Romans 8:28

Introduction

Romans 8:22 “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”

Pain, disorder, groaning, death.

It speaks of all creation.

Environmental,

Romans 8:23 “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”

First fruits belong to God

Adoption - which is the redemption of our bodies.

The question is how do we handle all the groaning within in creation and our lives?

We have hope - Romans 8:24-25 “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”

This hope anchors our faith

This hope is secured in the power of God

The Spirit prays for us - Romans 8:26-27 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

All things word for good - Romans 8:28 “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.”

And we know

2 words for know in the New Testament

Experiential

Observational

Common knowledge

A common knowledge that is lost today

The foundation of this common knowledge is our value of God.

faith in God

We have marginalized faith

Faith speaks of conviction

This knowledge has to persuade us of the promise in this verse.

We know this verse to be true becasue we have read how God worked in the lives of Joseph, Ruth, Ester, David, Manasseh, Lazarus, and Jesus!

Abel, Jeremiah, Stephen, James - Hebrews 11:36-37 “And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;”

All things work together for good

All things are good and bad - comprehensive, no qualifications

Romans 8:18 “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Romans 8:23 “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”

Work together - Fellow worker, cooperate, synergism

Joseph

Ruth

Ester

God is the coworker that brings about the events of life for good.

Good - Beneficial

We want to view this materialistic

Most often the benefit is spiritual.

What underlies this promise is a sovereign God who controls the micro and the macro.

What is not Paul saying

He is not saying whatever happens is good

He is not saying suffering, and tragedy are good

He is not saying everything will work out if we have enough faith

He is not saying that we will be able to understand why God allowed tragedy to come

What he is saying - He is erecting a sign over the unexplainable mysteries of life—a sign which reads "Quiet. God at work." How? We're not always sure. To what end? Good, and not evil.

To them that love God

Salvation is a love transaction that was initiated with God and through the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit reciprocated by us - 1 John 4:19 “We love him, because he first loved us.”

This love produces the change in our life - it is the catalyst for repentance

Repentance is not perfection but gives us a proper view of God and sin. We love God and abhor sin. The issue today is there is no abhorrence of sin.

Loving God is in the present tense

What does it mean to love God?

We do not get to choose - John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

John 14:21 “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”

John 14:23 “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

1 John 2:3-6 “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”

What is being addressed is a lifestyle or culture

Called According to His Purpose

Human side

God’s side

Called - speaks of an amazing invitation to the family of grace.

The word “called” speaks of God;s choice.

Conclusion

Why this sermon

Affliction promotes our salvation

R. A. Torrey - soft pillow for the tired heart

Perspective