WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.200 You can be seated. Please turn with me in your Bible to Romans chapter 8. 00:00:07.980 --> 00:00:13.859 We're looking today at Romans chapter 8, verses 23 to 25, but I'm going to start reading at verse 00:00:13.859 --> 00:00:20.480 18. Romans chapter 8, if you're looking at a pew Bible, is page 944. 00:00:20.480 --> 00:00:37.019 Let's read these verses together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time 00:00:37.019 --> 00:00:46.040 are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with 00:00:46.039 --> 00:00:53.579 eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, 00:00:53.679 --> 00:01:00.600 not willingly, but because of him who subjected it in hope that the creation itself will be set 00:01:00.600 --> 00:01:08.019 free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 00:01:09.280 --> 00:01:14.500 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now, 00:01:14.500 --> 00:01:20.379 and not only the creation, but we ourselves who have the first fruits of the Spirit, 00:01:21.299 --> 00:01:29.819 groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in 00:01:29.819 --> 00:01:38.719 this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope for who hopes for what he sees. 00:01:38.719 --> 00:01:46.480 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Let's pray. 00:01:47.920 --> 00:01:54.640 Lord, we thank you for your Word. We thank you for the Apostle Paul who wrote it so many years ago. 00:01:55.299 --> 00:02:01.480 Thank you for preserving it and giving it to us, for those who have translated it into our language 00:02:01.480 --> 00:02:08.060 so we can readily understand it. And we pray that your Spirit would do accomplish the work that you 00:02:08.060 --> 00:02:16.000 desire in our hearts as we hear your Word today. In Jesus' name, amen. Well, this morning's passage is 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:24.599 about hope. It's about the hope that Christians can have. And it's a very relevant topic because in 00:02:24.599 --> 00:02:30.319 our present world, hope seems to be increasingly difficult to grasp. If you read contemporary 00:02:30.319 --> 00:02:36.959 philosophers, existentialists, nihilists, postmodern and deconstructionist thinkers, they talk about 00:02:36.959 --> 00:02:42.620 the absurdity of life, the arbitrary nature of language, the breakdown of meaningful 00:02:42.620 --> 00:02:48.959 metanarratives, large stories that make sense of the world. Last year, the New York Times Book Review 00:02:48.959 --> 00:02:53.859 asked two contemporary fiction writers which topics were underrepresented in their field. 00:02:54.599 --> 00:03:02.019 One of them said, joy. We seem to have decided that despair, alienation, and bleakness are the 00:03:02.019 --> 00:03:07.859 most meaningful and interesting descriptors of the human condition. We are suspicious of the joy 00:03:07.859 --> 00:03:14.180 and fullness of life. And it's not just philosophers and fiction writers. More and more people are 00:03:14.180 --> 00:03:23.799 despairing of ever finding lasting joy and hope. For the first time since the 1930s, the overall life 00:03:23.800 --> 00:03:30.340 expectancy in the United States has decreased. And the primary reason for this is the dramatic 00:03:30.340 --> 00:03:38.240 increase in the number of deaths of despair caused by drug overdose, alcohol abuse, and suicide. 00:03:39.320 --> 00:03:44.800 Suicide is now the second leading cause of death among 15 to 34-year-olds in this country. 00:03:46.260 --> 00:03:50.720 Last year, the Los Angeles Unified School District, the largest public school district in our country, 00:03:50.719 --> 00:03:57.340 reported 5,000 incidents among its students of suicidal behavior or deliberate self-harm such as cutting. 00:04:00.099 --> 00:04:04.280 More broadly, the number of Americans diagnosed with major depression is steadily increasing, 00:04:04.400 --> 00:04:10.259 14 million as of last year. And for the first time again in generations, most younger Americans 00:04:10.259 --> 00:04:14.039 believe that they will be worse off, not better off, than their parents. 00:04:14.039 --> 00:04:20.500 One writer said, a society which believes in a worthwhile future saves in the present so as to 00:04:20.500 --> 00:04:25.519 invest in the future. Contemporary Western society, both governments and individuals, 00:04:25.699 --> 00:04:28.339 spends in the present and piles up deaths for the future. 00:04:30.560 --> 00:04:34.599 And we think you only live once, so you might as well get what you can for as long as you can. 00:04:34.600 --> 00:04:43.439 One, we struggle to identify a meaningful and enduring source of hope for the future, 00:04:44.060 --> 00:04:46.700 that will govern our present experience of reality. 00:04:48.120 --> 00:04:54.080 What is it that you hope for? What is it that keeps you going from one day to the next? 00:04:54.600 --> 00:04:59.900 Is there an enduring source of hope that gives meaning to your life in the present from day to day? 00:04:59.899 --> 00:05:07.479 Or is the object of your hope constantly shifting from one thing to another to another? 00:05:09.859 --> 00:05:17.819 Or have you lost hope? You've resigned yourself to just existing without really having something to live for. 00:05:19.359 --> 00:05:27.699 This morning's passage tells us that Christians live in hope. We hope for what we do not yet see, 00:05:27.699 --> 00:05:30.779 and we wait for it with patience. 00:05:32.099 --> 00:05:36.620 This morning I want to look at three things. I want to look at the glory that awaits us, 00:05:37.379 --> 00:05:41.259 the struggle to keep waiting for it, 00:05:41.579 --> 00:05:45.819 and the power we have to wait with eagerness and patience. 00:05:47.439 --> 00:05:49.699 First, the glory that we're waiting for. 00:05:50.740 --> 00:05:53.839 Our future hope as believers in Christ Jesus. 00:05:54.000 --> 00:05:56.719 What is it that Christians can confidently hope for? 00:05:56.720 --> 00:05:58.200 What Paul says in verse 23, 00:05:59.720 --> 00:06:06.460 we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 00:06:08.020 --> 00:06:09.600 Now you might say, well, wait a minute. 00:06:10.440 --> 00:06:14.020 How are we still waiting for our adoption and redemption? 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:18.280 I mean, didn't Paul just say, if you look back in verse 15 and 16, 00:06:18.280 --> 00:06:19.780 that we are already adopted? 00:06:19.920 --> 00:06:22.220 We have received the spirit of adoption. 00:06:22.220 --> 00:06:28.600 The spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. 00:06:30.100 --> 00:06:35.460 You know, we're not waiting to see whether God will graciously receive us into His family as His children. 00:06:35.580 --> 00:06:38.220 We're not sort of like being in temporary foster care, 00:06:38.320 --> 00:06:41.760 where you have a place to stay for now, but you really belong to somebody else. 00:06:41.759 --> 00:06:44.379 No, the Bible says in John 1, 12, 00:06:44.459 --> 00:06:48.000 to all who received Christ, to those who believed in His name, 00:06:48.599 --> 00:06:53.180 God gave power to become children of God, born of God. 00:06:54.459 --> 00:06:58.120 We can be secure in our status as God's adopted children, 00:06:58.240 --> 00:06:59.459 welcomed into His family, 00:06:59.639 --> 00:07:02.019 and our status as God's children is secure. 00:07:02.019 --> 00:07:07.299 And you might say, well, haven't we already been redeemed? 00:07:07.399 --> 00:07:08.099 We've been adopted. 00:07:08.339 --> 00:07:10.139 We've already been redeemed, right? 00:07:10.979 --> 00:07:12.259 Romans 3, 24 says, 00:07:12.359 --> 00:07:16.339 we're justified by His grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 00:07:16.659 --> 00:07:17.539 Ephesians 1, 7, 00:07:17.819 --> 00:07:21.620 in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our sins. 00:07:23.279 --> 00:07:24.819 But this verse, verse 23, 00:07:25.919 --> 00:07:28.959 says that we are waiting for these things. 00:07:29.079 --> 00:07:29.680 What does that mean? 00:07:29.680 --> 00:07:34.079 Well, the word that's translated here, adoption as sons, 00:07:35.079 --> 00:07:36.819 it's a combination of two words, 00:07:36.920 --> 00:07:41.960 the word son and a verb that can mean make, become, or put in place. 00:07:42.040 --> 00:07:45.259 In other words, it means being made a son, 00:07:45.639 --> 00:07:48.460 becoming a son, taking one's place as a son. 00:07:50.399 --> 00:07:53.800 All right, often this word refers to a child being adopted into a family. 00:07:54.360 --> 00:07:55.699 And in the ancient Roman culture, 00:07:55.699 --> 00:07:59.819 it was the son who received the privileges of full inheritance. 00:08:00.519 --> 00:08:02.839 And so, Paul is saying that all God's children, 00:08:03.019 --> 00:08:04.000 men and women alike, 00:08:04.079 --> 00:08:07.120 receive the full privileges of an inheritance, 00:08:07.920 --> 00:08:10.339 a spiritual inheritance in Christ. 00:08:12.019 --> 00:08:13.240 But here this word, 00:08:14.099 --> 00:08:16.879 becoming a son, 00:08:17.360 --> 00:08:18.279 being made a son, 00:08:18.339 --> 00:08:21.480 doesn't just refer to God's initial act of receiving us into His family. 00:08:21.480 --> 00:08:23.840 That's what was referred to back in verse 15 and 16, 00:08:24.160 --> 00:08:25.980 but also to God's final goal, 00:08:26.879 --> 00:08:27.740 that as His children, 00:08:27.860 --> 00:08:28.439 we would become, 00:08:28.520 --> 00:08:29.620 as verse 29 says, 00:08:29.720 --> 00:08:32.720 conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus. 00:08:34.100 --> 00:08:35.180 What are we waiting for? 00:08:35.240 --> 00:08:37.620 We wait for the day when we will see Jesus, 00:08:37.759 --> 00:08:38.320 our Savior, 00:08:38.820 --> 00:08:39.680 face to face, 00:08:40.159 --> 00:08:41.060 as He is. 00:08:41.560 --> 00:08:43.740 When we will be made completely like Him, 00:08:43.779 --> 00:08:45.820 when we will reflect that beautiful image 00:08:45.820 --> 00:08:49.540 that God's children were meant to bear. 00:08:49.840 --> 00:08:50.800 From the very beginning, 00:08:50.900 --> 00:08:51.820 we wait for the day 00:08:51.820 --> 00:08:53.300 when we will take our rightful place 00:08:53.300 --> 00:08:54.540 as heirs of God's kingdom 00:08:54.540 --> 00:08:56.340 and rule over God's creation 00:08:56.340 --> 00:08:57.879 in the new heavens and the new earth. 00:08:59.520 --> 00:09:01.900 That's what verse 19 and 21 speak about. 