Sermon: Since God Is For Us

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.