Series: Action [#134]
THE CURE- CHAMPION
Romans 8:28-39
Introduction:
Who likes to win? From Little League Baseball to the NFL, coaches and players work very hard to be the champion. For true competitors, no other place than 1st is good enough and even after the win; they begin to work to win again. I always think of Tharon when he was swimming in Rio- He competed at the Paralympic Games and won 2 Silver Medals. I was so proud of him; and when I got to finally see him, I told him, “I am so proud of you” and his comment was, “It’s not gold”.
I’m a very competitive person and I have often challenged myself to live my spiritual life in a way that I’m a champion. Paul tells us that he ran the race of life to win. I’m here to tell you that you can be a champion.
Romans 8:28-30
There has been much controversy over this Scripture, and I want to make this plain to you. Before God ever created anything, He knew the future; and in that future the man that He had created for fellowship with Him sinned. God loved us and needed a way to pay our price for sin and so He had a plan to do that. That plan was Jesus, the Son of God coming to this Earth and taking on the form of man, living a perfect life, becoming sin on the cross, and having victory over sin and death when He arose from the grave on the 3rd day. But, it doesn’t stop there- Through Jesus Christ, we can win each and every battle that life throws at us. Don’t you want to have victory? Don’t you want to be the winner?
Romans 8:31
I can be a champion because of…
1. God’s power.
If God is on your side, who else do you need? Do you realize that you have access to the power of God anytime you need it? In any situation you can have victory as long as you are relying on the power of God and not your own power. If you are trying to have victory over something through “will power”, then you will not succeed. “Will power” is you- You need God’s power.
Romans 8:32
I can be a champion because of…
2. God’s provision.
Christians, what is it that you need? God provides all we need. I remember several years ago when Karen’s cell phone was stolen, and I tried to convince God that He needed to get me that phone back; but we didn’t get it back. Now, as I thought about it, that was what I wanted- Not needed. Here is the point- If God would give us His Son, there is nothing else that we really need; but God provides for us anyways.
Matthew 6:25-34
Do you trust that God will do that? He will provide.
Romans 8:33
I can be a champion because of…
3. God’s protection.
Who is it that can take your salvation? No one- Not the Devil, not your enemies, etc… God protects each of His children. The enemy can only attack you if God allows him to and God is always there during those times. Ultimately, there is nothing that can be done to you that would jeopardize your eternal salvation.
Romans 8:34
I can be a champion because of…
4. God’s pardon.
As Christians, we all continue to sin. Some of us more than others; but the bottom line is that we continue to sin. This is one of the most amazing things about our salvation- When Jesus had victory, it was once and for all. No matter what you do, when God the Father looks at you, He sees you as perfect. Don’t let your past hold you down- God has already taken care of that. Let it go.
Romans 8:35-39
I can be a champion because of…
5. God’s presence.
What can separate you from the love of God? This is 1 of my favorite Scriptures, especially during difficult times. There is nothing that can separate me from God’s presence- Nothing.
Conclusion:
Through Jesus Christ, you are more than a conqueror. You can be a champion. Today is a day of celebration.
