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Pastor Wade Burleson





You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet

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Romans 8:18 (KJV)
  1. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet

Romans 8:18

Paul begins Romans 8 by saying "there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ." All the righteous anger, punishment and vengeance of a holy god toward you because of your sin is gone. However, even those in Christ still suffer the pangs of death, disappointment and defeat. Sometimes we suffer like Joseph because of the actions of others. We suffer like Jonah because we are disappointed in our own actions. Other times we are like Job and suffer for unknown reasons. Paul writes to encourage us all.

  1. A calculation regarding our present experience . . . "I reckon . . ." (v.18).
    This word "reckon" is an old accounting term. It is much stronger than "consider" (NIV) and carries the idea of someone who is able to determine the truth accurately.
    "Your temporary pain is not worth comparing to your eternal pleasure."
    1. Paul knew temporary pain -- (II Corinthians 11:23-28).
      He was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, abandoned, hungry, weak, and poor.
    2. Paul knew eternal pleasures -- (II Corinthians 12:4).
      He was "caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words" (II Corinthians 12:4).
      This phrase "unspeakable words" is translated elsewhere "impossible to speak."
      "The things Paul saw and heard in heaven were so wonderful and extraordinary that Paul could not express it in words or represent it to others in speech." Gill.
  2. A comparison regarding our present and future . . . "no worthy comparison" (v.18).
    Paul, who both saw the future and lived the present, said he couldn't compare them.
    "There is no proportion between what is finite, however great it may be, to the infinite."
    What you endure here -- compare it with -- what you will enjoy there!
    What you suffer here -- compare it with -- what will satisfy you there!
    The problems here -- compare it with -- the pleasures there!
    You can't compare them because they differ so much in intensity and in duration. Some say, "But at least give me something that pulls back the veil of future glory." Your present suffering is not worthy to be compared to "the glory revealed in us." Your imperfections, failures, frailties, disappointments, fears, and worries evaporate. You are changed. You are transformed. The begun in you is completed (Philippians 1:6).
    "If Moses' face shined on a mountain surrounded by the terrors of the testimonies of God's law, thing about your face in heaven surrounded by the everlasting testimonies of His favor and blessing." Robert Haldane
  3. A conclusion regarding our present experience . . . "God works all for good" (v.28).
    The conclusion to Paul's great section on suffering does not come until verse 28. Whatever it is that you are enduring these days, whatever the suffering is:
    Look Up!! -- the God of all creation is at work for your good for all eternity.
    Perk Up!! -- the God who created you and adopted you never is angry with you.
    Get Up!! -- quit feeling sorry for yourself and see life as training for the big event.
    "If you promise to yourself in this life perpetual enjoyment of ease and prosperity, you miscalculate the times, and confuse the present with the future." Haldane


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Pastor Wade