If you have your Bibles, do me a favor, turn with me to the Book of Romans. The Book of Romans, Chapter 8. The Book of Romans, Chapter 8. Book of Romans, Chapter 8, beginning in verse 18. We got some scripture to read.
Here's what the Bible says. It says, Creation eagerly awaits with anticipation for the sons of God to be reviewed. For creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it.
In the hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God's children. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains. Now, not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits, we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. Now, in this hope, we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees?
Now, if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience. In the same way, the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should. For the Spirit himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings, and he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
He intercedes, and so he will be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called. And those he called, he also justified. And those he justified, he also glorified.
What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He did not even spare his own son, but offered him up for us all.
How will he not also with him grant us everything? Who can bring an accusation against God's elect? God is the one who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more has been raised.
He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger of the sword as it is written, because of you we are being put to death all day long. We are all counted as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded, or some translations say, I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, or any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
My goodness. What a heavy, jam-packed theological study within that text, and our job this morning is to break it down. This morning I want to talk to you for a few minutes from the topic beautiful, from the topic beautiful. Let's pray. Lord, I thank you that you're moving. God, I pray that you continue to move in our hearts this morning. Speak to us, God. Oh, come on, we want to hear your voice. We long to hear your voice, Lord. Help us to become more and more like you.
God, I pray that you would shape us, shift us, and mold us to look more like you. We bless your name, in Jesus' name, and everyone said amen. The topic beautiful. If you've been with us any number of times throughout the last few months, you know that we have been in the process of talking through the book of Romans. We've been talking through the book of Romans, and I don't know about you guys, but I absolutely love Paul's teaching. I love Paul's teaching. I love his writing. I love the way he writes. I love the way he writes because he is not a boring teacher.
Come on, somebody. I don't know about y'all, but I can't stand boring teaching. I know y'all are holy and sanctified. You ain't never had that issue, but I can't stand boring teaching, boring preaching. There is something about, I know you've never been in a church that has ever had boring teaching before, but I can't stand it. I just believe that if God is a creative God and he created the stars and the cells and he created the grass and the flowers and the trees, there should be just some type of creativity or passion at least when you are preaching the infallible word of the living God.
You gotta have some type of passion behind you. My goodness, them boring pulpits drive me absolutely nuts because the fervor that I have for God, I mean, my goodness, I just can't stand boring teaching, and I love Paul because Paul is not that. He is a fantastic writer, and the way he writes always amazes me. Now, before you get too theologically heavy-headed with me, please understand that I obviously know that it is the power of the Holy Spirit working through Paul, I totally get that, but the way Paul writes just always amazes me. The analogies that he uses that are still applicable today always amaze me.
The way he sets things up and sets the stage as though he is in a play always amazes me. The way he walks us down the path, turning the corners on different theological concepts that he might bring you to one understanding of enlightenment always amazes me. Here in Romans, Paul is writing to the church at Rome, and he starts off by talking about righteousness and the righteousness of Christ, and then he moves into faith, and he begins to talk about sin and death and the flesh and the spirit, and he even allows this in on internal arguments that are taking place within him. You guys have read Romans, chapter seven, where he begins to say, my goodness, the things I want to do I do not do, but the things I do want to do I don't do. My goodness, who can save me from myself?
What a wretched man. This is an internal argument that is taking place on the inside of him, a turmoil, civil war at its best, and rather than looking like a religious stuffy person, he allows us into the conversation that he is having within himself that you and I might see that it is okay to have arguments within yourself as long as you come to the understanding that it is God who saves and delivers. Paul comes to the place within his writing where he says, who can save me? What a wretched man that I am, and he stops and says, thanks be to God who delivers me through Christ Jesus.
Paul is an amazing writer. He ain't fake. He lets you see the real deal. He makes these grandiose statements. Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, and he continues on giving us theological concepts as he walks around the bends of his writings, and he lands on a place where he talks about you receiving the spirit of God and adoption. He says, you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear.
Instead, you received the spirit of adoption by which you call out Abba, Father. And then he stops and he begins to speak to the identity of the reader. He says, you ain't the same person that you once were, but rather now you are an heir and a co-heir with Christ Jesus. My goodness, you need to know who you are in Christ. There needs to be a holy swagger when you walk into a room, not confidence in yourself, but confidence in the one who has delivered you.
