All Things Work Together for Good
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
NIV
I. Remark on this statement this verse
A. All things
1. Ofcourse we all know that the good things that happen come form God
2. And we’ve all heard it said that the bad things are from the devil
3. But this verse says that All things work together for Good
4. All things?
5. Even trials, tribulations, loss of loved ones, jail, separation, calamity, sufferings
6. Work together for good?
7. How can that be what good could come from our hurt, our pain, our suffering.
8. We’ve all heard it said that we suffer the consequences of our actions, and sometimes these are painful realizations that hurt all around us.
II. Work together for good
This means the final outcome of our situation
Bill’s testimony
A. Suffering teaches us the truth about our mortality, and the frailty of our lives it lets us know that sometimes we have no control over our own
B. It usually forces us to look towards God for help and support.
C. It gives us a hope of an eternal home in heaven without any suffering.
III. The bible tells us best why we suffer
A. Ps 119:67 before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.
B. Ps 119:71 it was good for me to be afflicted, so that I might learn your decrees.
C. Heb 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
I read a testimony of an individual that proves that all things work for good
When he was seven years old, his family was forced out of their home on a legal technicality, and he had to work to help support them. At age nine, his mother died. At twenty-two, he lost his job as store clerk. He wanted to go to law school, but his education wasn’t good enough. At twenty-three, he went into debt to became a partner in a small store. At six-six, his business partner died, leaving him a huge debt that took years to repay. At twenty-eight, after courting a girl for 4 yrs, he asked her to marry him. She said no. At thirty-seven, on his third try, he was elected to Congress, but two years later he failed to be reelected. At forty- one his four yr old son died. At forty-five, he ran for the Senate and lost. At forty-seven, he failed as the vice-presidential candidate. At forty-nine, He ran for the Senate again and lost. At fifty-one he was elected president of the United States. His name was Abraham Lincoln, a man many consider the greatest leader the county ever had.
None of these events prior to his presidency were pleasant trials to suffer but they all Worked Together for Good in the end. I would venture to say if Abraham Lincoln had not suffered the emancipation proclamation would never have been written.
1 Thess 5:16-18
16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
IV. To them that love the Lord
A. Have ever noticed that there always seems to be a catch to everything.
B. You know the fine print that you better know before signing the contract
C. If there were any catch to this verse this would be it.
To them that love the Lord.
What dose that mean?
If you love the Lord no bad will befall you? NOT
If you love the Lord all things will be good? NOT
You see this one verse should be our hope in all situations
Rom 8:28 28 and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
You see to them that love God afflictions are a blessing. Suffering we know our God’s way of pruning us, shaping us.
Acts 5:40-42
They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name of Jesus.
You see when we trust in God, when we love Him, we can rejoice in our sufferings knowing, having faith that God will work it to good according to his purpose not ours. To those who don’t love the Lord sufferings are viewed as chastisements and produce complaining instead of peace, rebellion instead of submission, anger instead of patience, hatred instead of calmness and love.
V. Who have been called according to his purpose
A. This is talking about a true Christian
B. One that is living the life not just talking about it.
C. One who is seeking after God’s own heart?
D. One the Holy Spirit has drawn and the individual has accepted the Lord as his Savior.
I challenge you tonight to face the trials of life as God pruning us, changing us, molding us and developing us. Seek the Lord daily in a personal way, have an intimate relationship, love the Lord with all you are and you will know that all things will work together for good. Rejoice in your times of suffering and be assured that your hope lies in God and keep you eyes fixed on your eternal reward in heaven.
If you feel as though you have doubted God in your sufferings or you just need to pray join me at the alter. Let go and let God be God.
