Since God Be for Us Series, Part 2: Romans 8:28-30, The Sovereignty of the Father

God is Working All Together for Good

The Sovereignty of the Father--8:28-30

The context of Romans 8:28

 A world of sin and suffering--v. 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26

o We cannot control the groans and suffering

o We _________ control our response

Three concepts in the context--v. 28-30

 The control of God--v. 28a

o “We know”

• The rest of v. 28 is the direct object of that verb

• The word used here is knowledge based on fact (not experience)

• Paul always uses this word to speak of common knowledge among believers

• It is emphatic (he is emphasizing certainty)

o “All things”--this is plural

o “Work together”--(sunerge--singular third person--“he” fits the context)

• It is God that does the causing toward ___________

• “Good” has the preposition “eis”--direction toward

• So we will say, “God causes ________ things to _________ together toward _________.”

• “Good” by whose definition? God is the __________ of good

• “Work together”--compound word for “unit of power” and “fellowship” (blending together of all things to make something good)

 The purpose of God--v. 28b

o “Purpose” (pro-thesis)--thought and planned ___________ of time (pre-determined)

 The people of God--v. 29-30

o They are destined to be _____________ (v. 29)

o They are destined to be _____________ (v. 30)

Romans 8:28 mentality

 Mature--I see the hand of God

 Immature--I can’t believe this is happening