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Northwest Bible Church – March 7, 2004 Worship Service – Alan Conner
Rom. 8:24-25
Waiting in the Hope of Glory
INTRO
By the sovereign and electing grace of God we have been chosen and predestined to adoption as sons of God (Eph. 1:4-5). As adopted children we are also heirs of an incredible inheritance, but before we inherit our glory, we are called upon to imitate our Lord by suffering with Him.
This suffering can be persecution and it can be any trial or trouble that comes from a life of faith in a world cursed with futility and enslaved to corruption. Creation and Christians now groan under this suffering (8:22-23). But we groan in hope of glory (8:20, 24-25).
I. THE HOPE OF GLORY (8:24-25)
We were saved in hope. Hope for the glory of our inheritance is a part of our salvation. It is the future aspect of a salvation which we possess already. PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE aspects to salvation.
What is the hope? Hope can be a spiritual grace, "Faith, hope, love." It can also refer to the object of what we hope for. In this context it is linked to our inheritance and especially our glorification and resurrection when we are fully adopted as sons.
Hope is a major part of the Christian’s perspective: Col. 3:1-2; 2 Cor. 4:17-18
An invisible hope: Rom. 8:24 - For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees?
A certain hope: Acts 24:15 - having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
A joyful hope: Rom. 5:2 - through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
A hope in lay-a-way: Col. 1:5 - because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel, ("I go to prepare a place for you,"
The hope of glory: Col. 1:27 - to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
The hope of salvation: 1 Thess. 5:8 - But since we are of day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.
The hope of eternal life: Titus 1:2 - in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, and Titus 3:7 that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to hope of eternal life.
The blessed hope: Titus 2:13 - looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus;
The anchor of the soul: Heb. 6:19 - This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil,
The living hope: 1 Pet. 1:3 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
The exclusive hope: 1 Pet. 1:13 - Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
A hope to defend: 1 Pet. 3:15 - but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
A purifying hope: 1 John 3:3 - And everyone who has this hope on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
II. WAITING FOR GLORY
Waiting is a part of life. Creation waits eagerly (v. 19), and Christians wait eagerly (vv. 23, 25).
Two things are required of all heirs of God as they wait for their inheritance of glory:
1) They must wait with eagerness. "Eagerly waiting"
2) They must wait with perseverance. "with perseverance"
"Waiting eagerly" in hope for our glory to be revealed to us, does not come naturally. It must be continually encouraged to burn brightly in our hearts.
Our hope is designed to give the believer wings to rise up above the "groans" and "sufferings" of this life.
CONCLUSION
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