00:09:03.080 --> 00:09:05.040 The revealing of the sons of God, 00:09:05.160 --> 00:09:06.820 when creation itself will attain 00:09:06.820 --> 00:09:08.100 the freedom of the glory 00:09:08.100 --> 00:09:09.480 of the children of God. 00:09:09.480 --> 00:09:13.580 You might ask, 00:09:13.659 --> 00:09:14.840 what exactly is this glory? 00:09:16.320 --> 00:09:17.960 That word comes up a lot in the Bible 00:09:17.960 --> 00:09:19.320 and quite a bit in this passage, 00:09:19.480 --> 00:09:20.600 verse 18, verse 21. 00:09:20.800 --> 00:09:22.340 What is this glory of God's children 00:09:22.340 --> 00:09:24.000 that Paul is talking about? 00:09:24.279 --> 00:09:26.240 Glory is a multifaceted concept, 00:09:27.279 --> 00:09:28.740 but one aspect of glory 00:09:28.740 --> 00:09:30.960 is being praised 00:09:30.960 --> 00:09:32.720 and publicly approved of. 00:09:34.740 --> 00:09:36.100 God's children are promised 00:09:36.100 --> 00:09:37.500 the glory of being 00:09:37.500 --> 00:09:39.740 known, loved, 00:09:39.940 --> 00:09:41.360 and even praised 00:09:41.360 --> 00:09:42.440 by God Himself. 00:09:43.919 --> 00:09:44.600 Many years ago, 00:09:44.659 --> 00:09:45.679 C.S. Lewis gave a sermon 00:09:45.679 --> 00:09:46.139 entitled, 00:09:46.259 --> 00:09:47.080 The Weight of Glory. 00:09:48.220 --> 00:09:49.100 It's well worth reading. 00:09:49.240 --> 00:09:50.580 You can find the full text online 00:09:50.580 --> 00:09:51.700 for free if you Google it. 00:09:52.259 --> 00:09:53.659 But listen to some of what he says 00:09:53.659 --> 00:09:55.559 about this, 00:09:55.639 --> 00:09:56.320 about glory, 00:09:56.960 --> 00:09:57.899 the promise of glory. 00:09:59.240 --> 00:09:59.679 He says, 00:09:59.679 --> 00:10:01.500 nothing is so obvious in a child, 00:10:02.159 --> 00:10:03.620 not in a conceited child, 00:10:03.700 --> 00:10:04.620 but in a good child, 00:10:04.899 --> 00:10:06.679 as its great and undisguised 00:10:06.679 --> 00:10:08.139 pleasure in being praised. 00:10:08.779 --> 00:10:10.379 Not only in a child either, 00:10:10.500 --> 00:10:12.199 but even in a dog or a horse. 00:10:13.000 --> 00:10:14.019 It is the humblest, 00:10:14.159 --> 00:10:15.059 most childlike, 00:10:15.179 --> 00:10:16.539 most creaturely of pleasures. 00:10:17.519 --> 00:10:18.620 The pleasure of a beast 00:10:18.620 --> 00:10:19.599 before men, 00:10:20.159 --> 00:10:21.659 a child before her father, 00:10:21.799 --> 00:10:23.079 a pupil before his teacher, 00:10:23.199 --> 00:10:24.699 a creature before its creator. 00:10:26.099 --> 00:10:27.120 And that is enough 00:10:27.120 --> 00:10:28.079 to raise our thoughts 00:10:28.079 --> 00:10:29.039 to what may happen 00:10:29.039 --> 00:10:31.459 when our redeemed souls, 00:10:31.599 --> 00:10:32.679 beyond all hope 00:10:32.679 --> 00:10:34.059 and nearly beyond belief, 00:10:34.059 --> 00:10:35.279 learn at last 00:10:35.279 --> 00:10:37.139 that we have pleased him 00:10:37.139 --> 00:10:38.179 whom we were created 00:10:38.179 --> 00:10:38.839 to please. 00:10:40.019 --> 00:10:41.039 There will be no room 00:10:41.039 --> 00:10:42.019 for vanity then. 00:10:42.959 --> 00:10:43.739 We will be free 00:10:43.739 --> 00:10:44.939 from the miserable illusion 00:10:44.939 --> 00:10:46.199 that it is our own doing. 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:48.919 We will most innocently rejoice 00:10:48.919 --> 00:10:49.539 in the thing 00:10:49.539 --> 00:10:51.319 that God has made us to be. 00:10:52.359 --> 00:10:53.519 And the moment which heals 00:10:53.519 --> 00:10:55.419 our old inferiority complex 00:10:55.419 --> 00:10:56.539 will also drown 00:10:56.539 --> 00:10:57.599 our pride forever. 00:10:58.579 --> 00:10:59.759 The promise of glory 00:10:59.759 --> 00:11:00.719 is the promise 00:11:00.719 --> 00:11:01.799 almost incredible 00:11:01.799 --> 00:11:02.879 and only possible 00:11:02.879 --> 00:11:03.899 by the work of Christ 00:11:03.899 --> 00:11:05.079 that some of us, 00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:06.179 that any of us 00:11:06.179 --> 00:11:07.000 who really chooses 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:09.539 shall actually please God. 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:11.759 To please God. 00:11:12.319 --> 00:11:13.659 To be a real ingredient 00:11:13.659 --> 00:11:14.919 in the divine happiness, 00:11:15.059 --> 00:11:16.139 to be loved by God, 00:11:16.199 --> 00:11:17.120 not merely pitied, 00:11:17.179 --> 00:11:18.199 but delighted in 00:11:18.199 --> 00:11:19.879 as an artist delights 00:11:19.879 --> 00:11:20.579 in his work 00:11:20.579 --> 00:11:22.359 or a father in a son. 00:11:23.199 --> 00:11:24.379 It seems impossible. 00:11:25.319 --> 00:11:26.779 A weight or burden of glory 00:11:26.779 --> 00:11:27.500 which our thoughts 00:11:27.500 --> 00:11:28.519 can hardly sustain, 00:11:28.620 --> 00:11:29.479 but so it is. 00:11:29.480 --> 00:11:32.360 In our first reading 00:11:32.360 --> 00:11:32.800 this morning, 00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:33.320 Peter said, 00:11:33.420 --> 00:11:34.620 the tested genuineness 00:11:34.620 --> 00:11:35.440 of your faith 00:11:35.440 --> 00:11:37.460 will one day result 00:11:37.460 --> 00:11:38.620 in praise and glory 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:39.080 and honor 00:11:39.080 --> 00:11:39.800 at the revelation 00:11:39.800 --> 00:11:40.779 of Jesus Christ. 00:11:42.379 --> 00:11:43.139 This is one thing 00:11:43.139 --> 00:11:43.940 that we're hoping for, 00:11:44.039 --> 00:11:45.080 taking our place 00:11:45.080 --> 00:11:46.560 as God's children, 00:11:46.759 --> 00:11:47.720 heirs of His kingdom, 00:11:48.080 --> 00:11:48.879 glorified. 00:11:52.340 --> 00:11:53.039 But second, 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:53.440 Paul says, 00:11:53.500 --> 00:11:54.560 we wait for the redemption 00:11:54.560 --> 00:11:55.460 of our bodies. 00:11:55.460 --> 00:11:58.280 You know, 00:11:58.280 --> 00:11:59.560 we have redemption 00:11:59.560 --> 00:12:00.680 through the blood of Christ. 00:12:00.780 --> 00:12:01.700 We can know 00:12:01.700 --> 00:12:02.180 the forgiveness 00:12:02.180 --> 00:12:02.820 of our sins, 00:12:02.900 --> 00:12:03.340 but Paul says, 00:12:03.420 --> 00:12:04.180 we're looking forward 00:12:04.180 --> 00:12:04.620 to the day 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:05.379 when our bodies 00:12:05.379 --> 00:12:06.240 will be fully 00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:08.320 and finally redeemed. 00:12:10.400 --> 00:12:11.180 Think about what 00:12:11.180 --> 00:12:11.920 that will be like. 00:12:14.560 --> 00:12:15.860 Our bodies will no longer 00:12:15.860 --> 00:12:16.600 be enticed 00:12:16.600 --> 00:12:17.500 by the deceitfulness 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:18.060 of sin, 00:12:19.100 --> 00:12:20.700 no longer defiled 00:12:20.700 --> 00:12:21.940 by our past participation 00:12:21.940 --> 00:12:22.600 in it. 00:12:24.040 --> 00:12:25.120 No longer drawn 00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:26.340 to repeat ungodly 00:12:26.340 --> 00:12:27.340 and destructive patterns, 00:12:27.440 --> 00:12:28.160 our bodies will be 00:12:28.160 --> 00:12:29.020 cleansed and renewed 00:12:29.020 --> 00:12:29.760 and purified 00:12:29.760 --> 00:12:30.460 and resurrected. 00:12:32.540 --> 00:12:33.900 Our bodies will no longer 00:12:33.900 --> 00:12:35.800 bear the ugly scars 00:12:35.800 --> 00:12:36.500 of trauma, 00:12:37.160 --> 00:12:37.540 shame, 00:12:37.820 --> 00:12:38.360 and abuse. 00:12:39.860 --> 00:12:41.060 Revelation 21 says, 00:12:41.160 --> 00:12:41.860 the former things 00:12:41.860 --> 00:12:42.640 will pass away, 00:12:43.720 --> 00:12:44.700 and the one who is seated 00:12:44.700 --> 00:12:45.220 on the throne 00:12:45.220 --> 00:12:46.380 will make all things new. 00:12:47.500 --> 00:12:48.520 And He will wipe away 00:12:48.520 --> 00:12:49.760 every tear from our eyes, 00:12:49.800 --> 00:12:50.220 and there will be 00:12:50.220 --> 00:12:51.040 no more mourning 00:12:51.039 --> 00:12:52.259 or crying 00:12:52.259 --> 00:12:53.019 or pain. 00:12:54.639 --> 00:12:55.980 Our bodies will no longer 00:12:55.980 --> 00:12:56.980 be prone to weakness 00:12:56.980 --> 00:12:57.699 and sickness 00:12:57.699 --> 00:12:58.379 and decay, 00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:00.579 no longer vulnerable 00:13:00.579 --> 00:13:01.439 to disability 00:13:01.439 --> 00:13:02.120 and dementia 00:13:02.120 --> 00:13:03.240 and disorientation. 00:13:03.459 --> 00:13:04.259 We will be fully 00:13:04.259 --> 00:13:05.439 and finally healed, 00:13:05.879 --> 00:13:06.279 whole, 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:07.039 vigorous, 00:13:07.240 --> 00:13:07.939 and strong. 00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:10.699 Listen to C.S. Lewis 00:13:10.699 --> 00:13:11.259 once again. 00:13:11.419 --> 00:13:11.740 He says, 00:13:11.819 --> 00:13:12.459 we are to shine 00:13:12.459 --> 00:13:13.219 as the sun. 00:13:14.199 --> 00:13:15.019 We are to be given 00:13:15.019 --> 00:13:16.099 the morning star. 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:18.339 Scripture gives us 00:13:18.339 --> 00:13:18.939 these promises. 00:13:18.940 --> 00:13:20.940 In one way, 00:13:21.040 --> 00:13:21.880 God has given us 00:13:21.880 --> 00:13:22.880 the morning star already. 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:23.760 You can go and enjoy 00:13:23.760 --> 00:13:24.500 the gift on many 00:13:24.500 --> 00:13:25.140 fine mornings 00:13:25.140 --> 00:13:26.300 if you get up early enough. 00:13:27.580 --> 00:13:28.200 What more, 00:13:28.280 --> 00:13:28.780 you may ask, 00:13:28.820 --> 00:13:29.360 do we want? 00:13:30.220 --> 00:13:30.620 Ah, 00:13:30.660 --> 00:13:31.860 but we want so much more. 00:13:33.200 --> 00:13:34.520 We do not merely 00:13:34.520 --> 00:13:36.060 want to see beauty. 