More Than Conquerors
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Pastoral Reminder: Head Heart Hands
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Today we come to the end of the first major division in the book of Romans. It has taken us over a year to walk through this great exposition of the gospel. It is fitting that we can explore this final passage on a day where we see the symbol of a person’s repentance and belief through the baptism. Please turn with me to verse 31 of the eighth chapter of Romans.
31 What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 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? 33 Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. 34 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. 35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 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.
Last week answered the question, If God is for us, who is against us? This question can bring great reassurance for us as children of God. For when we examine and ponder the works of God, specifically the ones Paul highlighted in the beginning of the passage we should be encouraged.
How do we know that God is for us? First he gave his only son for us. He did not hold back or spare the Son but instead it pleased God to crush him for our salvation and through his perfect life, he is the perfect guilt offering and substitute for us as he hung on the tree paying the ransom, cancelling the certificate of death, and purchasing for himself a people.
He is the judge, the justifier, and the just one. Making people right, declaring them right.
And not only did he pay what we could not, he lives to intercede for us before God as there is no condemnation in those who have the Spirit of life given to those who are children of God.
How do we know God is for us? Because he made that which was dirty - clean, that which was lost - found, that which was darkness - light, that which was evil - good, that which was ungodly - godly, that which was corrupted - pure, that which was dead - alive, that which was unrighteous - righteous.
That which was separated from God - reconciled to God.
10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 And not only that, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.
We know that those that are justified by faith are at peace with God and have been reconciled to him through Jesus. This is a must for anyone who professes and confesses Jesus as their Lord and savior. That God saves sinners. This is not by our work or will but by the will of God.
But the question that remains in the minds of people is this one
Can that which has been reconciled be separated again?
WHO CAN SEPERATE US FROM HIS LOVE?
WHO CAN SEPERATE US FROM HIS LOVE?
35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? ...
Paul asks who can separate us from the love of Christ. This love has been expressed from chapter 5 on ward in only one way, the saving work of Jesus by laying down his life to justify those who have been given to him.
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5 This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
To have peace with GOd is to be justified by God. Justification is obtained by faith in Jesus and the receiving of the Holy Spirit. All of which is described as God’s love being poured into our hearts. John spoke of the love of Christ in this way.
9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
His love consists of his sacrifice. As the love of Christ is proven
8 But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Paul asks who can separate us from this love? Can the saving work of Jesus in a person’s life be lost?
This is debated topic from the beginning of the church. It is expressed in different ways like,
“Can a person lose their salvation?” or under the headings of
The assurance of the believer or the perseverance of the Saints. The 1500s and 1600 had many arguments, meetings, confessions and other documents on the opposing sides of this question? Can what has been found be lost?
In our time Southern Baptist, Reformed Denominations like Presbyterians, Reformed Baptist, and a few others stand on one side and believe that the answer to Paul’s question is no one can separate us from the love of Christ.
On the other side The Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, Assemblies of God, Church of the Nazarene, and Seventh-day Adventists. would answer Paul with “It depends” But they would say yes, there are ways that a person can be separated from the salvific love of Jesus. Yes a person can fall from grace and be separated again from God.
Paul laid out that the love he speaks of here was proven by Christ dying for us.
7 For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. 8 But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath. 10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 And not only that, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.
This is the background and context for this question that Paul raises.
The question is: Can those that have been reconciled to God by his love be once again separated from it? This is what Paul will address in the conclusion of this chapter.
MORE THAN CONQUERERS
MORE THAN CONQUERERS
… Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
He points out first, that there are circumstances that people will do almost anything to avoid. This is a list of stressors, pressures, circumstances that lead many into great despair.
He lists seven things that a person may go through.
Affliction. This is something that brings anguish on a person or group of people. The Romans brought affliction and anguish on the Christians of the early church. This word is also translated as tribulation a great trial in ones life.
Distress is a word that means narrow space. There is no place to go. You are hemmed in on all sides.
Persecution. A person is imprisoned, censored, physically assailed, looses rights, even killed for what they believe.
Famine: The lack of food.
Nakedness: The lack of the most basic of recourses. Clothing.
Danger: Great peril. Like the ship wreck where Paul found his boat torn apart and he drifted at sea.
Sword: Up to being put to death with the knife. Killed for any reason.
