August 18, 2020
Go, Tell It to the Mountain
Romans 8:1-25
Kayce Allen
Central Truth
In the broken, sin-stained world we live in, trials and sufferings are inevitable. God has not and will not abandon us. Hardships in this life are incomparable to the majesty that we will experience dwelling with God for all of eternity.
Key Verse | Romans 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:1-25
Life in the Spirit
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 1 8:1 Some manuscripts add who walk not according to the flesh (but according to the Spirit) 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you 2 8:2 Some manuscripts me free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, 3 8:3 Or and as a sin offering he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus 4 8:11 Some manuscripts lack Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
Heirs with Christ
12 So then, brothers, 5 8:12 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 29 we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons 6 8:14 See discussion on sons in the Preface of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Future Glory
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Dive Deeper | Romans 8:1-25
If you really knew me, you'd know that I love to speak in coffee-mug quotes. You know, the relatable quotes you see printed on coffee mugs? For example, "Until God opens another door, praise Him in the hallway." Or, one of my personal favorites, "Go tell your mountain about your God." We all have mountains in life, right? Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." The purpose of Solomon's words is to express that we are going to have times of happiness, sadness, joy, and frustration. In this world, we will experience trials and suffering, but Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33).
I recently started attending re:generation at Watermark (11/10 would recommend) where the first step is: "Admitting that we are powerless . . . that in our own power, our lives are unmanageable." On your own, you are powerless to climb the mountains in your life, but you serve a mighty and powerful God who will walk alongside you.
Friend, I know it may seem like your life is full of endless mountains to climb, but imagine the view when God gets you to the top. Romans 8:18 tells us that "the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Do not let the size of your mountain define the size of your God. We cannot control the hardships or suffering we walk through and experience, but we can control how we respond and seek God despite the chaos.
God has not abandoned you in the suffering. He is present during the struggle, and He is present in the joyful times. Take a look at Revelation 21:4, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." #MICDROP That is what we have to look forward to in eternity with our Savior. The glory to come will be well worth the climb.
Discussion Questions
1. What is a current "mountain" in your life? Are you trying to bear the burden of the hardship on your own, or are you actively seeking God in the midst of the chaos?
2. In what ways have you tried to carry your burdens on your own, and what was the outcome of trying to handle it?
3. What hurts, habits, and hang-ups are keeping you from fully trusting that God's ways are better in your life? If this is something you're struggling with, I would highly recommend checking out re:generation at Watermark.
4. How can you seek God in the midst of hardship? Reflect on three ways that you have seen the goodness of God in your life.
5. Do you believe that God has a purpose for you—even in the suffering and hardship?