Paul understands this, and he is beginning to call this out of the people at the church of Rome, saying, you need to understand, you are an heir, co-heir with Christ Jesus. And I absolutely love this, because if you are just reading this as a reader, you would think that Paul was just making a statement, but please understand, Paul is setting you up. He is following the same pattern that God uses throughout scripture, and that is this, that God will often assure you in your identity before he assigns you on your mission.
Woo, I'm gonna preach this morning. He will assign and assure. He assures you of your identity before he assigns you on your mission. Now, before you get excited, please understand, also know this, that any time you are getting ready to go on a mission for God, there is suffering, pain, and turmoil in the mix. This is why he would show up to Gideon and call him a mighty warrior before he even went out to battle. This is why he shows up with Mary and says, blessed are you, Mary, who we highly favored of the Lord, before he says, hey, you gonna deliver the savior of the universe. He assures them in their identity before he assigns them on the mission.
Because the reality is, there is always pain turmoil and frustration on the mission. And while I do not believe that God himself causes the pain, I do believe that he uses pain like the brush of an artist to make you more into his image. Paul is doing the same thing. He says, you're an heir, you are in co-heir with Christ. And in the same sentence, he flips and turns and says this, if indeed we suffer with him, oh my goodness, so that we may also be glorified with him. I love that Paul continues on with the sentence and he doesn't stop at the suffering piece, but rather he is encouraging by letting you know that there is a glory that will come through the suffering.
This is where we pick up our text. He says, for I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory. The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory. He is trying to get the reader to understand that the weight of suffering pales in comparison when it comes to the glory that comes from it. Paul is trying to get the reader to understand that there is pain and suffering, but the weight of the glory that is to come is far greater than the pain and the suffering that you may experience.
Because pain and suffering is temporary, but the glory that is to come is eternal. Can I tell you church, this is the mark of a mature believer. Oh, this is the mark of a mature believer. The ability to keep your eyes on Jesus even when things seem frustrating all around you. This, this is the mark of a mature believer.
Come on, somebody that can take a lickin' and keep on tickin'. This, this is the mark of a mature believer. Oh my goodness, there is something around getting around seasoned saints that always encourages me.
Oh, I'm talking about people that have been through some things. I love being around seasoned saints that understand, that feelings are fickle, they come and they go, but God stands true forever. I'm talking about, come on, Sister Odell, where you show up with Sister Odell and she begins to tell you her story. Oh, oh, Pastor Vic, or whenever I lost, oh, Uncle John, I didn't know if I was gonna make it. I didn't know I didn't have two nickels to rub together, but God showed up. Oh my goodness, getting around.
Come on, Brother Dale, who, come on, Brother Dale, understands I lost my job in 72. I didn't know how I was gonna feed my kids, but day and night, I'd fall on my knees and God showed up and delivered me. There's something about seasoned saints that understand that life isn't always precious, but it is always purposeful. Paul is trying to get the reader to understand this, that perspective is everything.
Perspective is everything. Paul says this, he says, I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. Some translations say revealed in us, the glory that will be revealed. Paul is introducing us to a theological concept called glorification.
Oh, stick with me, let me nerd out with you for a little bit. But we believe that there are three steps in the process of salvation. There is justification. Justification is what occurred when Jesus died on the cross. Justification frees us from the penalty of sin.
It is the propitiation that occurred on the cross where Jesus took all of our sin upon himself and gave us a get out of free debt card. Justification frees us from the penalty of sin. And then we believe that there is what is called sanctification. Sanctification is where every single day you become more and more like Christ as the spirit of God enables you. Sanctification frees us from the power of sin. Justification frees us from the penalty of sin. Sanctification frees us from the power of sin. It is the idea that now that you belong to Christ, you now have the opportunity to choose.
You are not bound to sin, but rather you are bound to the spirit. It frees you from the power of sin. Glorification would be the final step in the process of salvation. Glorification is this idea, this concept that Jesus will return from heaven back to earth and make all things new.
That he is in the business of restoration. This idea that when he comes back, he's already freed us from the penalty of sin. He's given you freedom over the power of sin.
Glorification gives us freedom from the presence of sin. He makes all things new. This is the business of our God. You need to understand this about our God. He is the God of restoration. He makes all things new. He is the God that restores all things. This is his character. Paul is introducing us to this concept.
Listen to what he says. He says, for the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God's sons to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it in the hope that creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God's children. Paul, what on earth are you talking about? In order to truly understand what Paul is trying to speak of in the midst of this particular verse, you have to go back with me and get a refresher on your biblical history and head back on to Genesis chapter three.
