September 24, 2017
Morning Service

In Romans chapter 7, Paul bared his soul to us and revealed that he too struggled with sin.  It is a great comfort to know that if he struggled, then so will we.  Our goal  is to “not let sin reign in our mortal body” but when we do sin, God has set it up for us to find forgiveness by confessing it to Him (I John 1:9)  He has also given us each other to love, support and hold one another accountable for our shortcomings (James 5:16).  This will be a life long struggle for us, but don’t give up because we are promised this from God:

Romans 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

·         There will be no condemnation (judgement) on those who are walking in the Spirit.  It is again a question of who owns your heart.  If you have surrendered yours to God and are trying to follow where the Spirit leads you, be assured God will not condemn you.  He is on your side!

·         Later in the chapter we were shown that we are also adopted into God’s family and made a child and full heir of our Heavenly Father.  In that verse it also mentions something else that we will receive.

Romans 8:17-18  And if we are children, then we are heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; so that if we suffer with Him, we may also be glorified together.  (18)  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed in us.

·         Being the heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ, and being one day glorified with Him comes with a cost.  We will suffer with Him.  When we accept Jesus’ call to “Follow Me,” we must realize that our walk with the Him will include some type of suffering.  In comparison to what the early Christians endured, our suffering really doesn’t stand up.

·         Regardless of the suffering we are asked to endure, no matter how difficult, it will still be true that it is “not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed in us.”  We have struggles and battles to fight, BUT the war has already been won.

·         One thing we are faced with is the deterioration of the physical as well as the spiritual world that we live in.

Romans 8:19-25  For the earnest expectation of the creation waits for revealing of the sons of God.  (20)  For the creation was not willingly subjected to vanity, but because of Him who subjected it on hope  (21)  that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.  (22)  And we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now.  (23)  And not only that, but we also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, awaiting adoption, the redemption of our body.  (24)  For we are saved by hope. But hope that is seen is not hope; for what anyone sees, why does he also hope for it?  (25)  But if we hope for that which we do not see, then we wait for it with patience.

·         With sin entering the world, even nature has suffered and longs to be returned to that perfect state.  As we get older, we experience not only the increased aches and pains of our body, but also the many heartaches this life brings our way like losing our loved ones.   Do you find yourself longing or even groaning for Christ to return?  Sometimes we hurt is so deep we can’t even put it into words to pray about it.  That is when the Holy Spirit steps in.

Romans 8:26-27  Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  (27)  Now He searches the hearts knows what  the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

·         Have you ever found yourself is such a burdened state that when you go to pray you can’t even find the words to speak?  It is then that the Holy Spirit that lies within in us intercedes (stands in) for us and communicates our hearts’ true needs to our Father in heaven.

·         In knowing and trusting God to do what is best for us, Paul now reveals a wonderful promise to us that we can stand on during hard times.

Romans 8:28-30  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  (29)  For whom He foreknew, He also predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son, for Him to be the First-born among many brothers.  (30)  But whom He predestinated, these He also called; and whom He called, those He also justified. And whom He justified, these He also glorified.

·         Everything that happens to you as a Christ follower has a purpose from God.  This doesn’t mean everything that happens to you will be good; we still live in an evil world.  BUT God will use each and every circumstance to mold you into the person He desires you to be.  He is not working to make us all happy, but He is working to fulfill His purpose.

·         Only God can take an ugly situation and spin it in such a way that it ends up beautiful.  Think of the martyrdom of Stephen.  Great persecution that followed helped to spread the gospel message throughout the world and also planted a seed in a man named Saul’s heart.  I am sure if you look in your own life it is the dark times that God shined the brightest.

·         The peace that comes to our hearts through our faith in Jesus creates a new mind-set or perspective in the lives of Christians.  The pain isn’t any easier, but we now KNOW and TRUST God to do whatever is best for us in our lives.  “Not my will, but thine be done.”  That becomes not only a statement, but a way of life.

Romans 8:31-39 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  (32)  Truly He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 

·         God held nothing back for you.  He gave His very best; His own Son upon a cross to have a chance to have a relationship with you.  At time of trouble is He going to turn a deaf ear to your prayers?  No way!  He will finish what He began in you.

 (33)  Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God who justifies.  (34)  Who is he condemning? It is Christ who has died, but rather also who is raised, who is also at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.  (35)  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  (36)  As it is written, "For Your sake we are killed all the day long. We are counted as sheep of slaughter."  (37)  But in all these things we more than conquers through Him who loved us.  (38)  For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  (39)  nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

·         You are never too far away for God’s love to reach you.

 

Lord, thank You for loving us with a love that knows no obstacles that You can’t overcome.