Rejoicing in the Hope of God's Glory
Summary
In Romans 5:1-2, Paul presents a profound doctrine of justification by faith, which assures believers of their final salvation. This justification brings three significant outcomes: peace with God, access to His grace, and rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God. The peace with God is not merely an absence of conflict but a deep, abiding relationship with Him. Access to grace means we can approach God with confidence, drawing from His limitless treasures. The third outcome, rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God, is the focus of our reflection today.
The term "rejoice" in this context is more accurately translated as "boast" or "exult." It implies a deep, triumphant joy that comes from the assurance of seeing God's glory. This hope is not a wishful thinking but a confident expectation of the future glory that awaits us. Paul, who once boasted in his own righteousness, now boasts in the hope of the glory of God, a hope that is certain and assured.
This hope includes the beatific vision, the ultimate goal of our faith, where we will see God face to face. It also encompasses the glory of Christ, as expressed in His high priestly prayer in John 17, where He desires His followers to behold His glory. Paul himself had a glimpse of this glory on the road to Damascus, and he eagerly anticipates the full revelation of it.
Moreover, this hope involves our own glorification. Just as sin caused us to fall short of God's glory, justification by faith assures us of being restored to that glory. Our bodies, affected by the fall, will be transformed to be like Christ's glorious body. This glorification is not just a future promise but a present reality, as we are being transformed from glory to glory by the Spirit.
This assurance of glorification should lead us to live with a sense of triumph and joy, even amidst trials. It is a call to set our affections on things above, to look beyond the temporal to the eternal. As we behold the glory of the Lord, we are changed, and this transformation becomes a testimony to the world around us.
Key Takeaways:
- Justification by faith brings peace with God, a profound relationship that goes beyond the absence of conflict, allowing us to stand confidently in His grace. [01:16]
- The hope of the glory of God is not mere wishful thinking but a confident expectation of seeing God's glory, which includes the beatific vision and the glory of Christ. [06:58]
- Our glorification is assured through justification, promising a transformation of our bodies to be like Christ's glorious body, a process that begins now as we are changed from glory to glory. [19:13]
- This hope should lead us to live with joy and triumph, setting our affections on eternal things and allowing the glory of God to be reflected in our lives. [33:34]
- The transformation we experience as we behold the glory of the Lord becomes a powerful testimony to the world, drawing others to the hope we have in Christ. [44:10]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to Romans 5:1-2
[01:00] - Justification by Faith
[01:36] - Peace with God
[02:21] - Access to Grace
[02:40] - Rejoicing in Hope
[03:00] - Understanding "Rejoice"
[04:28] - Boasting in Hope
[06:24] - Glory of God
[07:12] - Seeing God's Glory
[09:03] - Glory of Christ
[11:11] - Paul's Vision of Glory
[15:23] - Glorification of Believers
[19:31] - Transformation and Glorification
[25:09] - Redemption of Our Bodies
[29:45] - Rejoicing in Eternal Hope
[33:34] - Present Transformation
[37:05] - Union with Christ
[41:10] - Living in Hope
[44:10] - Testimony of Glory
[47:18] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 5:1-2
- John 17:24
- 2 Corinthians 3:18
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the three significant outcomes of justification by faith mentioned in Romans 5:1-2? How does each outcome impact a believer's life? [01:16]
2. In the sermon, the term "rejoice" is explained as "boast" or "exult." How does this understanding change the way we view our hope in the glory of God? [03:15]
3. How does Paul describe his past boasting compared to his current boasting in the hope of the glory of God? What does this tell us about his transformation? [05:51]
4. What does the sermon say about the transformation of our bodies in relation to glorification? How is this process described as beginning now? [19:13]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the assurance of final salvation through justification by faith influence a believer's daily life and mindset? [01:16]
2. What does it mean to have "access to grace," and how should this affect our relationship with God and others? [01:57]
3. The sermon mentions the "beatific vision" as part of our hope. How does this concept shape our understanding of the ultimate goal of our faith? [08:25]
4. How does the idea of being transformed "from glory to glory" challenge our current understanding of spiritual growth and maturity? [32:00]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. Do you experience peace with Him as described in Romans 5:1-2? What steps can you take to deepen this peace? [01:16]
2. The sermon emphasizes boasting in the hope of the glory of God. How can you cultivate a mindset of triumphant joy in your daily life, even amidst trials? [04:06]
3. Consider the concept of the beatific vision. How does the promise of seeing God face to face influence your priorities and decisions today? [08:25]
4. In what ways can you actively participate in the transformation process described as "from glory to glory"? Identify one specific area in your life where you seek growth. [32:00]
5. The sermon calls us to set our affections on things above. What practical changes can you make in your daily routine to focus more on eternal things? [46:29]
6. How can the transformation you experience as you behold the glory of the Lord become a testimony to those around you? Share a recent example or plan a way to demonstrate this in your community. [44:10]
7. Reflect on the idea of glorification as a present reality. How does this perspective change the way you view your identity and purpose as a believer? [19:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Peace with God, Beyond Absence of Conflict
Justification by faith brings believers into a profound relationship with God, characterized by peace that transcends mere absence of conflict. This peace is a deep, abiding connection with God, allowing believers to stand confidently in His grace. It is not just a cessation of hostility but an invitation to a life of intimacy and communion with the Creator. This peace assures believers of their place in God's family, where they can approach Him with confidence and draw from His limitless grace. [01:16]
Romans 15:13 (ESV): "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of peace with God in your daily life, beyond just avoiding conflict or sin?