00:13:37.060 --> 00:13:38.340 We want to be united 00:13:38.340 --> 00:13:39.620 with the beauty we see, 00:13:40.280 --> 00:13:41.800 to pass into it, 00:13:41.820 --> 00:13:42.560 to receive it 00:13:42.560 --> 00:13:43.280 into ourselves, 00:13:43.380 --> 00:13:44.200 to bathe in it, 00:13:44.220 --> 00:13:45.180 to become part of it, 00:13:45.220 --> 00:13:45.820 but right now, 00:13:45.900 --> 00:13:46.440 we can't. 00:13:46.440 --> 00:13:49.000 We discern the freshness 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:49.540 and the beauty 00:13:49.540 --> 00:13:50.260 of the morning, 00:13:50.460 --> 00:13:51.980 but they do not make us 00:13:51.980 --> 00:13:53.000 fresh and pure. 00:13:53.980 --> 00:13:54.980 We cannot mingle 00:13:54.980 --> 00:13:55.720 with the splendor 00:13:55.720 --> 00:13:56.220 of the sun 00:13:56.220 --> 00:13:56.920 that we see, 00:13:57.920 --> 00:13:59.200 but it will not 00:13:59.200 --> 00:14:00.080 always be so. 00:14:01.980 --> 00:14:02.380 He says, 00:14:02.440 --> 00:14:03.560 when human souls 00:14:03.560 --> 00:14:04.980 have become 00:14:04.980 --> 00:14:05.640 as perfect 00:14:05.640 --> 00:14:06.960 in voluntary obedience 00:14:06.960 --> 00:14:08.700 as the inanimate creation 00:14:08.700 --> 00:14:10.700 is in its lifeless obedience, 00:14:11.900 --> 00:14:12.800 and this is the promise 00:14:12.800 --> 00:14:13.860 when we're conformed 00:14:13.860 --> 00:14:14.260 to the image 00:14:14.260 --> 00:14:14.780 of His Son, 00:14:14.779 --> 00:14:16.919 then we will put 00:14:16.919 --> 00:14:17.819 on its glory, 00:14:17.939 --> 00:14:18.399 or rather, 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:19.419 that greater glory 00:14:19.419 --> 00:14:20.240 of which nature 00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:21.659 is only the first sketch. 00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:23.419 We shall eat 00:14:23.419 --> 00:14:24.339 of the tree of life. 00:14:24.439 --> 00:14:25.220 The whole person 00:14:25.220 --> 00:14:26.179 is to drink joy 00:14:26.179 --> 00:14:27.399 from the fountain of joy. 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:28.339 The rapture 00:14:28.339 --> 00:14:29.439 of the saved soul 00:14:29.439 --> 00:14:30.360 will flow over 00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:31.620 into the glorified body. 00:14:31.839 --> 00:14:33.899 We cannot even imagine this. 00:14:35.240 --> 00:14:36.939 We cannot even imagine 00:14:36.939 --> 00:14:38.379 the glory 00:14:38.379 --> 00:14:40.179 that we will have. 00:14:40.179 --> 00:14:44.620 the security 00:14:44.620 --> 00:14:45.519 we will feel 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:46.839 in being known 00:14:46.839 --> 00:14:47.719 and loved 00:14:47.719 --> 00:14:48.739 and approved of 00:14:48.739 --> 00:14:49.599 and even praised 00:14:49.599 --> 00:14:50.139 by God 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:50.779 who made us 00:14:50.779 --> 00:14:51.639 by His grace. 00:14:52.699 --> 00:14:53.399 It's not because 00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:54.459 we merit this. 00:14:54.559 --> 00:14:55.519 It's a gift 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:57.859 from beginning to end 00:14:57.859 --> 00:14:59.019 and to share 00:14:59.019 --> 00:14:59.659 in that beauty 00:14:59.659 --> 00:15:01.279 that we only glimpse 00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:01.979 and long for 00:15:01.979 --> 00:15:02.719 in this world. 00:15:03.659 --> 00:15:04.419 Consider the bodily 00:15:04.419 --> 00:15:05.199 experience 00:15:05.199 --> 00:15:06.799 of a baby, 00:15:06.799 --> 00:15:08.899 an embryo, 00:15:08.979 --> 00:15:09.359 a fetus 00:15:09.359 --> 00:15:10.259 developing inside 00:15:10.259 --> 00:15:10.979 her mother's womb. 00:15:12.379 --> 00:15:12.959 Now, even though 00:15:12.959 --> 00:15:14.059 none of us remember 00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:15.719 being in our mother's womb, 00:15:16.559 --> 00:15:17.319 research shows 00:15:17.319 --> 00:15:18.179 that a baby 00:15:18.179 --> 00:15:19.439 developing in her mother's womb 00:15:19.439 --> 00:15:20.379 can actually experience 00:15:20.379 --> 00:15:21.159 many things. 00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:23.279 At only eight weeks, 00:15:23.359 --> 00:15:24.359 the fetus responds 00:15:24.359 --> 00:15:25.059 to touch 00:15:25.059 --> 00:15:26.319 around her lips 00:15:26.319 --> 00:15:26.879 and cheeks. 00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:29.079 Around 11 weeks, 00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:30.059 she begins exploring 00:15:30.059 --> 00:15:30.919 her own body 00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:32.279 and her surroundings 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:33.039 with her mouth, 00:15:33.159 --> 00:15:33.479 hands, 00:15:33.559 --> 00:15:34.000 and feet. 00:15:35.019 --> 00:15:35.819 Ultrasounds show 00:15:35.820 --> 00:15:37.560 babies at this stage 00:15:37.560 --> 00:15:38.520 touching their buttocks, 00:15:38.660 --> 00:15:39.320 holding on to the 00:15:39.320 --> 00:15:40.120 umbilical cord, 00:15:40.220 --> 00:15:40.500 turning, 00:15:40.680 --> 00:15:41.500 walking up and down 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:42.780 the amniotic sac wall 00:15:42.780 --> 00:15:43.520 on the inside. 00:15:44.440 --> 00:15:45.360 At 13 weeks, 00:15:46.040 --> 00:15:47.040 our sense of taste 00:15:47.040 --> 00:15:47.840 is developed. 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:48.940 A fetus taste buds 00:15:48.940 --> 00:15:50.520 look just like those 00:15:50.520 --> 00:15:51.460 of a mature adult. 00:15:52.420 --> 00:15:53.120 At 20 weeks, 00:15:53.200 --> 00:15:54.320 the ears are well developed. 00:15:54.460 --> 00:15:55.280 At 26 weeks, 00:15:55.360 --> 00:15:56.200 the unborn child 00:15:56.200 --> 00:15:57.200 responds to sound 00:15:57.200 --> 00:15:57.879 and vibration. 00:15:59.060 --> 00:15:59.820 Some studies even 00:15:59.820 --> 00:16:00.760 indicate that infants 00:16:00.760 --> 00:16:02.080 seem to recognize 00:16:02.080 --> 00:16:03.320 some of what they have heard 00:16:03.320 --> 00:16:03.920 while they were 00:16:03.920 --> 00:16:04.520 in the womb, 00:16:04.760 --> 00:16:05.760 after they come out. 00:16:05.820 --> 00:16:06.660 of the womb, 00:16:06.760 --> 00:16:07.620 whether it's a piece 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:08.060 of music 00:16:08.060 --> 00:16:08.960 or a certain book. 00:16:11.780 --> 00:16:12.660 But then contrast 00:16:12.660 --> 00:16:13.780 that experience 00:16:13.780 --> 00:16:15.580 of a baby developing 00:16:15.580 --> 00:16:16.520 in her mother's womb 00:16:16.520 --> 00:16:18.379 to a child born 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:19.180 into the world 00:16:19.180 --> 00:16:20.100 and growing 00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:20.860 into an adult. 00:16:21.940 --> 00:16:22.340 Seeing, 00:16:23.040 --> 00:16:23.400 breathing, 00:16:23.980 --> 00:16:24.320 eating, 00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:25.440 crying, 00:16:25.879 --> 00:16:26.260 cooing, 00:16:26.520 --> 00:16:26.879 speaking, 00:16:27.400 --> 00:16:27.720 crawling, 00:16:28.040 --> 00:16:28.379 walking, 00:16:28.640 --> 00:16:28.900 running, 00:16:29.300 --> 00:16:29.620 thinking, 00:16:29.900 --> 00:16:30.220 feeling, 00:16:30.420 --> 00:16:31.000 communicating 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:32.000 ever more deeply. 00:16:32.960 --> 00:16:33.780 Here's the point. 00:16:33.779 --> 00:16:35.959 compared to the 00:16:35.959 --> 00:16:36.939 resurrection life, 00:16:37.819 --> 00:16:38.439 the glory 00:16:38.439 --> 00:16:40.759 of the promised life 00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:41.620 in the world to come, 00:16:42.980 --> 00:16:43.919 compared to the day 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:44.639 when our bodies 00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:45.279 will be redeemed 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:46.139 and we will be fully 00:16:46.139 --> 00:16:46.959 conformed to the image 00:16:46.959 --> 00:16:47.399 of Christ, 00:16:47.539 --> 00:16:48.240 our experience 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:49.259 in this present world 00:16:49.259 --> 00:16:51.839 is only the prenatal stages. 00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:55.559 That's why Paul says 00:16:55.559 --> 00:16:56.179 in verse 18, 00:16:56.339 --> 00:16:57.220 I consider that our 00:16:57.220 --> 00:16:58.019 present sufferings 00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:59.240 are not worth comparing. 00:16:59.240 --> 00:17:00.899 We can't even fathom 00:17:00.899 --> 00:17:01.720 what this glory 00:17:01.720 --> 00:17:02.480 will be like 00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:06.240 when we become 00:17:06.900 --> 00:17:07.240 the glorified, 00:17:08.180 --> 00:17:09.079 fully alive 00:17:09.079 --> 00:17:10.039 children of God 00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:11.420 in the resurrected 00:17:11.420 --> 00:17:12.640 world. 00:17:14.880 --> 00:17:15.620 And just as much 00:17:15.620 --> 00:17:16.240 as you cannot explain, 00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:17.960 there is no way 00:17:17.960 --> 00:17:18.960 that you can explain 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:20.500 to a fetus 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:21.019 developing 00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:22.180 in a mother's womb 00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:22.880 how glorious 00:17:22.880 --> 00:17:23.339 it will be 00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:24.000 to emerge, 00:17:24.900 --> 00:17:25.539 how glorious 00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:25.980 it will be 00:17:25.980 --> 00:17:27.000 to breathe in the air 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:28.079 and taste delicious food 00:17:28.079 --> 00:17:30.299 and see a brilliant sunset 00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:31.399 and speak to a fellow 00:17:31.399 --> 00:17:31.939 human being 00:17:31.939 --> 00:17:32.759 and contemplate 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:33.159 the greatness 00:17:33.159 --> 00:17:33.960 of our Creator. 00:17:34.839 --> 00:17:36.099 So much less 00:17:36.099 --> 00:17:37.799 can we fathom 00:17:37.799 --> 00:17:38.939 the glory 00:17:38.939 --> 00:17:41.919 of the resurrection life 00:17:41.919 --> 00:17:42.980 that Christ promises 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:44.220 to all who trust in Him 00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:45.799 in the world to come. 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:48.199 But so real it will be. 00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:51.439 That's our future hope. 00:17:53.059 --> 00:17:53.899 It's glorious. 00:17:54.139 --> 00:17:54.980 We can't see it. 00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:56.259 We can't even fathom it, 00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:57.480 but it's going to be glorious. 