Sermons / 信息

Speaker : Rev. Daniel 
Romans 8: 18-27                                                        

Introduction
Consider these things, what comes to your mind?
Lottery ticket; Dreams; Warranty card.
 
Key verse (Rom 8:17)
we are heirs with God, joint heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him
 
How do we know we have this Hope of a Future Glory?
Because we are Heirs with Christ
So in what ways are we heirs?

1) In sharing with Christ, our sufferings are not in vain
One of the tough questions that is we will ever ask.
Yet men of faith suffer.
The point:  Are they in vain?  Were they all wasted?  Is there a purpose?
Suffering is an expression of our union with Christ.
 
Three kinds of sufferings:

1. Suffering as a result of our own folly, our own sin.
2. Suffering from circumstances over which we have no control.
3. Suffering from as a result of our involvement in the lives of others for the glory of God. 

Three ways we face sufferings:

1. Break out
2. Break down
3. Break through

2) In sharing with Christ, there is surety of glory
This is a matter of perception.  

1. Creation is groaning:  therefore suffering is expected.
2. Creation awaits in hope: therefore suffering does not negate our relationship with God.
3. Creation is sustained because of hope : therefore we can be sustained

What makes hope sure and victorious?
a. in comparison, today suffering is little than tomorrow’s glory
b. in anticipation, we long for redemption along with all of creation
c. in hope, there is always victory.
 
3) In sharing with Christ, we wait patiently
“Now hope that is seen is not hope.  For who hopes for what he sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”

1. Salvation itself is based on the promise of hope.
2. Faith respects the promise of hope
3. Patience inherits it. 

Conclusion
As sons and daughters of God - let us first recognized that we are sons by grace in faith, not slaves gripped by fear.  Then let us also know that we have a new obligation to live by to honor God.  Then in order to grow up to maturity as sons, we have our share of sufferings - but also the power and provision as heirs of God.
 

• Let us have the right Position - as sons we share in sufferings
• Let us also have the right Perception - in sufferings there is always hope
• Let us also have the right Posture - let us then wait patiently in faith