A person will attempt to separate themselves from these things. They will flee from what leads them to experience them.
Can a person be in such a horrible state that it would force someone to be separated from salvation. The people of God were not exempt from these things.
36 Others experienced mockings and scourgings, as well as bonds and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated. 38 The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and on mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.
Can any of these things? Tear asunder a person from the love of God. He answers:
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Not a chance. Not only are they unable to forcibly separate us. He says we are more than conquers in them. The word Paul uses that is translated into the phrase “more than conquerors” is only found in this one place in the bible. It is so rare that it is not recorded in any writing before this and even after Paul is was very rarely used.
It seems that he was trying to express that the Christian has such an overwhelming victory in these things that he had to make up a new word. He used the prefix hyper and adds it to the word meaning conquer of defeat.
It could be phrased as “ To Prevail Completely” or “To defeat surpassingly”
It is also in the present tense meaning that this is continual conquering. Not past - have conquered or future - will conquer. This is happening in the midst of life as we know it.
He quotes Psalm 44:22
In this Psalm the Sons of Korah plead with God to come to their aid. They lament the stories of old where God did great deeds among them. God led them to battle and drove out nations before them and the land was won by God’s hand and not theirs. They were saved from their foes.
But this is not what they have experienced. They say that God has rejected and disgraced them and does not go out with them in battle. They are driven back and defeated. They are slaughtered like sheep and have been scattered. They have been made low and are a laughing stock to other nations. They cover their faces in shame.
But they have not forgotten their God and had not forgotten the covenant with God. So they plead for God to redeem them.
22 Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. 23 Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever! 24 Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression? 25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust; our belly clings to the ground. 26 Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!
Even in great tribulation even Isreal did not forget God’s love.
But for the Christian who has been justified by faith we are more than conquers. Because God works in us his goodness while we endure through them.
Not only do these these not separate a person from God’s love, they even draw them closer to him as he works.
Affliction/Distress/Trials matures the believer.
2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
Persecution is seen as affirmation that the believer is one with Christ.
40 After they called in the apostles and had them flogged, they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them. 41 Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of the Name.
For their reward is in heaven.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 11 “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. 12 Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Trial and tribulations on the believer while following God brings glory to God.
12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you, as if something unusual were happening to you. 13 Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler. 16 But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in having that name.
We do not fear death. We do not fear starvation. We do not fear dying to the elements. We do not fear the dangers of this world. We do not fear death by the sword. Because we receive the promises of God in their entirety at death.
54 When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. 55 Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting? 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
So what circumstance can separate someone from their salvation. None because they work in the believer to mature them into the image of Christ, to assure them in the love of Christ, or to take them to Christ.
20 My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
For we have the victory.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
So if circumstances cannot separate us from the love of Christ then is there anything else in creation that could force it upon us.
NOTHING IN CREATION CAN SEPERATE FROM HIS LOVE
NOTHING IN CREATION CAN SEPERATE FROM HIS LOVE
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 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.
Paul ends the exposition of the gospel of God with this conclusion. He is fully convinced in his mind and soul that there is nothing that has been created that could separate us from the love of God.
God’s love for us began before the foundation of the world and he loved us before we were conceived and his love does not expire when we do.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
Our life did not start his love for us and our death does not end it.
Nor can the greatest angel or the devil himself. Angels, both holy and fallen were created with great awe inspiring power in relation to our own lives but even with all of that power they are like a speck of dust trying to stop a moving train. It just isn’t in their power to take away what has been given.
Nor things present or things to come. There isn’t anything known or unknown that can do anything to separate one of God’s children from his home.
9 Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and no one is like me. 10 I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: my plan will take place, and I will do all my will.
It is already been decided. Even what is unknown to us. We see new things pop up every generation. The industrial age would have been impossible for the early church to imagine. The digital age would have been impossible for those 100 years ago to imagine and even with all of the damage that digital media does to Christians. It still cannot separate a person from their Lord.
Nor can powers. No king or queen. No democracy. No conquering kingdom or invading country or false religion. No power can accomplish this. For they will all be a footstool under our Lord’s feet.
24 Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he abolishes all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he puts all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be abolished is death.
All rule and authority will be his and his alone.
Nor height or depth. The highest heaven and the lowest places can not separate.
7 Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. 9 If I live at the eastern horizon or settle at the western limits, 10 even there your hand will lead me; your right hand will hold on to me.
