I’ve Been Done Wrong

James Weidner III - July 23, 2023

Romans 8:18-28 (ESV) 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. 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Introduction:

We have all been done wrong at some point.
The difference is how we have each responded to being done wrong.
Some get offended.
Some get angry.
Some withdraw.
Some plan to get revenge.
Some step back and attempt to find the hand of God.

1. Our difficulties are not worthy to compare:

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.

1.1. Hardships of this present age.

1.2. Sufferings of this present time.

1.3. “I didn’t count on suffering, I didn’t count on pain, but the blessings in the valley, so in the river I will stay” Delirious

1.4. Hardships are cousins to our weaknesses.

1.5. The Spirit of God helps and works through both.

2. The creation has been subjected to futility:

Romans 8:19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility,

2.1. The creation being referred to here is all things that were created not excluding any.

2.2. All creation is pacing back and forth pushing through the travail of labor anxiously longing for the end.

2.2.1. Ela… as the husband and family of the soon mother to be wait for the news to burst forth from the delivery room.

2.3. Yes, during the wait futility runs ramped, which explains alot:

2.3.1. inutility; transientness; morally, depravity: — vanity.

2.3.2. what is devoid of truth and appropriateness perverseness, depravity, frailty, want of vigour

2.3.3. inutility: 1. uselessness. 2. a useless thing or person

2.3.4. Transientness: The state of being transient

2.4. Futility becomes overwhelmingly futile to the people of God who have had the blinders removed.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (NKJV) 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them

2.4.1. .to make blind, i.e. (figuratively) to obscure: — blind. to blind, make blindin the NT metaph. to blunt the mental discernment, darken the mind

3. The Spirit of God helps us through pray:

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

3.1. Prayer is the Lord provision and access to help.

3.2. He intercedes for us on our behalf, as well as intercedes through us for our benefit, as we pray.

3.3. Our weaknesses:

3.3.1. Lack of strength
3.3.2. Frailty and feebleness
3.3.3. The ability to bear through trails 3.3.4. Or the lack of understanding

3.4. Our hardships will likely possess one of these character traits.

3.5. Without which it could hardly be called a hardship.

4. Understand how the Lord works through weakness and situations that would cause us to be in want.

Psalms 105:11-16 (NKJV) 11 Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan As the allotment of your inheritance,” 12 When they were few in number, Indeed very few, and strangers in it. 13 When they went from one nation to another, From one kingdom to another people, 14 He permitted no one to do them wrong; Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes, 15 Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm.” 16 Moreover He called for a famine in the land; He destroyed all the provision of bread

Psalms 105:17-21 (NKJV) 17 He sent a man before them— Joseph—who was sold as a slave. 18 They hurt his feet with fetters, He was laid in irons. 19 Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the LORD tested him. 20 The king sent and released him, The ruler of the people let him go free. 21 He made him lord of his house, And ruler of all his possessions

4.1. Joseph

4.1.1. He called for a famine

4.1.2. He sent a man.

4.1.3. Who was sold into slavery.

4.1.4. Feet were fettered.

4.1.5. Laid in irons.

4.1.6. Until the time came.

4.2. We think well that was then, and now is different.

4.3. Wether we like how it plays out God uses people and circumstances to accomplish His plans.

4.4. Searching for what God is up to in the rejection we are encountering.

4.4.1. The feeling of and/or being rejected is a powerful thing.

4.4.2. It does something to a person.

4.4.3. God is our receiver, He receives us, many others will reject us along the way.

4.4.4. “Vengeance is mine says the Lord”

Allow a person to back up.
Allowing a person back in when it is safe to do so.

“Turn the other cheek”
“Give your enemies a cup of cold water.”

5. Through it all one must continue to love God.
Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

5.1. Loving the Lord is a continual act.

5.2. Those who love the Lord is present tense.

5.3. Let us not be a people who forget.

PS 106:13 They soon forgot His works; They did not wait for His counsel 14 but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, Ad tested God in the dessert.

5.4. The Apostle James picks up on the same idea…

James 1:25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

5.5. People who forget are like