You guys all know the story. In the room, God creates Adam and Eve and places two trees in the garden, and he tells them, do not partake of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Eve gets tricked by that sneaky snake, gives the fruit over to Adam, and Adam partakes willingly in disobedience of the fruit. And the Bible says that the moment he did, the twin powers of sin and death entered into the world through one man's disobedience. And as a result, it set up camp and shop and dominion over all of creation, not just humanity, but creation as a whole. And now everything is subject to sin and death and toil and frustration and pain. Everything is set up because of one man's disobedience.
And I wanna encourage you this morning, your decisions matter. Adam makes a decision to willingly disobey, and as a result, the clock hits and everything begins to decay. And now a world that was never created to experience pain, death, and sin is now subject to death and sin. And creation never had a choice in the matter.
You see the personification that has taken place. Creation never had a choice. And now all of earth is living under this dominion of death until John chapter one. This word became flesh and he dwelt among us. And he lived 33 sinless years on this earth, doing what the father told him to do. The Bible says he went to the cross. And at that moment when he died, he went into the depths, took dominion back. Come on sin, where is your power?
Death, where is your sting? And he hands that dominion back over to the disciples. And he says, go tell the world of this good news. And while our spirits have been regenerated, because remember he restores all things, the physicality of this earth is still in decay until one day, the glory of God will return back to earth and he restores everything. Paul is introducing us to this concept. He says, for we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. I absolutely love that he uses this language, the idea that the labor pains of suffering are great, oh, but the birth is worth it. You do understand that it is not the labor pains that create the baby.
It is the baby that creates the labor pains. In other words, it is the purpose of God that is creating something new on the earth. Not only that, but we ourselves who have the spirit as the first fruits. You're all theologians, you know that the Bible tells us that when you accept Christ, the Holy Spirit comes upon you as a stamp of approval. He says, we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. Wait a minute, Paul, I thought you already said that we have received the spirit of adoption.
And that, I'm telling you, we have. But listen to what Paul is saying. He said the spirit of adoption. But here, there is that idea again, saying that we eagerly wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies that will take place when glorification comes, that even so, your body will be made into a thing of beauty, glory to the body you carry.
I don't know how much glorious your body can get, but the Bible says that even that will be made new. He says this, in the same way the spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the spirit himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings, and he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the spirit because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. The spirit of God, the spirit of adoption that has made you an heir and a co-heir is longing for the redemption of your bodies and the world, for the glorification, for the glory of God to come down.
Your body even is longing for that to take place. This is why John would write in Revelations, the spirit and the bride say, come. It's the idea that on the inside of you, as a believer, you should have something on the inside of you that longs for the presence of God.
Oh God, would you come. Now before we freak out all our Baptists in the room, I do not believe in this particular chapter that Paul is talking about the gift of the spirit of speaking in tongues, because in nowhere else in this chapter or the book of Romans do you see him talking about that in context as everything. However, as a Pentecostal myself, I do believe that you can apply what is spoken of in Corinthians in the gift of speaking in tongues, and the Bible says that when you pray in tongues, it is praying the perfect will of God, and you can take that and apply that to the very groaning and longing for the presence of God because they both pray the same will, the spirit and the bride say, come. God, Christ is a burden. Bible says, we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. What is his purpose in this chapter, in this context? His purpose is to restore all things. I love this, he says, for those he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters, and those he predestined, he also called, and those he called, he also justified, and those he justified, he also glorified. Hold up Paul, what do you mean he glorified?
That's past tense, weren't you just saying that all of creation and the spirit of God that lives on the inside of us is longing for this event to take place? Why in the world, a few statements later, would you say that he has glorified in past tense if we are still in the process of it happening? Paul, are you losing your ability to remember in your old age? You see, to a reader, it may seem as though Paul has forgotten what he had said in the beginning, but I am here to enlighten you this morning that Paul is actually using a literary opportunity to show the validity of the promises of God. The reason he says that those he justified, he also glorified, past tense, is Paul is trying to show the reader that when God makes a promise, you can take it to the bank.
When God says something is gonna take place, you can guarantee it's gonna take place. When God speaks something, you can take it to the bank, because his promises are assured. Paul is trying to get the reader to understand that when God makes a promise, it is as good as done. Paul is speaking in a manner that says, I know we're in the process, but when my God tells me something's gonna come to pass, it is as though it has already come to pass, because his promises are backed by his integrity. Perspective is everything, church, and I'm here to remind you this morning, his promises are assured. He says this, what then are we to say about these things? I love this, because Paul always poses a question in order to walk you to an understanding. He says, if God is for us, who is against us?