00:17:58.079 --> 00:18:01.559 But as Paul unpacks 00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:03.000 the glory that awaits us, 00:18:03.779 --> 00:18:05.480 he also acknowledges 00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:06.439 the struggle 00:18:06.439 --> 00:18:09.419 to keep waiting for it. 00:18:10.879 --> 00:18:12.099 This is our second point. 00:18:12.919 --> 00:18:14.139 Struggle to keep waiting. 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:15.000 Verse 24. 00:18:15.639 --> 00:18:17.399 In hope we were saved. 00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:19.639 Now hope that is seen 00:18:19.639 --> 00:18:20.419 is not hope, 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:21.079 for who hopes 00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:21.879 for what he sees, 00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:22.539 but we hope 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:23.519 for what we do not see. 00:18:23.579 --> 00:18:24.779 One commentator pointed out 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:25.819 Paul seems to repeat 00:18:25.819 --> 00:18:27.000 himself three times here, 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:29.140 making a rather obvious point. 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:31.619 But Paul isn't stuttering, 00:18:32.420 --> 00:18:34.480 and he's not repeating himself 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:35.579 while he tries to figure out 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.480 what to say next. 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:38.880 He's intentionally acknowledging 00:18:38.880 --> 00:18:40.279 and underlining 00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:42.460 that living in light 00:18:42.460 --> 00:18:43.500 of the Christian hope 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:44.119 is hard 00:18:44.119 --> 00:18:47.400 because we don't see 00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:50.799 that which we hope for. 00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:53.379 No eye has seen, 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:54.299 no ear has heard, 00:18:54.359 --> 00:18:55.359 nor heart imagined 00:18:55.359 --> 00:18:56.379 what God has prepared 00:18:56.379 --> 00:18:57.879 for those who love him. 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:01.099 And as we live 00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:02.079 in the murky shadows 00:19:02.079 --> 00:19:04.779 of this present evil age, 00:19:05.339 --> 00:19:06.879 the hope that Christ promises 00:19:06.879 --> 00:19:08.539 can at times seem distant 00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:09.919 and vague 00:19:09.920 --> 00:19:11.680 and even unreal 00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:13.960 to our clouded 00:19:13.960 --> 00:19:14.960 spiritual eyes. 00:19:16.840 --> 00:19:17.560 I've been reading 00:19:17.560 --> 00:19:18.440 the Chronicles of Narnia 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:20.100 with my kids recently, 00:19:20.840 --> 00:19:22.060 and earlier this week 00:19:22.060 --> 00:19:22.900 we were reading a chapter 00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:23.840 in The Silver Chair. 00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:26.039 In that book, 00:19:26.100 --> 00:19:26.960 Jill and Eustace 00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:27.700 and Puddleglum 00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:28.360 have embarked 00:19:28.360 --> 00:19:29.420 on a dangerous journey 00:19:29.420 --> 00:19:30.240 through the wild 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:31.500 wastelands of the north 00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:32.380 in order to find 00:19:32.380 --> 00:19:33.360 a lost prince 00:19:33.360 --> 00:19:34.980 that many other people 00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:35.480 have disappeared 00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:36.279 trying to find. 00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:37.740 But Aslan 00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:38.340 has sent them 00:19:38.339 --> 00:19:39.039 on this mission. 00:19:40.959 --> 00:19:42.179 Aslan had directed them 00:19:42.179 --> 00:19:43.679 to search for a ruined city 00:19:43.679 --> 00:19:45.240 of the ancient giants, 00:19:45.319 --> 00:19:46.079 and he had told them 00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:47.299 to follow his instructions 00:19:47.299 --> 00:19:47.859 carefully 00:19:47.859 --> 00:19:49.599 to repeat them 00:19:49.599 --> 00:19:51.939 morning and evening 00:19:51.939 --> 00:19:53.179 every single day 00:19:53.179 --> 00:19:54.799 so they wouldn't forget them. 00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:57.059 But they've been traveling 00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:58.000 for many days, 00:19:58.299 --> 00:19:59.079 and the weather's 00:19:59.079 --> 00:20:00.179 getting colder and colder, 00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:01.480 the terrain is getting 00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:02.399 more and more difficult 00:20:02.399 --> 00:20:03.019 to navigate, 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:03.939 every night they're 00:20:03.939 --> 00:20:04.959 sleeping on the ground, 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:06.019 huddling together 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:06.819 under blankets, 00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:07.819 and waking up 00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:08.299 with frost 00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:09.319 on top of the blankets. 00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:10.419 They're freezing. 00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:11.079 Suddenly, 00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:11.960 in the middle of nowhere, 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:13.200 they meet a beautiful woman 00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:15.299 riding on a horse. 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:18.339 They have no idea 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:18.939 who she is 00:20:18.939 --> 00:20:19.759 or where she comes from, 00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:20.779 but she's right there, 00:20:21.099 --> 00:20:21.939 right in front of them, 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:23.339 and she promises them, 00:20:23.679 --> 00:20:24.619 she tells them, 00:20:24.700 --> 00:20:25.879 about a place 00:20:25.879 --> 00:20:26.639 called the Castle 00:20:26.639 --> 00:20:27.419 of Harfang. 00:20:28.619 --> 00:20:29.399 And she says, 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.599 in the Castle of Harfang, 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:32.240 you can enjoy 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:33.159 hot baths 00:20:33.159 --> 00:20:34.659 and soft beds 00:20:34.659 --> 00:20:36.359 and bright fireplaces 00:20:36.359 --> 00:20:37.659 and four hot meals 00:20:37.659 --> 00:20:38.059 a day. 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:40.959 And almost immediately, 00:20:41.179 --> 00:20:42.539 the focus of their hope 00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:43.000 shifts. 00:20:45.719 --> 00:20:46.679 Says they could think 00:20:46.679 --> 00:20:47.719 of nothing but beds 00:20:47.719 --> 00:20:48.359 and baths 00:20:48.359 --> 00:20:48.959 and hot meals 00:20:48.959 --> 00:20:49.719 and how lovely 00:20:49.719 --> 00:20:50.139 it would be 00:20:50.139 --> 00:20:50.879 to get indoors. 00:20:51.399 --> 00:20:52.219 They never talked 00:20:52.219 --> 00:20:53.359 any more about Aslan 00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:54.699 or even about 00:20:54.699 --> 00:20:55.579 the lost prince 00:20:55.579 --> 00:20:56.819 whom they were sent 00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:57.339 to find. 00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:58.939 And Jill gave up 00:20:58.939 --> 00:20:59.879 her habit of repeating 00:20:59.879 --> 00:21:00.879 Aslan's signs 00:21:00.879 --> 00:21:01.439 to herself 00:21:01.439 --> 00:21:02.459 every night and morning. 00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:04.019 At first, 00:21:04.079 --> 00:21:04.660 she said she was 00:21:04.660 --> 00:21:05.480 just too tired, 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:07.079 but she soon forgot 00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:07.819 all about it. 00:21:08.920 --> 00:21:09.579 And though you might 00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:10.120 have expected 00:21:10.120 --> 00:21:10.779 that the idea 00:21:10.779 --> 00:21:11.720 of having a good time 00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:12.259 at Harfang 00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:12.819 might have made 00:21:12.819 --> 00:21:13.460 them more cheerful, 00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:15.059 it really made them 00:21:15.059 --> 00:21:16.200 more sorry for themselves 00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:17.660 and more grumpy 00:21:17.660 --> 00:21:18.559 and snappy 00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:19.180 with each other. 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:22.640 Isn't that the temptation 00:21:22.640 --> 00:21:23.299 we face 00:21:23.299 --> 00:21:25.440 when the Christian life 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:25.960 gets hard? 00:21:27.640 --> 00:21:28.480 When the journey 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:29.480 seems like 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:31.140 we're trudging 00:21:31.140 --> 00:21:32.600 through a frigid wasteland 00:21:32.600 --> 00:21:36.020 and we haven't yet seen 00:21:36.020 --> 00:21:38.400 what we're hoping for. 00:21:40.060 --> 00:21:41.259 We don't feel 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:42.360 the presence of God 00:21:42.360 --> 00:21:43.280 near to us 00:21:43.280 --> 00:21:44.460 in the way we have 00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:45.620 at other times. 00:21:48.020 --> 00:21:49.140 We take our eyes 00:21:49.140 --> 00:21:50.360 off Jesus 00:21:50.360 --> 00:21:53.020 and the grand mission 00:21:53.020 --> 00:21:53.820 He has given us 00:21:53.820 --> 00:21:55.940 and the glorious hope 00:21:55.940 --> 00:21:57.060 He has set before us 00:21:57.060 --> 00:21:58.100 and instead we fix 00:21:58.100 --> 00:21:59.280 our hope on something else. 00:22:01.140 --> 00:22:03.100 That seems closer at hand, 00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:04.300 more attainable, 00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:05.600 more tangible, 00:22:05.800 --> 00:22:06.720 more satisfying. 