INTRODUCTION
• SLIDE #1
• Have you ever heard the statement, “You cannot see the forest for all the trees?”
• It means we cannot see the big picture because we are focused on something too close to us.
• Today we are going to delve into another one of the freedoms what we can enjoy in Christ. The freedom from the present.
• We live in a fallen world and because of that fact we can get so focused on the present that we can forget what lies ahead for us in Christ.
• It is so easy to get fixated on our circumstances that we lose sight of the fact that our circumstances are not permanent.
• What a blessing to know that we can enjoy freedom from the present, that no matter what is happening in the here and now, that we have something AWESOME waiting for us!
• Let’s start by turning to Romans 8; we will start in verse 18!
• SLIDE #2
• Romans 8:18 (ESV) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
• SLIDE #3
SERMON
Since we can experience freedom from the present…
I. Don’t be a prisoner of the moment! (18)
• When we look at this passage it helps us to remember how difficult it was for the early Christians. Paul was not just discounting the difficult times the people were facing.
• Life in general was not easy, but for many it became more difficult for a person when they became a Christian.
• Life of Paul was much more difficult when he gave his life to serve Jesus.
• I know when we are going through difficult times; it is easy to think our problem is the worst thing that could happen to a person.
• The word “suffering” deals with any evil, afflictions, misfortunes, calamities, persecutions, or sicknesses. If more or less covers anything bad that can happen to a person.
• One would think when we give our lives to Jesus, that God would protect us from any bad things happening to us to us.
• When Paul tells us the sufferings of this present time are not “worthy” he is saying when you put all the suffering we face on one side of the scales and glory that is waiting for us on the other side, there is not comparison. The glory awaiting us is so much greater!
• The glory spoken of is the time when Jesus returns and we are raised again
• Suffering has been happening ever since the fall of man. Why? Why do we see suffering in this life?
• One of my college professors, Gareth Reese gives six reasons in a footnote in his Romans commentary. (footnote 106 p312)
1. All of creation was subjected to futility when Adam sinned. Adams sin has caused some of the suffering we face. (Things run down)
2. Some suffering is a result of our own sins and faults which necessitate chastisement. (Hebrews 12:4-11)
3. Some suffering is a result of the sin of others. (Murder, robbery, Drunk driver hitting you)
4. Some suffering happens for the glory of God. (John 9:3)
5. Some suffering is for the temporal punishment for sin that by God’s design automatically accompanies or results from the sin. (Romans 1:27) (Waste your money and suffer the consequences)
6. If a person is in Christ, they will face suffering. (Romans 8:17)
• We must guard against letting the present troubles keep us from realizing our glorious future!
• Let’s turn to verses 19-21
• SLIDE #4
• Romans 8:19–21 (ESV) 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 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.
• SLIDE #5
We can experience freedom from the present because…
II. Our future is glorious! (19-21)
• In verses 19-21 we are given an explanation of the awaiting glory.
• In these verses Paul gives human feelings and emotions to creation for illustration purposes.
• The creation Paul is speaking of is the whole world of nature in this context.
• Verse 20 explains that as a result of Adam’s sin all of creation was cursed. We see this curse found in Genesis 3:17-18.
• SLIDE #6
• Genesis 3:17–18 (ESV) 17 And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; 18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.
• The ultimate deliverance of nature is tied to the deliverance of mankind because the fall of nature was a result of the fall of mankind.
• The main idea is that the physical universe was originally created to play the role of servant under the lordship of man (Gen 1:26-28).
• In verses 20-21 we are given three reasons creation is also longing for the return of the Lord. To long for something means to look for something with outstretched head, to have eager anticipation. It would be akin to stretching the neck out to get a first glimpse of something coming into sight.
• One reason for this longing by creation is the fact creation was subjected to futility.
• Futility means failing to reach or accomplish ones intended purpose.
• When God created everything, He said it was good.
• Nature was meant to serve man and help him fulfill man’s purpose. Since sin entered into the picture, all of creation has fallen short. It is like trying to beat an unbeatable team, it is futile.
• Man’s first sin, however, included an attempt to manipulate the creation and to misuse it for narcissistic purposes.
