Lesson 106
Romans
Chapter Eight
Freedom in Christ through the Holy Spirit
The Dynamic for living the Christian Life
What Paul is saying here is that when weighed in the balance against true and lasting value the glory that is to be ours, the suffering endured in this life pales to insignificance.
- What we do know is that we are to be glorified with Christ; to share His glory [v.17c]; we will appear with Him in glory! Col. 3:4; 2 Ths. 1:10
What is glory?
- do,xa used to translate the Heb. DAbk' heavy, weighty
#1 idea of honor,
reputation, praise Jn
12:43
#2 also brightness,
splendor, radiance Acts
- speaks of that which radiates from the presence of the Lord!
- What is the equivalent for us of the Shekinah
glory in the Tabernacle/Temple?
- What Paul has a reference to here with "the glory to be unveiled or revealed" is even greater; and its still future!
- The question now becomes, what has to happen for us to get there, to realize this glory?
So, What are the steps to Glorification from where we sit today?
- Our view of death has a very powerful influence on how we live!
- Our view of death has a very powerful influence on how we live!
- Paul's vocabulary for his own death! very expressive! [Illustrative of dvpt]
#1
2 Pet.
#2 2 Tim 4:6 "my departure" avna,lusij to loosen up, untie, to analyze
1. Was used by seaman, of the unloosing of a ship from its
anchorage, when ready for departure to the next port!
I'm like a
ship loaded and ready to go, cut me loose!
Has the idea of freedom; what bound me here has been let loose!
2. Was also a plowman's word; used of unyoking a weary team of
animals after a hard day;
3. It was also used by travelers, of striking a tent, in preparation
for heading out for next destination.
4. It was also used by philosophers, signifying a solution, an
[analysis]
#3
Phil
In which view of death is ones age of any importance??
How could Paul say it was "very much better" for him to die?
Four reasons.
#1 - He knew that death for the believer is not a catastrophe!
#2 - For the believer the immediate presence with the Lord is the reality at death. 2 Cor 5:8
#3 - There was no question in Paul's thinking of its superiority because it would bring him to the goal of His Christian life. Phil. 3:8-14
#4 - It would bring rest from his labors.
Ø The Future of Creation 8:19-21
- This section revolves around 3 verbs: Read
1. v.19 waits eagerly
- avpekde,comai pres. present condition
2. v.20 was subjected - u`pota,ssw aorist past judgment [fall]
3. v.21 will be set free - evleuqero,w
fut. Future restoration contingent
on man's glorification
1. The present condition of Creation 8:19
- Conclusions: Things to keep in mind
#1 The earth is cursed because of the sin of man.
#2 The earth from this point on will continue to produce but only with great effort!
#3 Reason creation is a part of God's judgment on Adam for his sin is because of his position and authority over creation as God's representative
Does the work of the cross only extend to man??
2. 8:20 Creation's past subjection
- When Adam sinned God judged not only
Adam/Eve, the sly old serpent Satan; but also creation.
- Did creation make a choice that set all this
in motion?
- Is it all hopelessness then?
Ø 3rd
- Today all of nature, is bound in a state of corruption it is subject to decay, disease and death;
- When redeemed mankind is finally delivered, freed from the effects of the curse when he is glorified, then nature also is freed from corruption, its bondage to decay.
So also the physical creation will be recreated; Rev 21:5 "Behold I am making all things new"
This will take place in 2 phases;
#1 is the renovation of the present creation at the return of Christ and the establishment of his Messianic Kingdom. Isa 11:6-9
#2 The 2nd phase will be the creation of a new heaven and a new earth; Rev. 21:1; 2 Pet 3:7-13
- From corruption to freedom and liberty! that's Hope!