An Eternal Weight of Glory

How Present Suffering Assures Us of Future Glory

Manuscript Notes

Visual Guide

Text: Romans 8:18-23; 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

I want to set the biblical context for the second half of what Paul has to say in this amazing chapter!

The Context: Paul is establishing an Unshakeable Assurance and Unmovable Confidence that we really are no longer under condemnation (8:1).

• Chapter 8 is about assurance that leads to personal confidence and spiritual stability in our lives.
• Paul has been assuring us that the justification we received removed all condemnation from our lives – no more condemnation of any kind, for any reason, under any circumstances, for a certain group of people – those who are in Christ Jesus.
• But sometimes these people doubt because of two ongoing struggles that plague them as they strive to live for Christ and serve His gospel.
• Our ongoing struggle with sin leads us to wonder whether we are still somehow under God’s condemnation (8:1-17).
• Our ongoing experience of suffering makes us wonder whether we have been separated from the love of God (8:18-30).
• To help us with this fear, in the verses that follow (8:18-30), Paul points to 6 realities that put our suffering into perspective, so that we will never doubt the love God has for us, no matter how painful or how long the suffering we experience.
• This morning, I want us to look at the first of those realities: Present suffering leads to Future Glory!

I. A Perspective that Orients Everything (v 18)
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

1. The ongoing commitment to this perspective
2. The nature of this perspective (what it is):
   1. Sometimes this term refers to something that is credited or debited to someone’s account.
   2. But another way this word is used refers to the process of thinking carefully about the implications of something and drawing a conclusion that then shapes a course of action.
3. The Necessity of this Perspective:

II. An Evaluation that Changes Everything – (v 18)
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

1. The Comparison
2. The Conclusion
3. The Conviction

III. A Reality that Flavors Everything (vs. 18)
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

1. Present Suffering (vs. 18)
   • nature
   • kind
   • amount
   • effect
   • shame
2. Inward Groaning (vs. 23)
   And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

IV. A Confidence that Governs Everything (v. 18, 23b)
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. . . . as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

1. Promise of Future Glory – “the glory that is to be”
2. That will be Our Permanent Experience – “revealed to/in us”
3. At a Defined Time – “the adoption as sons, the redemption of our body” (vs. 23) 

Conclusion:  So what are we to do in the meantime?

We are to suffer with patience – waiting for this future glory with joyful endurance (v. 25). And here is why: Every time you add suffering to one side of the scale of your life, God adds a massive treasure to the other side of the scale that you can’t yet see because your earthly eyes are not yet capable of seeing this treasure.

But don’t be deceived! What you can’t see with your physical eye, you can see with the eye of faith – and that eye has learned to see by hearing and believing the Word of a God who never lies and always keeps His promises! In light of this perspective, reckon something!

• Cherish it!
• Hope in it!
• Count on it!
• Live Redemptively in light of it!