From Genesis to Revelation we can see two main threads: the kingdom and the bride. Both are in Christ.

In this introduction we will see the beginning and the end and how the beginning foretells the end .... the glorious end, which is only the beginning!

Called...Justified...Glorified!

God is for us!

Nothing can separate us from God's love.

We can defeat little satan!

God causes all things to work together for good... God foreknew... He also predestined...

These have been debated for over 1900 years, so here's another attempt.

Have you ever heard that the goal is sonship? Would that make a difference?

Creation is groaning. We are groaning. Even God is groaning.

Everything and everyone is waiting for the manifestation of the son of God!

This is our sonship, and this is our hope.

We are waiting for God's glory to be revealed in us, as described in Romans 8:18. What a day that will be!

But verse 19 tells us that creation is waiting for the same thing! "Eagerly" it says.

This ought to not only fill us with anticipation, but encourage us all the more to run our race in grace.

How will all of this turn out? What will creation enjoy once we are glorified? The Word gives us some idea!

Glory is not a place; rather it is the expression of God. And God wants to express His glory through us!

Paul mentioned glory several times in Romans 8. We look forward to that wonderful day when we will see the glory of Christ, but how much of that glory will shine out of us? Dare we take it for granted?

Paul said that we may also be glorified with Him "if indeed we suffer with Him." If we believe that we are reading God's Word, then we have to take that at face value, but what does the rest of the New Testament say about it?

Let us look at this aspect of our future honestly.

We are God's children, growing into sons. We have received the Spirit of sonship, whereby we cry "Abba, Father!"

How precious this is!

How do we encourage the growth to sonship? What can hinder us?

How can we be glorified with Christ?

[Listen to the end for a special announcement]

Every day, even every hour, we chose to live by either the flesh or the Spirit. How much does it matter?

Paul wrote: if you are living according to the flesh, you are going to die

How should I take that? Does the warning really apply to me?

Let's ask the church in Sardis.