Sermon: Since God is for us, who can be successful against us
Scripture Lesson: Romans 8:28-39 Amplified Bible
“And we know with great confidence that God who is deeply concerned about us causes all things to work together as a plan for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. For those whom He foreknew [and loved and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son and ultimately share in His complete sanctification, so that He would be the firstborn the most beloved and honored among many believers. And those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified declared free of the guilt of sin; and those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity.
31-36 What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us? He who did not spare [even] His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect (His chosen ones)? It is God who justifies us [declaring us blameless and putting us in a right relationship with Himself]. Who is the one who condemns us? Christ Jesus is the One who died [to pay our penalty], and more than that, who was raised [from the dead], and who is at the right hand of God interceding [with the Father] for us. Who shall ever separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Just as it is written and forever remains written, “For Your sake we are put to death all day long; We are regarded as sheep for the slaughter.”
37-39 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Introduction: Romans 8 is a powerful chapter about the security, freedom, and hope believers find through the Holy Spirit, contrasting life in the flesh with life in the Spirit, assuring believers that nothing can separate them from God's immense love in Christ, promising future glory despite present suffering, and concluding with ultimate victory in God's plan. It starts with "no condemnation" for those in Christ and ends with "nothing can separate us from the love of God," highlighting the Spirit's work in empowering believers to overcome sin and call God "Father."
Apostle Paul was in Corinth when he wrote the Epistle to the Romans, likely around 56–57 C.E., during his third missionary journey. He was staying at the home of Gaius and was preparing to travel to Jerusalem with an offering for the church there before continuing on to Spain. Paul was collecting money for the poor Jewish Christians in Jerusalem due to severe famine and persecution of the Christian Jews in Jerusalem. He wanted to foster unity between Jewish and Gentile believers, demonstrating the gospel's power to bridge ethnic divides and show Christian solidarity. Persecution against the church was on the rise and Paul was being challenged by personal opposition, so he writes a word of assurance to the Christians at Rome. In this passage, Paul asserts that nothing, including life's difficulties, can separate believers from God's love through Christ. It states that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. The believer has total security in Christ Jesus and his unfailing word. God keeps His promises. God is all knowing, from His foreknowledge and predestination, He has called us, justified us, and will glorify every believer with Christ Jesus. The passage concludes with a confident affirmation that neither life, death, angels, powers, nor any other part of creation can separate believers from the love of God. Key themes in the passage: "All things work together for good": This verse assures believers that even suffering and trials are used by God for their ultimate good and are part of His plan. Paul connects a "Golden Chain" in which God's foreknowledge leads from predestination to our calling, to justification, and finally to glorification.
The Believers are secure in God's provision and Christ's advocacy: It highlights God's ultimate gift of His Son, Jesus, and concludes that if God gave His Son, He will also provide all other necessary things. It also emphasizes that Christ is the one who died, was raised, and now intercedes for believers. Every Believer is unshakably secure in God's love. The passage builds to a powerful conclusion that nothing can ever separate believers from the love of God found in Christ.
The text lists specific examples: "neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come". It also includes "nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing". The believer has total victory in Christ: Despite persecution and suffering, the passage concludes with the assurance that believers are "more than conquerors" through Christ.
The phrase "if God be for us" is from Romans 8:31 in the King James Version of the Bible, is better translated “since God be for us”, "What shall we then say to these things? Since God be for us, who can be against us?" This verse is part of a larger passage (Romans 8:31-39) that encourages believers by emphasizing that since God is on their side, no earthly hardship or power can ultimately defeat them because of God’s infinite power, unlimited love and the constant work of Jesus Christ within us. These verses provide complete reassurance and unwavering hope to Christians facing trials and persecution. It serves as a rhetorical question to highlight that God's power and love are greater than any opposition they may face. Paul concludes that if God gave up His own Son for them, He will also provide everything else they need.