And if that did not get Paul’s point across he puts the overarching statement nor any other created thing. If I were to inverse this and take all that there is and remove everything that is created what is left. Just the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and by him all things hold together. 18 He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He created everything. Everything was created for him. Everything is held together by him. He has first place in everything. And it was by him that all that has been reconciled to God has been done so through the blood on the cross.
Who can separate us from the love of the one who creates, sustains, rules, mediates, who died for us and lives for us?
Can what has been reconciled to God, by the blood of the Son, and sealed by the Spirit be undone? Can a person lose salvation?
Conclusions
Conclusions
I am persuaded like Paul that the simple answer is no. I know there are many who teach otherwise. I know that in today’s churches there is a lot of knowledge that comes from a variety of different voices. There are hundreds of years of written arguments against this conclusion. I cannot refute all points today but I want to leave you with three testimonies that stand alongside our own.
The first and the most important is the testimony of the word of God. In the last 11 verses of this chapter alone we found that
God's purpose cannot fail (28–30). What he started will finish.
God's verdict of justification is final (v. 33). There is no higher court that can overturn his judgement.
Christ continually intercedes for His people (v. 34). There is no greater power to keep us than the Shepherd that loses none.
Nothing can separate believers from Christ's love (35, 38–39).
Paul ends this exposition on the Gospel with finality not uncertainty.
The second to consider is our own confession the Baptist Faith and Message, that we attest to agree with as members in fellowship in this local community. Under Section 5 Titled “God’s Purpose of Grace”
All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, and bring reproach on the cause of Christ and temporal judgments on themselves; yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
There are about 50 passages used to support this statement that I encourage you to go study if you want a place to know more.
Third is the testimony of baptism. The testimony of each believer.
I have a sister in Christ her name is Gwen. Because she believed, by faith, she has been justified by God. Romans chapter 3.
She has been made the righteousness of God.
She is no longer condemned. John 3:16-18
She was dead but she has been made alive when she recieved the Spirit of life.
She was brought into God’s household as a daughter of God when she recieved the Spirit of adoption.
She has been made into a new creation.
She has the mind of Christ.
She has been washed clean by the blood of Christ.
Her conscience has been washed clean.
Her certificate of debt has been removed.
Her sins have been been atoned for.
She abides in Christ and Christ in her.
She has entered into the new covenant.
She has been grafted on the vine.
She has been given spiritual gifts.
She has had all of her sins forgiven past present and future.
She has been redeemed
She is at peace with God.
She is made a member of the body of Christ. His Church.
She has been sealed by the Spirit as a down payment.
She has access to God.
She has recieved eternal life.
She is sanctified and set apart.
She has been delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred into the Kingdom of Christ.
She has been made an heir with Christ.
She has been made a sister of Christ.
She receives fatherly discipling from God in love.
She has Jesus interceding for her.
She has the Holy Spirit interceding for her.
She is given new desires by the Holy Spirit.
She has the fruit of the Spirit working in her life.
She has recieved a divine nature.
She is being transformed into the image of Jesus.
She is the temple of God.
She is in fellowship with God.
She reigns with Jesus.
She is part of the priesthood of believers.
Her heart of stone was removed and a heart of flesh was given to her.
God’s love has been poured out into her heart. She has been reconciled to God by his love and will be raised in his image when she is fully glorified.
My question is this, if the message of the bible is that Jesus saves sinners and loves them dearly and gives them all of these precious promises and blessing. And baptism is a symbol of all of this and more. Then why doesn’t Paul ever warn the churches like Corinth that were in great wickedness and sin, that they be carful or you may lose it all?
Why is there no scripture speaking of this in the church? There is church discipline for believers but no guidance on how to discern a fallen brother or sister in Christ?
And if you could lose it why doesn’t scripture name a single person by name as one who lost it?
And if there was a person who lost it why is there no scripture on how to be saved again?
And if you could be saved again why is there no guidance or example of a second baptism or not?
It’s not there, because it is not about us and what we do, its about Him and the gift that he gave, the grace he bestowed, the demonstration of his love.
And the face that Jesus never loses any that the father has given him.
27 My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
The good shepherd does not lose his sheep.
Let us pray.
Let us pray.
Prayer
Blessing/Benediction
24 Now to him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen.
