More Than Conquerors

Romans 8

Not too long after Kristy and I got married, we spent a lot of time at my sisters house.One day my brother in law came home with a large backyard trampoline.

It was a used item, he had taken it as partial payment for a job he was doing. Their kids were young, and were excited to have this trampoline.

So being a good uncle, I went out back with my brother in law to assemble it. We got the frame together, we the springs on correctly (12,6,3,9 etc).

We got it all put together and in place. Only one last thing to do. TEST JUMP. Some one had to make sure it was safe. I volunteered… Because I am a good uncle… not because I was a kid shoved into a mans body.

I climbed up on top of this trampoline and started walking around. Then I started kinda bouncing a little. Then a few bigger jumps.

On my third jump something strange happened. The trampoline ripped open and I plunged to the ground. Turns out the trampoline had a case of dry rot.

But don’t worry, that small tree stump we placed the trampoline over broke my fall quite nicely.

Why do I tell you this story? First of all its fun to chuckle at my misfortunes. But mote importantly there is a spiritual parallel.

My brother in law and I did everything right. He had pure motives when he brought home the trampoline, we both showed our love for the kids by diligently putting together this toy for the kids. Even though we did the right things it still ended in disaster. Why? Because the trampoline we were working with contained a fatal flaw. It was broken.

Our world contains the fatal flaw of sin. Our world is broken. No matter how hard we work to do the right things. No matter how faithful we are, there will be times that we suffer the consequences of a broken, fallen world.

But there is hope, and that is what today’s message is about.

More Than Conquerors

Big Idea:

In the midst of our anxiety, fear, struggles, and confusion; God declares, "I Got This!".

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 8

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 offered 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.,bh

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.

As we come to the end of , we’re faced with a crescendo of questions. See if you can spot them as we read verses 31-39.

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 offered 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?

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 offered 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.

Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.

Because of you

we are being put to death all day long;

we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.,bh

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

38-39 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.

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.

What are we to say?

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.5-year-old Johnny was in the kitchen as his mother made supper. She asked him to go into the pantry and get her a can of tomato soup, but he didn’t want to go in alone: “It’s dark in there and I’m scared.” She asked again, and he gave the same answer. She smiled and said, “It’s OK – Jesus will be in there with you.” Johnny walked hesitantly to the door and slowly opened it. He peeked inside, saw that it was dark and started to leave…and then an idea came to him and he asked this question: “Jesus, if you’re in there, would you hand me a can of tomato soup?”

* Why do we press harder on a remote when we know the batteries are going dead?

* Why doesn’t glue stick to the bottle?

* Is there ever a day when mattresses are not on sale?

* Why do we constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?

* Why do we continue to pay $1.39 for a bottle of Aquafina water when the Pepsi Company has admitted that it uses public drinking water as its source (a lot of these bottles are filled with water from my hometown)?

* Why did over 17 million people watch High School Musical 2 on August 17th when it celebrates school getting out while students around the country were getting ready for the start of school?

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On top of these really deep questions, you may have some questions about Pontiac Bible Church. If you’re new here you may wonder what the next step is for you. Here’s a pathway for you to follow. Start with Sundays and then plug into a small group. After joining a group, then look for somewhere to serve. We believe that this will help you connect with Jesus and it will equip you to become a growing and faithful follower. We also have a new member’s class beginning September 9th.

Some of you may have some questions about our Sunday morning worship services. We’re beginning a new series called “Worship Matters” two weeks from today to help answer some of those questions. Incidentally, I’ve been intrigued by the questions that Jesus asked in the Gospels and so we’re going to focus on some of His questions in October and November.

As we come to the end of , we’re faced with a crescendo of questions. See if you can spot them as we read verses 31-37:

What Shall We Say?

While most of these questions are rhetorical, they are no less real. Paul is using this method to get us to pause and ponder these amazing truths.

