WEBVTT

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 Romans chapter 8, starting at verse 18.

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 Romans 8, starting at verse 18.

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 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

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 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.

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 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it,

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 in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into freedom and glory of the children of God.

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 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

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 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.

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 For in this hope we were saved.

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 But hope that is seen is no hope at all.

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 Who hopes for what they already have?

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 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

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 Let's pray.

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 Father God, we thank you for your people.

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 We thank you for Helen.

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 And we thank you for the story of her life.

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 And above all, for your grace and your strength to Helen in times of suffering and struggle.

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 We ask that you would continue to strengthen Helen and give her grace each and every day.

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 And in moments of sadness and heartache, you would surround her with your love and care.

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 And you would continue to use her story, a testimony of your grace and goodness to her.

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 To be a means of hope and of encouragement and of pointing others to the Lord Jesus Christ.

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 And the glorious hope that he has for the children of God.

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 Help us now, Father, to hear your word carefully.

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 And that you would apply it to our lives this day.

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 In Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Psalm 30 captures for us both the Christian experience and the Christian expectation.

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 Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

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 As we walk through our life experience, it is one of trials and suffering.

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 We live in a world that is disordered and broken and eventually ends in death.

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 Yet we also live with great expectation.

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 We look forward to the day when Christ returns and restores and renews all things.

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 Just as the darkness of the night is banished with the rising of the morning sun,

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 so the darkness of this world will be dispelled by the glorious light of Christ's return.

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 The hurts, the cries of pain, the tears will all be silenced by shrieks of laughter and shouts of joy.

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 Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

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 Isaiah the prophet spoke of this day.

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 See, he says, I will create new heavens and a new earth.

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 The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.

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 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create.

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 For I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.

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 I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people.

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 The sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.

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 Tears of sorrow will become tears of joy.

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 Now this experience, this expectation is central to our text in Romans 8.

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 And we're going to look at three things from it this morning.

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 First, our present groaning, our future glory, and our gospel hope.

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 So first, our present groaning.

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 The world and our bodies are crying out in pain.

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 Look at verse 22.

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 We know that the whole creation has been groaning.

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 The rumbles of an earthquake as great buildings collapse.

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 The thundering waves of a tsunami which destroy whole villages.

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 The unstoppable power of a tornado crashing through communities.

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 This is the world groaning.

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 It's in pain.

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 But it's not just a physical, material world.

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 Look at verse 23.

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 Not only so, but we ourselves who have the first fruits of the Spirit groan inwardly.

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 The cries of pain as cancer ravages our bodies.

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 The agony of walking as arthritis seizes our joints.

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 The suffering as our fragile and frail lives slowly break down.

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 Our physical bodies are groaning.

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 They are in pain.

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 But all this groaning is not a helpless groaning.

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 It is a groaning that is full of glorious expectation.

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 Look again at verse 22.

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 We know that the whole creation has been groaning.

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 As in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

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 The maternity ward is a place where we see both groaning and glory.

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 Pain and joy.

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 Pain and joy.

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 Before the glory of holding a tiny baby in our arms comes the groaning and agony of giving birth.

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 But it's a pain that is full of hope.

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 Because you know that in the end you will hold new life in your arms.

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 In the same way the groaning of this world and our bodies is like birth pains.

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 They are signs of a new world and perfect bodies to come.

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 With every drought and famine.

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 With every disease and sickness.

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 It is like the world and our bodies are crying out.

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 Telling us that glory is coming.

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 Now because of our groaning that will give way to glory.

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 We need to be able to see our present sufferings in the light of future glory.

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 We need to see, have a right perspective on our sufferings today.

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 With the future glory to come.

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 Look at verse 18.

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 He says, I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

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 Consider, he says, contemplate.

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 Think about.

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 Meditate on this.

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 The sufferings we experience now has nothing on the glory that is to come.

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 Our suffering now is temporary.

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 Glory is for eternity.

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 Our suffering today brings cries of pain.

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 Glory causes spontaneous shouts of joy.

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 Our suffering ends in agony of death.

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 Glory will celebrate the beauty of life.

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 We may feel that our present sufferings are never going to come to an end.

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 That this will be our only experience.

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 Well after a hundred years in eternity.

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 A thousand years in the new creation.

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 Ten thousand years in glory.

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 Our present experience.

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 Our present experience.

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 This blip on the line of infinity.

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 Will not be remembered.

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 Lord.

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 In his letter to the church in Corinth.

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 Paul put it like this.

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 For our light and momentary troubles.

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 Our achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

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 In contrast to the eternal weight of glory to come.

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 Our sufferings today are momentary.

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 They are light.

