5.8.48 10.25.2020 God’s Love Secures us Romans 8.31-39 (2)

Entice: We have been speaking lots of comforting words in 2020. Comforting words in the midst of crisis, chaos, conflict and COVID. To some, words of comfort in a year like this are hollow or hype or hysteria. I guess it would depend on the source of the hope you have and the comfort you extend.

Engage: Are you feeling secure or threatened? Is the glass of opportunity half-full or half-empty? Maybe it's cracked or overflowing. Again, it maybe that who is more import than what.

Expand: People will fail you. Human institutions disappoint. Governments give and then take away. All the money gets spent and power is an illusion. Paul reminds us that only in Christ Jesus is there a place of security, safety, salvation.

Romans 8:31–39 ESV

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 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.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 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.

In Jesus God extends His love.

In Jesus is hope.

In Jesus there is satisfaction.

Excite: For Paul everything is ultimately evangelistic because there is no hope in this world outside of Christ. Even if it gets better...it really isn't for those who do not have eternal hope in Jesus.

Explore:

When Grace comes to Town Jesus secures us in the Father's Eternal love.

Explain: Paul identifies God's provisions for us in the midst of our various trials.

1. In the Midst of our trials God is for us. v 31-32

1.1. He Gave His son For us

1.2 He Graciously gives us “all things in Him."

2. In the Midst of our Trials God Justifies us. 33-34

2.1 No one can accuse us.

2.2 No one can condemn us.

3. In the Midst of our Trials God Sustains us. 35-36

Nothing in creation can separate us from the Love of Christ.

Even in the midst of persecution....

4. In the Midst our Trials God Triumphs through us. 37-39

4.1. Statement.

4.2 Elaboration.

Physically

Spiritually

Temporally

Spatially

Nothing in all creation.

The End...

In. Christ. Jesus. Our. Lord. This is a persistent theme in the book of Romans. The security you and I crave cannot really be found anywhere else but in the crucified and conquering Savior.

But that does not mean people have not tried or that they will not keep on trying things like;

Fortune.

Fame.

Political Power.

Social Standing.

Cultural Influence.

Cultures have risen and fallen since the Church first sprouted in the Roman Empire. Rulers have come and gone. Plagues. Distress. Troubles. Conflicts. Discomforts. This too may pass. Or it may not. If you want to be left standing if you want to be secure in the plan and purpose of God you need to be IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.

This is the invitation we have offered for 20 centuries on. Not our power, intelligence, creativity, influence, pride or fortune. We offer you Jesus. In Him you can stand secure.