God Has A Plan
Notes
Transcript
God has a Plan
God has a Plan
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
God has a Plan
Paul is writing to encourage the people at Rome that in spite of the circumstance and events of the present that God has a plan for our lives
A benefits of a plan
Gives us hope
Gives us direction
Allows others to follow
Illustration -
WWII - stuck behind the enemy lines. No way out it looks hopeless
Behind the scenes and unnoticed by the soldiers is a flotilla of ships that will bomb the germans into submission.
The problem is they must get into position. Once the Americans know of the plan it gives them the resolve to keep fighting because there is a purpose in the suffering at the present.
When we go thought trial it is comforting that God has a plan in using these trials.
Eternal Security
The closing verses in this chapter expand more fully the great theme of the believer’s eternal security. The believer is (1) predestinated for glory (vv. 28–30).
This predestination cannot be altered, for it includes the present moment of time as well as the vast reaches of eternity past and future.
It relates itself to the daily concerns of men, for Paul reminds us that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (v. 28).
This is a great verse, often quoted in times of distress.
It needs to be looked at, however, in the light of its context. Like the cogs in an intricate piece of machinery, all things work together for good to the called of God for the simple reason that God’s purposes cannot be thwarted. Although we may not see it now, everything will one day be seen to fit into God’s perfect plan.[1]
I. For Our Circumstances
I. For Our Circumstances
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Illustration for our cirumstancs
Trisha- Scoliosis was the first real tragedy Ann and I faced.
What do we do
We wee going int the ministry
We were looking at medical bills over 90K
But God had a plan for us to be more like him and it was the fire he chose for us
we learned patience
we clang to His promises
We just had to accept God at His word...
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
vs 29 - is the key. All things means they are there so we will be conformed into image of His son.
This verse is not a get out of Jail card.
Is is not that all things will turn out rosy the way we want it
This means God is working in circumstances and events in our lives so that we will be more confirmed to His image.
Illustration -
Here are three things about this popular verse you may never have noticed.
First, Romans 8:28 doesn’t mean we can live any way we choose, and God will fix our messes.
To understand the truth of Romans 8:28, we can’t just quote the part of the verse we like: “And we know that in all things God works for the good. . .” and skip the rest, “of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose,”
Romans 8:28 is a promise for believers. Real believers. Those who are living for Christ. Not those who claim to believe in God but are living like the devil.
This verse says to those who love God and are doing their best to obey his commands, “Even though bad/sad/evil/wicked things will touch your life, I (God) will use them to ultimately bring about good, both in your life and in the world.”
Joni Erickson Tada, an inspirational speaker, author, and singer, is a quadriplegic who has been confined to a wheelchair for more than 40 years. When people ask her why God allows suffering, she often says, “God allows what he hates to accomplish what he loves.” And what does God love? For people to enter into relationship with himself and become more like him. Joni’s life and ministry are a stunning testimony of how God can use a tragedy like a paralyzing diving accident to impact the lives of millions.
Second, Romans 8:28 tells us God can use all things together for good. He doesn’t say all things are good. No matter how rose-colored our glasses are, there’s nothing good about cancer, sex trafficking, or death. Until Jesus returns and conquers Satan once and for all, sin will continue to drag its poisonous tentacles across our world, damaging and destroying everything in its wake.
The truth of Romans 8:28 reminds us that although sin and Satan are powerful, God is more powerful He is able to redeem and restore anything for our good and his glory. All things may not be good, but God can and will use all things for good.
This brings us to the final thing you may never have noticed about Romans 8:28 and its accompanying verse, Romans 8:29 — the ultimate good God wants to accomplish in the lives of his children. “For those God foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (v. 29).
God is working all things together for good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose.
It may not always seem so! Sometimes when we are suffering heartbreak, tragedy, disappointment, frustration, and bereavement, we wonder what good can come out of it.
But the following verse gives the answer: whatever God permits to come into our lives is designed to conform us to the image of His Son. When we see this, it takes the question mark out of our prayers.
Our lives are not controlled by impersonal forces such as chance, luck, or fate, but by our wonderful, personal Lord, who is “too loving to be unkind and too wise to err.”
God has a plan
II. For Our Encouragement
II. For Our Encouragement
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
What encouraging word we have ..
When are facing misery ‘
When we are facing despair
God has a plan for us
It too encourage us
If God be for us ----- really think of these words
Illustration -
Years ago we were putting together a proposal to design and build prisons across the USA ...
it was a professional service contract and the winning team would get the project
One team had a connection to the selection committee that would guarantee selection … we decided not to propose and with drew
Why because they had a team that could not be beat ...
They were going to get the contract
It was guaranteed
This was very encouraging to the other team
The text says “if God be for us who can be against us” id very encouraging and the other side is not going to win....
If God is for us, in the sense that He has marked us out for Himself, then no one can be successful against us.
If Omnipotence is working on our behalf, no lesser power can defeat His program.
8:32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all.
When a world of lost mankind needed to be saved by a sinless Substitute, the great God of the universe did not hold back His heart’s best Treasure, but gave Him over to a death of shame and loss on our behalf.
If He has gone to such lengths to procure our salvation, will He ever let us go? How shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
God has a plan
III. For Our Accusers
III. For Our Accusers
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Illustration - prison inmates
In a special ward that keep them from r=those that would harm them .... full proof and locked down
When playing BB on court shot and killed
They can not touch us or lay any change that will keep us from the presence of God
We can not be touched.
Auburn football- players are separated from the campus
Isolated because of false allegations of misconduct can be made
They must be protected to keep the program clean and eligible
Unfortunately it doesn't all work
They get accused charges are laid and players condemed
We are still in a courtroom setting, but now a remarkable change has taken place. While the justified sinner stands before the bench, the call goes out for any accusers to step forward.
But there is none! How could there be? If God has already justified His elect, who can bring a charge?
It greatly clarifies the argument of this verse and the following one if we supply the words “No one, because …” before each answer.
Thus this verse would read, Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? No one, because it is God who justifies
8:34 Another challenge rings out! Is there anyone here to condemn? No one, because Christ has died for the defendant, has been raised from the dead, is now at the right hand of God interceding for him. If the Lord Jesus, to whom all judgment has been committed, does not pass sentence on the defendant but rather prays for him, then there is no one else who could have a valid reason for condemning him.[1]
God Has A Plan:
I. For Our Circumstances
I. For Our Circumstances
II. For Our Encouragement
II. For Our Encouragement
III. For Our Accusers
III. For Our Accusers