If God is for Us!

Introduction

Romans 8:18 ESV

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

The Sufferings of this Present time

Romans 8:22–23 ESV

22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Rom 8:

Creation is groaning for redemption

Christians are groaning for redemption

Here is something “we know.” This present time is like the pains of childbirth. They come and go, ebb and flow, it comes in waves.

As a believer and follower of Christ we talk about putting our faith and trust in God. We quote verses like:

Romans 8:28 ESV

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

But do “we know” that. Are we really convinced that all things are working together for good.

So we have somewhat of a contradiction that we must first deal with.

If all things work together for good why are there sufferings of this present time.

Why did Jesus say in this world you will have trouble.

Where is the good in all of that?

Good must be defined as the completion of God’s will.

Genesis 2:1–2 ESV

1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.

Genesis 1:31 ESV

31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

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We try to define good by our standards but we know that there is none good but God.

Romans 3:10 ESV

10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;

Therefore all things work together in the life of God’s children to bring about the ultimate will, pleasure, and glory of the Lord.

Rom

So how do we go through the sufferings of this present time and find the joy in the goodness of God?

Once you understand your life from God’s perspective, only then will you see the good in it.

Rom

Romans 8:26–27 ESV

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

1) Live in the intercession of the Spirit’s prayer.

We don’t know what the will of God is for our lives.

We don’t know what to pray for.

The Spirit in you groans for you intercedes on your behalf.

The Spirit intercedes for us according to the will of God.

We can only know God’s will through the Spirit God has given us.

The Spirit is our guide to the will of God.

Th Spirit leads and guides us into the will of God.

All we have to do is follow His lead and we will do good.

2) Live in the provision of the Father’s knowledge.

Rom 8:29

Romans 8:29 ESV

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.

God’s foreknowledge in the past.

We live in hindsight while God lives in foresight.

For us hindsight is 20/20.

God has foreknowledge of every decision that will or even would ever be made.

God knows every scenario for everyone of our choices.

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God works off of facts of the future where as we work on the facts of the past.

We live in hindsight while God lives in foresight.

Knowing the choices of the future allows God to make provision for every scenario to work out his will.

God predestines according to his foreknowledge.

Predestination is the result of God’s foreknowledge of Man’s choices in time past.

Those that will chose the Lord have been predestined to become the children of God.

Those that will reject the Lord have been predestined to damnation without God.

Predestination is not the predetermined choice of God because that would violate His character of love and His will that all would repent and be saved.

Those that will choose the Lord are predestined to be conformed to His Son.

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Romans 8:30 ESV

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.

The Call of God

God’s calling in the present.

God calls those he has predestined through his foreknowledge according to their choice.

The Call of God goes out to those that have been predestined through the foreknowledge of God in time past.

God working through his foreknowledge calls or draws those That will choose

John 6:44 ESV

44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

God’s foreknowledge of those that will answer the call allows him to claim you before the foundation of the world.

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God justifies those that answer the call

God justifies the called through the gospel. The death and resurrection of Christ.

God’s glorification in the future.

We live in hope of one day receiving our glorified bodies.

Romans 8:24–25 ESV

24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Romans 8:25 ESV

25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

God does not function in hope because he has seen the future.

He’s not hoping you make the right choice.

Knowing th

God functions in the foreknowledge of all things and has made provision for all things working all things together for good.

Matthew 6:8 ESV

8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Rom 8:31

Romans 8:31 ESV

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

3) Live in the intercession of Christ’s love.

Rom 834

Romans 8:34–36 ESV

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.”

Christ “intercedes for us.”

Nothing can separate us because nothing takes Jesus by surprise.

Romans 8:37 ESV

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

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Romans 8:38–39 ESV

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.

No one can separate us because Christ is greater than all others.

Conclusion

So how do we go through the sufferings of this present time and find the joy in the goodness of God?

Live in the intercession of the Spirit’s prayer.

Live in the provision of the Father’s knowledge.

Live in the intercession of Christ’s love.