Unshakable: Living in the Security of God's Promise

Introduction

Alright Church. Were diving back into the book of Romans today. Paul who is writing his letter to the church, the assemble, the believers in Rome.

He is speaking about the new life we have in Jesus Christ. Remember he has just finished talking about our adoption as heirs with Christ. Into the family of the creator God, the King of the universe. It don’t get any hire of adoption as that.

With all the right, privileges, and responsibilities that goes along with that.

The new life we have been given in the Spirit is based on three things: the promises of God (Rom. 8:18–25), the purposes of God (Rom. 8:26–30), and the protection of God (Rom. 8:31–39).

Are you ready to embrace the security that comes from being a child of the Most High God? As you read this is sounded like a legal book. That’s Paul using a style of the time.

Let's do this!

Romans 8:18-39

Romans 8:18–39 CSB

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of him who subjected it—in the hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. Not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits—we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. Now in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience. In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hope: Holding Onto Promised Glory

A New Life: Based on the Promises of God (8:18–25)

The first promise is that of future glory.

Perhaps no truth is so glaringly absent from the understanding of most Christians than the truth, and the implications thereof, that this world is not our home.

When it finally settles into the heart and mind of the believer that we are “aliens and strangers in the world” (1 Pet. 2:11; cf. also Heb. 11:13; 1 Pet. 1:1), many things change.

Our present sufferings will be viewed against a backdrop of future glory that relegates today’s difficulties to insignificance by comparison.

Surely this is the “new heavens” and “new earth” of which the prophets and apostles wrote (Isa. 65:17; 66:22; 2 Pet. 3:13) and which John the apostle even beheld (Rev. 21:1). The curse to which the Creator subjected his creation (Gen. 3:14, 17) will finally be lifted when the coheirs inhabit the glorious new heavens and new earth (Rev. 22:3). When the curse is lifted, the creation will once again be an Edenic environment suitable for the image-bearers of God to inhabit and to reflect the Creator’s glory.

At present, the creation reflects the curse of sin; when sin is finally removed from the children of God, the creation will spring forth in glory.

The future will be glorious for the believer because of the full realization of what we have only a taste of at present—our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. The firstfruits of the Spirit (cf. Exod. 23:19; Lev. 23:9–14; 2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 1:13–14; 4:30) is the down payment, the certainty, we have from God that one day we will enter into our full inheritance as children of God.

Here's the thing, church – we're living in a cursed world, groaning under the weight of sin and decay. It's like we're in labor pains, longing for the day when we'll be set free from this bondage to corruption. And here's the best part – we've got the Holy Spirit as the firstfruits, the down payment, the guarantee that our adoption is coming.

But now we, and the earth with us, groan painfully until that day. Or do we?

How many believers today wait eagerly for their adoption as children of God?

How many have grown used to the cacophony we call life on planet earth?

How many Christian hearts break over the tragedy and despair present in the lives of so many in our world?

We, even the church, have so effectively distanced ourselves from the groaning of the creation that we forget that we live in the midst of a curse.

Any believer who does not groan inwardly and wait eagerly for his or her adoption has a shallow understanding of the present condition and future hope God has provided for his children.

We're not just hoping for something we can't see; we're patiently awaiting the fulfillment of God's promise with eager expectation.

Help: Harmonizing With God's Purpose

A New Life: Based on the Purposes of God (8:26–30)

Romans 8:28 CSB

28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

Forms the core of the believer’s confidence that his or her new life is based on the purpose of God.

Romans 8:26–27 CSB

26 In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Surrounding that core verse are other elements of truth related to it:

we discover and surrender to God’s purposes in prayer (vv. 26–27),

we recognize God’s purposes in conforming us to the image of his Son, Jesus Christ (vv. 29–30).

The Hope these passages sustains, especially verse 28, helps the believer through the present times of suffering.

In the same way, the Spirit helps and sustains the believer in weakness, specifically through the ministry of prayer.

Romans 8:28 CSB

28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

When we are weak and trembling, confused about the purposes of God in our sufferings or our confusion, the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

Even when we think things aren’t working out. Even when we are wondering why God. There is hope that no matter what is happening around us, in us, to us, God is there and Through his love there is hope.

Even though this passage has caused many hours of debate and arguments among people who study the Bible. The key element is God himself. however we interpret this to be: God has a “purpose” (v. 28), God foreknew, God predestined, God called, God justified, and God glorified (though future, glorification is written here in a “prophetic past tense”).

This passage is all about God, not man!