00:22:08.420 --> 00:22:09.960 Instead of present sufferings 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:10.900 and future glory, 00:22:11.100 --> 00:22:12.800 our priority becomes 00:22:12.800 --> 00:22:14.400 comfort now. 00:22:15.780 --> 00:22:17.200 Present relief 00:22:17.200 --> 00:22:19.360 from our losses 00:22:19.360 --> 00:22:20.180 and crosses 00:22:20.180 --> 00:22:21.600 and unwanted burdens. 00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:26.139 So we fix our hope 00:22:26.139 --> 00:22:28.519 on a job 00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:31.039 or a relationship 00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:31.980 that we can see 00:22:31.980 --> 00:22:32.939 instead of the God 00:22:32.939 --> 00:22:33.899 whom we can't see. 00:22:39.899 --> 00:22:41.019 Sometimes we stay 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:43.219 in unhealthy 00:22:43.219 --> 00:22:44.079 and ungodly 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:45.000 dating relationships 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:46.459 for way too long 00:22:46.459 --> 00:22:48.399 for this very reason. 00:22:48.400 --> 00:22:50.620 at least I have 00:22:50.620 --> 00:22:51.680 somebody in this world 00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:52.900 that I can hold on to. 00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:55.259 But Jesus says, 00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:56.460 you may not be able 00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:57.420 to see me now 00:22:57.420 --> 00:22:58.519 but I love you 00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:59.960 more than anyone else 00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:00.500 in the world 00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:01.420 ever will. 00:23:01.840 --> 00:23:03.580 I shed my blood for you. 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:04.560 I poured out 00:23:04.560 --> 00:23:05.300 my life for you. 00:23:05.400 --> 00:23:06.100 I'm for you, 00:23:06.140 --> 00:23:06.780 not against you. 00:23:06.860 --> 00:23:08.100 Hold on to me. 00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:13.880 Some of you 00:23:13.880 --> 00:23:14.540 may be married. 00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:16.960 Marriage has been hard 00:23:16.960 --> 00:23:17.840 for a long time. 00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:20.240 And you have little hope 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:22.140 that the other person 00:23:22.140 --> 00:23:22.840 will change. 00:23:24.280 --> 00:23:25.340 And Jesus says, 00:23:25.600 --> 00:23:26.740 don't fix your eyes 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:28.720 on what you can see. 00:23:31.060 --> 00:23:32.200 Trust me. 00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.820 I know what it's like 00:23:34.820 --> 00:23:35.460 to be married 00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:36.860 to a self-centered spouse. 00:23:37.380 --> 00:23:38.480 The church is my bride 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.220 after all. 00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:40.980 All of us. 00:23:44.360 --> 00:23:45.640 So I'm with you 00:23:45.640 --> 00:23:47.320 every step of the way. 00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:48.619 Even when it seems 00:23:48.619 --> 00:23:49.980 like a frigid wasteland, 00:23:50.059 --> 00:23:51.079 I'm teaching you to love 00:23:51.079 --> 00:23:52.059 not as your spouse 00:23:52.059 --> 00:23:52.740 loves you 00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:54.359 but as I have loved you. 00:23:58.939 --> 00:23:59.919 Sometimes we can even 00:23:59.919 --> 00:24:01.759 redefine in our own minds 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:03.240 what the Christian hope 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:04.039 is really about. 00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:07.899 Some churches say 00:24:07.899 --> 00:24:09.579 Jesus didn't primarily come 00:24:09.579 --> 00:24:10.700 to give us eternal life 00:24:10.700 --> 00:24:11.460 in the age to come. 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:12.379 He came to give us 00:24:12.379 --> 00:24:13.659 our best life now. 00:24:13.660 --> 00:24:17.460 Other churches 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.980 emphasize above all else 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:19.759 the Christian mandate 00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:21.220 to pursue social justice, 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:22.840 to be the change 00:24:22.840 --> 00:24:23.460 you want to see 00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:24.240 in this world. 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:26.480 Now these are important 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:27.560 and biblical concerns. 00:24:28.380 --> 00:24:29.180 Jesus doesn't promise 00:24:29.180 --> 00:24:30.220 financial prosperity 00:24:30.220 --> 00:24:31.540 but He does say 00:24:31.540 --> 00:24:32.300 to His disciples 00:24:32.300 --> 00:24:33.040 that He's come 00:24:33.040 --> 00:24:34.180 to give us abundant life. 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:35.279 And the Bible 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:36.019 does call us 00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:36.840 to do justly 00:24:36.840 --> 00:24:37.600 and love mercy 00:24:37.600 --> 00:24:38.440 and walk humbly 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:39.300 before our God. 00:24:39.299 --> 00:24:42.200 But Paul says 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:43.399 in 1 Corinthians 15, 00:24:43.879 --> 00:24:45.039 if we have hope 00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:47.799 for life in this world only, 00:24:48.599 --> 00:24:49.879 we are of all people 00:24:49.879 --> 00:24:50.859 most to be pitied. 00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:54.799 Verse 18, Paul says, 00:24:54.879 --> 00:24:55.759 our present existence, 00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:56.759 sufferings included, 00:24:56.899 --> 00:24:57.839 cannot compare 00:24:57.839 --> 00:24:59.559 to the future glory. 00:25:00.339 --> 00:25:01.519 Yes, this life matters 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:03.559 but 70, 80, 90 years 00:25:03.559 --> 00:25:05.559 compared to all eternity, 00:25:05.639 --> 00:25:06.639 it's a drop in the bucket. 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:09.680 We need to let 00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:11.020 our future hope 00:25:11.020 --> 00:25:11.780 of glory 00:25:11.780 --> 00:25:13.520 in Christ 00:25:13.520 --> 00:25:16.500 shape our present reality 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:18.660 instead of allowing 00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:20.000 our present experience 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:20.960 and sufferings 00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:21.680 to eclipse 00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:23.840 our future hope. 00:25:26.820 --> 00:25:28.320 We need to recover 00:25:28.320 --> 00:25:29.759 the eternal perspective 00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:31.180 that the Christian church 00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:32.880 in the prosperous West 00:25:32.880 --> 00:25:34.440 is in danger of losing. 00:25:36.640 --> 00:25:39.140 I would dare say 00:25:39.140 --> 00:25:40.060 that most Christians 00:25:40.060 --> 00:25:41.100 in the Western world 00:25:41.100 --> 00:25:42.759 think more about 00:25:42.759 --> 00:25:44.040 preparing for retirement 00:25:44.040 --> 00:25:45.320 than about preparing 00:25:45.320 --> 00:25:46.180 for eternity. 00:25:49.640 --> 00:25:50.600 Many people, 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.759 including many Christians, 00:25:52.900 --> 00:25:53.680 say things like, 00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:55.900 I hope I just die 00:25:55.900 --> 00:25:57.220 in my sleep someday, 00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:58.920 quickly and painlessly. 00:25:59.940 --> 00:26:01.620 I want to enjoy my life. 00:26:01.880 --> 00:26:02.860 I want to be as active 00:26:02.860 --> 00:26:03.420 as I can 00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:04.520 for as long as I can. 00:26:04.580 --> 00:26:05.220 I want to complete 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:05.819 my career, 00:26:06.180 --> 00:26:07.140 enjoy my retirement, 00:26:07.140 --> 00:26:08.440 and then when death comes 00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:09.519 I want to be gone quick, 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:10.500 and then, yeah, 00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:11.360 I'll go to be with Jesus 00:26:11.360 --> 00:26:12.579 or whatever happens next. 00:26:14.779 --> 00:26:16.519 But that is a far cry 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:18.579 from how other Christians 00:26:18.579 --> 00:26:20.360 in other times and places 00:26:20.360 --> 00:26:21.839 have approached death 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:22.299 and dying 00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:22.940 and eternity. 00:26:25.120 --> 00:26:26.019 Francis of Assisi 00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:27.039 in the Middle Ages 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:27.519 said this. 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:27.839 He said, 00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:28.799 reflect and see 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:29.700 that the day of death 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:30.279 is approaching. 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:32.660 When he became 00:26:32.660 --> 00:26:33.500 seriously ill, 00:26:34.519 --> 00:26:35.220 he had dropsy, 00:26:35.299 --> 00:26:36.079 his body became 00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:36.960 full of fluid, 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:38.319 he insisted that his doctor 00:26:38.319 --> 00:26:39.379 tell him the truth 00:26:39.379 --> 00:26:41.240 about his prognosis. 