St Louis UBF UBF Bible Study : Romans 8:18-39

Bible Study Materials

Romans 8:18-39

by Paul Choi 03/21/2010

Question

THE GLORY OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD

Romans 8:18-39

Key Verse: 8:18

1. How did Paul view present sufferings and future glory (18)? What does the creation expect (19)? Why does creation suffer (20; Gen 3:17-18)? For what does it groan in hope (21-22)?

2. Read verse 23. How does Paul describe believers? For what do we groan inwardly (Php 3:20-21)? What is our true hope and how does it enable us to wait patiently (24-25)?

3. What are our weaknesses, and how do they affect our prayer (26a; 7:18-20)? Who helps us and how (26b-27)? Why is the Spirit’s intercessory prayer effective?

4. What conviction do believers have, and on what basis (28)? What is the good which God works for (29-30)? How does Paul describe the process of God’s work in a believer’s life?

5. What does Paul emphasize in his rhetorical questions in verses 31-35? What problems do we confront and how can we overcome them?

6. How should believers regard sufferings (36)? What does it mean to be “more than conquerors” (37)? Who tries to separate us from God’s love, and why can they not (38-39)?

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Message

WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS

Romans 8:18-39

Key Verse: 8:37 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Last Sunday we studied that we are children of God when we have the Spirit of Christ. The Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children (16) Now, if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ Jesus. Indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory (17) It is amazing to know that our Father in heaven loves his children beyond our imagination. His love is unconditional and unlimited. In fact, he lavished his love on his children as much that we cannot fully understand or appreciate it. So Timothy Keller, a pastor in NYC, wrote a book named, “The Prodigal God” based on Luke 15, where God wasted his love on his children.

Romans chapter 8 is known as the climax of the gospel message. This is because it contains the power of the Holy Spirit, future glory and our eternal victory as children of God. Above all, this chapter concludes with the absolute love of God for his children. Today we study why we should not despair in the life of pilgrimage and how our Heavenly Father make all of us more than conquerors in this spiritual battle.

First, future glory (18-28) The children of God should not despair because we have a glorious future. Look at verse 18. “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” While we live on this earth, we cannot avoid sufferings. Sufferings are everywhere and come to us everyday one after another. We suffer from our own sin problems or from doing the work of God. Either way we suffer in some way or another. Some suffer from sickness while others suffer from loneliness. Still others suffer from family problems, relationship problems, financial problems, job problems, visa problems, language problems, and so on. The Apostle Paul uses a plural form “sufferings” not a singular one “suffering”. When we suffer, we feel pain and fear. But we expect to live in the suffering free zone every day.

However, Paul did not see sufferings with a negative view. He saw present sufferings as a prerequisite for future glory. In verse 17 he said, “…if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” In verse 18 he continues, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” As for college students, in order to take Calculus they have to pass pre-Calculus as a prerequisite. A prerequisite is something required beforehand to achieve the goal. In the same token, sufferings are essential and necessary for glory in the future. No suffering, no glory. No cross, no crown.

The one thing we should consider is the value of future glory. Paul said that sufferings on this earth are not even worth comparing with the glory in heaven. But, one self-evident difference between future glory and present sufferings is that sufferings are temporal and glory is eternal. Amen. Some of us suffer from lack of money. However, when we suffer for what money can’t buy, we must be patient and thankful. Amen.

The Apostle Paul compares future glory to childbirth and present sufferings to birth pain. Look at verses 19-22. “The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” (19-22) I was very impressed to see one picture of global warming. A polar bear barely balances himself on a piece of ice land. This picture shows that inhabitants on this earth are losing their living space critically due to global warming. What do you think the poor bear is expecting? The creation waits in eager expectation for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Since Adam’s fall, this earth had been cursed because of men’s sin (Ge 3:17) Greed, hostility, indulgence, and ignorance brought pollution and extermination into this living land. All the living things on this earth including flying birds in the sky, wild animals in the safari, and even ivory coral under the sea are frustrated not by their own choice, but by Adam’s sin. They eagerly wait for the second coming of Jesus Christ and the day of liberation from the bondage of death. Some senseless people say that history is going nowhere. But, how foolish they are! History is heading toward the glorious second coming of Jesus Christ our Lord. Even animals know it and wait in eager expectation for the glorious freedom of the children of God. (19,22)

Imagine a day of liberation from this perishable earthly body and transformation into the glorious resurrection body. Look at verse 23. “Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” We children of God, who became justified by faith in Jesus Christ, endure present sufferings inwardly because we have a living hope for the glorious resurrection. When our bodies are redeemed, when we are resurrected, we will be adopted as sons and daughters of God. When we receive a new body, a glorious resurrection body from our Lord Jesus Christ, our salvation will be completed. In order to become people of the kingdom of God, we don’t need any immigrant documents or passports. The moment we are changed, we will become citizens of the kingdom of heaven. Amen. Paul proclaims the day of glorious resurrection in this, “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed-in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” (1 Co 15:51,52). Peter adds this in 1 Peter 1:3,4, which says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you.”

Since we have such a living hope, we should not despair. Look at verses 24,25. “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

Second, the help of the Holy Spirit (26-27) We the children of God do not despair because we are not alone, but the Holy Spirit helps us. Look at verses 26,27. “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” Often we become too weak to come to God for requests. We feel too powerless and problems look too big to be solved. We don’t know where to start and what to pray for. So, we just sigh in despair and fall into sleep in a prayer room. Then we wake up and repeat “Lord! Lord!” and fall into sleep again. But at that time remember that we are not alone. The Holy Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. God the Father in heaven who knows our hearts and our problems hears the intercession of the Holy Spirit for us.