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 So we may be groaning today.

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 But glory is coming.

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 So what is this glory we are looking forward to?

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 Well he goes on to explain for us.

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 Verse 19.

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 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.

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 Creation is longing to see all that glory will be.

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 Longing to see what the children of God are going to enjoy and experience.

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 It's like creation is on its tippy toes.

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 Trying to peer over the darkness.

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 Over the sadness that there is.

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 And trying to see what will be ahead.

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 And this long awaited glory is pictured for us in two ways.

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 First a liberated world.

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 Verse 20.

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 For the creation.

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 This material physical world that we live in.

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 Was subjected to frustration.

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 Creation is frustrated.

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 It is groaning.

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 It is not all that it should be.

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 In fact we are told.

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 It was subjected to frustration.

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 Not by its own choice.

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 But by the will of the one who subjected it.

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 That's taking us back to Genesis chapter 3.

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 Where we saw that God subjected creation to frustration.

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 Because of man's rebellion against God.

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 Because of our sin.

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 Because of Satan's influence.

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 The world is under God's judgment.

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 This judgment or this curse that is upon the world.

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 Results in all kinds of suffering.

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 Earthquakes and hurricanes.

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 And volcanic eruptions.

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 Everything is now out of sync.

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 The fabric of the universe has been undone.

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 It's like this material physical world has been imprisoned.

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 Locked up in a dungeon called curse.

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 Living under the sentence of death.

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 And awaiting execution.

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 And from this prison come loud groans.

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 As the curse takes effect.

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 But why would God do this?

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 Why would he frustrate creation in this way?

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 Well he tells us.

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 Look at the end of verse 20.

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 It is subjected to frustration.

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 In hope.

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 That the creation itself.

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 Will be liberated from its bondage to decay.

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 And brought into the freedom and glory.

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 Of the children of God.

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 God judges.

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 We know that.

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 It's like the world has been imprisoned.

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 To show the devastating effects of sin.

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 And to show us our desperate need of a saviour.

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 You see despite all our scientific explorations.

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 And our understanding of the planet.

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 And knowing about climate.

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 Climate change.

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 And the effects of global warming.

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 We can't fix this world.

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 I'm all for recycling.

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 I support natural energy.

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 But it's not going to stop volcanoes.

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 Raining down on villages.

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 Or tsunamis.

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 Wiping out thousands of people.

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 What the world needs.

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 Is a saviour.

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 Who will come and liberate.

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 Free this world.

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 From the sentence of death.

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 Death.

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 And that's what God has done.

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 He has given to us.

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 A saviour.

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 In Christ.

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 Who will come again.

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 It's as if he will come and unlock the prison gates.

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 He will free the world from the curse.

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 He will release it from its sentence of death.

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 And the world will be renewed and restored to its full glory.

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 C.S. Lewis describes it so well in the Narnia series.

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 We know the story.

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 The story.

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 The story.

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 The account.

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 The land is under the curse of the wicked witch.

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 Where it's always winter.

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 And never summer.

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 And then the curse is undone.

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 It's broken.

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 With the coming of Aslan.

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 And here's how he describes the breaking of the curse.

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 Every moment the patches of green grew bigger.

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 And the patches of snow grew smaller.

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 Every moment more and more of the trees shook off their robes of snow.

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 Then the mist turned from white to cold.

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 Shafts of delicious sunlight struck down on the forest floor.

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 And overhead you could see blue sky between the treetops.

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 The ground was covered in all directions with little yellow flowers.

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 Selandines.

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 Crocuses growing around the foot of an old tree.

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 Gold and purple and white.

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 And then there was the chattering and chirping in every direction.

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 The whole wood was ringing with birds music.

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 You see when Christ comes again.

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 This world will be liberated from its bondage to decay.

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 But did you notice who gets to enjoy this liberated world?

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 Look at the end of verse 21.

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 It is the children of God.

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 It is for those who are trusting and longing for the Lord Jesus Christ.

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 It is only the children of God who will enjoy this beautiful flourishing world.

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 A world where there are no more storms and no flooding and no drought and no more destructive weather patterns.

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 Isaiah pictures it like this.

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 You, that is the children of God, will go out in joy and be led forth in peace.

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 And the mountains and the hills will burst into song before you.

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 And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

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 Instead of the thorn bush will grow the juniper.

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 And instead of the briars the myrtle will grow.

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 This will be the Lord's renowned.

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 An everlasting sign that will endure forever.

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 So our future glory will be a liberated world.

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 But it's more than that.

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 It will also mean redeemed bodies.

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 For a glorious new world is no good without a new body.

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 Look at verse 23.