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:44.160 The doctor gave one 00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:45.119 of those nice answers. 00:26:46.099 --> 00:26:46.319 He says, 00:26:46.399 --> 00:26:47.200 by the grace of God, 00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:47.879 all will be well. 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:48.460 Francis says, 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:49.259 tell me the truth. 00:26:50.680 --> 00:26:51.859 What's your medical opinion? 00:26:52.460 --> 00:26:53.539 I know God can heal me 00:26:53.539 --> 00:26:54.259 if He wants to, 00:26:54.799 --> 00:26:56.160 but let's be honest here. 00:26:56.819 --> 00:26:57.740 And the doctor said, 00:26:57.799 --> 00:26:58.339 in my opinion, 00:26:58.339 --> 00:26:59.359 you probably have 00:26:59.359 --> 00:27:00.259 about a few months 00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:00.859 left to live. 00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:01.980 And he said, 00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:02.559 thank you. 00:27:04.379 --> 00:27:05.619 And he rejoiced 00:27:05.619 --> 00:27:07.119 because he was so 00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:07.799 looking forward 00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:08.679 to going and being 00:27:08.679 --> 00:27:09.299 with Christ. 00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:10.519 And he spent the rest 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:10.980 of his life 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:12.579 praying and praising 00:27:12.579 --> 00:27:13.879 God more and more 00:27:13.879 --> 00:27:14.599 and planning 00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:15.579 for the future 00:27:15.579 --> 00:27:16.179 of the order 00:27:16.179 --> 00:27:16.799 he had founded. 00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:20.359 Or consider one 00:27:20.359 --> 00:27:21.119 of the Puritans, 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:23.099 Leonard Hoare. 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:25.139 He was the president 00:27:25.139 --> 00:27:25.639 of Harvard. 00:27:26.099 --> 00:27:26.539 It was before 00:27:26.539 --> 00:27:27.139 Yale existed. 00:27:27.140 --> 00:27:28.640 So we can excuse him. 00:27:30.820 --> 00:27:32.340 He prayed for many years 00:27:32.340 --> 00:27:33.860 that Lord willing, 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:34.700 he would die 00:27:34.700 --> 00:27:36.140 of a consumptive 00:27:36.140 --> 00:27:37.540 and lingering distemper. 00:27:37.740 --> 00:27:38.460 In other words, 00:27:38.560 --> 00:27:39.080 a chronic 00:27:39.080 --> 00:27:40.380 and incurable disease 00:27:40.380 --> 00:27:41.180 that would gradually 00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:41.980 progress over 00:27:41.980 --> 00:27:43.200 a long period of time. 00:27:44.560 --> 00:27:45.740 Why in the world 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:46.740 would he pray 00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:50.200 repeatedly 00:27:50.200 --> 00:27:51.620 for such an awful thing? 00:27:53.080 --> 00:27:54.480 His answer was, 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:56.620 so I can intentionally 00:27:56.620 --> 00:27:58.220 prepare for eternity. 00:27:59.000 --> 00:28:00.079 To turn away 00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:00.980 from the passing 00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:01.900 pleasures 00:28:01.900 --> 00:28:03.599 of this present world, 00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:05.160 to fix my affections 00:28:05.160 --> 00:28:06.420 on Jesus Christ alone, 00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:07.299 and to exhort 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:08.700 my family and friends 00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:11.860 to take account 00:28:11.860 --> 00:28:12.680 of the shortness 00:28:12.680 --> 00:28:13.559 of their lives 00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:14.660 in light of the shortness 00:28:14.660 --> 00:28:15.240 of my own, 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.920 and to live in light 00:28:16.920 --> 00:28:17.420 of eternity 00:28:17.420 --> 00:28:18.880 and not get lost 00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:20.920 focusing on this present age. 00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:25.279 This is the eternal perspective 00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:26.340 the Apostle Paul had 00:28:26.340 --> 00:28:28.960 in Philippians 1 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:30.900 when he said, 00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:31.740 to live is Christ 00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:32.880 and to die is gain. 00:28:33.120 --> 00:28:34.539 My desire is to depart 00:28:34.539 --> 00:28:35.420 and be with Christ 00:28:35.420 --> 00:28:36.900 for that is far better. 00:28:38.800 --> 00:28:39.620 But he said, 00:28:39.680 --> 00:28:40.620 to remain in the flesh 00:28:40.620 --> 00:28:41.660 is more necessary 00:28:41.660 --> 00:28:42.560 on your account. 00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:47.019 You see, 00:28:47.179 --> 00:28:48.179 if you say today, 00:28:48.379 --> 00:28:49.399 I want to go 00:28:49.399 --> 00:28:50.139 and be with Christ, 00:28:50.839 --> 00:28:51.839 that'd be my choice. 00:28:51.899 --> 00:28:52.579 It'd be far better. 00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:53.720 People start worrying 00:28:53.720 --> 00:28:54.279 you're suicidal. 00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:55.839 Paul was not suicidal. 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:57.179 It is not the same thing. 00:28:58.759 --> 00:28:59.119 Paul says, 00:28:59.220 --> 00:28:59.960 we have hope 00:28:59.960 --> 00:29:00.720 for this life 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:01.799 and the life to come. 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:03.839 God's put me here 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:04.480 on this earth. 00:29:05.359 --> 00:29:06.299 I have a purpose 00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:06.980 for being here. 00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:07.299 He says, 00:29:07.339 --> 00:29:07.980 it's necessary 00:29:07.980 --> 00:29:09.299 for me to remain here 00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:10.319 on your account. 00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:11.519 God's put me here 00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:13.379 so that I can serve others. 00:29:14.059 --> 00:29:15.119 He has given me a mission 00:29:15.119 --> 00:29:16.059 and I'm going to complete 00:29:16.059 --> 00:29:16.680 that mission 00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:18.240 and trust Him 00:29:18.240 --> 00:29:18.980 every step of the way 00:29:18.980 --> 00:29:19.940 even if I don't see 00:29:19.940 --> 00:29:21.220 what in the world it is. 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:23.940 But my hope 00:29:23.940 --> 00:29:25.160 is ultimately fixed 00:29:25.160 --> 00:29:26.599 on being with Christ 00:29:26.599 --> 00:29:27.579 for all eternity. 00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:31.339 So there's a glory 00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:32.240 that awaits us. 00:29:33.900 --> 00:29:34.779 There's a struggle 00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:36.160 to keep waiting for it. 00:29:37.660 --> 00:29:38.299 And third, 00:29:39.259 --> 00:29:40.019 Paul indicates 00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:41.500 where we get the power 00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:43.000 to keep on waiting, 00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:45.519 to wait eagerly 00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:46.099 and patiently. 00:29:46.279 --> 00:29:47.160 Verse 23 says, 00:29:47.319 --> 00:29:48.180 we wait eagerly 00:29:48.180 --> 00:29:49.980 and verse 25 says, 00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:51.200 we wait with patience. 00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:55.599 We can wait eagerly 00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:56.140 because we have 00:29:56.140 --> 00:29:56.799 the first fruits 00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:57.420 of the Spirit. 00:29:57.779 --> 00:29:58.500 Verse 23. 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:00.680 Paul tells us 00:30:00.680 --> 00:30:01.779 that though we do not 00:30:01.779 --> 00:30:02.759 yet see the fullness 00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:03.500 of the glory 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:04.180 that we hope for, 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:05.119 we do enjoy 00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:05.839 the first fruits 00:30:05.839 --> 00:30:06.420 of the Spirit. 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:07.500 The first fruits 00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:09.859 is an agricultural metaphor 00:30:09.859 --> 00:30:10.619 that's used throughout 00:30:10.619 --> 00:30:11.699 the Old and New Testaments. 00:30:12.699 --> 00:30:13.139 Basically, 00:30:13.299 --> 00:30:13.759 the first fruits 00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:14.599 is the first batch 00:30:14.599 --> 00:30:15.179 of crops 00:30:15.179 --> 00:30:16.979 of the season. 00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:19.119 They indicated 00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:20.199 the kind of harvest 00:30:20.199 --> 00:30:21.039 that was sure 00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:22.219 and soon to follow. 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:24.219 And Paul says, 00:30:24.319 --> 00:30:25.099 the Holy Spirit 00:30:25.099 --> 00:30:26.639 who indwells us 00:30:26.639 --> 00:30:27.819 as believers in Jesus 00:30:27.819 --> 00:30:29.879 is the first fruits 00:30:29.879 --> 00:30:31.039 of our future glory. 00:30:31.539 --> 00:30:32.899 The appetizers 00:30:32.899 --> 00:30:34.959 of the heavenly banquet 00:30:34.959 --> 00:30:35.439 to come. 00:30:35.440 --> 00:30:37.380 Ephesians, 00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:38.180 Paul communicates 00:30:38.180 --> 00:30:38.980 the same idea 00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:40.279 using an economic metaphor. 