If God Be For Us…

IF GOD BE FOR US…

Rom. 8:31

INTRODUCTION

OFFERING HUMOR

1. Father Michael, of St. Mary’s Church said, “I was on a plane last week from Edinburgh to London, when we ran into some very severe weather which resulted in turbulence. As it got worse, the passengers became more and more alarmed, and even the airline stewards began to look concerned.

2. Finally one of them noticed that I had ‘Reverend’ in front of my name on the passenger list, so she approached me, and said, “Sir, this is really frightening. Do you suppose you could, I don’t know…….do something religious?” “So I took up a collection,” retold Father Michael with a grin.

A. HUMOR: THE PRICE IS RIGHT

1. At a fabric store, a pretty girl spied a silky material that would be perfect for a dress and asked the male clerk, “How much does it cost?”

2. He smiled warmly. “Since it’s for You, I’d sell it to You for the price of ‘one kiss per yard’,” he said, showing dimples. “That’s fine,” said the girl. “I’ll take ten yards.”

3. With expectation and anticipation written all over his face, the clerk quickly measured out the cloth, wrapped it up, and then teasingly held it out.

4. The girl took the bag, stepped up close to him with a coy smile, then turned and pointed to an old man standing by the wall, and said, “Grandpa will pay the bill!”

B. TEXT

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. 31 What, then, shall we say in response 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, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Rom. 8:28-34.

C. THESIS

1. These are some of the most famous and power-packed verses in the Bible. Each one is a jewel to be revolved and marveled at.

2. Our emphasis this morning is the second half of verse 31; “If God be for us, who can be against us?” There is a message so profound in this verse that it should shape our worldview, our view of God, and how we speak and conduct ourselves in life.

3. The title of this message is, “If God Be For Us…”.

I. WE POSSESS GOD’S TRUMP CARD

A. POWER OVER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, OPPOSITION

1. “Trump Card” – (defined): “The Trump Card is the highest-ranking card; it overwhelms and has power over every other card currently in play. The person who plays it automatically wins that hand of cards.”

2. The Redeemed possess the ultimate Trump card – it is God’s favor set upon us! GOD IS FOR US, ON OUR SIDE!

3. Listen to Thomas Schreiner’s comment on Romans 8:31;

“There is something about power that is being communicated here. God’s favor, love, and grace trump everything because there is no one or nothing greater than God. When God is for you, no one can be against you because there is nothing greater or more powerful than God. This is not a promise of the absence of opposition. Rather, it is a promise regarding the impotence of the opposition. God will vanquish any enemies that present themselves before believers.” [Romans, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 1998), 458]

B. EFFECT OF GOD’S FAVOR: WE’RE OVERCOMERS!

1. The Apostle John rightly sized up the situation, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world” 1 Jn. 4:4.

2. God’s presence in us and our relationship to Him as His children automatically confer the status of ‘overcomer’ on us.

3. There is no situation God doesn’t have the key to. There is no adversary who is more powerful than God. The same overcoming nature resident in Jesus now resides in us.

C. YOU’RE A WINNER, NOT A LOSER. You WILL eventually triumph!

1. In Adam you were born a loser, but in Christ you’re born a winner! In Adam you had a dark future; but in Christ you have an awesome future! In Adam you were separated from God; in Jesus you were reconciled to God!