The Benefits Of New Life- Victory Series

Text- Romans 8:28-39

Title- The Benefits of New Life- Victory

Romans 8:28-39 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I. Victory in all circumstances- vs. 28

a. God works the details of our life out for good

II. Victory is pre-ordained- vs. 29-30

a. God had a plan from the very beginning

III. Victory through Jesus Christ- vs. 31-34

a. We are conquerors through Him

IV. Victory over any enemy- vs. 35-39

a. No power can separate us from Christ

I spent a few days this week over at Silver Spur at pastor’s camp. I really enjoy this particular retreat because it is very laid back, very mellow. There is a speaker and a program, but there is plenty of free time to just sit and do nothing. Last year I opted to skip out on the speaker and take a nap a few times; and I didn’t feel guilty about it at all.

It isn’t really about listening to a speaker, but taking time to renew and refresh. This year however, I absolutely loved the speaker. His name was Andy, so you know he’s going to be good right off the bat.

It’s a difficult thing to speak in front of a group of pastors. It seems like some guys try to be extra intellectual or overly deep. The speaker this week really just had one simple goal, to encourage and uplift us pastors. I want to share just a little bit of his first message to us on Monday night because it really dovetails perfectly with the passage in Romans that we will be studying today.

Andy’s simple message was to remind us to be ourselves. He encouraged us not to get caught up in comparing ourselves to other pastors. He reminded each one of us that God has called us and prepared us and placed us right where He wants us.

Then he said this phrase that has been swirling around me for the past few weeks. I’ve heard it a couple of different times spoken by a couple of different people. He said, God doesn’t waste anything in our lives. All of the past events of our lives were a part of God’s plan to make us into the person we are today. All of the good and the bad comes together in a way that God controls. God doesn’t waste a thing in my life.

That’s not just true for me, or for other pastor’s, it’s true for every single one of us. We will all face some difficult stuff in our lives, but God doesn’t let any of that go to waste. He has a plan for you and for me.

On of the verses that we will look at today is Romans 8:28 which says, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

This verse is true for me and its true for you. I am not here by accident and neither are you. God has called you to the place you are right now. God has been taking all of the events of your life and working them for your good and for His glory.