Believers Have Personal Guidance and Provision From God. Some struggle to believe that God is for us because life is hard and trials seem endless. Yet we have this assurance that God is with us and for us. God is our Immanuel, meaning that God is present and involved in the affairs of the world and in individual lives of people, offering guidance, comfort, and support. This concept is central to Christianity, where it is fulfilled in the person of Jesus, seen as God incarnate, but it is also a theme in Judaism and other faiths that emphasize divine presence. It implies a deep, personal relationship where one is never alone, and can experience God's presence through faith, prayer, and support in community. This truth is not always protection from, but comfort and care during. The bible is filled with many examples, Old and New Testament examples in the life of every child of God. No matter what they faced, there was the presence of God with guidance and provision. In the Old Testament, "God with us" was demonstrated through God's leading and provision for the Israelites, such as the pillar of fire and cloud during the Exodus. Enemies still attacked, water was scarce, food got low and the people were frustrated, yet God was with them and for them meeting every challenge and overcoming every obstacle.
Biblical characters like Joseph, who went from favored son to slave to Pharaoh's advisor; David, a king who committed sin but was restored; and Job, who lost everything but remained faithful, perfectly illustrate life's extremes, showing how faith, resilience, and God's grace navigate betrayal, suffering, failure, and eventual triumph, teaching lessons about brokenness, perseverance, and God's bigger plan
We see this in the Incarnation, when nothing else would do Immanuel came. In the New Testament, Jesus's name is prophesied as Immanuel, meaning "God with us," signifying that God became human to be intimately present with humanity. Believers Have Personal Guidance and Provision From God.
Secondly, Believers Have A Personal Relationship With God. Christians believe that Jesus's life and death bridged the gap between God and humanity, restoring the relationship and offering a restored connection with the Creator. God is so close and so real that His presence is perceived through a living relationship with the Holy Spirit. Internally, believers know their sins are forgiven and they have right standing with God. They have a sense of peace with God, within themselves and peace with their fellowman. They have everlasting joy, and power for personal transformation, power over negative impulses, power to do ministry and the inner witness and evidence of God's presence. Externally, they pray with confidence and receive answers to their prayers. Even though, at times life events may seem to disappoint or misalign with expectations, believers know that God is at work, bring all things together for their good. Yes, Believers access to God’s Personal Guidance and Provision. More than that, Believers Have A Personal Relationship With God, everlasting joy, and power for personal transformation, power over negative impulses, power to do ministry and the inner witness and evidence of God's presence. Then again, Believers Have The Comfort of Knowing They are Not Alone, the God that is for them is also with them.
Thirdly, Believers Have The Comfort of Knowing They are Not Alone. God the Father is watching over them, Jesus Christ is walking with them. The Holy Spirit is living within them, and they have a community of believers walking beside them. Believers feel a stronger bond with other believers and seeing God working in their lives can be a sign of God's presence. What this means for the individual believer is that “You are not alone.” It is a reminder that God is always with you, no matter the circumstances. God is accessible. His presence is not limited to a specific place; it can be felt internally, in the world around you, and in your relationships with others. That comforting presence is a constant source of hope. Every believer will need a source of hope and encouragement, particularly during difficult times. This fallen world is full of trouble. I want to repeat three things God reveal in this passage. First, Believers will have God’s personal guidance and provision. The second thing is the believers can have a personal relationship with God. Finally, Believers can take comfort in knowing they are not alone. God loves you; God will seek you out and God will do for you is to care of you.
God will take care of us in life, in the here and now. If you will let Him, He will take care of you in time of trouble. When tragedy comes, when you lose a loved one through death, when life gets hard, God will take care of you. He may not change the circumstances you are in, but He will keep them from defeating and destroying you. He will give you the power to live within them and He will be with you every step of the way. God will take care of you! He will enter into your mind and into your life, and if you will let Him, He will give you knowledge and power to live your life successfully. God will take care of you in time of need.
How do I know that these promises of God are true? Because God cannot lie and His promises will not fail. Because of what he has done in my life and in the life of other believer. I agree with the hymn writers who said, "I’ve seen the lighting flashing, I’ve heard the thunder roll, I’ve felt sin's breakers dashing, Trying to conquer my soul; But I heard the voice of Jesus, Telling me still to fight on, Because He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone."
What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be successful against us? No one and Nothing! That is what God has to offer you in the midst of the fluctuations of life. That is what God has to offer you in the midst of a crazy, strange, and confusing world. Remember, God will love you, He will seek you out, and He will take care of you.
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” AMEN
