wait for the adoption of sons the Redemption of our bodies [00:05:21]

God can not only present the world world the Earth everything in it the Nations life death and everything to you as an objective gift someday for your happiness and he can not only present himself to you as an infinitely Superior value and Beauty to enjoy forever and ever he can do one of thing that's absolutely essential for our maximum joy in The Inheritance he can come inside of us and glorify Us by giving us a new body [00:06:26]

If children HS also HS of god fellow heirs with Christ indeed if indeed we suffer with him if indeed we suffer with him if indeed we suffer with him so that as a result of the suffering we may be glorified with him Jesus said it if anyone would come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me [00:10:01]

No pain no gain no cross no Crown no suffering no inheritance that's the way it is folks that's the way God has set it up We Grown our way to Glory why why before I ask why you might you might be asking what kind of suffering you talking about you talking about persecution or friends that go Haywire or troubled marriage or sickness or Calamity like an earthquake in the northeast or what are you talking about when you say suffer [00:11:02]

In what perseverance in what endurance in what I mean they seem to threaten endurance I'm doing along just fine it seems and Along Comes A Calamity or a persecution or a disease and it seems to threaten my perseverance well which is it is it working perseverance or threatening perseverance it's working persever by weaning you off of false relian in yourself and in things so that you fall more and more on God as your only hope and treasure [00:15:26]

I believe I could say with pretty high level Authority if there were any person in this room who lived a life with zero trouble you would not be a believer because number one you'd begin to think you were worth it and number two you'd fall in love with all the benefits that surround you and they would become your God we've all tasted it we know that when things go really smooth God begins to fade and when things get troubled we cry out to God [00:16:29]

Suppose a man was going to New York to take possession of a large estate and his Carriage should break down a mile before he got to the city which obliged him to walk the rest of the way what a fool we should think him if we saw him ringing his hands and blubbering out all the remaining mile my Carriage is broken my Carriage is broken let's pray father forgive our murmuring we are so guilty of belittling our inheritance with our murmuring about our broken carriages [00:19:05]

We scarcely cherish the infinitely valuable have mercy upon us and open our hearts that we might see with the eyes of the heart the hope to which we've been called and the exceeding greatness of the riches of the glory of our inheritance this is light and Truth god-centered preaching to help you see Christ clearly and treasure him truly [00:20:03]

The world is pregnant as it were and the groanings of this world are like birth pangs verse 23 and not only the creation but we ourselves who have the first fruits of the spirit grown inwardly as we eagerly wait for the adoption of sons the Redemption of our bodies if your parents leave you in inheritance they could make it significant probably you know they could arrange for it if God prospered them to be very big could put certain things about it that would be objectively stunning [00:05:31]

If you get God you get everything with God how we need to cultivate a spiritual taste for it I get this from Romans 8 especially verses 22 and 23 we know that the whole creation has been groaning together until now in the Pains of childbirth so this world is in childbirth pangs the world is pregnant as it were and the groanings of this world are like birth pangs [00:05:13]

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Inheriting God: The Journey Through Suffering to Glory

Devotional

Day 1: Longing for God Above All

Day 2: Worshiping the Giver, Not the Gifts

Day 3: Creation's Groaning and Our Hope

Day 4: Suffering as a Refiner

Day 5: Perspective on Trials

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Inheriting God: The Journey Through Suffering to Glory

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