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 Not only so, but we ourselves who have the first fruits of the Spirit,

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 we groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for the adoption to sonship,

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 the redemption of our bodies.

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 Now if you're a Christian today,

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 if you are trusting in Christ,

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 we have been adopted into God's family.

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 Have a look back at verse 15.

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 Chapter 8, verse 15.

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 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves so that you live in fear again.

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 Rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship,

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 and by Him we cry,

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 Abba, Father.

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 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

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 Through the work of the Spirit,

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 the work of Christ has been applied to our life,

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 and the effects of that working out in our life

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 is that we have the awesome privilege of being called God's children.

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 God is our Father.

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 We can know Him,

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 and we can enjoy Him.

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 But we know too that the relationship we have with God today

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 is not all that it should be.

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 It's strained because of our own sin.

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 We wander from the Father who generously gives us all we need,

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 and we go looking for joy in other places and in other things.

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 And then because of our guilt and shame,

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 we hide away,

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 we try to stay away.

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 But here it's telling us that one day our relationship with God

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 will be at its glorious best.

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 Look at verse 23.

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 It says,

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 We wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship.

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 Yes, we are adopted,

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 but we are waiting for the full experience of that adoption.

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 And we're told what that full experience is going to be like.

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 Just have a look at verse 29.

00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:11.099
 For those God foreknew,

00:20:12.500 --> 00:20:18.420
 He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.

00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:22.000
 When Christ comes again,

00:20:22.420 --> 00:20:23.160
 His plan,

00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:24.560
 His purpose for us,

00:20:24.880 --> 00:20:28.600
 is that we would be conformed to the image of His Son.

00:20:29.120 --> 00:20:33.200
 We will become just like Jesus.

00:20:34.300 --> 00:20:38.980
 The uninhibited relationship that Jesus enjoys with the Father

00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:41.920
 will be a relationship that we will enjoy.

00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:46.500
 Because when we become like Jesus,

00:20:47.320 --> 00:20:49.600
 that means we will be without sin.

00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:53.060
 We will be free from any evil thought.

00:20:53.580 --> 00:20:55.940
 We will be pure in all of our actions.

00:20:56.900 --> 00:21:00.680
 And so we will experience a relationship with God the Father

00:21:00.680 --> 00:21:04.060
 in all its unrestrained joy.

00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:12.159
 Imagine sitting in this liberated new world,

00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:16.019
 sitting, talking, listening,

00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:18.240
 with the Father,

00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:21.319
 the Creator of the universe.

00:21:22.899 --> 00:21:27.059
 Receiving from God all that He has to give us

00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:31.240
 and enjoying Him and all His gifts

00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:32.879
 in all its fullness.

00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:35.779
 No more groaning questions.

00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:38.279
 No more hiding with shame.

00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:42.700
 Just unending pleasure and delight.

00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:47.220
 Jonathan Edwards.

00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:49.619
 He's an old guy.

00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:52.000
 Dead 300 years.

00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:54.399
 But his words still live on.

00:21:54.539 --> 00:21:56.740
 He preached a sermon about heaven.

00:21:57.339 --> 00:21:58.619
 And here's what he said.

00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:01.779
 The enjoyment of God,

00:22:01.899 --> 00:22:02.759
 follow with me,

00:22:03.119 --> 00:22:06.079
 the enjoyment of God is the only happiness

00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:09.240
 with which our souls can be satisfied.

00:22:10.099 --> 00:22:13.639
 To go to heaven fully to enjoy God

00:22:13.639 --> 00:22:14.960
 is infinitely better

00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:18.079
 than the most pleasant accommodations here.

00:22:18.619 --> 00:22:20.539
 Fathers and mothers,

00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:23.500
 husbands, wives or children,

00:22:23.899 --> 00:22:25.980
 or the company of earthly friends,

00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:27.839
 are but shadows,

00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:30.360
 but God is the substance.

00:22:31.360 --> 00:22:33.400
 These are but scattered beams,

00:22:34.120 --> 00:22:35.960
 but God is the sun.

00:22:36.900 --> 00:22:39.019
 These are but streams,

00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:42.120
 but God is the ocean.

00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:44.400
 We will be

00:22:44.400 --> 00:22:47.019
 enraptured with joys

00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:49.880
 that are forever increasing,

00:22:49.880 --> 00:22:53.040
 yet forever full.

00:22:53.040 --> 00:22:59.820
 Yet there is something more.

00:23:01.100 --> 00:23:04.040
 Glory will mean not just our adoption,

00:23:05.040 --> 00:23:08.980
 but the redemption of our bodies.

00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:10.700
 Look at the end of verse 23.