The first question really helps frame the entire passage. “What, then, are we to say about these things?” I think he’s tying everything about justification, sanctification and glorification together and is likely returning to the theme of “no condemnation” from vs 1, the freedom from the slavery of sin in vs 12, the adoption we have in vs 14. or our future glorification vs 25. What are we to say, what are we to conclude about these things”

Two thoughts come to mind in response to this question: What shall we say? First of all, “Nothing.” Have you ever received a totally undeserved gift and you couldn’t even find words to express how grateful you are? That’s happened to our family just recently. In light of all that God has done, what really can we say?

* God’s good for us is not our comfortability, but our conformity to Christ. What, then, shall we say in response to this?

Two thoughts come to mind in response to this question: What shall we say? First of all, “Nothing.” Have you ever received a totally undeserved gift and you couldn’t even find words to express how grateful you are? That’s happened to our family just recently. In light of all that God has done, what really can we say?

My second response to the question, “What shall we say?” is the word “Everything.” I should be filled with praise and should never stop thanking God for all that He has done. We should also give him everything that we have, including our very lives.

Because Paul wants his readers (including each of us) to apply the truth of his teachings to ourselves, he asks the questions in the passage in a personal manner. He wants it to apply to us. So I have re-framed the questions into statements we may make in our hearts if not with our lips, and then follow up with God’s response.

Me: I Feel Opposed!

GOD: I Got This!

31: If God is for us, who is against us? The meaning is not so much “if” but is rather “since” or “because.” Since God is for us, what difference does it make who is against us? Others may intimidate us, but we have the Almighty on our side.

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Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers. The meaning is not so much “if” but is rather “since” or “because.” It literally reads this way: “Because God for us, who against us?” Since God is for us, what difference does it make who is against us? Others may intimidate us, but we have the Almighty on our side. I was pretty small in elementary school and would get picked on by some of the bigger boys. I learned quickly that if I hung out with a guy named Dave Theider, the rest of the guys would leave me alone. Why was that? Because Dave was the BMOC (big man on campus).

Friend, with God on your side, there is nothing that anyone else can do to you. : “The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

Remember when David was facing Goliath. A 5 ft teenager versus a 9 ft professional soldier. Everyone could see that David was outmatched. Even David saw it, but he wasn't facing Goliath in his own power. (You come to me with sword and spear… I come to you in the name of God. Today the Lord will conquer you and I will cut off your head).

Paul is not suggesting that we have no opposition because we all have adversaries. The point he is making is that every opponent is puny compared to how big God is.

Don’t you think many of us judge whether God is for us by how events or circumstances turn out?

If something goes bad, some of us immediately think that God is against us and when things go well, we think He’s for us.

If you’re a born again believer, God is always for you, no matter what happens.

When you feel like someone or something is against you, remember that God is for you.

Me: I Feel Needy!

Me: I Feel Needy!

GOD: I Got This!

32: He did not even spare his own Son but offered him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything.

Since God did not hesitate to give His greatest gift, certainly He will give us lesser gifts.

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers. The gift of God’s Son is the promise and pledge that He not only protects us – He also provides for us. Notice the word “own.” This emphasizes the Father’s possession of His Son, who He freely gave up to die on the Cross. He gave him “for us all” which means that Jesus died in our place, for our benefit.

This argument is from the greater to the lesser. Since God did not hesitate to give His greatest gift, certainly He will give us lesser gifts. It would be like a dad building a full-length basketball court for his son and then refusing to give him a basketball to use. is one of my favorite verses: “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

Like a dad who buys a kid a car for her birthday. It would be odd to think that same dad would not also fill the tank with gas.

We have needs in our lives… financial needs, emotional needs, material needs. We have needs in our church. Why is it that we stress so much about these needs?

Do we really feel that God would sacrifice his Son for our salvation only to turn his back on us later. Did he plant FBC in this community and in this neighborhood only to leave the pews empty? Did he bless us with fantastic facilities only to leave us wondering how to pay the utility bills? NO!

If we align our lives with Gods will, If we obey he provides. God’s Got This!

God protects and He provides.

Me: I Feel Accused!

