Sermon 042797

Rom. 8:31a                          What Then Shall We Say to These Things?                       4/27/97

                                                                                   ABCC

I.    Introduction                                                                                                                      570

Little Malcolm died last evening & we feel the weight, pressure, sadness of the death of this 5 year old child whom we knew and loved.  We have experienced yet another event as we journey through this season of affliction from God own hand.  Each one of us has to wrestle within ourselves as we respond to these matters – but I want us to consider this question together today,  “What then shall…?”

     A. Who is the “we” of verse 31?

·        We are those is 8:1-2, 11, 14-17, 18, 23-25, 26, 28, 29-30.

- The “we” of verse 31 are those who are in Christ Jesus & no longer condemned, set free from the law of sin & death, those in whom the Holy Spirit dwells, leads & bears witness that you are children of God, those who willing suffer for Christ & eagerly wait for His return, those who confess that you do not know how to pray as you should but know that the Holy Spirit is interceding for you, those who know that God is actively causing all things to work together for good, those who have been foreknown, predestined, called, justified & glorified in Christ Jesus!

·        These are the ones whom Paul intends to answer this question & if you are among the “we” spoken of here, lets consider this question together!

     B. What are “these things” referred to in verse 31?

·        It would certainly include everything in the immediate context (v. 26ff) and possibly all the things we’ve addressed in chapter 8 – ‘no longer any condemnation, free from the law of sin & death, being indwelt & led by the Holy Spirit,…suffering in this present age, etc. = “THESE THINGS”

What Then Shall We Say to These Things, pg. 2

II.   What Then Shall We Say to These Things? (which includes SUFFERING)

       WE RESPOND TO THESE THINGS WITH FIVE ASTOUNDING QUESTIONS OF OUR OWN!

q      If God is for us, who is against us?

- The question is not simply “who is against us”.  For we know that indwelling sin, the world, devil, godless people & every form of wickedness is against us; but the question is since God is for us, who can be against us & prevail?

q      He who did not spare …how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

- Since God has given His own Son (the greater sacrifice) for US, is there something more significant to withhold?  When you begin to doubt God’s care & concern for you, look at the cross – while we were enemies, now children!

q      Who will bring a charge against God’s elect?  God is the one who justifies

- Can someone charge US or accuse US with something that our God overlooked when He justified US?

q      Who is the one who condemns?  Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised…

q      Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

This is our response to the issues and circumstance of this present life that we live.  We are convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities,…shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  We are confident of our Lord’s providential rule over the circumstances of life – for we know that God causes all things to work together….  And even though we actual face tribulation, distresses, persecutions, marital problems, financial crisis, severe illnesses, tragedies in our homes, tragedies in our automobiles, calamity on every hand and even death, we are absolutely, positively convinced, beyond any shadow of doubt that nothing – absolutely nothing- can separate us from the love of our God!!!!