00:23:10.700 --> 00:23:13.240
 We are waiting eagerly

00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:16.420
 for the redemption of our bodies.

00:23:17.259 --> 00:23:20.440
 Our bodies are amazing.

00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:23.720
 They've been wonderfully designed

00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:25.380
 and created by God.

00:23:25.880 --> 00:23:27.820
 From the moment of conception,

00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:29.880
 the growing of cells,

00:23:30.059 --> 00:23:31.580
 the development of our DNA,

00:23:32.120 --> 00:23:34.120
 the forming of muscles and bones,

00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:35.660
 our pumping heart,

00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:37.920
 our inflating lungs,

00:23:38.320 --> 00:23:40.100
 watching and tasting

00:23:40.100 --> 00:23:41.680
 and feeling and hearing.

00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:44.820
 But yet our bodies

00:23:44.820 --> 00:23:46.299
 do not work and function

00:23:46.299 --> 00:23:47.100
 as they should.

00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:50.299
 We suffer the physical pains

00:23:50.299 --> 00:23:51.740
 of disease and decay

00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:54.519
 and then eventual death.

00:23:55.820 --> 00:23:58.240
 We are born with organ failure,

00:23:59.120 --> 00:24:00.560
 brains that don't operate

00:24:00.560 --> 00:24:01.320
 as they should,

00:24:02.360 --> 00:24:03.539
 minds that overload

00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:04.640
 and can't cope,

00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:07.060
 eyes but can't see,

00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:08.840
 ears but can't hear.

00:24:08.839 --> 00:24:12.079
 We have bodies that need medicine,

00:24:12.939 --> 00:24:15.019
 carers, hospitals,

00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:17.659
 nursing homes, undertakers.

00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:19.919
 We need graveyards.

00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:22.699
 From a stubbed toe

00:24:22.699 --> 00:24:24.019
 to fighting cancer,

00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:26.159
 from a twisted ankle

00:24:26.159 --> 00:24:27.480
 to a broken spine,

00:24:27.859 --> 00:24:29.039
 some have pain,

00:24:30.419 --> 00:24:32.579
 others live with pain.

00:24:33.959 --> 00:24:35.119
 How we long

00:24:35.119 --> 00:24:37.619
 for the redemption of our bodies.

00:24:38.839 --> 00:24:40.679
 Paul writes

00:24:40.679 --> 00:24:42.720
 to the church in Corinth

00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:45.359
 and reminds us

00:24:45.359 --> 00:24:47.759
 of what we are waiting for.

00:24:48.899 --> 00:24:49.759
 Listen to this

00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:51.279
 from 1 Corinthians 15.

00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:53.019
 He says,

00:24:53.119 --> 00:24:55.220
 The trumpet will sound,

00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:59.099
 the dead will be raised imperishable,

00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:02.199
 and we will be changed.

00:25:02.699 --> 00:25:03.959
 For the perishable

00:25:03.959 --> 00:25:05.339
 must close itself

00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:06.619
 with the imperishable,

00:25:06.619 --> 00:25:07.859
 and the mortal

00:25:07.859 --> 00:25:09.619
 with immortality.

00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:12.839
 To the church in Philippi,

00:25:12.919 --> 00:25:13.479
 he writes,

00:25:14.139 --> 00:25:16.259
 And we eagerly await

00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:17.579
 a Saviour from there,

00:25:17.939 --> 00:25:19.359
 the Lord Jesus Christ,

00:25:20.039 --> 00:25:21.359
 who by the power

00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:22.339
 that enables him

00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:23.239
 to bring everything

00:25:23.239 --> 00:25:24.439
 under his control,

00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:25.839
 will transform

00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:27.819
 our lowly bodies

00:25:27.819 --> 00:25:29.519
 so they will be like

00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:31.959
 his glorious body.

00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:35.120
 One day we will experience

00:25:35.120 --> 00:25:36.500
 our full redemption,

00:25:37.180 --> 00:25:37.680
 running,

00:25:38.420 --> 00:25:38.799
 jumping,

00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:39.920
 swimming,

00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.819
 no wheelchairs,

00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:42.880
 no chemotherapy,

00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:44.380
 no surgery,

00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:45.640
 dancing,

00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:46.340
 singing,

00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:47.100
 and playing,

00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:48.980
 no more goodbyes,

00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:51.340
 and no more funerals.

00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:53.400
 All our pains,

00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:55.440
 all our disabilities,

00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:57.539
 all our struggles,

00:25:58.340 --> 00:25:59.019
 wiped away.

