Mora Than Conquerors

MORE THAN CONQUERORS

Romans 8:28-39

Romans 8:28-39 will tell us that Christians should live victoriously through Christ who loved us. Paul said that we are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us. When we say that we should live victoriously, we are not saying that we would not have problems and trials. Rather we mean that we can live above these adversities and be at peace with ourselves and God.

Why did Paul say we are “more than conquerors” through Christ who loved us? Please open your Bibles to Romans 8:28-39.

EXPOSITION

1. We are more than conquerors because GOD WORKS IN ALL THINGS FOR THE GOOD OF HIS CHILDREN. (vv. 28-30)

Why did Paul say this? It is obvious that Christians only celebrates and feel good when everything is a success and events are positive. In the preceding paragraph, it appears that the Romans were suffering and groaning as they wait for the second coming of Christ. (See Romans 8:18, 23)

Paul assured us that God is at work in all things at all times for the good of his children. Therefore even in times of adversities and trials God is at work for our own advantage.

ILLUSTRATION The story is told of an only survivor of a wreck who was thrown on an uninhabited island. After a while he managed to build himself a hut, in which he placed the little that he had saved from the wreck. He prayed to God for deliverance, and anxiously scanned the horizon each day to hail any passing ship.

One day on returning from a hunt for food he was horrified to find his hut in flames—all he had had gone up in smoke. The worst had happened it seemed. But that which seemed to have happened for the worst was in reality for the best. The next day a ship arrived. “We saw your smoke signal,” the captain said. If our lives are in God’s hands “all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28). Why did we say this?

a. He has a purpose. (vv. 28-29) – His purpose was to conform us to the likeness of his Son. His Son did not only experience comfort but also adversities and persecutions.

b. He has a plan. (v. 30) – His plan was He called us, justified us, and glorified us. (See Ephesians 2:4-9)

2. We are more than conquerors because GOD ADDRESSES ALL OUR PERSONAL WEAKNESSES. (vv. 31-39)

a. Fears (v. 31) – Who can be against us?

Persecution, danger, and sword – God is with us and for us; therefore let us be courageous and confident. (See Isaiah 41:10-11)

ILLUSTRATION In spite of what they say, 90% of the chronic patients who see today’s physicians have one common symptom. Their trouble did not start with cough or chest pain or hyperacidity. In 90% of the cases, the first symptom was fear.

This is the opinion of a well-known American internist as expressed in a roundtable discussion on psychosomatic medicine. This is also the consensus of a growing body of specialists. Fear of losing a job, of old age, of being exposed—sooner or later this fear manifests itself as “a clinical symptom.”

Sometimes the fear is nothing more than a superficial anxiety; sometimes it is so deep-seated that the patient himself denies its existence and makes the round of doctor to doctor, taking injections, hormones, tranquilizers and tonics in an endless search for relief.

b. Inadequacies (v. 32) – Who can deprive us?

Famine, nakedness, and hardship – God did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, therefore he will graciously give us all things. (See Philippians 4:19)

c. Guilt (v. 33) – Who will bring any charge against us?

Demons and powers – God justified us through faith in Christ Jesus. (See Romans 3:22-26; 5:1-2) Our sin caused us to feel guilty before God but Jesus Christ paid for our sins.

ILLUSTRATION A hermit once, having renounced the world and lost all things, yet found no peace. It seemed to him in his lonely cell that the Lord was asking something more. “But I have given you everything!” cried the hermit. “All but one thing,” answered the Lord. “What is it, Lord?” “Your sins.”

When we repent and put out faith in Christ and established a relationship with Him as our Lord and Savior, He already forgave us all our sins. (See Colossians 2:13-15)

d. Hopelessness (v. 34) – Who will condemn us?

Future and death – (See Romans 8:1-4) God gave us hope and confidence for the future. In addition, Jesus who is at the right hand of God is interceding for us.

e. Insecurities (v. 35) – Who can separate us from God’s love?

Trouble, depth, and heights – All these situations would sometimes cause us to think that we have lost the love of God. God’s love is eternal and unconditional. (See Psalms 103:8-14)