Today, I stand to exhort the children of god. I want to remind everyone of the unlimited resource we have in God. God is a friend who is always available to lift every head hanging beneath the weight of unfulfilled expectations. He is there to dry tears flowing from a fountain of despair. He is there to apply a balm to hearts wounded by grievous loss.
“Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore”. God’s stuff is comforting.
Seminarians teach us never to use ambiguous words such as “stuff”. The problem is you must define it. Its broad definition could mean different things to different people. For example: My wife often dispatches me to a room of our home to retrieve her “stuff”. If she never clarifies what she is asking for, how would I know that she wants me to return w/ her favorite pair of slippers?
Stuff is defined as the material out of which something is made or formed. It is the essential substance or element. Alternatively, it is what you have in you? Therefore, it leads me to ask… What is God’s stuff? What does it consist of? How does it work? What can we say about God’s stuff?
God’s stuff is creative. God’s stuff created everything from microscopic life forms to the giant whale. His stuff designed the intricacies of DNA and circuitry of the human brain. His stuff scattered millions of galaxies across the night sky and gave the peacock its colorful plumage. His stuff established the consistent laws of physics, chemistry and mathematics. His stuff used dust of the earth as a fabric cloth and fashioned humankind. God has no problem coming up w/ new stuff, for His resources are measureless. It is easy for God to amaze us with His spectacular, transcendent stuff.
God’s stuff is holy; it cannot be defiled. God’s stuff is wise; for known to God from eternity are all his works. God’s stuff is incomparable; there is none like his. For Satan trembles in the face of God’s stuff. God’s stuff is merciful; they are renewed each morning. God’s stuff is infinite; Heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain it.
God’s stuff is awesome; it inspires respect and fear. God’s stuff cools the heat of affliction. God’s stuff quiets the raging storm. God’s stuff defies comprehension.
History records the work of God’s stuff. When humankind attempted to build a tower that would reach heaven, God reached into his bag of stuff and sent confusion. When Israel was trapped along the Red Sea, a strong easterly wind blew from his bag of stuff clearing a dry path thru the ocean deep. Elijah prayed on Mt. Carmel, a laser of fire pierced thru the heavens consuming the evening sacrifice. Finally, when the 3 Hebrew boys found themselves in Nebuchadnezzar’s blazing inferno, the cooling qualities of God’s stuff prevented a single hair from being singed. God’s got some stuff.
In case you believe that today, God’s stuff lies dormant like a volcano, I stand as a witness that it is still active. Our patriarchs prayed for civil, equal and human rights. God responded, opening doors that no man can shut. When our money is funny and our credit won’t get it, God grants cash from his inexhaustible petty cash fund. When we stand before judicial authorities with no plea, God sends stuff. Upon further review, the judge announces, “Case dismissed”. When doctors announce the end is near, God sends the stuff of life. You will find more “stuff” in the spittle of God’s mouth, than on all the shelves in your local pharmacy. God’s stuff can’t be beat.
Notice if you please, Paul writes this letter to the church at Rome from the Achaean province of Greece. He is on the final leg of his third missionary journey. During this circuit of Asia Minor, he gathers funds for the beleaguered saints in Jerusalem. This remnant, left after the Christian Diaspora from Jerusalem, was enduring brazen persecution at the hands of their Jewish brethren. The faithful were commonly shunned by society and family, removed from their homes, lost employment, were imprisoned or martyred for the name of Christ.
Paul yearned to visit the saints in Rome, for their faith had been commonly reported throughout the Roman sphere. He wished to use their church as a base of operations for his planned foray into the Western boundaries of the Mediterranean Sea. His life-long strategy had been to evangelize the great metropolitan cities along the route that stretched from Jerusalem to Rome. Paul knew that “A Rome conquered for Christ could mean a world conquered for Christ.”
While in Corinth, he pens his greatest work. Paul was unsure if he would ever reach Rome personally. He was going to Jerusalem and knew the danger. There was a chance he might be killed in Jerusalem. He requested the Roman church to pray for him: “I beseech you, brethren...strive together with me in your prayers to God for me, that I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea” (Romans 15:30-31). The church had to be rooted and grounded in the faith; therefore he sat down and wrote this great letter. The message of the letter is what Paul would hammer into the believers’ hearts if he ever did get to stand before them.
The text we read lists opponents facing Christians not only in Paul’s day, but ours as well. Paul cites antagonists that are unsuccessful in their effort to separate us from the love of God. First, there is tribulation: to undergo struggle, trials, temptation, suffering, and affliction. 2. Distress: to suffer anguish, trouble; not knowing which way to turn or what to do. 3. Persecution: to be abused, ridiculed, mistreated, ignored, harassed, attacked or injured. 4. Famine: to have no food; to be starving and have no way to secure food. 5. Nakedness: to be stripped of all clothes and earthly comforts. 6. Peril: to be exposed to the most severe risks; to be confronted with the most terrible dangers to one’s body, mind, soul, property, family and loved ones. Finally, the Sword: to be killed.
This list of “stuff” appears to be imposing. Combined, they may knock us down, but they can never knock us out. Isaiah 41:10 reminds us, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness”. Remember, Paul says “Nay”; they can never defeat us.
No these things will not be able to separate us from the love of God, because in all “these things” we are more than conquerors. In Christ, I can conquer all these things, b/c I can do all things thru him that strengthens me. I can conquer Tribulation, because he said, "In this world ye shall have tribulation but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world". I can conquer Distress, because Peter said, "Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you". I can conquer Persecution, because he said, "Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven". I can conquer Famine, because Jesus said, "Therefore take no thought saying what shall we eat or what shall we drink or wherewith shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the gentiles seek, for your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of these things". I can conquer Nakedness, because Jesus said, "And why take ye thought for raiment, Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow they toil not neither do they spin, yet Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these". I can conquer Peril, because Jesus said, "Lo, I am with you always even until the end of the world". I can conquer the Sword, because Jesus took the "sting from death and victory from the grave" and now absent from the body means present with the Lord.
