More Than Conquerors

More than Conquerors

Romans 8:31-39

Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567

How can God whom is indivisibly present, full of grace and ever-loving kindness allow His own to go through persecutions, trials and tribulations? How can an omnipotent God allow us to go through the dark valleys of life that crush our very souls and yet still state He is doing good to those who love Him? Surely God knows that even His ambassadors and royal priests are no match for the hardships, persecutions, famines and diseases of life much less the Devil whom seeks to devour them? And does not just thinking about our filthy rags of sin threaten to break the minds of these jars of clay whom cannot justify their thoughts, words and deeps based on their own merits? In Romans 8:31-39 Paul answers these questions by stating that God is just and good because He enables His children to be more than conquerors of persecution, life’s tribulations and even physical death. The simple but profound truth is that our sovereign God is good because His grace and love never ends! The following sermon is going to examine the testimonies of the biblical risk takers and martyrs with the intent of spurring today’s Christian to have faith that God has us in His hands and as such we can face any of life’s difficulties with unspeakable joy, knowing that the pain we feel in this life will be pail in comparison to the glorious riches we are about to receive!

The Testimony of the Martyrs

Think about the cloud of great witnesses whom risked everything for the kingdom of God. Who could ever forget Moses and Aaron who stood before Pharaoh and said “let My people go (Exodus 5),” David who bravely faced Goliath (1 Samuel 17), Esther who risked her life to save the Jewish people, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego whom faced the fiery furnace (Daniel 3) or Apostle Paul whom risked his life daily to testify about Jesus (Acts 20:24)? And who could ever forget the courage of the early church? They were imprisoned for mentioning Jesus’ name, buried alive, crucified, dressed in animal furs to be killed by dogs, set on fire to illuminate Emperor Nero’s courtyards and were torn apart by lions as entertainment in the Roman amphitheater. And yet in the face of Emperor Decius’ demand that they serve the emperor and multiple gods or be run through by the sword they replied with a resounding “No,” we will serve but one God! Despite being hard pressed on every side, perplexed, crushed and struck down (2 Corinthians 4:8) they remained faithful, their testimonies far more “sacred than any dome of gorgeous architecture” that has ever been constructed!

The motives to take big risks in God’s kingdom for these martyrs was not “heroism, the lust for adventure, the courage of self-reliance or the need to earn God’s good will” but was a mere by-product of “faith in the triumphant love of God” that while cannot be seen (Hebrews 11:1) will never end! Imagine facing the cruellest of deaths with rejoicing, “leaping and dancing at the thought of being counted worthy to suffer for Christ’s sake”! Because they allowed the word of God to shape their very lives (James 1:22-25) these martyrs were not scared of being persecuted by the enemies of the cross (Matthew 10:28) but in making friendships with this world (James 4:4) and becoming carnal and lukewarm in sight of their Savior! Despite their bleak circumstances they felt overwhelming joy because they knew their lives were “not in the hands of fortuitous circumstances but in the hands of a sovereign, benevolent God!” In their minds they were not taking a risk but merely serving faithfully to the one whom guaranteed their deeds would result in crowns of righteousness! The remainder of this sermon is going to review how today’s Christian can throw off the shackles of spiritual lukewarmness and according to Apostle Paul become more than conquerors over persecution, tribulations and even death itself!

More than Conquerors of Persecution

While those living in North America are unlikely to become martyrs for their belief in God, living for Jesus still invites plenty of persecution. While he who seeks to devour God’s own (1 Peter 5:8) pays little attention to the carnal, lukewarm Christian who is a chameleon and friend of this world; those who live and spread the Gospel message can expect to be “cast onto the threshing-floor to be beaten a heavy flail of trouble.” Living in a society that has great pride in their “inclusive” attitudes and policies that anything goes on the broad path as long as it does not harm another, to state there is but one God (Deuteronomy 6:4) and to let one’s light shine (Matthew 5:15) to expose their evil deeds (John 3:20) invites harsh criticism and exclusion from their presence! This should not come as a surprise for Jesus promised that the world would hate Christians (John 15:18) and that proclaiming His message would result in many of our relationships dissolving or worst yet becoming hostile (Matthew 10:35-36)! Lest the church becomes “bastards and not sons, tares and not wheat, hypocrites with fair vineyards,” we as His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) and royal priests (1 Peter 2:9) must become more than conquerors of this world by throwing off the shackles of the fear of external criticism and exclusion and let our light reveal the truth that He who bought us at a price (1 Corinthians 6:20) is offering the world reconciliation.