1. God’s Purpose In Pain Romans 8:16-18
Grace Community Church
March 2, 2008

2. Romans 8 - Assurance Suffering often brings doubt.
Suffering exists, therefore the gospel is not true.
The gospel is true, but since I suffer it is not true for me.

3. Romans 8:16
(ESV) 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God…
(NIV) 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children….

4. Romans 8:16-17
(ESV) 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.
(NIV) 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.

5. Suffering Prepared Christ for Glory
(ESV) Hebrews 2:10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
(ESV) Hebrews 5:8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.

6. Suffering Prepares Us for Glory Too.
2 Corinthians 4: So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

7. Romans 8:18
(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.
(NIV) 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.