SUFFERING FOR THE GLORY OF CHRIST
CHARLES E WHISNANT, MAY 20, 2012 ROMANS 8:18-23
SUFFERING FOR GOD OR SUFFERING FOR SIN 8:17-27
The Suffering Christ and His Suffering Christians
The Glory of God as Motive in Trials and Suffering
1. Free from Indwelling Sin: 8:1-11
2. Ssonship Through the Spirit: 8:12-17
3. From Suffering to Glory: 8:18-30
4. God’s Everlasting Love 8:31-37
WHEN THE SCRIPTURES TALK ABOUT PROGRESSION TOWARD
RESURRECTION, THEY EMPHASIZE DEATH. WHEN
SCRIPTURES TALK ABOUT PROGRESSION TOWARD GLORIFICATION, THEY EMPHASIZE OUR
SUFFERING AND WEAKNESS.
Introduction
COMMENTARY
ON EACH VERSE
1A FOR
Since “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with
Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified
together”
2A I
CONSIDER 3049
Refers to
a process of careful study or reasoning which results in the arriving at a
conclusion. Signified “take account of : 2 Corinthians 10:7 “think”
3A THAT THE SUFFERINGS: 3804
pathema
Here the suffering has to do with our faith in Christ, and Christ in us
Who the world hates, and we suffer that we might be conformed to his
image. 2 Corinthians 1:5 Colossians
1:24.
HOW TO TEMPER STEEL?
1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while,
if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the
genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested
by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of
Jesus Christ
To what purpose do we suffer?
1)
Some suffering is meant to lead us to change our ways in order to remove
the source of our suffering and to give us a fuller and happier life as a
Christian through better decisions. Galatians 6.8
2)
Suffering is allowed by God in our lives to increase our hope in God.
Romans 5.1-5
3)
Suffering is allowed by God so that we can comfort others who are
suffering. 2 Corinthians 1.3-7
4)
Suffering is allowed by God to bring others to Christ. Acts 16.25-34
5)
Obedience in our suffering brings Glory to God. John 17.4
6)
Suffering is allowed by God to build in us the character of Jesus.
Romans 5.1-5; 8.28-29
7)
Suffering is allowed by God to equip us to share in God’s glory. Romans
8.17-18
4A FOR I CONSIDER THAT THE SUFFERING OF THIS
PRESENT TIME 2540 KAIROS
So Paul here is contemplating the future privileges of the
believer, and leads him to think of the contrast this makes with the present
state of being. Paul is showing that
suffering is the path we tread as we move from blessing to glory. Now Paul could also be taking about the
present age in which we lived, rather than the suffering that is the direct
result of persecution. In this present
world too, we are not going to be free from trouble because we live in a
imperfect world.
5A ARE NOT WORTHY 514 axios
It has to do with weight, and so of
that which is of value. Then the sufferings are of no weight in comparison with
glory; they are not to be balanced in the scale with it.
6A (TO
BE COMPARED WITH) THE GLORY or With Glory 1391
Colossians
3:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-12; Titus 2:12-13; 1 Peter 1:13; 4:13; 5:1; The glory
of God is the manifestation of any or all of His attributes. Thomas Watson described God’s glory as a way
of the sparkling of the Deity. We may
see God’s glory blazing in the sun and twinkling in the stars Psalsm 19:1.
7A WHICH SHALL BE
REVEALED 601 IN US
THE SAVED BELIEVER DOES NOT FOCUS ON
TODAY’S SUFFERING; HE LOOKS FORWARD TO TOMORROW’S GLORY. Amen.
This coming glory will not only be
revealed TO us, but will actually be revealed IN US.
