Conquering Through Perseverance
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Today, we are returning to our study in the book of Romans. It has been over a month since we studied this book, so I want to remind us where we left off.
We ended with Romans 8:17 which says:
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Paul had announced in verse 17 that if we are an heir of God with Jesus Christ, if we are also heirs in His sufferings.
Glory in Suffering
Glory in Suffering
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Now in verses 18-21 we are given a glimpse into Paul’s thoughts.
He considered any sufferings in this present NOTHING compared to the glory that will be revealed in us.
Paul lets us know that we are not the only ones frustrated by the decay in the world:
All of creation waits in eager expectation (v. 18a).
Waiting for the sons of God to be revealed. For the adoption of humanity to be complete (v. 18b).
For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
Creation itself has been subjected to frustration--because of humanity’s sin (v. 19).
For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope
Creation did not do anything “wrong” to deserve the frustration, rather it was called by the fall of humanity (cf. Gen. 3:17-19) (v. 20).
that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
Nevertheless, creation longs to be freed from its bondage of decay--and brought into freedom with the glory of God’s children (v. 21).
SIDE NOTE: Since humanity is part of God’s physical creation, our fall has caused frustration within the rest of creation (v. 20). They too, want the adoption of humanity to be completed so that ALL of creation can be restored (v. 21).
Creations’s Groaning
Creations’s Groaning
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
The fall of humanity effected far more than just humanity. It had a profound effect on ALL of God’s creation. Because of this fact, Paul tells us:
All of creation is groaning--like it is the midst of child birth (v. 22a).
This groaning is continuing into our present time (v. 22b).
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.
Not only does all of creation groan, but we (who are the firstfruits of God’s Spirit) also groan (v. 23a).
But we groan inside--as we eagerly await our adoption as sons and daughters--and as we eagerly await the redemption of our bodies (v. 23b).
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?
We need to keep our hope focused on our adoption, our hope of salvation (v. 24a).
We hope for what we already have--we are already adopted into God’s family (v. 24b).
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Now we wait patiently for the complete fulfillment of our hope (v. 25).
God’s Spirit Working for Us
God’s Spirit Working for Us
As we groan, God’s Spirit helps us. Look at verse 26.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
God’s Spirit always helps us!
God’s Spirit helps us in our weakness--our distress (v. 26 a).
When we don’t know how we should pray--The Holy Spirit intercedes for us (v. 26b).
The Spirit intercedes for us through “wordless groans”--inexpressible words, or groanings too deep for words (v. 26c).
And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
He (God) searches our hearts and knows the mind of the Spirit (v. 27a).
So the Spirit intercedes for us according to God’s will--so we are praying the will of God (v. 27b).
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.
Everyone loves verse 28 but we often forget that it comes after verse 27--God intercedes for us according to God’s will.
We know that in all things God works for good. Paul doesn’t say all things are good--but that God uses them for good (v. 28a)--and this is a fact that we know.
God works things for our good to those who are called to fulfill God’s purpose (v. 28b).
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Predestination
Predestination
Now comes a difficult part for us to understand the whole idea of predestination.
God foreknew us--since He is outside of time God knows everything--past, present, and future (v. 29a).
God also predestined, or predetermined that His followers (you and me) be conformed to the image of His (God’s) Son (v. 29b).
In order that Jesus might become the “firstborn” of many brothers and sisters (v. 29c).
The key for us is in verse 30.
And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Paul says those God predestined He also called (summon, invite, appoint) (v. 30a).
Those God called, He justified (made just as if they had never sinned) (v. 30b).
And those God justified, He also glorified (praised, honored, exalted) (v. 30c).
More than Conquerors
More than Conquerors
Because of God’s work in our lives, we are stronger than we think we are. To emphasize this, Paul asks the reader a series of rhetorical questions. They begin in verse 31.
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Paul asks a rhetorical question--What shall we say in response to all of these things--the answer, “Hallelujah!” (v. 31a).
Second rhetorical question--If God is for us who can be against us?--the answer, “NO one!” Not even Satan! (v. 31b).
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
To build his point, Paul continues--Since God did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us. Now God will graciously give us all things (v. 32).
Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
The next rhetorical question comes in verse 33--Who will bring any charge against those whom God chose?--the answer, “No one would dare!” (v. 33).
Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Now the fourth rhetorical question--Who is the one who condemns?--Paul actually answers--No one! (v. 34a).
Jesus died, but even more important, Jesus rose from the dead! The resurrection is EVERYTHING! (v. 34b).
Jesus not only rose from the dead, but He is now seated at the right hand of God (v. 34c).
And it is Jesus who is interceding for us (v. 34d).
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
Fifth rhetorical question--Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?--answer--No one (v. 35a).
Paul makes his point by asking the sixth rhetorical question--Shall
--trouble (pressure or distress)
--or hardship (narrowness)
--or persecution
--or famine
--or nakedness
--or danger
--or sword
These are worse things we can imagine cannot separate us from the Love of God (v. 35b).
As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
To conform his point, Paul quotes Psalm 44:22. Paul wants us to remember that death of God’s people is always a possibility. Paul echos Jesus’ words in John 16:33.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
More than Conquerors
More than Conquerors
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Paul wants us to know that followers of Jesus are MORE than conquerors. We are not conquerors in our own strength, but in the strength of Jesus! (v. 37).
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul gives us a list of things that He believes are unable to separate us from God’s love:
--Death can’t
--Life can’t
--Angels can’t
--demons can’t
--present can’t
--future can’t
--powers can’t
--height can’t
--depths can’t
--nor anything else in creation
Nothing can separate us from the love of God!
God’s love that comes through Christ Jesus our LORD!
So What?
So What?
There are two key ideas that we need to walk away with this morning.
God NEVER promised us an easy life. But He did promise to walk through life with us.
The sufferings that we go through in this life are NOTHING compared to the glory that will be revealed in us (in the future).
God’s Spirit helps us in our weaknesses.
— He intercedes for us in utterances that we could never make.
— He searches our heart and aligns it with God’s heart.
God work everything out for His good!
Because of God’s working in our lives, NOTHING can separate us from the love of God!
The worst thing you can imagine is unable to separate us from the love of God—not trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or even the sword—nothing can separate us from God’s love!
Even worse things: death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, not height nor depth, nor anything in creation will be able to separate us from God’s Love
And that means we are more than conquerors!
