Slides: The Spirit of Expectation
The Spirit of Expectation
Romans 8:18-25
18 I consider that our present
sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19
The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be
revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by
its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that
the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought
into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Spirit in focus
- Spirit of freedom (8:1-4)
- Spirit of life (8:5-13)
- Spirit of adoption (8:14-17)
- Spirit of expectation (8:18-25)
- Spirit of prayer (8:26-27)
Spirit of expectation
The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed… Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:19, 23)
Spirit as down payment
In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:11-14)
God anointed us, sealed us, and gave the down payment of the Spirit in our hearts. (2 Corinthians 1:21)
For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens... Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the down payment of the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 5:1,5)
Heirs together
If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:29)
Through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 3:6)
God’s children and heirs
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:17-18)
Our present sufferings
- Persecution: attacked by others
- Sacrifice: cost of serving
- Sympathy: feeling others’ pain
- Upset: troubled about sin
- Damage: part of broken creation
- Discipline: punishment or training
Not worth comparing
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)
Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. (2 Corinthians 4:16-17)
Light and momentary?
Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea… I have been in danger... I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. (2 Cor 11:24-28).
What do we expect?
…the glory that will be revealed in us… The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed… the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God… we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit… wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:19-21)
The Spirit of expectation
We ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit… wait eagerly…
- Adoption confirmed, bodies redeemed
- Glory and freedom of God’s children
- Creation flourishing, free from decay
Sonship displayed publicly
The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed… we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Rom. 8:19, 23)
… declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead. (Romans 1:4)
Children in the present, revealed in the future
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)
Redemption of our bodies
- Jesus will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body. (Philippians 3:21)
- • New senses: perceive angels and God.
- New capacities:
- walk on water
- move thru unopened doors or walls
- fly or move instantly to different place
- It is raised a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:44)
We ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit… wait eagerly…
The Spirit of expectation
Praise from God
To those who… seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. (Rom 2:7)
Wait till the Lord comes… At that time each will receive his praise from God. (1 Cor. 4:5)
Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your master. (Matt. 25:21)
He will take great delight in you… he will rejoice over you with singing. (Zeph. 3:17)
Shining splendor
Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)
The righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. (Matthew 13:43)
I will also give him the morning star. (Revelation 2:28)
Throne of authority
I will give him authority over the nations… just as I have received authority from my Father … I will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels… To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Rev 2:26, 28; 3:5,12,21)
Freedom of God’s children
- Free from sin, Satan, and evil powers
- Free from sickness, pain, and death
- Free to be fully in tune with God
- Free to be truly ourselves
- Free to do as whatever we decide
The Spirit of expectation
We ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit… wait eagerly…
- Adoption confirmed, bodies redeemed
- Glory and freedom of God’s children
- Creation flourishing, free from decay
Inherit the earth
Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world… He is our father in the sight of God. (Romans 4:13)
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
They shall reign on the earth. (Rev. 5:10)
Creation flourishing
- God’s original creation will not just be wiped out and replaced. This world (like our bodies) be resurrected and renewed.
- We inherit the earth, and the earth benefits from our wise reign under God.
- Heaven comes down to earth. Our final home is the flourishing, renewed earth.
Paradise regained
God’s children will rule creation and bring out the best in everything.
The wilderness will rejoice and blossom. (Isaiah 35:1).
New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills. (Amos 9:13).
All things made new
All things are yours. (1 Corinthians 3:21)
… at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne… (Matthew 19:28)
Behold, I am making all things new. (Revelation 21:5)
We ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit… wait eagerly…
The Spirit of expectation
Modifié le: mardi 8 décembre 2020, 20:44