A. INTRODUCTION
1. Today we conclude our three-part study of Romans 8. We began two weeks ago with Paul's thundering proclamation:
There is, therefore, n __ c __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ to those who are I __ Christ Jesus... ( Romans 8:1 ).
This brief passage, we said, is the very essence of the gospel ("G __ __ __ N __ __ __") of Jesus Christ.
2. Can we identify those who are "in Christ Jesus?" The apostle Paul did that for us by dividing the world into two groups:
Not J __ __ or G __ __ __ __ __ __;
Not s __ __ __ __ or f __ __ __;
Not m __ __ __ or f __ __ __ __ __;
Not P __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ or C __ __ __ __ __ __ __;
Not b __ __ __ __ or w __ __ __ __;
Not g __ __ or s __ __ __ __ __ __ __.
No, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul divided the world into:
- those who "live according to the f __ __ __ __;"
- those who "live according to the S __ __ __ __ __." (v.5)
For both groups, Paul reminded us, the way one l __ __ __ __ begins with the m __ __ __. (v.5-6)
a. The mind of the "natural" person -- one of those standing outside of the kingdom of God -- is dominated by
l __ __ __ __;
e __ __ __ __ __ __ __; and, above all,
a __ __ __ __ __ __ __.
His thinking is without spiritual orientation and he has neither the desire nor the ability to please God (Romans 8:6-8). This is not to say that the natural person cannot exercise "r __ __ __ __ __ __ __." For such a person, a religious dynamic is simply added to the others in his thinking which define him. His life might then take on a certain religious slant, will include some religious activities, and may indeed include "random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty." His essential nature, however, remains unchanged: he or she will remain enslaved to a natural appetite for self and for sin.
b. The life of the believer should stand in sharp contrast to the life of one who "minds the things of the flesh." Paul has shown emphatically in this epistle that Christians have been freed from slavery to sin and self. A believer's faith is not simply added to his or her list of admirable character traits.
(1) The Bible states that the believer is an entirely N __ __ C __ __ __ __ __ __, not just a slightly altered, more "religious" version of the old self.
(2) The believer has been spiritually "q __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __." He or she now sees sin for what it is; knows how God sees sin, and is properly horrified by it.
(3) Not only does the believer now "see" sin clearly, he or she now has the strong desire to r __ __ __ __ __ sin and to o __ __ __ God. This is because, as we have repeatedly said, the believer has been f __ __ __ __ from s __ __ __ __ __ __ to sin. But, even though our flesh is no longer "bound" to sin, it still has a relentless bent to sinning. Christians -- even the strongest ones -- will occasionally submit to the temptation to sin, and this sets up an inner struggle which sometimes erupt into frustration and anguish, as is the case with Paul himself in Romans 7:15-25. For this reason an authentic believer cannot continue in sin. The spiritual dimension -- the actual indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit Himself -- with which every true believer is equipped (8:9) and which causes us to want to please God is deeply g __ __ __ __ __ __ when we do not.
c. We rejoiced with Paul as he carefully interjected -- at last -- into his explanation of the believer's new "relationship" with sin the Holy Spirit. Here now is the p __ __ __ __ in each believer for continuing the life-long struggle against the flesh. Yes, we may falter occasionally, and we may even lose a few battles, but sin shall not have dominion over you (6:14). Hallelujah!
3. Last week's study of Romans 8:14-26 revealed three additional great truths about the believer and the Holy Spirit within him or her:
a. Our status as "a __ __ __ __ __ __" joint heirs with Christ Himself of all the rich treasures of God. He is indeed our h __ __ __ __ __ __ __ F __ __ __ __ __;
b. The joyful promise of the g __ __ __ __ of our full inheritance in the fullness of time;
c. The sobering promise of s __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ in the present, even as we await our glorious eternal future.
Here again the Holy Spirit plays the crucial role.
