Sunday, July 1, 2018

God’s Faithfulness

Temple Baptist Church - 7-1-2018
Romans 8:28



Introduction:

A.  Romans 8:28 is one of those “faith” verses that are much easier quoted than lived.

1.  What this verse does not say:  that all things that affect our lives are good.  There things that we face that are unjust, unfair, horrible things that are out of our control.  These are not good things.  These are things that we wish had never occurred!  Bad things happen to good people!  Bad things happen to God’s people.

2.  The Bible declares that all things work together for good.  God uses these bad things as well as the good things that happen to us to bring us closer to God.

B.  I am not saying that we should have such a strong faith that we never doubt.  I am saying that we are human and occasionally our faith fails us.  God does not fail us, we fail God in unbelief.

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.  (We are not always trusting though we should be.)

1 Thessalonians 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (We are not always thankful though this is the will of God.)

Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.  (We are not always rejoicing though we should be.)

C.  The key words are “we know.”  Yes, we do know!  We know that we can trust God with both our salvation and our daily bread.  We can trust God with our lives and welfare.

Romans 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

D.  Romans 8:28 is an important verse because:

1.  In a world gone mad – “we know”

2.  In sickness and death – “we know”

3.  In persecution and hatred – “we know”

4.  In financial woes – “we know”

5.  In uncertain times  - “we know”

1.  The People Of Romans 8:28 – “we ... to them that love God”

a.  Saved By His Loving Grace - 1 John 4:10  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

b.  Secure Through His Eternal Blood - Hebrews 13:20-21  Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the        everlasting covenant,  Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

c.  Satisfied By His Faithful Provision - Mark 8:4, 8  And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? ... So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.

2.  The Perception Of Romans 8:28  - “know”

a.  We Rely On God’s Word - Colossians 3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 

b.  We Recognize God’s Guidance - Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

c.  We Rest On God’s Promises - Matthew 11:28-30  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

3.  The Providence Of Romans 8:28  - “all”

a.  God’s Sovereignty - Romans 11:34  For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

b.  God’s Scheme - Isaiah 14:24  The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:

c.  God’s Security - Philippians 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 

4.  The Paradox Of Romans 8:28 – “all things”

a.  The Complexity Of Romans 8:28  - Job 10:15  If I be wicked, woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore see thou mine affliction;

b.  The Completeness Of Romans 8:28  - 1 Peter 1:6-7  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

c.  The Contentment Of Romans 8:28 - Philippians 4:11  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 

5.  The Power Of Romans 8:28 – “work...good”

a.  Suffering Brings Praise To The Saviour - 1 Peter 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 

2 Thessalonians 1:10-12  When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.  Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:  That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jude 24  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

b.  Suffering Brings Purity To The Saint - Job 23:10  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

c.  Suffering Brings Perfection To The Sufferer - James 1:4  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 

6.  The Purpose Of  Romans 8:28  - “together for good”

a.  Suffering Strengthens Our Faith - 1 Peter 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 

b.  Suffering Strengthens Our Resolve- 1 Corinthians 16:13  Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 

c.  Suffering Strengthens Our Testimony - Philippians 2:15  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 

7.  The Prospect Of Romans 8:28 – “for good”

a.  The Work Of Suffering - Romans 5:3-4  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

b.  The Wisdom Of Suffering - Psalms 104:24  O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. 

c.  The Worship Of Suffering - 1 Peter 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 

8.  The Plan Of Romans 8:28  - “the called ... purpose”

a.  God Knows His Purpose - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:  A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;  A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;  A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;  A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;  A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;  A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;  A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

b.  God Knows Our Needs - Hebrews 10:35-37  Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.  For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

8. The Person Of Romans 8:28  - “God”

Romans 11:36  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. 

a.  Romans 8:28 Is Of God

b.  Romans 8:28  Is Through God

c.  Romans 8:28  Is To God

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