Romans 8:18–39“We always have Hope.”

Romans 8:1-17“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs —heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

Romans 8:17“Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.”

1 Peter

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1:7 Suffering so that our faith will grow

2:20, 3:17

Suffer for doing good, doing God’s will

4:1 Suffer for struggling against sin

4:13-16 Suffering for being a Christian

5:9 Suffer as a result of resisting Satan

Romans 8:18“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

Romans 8:23b – 24“our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved.”

Romans 19:22“The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”

“Why are there natural disasters in the world ?”

“Why are there natural disasters in the world ?”

If a good god doesn’t stop suffering, what hope is there for me ? How can I be hopeful of a good future if a disaster can potentially hit me any time ?

Questions for you to answer to each other :

“Why are there natural disasters in the world ?”

What is God doing about it ?

Worldview A

Their God causes natural disasters for reasons known only to Himself.

Worldview B

1. This world is an illusion. Suffering as we know it is not real.

Worldview B

1. This world is an illusion. Suffering as we know it is not real.

2. Natural disasters are part and parcel of the cycle of life, there is nothing evil about it.

Worldview B

1. This world is an illusion. Suffering as we know it is not real.

2. Natural disasters are part and parcel of the cycle of life, there is nothing evil about it.

3. A person suffering in a natural disaster could be settling the debt of a previous life.

Worldview C

1. The correction of the balance between good and evil.

Worldview C

1. The correction of the balance between good and evil.

2. A person suffering in a natural disaster could be settling the debt of a previous life.

Worldview D

Natural disasters are just the product of cause and effects in the world.

Romans 19:22“The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”

Romans 8:18 – 25

Verse 18

It is worth suffering for Christ now, because of the glorious transformation that will happen.

19 – 23 Even the world is suffering as it eagerly anticipates the transformed sons (and daughters) of God !

24 – 25 This glorious transformation (becoming like our Lord Jesus Christ) is the Great Hope of our soul !! This Hope is rooted in our faith, in that it is tangible but invisible.

Romans 8:26 – 30

26 – 27 But we are not just hoping alone, the Holy Spirit helps us by praying for us, especially on days when we don’t even know what to pray for ourselves.

28 Another perspective of our Hope : Whatever happens, God is working things for our good. God will make good out of our trials and suffering.

29 – 30 Even before we were born, God already saw us and has a great plan for our lives.

Romans 8:31 – 34

31 – 33 What then should be our conclusion ? To fulfill the Hope that we will be gloriously transformed to become like Jesus Christ, God did not even spare His own Son. That is certainly proof of God’s intention and love.

34 Our Hope is certain – not only is the Holy Spirit interceding for us (verses 27-27), our Lord Jesus is also interceding for us.

Romans 8:35 – 39

35 – 36,38 – 39

Therefore NOTHING can separate us from God’s love and will.

37 Truly we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.

Our Hope is solid because our Triune God wills it to happen. 26 – 27 The Holy Spirit helps us by

praying for us, especially on days when we don’t even know what to pray for ourselves.

34 Our Lord Jesus is also interceding for us.

29 – 30 Even before we were born, God already saw us and has a great plan for our lives.

• “I am in pain, I am suffering – is there hope for me ?”

• “Is there hope for me when my grades are so bad ? Do I still have any future ?”

• “Is there hope for me when my business is failing ?”

• “Is there hope for my marriage and my family life; when my spouse wants to call it quits ?”

Romans 8:28“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

Christmas Outreach Musical EventNames to be prayed for Received

on 2nd Sep 2012

1. No. of Persons who submitted names to be prayed for 106

2. No. of Names being submitted to be prayed for 414

Christmas Outreach Musical EventNames to be prayed for Received

On 7th Oct 2012

1. No. of Persons who submitted names to be prayed for 106 + 22

2. No. of Names being submitted to be prayed for 414 + 69

Christmas Outreach Musical EventNames to be prayed for Received

On 7th Oct 2012

1. No. of Persons who submitted names to be prayed for 106+ …

2. No. of Names being submitted to be prayed for 414+ …

1. Want to Pray – 3 Names (your name)

2. Have invited – ? Names (your name)