Title: God’s Promises are true
Theme: To show that no matter the circumstances God’s promises are true.
Text: Romans 8:28 – 29
Note: Thanks to Brent for notes and help on the sermon.
Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (29) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Illustration
I have flown on a plane many times to Belize. On one occasion I flew later than the team. Instead of driving from the airport to the town of Dangriga a ticket was paid for me to fly into the small air strip. I went from an American Airlines Airbus A319-100 to a cesnna 172. I am flying along in the small plane. Seems we hardly left the ground. I could see everything. I was nervous.
But what I learned is that it really isn’t the plane that makes the difference. It is the pilot. If you trust your pilot then you will be okay.
It is this principle of God being our guide that directs us in our path.
It was said, “The principles we live by will determine the world we live in”. It will determine our perspective. It will determine our world view. It will determine how we function.
Look with me at Romans 8:28 – 29
We live our lives by the promises of God. We trust God. It is He who has made us and not our selves. He foreknew us “of whom he was aware of and loved before hand”.
Hebrews 10:23 “He who promised is faithful.”
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise,
I don’t understand everything but God is working all things for my good.
What this passage does not say
1) We can live any way we want and God will fix our messes
We are reminded in John 14:15 that Jesus said, “If you love me you will keep my commandments”
2) All things are not good.
- Cancer is not good.
- Addiction is not good.
- What is going on in Israel is not good. What Hamas did in the atrocities that were committed is not good.
- War is not good.
But God did say He would work all things for our good.
So lets look at the promises for a Christian
I. This is a Confidential promise “we know”
Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (29) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
We can have confidence in God and know that all things do work together for good. We can know this.
2 Timothy 1:12 for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
“A Bible that is falling a part is usually read/owned by a person who isn’t”
II. This is a Comprehensive Promise “All things”
Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (29) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
When Paul says all things, he means all things. All things in our life. Here and before.
This is Paul that went through the wringer of suffering:
2 Corinthians 11:24-28 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. (25) Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; (26) in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; (27) in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness-- (28) besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.
That means that ALL THINGS are working for our good. So if you are going through it now know that God is working it for your good. He is preparing you for something great.
III. This is a Comforting Promise
Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (29) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
This is what keeps you going. It brings comfort to our lives. God is the one who is working. God is the one who promised. All we must do is walk in His promise.
IV. This is a Consequential Promise
Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (29) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
“God takes the high times and the low times to conform us to His image.”
Daniel 3:8-18 But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews. (9) They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "Long live the king! (10) You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the musical instruments. (11) That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace. (12) But there are some Jews – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They have defied Your Majesty by refusing to serve your gods or to worship the gold statue you have set up." (13) Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be brought before him. When they were brought in, (14) Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? (15) I will give you one more chance. If you bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments, all will be well. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. What god will be able to rescue you from my power then?" (16) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. (17) If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.
He is able to deliver us
My God is Able
Remember to say "My God is able!" whenever you are in doubt or discouraged.
God is able to provide for you
"And God is ABLE to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work" (2 Cor. 9:8).
God is able to do more than you can ask or imagine
"Now to Him who is ABLE to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen" (Eph. 3:20-21).
God is able to deliver you
"For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is ABLE to aid those who are tempted" (Heb. 2:18).
God is able to keep what you have committed to Him
"For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is ABLE to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day" (2 Tim. 1:12).
God is able to establish you
"Now to Him who is ABLE to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began" (Rom. 16:25).
God is able to keep you from falling
"Now unto him that is ABLE to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen" (Jude 24-25).
God is able to save you to the end
"Therefore He is also ABLE to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them" (Heb. 7:25).
God is able to secure you eternally
"And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is ABLE to snatch them out of My Father’s hand" (John 10:28-29).
Jesus says to you: "Do you believe that I am ABLE to do this?" (Matt. 9:28). Healing of blind man.
My God is able to deliver.
My God is able to:
- Heal marriages
- Heal cancer
- Deliver from the works of the devil
- Remove the bonds of addiction
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(18) But even if he doesn't, Your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up."
You know the story. The furnace is heated up 7 times more. So strong that the soldiers pass out when putting them in the furnace.
Question: How did they get in the furnace? They walked in, “They would rather go through the fire than bow down to the wicked king.
What happens? King Nebuchadnezzar looks in the furnace and there are not three but four in there. He says this about the fourth man,
Daniel 3:24-25 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, "Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?" They answered and said to the king, "True, O king." (25) "Look!" he answered, "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."
If I were there I would look at the king and say you missed it. He is not like the “son of God” He is God Himself. God incarnate. God in the flesh who came to rescue these boys. Don’t think God does not know what is going on in your life. Don’t you let the devil tell you that God does not care about you. He sent His only son to die for you. He sent Him to deliver you out of darkness. He sent Him to set you free. He sent His Holy Spriit to give you power. God does care about you and He is able.
Notice one more thing.
The Bible never says that the Hebrew boys saw the Jesus in the fire. We know that Nebuchadnezzar did. But we are not told that they saw him. Some times you don’t see him working but He is working.
Waymaker Lyrics
Even when I don't see it, You're working
Even when I can't feel it, You're working
You never stop, You never stop working
You never stop, You never stop working
Even when I can't see it, You're working
Even when I can't feel it, You're working
You never stop, You never stop working
You never stop, You never stop working
Waymaker, miracle worker
Promise Keeper, Light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are (we know, we know, we know who you are)
Waymaker, miracle worker
Promise keeper, light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are (ooh)
It took the three boys to go through the fire for a pagan king to see the Lord
Conclusion
God is here and He is able. All you have to do is trust Him. Even when you don’t see Him.
(29) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
