Romans 8:18-39 / Darrel Schrock

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 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. 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. 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. 26 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. 27 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. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In this sermon, I want to highlight from our text three reasons for you to have extraordinary hope in suffering. These reasons are rooted in the promises and truths found in Romans 8:18-39. Alongside these reasons, I want you to see three key questions and answers that fortify that hope, helping you stand firm even in the midst of trials.

The Gospel makes it abundantly clear that we truly possess an unusually great hope in Christ. He will transform us through our sufferings and ultimately bring us to glory. You can be certain of this! Because of this assurance, you have every available grace to be content in Christ, even as you endure hardship. True contentment comes when you accept your suffering and remain fixed on the hope that is yours in Christ.

This hope enables you to fight off grumbling, despair, and self-pity. Christ is truly enough to satisfy your soul. You have every reason to be filled with hope and joy, even in suffering. In this lifetime, God is with you. In the lifetime to come, because of what Christ has accomplished for you and what the Holy Spirit is presently doing in your life, you will see and savor for eternity all of God in His breathtaking beauty.

Service Order

Welcome
Exhortation
Assurance of Pardon
    Christ Our Hope In Life And Death
Reading – Psalm 27
    King Of Love
    He Will Hold Me Fast
Offering
Sermon
    His Glory And My Good
    It Is Well With My Soul
Benediction

Memory Verse

1 John 2:15-17 – Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. ¹⁷And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Service Times

Prayer
8:30-8:45am
Sunday School
9:00am-10:00am
Worship Service
10:30am-Noon

Berea

In Berea, we will continue in our study through the whole Bible, this week looking at the book of Titus. Sunday School (kids ages 2-12) and Berea (kids 12+ and adults) take place at 9am on Sunday.