GOD: I GOT THIS!

33: Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies.

There are 3 sources of accusations that we all face.

First is Satan and his tools. (unbelievers) We know that Satan, whose name means “Slanderer,” brings charges against Christians “before our God day and night.” Satan brings every flaw, every sin, and every shortcoming up before God all the time.

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.” states that Christians often “bite and devour” each other. Some of you are experiencing that right now. In addition, many of you hear the accusing anthem of guilt and shame that plays in your own mind on a daily basis. On top of that, we know from that Satan, whose name means “Slanderer,” brings charges against Christians “before our God day and night.” Satan brings every flaw, every sin, and every shortcoming up before God all the time. But none of it sticks because we have been justified, or declared righteous. God knows what we’ve done and even agrees with the charges but he has forgiven all Christ-followers. We are pure before Him.

Christians can be cannibalistic in this area too. states that Christians often “bite and devour” each other. Some of you are experiencing that right now.

Lastly, we accuse ourselves. Many of you hear the accusing anthem of guilt and shame that plays in your own mind on a daily basis.

None of it sticks because we have been justified, or declared righteous. God knows what we’ve done and even agrees with the charges but he has forgiven all Christ-followers.

Presidents have the power of pardon. No matter what someone has been accused of, no matter if the accusation is true. The president has the right to pardon that person. A pardon removes all the guilt and consequence associated with the crime.

Our Justification in Christ is an even more perfect version of the pardon.

A pastor friend of mine says it this way Justify = JUST IF I never sinned.

We are pure before Him.

Me: I Feel Condemned!

GOD: I GOT THIS!

God protects us, He provides for us, and He justifies us. We see in verse 34 that Jesus also intercedes for us: 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.

Our sins deserve condemnation but Christ now testifies on our behalf.

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers. Our sins deserve condemnation but Christ now commends us. Check out this short course on Christology, based on four deep truths:

Intercede literally means to step between.

* Because of His resurrection: “…more than that, who was raised to life…” The resurrection is proof that God the Father accepted the payment of His Son, who conquered sin and death.

* Because of His ascension: “…is at the right hand of God…” This is the place of exaltation and honor. says that Jesus “has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.”

God finds us to be sinners fallen short of his glory and deserving death. So we are on one side and God is on the other. Jesus intercedes or steps between us and God. He did this by way of his death and resurrection

* Because of His intercession: “…and is also interceding for us.” He is like our divine defense attorney. : “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”

In the midst of accusation and condemnation, we have an Advocate who is interceding for us.

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We learned last week that we have the Holy Spirit interceding in our hearts (see verse 26) and we have the Son interceding in Heaven.

This is a reiteration of vs 1 No Condemnation for those IN CHRIST.

: “‘No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.

Notice it didn't say that no weapon would be formed against you. It does say that those weapons will not prevail.

God’s Got This

Me: I Feel Abandoned!

GOD: I GOT THIS!

Have you ever felt that you have been abandoned. It seems that people are so fickle. They seem to be dependable and then for one reason or another they are gone. Sometimes they abandon us. Sometimes the reasons are petty. Sometimes there appears to be no reason at all.

Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.

35-36 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.

we are being put to death all day long;

we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.

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.

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

We all face trouble within and hardship. None of this can separate us from the Savior. Nothing can break the bond between us and God.

Not even those who are persecuted for their faith will never be severed from the love of Christ.

Seven years after these verses were written, many of the Romans who heard these words would see them come true in their own lives as the Emperor Nero threw Christians to the lions and burned believers alive.

Friday, I finally saw the movie Paul: Apostle of Christ. It was a very good representation of the final days of Paul and the plight of believers under Nero.

Death does not separate us from God. In fact death only ushers us into the permanent presence of God. The only things that trouble can take away from you are the things that don’t ultimately matter. The things that really matter, trouble cannot touch.

One pastor captured this well: “The only things that trouble can take away from you are the things that don’t ultimately matter. The things that really matter, trouble cannot touch.”