00:25:59.019 --> 00:26:01.259
 Brand new,

00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:02.619
 resurrected bodies

00:26:02.619 --> 00:26:04.339
 that will never,

00:26:04.660 --> 00:26:05.480
 ever get sick,

00:26:06.039 --> 00:26:07.200
 and minds

00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:08.779
 that are set free.

00:26:10.839 --> 00:26:12.220
 John pictures it

00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:13.480
 for us so well,

00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:15.960
 and maybe this is why

00:26:15.960 --> 00:26:18.480
 Helen loves these words

00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:19.900
 from the end of Revelation.

00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:21.440
 He,

00:26:21.639 --> 00:26:22.660
 that is God,

00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:24.799
 will wipe every tear

00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:25.720
 from their eyes.

00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:28.079
 there will be no more death,

00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:30.000
 or mourning,

00:26:30.920 --> 00:26:31.700
 or crying,

00:26:32.220 --> 00:26:32.940
 or pain,

00:26:33.420 --> 00:26:35.600
 for the old order of things

00:26:35.600 --> 00:26:36.900
 has passed away.

00:26:38.360 --> 00:26:38.960
 This

00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:41.500
 is what we look forward to.

00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:42.740
 This

00:26:42.740 --> 00:26:44.400
 is the glory

00:26:44.400 --> 00:26:46.140
 that awaits us.

00:26:47.339 --> 00:26:49.000
 And if we are unsure

00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:50.600
 that we will make it,

00:26:51.160 --> 00:26:52.620
 look at verse 23

00:26:52.620 --> 00:26:53.339
 closely.

00:26:53.339 --> 00:26:55.759
 If you are sitting here today

00:26:55.759 --> 00:26:56.319
 and thinking,

00:26:56.839 --> 00:26:57.919
 I am not sure

00:26:57.919 --> 00:26:59.079
 I am going to get there.

00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:01.579
 Look at verse 23.

00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:04.500
 Not only so,

00:27:04.619 --> 00:27:05.679
 but we ourselves,

00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:07.959
 who have the first fruits

00:27:07.959 --> 00:27:09.039
 of the Spirit

00:27:09.039 --> 00:27:11.220
 grown inwardly.

00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:12.539
 We have

00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:14.459
 the first fruits

00:27:14.459 --> 00:27:15.220
 of the Spirit.

00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:17.379
 The Spirit

00:27:17.379 --> 00:27:20.019
 that God has given to us,

00:27:20.879 --> 00:27:21.720
 enabling us

00:27:21.720 --> 00:27:22.740
 to obey God,

00:27:22.860 --> 00:27:23.480
 equipping us

00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.440
 to fight sin,

00:27:24.860 --> 00:27:25.519
 causing us

00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.759
 to cry out to God

00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:27.700
 as our Father.

00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.640
 The Spirit

00:27:29.640 --> 00:27:30.880
 that we experience

00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:31.660
 now

00:27:31.660 --> 00:27:32.680
 is a taster.

00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:34.100
 He is the first

00:27:34.100 --> 00:27:34.880
 installment

00:27:34.880 --> 00:27:36.000
 of what is to come.

00:27:36.339 --> 00:27:37.559
 He is a deposit

00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:39.240
 guaranteeing

00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:40.559
 our future inheritance.

00:27:41.140 --> 00:27:42.240
 He is the mark

00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:43.720
 that assures us

00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.700
 that redemption

00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:45.400
 is coming.

00:27:45.940 --> 00:27:46.559
 Look back

00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:47.480
 to verse 11

00:27:47.480 --> 00:27:48.559
 of chapter 8.

00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:53.700
 chapter 8,

00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:54.379
 verse 11.

00:27:55.379 --> 00:27:56.779
 And if the Spirit

00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.579
 of Him

00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:59.799
 who raised Jesus

00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:01.119
 from the dead

00:28:01.119 --> 00:28:02.879
 is living in you,

00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:05.619
 He who raised Christ

00:28:05.619 --> 00:28:06.539
 from the dead

00:28:06.539 --> 00:28:08.779
 will also give life

00:28:08.779 --> 00:28:10.379
 to your mortal bodies

00:28:10.379 --> 00:28:12.539
 because of His Spirit

00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:13.220
 who lives

00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:14.639
 in you.

00:28:14.640 --> 00:28:17.120
 there is assurance

00:28:17.120 --> 00:28:19.380
 and there is comfort.

