Strength to Move Forward
Griffith Baptist Church – 8/17/08
A.M. Service
Text: Romans 8:31-34
Key verse: Romans 8:31 - What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
The Introduction
The Confederate General, Longstreet, during the battle of Gettysburg had one of his generals come up to him and report that he was unable to bring up his men again so as to charge the enemy. "Very well," said the general, just let them remain where they are. The enemy’s going to advance and will spare you the trouble. --W. Baxendale
In this life we are confronted by obstacles:
o Enemies that try to destroy us
o Faith killers
o Joy killers
o Walls of doubt and despair
o Mountains of worry and insecurity
But Christ gives us a hopeful outlook in this passage and a preliminary glimpse into our eternal security.
He does not want the enemy to advance on us but rather for us to advance on the enemy with Christ leading the way.
He wants us to move forward to strengthen and mature and accomplish His will.
So in this passage, He gives us a boost, an encouraging lift by telling us four wonderful truths that we can believe and embrace whenever those little dark clouds arise.
Transition Statement: He first tells us that we can be encouraged because we have victory with our God beside us.
Body
1. We Have Victory Because of Our God – 31
A. Lyle Arakaki of Honolulu, Hawaii tells the following story about himself. "In Hawaii, because of the time difference with the continental U.S., the National Football League Monday night football game is played in mid-afternoon; so the local TV station delays its telecast till 6:30 in the evening. When my favorite team plays, I’m too excited to wait for television, so I’ll listen to the game on the radio, which broadcasts it live. Then, because they are my favorite team, I’ll watch the game on television too. If I know my team has won the game, it influences how I watch it on television. If my team fumbles the ball or throws an interception, it’s not a problem. I just think, “That’s bad, but it’s okay. In the end, we’ll win." (That is the way we should view our life in Christ, the victory is already won. You will lose a few battles but the war is already over and we are on the winning side)
B. Key Question One: If God be for us, who can be against us?
C. When we truly stand for God, there will be people against us ( John 15:20 - . . .If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; . . . and 2 Timothy 3:12 - Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.)
D. We will be attacked by Satan – 1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (see also Eph. 6:11-13)
E. There is no reason to live so defeated all the time
i. Defeated by our worries
ii. Defeated by our circumstances
iii. Defeated by our enemies
F. God gives ultimate victory because:
i. He is constantly there for us – Psalms 56:11 – In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. (Ps. 56:9; 118:6)
ii. His omnipotence means all attacks ultimately fail to achieve the supreme goal – Isaiah 54:17 - No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; . . .
iii. He is our source of strength and help – Psalms 46:1-3 – 1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;3Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. (Ps. 27:1-3)
iv. He lives in us – 1 John 4:4 - Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
G. We can move forward in our lives because we have the God of the universe on our side
Transition Statement: Second, we have provision for our necessities because of Christ.
2. We Have Provision Because of Christ – 32
A. The story is told about a poor widow lady with 5 Kids who everyday came out on to her front porch, raised her hands to heaven & prayed out loud, “Lord, you know I have no food in my cabinets to feed my children today! Please provide our daily needs!” Her next door neighbor was an “Atheist” who was sick & tired of hearing her “Spiritual” talk everyday! So one day, he thought he would teach her a lesson. He bought several bags of groceries, sat them on the front porch, rang the doorbell, and hid in the bushes! The widow came out, saw the groceries, and burst into a joyful praise! “Thank you God, you have supplied my need! Thank you for answering my prayer! Bless the Lord, O my soul!” The "Atheist" stepped out from behind a bush and arrogantly said, “Ma’am, God hasn’t supplied your needs today-I did! See how foolish it is to trust in a nonexistent God and give him Credit for what He didn’t do?” Without taking a breath the woman burst into another prayer: “Dear God, you are so wonderful! You not only provided food for me today, BUT you got the Devil to Pay for it!”
B. Key Question Two: He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
C. This “all things” touches on the “all things” in verse 28.
i. The blessings of God
ii. His strength for service
iii. His grace for our needs.
