Romans 8:26-39; We have every advantage

Well good morning

So how many of us in here can’t wait for football season?

Anyone in here a Bronco fan?

How many Cowboys fans we got?

Just want you to know we will be praying for you all this season

So Have you ever watched two teams compete

where one team clearly had every advantage?

They had better preparation,

better coaching,

better resources,

and greater confidence.

From the beginning,

you knew who was likely to win.

I think if we are being honest

Many Christians live as though they are the underdogs.

We know Christ has saved us,

yet we often feel defeated by suffering,

discouraged by our failures,

anxious about the future,

or even fearful of what lies ahead.

Well if you haven’t noticed

We have been in Romans for a few weeks now

And as Paul writes Romans 8

He is writing to remind believers of something incredible: 

those who belong to Christ are not disadvantaged.

We have every advantage

because God Himself is working on our behalf.

Now don’t get it twisted

Or don’t make the mistake in thinking that Paul is promising an easy life.

In fact, he speaks about weakness,

suffering,

persecution,

danger,

and even death.

Yet throughout every hardship,

God has provided everything necessary for victory.

So please if you have your Bibles

Apps

Ipads

Whatever, please turn to chapter 8

And I realize we just read most of this but I want to read just a few verses

to sort of allow this to truly sink in.

New Living Translation Chapter 8

35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?… Verse 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,* neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

As we open up today

I want us to focus on four incredible advantages that every believer possesses.

I. We Have the Advantage of God's Help

Romans 8:26-27

"Likewise the Spirit also helps our weaknesses..."

Paul begins with a realistic statement.

He does not say if we become weak.

He says we are weak.

Weakness is part of the Christian life.

Sometimes we don't know what decision to make.

Sometimes we don't know why God is allowing suffering.

Sometimes our prayers become tears instead of words.

Paul even says,

"We do not know what to pray for as we ought."

Have you ever been there?

You've prayed... "Lord, I don't even know what to ask."

You know for those of you that don’t know

My Sister in law has just been diagnosed with Breast Cancer

And believe it or not we just got back from leave yesterday

And my soul purpose while flying out to Colorado

Was to spend time with her

To let her know we are here to support her in every thing she is going through

But I’ll tell you what

You cannot imagine the comfort that you receive from someone

Who has just been destroyed by a diagnosis

But who is also a Strong believer

I literally watched this woman

Who has three kids, 12, 10, 4

And who looked at me and said

I am worried but I am not

I know God has a purpose for this and I know He is going to handle this for us

But then to look at my brother

Who is obviously also dealing with this

Who looks at me and in solidarity with his wife

Says God has a reason

Our job is to praise him in this storm

Because I’ll tell you what

In these moments of hardship

the Holy Spirit begins working.

He intercedes for us according to the will of God.

Notice what Paul does not say in this passage

He does not say the Spirit simply comforts us.

He says the Spirit intercedes for us.

And let me ask you something real today

How many of us truly understand the power of prayer

How many of us can actually tell me what prayer truly is

I mean this is our direct line to the Father

The creator

The one who can make all things happen

And The God who lives within us speaks to the Father on our behalf.

Folks you may not understand the impact of this statement here

But this is powerful right here

We may not understand our situation...

but God understands perfectly and he intercedes on our behalf

What an advantage!

And really think on this because

The world faces suffering alone.

The believer never does.

Even when our words fail...

God's Spirit continues praying.

Which leads me to my second point

II. We Have the Advantage of God's Purpose

Romans 8:28-30

This may be one of the most quoted verses in all of Scripture.

"And we know that all things work together for good of those who love God…

Again notice carefully what Paul does not say.

He does not say all things are good.

Cancer is not good.

Loss is not good.

Betrayal is not good.

Death is not good.

Sin is not good.

But God is so sovereign...

And how many in here truly believe

That He causes even painful things to serve His greater purpose.

And I want you to really think on this

Because this verse may be highly quoted but its also highly misunderstood

The "good" Paul describes is explained in verse 29.

God is conforming us into the image of His Son.

And if you truly understand the theology

Behind such a fact, its quite powerful

God's greatest goal is not simply our comfort.

It is Christlikeness.

Every joy...

Every trial...

Every disappointment...

Every success...

God is using to make us look more like Jesus.

But Then Paul gives what theologians often call the "golden chain" of salvation.

Those whom God foreknew...

He predestined...

called...

justified...

and glorified.