00:28:20.600 --> 00:28:21.640
 The Spirit,

00:28:22.360 --> 00:28:24.080
 the power of the Spirit

00:28:24.080 --> 00:28:25.400
 that raised Christ

00:28:25.400 --> 00:28:26.259
 from the dead

00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:27.880
 to defeat death,

00:28:28.400 --> 00:28:29.820
 that same Spirit

00:28:29.820 --> 00:28:31.480
 is now in the believer,

00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:32.960
 in the children of God

00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:35.040
 and that same Spirit

00:28:35.040 --> 00:28:36.300
 will raise us

00:28:36.300 --> 00:28:37.460
 from the grave

00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:39.820
 and our adoption

00:28:39.820 --> 00:28:40.820
 to sonship

00:28:40.820 --> 00:28:42.460
 and the redemption

00:28:42.460 --> 00:28:43.559
 of our bodies

00:28:43.559 --> 00:28:46.480
 will be a reality.

00:28:48.579 --> 00:28:49.740
 We will live

00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:50.559
 in a new world

00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:51.640
 with new bodies,

00:28:52.740 --> 00:28:53.720
 enjoying God

00:28:53.720 --> 00:28:55.880
 in all His greatness

00:28:55.880 --> 00:28:57.779
 and glory.

00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:01.420
 So,

00:29:01.840 --> 00:29:03.640
 our present groaning,

00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:04.759
 our future glory

00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:07.000
 and then

00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:08.500
 our gospel hope.

00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:10.839
 the promise

00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:13.200
 that all suffering

00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:14.000
 will end

00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:16.619
 and will be replaced

00:29:16.619 --> 00:29:18.240
 with glorious joy

00:29:18.240 --> 00:29:20.119
 is all guaranteed

00:29:20.119 --> 00:29:22.079
 because of our Saviour,

00:29:22.680 --> 00:29:24.099
 the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:29:24.180 --> 00:29:25.240
 Look at verse 24

00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:26.200
 at the very end.

00:29:27.579 --> 00:29:28.819
 Verse 24,

00:29:29.819 --> 00:29:31.660
 For in this hope

00:29:31.660 --> 00:29:33.880
 we were saved.

00:29:33.880 --> 00:29:37.520
 In this hope

00:29:37.520 --> 00:29:40.200
 we were saved.

00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:43.380
 Jesus has come.

00:29:44.840 --> 00:29:46.520
 Jesus has died

00:29:46.520 --> 00:29:47.500
 for our sin.

00:29:47.920 --> 00:29:48.980
 He has suffered

00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:50.520
 the judgment we deserve.

00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:52.740
 He has defeated death

00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:53.320
 for us

00:29:53.320 --> 00:29:54.800
 by rising again

00:29:54.800 --> 00:29:55.680
 from the grave.

00:29:56.560 --> 00:29:56.900
 You see,

00:29:57.040 --> 00:29:58.000
 what the Saviour

00:29:58.000 --> 00:29:59.440
 has done for us

00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:00.360
 in the past

00:30:00.360 --> 00:30:01.480
 guarantees

00:30:01.480 --> 00:30:02.960
 what is yet

00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:03.539
 to come

00:30:03.539 --> 00:30:04.660
 in the future.

00:30:05.079 --> 00:30:06.360
 His past work

00:30:06.360 --> 00:30:07.860
 assures us

00:30:07.860 --> 00:30:09.259
 of the future

00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:10.160
 reality.

00:30:11.019 --> 00:30:12.220
 In this hope

00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:13.759
 we were saved

00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:15.599
 and so we look forward

00:30:15.599 --> 00:30:16.680
 to the fullness

00:30:16.680 --> 00:30:18.640
 of our salvation

00:30:18.640 --> 00:30:20.940
 where we will live

00:30:20.940 --> 00:30:22.360
 in the new world

00:30:22.360 --> 00:30:24.220
 with new bodies

00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:26.019
 enjoying God

00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:27.120
 in all His greatness

00:30:27.120 --> 00:30:28.519
 and glory.

00:30:28.519 --> 00:30:30.619
 Look at the rest

00:30:30.619 --> 00:30:31.639
 of verse 24.

00:30:32.839 --> 00:30:33.759
 But hope

00:30:33.759 --> 00:30:35.079
 that is seen

00:30:35.079 --> 00:30:36.440
 is no hope at all.

00:30:37.379 --> 00:30:38.200
 Who hopes

00:30:38.200 --> 00:30:39.639
 for what they

00:30:39.639 --> 00:30:40.579
 already have?

00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:43.539
 If this present life,

00:30:43.660 --> 00:30:45.000
 if these present

00:30:45.000 --> 00:30:45.859
 sufferings

00:30:45.859 --> 00:30:47.519
 is all we have

00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:48.839
 to look forward to,

00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:51.879
 then how lost

00:30:51.879 --> 00:30:53.420
 and empty

00:30:53.420 --> 00:30:54.980
 this life is.

