Our Sermons

Bible Passage: Romans 8:18-25
Pastor: Pastor Berg
Sermon Date:  July 26, 2020

If you’ve been following along with our series this summer as we look at Romans 101: One word at a time, today may be a first for many of you. We’ve already looked at words like Atonement, Righteousness, and Reconciliation. We’ve talked about concepts like baptism and  sin. Yet, even if you’re new to the church, you’ve likely heard those words before in some setting, even if you didn’t know what they meant. Today, I’m guessing, is different. Today, most of you looked at the word in parentheses on the cover of the worship folder and probably thought, “Huh? Escha-what?” Eschatology is not a word that we use very often, It’s a word that’s used when discussing theology at the Seminary. This isn’t an everyday-speech kind of word. However, there is value in talking about it today. Eschatology is the study of the end of this time of grace here on earth and what that means for us as Christians. And that’s going to be our focus today as we sit at the feet of Paul. Paul describes both the present and the future as he writes to the Romans. May we long with Paul for what we eagerly, yet patiently wait for–the sure and certain hope of eternal life.

“For I conclude that our sufferings at the present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.” When we look at Eschatology, at least from a biblical perspective, we’re really looking at the aspects of our salvation that we have already and also the things that we don’t quite have yet. You can sense that tension in Paul’s opening words of chapter 8. After talking about sin and the battle between our old man and new man in chapter 7, Paul opens chapter 8 with these words, “So then, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Already, right now, we are declared “not guilty” in God’s eyes. Because of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice of atonement, we are at one with God. We are reconciled to God. We are no longer his enemies, but his friends with a close, personal relationship. So close, in fact, that because of our Baptism, when Christ died it was as if we died. When Christ was buried, our sinful nature was buried right along with him. So, it only follows that when Jesus rose from the dead, we rose with him too. Our new man now lives inside of us, clothed with Jesus’ righteousness. That new man, who rose with Christ, battles with the old man every single day. And there’s the tension! Even though we are saved, justified, righteous, and reconciled; even though we have all those things right now, we don’t enjoy them fully. Not yet. No, right now, we have sufferings, in the present. 

And it’s those present sufferings that have fueled some of the great hymns of the church; not just the sufferings, but the hope, the longing for the glory that we don’t have just yet. “I’m but a stranger here; Heaven is my home. Earth is a desert drear; Heaven is my home.” “When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll–whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, “It is well, it is well, with my soul.” “So sing with joy, afflicted one; the battle’s fierce, but the victory’s won; God shall supply all that you need. Yes, as your days your strength shall be.” “Lord, when your glory I shall see and taste your kingdom’s pleasure, your blood my royal robe shall be, my joy beyond all measure.” Those are just a few lines that immediately came to mind, and I’m sure there are many more that come to yours. What’s clear from these words is that sufferings are present now and they are present now because of sin. But suffering is not limited to us. 

“In fact, creation is waiting with eager longing for the sons of God to be revealed. For creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in the hope that even creation itself will be set free from slavery to corruption, in order to share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. For we know that all of creation is groaning with birth pains right up to the present time.” Did you ever think about that? God created this perfect world whose purpose was to sustain life for the crown of God’s creation, you and me and all of mankind. But when Adam and Eve sinned, God subjected creation to futility. It became a slave to corruption and death. God made the world and then he made it so it would continually get worse and worse. 

I had a conversation years ago with a gentleman who didn’t believe this. He didn’t believe the world, creation was subject to sin. I told him to look at my front yard, full of dandelions and other weeds at the time, and asked him why those were there if creation wasn’t subject to futility. You and I both know that the world is not getting better. That’s hard to accept because we often listen to the wisdom of this world which says just the opposite. We would like to think that we can solve all human problems in this life. We like to think that this life is what it’s all about. We’ll find a cure for Covid-19 and all the other crippling diseases. We’ll put an end to famine and world hunger. We’ll achieve peace among all nations. We’ll put an end to hatred and racism. And not that any of those things aren’t things we can work towards. But if we think that this is our primary purpose and mission; if we believe that trying harder is going to accomplish this, then we’ve missed the point that our sin affects creation as much as it affects us. Sin frustrates creation. The world is in a real sense going to hell–metaphorically–and because of our own sin, we deserve the same–literally! The world is getting progressively worse, not just the people but the planet! God made sure it would happen that way. But do you know why?

“And not only creation, but also we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we eagerly await our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. Indeed, it was for this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is not hope, because how hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for something we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patient endurance.” God could have done things differently. He could have allowed the world to remain free from sin and simply wiped Adam and Eve from existence. He could have started over. Perhaps, that’s what our logic says should have happened, because that’s what we would have done. But God was not willing to simple wipe Adam and Eve from existence. He was not willing to let them suffer for eternity in hell. No, God’s purpose for creating them in the first place was so they could be their God and they could be his people. He wanted to be with them forever. So, God gave them a promise, the promise of a Savior. God promised that Jesus would come and rescue them from their sins. He promised that there would be a new heavens and earth where they could dwell with him forever. 

Do you see what this means for us? God is allowing this world to continue to deal with futility, to continue to labor in pain because he doesn’t want us to think that this is all there is. This isn’t the end. This is not the be all and end all. This is not the best it’s going to get. There’s a better place out there. That’s what we long for! That’s what we hope for! That’s what we wait for with patient endurance. 

So what exactly are we waiting for? Listen again. “For I conclude that our sufferings at the present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us…And not only creation, but also we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we eagerly await our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.” Children of God, believers in Jesus have “the firstfruits of the Spirit.” Our God-given faith is the proof and guarantee of a better life to come. God’s children know that they can anticipate “our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.” This is the life to come, a life when our adoption into God’s family is made visible. A life when our bodies will be freed from sin’s curse once and for all. Who doesn’t want a life free from pain, sadness, stress, tears, suffering and death? All the time, here on earth, people are desperately trying to avoid those things. The life to come offers them all! How desperately we long to be there!

Just think about the comfort you have knowing that you are God’s dearly loved child! Notice the care that God took to show you how his Son became your brother so you could become God’s child. See how the Lord reveals to you a love for you so great that he sent his own Son to the cross to redeem your sinful body from sin by offering his holy body into death. Marvel at how the Lord proves to you that you have a better life to come because Jesus’ resurrection opened up the door to heaven for you!

Life’s disappointments will still come, and we know that only too well right now, but they are only temporary, because your best life is not now, but then. Unexpected turns and unfulfilled dreams will come down the road of life, but they are only temporary, because your best life is not now, but then. Jesus Christ defeated your sin then–in the past–and rose to life to promise each of you, God’s dearly loved children, that your best life is then–in the life to come. At your baptism, God gave you eternal life, a gift that will carry you into eternity at his side. At this altar, God repeatedly previews the heavenly feast where you will be seated with all of his blood-bought saints. In his Word, God beautifully pictures your best life then in glory. Even in picturesque poetry penned by Christians past and present, we are reminded that our best life is not now, but then…

Then the glory, Then the rest, Then the Sabbath peace unbroken, Then the garden, Then the throne, Then the crystal river flowing, Then the splendor, Then the life, Then the new creation singing, Then the marriage, Then the love, Then the feast of joy unending, Then the knowing, Then the light, Then the ultimate adventure, Then the Spirit’s harvest gathered, Then the Lamb in majesty, Then the Father’s Amen, Then. Then. Then.

Our present is not even worth comparing to our future. Because of God’s great love for us in giving his Son, our sure, certain, future hope of eternity is what we patiently long for. And so we say with the hymn writer, “We long to be with Jesus amid the heavenly throng, to sing with saints his praises, to learn the angels’ song.” Amen.