Ongoing Study of Rom 8:31-39
Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Ps 44:22 Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.
- Bed of roses is an English expression, which means an easy and peaceful life.
- Most likely based on a rose representing happiness and love
- The expression is from a line in Christopher Marlowe’s poem
“The Passionate Shepherd to His Love”. - 1588
[And I will make thee beds of roses]
The So Called “Prosperity Gospel”
“Prosperity Doctrine,” “Health and Wealth,” “Name It and Claim It,” or “Blab It and Grab It” (the latter term tends to be used by those who criticize this teaching).
The 50 Most Influential Christians in America,
The Church Report, Jan. 2006
1. T.D. Jakes, The Potter’s House
2. Joel Osteen, Lakewood Church
3. Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
4. Rick Warren, Saddleback Church
5. Bill Hybels, Willow Creek Community Church
6. Paul Crouch, Trinity Broadcasting Network
7. Joyce Meyer, Joyce Meyer Ministries
8. George W. Bush, President
9. James C. Dobson, Focus on the Family
10. Chuck Colson, Prison Fellowship Ministries
In a Time poll, 17 percent of Christians surveyed said they considered themselves part of a Charismatic movement, while a full 61 percent believed that God wants people to be prosperous.
Here’s how it is sold: God wants you to be rich (and/or healthy), but He can not bless you unless you first send money (also known as a “seed-faith offering”) to whichever televangelist or teacher tells you about this scheme.
- Perfected by Oral Roberts, Kenneth Copeland, Marilyn Hickey, Benny Hinn, Joel Olstein
1) Positive Confession
- You can have what you say
is the belief that if a believer speaks "spiritual" or "faith-filled" words then he can have what he says
Kenneth Copeland in The Laws of Prosperity (p. 98, 101) "You can have what you say!
2) The Gospel of Health
- No believer should ever be sick
"The reason you haven’t been healed is that you don’t have enough faith,"
- "We can write our own ticket with God if we decide what we want, believe that it’s ours, and confess it,"
3) The Gospel of Wealth:
- Poverty cause is sin
- God wills the financial prosperity of every Christian.
- If a believer lives in poverty, he/she is living outside God’s intended will
Was Jesus prosperous?
- Born in a stable
- People wanted to make him prosperous – Declare Him King
- Luke 9:58KJV
58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
- Were the disciples prosperous?
- Matthew, might have been at one time as a tax collector
- Peter and the other fishermen probably made just enough to make ends meet.
- Moses came from a well-to-do background, having grown up in Pharaoh’s household, but he gave it all up to serve God and lead the people of Israel.
- Job was never told why he lost his family & property
- Paul prayed 3 times for his thorn in the flesh - 2 Cor 12:8
2 Corinthians 12:9KJV
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
- 2 Corinthians 11:27KJV
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Romans 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
- Quoting Ps 44:22
Psalm 44 — LIVING IN REALITY
❶ Ps 44:1-3 Remember God Does Give Victory
- History provides perspective
- Israel, Moses, & Joshua
- Dangerous to just live in the present
- Not based on how I feel
- Not my Emotions
- We must live with eternity values in view
- Past struggles with wins and losses were done in God’s timing
- He showed himself strong and true
- Ab. Waiting for a son
- David waiting to be King
- Israel ebb and flow with the Judges
❷ Ps 44:4-8 Remember God Is Worthy To Be Trusted
- v. 5 Looking toward the future in confidence
- Showed Himself in the past
- By faith I will stay faithful
- v. 6 I will not trust in my own strength
- v. 8 Boast - Point to him
- Praise - to be thankful
- Forever - My commitment
- Selah - Our focus
❸ Ps 44:9-26 - Remember It’s OK To Ask Why
- Enemies have entrenched themselves into our lives
- Life is not a bed of roses – It does hurt
- v. 15 There is confusion
- It’s OK to ask why v. 23-24
- Obstacles either make us or break us
- We are most inspired when those under hardship rise up
- v. 22 & Rom 8:35 For thy sake .....
Amy Carmichael — (1867-1951)
- Served in India for 55 years without furlough operating an orphanage
- A young lady who was considering life as a missionary, asked Amy, "What is missionary life like?" Amy wrote back saying simply, "Missionary life is simply a chance to die."
- At 63 was badly injured in a fall which left her bedridden for 20 years
- It was here most of her 35 books were written
- Her life inspired missionaries Jim & Elisabeth Elliot
- Jim killed by the Huaorani (Auca) Indians at 29 yrs.
- Elisabeth married Addison Leitch 1969 who died of cancer 4 yrs later
- 1988 for 13 years Elisabeth broadcasted “Gateway to Joy"
John Piper — God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in Him in the midst of loss not prosperity.
- v. 19 - God allows tragedy for his glory
- We are not expected to know why
- We are promised not to be abandoned
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid
- Even the seemingly worst defeat – Death is only temporary
❹ The Course of Action
1. v.1 - Remember
2. v. 6 - Focus
3. v.8 - Praise
4. v.17 - Faithfulness
5. v. 18 - Confident
- It’s Sin self & Pride that Keeps us from Freedom In the Time of Difficulty
John MacArthur in his book Hard to Believe: The Lord says, “If you don’t know Me on My terms, I don’t know you at all. If you haven’t come in repentance, conviction of your own sin, and abandonment of self with such desperation that you cry out for salvation and righteousness and heaven, whatever the cost, then you didn’t pass through the narrow gate. You haven’t come humbly seeking forgiveness, knowing you don’t deserve it.”