God is working it out however he is doing it. God is designing, engineering, and accomplishing his salvific purpose in the earth.

And because of God we can have hope

Heart: Held Secure by Divine Love

A New Life: Based on the Protection of God (8:31–39)

Because we have been adopted because God is working all things out for those who love him. We can say if God is for us, who can be against us?

Who can bring and accusation against God’s elect. Who are the Chosen. Those who have faith in Christ. Jews and Gentiles a like.

All have sinned, all fall short of the glory of God, but all (who believe) are justified freely by God’s grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

As the judge, God was perfectly just in paying the penalty for and declaring “free to go” the unjust (Rom. 3:23–26).

As a result, no charge can be brought against those whom God has chosen (foreknown, predestined, called, justified, and glorified).

Should a Roman emperor seek to bring a charge against a believer in Rome for worshiping a king other than Caesar, that charge would have no effect in the eyes of God.

Should Satan seek to bring a charge against the elect of God in order to discredit their faithfulness, such a charge would go unregistered.

God has already brought all the charges which could possibly be brought against the believer to the bar of justice and declared them erased

Colossians 2:14 CSB

14 He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross.

If no charge can be brought against the elect of God, then certainly no condemnation can be brought against them either.

Isaiah 54:17 CSB

17 No weapon formed against you will succeed, and you will refute any accusation raised against you in court. This is the heritage of the Lord’s servants, and their vindication is from me.” This is the Lord’s declaration.

And nothing can separate you from the Love of God.

Paul himself will become like a sheep to be slaughtered within a few short years under the brutal hand of the Roman emperor Nero. But even death, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger or sword can separate you from the Love of God

Those things don’t sound very fun. But they can’t separate you from the love of God.

Next Steps

In Christ, I am free from any condemnation.

In Christ, I have kept the righteous requirements of the law.

In Christ, I am obligated to be led by the Spirit.

In Christ, I am a child of God and a coheir with Christ.

In Christ, I will be redeemed from this cursed creation.

In Christ, I am certain of my eternal glorification.

In Christ, I fear nothing either in or out of this world.

Do I harbor a sense of shame or a guilty conscience about things for which I know I have been forgiven?

As an adopted member of the family of God, how would I evaluate my contribution as a family member?

What do I fear—and why, in light of the promises of God?

Church, we have been given the greatest gift – the security of God's promise, purpose, and protection.

We can live with confidence, knowing that our future glory outweighs our present sufferings. We can embrace God's purposeful plan for our lives, trusting that He's working all things together for our good.

And we can rest in the unbreakable love of Christ, which nothing can separate us from.

So, let's stand firm, church.

Let's live unshakable lives, rooted in the promises of our Heavenly Father.

Let's be more than conquerors, walking in the victory that Christ has secured for us. This is our identity, and this is our calling.

Let's embrace it with everything we've got!

Bibliography

Kenneth Boa and William Kruidenier, Romans, vol. 6, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 256–268.

Social Help

Romans 8:18-39

Summary: Romans 8:18-39 speaks about the hope and security believers have in Christ, regardless of their present suffering. It emphasizes God's promise, purpose, and protection for His children.

Application: This passage can provide comfort and assurance to Christians facing trials and struggles. It encourages them to trust in God's sovereign plan and cling to the eternal hope found in Jesus.

Teaching: Through Romans 8:18-39, we learn that God's love is unwavering, and nothing can separate us from His love. It teaches us to rely on His promise, live according to His purpose, and rest in His protection.

How this passage could point to Christ: In this passage, we see Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise of redemption and salvation. He secures believers in His love and ensures their eternal security through His sacrifice.

Big Idea: Trusting in God's promise, aligning with His purpose, and resting in His protection, believers can live confidently in the unshakable security of His love.

Recommended Study: In preparation for this sermon, delve deeper into the concept of suffering in the New Testament using the Logos library. Explore how other biblical authors address the topic and compare it with Paul's perspective in Romans 8. Look into scholarly articles on the theological significance of God's promise, purpose, and protection for believers in times of adversity.

Questions

How can believers maintain a sense of hope and eagerness for their future adoption as children of God, as described in Romans 8?

In what ways can believers align their prayers with God's purposes, as mentioned in Romans 8:26-27, to deepen their faith and trust in Him?

How can reflecting on the future glory promised to believers help us endure our current trials and hardships?

How does the passage in Romans 8:18-39 emphasize the believers' future glory and present sufferings?

What are the three key aspects that the new life in the Spirit is based on according to Romans 8:18-39? Can you explain each one briefly?