During his second missionary journey, Paul confronted his limitation for evangelizing his own people. In Corinth he devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. But the Jews opposed him and became abusive. Although Paul was comforted by the conversions of several Jews and many of the Corinthians, he was still discouraged by the strong opposition of the Jews.

One night he was fearful and became weak. He did not know what to pray and how to start. But, at that time, the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” (Ac 18:9,10) Last week we heard that some of our members received rejections and even persecutions during their mission trip at Wash U. Satan might plant to fear and doubt in their hearts. However, we must remember that we are not alone. The Lord is with us and will be with us. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. May God help us not to be afraid or silent, but keep on speaking and preaching the good news to young people in this generation. Amen.

Third, in all things God works for the good of those who love him. (28-30). We the children of God, those who love God the Father and those who have been called according to His good purpose never despair because we believe that in all things God works for the good for us. Let us read verse 28. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Sometimes we wonder why good people suffer while bad people prosper. Some may ask, “Why do bad things happen to good Christians?” One young man became skeptical and cynical about God since he heard about the Indonesian Tsunami. However, we must believe that our God is absolutely good and that He works in all things, whether they are good things or bad things, for the good according to his purpose. For instance, in the Old Testament Joseph was an honest, responsible and lovely boy. However, he was hated by his own brothers and sold as slave to another country. He worked hard as a slave and even became reliable and loyal to his master. But, because of a false accusation of his master’s wife, he was imprisoned. In a prison, he helped the discharge of two political criminals by interpreting heir dreams, but he himself was not released. His life seemed to be one tragedy after another from a human point of view. Everything looked to go against him. However, in the end of his life story, how did Joseph testify about his life to his brothers who worried about Joseph’s revenge? Joseph said, “Don’t be afraid… You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Ge 54:19,20) Joseph believed that God worked for the good even in the time of betrayal and imprisonment in order to save many lives. Our God is a mighty God. He is also absolutely good and love. As he changed dry bones in the valley of death into the mighty army of God, God has power to change all things for the good of those who love him and for world salvation. (Ezk 37:1-10) Amen.

Fourth, no one separates us from the love of Christ (31-39) God chose us and called us to be conformed to the likeness of his Son Jesus Christ. God wants to glorify us. (29-30). What , then, shall we say in response to this? (31) If God is for us, who can be against us? (31) Who dares to doubt about God’s love for his children? Who can bring charge against his children whom He has chosen? Look at verses 32-34, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us?” The Apostle Paul emphasizes the absoluteness of God’s love for his children in verses 35-39. Please read verses 35-39. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” We the children of God because of everlasting and lavishing God’s love, become not only survivors but also more than conquerors on this earth. This inseparable love of God enables us to endure present sufferings and finish the race until we receive the crown of life from our Lord Jesus Christ. No one and nothing on this earth can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. I want to make a conclusion this chapter by introducing a heart-moving story between a father and his son.

There was a 400 meter track semi-final race in Barcelona Olympic Game in 1992. A British runner Derek Redmond was about to start the race expecting his first medal in the Olympic. He was proud of himself before 65,000 people in the stadium including his father who had supported him and encouraged him thus far. With the sound of starting, Derek ran with full of his might and immediately became a leader of the group. His dream in the Olympic seemed to come true in a minute. However, no sooner had he reached 200 meters than he felt severe pain in his right hamstring as if he got a gunshot. His face paled. He began hopping in one leg, then slowed down and fell to the track. As he laid on the track, a medical personnel unit ran toward him. At the same time, his father Jim Redmond, seeing his son in trouble, raced down from the top row of the stands, sidestepping people, bumping into others. His father had no credentials to be on the track during the race. It was against the Olympic rule. It did not matter to him if only he could help his son in trouble. On the track, Derek realized his dream of an Olympic medal was gone. Tears run down his face. But he did not give up. He refused the medical crew and told them, “I’ m going to finish my race.” The other runners have already finished the race. But, Derek did not mind. He lifted himself to his feet, ever so slowly, and started hobbling down the track. He was continuing his race on one leg. Derek did not drop out of the race. But, one painful step at a time, more painful than the one before, his face twisted with pain and tears. As Derek limped onward, the crowd, many also in tears, cheered him on. His father Jim Redmond finally leaped over the railing, avoiding a security guard and ran out to his son. Two security people chased after him. But his father yelled back to security, “That’s my son out there, and I’m going to help him.” To the father, the Olympic rule did not matter. Security guards and 65,000 people’s eyes did not matter if only he could help his suffering son. “I’m here, son.” The father said hugging his boy. “We’ll finish together.” Derek put his arms around his father’s shoulders and sobbed. Together, arm in arm, father and son, with 65,000 people cheering, clapping and crying, finished the race. After finishing the race, Jim threw his arms around his son Derek again and cried, along with everyone in stands and on TV.

Who will separate children from their father? Who will separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord? Our Father in heaven will be with us until we finish the race. God will help us arm in arm and step by step until we enter the kingdom of heaven. We will receive the crown of life in front of numerous witnesses of our forefathers. Let us not drop out of the race. Let us not be discouraged. Rather, may God make us more than conquerors in this spiritual battle. Amen.

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