Mar. 09, 2025

“Hope in Suffering”
Romans 5:3-5
Central Idea: The blessings of our justification enable us to trust
God in the hardest times of suffering.
• Romans is about the ___________ - Romans 1:16-17
• The gospel is about our justification = “___________ righteous”
• Justification introduces us to all the ____________ of our faith
1. We have ________ with God = past
2. We have ________ to God = present
3. We _________ in hope = future
I. Understanding N.T. Suffering
A. Jesus on Suffering - Matthew 5:11-12
B. James on Suffering - James 1:2-3
C. Peter on Suffering - 1 Peter 4:13-14
D. Paul on Suffering (3)
• “And not only this” - another piece of our ________
• “tribulations”
• __________
• defined: “to _________, ___________, ____________”
• What we are to do: “exult” = “to live with ________ confidence
• This is ______________.
• How can it be done? The key — “____________”
•We are in good _____________ in the grace of God (1-2).
•We need a __________ perspective in our suffering.
II. God’s plans (3c-4)
A. Produce spiritual blessings
• “perseverance” - “__________ __________”
• Defined: “A _________ response to adversity.” (Bridges)
• “proven character” - “__________, ________”
• God is __________ you up, so you can be tested & approved
• “hope” - no uncertainty, but ____________ expectation.
• focused increasingly on that which is ____________
B. Ultimate hope is in the love of God for us (5a)
• This love was __________ out in our hearts.
C. Ultimate gift (5b) - The ________ ___________
• Holy Spirit is given at the moment of ___________________.
• Our hope is certain = it rests on the ________ of God for us.
• Our hope is as certain as the __________ of the Holy Spirit.
Application:
1. Tribulation has a ____________ in God’s plan for your life.
• There is no _____________ suffering for the believer.
•We do not rejoice in tribulation for what it is, but because of
what it ______________ = the character of Christ.
2. Are we yet what God wants us to be?
• No, but we can be __________ that one day we will be.
• God uses _______________ to make us who He wants us to be.