The Apostle Paul was more than qualified to testify of God’s deliverance from “these things”. A cursory glance at events in his life, reveal that he was indeed more than a conqueror. Tribulation? - Remember, after his conversion, Jews in Damascus attempted to kill him, but associates lowered him down the city walls to safety. Despair? - He could recount the despair he felt after John Mark disserted he and Barnabas on his first missionary voyage. Persecution? The Jews at Antioch expelled him from the city after he boldly declared he was a “light to the Gentiles”. He was stoned at Lystra after preaching the infallible word of God. He was carried out of the city “as if dead” at dusk, but by dawn the “refreshing waters of the Holy Spirit” restored him. He and Silas were cast into prison at Philippi after purportedly inciting an insurrection. Paul prayed, Silas sang and at midnight, the earth trembled in fear in the face of an angry God. Like a magician, God reached into his bag of stuff, waved his magic wand and the bands holding the Dynamic Duo dropped like stones. I’m telling you, “You can’t lose w/ the stuff God use”.
Moreover, you don’t have to read the inspiring accounts of great men from antiquity. Stand and look at your leaders, who shepherd God’s flock in spite of frequent, tacit criticism. Reverse and look at those in the rear, some who navigate along the periphery of our churches, never fully integrated into the social fabric of our congregation, but they soldier on in the hope of a new day. Look at the father on your right, who breaks through walls of discrimination to reach a ladder leading to economic prosperity for him and his family. Look at the mother on your left, who juggles multiple hats of responsibility w/o material or spiritual support from a father in name but not in substance. Look at your sons and daughters who have not succumbed to the salacious, tantalizing influences of our popular culture. Finally, look inwardly. Through many dangers, toils and snares you have survived by the power of an almighty God. If any of you gaze into the reflection of a mirror, you too will see a conqueror.
Today, these pews are filled w/ men and women who conquer all obstacles b/c of the love of an almighty God. “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” We love him, b/c he first loved us. His love is boundless; like the Nile River, it overflows all banks and bounds; it knows no limits. His love is hot and fervent; much water can’t quench it. His love is incomprehensible; it passes knowledge. You may sooner find out the depth of the sea, the height of heaven, tell the number of stars or count the sands of the seashore, than find out or measure the Love of Christ. While “these things” may separate us from the “feigned” love of friends, they can never, ever separate us from the agape love of Christ.
Because he loves us, though our flesh die daily, the inward man is renewed. Because he loves us, we see “his footprints” carrying us across the most difficult moments of life. Because he loves us, he answers our despairing cry and works deliverance. Because he loves us, he has placed our persecutors under our feet (psa 110). Because he loves us, he has supplied every need “according to his riches and glory”. Because he loves us, we know that all things work together for our good…
Finally, because he loves us he equips us with the omnipotent power of the Holy Ghost. This energy resides in the heart of every believer. It empowers us to conquer the mountains that tower over our souls. It empowers us to overcome all weakness. It empowers us to conquer death and raise us up to live eternally. It empowers strength in us to make us endure all trials with a spirit of joyfulness. It empowers us to conquer paralyzing fear. It empowers us w/ peace that transcends all understanding. It empowers us with hope when trapped in a dungeon of despair. Church, you can’t lose w/ the stuff God use.
Paul’s story (Acts 28). Mark 16:17-18 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; [18] They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
God’s stuff enables us to shake off: trials/tribulation of the past, persecution of the moment, distress of this world, famine, nakedness, peril, sword, fear of loss, disappointment, depression (he will keep those in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on him), despair, sickness, temptation, guilt of failure, loneliness, heartache.
Therefore, brethren we have a great reason to celebrate because the text says that we are more than conquerors "through him" that loved us. "Through him," who has earned victory over his and his people’s enemies, and makes us sharers in his conquests; "through him," who is able to help us, and has strength to carry us through, and establishes us as conquerors; ”through him” who loves us and whose love engages his power to stand by us and protect us against all our enemies.
We celebrate because “through him” we have all things, enjoy all things and endure all things. David declared, Weeping may endure for a night, but “through him” joy comes in the morning. Isaiah shouts triumphantly, b/c of Him “No weapon formed against us shall prosper”.
Through Him, who prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies. Through Him, who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think…. Through Him, that is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.
Evildoers closed in on me to tear me to pieces, but “b/c of him”, they stumbled and fell.
Even though an army sets up camp against me, but “b/c of him” my heart will not be afraid. Even though a war breaks out against me, but “b/c of him” I will still have confidence {in the Lord}. One thing have I desired of “Him” and that will I seek after…
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
In case you don’t know ”Him”, let me tell you who he is. Through him, mellow Canaan water was transformed into sweet wine. Through him, sleeping Lazarus was awakened from his slumber. Through him, women, thou art loose. Through him, a shameful harlot became a screaming evangelist. Through him, blind Bartimaeus stepped out of darkness into the marvelous Light. Through him, the justice of Moses was replaced by the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.
Because of the stuff God use, foolish things confound the wise.
Because of the stuff God use, when I am weak then I am strong.
Because of the stuff God use, old things are passed away and behold all things are new.
Because of the stuff God use, I’m free, thank God I’m free; no more chains holding me. I’ve come up the long way, but hallelujah, thank God I’m free!!!