Notice something remarkable.

Paul speaks of glorification in the past tense.

And I want you to think on this

But from God's perspective, it is already accomplished.

The finish line is certain.

Our salvation rests upon God's faithfulness—not ours.

And thank the Lord for that

Because how many of us know that if our salvation

was determined by our effort

We would be in pretty bad shape

That is an incredible advantage.

But it leads us to the third advantage which is that

III. We Have the Advantage of God's Presence

Romans 8:31-34

And if you notice

Paul is now asking a series of questions.

"If God is for us, who can be against us?"

The answer is obvious.

Many people may oppose us.

Circumstances may oppose us.

Satan certainly opposes us.

But none of them can overcome the God who stands for us.

And Paul proves God's commitment

by pointing to the cross.

Notice what he says

“He who did not spare His own Son..."

If God was willing to give His greatest treasure...

will He suddenly stop caring for His children?

Absolutely not.

Then Paul asks another question.

"Who shall bring any charge against God's elect?"

Satan accuses.

People accuse.

Even our own conscience accuses.

But the Judge has already declared us justified.

The highest court in existence has already spoken.

But then Paul says Christ is seated at the Father's right hand...

interceding for us.

Think about this

Think about the advantages we now possess.

The Holy Spirit intercedes within us.

Jesus Christ intercedes for us in heaven.

The Father receives both intercessions.

The entire Trinity is working for the believer.

What incredible assurance.

Like I said before

I don’t think as Christians we truly understand this statement here

Its almost as if every waking moment our God is using every moment

To ensure we are cared for

loved for

and secure in everything

I think that is something that is so odd to many

You know as a chaplain I have the advantage of speaking to many people

From all different walks of life

And I’ll tell you what

When you see a person that is 100% certain

About their salvation

About their walk with God

About their acceptance from God

The mentality of that person is so incredibly different from others

There is a joy

a happiness

a smile that just never fades

Which leads me to the fourth and final advantage

IV. We Have the Advantage of God's Unbreakable Love

Romans 8:35-39

Paul now reaches one of the greatest climaxes in all of Scripture.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?"

He lists nearly every imaginable hardship.

Tribulation.

Distress.

Persecution.

Famine.

Nakedness.

Danger.

Sword.

Paul had experienced nearly every one.

Yet he declares,

"In all these things we are more than conquerors."

Notice...

He does not say we escape these things.

He says we conquer through them.

The Greek word means overwhelming victory.

Not because we are strong.

But because Christ loves us.

Paul then ends with one of the strongest statements in the Bible.

Neither death nor life...

Neither angels nor rulers...

Neither present nor future...

Nor powers...

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.

Think about what Paul just covered.

Nothing above us.

Nothing beneath us.

Nothing before us.

Nothing behind us.

Nothing seen.

Nothing unseen.

Nothing now.

Nothing later.

Nothing in creation.

Because the One who loves us is greater than all creation.

That means your circumstances cannot cancel God's love.

Your failures cannot erase God's love.

Your suffering cannot diminish God's love.

Even death cannot interrupt God's love.

That is our greatest advantage.

and so as we close today

And as we walk out of here today

I want you to focus on just a few things

That I hope you will cement in your mind

Every advantage the believer possesses flows from one Person—Jesus Christ.

When we are weak...

the Spirit helps us.

When life is confusing...

God is accomplishing His purpose.

When we are accused...

Christ defends us.

When suffering comes...

nothing can separate us from His love.

The Christian life is not lived from a position of defeat.

It is lived from the certainty of victory.

Not because we are strong...

but because God is.

Perhaps today you feel overwhelmed.

Remember...

You have every advantage.

God is helping you.

God is shaping you.

God is defending you.

God is loving you.

And because He is for you...

nothing can ultimately stand against you.

Invitation

If you have never trusted Christ, none of these promises belong to you yet—

but they can today.

The God who did not spare His own Son

invites you to repent of your sin and place your faith in Jesus Christ.

His death and resurrection provide forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and eternal life.

And if you have any questions, we are here for you

We’d like to answer any questions you have

Pray with you

Pray for you

Don’t let this moment pass you by

And Maybe you are already a believer,

I want you to leave today with renewed confidence.

Whatever trial you are facing,

do not measure your future by your weakness.

Measure it by God's promises.

Walk into this week remembering: in Christ, you have every advantage.

Let’s please close in prayer