(1) He h __ __ __ __ in our w __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (8:26), and
(2) He even makes I __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (8:26-27)
4. Today's text passage begins with Paul's logical conclusion to all that he said heretofore in this chapter.
B. TEXT: Romans 8:28-39
1. V.28 is one of the most treasured passages of Scripture for Christians all over the world, a classic "feel good" verse, if there ever was one. We must be careful, however, when lifting it from the context of the passages which surround it.
a. Here are some the things that Romans 8:28 does not say:
(1) "Good fortune favours nice people."
(2) "Things are not as bad as they seem."
(3) "Don't worry; everything will work out in the end."
b. This short verse includes three phrases which serve as definitive qualifiers.
(1) "all things"
Paul uses this general term quite often in his letters. Never does he use it to reference each and every thing that ever happens to a person! Here, as in other cases, he is using it as part of a summary statement, a reference to that which he has just said. What he has in view, then, is the subject of s __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ in the lives of Christians. It could be seen as the third of three reasons Paul offers for patiently enduring suffering for Christ: 1- Our present suffering cannot compare with the glory that awaits us.
2 - The Holy Spirit of God who indwells us will help us in our weakness.
3 - God is in control!
"All things work together for good not by inherent force, not by fate or chance, but by divine control. Thus not only does the divine Spirit help us in our weakness, but divine Providence works with us 'for good in all things.' This comforting conviction is strengthened by experience and observation, but it is founded upon faith in the constant care of a loving Father. The 'all things' refers first to sufferings, and the 'good' to future 'glory;' but we need not restrict the meaning. No experience incident to human life should be regarded as beyond the permission and power of God, or incapable of being used by him to promote our truest 'good.'" - Charles R. Erdman: The Epistle of Paul to the Romans
"This does not mean that everything which happens to us is good in and of itself. Suffering is a tragic, physical evil. I am not supposed to say to another believer who is suffering, 'Rejoice, this is a wonderful benefit that you are experiencing here, because it is working together for your good.' We are not to praise God for the presence of suffering, particularly in the case of others, because that would lead us to the same smug attitude that is so destructively manifest in Job's friends. Rather if I see another suffering, I must do everything in my power to alleviate that suffering." R.C. Sproul: Romans
(2) "that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him"
That God is sovereign in all things is a matter of the Scriptural record. To believe the promise that what He has allowed in my life is working together for good is an act of faith grounded in my love for God.
My decision to o __ __ __ God, to follow Christ as His d __ __ __ __ __ __ __, and to live the b __ - f __ __ __ __ Christian life are the consequences of l __ __ __ __ __ God.
ref: John 14:15, 21
1 John 2:3-6
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
(3) "that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
This is a second distinction that makes this passage one for particular rather than universal application. Those who only "admire" God but who are not "in" Christ are not "The Called."
(1) There is a theological term which explains the difference between an "external" altar call and the mysterious convicting work of the Holy Spirit: the doctrine of God's effectual calling. This is the call Paul speaks of in Romans 1:1 in reference to his apostleship.
"What is meant by the effectual calling of God is that, when He calls, He calls sovereignly and effectively by an inward call which goes beyond the ears into the soul and into the heart. What we are speaking about is regeneration. Only God can do that and He does so by the power of His Spirit through the Word." - R.C. Sproul: Ibid.
(2) NOTE: All those whom God calls according to His purpose love Him. All those who love God have been called according to His purpose.
Paul here is addressing a single group; not two different groups.
2. In v.29 Paul offers a wonderfully comprehensive description of The Called.
a. They have been called to be c __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ to the I __ __ __ __ of His Son.
b. The Called will realize their calling ultimately through a sequence, each word of which forms a mighty "link" in God's glorious "chain of grace."
(1) f __ __ __ __ __ __ __
(2) p __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
(3) c __ __ __ __ __
(4) j __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
(5) g __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
Paul's reference in the past tense to the experience which will be enjoyed in its fullness in the future has been called "amazing" and "the most daring anticipation of faith that even the New Testament contains." Do we not say the same time we sing the great old hymns, "Blessed Assurance" and "How Firm a Foundation?"