00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:56.900
 If this is all

00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:57.519
 we have,

00:30:58.420 --> 00:31:00.019
 how empty

00:31:00.019 --> 00:31:01.120
 and lost

00:31:01.120 --> 00:31:01.720
 are we?

00:31:03.580 --> 00:31:04.120
 But,

00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:05.200
 verse 25,

00:31:06.200 --> 00:31:07.340
 but if we hope

00:31:07.340 --> 00:31:08.200
 for what we do

00:31:08.200 --> 00:31:09.140
 not yet have,

00:31:09.920 --> 00:31:10.900
 we wait

00:31:10.900 --> 00:31:11.640
 for it

00:31:11.640 --> 00:31:12.320
 patiently.

00:31:14.660 --> 00:31:15.720
 This world

00:31:15.720 --> 00:31:17.580
 is not our home.

00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:20.080
 We have our houses,

00:31:20.820 --> 00:31:22.160
 we build our careers,

00:31:22.940 --> 00:31:24.340
 but this is not

00:31:24.340 --> 00:31:24.800
 our home.

00:31:24.799 --> 00:31:26.759
 these bodies,

00:31:27.960 --> 00:31:28.680
 as wonderful

00:31:28.680 --> 00:31:29.339
 as we might

00:31:29.339 --> 00:31:30.119
 think they are,

00:31:30.940 --> 00:31:31.599
 are not what

00:31:31.599 --> 00:31:32.299
 they should be.

00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:34.279
 One day,

00:31:34.919 --> 00:31:35.940
 the risen Lord

00:31:35.940 --> 00:31:37.279
 Jesus will come

00:31:37.279 --> 00:31:39.319
 and the Father

00:31:39.319 --> 00:31:41.079
 will embrace us

00:31:41.079 --> 00:31:41.940
 and say,

00:31:42.940 --> 00:31:43.839
 welcome home,

00:31:45.200 --> 00:31:45.740
 enjoy.

00:31:48.079 --> 00:31:49.359
 And the waiting

00:31:49.359 --> 00:31:50.919
 will be over

00:31:50.920 --> 00:31:53.000
 and we will

00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:53.820
 live in the new

00:31:53.820 --> 00:31:54.300
 world

00:31:54.300 --> 00:31:55.820
 with our brand

00:31:55.820 --> 00:31:56.600
 new bodies,

00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:58.820
 enjoying God

00:31:58.820 --> 00:31:59.860
 and his gifts

00:31:59.860 --> 00:32:01.700
 and all his

00:32:01.700 --> 00:32:02.140
 greatness

00:32:02.140 --> 00:32:03.440
 and glory

00:32:03.440 --> 00:32:04.940
 forever

00:32:04.940 --> 00:32:06.600
 and forever.

00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:08.440
 This

00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:09.880
 is the joy,

00:32:10.620 --> 00:32:11.440
 the promise

00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:13.000
 that all suffering

00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:13.740
 will end.

00:32:14.620 --> 00:32:15.440
 Let's pray.

00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:15.560
 Amen.

00:32:15.560 --> 00:32:15.580
 Amen.

00:32:15.580 --> 00:32:15.600
 Amen.

00:32:15.600 --> 00:32:17.560
 Amen.

00:32:17.560 --> 00:32:17.600
 Amen.

00:32:17.600 --> 00:32:17.640
 Amen.

00:32:17.640 --> 00:32:17.680
 Amen.

00:32:17.680 --> 00:32:17.700
 Amen.

00:32:17.700 --> 00:32:18.060
 Amen.

00:32:18.060 --> 00:32:19.640
 Amen.

00:32:19.640 --> 00:32:19.680
 Amen.

00:32:19.680 --> 00:32:19.759
 Amen.

00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:20.060
 Amen.

00:32:20.060 --> 00:32:20.100
 Amen.

00:32:20.920 --> 00:32:33.580
 Father,

00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:34.240
 as we

00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:38.000
 reflect,

00:32:39.840 --> 00:32:42.180
 we are perhaps

00:32:42.180 --> 00:32:43.200
 feeling that

00:32:43.200 --> 00:32:44.259
 very groaning

00:32:44.259 --> 00:32:45.980
 in our own

00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:46.539
 lives

00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:48.080
 right now.

00:32:48.079 --> 00:32:50.500
 struggling

00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:51.919
 with heartache,

00:32:52.919 --> 00:32:54.000
 struggling

00:32:54.000 --> 00:32:54.759
 with pain,

00:32:56.500 --> 00:32:56.799
 struggling

00:32:56.799 --> 00:32:57.480
 with all

00:32:57.480 --> 00:32:58.119
 the breakdown

00:32:58.119 --> 00:32:58.919
 we see

00:32:58.919 --> 00:33:00.019
 in the world

00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:00.939
 around us.