00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:40.779 He says, 00:30:40.860 --> 00:30:41.380 the Holy Spirit 00:30:41.380 --> 00:30:42.200 is the pledge 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:43.880 or the first installment 00:30:43.880 --> 00:30:45.180 or the down payment 00:30:45.180 --> 00:30:46.880 on our inheritance 00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:48.320 as children of God. 00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:50.360 We have a very real 00:30:50.360 --> 00:30:51.320 present experience 00:30:51.320 --> 00:30:52.160 of the Holy Spirit, 00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:53.799 His goodness 00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:55.220 and power now. 00:30:56.220 --> 00:30:57.320 And this very real 00:30:57.320 --> 00:30:58.200 present experience 00:30:58.200 --> 00:30:59.380 is simultaneously 00:30:59.380 --> 00:31:00.200 the guarantee 00:31:00.200 --> 00:31:01.680 of the future glory 00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:02.799 that is even greater 00:31:02.799 --> 00:31:03.840 to come 00:31:03.839 --> 00:31:05.019 that we hope for 00:31:05.019 --> 00:31:06.439 and yet do not see. 00:31:09.799 --> 00:31:11.000 What does this look like 00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:12.720 to have the first fruits 00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:13.279 of the Spirit? 00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:15.740 Well, it means 00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:16.500 that the Holy Spirit 00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:17.799 brings some of the content 00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:18.759 of our future hope, 00:31:18.839 --> 00:31:19.439 that glory, 00:31:20.359 --> 00:31:21.240 into the reality 00:31:21.240 --> 00:31:22.559 of our present experience. 00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:26.879 Even now, 00:31:27.099 --> 00:31:27.839 we can begin 00:31:27.839 --> 00:31:28.819 to know the glory 00:31:28.819 --> 00:31:30.399 of being loved 00:31:30.399 --> 00:31:31.619 and approved of 00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:32.220 by God. 00:31:33.839 --> 00:31:34.459 And when Jesus 00:31:34.459 --> 00:31:35.059 was baptized 00:31:35.059 --> 00:31:36.059 in the Jordan River, 00:31:36.159 --> 00:31:36.959 the Father's voice 00:31:36.959 --> 00:31:37.599 spoke to Him 00:31:37.599 --> 00:31:38.019 from heaven 00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:38.399 and said, 00:31:38.720 --> 00:31:40.319 You are my Son, 00:31:41.579 --> 00:31:42.379 my beloved. 00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:43.059 With you, 00:31:43.139 --> 00:31:44.980 I am well pleased. 00:31:47.799 --> 00:31:49.119 And when we are baptized 00:31:49.119 --> 00:31:50.199 into Christ 00:31:50.199 --> 00:31:52.179 through faith 00:31:52.179 --> 00:31:52.659 in Him, 00:31:54.299 --> 00:31:54.959 those words 00:31:54.959 --> 00:31:56.099 are spoken to us too. 00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:56.899 God the Father 00:31:56.899 --> 00:31:58.639 publicly and visibly 00:31:58.639 --> 00:32:00.259 claims us as His own. 00:32:00.959 --> 00:32:01.299 He says, 00:32:01.399 --> 00:32:02.859 You are my beloved child. 00:32:02.859 --> 00:32:03.819 I have adopted you 00:32:03.819 --> 00:32:04.699 in Christ with you. 00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:05.819 I am well pleased. 00:32:06.919 --> 00:32:07.959 So you can look back 00:32:07.959 --> 00:32:08.919 to the day 00:32:08.919 --> 00:32:10.000 that when you were baptized 00:32:10.000 --> 00:32:11.779 and remember 00:32:11.779 --> 00:32:13.979 that God has given you 00:32:13.979 --> 00:32:14.759 the first fruits 00:32:14.759 --> 00:32:15.579 of His Spirit. 00:32:16.439 --> 00:32:17.299 It's a seal. 00:32:17.659 --> 00:32:18.419 It's a sign. 00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:20.639 We can rest 00:32:20.639 --> 00:32:21.579 in His love for us. 00:32:21.799 --> 00:32:22.519 We can long 00:32:22.519 --> 00:32:23.019 for the day 00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:23.979 when He will say to us 00:32:23.979 --> 00:32:24.439 at the end 00:32:24.439 --> 00:32:25.479 of our earthly pilgrimage, 00:32:25.679 --> 00:32:26.740 Well done, 00:32:27.099 --> 00:32:28.559 good and faithful servant. 00:32:29.339 --> 00:32:30.199 Enter now 00:32:30.199 --> 00:32:30.919 into the joy 00:32:30.920 --> 00:32:31.580 of your Master. 00:32:34.880 --> 00:32:35.600 We can begin 00:32:35.600 --> 00:32:36.480 to know that glory. 00:32:36.600 --> 00:32:37.019 We can begin 00:32:37.019 --> 00:32:37.560 to taste 00:32:37.560 --> 00:32:38.380 of the heavenly banquet 00:32:38.380 --> 00:32:38.900 to come. 00:32:40.820 --> 00:32:41.500 We're going to take 00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:42.180 the Lord's Supper 00:32:42.180 --> 00:32:43.640 in a few minutes. 00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:45.100 And when we take 00:32:45.100 --> 00:32:45.820 the bread and the cup, 00:32:45.900 --> 00:32:46.500 the symbols 00:32:46.500 --> 00:32:47.460 of the body 00:32:47.460 --> 00:32:48.400 and blood of Christ, 00:32:48.480 --> 00:32:48.960 our Savior, 00:32:49.060 --> 00:32:49.940 when we feed on Him 00:32:49.940 --> 00:32:50.600 by faith 00:32:50.600 --> 00:32:51.480 and ask Him 00:32:51.480 --> 00:32:52.320 to fill us afresh 00:32:52.320 --> 00:32:52.920 with His Spirit, 00:32:53.019 --> 00:32:53.840 we taste and see 00:32:53.840 --> 00:32:54.860 that the Lord is good 00:32:54.860 --> 00:32:55.920 and we long 00:32:55.920 --> 00:32:56.360 for the day 00:32:56.360 --> 00:32:57.019 when we'll feast 00:32:57.019 --> 00:32:57.340 with Him 00:32:57.340 --> 00:32:57.880 in His kingdom. 00:32:57.880 --> 00:33:00.760 We can even begin 00:33:00.760 --> 00:33:01.300 to experience 00:33:01.300 --> 00:33:01.820 the redemption 00:33:01.820 --> 00:33:02.580 of our bodies. 00:33:04.900 --> 00:33:06.000 Maybe you've experienced 00:33:06.000 --> 00:33:06.860 God graciously 00:33:06.860 --> 00:33:07.940 restoring your body 00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:08.380 to health 00:33:08.380 --> 00:33:09.020 after a season 00:33:09.020 --> 00:33:09.620 of sickness 00:33:09.620 --> 00:33:10.420 or stress 00:33:10.420 --> 00:33:13.020 through whatever means. 00:33:13.120 --> 00:33:13.520 Maybe it was 00:33:13.520 --> 00:33:14.460 a miraculous healing 00:33:14.460 --> 00:33:15.460 in response to prayer. 00:33:16.900 --> 00:33:17.440 Maybe it's through 00:33:17.440 --> 00:33:18.260 natural means 00:33:18.260 --> 00:33:19.160 that God has provided 00:33:19.160 --> 00:33:19.920 like exercise 00:33:19.920 --> 00:33:21.140 and diet and sleep. 00:33:21.240 --> 00:33:21.760 God has made 00:33:21.760 --> 00:33:22.580 those things too. 00:33:23.860 --> 00:33:24.480 Maybe it's through 00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:25.200 medical treatments 00:33:25.200 --> 00:33:25.920 and the wisdom 00:33:25.920 --> 00:33:26.820 that God has given 00:33:26.820 --> 00:33:28.140 to your doctors. 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:28.980 Maybe it's all three. 00:33:29.080 --> 00:33:29.720 Whatever the means 00:33:29.720 --> 00:33:30.380 God uses, 00:33:30.840 --> 00:33:31.800 we can praise Him 00:33:31.800 --> 00:33:33.080 for our health 00:33:33.080 --> 00:33:34.720 and we can look forward 00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:35.220 to the day 00:33:35.220 --> 00:33:35.840 when our bodies 00:33:35.840 --> 00:33:37.380 will be fully redeemed 00:33:37.380 --> 00:33:38.900 and forever healed. 00:33:41.240 --> 00:33:42.140 Or when we experience 00:33:42.140 --> 00:33:42.860 a new freedom 00:33:42.860 --> 00:33:45.200 from formerly besetting sins. 00:33:45.840 --> 00:33:47.320 When we gain new insights 00:33:47.320 --> 00:33:48.200 into God's glory 00:33:48.200 --> 00:33:48.680 and grace. 00:33:48.759 --> 00:33:49.860 When we receive new power 00:33:49.860 --> 00:33:50.940 to serve and to speak 00:33:50.940 --> 00:33:51.759 in the name of Christ. 00:33:51.840 --> 00:33:52.700 All of these 00:33:52.700 --> 00:33:53.779 are the first fruits 00:33:53.779 --> 00:33:55.080 of the Spirit. 00:33:55.920 --> 00:33:58.800 Paul's encouragement 00:33:58.800 --> 00:33:59.460 to us is, 00:33:59.539 --> 00:34:00.340 brothers and sisters, 00:34:01.660 --> 00:34:02.740 let every taste 00:34:02.740 --> 00:34:03.320 of glory, 00:34:04.580 --> 00:34:05.640 every experience 00:34:05.640 --> 00:34:06.480 of the first fruits 00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:07.100 of the Spirit 00:34:07.100 --> 00:34:08.960 motivate us 00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:10.220 to await with eagerness 00:34:10.220 --> 00:34:11.440 the future glory 00:34:11.440 --> 00:34:12.200 that God has promised 00:34:12.200 --> 00:34:12.780 to us 00:34:12.780 --> 00:34:15.320 and to not tire 00:34:15.320 --> 00:34:17.659 of hoping 00:34:17.659 --> 00:34:18.680 and looking forward 00:34:18.680 --> 00:34:20.099 and anticipating that 00:34:20.099 --> 00:34:21.139 and enjoying 00:34:21.139 --> 00:34:21.840 the first fruits 00:34:21.840 --> 00:34:22.240 of that. 00:34:22.239 --> 00:34:25.699 Our passage 00:34:25.699 --> 00:34:26.079 this morning 00:34:26.079 --> 00:34:27.199 ends not just 00:34:27.199 --> 00:34:27.659 with eagerness 00:34:27.659 --> 00:34:28.839 but also with patience. 00:34:29.059 --> 00:34:30.459 The end of verse 25. 00:34:31.619 --> 00:34:32.139 We wait 00:34:32.139 --> 00:34:33.619 with patience. 00:34:34.939 --> 00:34:35.839 That word means 00:34:35.839 --> 00:34:36.899 with resoluteness, 00:34:37.619 --> 00:34:39.699 with steadfast endurance, 00:34:39.859 --> 00:34:40.339 continuing 00:34:40.339 --> 00:34:41.779 to bear up 00:34:41.779 --> 00:34:43.279 despite present 00:34:43.279 --> 00:34:44.179 difficulties. 00:34:44.979 --> 00:34:46.099 How can we wait 00:34:46.099 --> 00:34:47.279 not only eagerly 00:34:47.279 --> 00:34:48.239 but also patiently? 00:34:48.239 --> 00:34:49.639 Well, 00:34:49.679 --> 00:34:50.919 verse 26 tells us 00:34:50.919 --> 00:34:51.839 that the Spirit 00:34:51.839 --> 00:34:52.799 helps us 00:34:52.799 --> 00:34:53.759 in our weakness. 