More than Conquerors
November 27, 2011 Morning Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: God has saved us to be so much more than just pew sitters and church attenders.
Focus Passage: Romans 8:31-39
Supplemental Passage: You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4 NASB)
Introduction: My grandfather used the tell a motivational story when speaking to a group for them to step up and get all they can. It went like this: Back in the 1950’s, a lowly school teacher scrimped and saved enough money to do something that he always wanted to do; take a round the world cruise. He wasn’t familiar with the ways of the world and was using this as his “one shot” to see different lands and cultures. He was excited to go on the trip, but knew that it would be a financial hardship, so, before leaving, gathered together a small ration of food to eat on the trip. Each mealtime, he’d pull out bread and butter, until the bread was stale, then he pulled out crackers. One day, up on deck, he ran into someone and began to chat about the cruise. The other person asked how he liked the food. The teacher replied that couldn’t really afford the meals, that he was eating crackers and butter in his room. The other person laughed and said, “The meals are included in the price of the cruise! I’ve been eating steak every night!” Instead of cowering in our rooms eating crackers and butter, let’s realize the full benefits of our salvation and, as it was, begin eating steak! The price has already been paid; victorious living comes included!
I. We are on God’s side
a. God exchanged His son for us.
i. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NASB)
b. Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1 NASB)
c. You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4 NASB)
II. We are untouchable
a. Our souls; not our bodies.
i. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. (James 1:2-3 NASB)
ii. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." (Romans 8:35-36 NASB)
iii. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 NASB)
b. I am convinced. I have a strong and unwavering confidence. I am persuaded. I am sure. – that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God through Jesus Christ!
c. You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4 NASB)
III. We are more than conquerors
a. See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. (1 John 3:1a NASB)
b. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12 NASB)
c. You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4 NASB)
Invitation:
