Being more than a conqueror
Romans chapter 8:26-8:39
Introduction- This was birthed by prayer and ideas from some contributors of Sermoncentral.
Romans chapter 8
We have been in a series about living the abundant life for 4 weeks, that ended last week, but the thought is continued this morning.
Understanding how “all things” work for our good and living like a conqueror may not be said that way, but they are the thoughts that people play out in their minds everyday.
Who wouldn’t want to live victorious? Right?
Who would not want to understand why bad things happen to good people? (Just me I know)
Illustration-
Mark Smith in an article in Readers Digest said the following: like many high school seniors, my son was filling out college-scholarship applications. One form asked for extracurricular activities. He answered “Wrestling”. The next question requested position held. He answered: “pinned mostly.”
How many have felt like they live a life like you are continually being pinned to the mat and just waiting to be counted out?
God says that there is more to life than just waiting to be counted out!
Romans chapter 8:26-8:39
Apostle Paul understood persecution!
Apostle Paul understood the power and grace of God working in His life.
(Which most people never experience)
He went from persecutor of the church to an advocate of the church by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Apostle Paul understood that if God was on your side, in your corner, navigating your life, that nothing could defeat you….even if you were going through trials and hardships.
This , same Apostle says: Romans chapter 8:1-
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ, He has set you free!
God tells us- (the believers), that we can be more than conquerors!
Not only conquerors, but MORE THAN CONQUERORS!
because all the promises hinge on the fact that we are the children of God,
BEING A BELIEVER DOES HAVE SOME BENEFITS.
accepting the gift of salvation and the power of the Holy Spirit
But instead we our lives like a scene from a peanuts cartoon.
Illustration-
In a scene from Charlie Brown, Lucy says to Charlie Brown, Sometimes, I feel like we are not communicating. You, Charlie Brown, are a foul ball in the line drive of life. Your often in the shadow of your own goal post. You’re a miscue. You’re a 3 putts on the 18th green. You are a 7-10 split in the tenth frame. You have dropped a rod and reel in the lake of life. You’re a miss free throw. You are a shank with a 9 iron, a called third strike, a bug on the windshield of life. Do you understand? Have I made myself clear?
Let me make myself clear!
We should know who we are in Christ.
We are those who love Him (Jesus)
We are the called out ones. (disciples)
We are the ones called to His purpose
We are the ones who desire to have an intimate and personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
We are the sons/ daughters of God- that because of Jesus Christ will have the awesome privilege of spending eternity with Him.
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” Do you really grasp the truth behind that?
The world throws garbage at us…. Everyday…..every opportunity they get
If we are going to be more than conquerors , which is God’s desire for us, we need to digest this verse.
“And we know that all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (repeat) That is the verse I want to sink in this morning!
Here are the nuggets from that verse: (write these down)
1. God promises here is certain- We know!
We don’t just have hope- We know that God is in control.
Life is uncertain, but God is certain and all His promises are true.
I don’t know when I am going to die, but I know that as a believer, that I am secure with Him.
2. God promises are complete. “That all things!”
We know that all things!.....
Proverbs 16:4- “The Lord has prepared everything for His purpose.”
God said to Satan: Have you considered my servant Job?
God allowed Satan to do some things- but God was always in control.
Job did not see the whole picture, but God did.
All things means that we do not always see the whole picture, when we think we should, but trust that God has got it covered.
God will use all things to fulfill His purpose in your life and my life.
Just me?
How many have seen what seemed like a hopeless situation turn into something good?
All things include the trials, pitfalls we deal with in our lives. The smart thing is to avoid the pitfalls we cause ourselves by poor decisions we make in our life.
Answer the question- Why do bad things happen to good people?
The easy answer is – Because there is sin in this world. Because of the fall of mankind.
The hard part is understanding why God would allow the bad that others do, affect ones that are trying to serve Him.
I don’t know! I got nothing!
But I do know of at least 2 accounts of that happening in the Bible to God fearing people.
(1) Job- Who went through all the things that he went through- God allowed it, blessed him for it at the end of it, and restored him.
God used it for His honor and glory and records it in the Word of God, for the rest of us. Maybe to show us what we are going through is not that bad.
(2) Joseph
Thrown into slavery by his brothers
Thrown into prison for something he did not do (he ran away from the temptation)
All this happen to Joseph after he thought things were going well.
His brothers find out that their brother Joseph(The one that they mistreated and thought dead) had the power to destroy them, but instead God used him to save a nation from famine.
“Even though you planned evil against me, God planned good to come out.” Gen 50:20
We know that all things- good and bad God can use for His glory.
3. God promise to us is collective- “work together”
Any ingredient by itself is not always good. But together we could bake a cake.’
We don’t always understand life right now, but God has the receipe and you are one of his ingredients to make it good.
The early church being persecuted seemed like a bad thing, but it spread the gospel.
It got word to other people.
4. God promise to us is constructive “for the good”
We know all things work together for the good-
God is not always seen immediately.
A women going to the hospital with a broken arm is not good. But while there they find cancer at an early stage that saves her life. It is a good thing. Bad situation just got good.
5. God promise is conditional- “of those who love God, those who are called according to His purpose.”
The promise is for believers.
God has a purpose and a plan.
Purpose is to take care of God’s people
Plan is you and I get on board.
You cannot have the promises of God without being in a relationship with God.
You cannot have the plan without being apart of His purpose.
“We know that all things work together for good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.”
Life is not fair- When you realize that, more things begun to make sense.
Child abuse
people killed
countries fighting,
Starving people.
He did not say that he would shield us from the bad things, he said he would be with us and that good can come out of bad.
Psalm 139:13-16 read
This is a loving God who knows you and knows me.
There is some meat in this text this morning
Why we are here
Who we are in Christ
What Christ has done for us
How safe we are in Christ
Because no matter what we go through. He will be with us up to and including death. It is His promise to us.
We get adopted into the family
Illustration-
A Sunday school teacher had 2 boys in the class. The older boy says that they are brothers. We are both seven. My birthday is April 8th, 1976, and my brother is April 20, 1976. That’s impossible said the teacher. One of us is adopted. Which one asked the teacher. We asked Dad which one, he says he loves us both and he couldn’t remember anymore which one was adopted.
“Who shall separate us from the love of God”
Nothing! Except if we decide not to follow Him- our choice.
We may not understand all that is happening, but if we trust that God has our best interest, we will make it through
Closing
How do we live more than conquerors?
1. Recognize God’s purpose for our lives is to be more Christ-like.
2. Remember no one can stand against you. God is your refuge and strength
3. Realize God is gracious. When you make a mistake, He desires to pick you up and not leave you lay.
God is your protector. For your needs and some desires.
If we are ask according to His will, and live according to His way and works. He will be in it.
Recap-
Main verse this morning-
“We know that all things work together for good, to those that are called according to His purpose.”
We can be certain- “We know”
We can be complete- “all things”
We can be collective- “Work together”
We can be constructive- “For the good”
It is conditional- Those that love God and are called according to His purpose.
You can get up 2 ways every morning
Good morning Lord
Good Lord, its morning
The Lord working in your life is the difference.
He is how we can be more than Conquerors!
Altar Call-