In other words, remember who you are. If God is for you, who can be against you? He said, he did not even spare his own son, but offered him up for us all. I love this, because this verse carries undertones of Abraham and Isaac. You guys know the story. Abraham is taking Isaac up the mountain of Moriah, and he is getting ready to sacrifice Isaac as a sacrifice unto the Lord, and he lifts his knife to slay him, and right when he is getting ready to do so, God speaks up and says, Abraham, steady your hand.
There is a ram in the thicket. See, Abraham thought he was proving his faithfulness to God. What he didn't know is that God was going to prove his faithfulness to Abraham time and time again, and this is imperative for you to understand, because Abraham and Isaac are a precursor of the Father and the Son. Abraham and Isaac are a foreshadow. It is typology for Jesus to come onto the earth, that the whole purpose of Jesus coming to the earth is to die for your sin as the ram in the thicket, as the lamb that is spotless. He is the one that comes. This is why John would be baptizing his disciples.
He would look up and say, behold, I see a man of God who takes away the sins of the world, because Jesus would become that for you, and Paul is trying to get you to understand, oh my goodness, if God didn't even spare his own son for you, then if he is for you, who could be against you? How will he not also with him grant us everything? Who can bring an accusation against God's elect? Ooh, you have been chosen by God. Let me remind you this morning, church, you didn't choose God. The Bible says he chose you. God is the one who justifies.
Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more has been raised. He didn't just die for you, baby, he lives for you. And he intercedes for us. I love this, because it shows the compassion of our God.
It's a depiction of an Old Testament priest who sprinkles the blood on the mercy seat and then intercedes for the people, and Jesus stands right there, sitting at the right-hand side of the Father, and he is interceding for you. Oh, come on, I'm talking about the real you. Oh, come on, the 2 a.m. you, the you that no one else really knows. I know, I know, you come into church, and you look good, you feel good, you smell good, all of the above, walking around here, smelling like white diamonds. He interceded for you that you would let that spirit go. He intercedes for you. The Bible says, who can separate us from the love of Christ?
Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger of the sword? As it is written, because of you, we are being put to death all day long, we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered, and he answers his question. He says, no, in all these things, we are more than conquerors.
Oh, my goodness. Church, I need you to understand this morning, you are more than a conqueror. I know there are times where you look in the mirror and you don't feel as though you are, but the reality is your feelings do not dictate what God has called you, because his promises are assured, and if he calls you mighty warrior of God, then guess what, baby? You a mighty warrior of God. If he calls you one that is blessed and highly favored, then guess what? You are blessed and highly favored. I'm here to tell you this morning, you are not so special that you do not carry on the promises of God. You ain't that special, because what God has blessed is blessed.
That you yourself can't even get in the way. More than a conqueror. And I love this, through him who loved us, it ain't by your own merits, you aren't good enough, you didn't do enough, you aren't wealthy enough, you aren't charismatic enough, it ain't never been about you anyway. You are more than a conqueror, through him who loved us. And he says this, for I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor rulers nor things present nor things to come nor powers nor height nor depth nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Nothing can separate you from the love of Christ. And I love that Paul uses this language. He says, for I am convinced, I am persuaded. Paul, I don't know about you, but there is only one way that I myself can be convinced of something. The only way I can be truly convinced of something and persuaded of something is if I myself have gone through it and have found on the other end that it is just as it was spoken. Oh, this is where it gets good because you need to understand that the book of Romans was written after the book of 2 Corinthians.
Why is that important? Because in 2 Corinthians, it is as though Paul is giving his resume as to who he is. And look at what he says. He said, I've been in prison, I've been flogged, I've been exposed to death again and again, I've been beaten, I've received lashes, beaten with rods, thrown stones at, three times I've been shipwrecked. I spent a night and day in the open sea, danger from the rivers, danger from the robbers, danger from my fellow Jews, from the Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the country, danger at sea, danger from false believers. I have labored, I have toiled, I have gone without sleep, I have known hunger, I have known thirst, I've gone without food, I have been cold, I have naked, and still I know that nothing can separate me from the love of Christ. Paul is not speaking from a perspective that has been through much more than you and I ever have and still says, I know in the depths of my soul, nothing can separate me from the love of Christ.
It is as though Paul is saying, oh baby, I'm not just writing without experience, you can check the resume, you can check the resume on what I have been through and still I know. And while we're at resumes, let me talk to you about one who has a greater resume, because I know a God that doesn't just deliver from the sea or from being stoned, I know a God that delivers Abraham all the way through, I know a God that delivers Noah all the way through, I know a God that brings Moses to a Red Sea and says, stand still and see the hand of the Lord and walks him all the way through, I know a God that delivers a David who delivers a Peter and who delivers the one whom has a great resume because his resume is greater, his name is Jesus, and I am here to tell you that nothing can separate you from the love of Christ. I know a God that delivers us because of the decision of one by the name of Adam, and rather than just saying, forget it, I'm over it, he chooses to restore it in Jesus. You need to know this about God, perspective is everything, his promises are assured, and church, I love this, but he always walks with you through your trials. He isn't one that leaves you, he walks with you. You say, Vic, yeah, but you don't understand, I've been in the most painful season of my life, you don't understand, I've been in the greatest turmoil of my life, you don't understand, Vic, this has been the biggest struggle in my life, and I'm still here to tell you that he will walk with you, you are not alone, but God is with you. You say, yeah, Vic, but you don't understand, my life is a mess, here's what I love about God. He never sees a mess and walks away, but he stays and he makes it beautiful. It is the nature of our God to restore all things. To restore all things.
And if you'll just allow him and hold tight to him, he'll make your story beautiful. That is the nature of our God. This morning, church, I believe God wants to restore, because that's who he is. I believe this morning that restoration will take place, not just in your personal life, but maybe your marriage, maybe your relationships. I believe God wants to restore this morning. I came with just enough Pentecostal faith to believe that God can still move mountains, and if that, you would just reach out and worship him as a whole, he'll continue to move, because that is the character of our God.
He makes all things beautiful. This morning, if you would say, Vic, I want to give my life to Christ. Maybe you never have, maybe you want to rededicate your life. I know that they're getting ready to put a QR code or text messaging on the screen. If you're here or you're watching online, I want to encourage you, this isn't so we can count numbers, it's so that we could get you resources and get you plugged into a body of believers and give you an opportunity to do so. But this morning, I want to ask you to stand to your feet. Look, in a room this size, I would be remiss to think that there are not some of you that are going through trials that none of us know about.
That is the unfortunate factor of a room this size, but he is still a God that knows. And in a moment, when we go into worship, I want to encourage you, I know, I know, I know, you got to beat the Baptist to Ruby Tuesdays, but this is an opportunity. This is an opportunity for you to enter into the presence of God. Oh God, that you would speak to our souls. Let's worship the Lord this morning, believing that he restores and makes all things new.
Come on church, let's worship. I trust in God, my Savior, the one who will never fail. He will never fail. I trust in God, my Savior, the one who will never fail.
He will never fail. Oh, I saw the Lord. I saw the Lord. And he heard and he answered. I saw the Lord. And he answered.
And he answered. I saw the Lord. And he heard and he answered. I saw the Lord. And he heard and he answered.
That's why I trust him. I saw the Lord. And he heard and he answered. I saw the Lord. And he heard and he answered. I saw the Lord.
and be heard, and be answered. That's why I trust Him. That's why I trust in God. He's my Savior. The only one who will never fail. He will never fail. Oh, I trust. I trust in God. He's my Savior. The one who will never fail.
He will never fail. I saw the Lord. I saw the Lord, and He heard, and He answered. I saw the Lord, and He heard, and He answered. I saw the Lord, and He heard, and He answered. That's why I trust Him. I saw the Lord.
I saw the Lord, and He heard, and He answered. That's why I trust Him. That's why I trust Him. I saw the Lord, and He heard, and He answered. That's why I trust Him. And that's why I trust Him. I need you to understand that He is a God that restores.
That's my assignment this morning. That when you walk out of this place and you run into the job and you run into the relationship and you run into the areas of difficulty He is a God that restores. If you leave with anything this morning leave understanding that He is a God that restores. Even unto glorification that He comes and makes all things new.
Church, perspective is everything. His promises are assured. And He walks with you through your trials. I just got word that 10 people gave their life to Christ. Praise God. We want to give glory to God for that.
Come on. So church, let me pray this over you. The Lord bless you, keep you.
Cause His face to shine upon you. Give you grace and peace now and forever. Amen and amen. God bless you church. Let's go win this world for Christ.
