Romans 8:35-39 Sermon Information
Title: "Living by the Spirit Enables Us to Rest in God’s Love"
Outline:
1. The Spirit inseparably unites us with Christ through faith (35a, see Romans 6:1-14)
2. The Spirit preserves our union with Christ through every kind of suffering (35b-37)
• Paul expected suffering to be part of the normal reality for believers in the last days (see Rev. 6:8; 18:8)
• Paul’s own experience was that he faced every kind of trial (1 Cor. 4:9-13; 2 Cor. 6:3-10)
• Sharing in Christ’s suffering is evidence of our union with him rather than cause to question his love for us (Romans 8:17)
3. The Spirit gives us overwhelming victory through Christ (37)
• More than conquerors = “prevailing completely”
• We prevail in the midst of various sufferings through Christ, who loved us (see 32-34)
• We grow weary and disheartened when we try to conquer by our own effort rather than resting in Christ’s blood-bought victory
4. The Spirit gives us confidence against every threat (38-39)
• “For I am sure” – convinced, definitively settled, unshakeable surety
• Paul became convinced as he experienced God’s love throughout his own trials
• Suffering is the context in which our faith is solidified as we experience God’s faithful love (Exodus 34:6-7, Psalm 136)
• Nothing throughout time, space, or the spiritual realm can separate those who are in Christ from the love of God
MAIN IDEA:
Living by the Spirit gives the believer utter security as we rest in the unconquerable and inseparable love of God for us in Christ. This creates a community of worshippers filled with joy and peace, anchored in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ.
Discussion Questions:
1. What is tends to threaten your confidence in God’s love? What is the greatest threat to your ability to rest in God’s love for you right now?
2. How have you experienced God’s faithful love in the midst of suffering? What effect did that have on your faith?
3. Do you find yourself trying to overcome trials, affliction, etc. in your own power or by trusting in Christ’s work? What does it mean to conquer through Christ?
4. How would you describe your personal “theology of suffering”? Do you expect suffering to be part of the Christian life? Does suffering call God’s love for you or your loved ones into question? Do you expect the Christian life to be easier than God has promised it would be? How do these verses shape a biblical understanding of suffering?
5. Have you become “convinced” (v. 38) that nothing can separate you from God’s love in Christ? How can you meditate on this promise this week? How will you let these verses shape your prayers this week?
Prayer: Father, your promises find their final “yes” in your Son, Jesus. He is the resounding evidence of your love. I confess that I am often unsettled by life’s troubles and I lose confidence in your love. As I face whatever you may allow in the coming week, would you keep me fixed on Christ by your Spirit. Serve me with the grace I will need to keep walking in step with the Spirit and fill me with confidence, joy, hope, and peace as I learn to rest in the completed work of Jesus on my behalf. May I participate with gladness with your people as we worship you for all you have done to redeem us for your name’s sake. Amen.
November 21, 2021
November 21, 2021 • Pastor Josh Kee • Romans 8:35–39
November 14, 2021
November 14, 2021 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Romans 8:31–34
Theme: Living by the Spirit Secures God’s Protection Passage: Romans 8:31–34 Question: If God is for us, who can be against us (31)? What “God for us” looks like (32-34): 1. He gave His Son (32). a. Question: Why would God withhold from those for whom He gave his Son? b. Answer: He wouldn’t fail to graciously give what is necessary for our spiritual needs. 2. He chose us (33). a. Question: Who can bring a charge against God’s elect? b. Answer: No one can because God is the one who justifies. 3. Jesus intercedes for us (34). a. Question: Who shall condemn us? b. Answer: No one because Jesus Christ stands in as our defense. 1) He died for us. 2) He was raised for us. 3) He is at the right hand of God for us. 4) He intercedes for us. Main Idea: We can rest secure in the work that God accomplishes for us. Application Questions: • Why do we as God’s children still doubt his ability or love at times in our lives? How can we combat this in our minds? • What is included and not included in the promise that God will give us all things in v. 32? • How does God’s work of justification provide the answer to the question of who can bring a charge against those whom God has chosen? • What role does Christ take in these verses? What does this suggest to us about how we are to mirror him in our lives and interactions with others?
November 7, 2021
November 7, 2021 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Romans 8:26–30
Passage: Romans 8:26–30 Theme: Living by the Spirit considers suffering glorious Why can we be confident that our present sufferings can’t compare to our future glory? 1. The Spirit helps in our time of weakness (26-27). a. He intercedes when we don’t even know how to pray (26). b. He intercedes in line with God’s will since the Father knows the mind of the Spirit (27). 2. God will bring his plan for glorification to completion (28-30). a. Promise: For those that love him, God works all things together for their good to accomplish his purposes (28). b. Purpose: God is working out this good to bring those that love Him to their glorification (29-30). How do we know this? 1) Those whom He foreknew, He predestined to become like His Son and to be included in His family. 2) Those He predestined, He called. 3) Those He called, He justified. 4) Those He justified, He glorified. Main Idea: God has always planned to use suffering to display his glory in us. Application Questions: • In what ways does the Spirit help in our weakness? Would we be able to sense this work, and if so, have you sensed it before? • What is the difference in meaning between saying that all things work together for good for those that love God and God works in all things for the good of those that love him? What does this indicate about God and his plan? • What is the logical sequence in the chain of salvation events described in vv. 29–30? How is glorification described at the end of v. 30? • According to this passage, why might God have chosen to include our suffering in his plan? Does this encourage or discourage you?
October 31, 2021
October 31, 2021 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Romans 8:18–25
October 31, 2021 - Living by the Spirit considers suffering glorious Theme: Living by the Spirit considers suffering glorious Passage: Romans 8:18–25 Main Idea: Our present sufferings cannot possibly compare with our future glory. Evidenced by two groaners: 1. All creation groans for the revelation of the sons of God (19–22). a. Creation is frustrated. b. It eagerly longs for deliverance. 2. Believers themselves groan and wait for their future adoption and redemption (23-25). The process explained: a. We have received salvation in our hope. b. But, our hope has not been totally realized yet. c. So, we eagerly await our hope through endurance. Application Questions: • What causes you to groan 1) in current events, 2) in the present state of the world, and 3) in your own spiritual walk? • Why did God place the created world under the curse of sin if it was man’s fault? How might this affect the way in which we view the world and long for the new creation? • How does this passage impact or change your view of suffering? How does it help define Christlikeness in the life of the believer? • Explain the connection between hope and glory in vv. 23–25. How can this passage motivate you to endure?