00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:01.940
 us.

00:33:01.940 --> 00:33:04.259
 But yet we

00:33:04.259 --> 00:33:05.240
 know that groaning

00:33:05.240 --> 00:33:06.900
 is not an end

00:33:06.900 --> 00:33:07.559
 in itself.

00:33:09.039 --> 00:33:09.980
 It is just

00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:10.559
 the first

00:33:10.559 --> 00:33:11.180
 cries

00:33:11.180 --> 00:33:12.720
 of the glory

00:33:12.720 --> 00:33:13.880
 that is to

00:33:13.880 --> 00:33:14.180
 come.

00:33:15.320 --> 00:33:16.360
 That glorious

00:33:16.360 --> 00:33:16.920
 hope

00:33:16.920 --> 00:33:18.759
 that the Lord

00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:19.640
 Jesus will

00:33:19.640 --> 00:33:20.320
 bring about

00:33:20.320 --> 00:33:21.039
 in all its

00:33:21.039 --> 00:33:21.360
 fullness

00:33:21.360 --> 00:33:22.900
 when he

00:33:22.900 --> 00:33:23.580
 comes again.

00:33:24.420 --> 00:33:25.180
 Thank you

00:33:25.180 --> 00:33:25.740
 that it is

00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:26.320
 guaranteed

00:33:26.320 --> 00:33:27.200
 and assured

00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:27.940
 for us,

00:33:27.940 --> 00:33:29.400
 those who

00:33:29.400 --> 00:33:30.039
 are children

00:33:30.039 --> 00:33:30.600
 of God

00:33:30.600 --> 00:33:30.960
 and who

00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:31.580
 are trusting

00:33:31.580 --> 00:33:32.100
 in him.

00:33:33.200 --> 00:33:33.799
 And that there

00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:34.420
 is nothing

00:33:34.420 --> 00:33:35.600
 in all

00:33:35.600 --> 00:33:36.400
 this world,

00:33:38.400 --> 00:33:39.380
 neither angels

00:33:39.380 --> 00:33:40.299
 nor demons,

00:33:41.380 --> 00:33:41.860
 neither the

00:33:41.860 --> 00:33:42.960
 present nor the

00:33:42.960 --> 00:33:43.360
 future,

00:33:43.480 --> 00:33:44.519
 nor any powers,

00:33:45.120 --> 00:33:45.940
 neither heights

00:33:45.940 --> 00:33:46.660
 nor depth,

00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:47.640
 nor anything

00:33:47.640 --> 00:33:48.559
 else in all

00:33:48.559 --> 00:33:49.200
 creation,

00:33:50.200 --> 00:33:51.200
 will be able

00:33:51.200 --> 00:33:52.000
 to separate

00:33:52.000 --> 00:33:53.220
 us from

00:33:53.220 --> 00:33:53.759
 the love

00:33:53.759 --> 00:33:54.339
 of God

00:33:54.339 --> 00:33:55.379
 that is

00:33:55.379 --> 00:33:56.079
 in Christ

00:33:56.079 --> 00:33:56.879
 Jesus our

00:33:56.879 --> 00:33:57.099
 Lord

00:33:57.099 --> 00:33:58.879
 and all

00:33:58.879 --> 00:33:59.480
 that is to

00:33:59.480 --> 00:33:59.759
 come.

00:34:00.920 --> 00:34:01.720
 We praise

00:34:01.720 --> 00:34:01.980
 you.

00:34:02.619 --> 00:34:03.279
 We give you

00:34:03.279 --> 00:34:03.859
 our thanks

00:34:03.859 --> 00:34:04.519
 in Jesus'

00:34:04.799 --> 00:34:05.039
 name.

00:34:05.980 --> 00:34:06.460
 Amen.

00:34:12.880 --> 00:34:13.400
 Well,

00:34:13.519 --> 00:34:14.000
 we need to

00:34:14.000 --> 00:34:14.300
 sing,

00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:14.820
 don't we?

00:34:15.639 --> 00:34:16.400
 I hope

00:34:16.400 --> 00:34:16.820
 we have

00:34:16.820 --> 00:34:17.980
 joyful hearts.

00:34:19.400 --> 00:34:20.019
 Mine are

00:34:20.019 --> 00:34:20.039
 the

00:34:20.039 --> 00:34:20.059
 love of

00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:20.079
 the

00:34:20.079 --> 00:34:20.159
 love of

00:34:20.159 --> 00:34:20.179
 the