Hope can see us through

Lesson Text: Romans 8:18-25 March 29, 2009

I. Introduction
A. Many lack confidence in the economy – lost hope
B. Many doubt their spirituality
C. Christians are spiritual
1. Read 1 Cor. 2:12-16
2. Romans 12:1 ESV I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the
mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and
acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
3. Christians have hope; Read Romans 8:18-25
II. Sufferings of this Present Time
A. The whole creation has been groaning from beginning (sin)
1. Subject to futility
2. The answers can not be found in this world, verse 20
3. God gave hope
4. Genesis 3:15 ESV I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your
head, and you shall bruise his heel."
B. Waiting for Adoption
1. Adoptions is beautiful
2. Agape does tremendous work
3. An orphan child longs for adoption – permanence, security, love,
home
4. A Christian longs for the redemption of our bodies – permanence,
security, love, home
C. In this Hope we are saved
1. Colossians 1:5 ESV because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.
Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,
2. Hope cannot be seen with our eyes – expectation of good
3. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for; Heb. 11:1
4. 1 Peter 1:3 ESV Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born
again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from
the dead,
5. Read Romans 6:3-5
6. 1 John 5:13 ESV I write these things to you who believe in the name
of the Son of God that you may know (ra) that you have eternal life.
7. 1 John 5:18 ESV We know that everyone who has been born of God
does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him,
and the evil one does not touch him.
III.The Spirit Helps us in our Weakness
A. Life on earth can be harsh
 1. Pain, sorrow, death
2. 1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV Humbleyourselves, therefore, under the mighty
hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, (7)
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
B. The Spirit helps us in our Weakness
1. Read Romans 8:25-28
2. The Spirit intercedes for the saints – “holy ones” of God.
3. Cell phones have greatly improved
4. Takes our groaning (8:22,23) and relays them crystal clear to God
C. All things work together for good
1. Takes great faith to believe this verse
2. According to the will of God
3. Requires patience – 8:25
IV. The Glory that will be Revealed
A. Present sufferings do not compare
1. Read Romans 8:18
2. Heaven will be that wonderful
B. A place like no other
1. Revelation 7:15-17
2. Revelation 21:3,4; 22-27
3. Revelation 22:1-5
C. Don’t you want to go to Heaven
1. Revelation 22:17
2. You can KNOW that you have eternal life