BSGC Rom # 43 Unwillingly subjected to vanity Rom 8 vs 18-25

Sermon Title (s): 1. Unwillingly subjected to vanity, 2. Suffering and future glory, 3. God's purpose in the vanity of the creature.

1. The elect have been justified in Christ and that means they have been placed above condemnation.

2. And these are they walk according to the Spirit.

3. But their union with Christ is not just positively in their justification, but in suffering. They have been spared from condemnation, but not from suffering.

4. Suffering is part and parcel of the glory road, in the sharing of the sufferings of Christ.

5. The Holy Spirit has been given them who are justified to prove their sonship and God's promise of their future resurrection.

6. But the whole creation labors and groans in futility. It awaits its redemption in the revelation of the sons of God, those made children by God's election and redemption in Christ.

7. The creation was subjected to futility by God's decree, unwillingly, but with a bigger purpose of its redemption in Christ to the glory of God. Sin and its effects have to be understood through this lens of Romans 8 vs 20.

8. The redeemed have been given this understanding of the why of suffering in the context of their justification so that they do not despair in tribulations.

9. This and more and it is free!