• Why would God put a curse on creation? Think about it. If everything was perfect and fulfilled its’ purpose, there would be no cause for us to hope for something better. If there were no suffering, disease, or catastrophic events, we would not long for something better.
• The second reason creation longs for glory is the fact creation was subject to futility by no fault of its own. God subjected creation to futility because of man. (Genesis 3:16-20)
• The third reason is found in verse 21. Not only will mankind be raised and the saved redeemed, but the curse of creation will be lifted and there will be a restoration, a new heaven and new earth.
• SLIDE #7
• Revelation 21:1 (ESV) Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
• The word “set free” in verse 21 implies that creation will continue to exist after the second coming, but in a new form.
• Once the renovation takes place, creation will be able to fulfill its intended purpose.
• WE need to know that we do not have to be a prisoner of the moment because God has a great restoration plan for everything!
• Our present struggle is not a representation of our glorious future!
• Let’s look at verses 22-23
• SLIDE #8
• Romans 8:22–23 (ESV) 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 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.
• SLIDE #9
Do not be robbed of the freedom from the present because of…
III. The futility we have faced in this present life. (22-23)
• Life can be frustrating at time, it can see mas if there is no purpose. As I have stated before, King Solomon felt the futility of life outside of serving God.
• When we look at creation, we know it is not perfect now, and we also receive a constant reminder of the sin that caused all our problems.
• Natural disasters, although not caused by our sin, are an indirect result of Adams sin. Many of the diseases we suffer from come to us for the same reason.
• Creation was once perfect. When God created everything, cancer, heart disease, and other terrible diseases were unheard of. Natural disasters were unheard of.
• Creation longs for the perfection it once possessed as much as we do.
• Why do we die? Disease, accidents, old age. In a perfect world, these things would not happen. If we were perfect genetically, we would not run down and wear out. I have known people who when they died, their minds were fine, but the body finally wore out.
• Creation suffers and so do Christians along with all mankind.
• Paul says even though we belong to God, we suffer. He says Christians have the first fruits from God, but still we suffer. He is speaking of the Holy Spirit within us.
• First fruits were the very first part of the harvest that was dedicated to God, and as a result, God would promise more of a harvest.
• When we look around us and see some of the bad things happening, it should stir within us a desire to see the Lord return so that the suffering and pain will stop.
• When we are adopted into the family of God, we first are received by God into His family, and then later on when the Lord returns, we will receive the rest of what God promises us as adopted children, GLORY!
• A perfect body, a perfect home, and being in the presence of the perfect master!
• SLIDE #10
• Revelation 21:4 (ESV) He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
• Our present circumstances are no reflection of the great future we have awaiting!
• Let’s look at our final observation in verses 24-25
• SLIDE #11
• Romans 8:24–25 (ESV) 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
• SLIDE #12
We can enjoy freedom from the present because of…
IV. The hope God’s promise gives us. (24-25)
• In hope we have been saved. Even though we have been freed from the slavery to sin, we still live in a dying body. Even though we have been released from our slavery to sin, we still suffer from the effects of sin around us.
• We are still dealing in the realm of hope because we do not yet fully possess our inheritance.
• Here “hope” refers to the object of our hope. If we already see it, or have it in our possession, it can no longer be the object of hope.
• That would be a contradiction of terms. We only hope for things that are still in the future, things we know we will have one day but do not have yet.
Paul says with patience we await these things.
• Patience implies we will face adverse circumstances until we possess our resurrection body.
• God will bring to pass everything in due time. Our part in the scheme of things is to be patient until this happens.
• SLIDE #13
• Revelation 2:10 (ESV) Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
• We cannot quit in the middle of the game. We must not give up when adversity strikes us.
• We can count on the promises of God.
• Our present times do not change God’s promise!
• The main point of this explanation of the futurity of hope is to remind us that a major aspect of our salvation is still in the future.
• This is meant to give us encouragement in the midst of our present sufferings and our present struggles against sin.
CONCLUSION
• One of the awesome freedoms that we can enjoy is freedom from the present along with its circumstances.
• We know that God will deliver as promised.
• We need to always realize there is more to this life than living and dying.
• No matter how bad it seems now, when you look back on it when you are with the Lord, it will not compare with the glory you will share with Jesus!
