OPENING
Define/explain the following movements of our salvation:
Petrified:
Justified:
Sanctified:
Glorified:
Digging Deeper:
Read the following passages and discuss each part:
What is being said and what does it mean for our lives?
Romans 8:18-30. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us...
19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God...
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies...
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. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified...
Connection Group Questions:
Glorification is the endgame of this wonderful gift of salvation. This refers to that time when, at Christ's return, all believers, both living and dead, will have the full and final redemption of their bodies and reach their final state– glorification in Jesus. The process of our regeneration, justification and sanctification will reach its final goal. We will be saved not just from the power of sin, but from the presence of sin. Even death itself will be swallowed in victory.
Glorification is the believer's hope- for the present and the future. It is a comfort in this fallen world where sin continues to wreak havoc on creation and in our lives. God is working even now to purify His children in preparation for our future glory. In a real way we are already glorified, secure in Jesus, evermore a child of God. But at Christ's return God will make all things right and keep it that way for eternity. We will live forever in the new heavens and new earth as glorified saints, enjoying all of the benefits of salvation that Christ has won for us.
- What are the potential "pitfalls" of this promise for believers?
- How can we apply the hope and promise of glorification to our world?
- How can the hope of glorification change your life now?
- Would you say you have experienced the glory of God?