For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hopeFor the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hopeFor the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope
4 sermons cite this verse
… a world that is now subject to futility. By the way, the reason I'm quoting that is that's the way Paul in Romans 8.20 describes the world we live in now. The world, Paul says, that is under the curse of sin. He describes that world as subject to futility. and get this, the word that he uses for futility is the word hevel. At least it's the Greek version of that word. Life under the sun is broken. Wisdom is still wisdom and wisdom still works, but there's definitely a glitch in the system. Haven't you experienced that? Some of you have, I know you have. And you haven't really known that you could talk about it in church, right? You're like, I feel like this is part of the dirty secret nobody's supposed to talk about and it harshes everybody's vibe. So we just don't talk about these things. So I'm gonna talk about it for you. Okay, you did everything the right way and something still fell apart. …
… In Romans, he writes, For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it in hope, that the creation itself would be set free from its bondage to decay, and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. These words ring true for us with Noah. If you have had a pet that has grown old or you've had to say goodbye, they've come home to you as well. Suffering, groaning, decay, futility. They run throughout all of creation. A wildfire runs through a habitat, teeming with life. Plants die. And what was living there either dies or is left homeless. Last year in St. Louis, a tornado tore through the city. Those strong winds made the trees groan. Branches fell down, other trees had to be cut down, and they began to decay. When I was young, I enjoyed watching westerns on TV. …
… Keep going. For the creature was made subject to vanity. He was made subject to go through emptiness He was made subject God put you in a place that hurt Not willingly But by reason of him who has subjected the same in hope He put you in it in the hopes that he could make something out of you can I go deeper well I feel like I'm opening up something I feel like I'm opening up something that God wants to open it up and air it out and get that bacteria and that infection out that infection that's been down in you that anger that guilt that frustration that pain that emptiness has got to come out and I got a squeeze on it like it's a pimple until it bursts and when it person in this room, that yoke is going to break. That door is going to open. That blessing is going to flow. Hallelujah. I know it hurts because I'm putting pressure on a place that's uncomfortable for you, but I got to get that poison out. I can't leave you with that infection growing on your arm and growing on your hand and growing on your back. No, we got to press it. You got to press it. Paul said, I was pressed above measure and beyond strength so much so that I despaired of life itself because let me go on verse 21 because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the …
Yeah, Romans chapter 8, verse 18 through 28. When you have it, say amen. Paul says, for I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to even be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. I could stay there all day. I could just put up a tent and camp out in my backyard and stay on that text all day. I reckon that the sufferings of this present time, anybody got some sufferings? The suffering of your present time is not worthy to even be compared. Don't even put it in the same sentence. It's not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. The whole earth is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God, for you to peel back your flesh and show who you really are. Come on, talk to me, somebody. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly. …