God will never abandon us. He’s Got This! He has got US!

Verse 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

For many of us Americans we think of victory in terms of winning. We tend to look at the successful, the beautiful and the wealthy as winners. The context however is that God uses apparent defeat to produce ultimate victory as He accomplishes His purposes through our problems.

Wasn’t it cool hearing from Michael and Robin Wahls last week when they shared how a man named Mohammed has come to Christ and is now living out his faith in the midst of great persecution? We received a recent report regarding 41 believers who are jailed in another part of the world. They are “uber-conquering Christians.” While they have been in jail, four other inmates have come to know the Lord! These new believers have since been released and are now sharing their faith with their friends and relatives. During the trial, the jailed believers were able to quote and explain the gospel in open court! I love the concluding statement of faith at the bottom of the email from our missionaries Roger and Maggie Bruehl: “God is answering your prayers! Please continue! This is a great time to be alive and be involved!”

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That means you can be more than a conqueror even when you’re dealing with health issues, relational breakdowns, financial trouble, stress on the job and whatever persecution you are experiencing because of your faith.

The key is to think less about the power of things over you and more about the power of Christ within you.

Let me point out something. For many of us Americans we think of victory in terms of winning. We tend to look at the successful, the beautiful and the wealthy as winners. The context however is that God uses apparent defeat to produce ultimate victory as He accomplishes His purposes through our problems. That means you can be an “uber-conqueror” even when you’re dealing with health issues, relational ruptures, financial trouble, stress on the job and whatever persecution you are experiencing because of your faith. The key is to think less about the power of things over you and more about the power of Christ within you.

Savor the security you have because of what the Savior has accomplished.

When we are opposed… God Protects Us!

When we have nothing… God Provides for Us!

When false accusations come... God Justifies Us!

When the world tries to condemn us... Jesus Frees Us!

When everyone else abandons us : Jesus Preserves Us!

Jesus promised us that in this world, we would have trouble. “But,” he said, “take heart. I have overcome the world” (). We can overcome whatever difficulty happening in our lives because Jesus has already gone before us. We are “more than conquerors through him” (v. 37).

We are more than Conquerors.... How is it we are MORE. I mean conquerors are at the top of the pyramid. They are the winners. How doe we become MORE than conquerors. We are more because we get all the benefits of the victory but we don’t have to supply the victory. We win the fight, but we don’t have to fight.

We are more than Conquerors.... How is it we are MORE. I mean conquerors are at the top of the pyramid. They are the winners. How doe we become MORE than conquerors. We are more because we get all the benefits of the victory but we don’t have to supply the victory. We win the fight, but we don’t have to fight.

Lion King video

We have an advocate, we have a conqueror who conquers on our behalf. The God of this universe is our champion. We have seen throughout this series that all 3 portions of the Trinity (Father Son HG) all are working in concert to give us the life intended for all of humanity before sin entered the frame. God is actively restoring us to himself. Why? Because He loves us.

We have an advocate,

As we close this message,this series and this chapter I want t reiterate that unfailing love God has for us.

38-39 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.

Paul’s declaration in this passage that absolutely nothing can separate us from God’s love for us is even more potent considering the suffering he had been facing himself. He had suffered rejection from friends and persecution from the government, and had spent many months of his life imprisoned because of his faith in Jesus Christ. When he lists the various hardships someone might face, whether in death or in life, Paul wasn’t writing merely theoretical ideas He was writing from his own proven experience. Nothing, not even the worst thing we could do or that we could imagine anyone doing to us, can separate us from God’s great love.

This isn’t a promise just for Paul, for the early church… It isn't just for those we may call super Christians. This is a promise for all those who are IN CHRIST.

We began our series No Condemnation with a promise of a clan slate with God and we finish with a promise of an unbreakable bond. All for those IN CHRIST

I close with one more question…and it’s a big one. Have you accepted Christ? If you haven’t and if you don’t, God will be against you. Don’t delay a decision. Receive Jesus Christ into your life right now.