D. Because of Christ:
i. We have peace with God – Romans 5:6-10 – 6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Rom. 4:25)
ii. We are made righteous in God’s sight – 2 Corinthians 5:21 – For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
E. This is why when we walk uprightly, He does not hold back on His goodness to us – Psalms 84:11 - For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
F. We can move forward because Christ provides all that is necessary for our life and ministry
Transition Statement: Third, we have a righteous standing because we are justified
3. We Have a Righteous Standing Because We Are Justified – 33
A. Key Question Three: Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect?
B. If you are saved, you are called the elect
i. Election a subject of great debate
ii. Many theologians can’t settle what all this means, so how could we settle it?
C. “Who shall lay anything”, or, what blame could be given to us that would cause our justification to become null and void. Answer: nothing!
i. Satan tries to accuse us - Revelation 12:10 – And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
ii. These are constant, ongoing accusations
D. The scenario is this:
i. Satan stands as the accuser, the prosecutor, in the court room of God
ii. Christ stands in as your defense, with a twist, He also is your intercessor and substitute – 1 John 2:1 - . . . And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
iii. When the accusations come flying, God looks at what covers us, Christ’s blood.
iv. The verdict: Innocent, JUSTIFIED, because of the blood of Jesus Christ - Romans 3:26 – To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Heb. 9:22)
v. Satan loses the case every time
E. That is why we can have a righteous standing before God - Romans 8:1 – There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
F. We can move forward because the accusations against us are not as effective as the blood that covers us.
Transition Statement: And fourth, we have security because of the work Christ has completed and is currently engaged in.
4. We Have Security Because of Christ’s Completed Work – 34
A. One lady said, “My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far today, I have finished 2 bags of chips and a chocolate cake. I feel better already.”
i. Christ has not only completed the most important work
ii. Christ also continues to bring us to completion despite all the obstacles, and He will do it!
B. Key Question Four: Who is he that condemneth?
C. The Answer: No one
D. Why: Four parts to the answer are given that give strength and security to us
E. The death of Christ
i. There was no one qualified to be the one final payment for all of sin except Christ
ii. He is the God-man, the perfect, spotless substitute
iii. Hebrews 10:10-14 – 10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
iv. Sanctified is to be made holy and pure
v. The old sacrifices had to be repeated
vi. His sacrifice finished the job once and for all
vii. Now we are made perfect, not sinless perfection, but His death made all who trust in Christ holy before a holy God.
F. The Resurrection of Christ
i. The hallmark moments of Christianity are the crucifixion and the resurrection of Christ
ii. Without the resurrection, we do not have salvation that is complete (Rom. 10:9-10; 1st Cor. 15:1-4, 12-19) – Romans 4:25 - Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
iii. Through the resurrection:
a. He conquered death and hell
b. He justified us
c. He set the pattern for our own resurrection and change
d. He gave us hope
G. The Ascension and Enthronement of Christ
i. Christ has transcended this earth, no limitations and is not only in heaven but is seated on the right hand of God - Hebrews 1:3 – Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Col. 3:1; Heb. 12:2)
a. This is the place of power
b. This is the place of honor
c. This is as close as you get to the Father
d. Christ has earned this place
ii. All of creation is made subject to Him - 1 Peter 3:22 – Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him (Col. 1:15-19; Phil. 2:9-11)
H. The Intercession of Christ
i. Here we have the current work that Christ is doing on our behalf
ii. This is why we don’t need to get bogged down by distractions and discouragement
iii. His intercession is very personal because He knows what we go through – Hebrews 4:14-15 – 14Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
iv. It is an ongoing aspect of our salvation Christ does for us - Hebrews 7:25 – Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them
I. We can move forward because Christ is always involved in keeping us right before God.
Conclusion:
Do you find yourself slowed down and distracted in your Christian life?
Take courage that God is in our corner, providing for us, defending us, and working for us.
Maybe you find yourself defeated time and time again
