We Are More Than Conquerors

WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS (Outline)

February 10, 2008 –

LENT 1 -

Romans 8:31-39

INTRO: Winners – everybody loves them. Champions are given even greater honor and glory. No one can stand up to a conqueror. The conqueror is given the right to kill, destroy, and pillage. To the victor go the spoils. Yet, whether a winner, champion, or a conqueror most will fade into obscurity with the passing of time. In today’s text the believer is more than all that. The believer is not just a winner. The believer is not just a champion or conqueror. God assures each of us as believers we are more than conquerors. By faith through grace the victories of Christ our Savior are our victories. "The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ"(1 CORINTHIANS 15:56,57). There is a sting to death found in the power of the law. Beyond the sting is our ultimate victory over death as God’s gift to every believer.

WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS.

I. Nothing can stand against the believer.

II. Nothing can separate from God’s love.

I. NOTHING CAN STAND AGAINST THE BELIEVER (Please read the text before beginning).

A. Notice all the questions. These questions have obvious answers. V. 31a asks what is our response?

1. The response is verses before our text, verses 28-30. All things work together for good…

a. Believers are called, known, and saved by God. b. How shall the believer respond?

2. With confidence comes the next question, verse 31b. No one can stand against God.

B. Verse 32 gives proof of this question. God did not spare his Son, Jesus. God graciously provided.

1. A loving heavenly Father graciously gives salvation and will also grant everything else.

2. Notice the confidence and boldness in these questions and the obvious answers.

C. Who can stand against the believers when God is standing right there with them? No one can.

1. Bring on the charges, God justifies, verse 33. The Roman government opposed Christians.

2. Try to condemn, Christ Jesus saves, verse 34. These believers were more than conquerors.

D. Today’s reality is that sin still tries to condemn us. The law actually accuses us of falling short of the glory of God. Christ’s innocent life, perfect suffering, death, and victorious resurrection have taken the power of sin away. We are more than conquerors. Christ still pleads our case. "Therefore he (Christ) is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them"(HEBREWS 7:25). We picture Jesus at the right hand of the Father. The Father looks and sees sins and sinners. He is ready to condemn. Jesus intercedes, “My blood covers their sins!” The robe of Christ’s righteousness completely covers all our unrighteousness. Jesus’ Father, our Father forgives.

E. At times life can be overwhelming. At times our sins can seem to weigh us down beyond what we feel we can bear. Satan accuses and our sinful flesh fails. Then we need to remember we are more than conquerors. Our loving Lord encourages us to face our enemies and challenge them. "He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. Who is he that will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up"(ISAIAH 50:8,9). Nothing can stand against us.

F. With the power of God on our side nothing can stand against us. Think of Joseph in the Old Testament who did not give in to the temptation of adultery. His response: How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” In today’s Gospel (MT 4:1-11) Satan is so bold as to tempt Jesus, the very Son of God, who is even God Himself. How bold and how daring! Jesus’ defense was always the same. Jesus correctly quoted the very Scriptures against the devil that Satan misquoted. By faith every believer has the same power to rebuke Satan, the father of lies. "’God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you"(JAMES 4:6b, 7). We are to stand firm in the faith knowing God is on our side. “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”,

NOTHING can stand against the believer.

WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS.

II. NOTHING CAN SEPARATE FROM GOD’S LOVE

A. God justifies. He takes away any charges brought. Christ redeems. Nothing can condemn.

1. Verse 35 asks more questions. Will anything-earthly separate from the divine – God?