00:34:54.799 --> 00:34:55.000 Now, 00:34:55.059 --> 00:34:55.639 Pastor Matt's going 00:34:55.639 --> 00:34:56.419 to get into that theme 00:34:56.419 --> 00:34:56.899 next week. 00:34:57.000 --> 00:34:58.359 I don't want to try 00:34:58.359 --> 00:34:59.079 to steal his sermon, 00:34:59.619 --> 00:35:00.279 but I want to make 00:35:00.279 --> 00:35:00.979 one point 00:35:00.979 --> 00:35:02.559 that spans 00:35:02.559 --> 00:35:03.000 the passage 00:35:03.000 --> 00:35:03.979 Pastor Nick preached 00:35:03.979 --> 00:35:04.619 on last week 00:35:04.619 --> 00:35:05.159 and the passage 00:35:05.159 --> 00:35:05.699 Pastor Matt's 00:35:05.699 --> 00:35:06.479 preaching on next week 00:35:06.479 --> 00:35:07.179 and the passage 00:35:07.179 --> 00:35:07.719 that I'm preaching 00:35:07.719 --> 00:35:08.219 on this week. 00:35:09.159 --> 00:35:10.019 I want you to notice 00:35:10.019 --> 00:35:10.500 a word 00:35:10.500 --> 00:35:11.319 that is repeated 00:35:11.319 --> 00:35:12.019 three times. 00:35:13.159 --> 00:35:13.919 Verse 22, 00:35:14.179 --> 00:35:14.859 verse 23, 00:35:14.860 --> 00:35:15.880 verse 26, 00:35:17.340 --> 00:35:17.800 groaning. 00:35:19.360 --> 00:35:19.720 Now, 00:35:19.780 --> 00:35:20.300 throughout the Bible, 00:35:20.460 --> 00:35:21.519 groaning is connected 00:35:21.519 --> 00:35:22.440 with three things, 00:35:22.579 --> 00:35:22.980 oppression, 00:35:24.140 --> 00:35:24.599 prayer, 00:35:25.099 --> 00:35:26.260 and childbirth. 00:35:27.280 --> 00:35:27.460 So, 00:35:27.500 --> 00:35:28.140 in the book of Exodus, 00:35:28.280 --> 00:35:29.340 the people groaned 00:35:29.340 --> 00:35:29.920 in the midst 00:35:29.920 --> 00:35:30.620 of their oppression 00:35:30.620 --> 00:35:31.640 in Egypt 00:35:31.640 --> 00:35:32.360 and God heard 00:35:32.360 --> 00:35:32.940 their cries. 00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:33.800 In the Psalms, 00:35:34.260 --> 00:35:35.220 many of the Psalms, 00:35:35.519 --> 00:35:36.280 the Psalm writers, 00:35:36.460 --> 00:35:37.400 the Psalms of Lament, 00:35:38.039 --> 00:35:41.320 they lay their groanings. 00:35:41.559 --> 00:35:42.500 Sometimes it's translated 00:35:42.500 --> 00:35:43.320 sighings 00:35:43.320 --> 00:35:44.220 before the Lord. 00:35:44.860 --> 00:35:45.640 In prayer. 00:35:46.079 --> 00:35:46.720 And several times 00:35:46.720 --> 00:35:47.140 in Scripture, 00:35:47.300 --> 00:35:48.120 groaning is connected 00:35:48.120 --> 00:35:48.840 with childbirth. 00:35:48.960 --> 00:35:50.579 Verse 22 says, 00:35:50.720 --> 00:35:51.500 the whole creation 00:35:51.500 --> 00:35:52.420 has been groaning 00:35:52.420 --> 00:35:53.599 together in the pains 00:35:53.599 --> 00:35:54.559 of childbirth. 00:35:55.300 --> 00:35:55.680 Literally, 00:35:55.840 --> 00:35:56.440 it's groaning 00:35:56.440 --> 00:35:57.599 and travailing 00:35:57.599 --> 00:35:58.559 like a woman 00:35:58.559 --> 00:35:59.220 in childbirth. 00:35:59.340 --> 00:35:59.700 Why? 00:35:59.700 --> 00:36:02.700 Why is creation groaning? 00:36:03.460 --> 00:36:04.240 Because it's been 00:36:04.240 --> 00:36:05.380 subjected to futility 00:36:05.380 --> 00:36:07.260 and it can't fix itself. 00:36:07.380 --> 00:36:08.260 Creation is longing 00:36:08.260 --> 00:36:09.000 to be set free 00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:10.180 but it can't free itself. 00:36:11.180 --> 00:36:12.200 And then in verse 23, 00:36:13.400 --> 00:36:14.440 same word comes up, 00:36:14.440 --> 00:36:15.119 God's children. 00:36:15.119 --> 00:36:17.720 We ourselves groan inwardly. 00:36:19.039 --> 00:36:20.599 We groan under the weight 00:36:20.599 --> 00:36:21.420 of our fallenness. 00:36:21.500 --> 00:36:22.700 We long to be set free 00:36:22.700 --> 00:36:24.659 but we can't fix ourselves either. 00:36:25.019 --> 00:36:26.220 But in verse 26, 00:36:27.000 --> 00:36:29.099 the Holy Spirit Himself 00:36:29.099 --> 00:36:30.920 intercedes for us 00:36:30.920 --> 00:36:32.019 with groanings. 00:36:34.260 --> 00:36:35.360 So here's the picture. 00:36:35.460 --> 00:36:36.679 The whole creation groans. 00:36:37.519 --> 00:36:38.280 Within the creation, 00:36:38.420 --> 00:36:40.119 God's children groan. 00:36:40.119 --> 00:36:42.159 And within God's children, 00:36:42.980 --> 00:36:45.339 God's Spirit who indwells us groans. 00:36:46.279 --> 00:36:48.039 The picture is of God 00:36:48.039 --> 00:36:49.259 renewing the whole universe 00:36:49.259 --> 00:36:50.719 from the inside out 00:36:50.719 --> 00:36:53.519 through the indwelling Holy Spirit. 00:36:54.799 --> 00:36:55.940 God's creation, 00:36:56.139 --> 00:36:56.659 God's children, 00:36:56.759 --> 00:36:57.719 and even God's Spirit 00:36:57.719 --> 00:36:59.420 are compared to a woman in labor 00:36:59.420 --> 00:37:01.579 who through painful anguish 00:37:01.579 --> 00:37:03.759 brings forth new life. 00:37:03.760 --> 00:37:08.060 And the Holy Spirit brings life, 00:37:08.200 --> 00:37:09.880 gives birth to the children of God 00:37:09.880 --> 00:37:11.360 and the glorified children of God 00:37:11.360 --> 00:37:12.580 in turn lead the creation 00:37:12.580 --> 00:37:13.760 into joyful praise. 00:37:14.940 --> 00:37:15.900 Now here's the point. 00:37:17.380 --> 00:37:19.080 We can wait patiently 00:37:19.080 --> 00:37:22.360 because even in our deepest moments 00:37:22.360 --> 00:37:23.980 of anguish and pain, 00:37:24.440 --> 00:37:27.880 the Holy Spirit dwells within us, 00:37:27.880 --> 00:37:31.820 bringing forth through our anguish and pain 00:37:31.820 --> 00:37:34.920 life and freedom and glory 00:37:34.920 --> 00:37:37.160 in ways that we can't even imagine. 00:37:42.519 --> 00:37:44.200 Wesley Hill describes this experience 00:37:44.200 --> 00:37:44.680 in his book, 00:37:44.760 --> 00:37:45.640 Washed and Waiting. 00:37:48.579 --> 00:37:49.280 He writes, 00:37:49.320 --> 00:37:50.579 so much of my life as a Christian 00:37:50.579 --> 00:37:52.180 has simply been learning how to wait, 00:37:52.980 --> 00:37:53.760 to be patient, 00:37:54.280 --> 00:37:54.880 to endure, 00:37:55.619 --> 00:37:57.800 to bear up under an unwelcome burden 00:37:57.800 --> 00:37:58.800 for the long haul. 00:37:58.960 --> 00:38:00.440 Taped onto my desk is a quote, 00:38:00.539 --> 00:38:02.140 Be patient toward all 00:38:02.140 --> 00:38:03.860 that is unsolved in your heart. 00:38:04.940 --> 00:38:06.620 Having patience with your own weaknesses 00:38:06.620 --> 00:38:08.660 is something of what Paul was commending 00:38:08.660 --> 00:38:10.019 when he described the tension 00:38:10.019 --> 00:38:12.039 of living on this side of wholeness. 00:38:12.780 --> 00:38:14.220 When God acts climatically 00:38:14.220 --> 00:38:15.460 to reclaim the world 00:38:15.460 --> 00:38:17.220 and raise our dead bodies from the grave, 00:38:17.320 --> 00:38:18.500 there will be no more weakness, 00:38:19.000 --> 00:38:19.920 no more disorder, 00:38:20.060 --> 00:38:20.920 no more temptation, 00:38:21.080 --> 00:38:21.840 but until then, 00:38:21.920 --> 00:38:23.660 we hope for what we do not see. 00:38:24.580 --> 00:38:26.140 We are washed and waiting. 00:38:26.139 --> 00:38:29.139 This is our life as Christians, 00:38:29.259 --> 00:38:30.599 our identity as people 00:38:30.599 --> 00:38:31.359 who've been forgiven 00:38:31.359 --> 00:38:32.679 and spiritually cleansed, 00:38:32.759 --> 00:38:33.960 and our struggle as people 00:38:33.960 --> 00:38:34.739 who persevere, 00:38:35.519 --> 00:38:37.239 sometimes with frustrating thorns 00:38:37.239 --> 00:38:38.079 in our flesh, 00:38:38.639 --> 00:38:40.400 looking forward to what God 00:38:40.400 --> 00:38:41.759 has promised to do. 00:38:42.579 --> 00:38:43.779 We live in hope 00:38:43.779 --> 00:38:45.839 for what we do not see. 00:38:46.980 --> 00:38:48.279 We can wait with eagerness 00:38:48.279 --> 00:38:49.639 because we have the fruit, 00:38:49.699 --> 00:38:50.359 fruits of the Spirit. 00:38:50.480 --> 00:38:52.119 We've tasted that glory 00:38:52.119 --> 00:38:52.799 that is to come, 00:38:52.819 --> 00:38:53.879 and we can wait with patience 00:38:53.880 --> 00:38:55.079 because the Holy Spirit 00:38:55.079 --> 00:38:56.760 dwells deep within us 00:38:56.760 --> 00:38:57.840 and is groaning, 00:38:58.340 --> 00:38:59.860 and in our deepest moments 00:38:59.860 --> 00:39:00.820 of anguish and pain 00:39:00.820 --> 00:39:02.900 is bringing life and freedom 00:39:02.900 --> 00:39:05.559 and joy and glory out of them 00:39:05.559 --> 00:39:07.820 in ways we can't even fathom. 00:39:10.059 --> 00:39:11.880 So we can say with the Apostle Paul 00:39:11.880 --> 00:39:12.720 in 2 Corinthians, 00:39:13.880 --> 00:39:16.480 therefore we do not lose heart. 00:39:17.700 --> 00:39:18.860 Though our outer self 00:39:18.860 --> 00:39:19.940 may be wasting away, 00:39:20.059 --> 00:39:20.740 our inner self 00:39:20.740 --> 00:39:22.220 is being renewed day by day. 00:39:22.219 --> 00:39:24.159 For this light, 00:39:24.319 --> 00:39:25.359 momentary affliction 00:39:25.359 --> 00:39:26.679 is preparing for us 00:39:26.679 --> 00:39:28.139 an eternal weight of glory 00:39:28.139 --> 00:39:29.539 beyond all comparison. 00:39:30.459 --> 00:39:31.859 As we look not to the things 00:39:31.859 --> 00:39:32.500 that are seen, 00:39:32.939 --> 00:39:33.879 but to the things 00:39:33.879 --> 00:39:34.599 that are unseen. 00:39:35.319 --> 00:39:36.759 For the things that are seen 00:39:36.759 --> 00:39:37.759 are transient, 00:39:38.239 --> 00:39:39.519 but the things that are unseen 00:39:39.519 --> 00:39:40.480 are eternal. 00:39:41.319 --> 00:39:42.079 Let's pray. 00:39:47.139 --> 00:39:47.699 Father, 00:39:47.699 --> 00:39:47.799 Father, 00:39:48.339 --> 00:39:50.659 we pray that by Your Spirit 00:39:50.659 --> 00:39:51.879 dwelling in us, 00:39:52.739 --> 00:39:53.480 You would renew 00:39:53.480 --> 00:39:54.559 our hope 00:39:54.559 --> 00:39:56.699 and fix it 00:39:56.699 --> 00:39:57.879 once again 00:39:57.879 --> 00:40:00.219 clearly 00:40:00.219 --> 00:40:03.179 on You. 00:40:07.219 --> 00:40:08.939 We pray that we would trust 00:40:08.939 --> 00:40:10.000 Your promise 00:40:10.000 --> 00:40:12.980 of this unfathomable glory 00:40:12.980 --> 00:40:14.659 that awaits us. 00:40:14.659 --> 00:40:17.039 We pray that You would be 00:40:17.039 --> 00:40:17.719 near us 00:40:17.719 --> 00:40:19.279 in our struggle 00:40:19.279 --> 00:40:21.159 to keep on waiting 00:40:21.159 --> 00:40:21.879 for it 00:40:21.879 --> 00:40:24.679 and not 00:40:24.679 --> 00:40:26.319 to turn our hopes 00:40:26.319 --> 00:40:27.359 toward lesser things. 00:40:30.239 --> 00:40:31.379 We thank You 00:40:31.379 --> 00:40:33.279 for Jesus 00:40:33.279 --> 00:40:35.299 and we thank You 00:40:35.299 --> 00:40:35.940 for Your Spirit. 00:40:37.519 --> 00:40:38.759 We pray in Christ's name. 00:40:39.440 --> 00:40:39.759 Amen. 00:40:39.759 --> 00:40:39.920 Amen.