Day 2: Confident Expectation of God's Glory
The hope of the glory of God is not mere wishful thinking but a confident expectation of seeing God's glory. This hope includes the beatific vision, where believers will see God face to face, and the glory of Christ, as He desires His followers to behold His glory. This hope is certain and assured, transforming the way believers live and perceive their future. It is a hope that fuels joy and triumph, even amidst trials, as believers anticipate the full revelation of God's glory. [06:58]
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 focus from temporary struggles to the eternal hope of seeing God's glory in your daily life?
Day 3: Transformation Through Justification
Justification by faith assures believers of their glorification, promising a transformation of their bodies to be like Christ's glorious body. This process begins now, as believers are changed from glory to glory by the Spirit. It is not just a future promise but a present reality, where believers experience transformation as they behold the glory of the Lord. This transformation is a testimony to the world, drawing others to the hope found in Christ. [19:13]
Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV): "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."
Reflection: What specific areas of your life do you see God transforming, and how can you cooperate with the Spirit in this process?
Day 4: Living with Joy and Triumph
The assurance of glorification should lead believers to live with a sense of triumph and joy, setting their affections on eternal things. This hope calls believers to look beyond the temporal to the eternal, allowing the glory of God to be reflected in their lives. As believers behold the glory of the Lord, they are changed, and this transformation becomes a powerful testimony to the world around them. [33:34]
Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to set your affections on eternal things and live with joy and triumph?
Day 5: Testimony of Transformation
The transformation believers experience as they behold the glory of the Lord becomes a powerful testimony to the world. This transformation draws others to the hope found in Christ, as believers reflect His glory in their lives. It is a call to live in such a way that others see the hope and joy that comes from a relationship with God, inspiring them to seek the same transformation. [44:10]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: How can your life be a testimony of God's transforming power to those around you, and what specific actions can you take to reflect His glory today?
Quotes
We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God, which means this: that we are not in that communion with God that we should have and which Adam had before his fall. Adam communed with God directly. God came and spoke to Adam. Adam saw the glory of God, not in all its fullness, but he certainly saw it. [21:04]
The Apostle Paul was looking forward to beholding this full glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, and he says that he does that and that all Christians should do that because of this fact of justification by faith. The fact of justification by faith, he says, makes me boast in the prospect of this. [10:45]
The Apostle Paul was never a half-hearted man. When he persecuted the church, he did so with all his might. When he thought that his righteousness after the law was something very wonderful, he made his boast in that. He boasted in all it. Well, he's not going to use a lesser term when he comes into the Christian life. [05:41]
The Apostle Paul is telling us that he is rejoicing in hope of this. He's going to see God. He's going to see the Lord Jesus Christ without a veil, and he says, "I myself shall be glorified. I'll be in that glorious body. There'll be no spot nor wrinkle nor any such thing. There will be no sin in spirit or in body or anywhere." [28:59]
The Apostle contrasts the Christian with that, and he says, "But we all, with open face, with a veil gone, but we all, with open face, beholding as in a glass again a mirror the glory of the Lord, we're already," he says, "seeing something of that." [16:49]
The Apostle Paul is saying something like this: that he is looking forward to this day which is coming when he shall be perfectly glorified, fully saved, not only his spirit and soul saved but his body saved. Oh, it's an essential part of our Christian faith to preach the redemption of the body. [27:36]
The Apostle Paul is telling us that he is rejoicing in hope of this. He's going to see God. He's going to see the Lord Jesus Christ without a veil, and he says, "I myself shall be glorified. I'll be in that glorious body. There'll be no spot nor wrinkle nor any such thing. There will be no sin in spirit or in body or anywhere." [28:59]
The Apostle Paul is saying something like this: that he is looking forward to this day which is coming when he shall be perfectly glorified, fully saved, not only his spirit and soul saved but his body saved. Oh, it's an essential part of our Christian faith to preach the redemption of the body. [27:36]
The Apostle Paul is telling us that he is rejoicing in hope of this. He's going to see God. He's going to see the Lord Jesus Christ without a veil, and he says, "I myself shall be glorified. I'll be in that glorious body. There'll be no spot nor wrinkle nor any such thing. There will be no sin in spirit or in body or anywhere." [28:59]
The Apostle Paul is saying something like this: that he is looking forward to this day which is coming when he shall be perfectly glorified, fully saved, not only his spirit and soul saved but his body saved. Oh, it's an essential part of our Christian faith to preach the redemption of the body. [27:36]
The Apostle Paul is telling us that he is rejoicing in hope of this. He's going to see God. He's going to see the Lord Jesus Christ without a veil, and he says, "I myself shall be glorified. I'll be in that glorious body. There'll be no spot nor wrinkle nor any such thing. There will be no sin in spirit or in body or anywhere." [28:59]
The Apostle Paul is saying something like this: that he is looking forward to this day which is coming when he shall be perfectly glorified, fully saved, not only his spirit and soul saved but his body saved. Oh, it's an essential part of our Christian faith to preach the redemption of the body. [27:36]
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