Trusting God's Promises

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.