Romans, Part 26
Romans 8:28-30
Introduction
- Mission of our church: To connect people with Jesus Christ
- How? By loving God and especially by loving our neighbor
- The most critical point in Christian growth is understanding love for God; first!
- If we have no love for Him, then there is no point in us even gathering together
- Most will quote Romans 8:28 in good times and bad; for comfort and peace
- But, do we really understand what we are quoting and its total application?
- Stand and read Romans 8:28-30 / Pray
Point 1 – Loving God (28)
- On Wed we talked about the previous verses and discussed the Spirit’s power
- We talked about how the Spirit intercedes and allow us to be faithful to pray
- Well, consider now that Paul is NOT switching gears/subjects; but continuing
- His writing here is one complete thought and requires us to discern its meaning
- Up front I will say that our first priority here at CBC it to love God
- If we have no love for God, then we have no point in calling ourselves a church
- Turn to 1 John 1 and let’s see the importance of love in our lives
- 1 John 1:6-7, “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
- We each understand where that goes, but looks at it further in this same letter
- 1 John 4:7-12, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
- V10: It is NOT because we loved God that we love now, but that He loved us
- It is where the rubber meets the road and if we have Christ in us; we need to love
- So, how does this tie into Romans 8:28? It is a matter of obedience, that’s how
- Last week we talked about getting out of our comfort zone; meeting “new” folks
- We do not need to witness about Jesus to one another, but to those we don’t know
- So, when Paul tells the church in Romans 8:28 about God working in us
-- It’s part of a larger picture that before He can work; we have to know who He is
-- This is not head knowledge; this is a matter of heart knowledge shown in actions
- BIG APP: If we truly love God, then we will do what He commands us to do – and if we will obey Him, then He will work in our lives – but NOT before
- It is a matter of living fully for God; to love the unlovable and those cast out
- Spending our time looking for those who need Jesus, and going to them always
- This is our first greatest command, to love God by bringing others to Him
-- It is a matter of PRIDE in who our God is that we would show Him to others!
- TRANS: Blog written by Vince Tornero:
Throughout the week - millions will attend what is usually called "church." It's a place where we worship God and fellowship with others. It's also a place where some people get high. While we're in the pews with our pals, we must make sure we aren't doing drugs.
I am not talking about any nefarious narcotic. Rather, I speak of a diabolical and deceptive drug that is all too prevalent in America's pews: RELIGION. Religion can create order and some form of structure to how we worship. It can also give us some nice, warm, and fuzzy feelings. But, it should never become the reason why we worship.
We cannot allow religion - the way we worship and do church - to become a substitute for a relationship with Jesus Christ.
- APP: Coming to church must be: Glorify God, to be strengthened, and to go out!
Point 2 – Loving our Neighbor (29-30)
- Before we were born, God designed us to be in the image of His Son
- There was total and complete love given to you and I in this creation
-And this same love extends out beyond these church walls to those around us
- There is an honor in being part of the “first born” of the Kingdom
- Jesus has paved the way for us by demonstrating His love for you and I
-- So that we too could be brought in; and in no different are those in need now
- We have been given identification, sanctification, and purification through Jesus
- But it is not just for us so that we might be saved, but for ALL to be saved
- And if we are to get serious about growth, we have to put aside our preferences
- Living for Jesus does not mean we shut the doors and protect ourselves
- It means that we move beyond these walls and glorify Christ in everything
- If we will glorify Jesus, then He will glorify us as we walk through this life
- This is where Paul was coming from in regards to his encouragement in Romans
- APP: It is NOT that we would go into self-preservation mode; but reach out to all
- This morning we will have an evangelism meeting after service to discuss this
-- Your inputs are valuable and HIGHLY needed!! We must reach out
-- We must be part of THE church that desires to show Jesus to others
-- If we keep doing the same old thing … this church will not grow
- * FOCUS: Why do we love our neighbor? Go to Matthew 22:34-40 *
- TRANS: Because Jesus came for us … we should go to bring others
Conclusion
- (Invite Singers) Rom 8:28 says, “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.”
- The BIGGEST KEY is that it is for GOD’S PURPOSE that we are called!!
-- 2 Pet 3:9 clearly shows God’s desire to bring others to Christ; it is His purpose!!
- APP: Are we more interested in living for ourselves, or living for God?
- Will we take the time to give others the greatest gift ever provided to us also?
- God is crying out for you to get right with Him; and then OBEY Him today
- Will we get serious about loving God enough to show to Him to others?
- Pray (Salvation / Repentance / Obedience and Strength to Follow God)
