Romans 8:19-21 -- "The Renewal of all Things"

[The index for the series is here.]

I am using the Pastor's titles for these posts. The appropriate links are:

• Audio file
• Note sheet

The text:

(NET) Romans 8:19 For the creation eagerly waits for the revelation of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility – not willingly but because of God²⁴ who subjected it – in hope 21 that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children.

Notes:

²⁴ tn Grk “because of the one”; the referent (God) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

Sermon Notes: The sermon (and note sheet) began with the "The tantalizing promise of Ephesians 1:9‐10…":

He did this when he revealed to us the secret of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, toward the administration of the fullness of the times, to head up all things in Christ – the things in heaven and the things on earth.

Also, in the following notes it is important to keep in mind Romans 8:16-18, where the definition of "children of God" resides:

The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children. And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ) – if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that our present sufferings cannot even be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us.

So now Paul discusses:

• The longing of the creation. (v 19). The “creation” is made to depend upon (and to follow) what God does with His children.
• that the creation was “subjected to frustration.” (v 20) Creation shared the penalty of man’s fall.
• that Creation will be set free—from its slavery to decay. (v 21a)
• Creation will be “brought into” the freedom of the glory of God’s children. (v 21b)

This all points to:

• The glorious future of creation is connected to our glorious future as children of God.
• When we see a suffering creation, we should remember the cause (man’s sin) — and know that God intends to liberate His people — and change all creation.
• We should view ourselves as part of an entire suffering creation — which longs for “glory”!
• We should have a biblical view of creation.
• If we are true children of God, we will one day rule over God’s renewed, renovated, regenerated creation.
• We can glorify God by working to experience the glory of His design for all things.
• At this present moment we are being prepared for something “glorious.”
• We live today—in faith—in a totally victorious God!