This document provides a summary of Paul's perspective on the present suffering of creation as discussed in Romans 8:12-25. It outlines Paul's view that creation currently groans under the effects of sin until the time of future glorification and redemption through God's children. The "present time" involves living by the Spirit rather than the flesh, with the hope of a future salvation when all of God's children and creation will be freed from decay.

1. A Prayer for the People of God
Steadfast God,
teach us your way and your truth.
Root us in you alone,
help us to grow in grace and love,
that we may fulfill our role and our work
in the reign of Jesus Christ.
Amen.

2. Coronavirus Sunday #19
The COVID-19 Calendar

3. The Church Calendar
July 19

4. Romans 8:12-25
the SUFFERING of this PRESENT time

5. PAUL’S PERSPECTIVE
Present
Evil Age
Kingdom
of God
The Fall
Jesus
2nd Coming

6. Life determined
by s/Sin-ful flesh
Minds focused on
matters of s/Sin
Death
PAUL’S LINE of THINKING
Life determined
by the Spirit
Minds focused on
matters of Spirit
Life

7. So then, my dear family, we are in debt—
but not to human flesh, to live our life in that
way. If you live in accordance with the flesh,
you will die; but if, by the spirit, you put to
death the deeds of the body, you will live.
All who are led by the spirit of God, you see,
are God’s children. You didn’t receive a spirit
of slavery, did you, to go back again into a
state of fear? But you received the spirit of
sonship, in whom we call out “Abba, Father!”
ROMANS 8:12-15 (KNT)

8. ISRAEL
- Wilderness
- Cloud/fire
- Slavery in Egypt
- Canaan
- The Law
A NEW EXODUS
THE CHURCH
- Overlap of the ages
- Presence of the Spirit
- Slavery to s/Sin
- All of creation
- The Spirit of Life
CREATION
- Futility & decay
- Restoration & renewal

9. When that happens, it is the spirit itself
giving supporting witness to what our own
spirit is saying, that we are God’s children.
And if we’re children, we are also heirs: heirs
of God, and fellow heirs with the Messiah, as
long as we suffer with him so that we may
also be glorified with him. This is how I work
it out. The sufferings we go through in the
present time
are not worth putting in the scale alongside
ROMANS 8:16-18 (KNT)

10. Creation, you see, was subjected to pointless
futility, not of its own volition, but because
of the one who placed it in this subjection,
in the hope that creation itself would be
freed from its slavery to decay, to enjoy the
freedom that comes when God’s children
are glorified. Let me explain. We know that
the entire creation is groaning together,
and going through labor pains together,
up until the present time.
ROMANS 8:20-22 (KNT)

11. “…as God sent Jesus to rescue the human race,
so God will send Jesus’ younger siblings to
rescue the whole created order, to bring that
justice and peace for which the whole creation
yearns…the freedom for which creation
longs, and which it will be liberated into,
is the freedom that comes about through the
glorification of the children of God…(creation)
will have freedom because God’s children have
glory (they will be God’s agents in bringing
the wise, healing, restorative divine justice
to the whole created order.)”

12. Not only so: we too, we who have the
first fruits of the spirit’s life within us,
are groaning within ourselves, as we
eagerly await our adoption, the redemption
of our body. We were saved, you see,
in hope. But hope isn’t hope if you
can see it! Who hopes for what they
can see? But if we hope for what
we don’t see, we wait for it eagerly—
but also patiently.”
ROMANS 8:23-25 (KNT)

13. PAUL’S PERSPECTIVE
Present
Evil Age
Kingdom
of God
The Fall
Jesus
2nd Coming

14. Closing Prayer
Faithful God,
you care for us with
compassion and firmness,
urging us to grow in love for you.
Through Christ,
may we hear more deeply
your call to be rooted in your way.
Amen.