Romans 8:31-39
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
I try to take very seriously the weight of the scripture that I have the opportunity to preach on. I have had the opportunity to preach on topics ranging from the birth of Jesus to the resurrection and his ministry in between. Yet I feel the weight of this message heavily. All of scripture carries weight and cases can be made for which scriptures are of the utmost importance but this just seems to be a section that I myself needed to dive into. Not only is this a message of encouragement but one that should stir our affections for God.
God is For us!
God is For us!
“31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
A look at the wording at the start of this section helps us to see the point Paul is bringing forth. He begins by saying, what then shall we say to these things? Another way to say this would be, now that we know what we know, what now--How should we respond? Before we acknowledge the response it would be wise to look back to the things Paul is describing as “these things”. It can be argued that Paul is summarizing all of Romans thus far, but the few verses beforehand are a great starting point. Rather than looking back to each chapter in Romans we can look to verses 28-30. Here Paul says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”
So, What shall we say to these things? God is for us! Before knowing God we begin in sin as rebellious towards God. We can be seen as an enemy of God—someone in direct opposition to God.
Romans 5:12 says “12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because we all sinned” We do not need to live here though. The story continues on because God is for us. A point that Paul makes in the next verse. “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” We have evidence for the fact that God is for us. He who did not spare His own son, but gave him up for us all.
If God is willing to give up Jesus for our sake, what else wouldn’t he give?
We have a destination
We have a destination
I wonder, do you ever get caught in the little things, wondering if God is going to work things out for you? I’m not preaching the health and wealth gospel today, but I am here to say that “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” It is about giving us everything we need to make it to where we are headed. Look to the next four verses. “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
The word justifies points to a legal idea..one that can be equated to an acquittal. It is to have be found not guilty of the charges brought against you. Justification just means that we have moved away from sin and gained the imputed righteousness of Christ. An act that was completed on the cross. Where Christ paid the price for our sins. Use of legal language can be found throughout Romans and it continues to point to God as the ultimate authority. You all know about my recent legal battle. In a nutshell, I was exonerated after being charged guilty and paying for the crime. The freedom I experience from that simple court in Binghamton pales in comparison to the highest court.
It means that I cannot be condemned for that charge in the eyes of that city court, but in God’s eyes, my profession of faith and belief in Jesus has offered me a clean slate. My sins have been removed “as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” (Psalm, 103:12).
Not only do we get to experience the freedom of no longer being under condemnation but to know that Jesus himself is interceding for us. How many of you had praying mothers or grandmothers? We often say that we wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the prayers of them. How many times have we been thankful for our church family that is willing to pray for and with us? Now, imagine for a moment you are facing adversity, a difficult situation or decision...”Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” That really ought to blow our minds. Think of a time you were praying for these difficult things, and then consider that Jesus in the next room praying for you and your situation. Jesus did does this very thing because He lives. It is said that our very faith hinges on the resurrection. Without it, our faith and our belief would be futile. Yet, HE LIVES! “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
We are more than conquerors
We are more than conquerors
The answer to the question of what should separate us from the love of Christ is not any of the things mentioned above...tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? That is because, “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”