3. In v.31-39 Paul comes at last to the climax of his argument. He has explained how Christians are j __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ by grace alone; he has shown that justification is lived out in a life of authentic personal h __ __ __ __ __ __ __; he has reminded us of God's promise of eternal g __ __ __ __ for The Called. Now he leads us in a triumphant hymn which voices for us our a __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ of salvation, called by some the Doctrine of E __ __ __ __ __ __ S __ __ __ __ __ __ __.
a. There exists for The Called no doubt of God's p __ __ __ __ (v.31). No enemy can withstand His eternal purpose or stand up to His omnipotence.
b. There can be no doubt of God's l __ __ __ (v.32).
c. There can be no c __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (v. 33-35).
(1) Indeed, how could there be? It is God Almighty who has j __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ us, and it is God the Son -- Jesus Christ -- who is our A __ __ __ __ __ __ __.
(2) ref: Isaiah 50:8-9
(3) "When God enters into judgment, the outlook for the opposing party is bleak; but if God takes the side of the defendant, no amount of evidence for the prosecution can procure an adverse verdict." - F.F. Bruce: Romans (Vol. 6, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries )
d. There exists no t __ __ __ __ __ for The Called (v.35-39).
(1) Not from the p __ __ __.
(2) Not from the p __ __ __ __ __ __.
(3) Not from the f __ __ __ __ __.
The sad fact of the matter is that many Christians "arm" their enemies with power to which they have no right. A good rule for the by-faith Christian life: NO FEAR!
C. APPLICATION
1. The nucleus of Romans 8:31-39 is contained in v.34: It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
a. The One who d __ __ __ redeemed The Called from s __ __ and j __ __ __ __ __ __ __.
b. The One who was r __ __ __ __ __ guarantees victory over s __ __ and d __ __ __ __ as well as the a __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ of eternal life.
c. The One who is at the right hand of God (see Psalm 110:1) attests that Jesus is, indeed, L __ __ __, reigning in power, honour and strength.
d. The One who is I __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ for us is employing His might on our behalf, repeating, as it were, what is already said of the Holy Spirit (8:26-27)
ref: Hebrews 7:24-25
1 John 2:1
As the 19th Century theologian, J.A. Bengel wrote:
"Neither death shall hurt us, for Christ died; nor life, Christ was raised to life; nor angels, nor demons, Christ is at the right hand nor the present, nor the future of God; nor powers, nor height nor depth, Christ is interceding nor anything else in all creation, for us.
2. Every statement in the chain speaks of Jesus Christ, God's Son, our Saviour. The life of The Called must be defined by our:
...good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in your faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. ( Colossians 2:5b-10, NKJV )
D I S C U S S I O N G U I D E
1. One of the great doctrines of Romans is the doctrine of election. We will discuss this in greater detail in chapter 9, but Paul hinted at it in today's study, which included Romans 8:28-29.
a. Read those two verses again, then write what you believe to be the meaning of two of the key terms there, foreknew and predestined. Don't look them up just yet; simply try to express what you think they mean.
(1) FORKNEW
(2) PREDESTINED
b. For reference also read the following:
John 10:11-16
1 Peter 1:17-21
Ephesians 1:3-12
2. State in your own words what you believe to be the doctrine of Eternal Security, called by the Reformers the "perseverance of the saints."
a. Read the following: John 6:35-40 Philippians 1:3-6 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 2 Timothy 1:23
Then read: Hebrews 10:35-39 1 John 5:16-17 Hebrews 3:12-15 Mark 3:28-30
Some might see conflict between these two sets of passages. Can they be resolved to your satisfaction? If so, how?
b. We have spoken many times of the terrible surprise which will await some on Judgment Day. Resting safe and secure in their belief in eternal security, they will be cast out from God.
(1) Read Matthew 7:21-23. Who are these unfortunate people? What does Jesus say about them that "proves" they are not "His?"
(2) Read Matthew 13:18-23. Are the people Jesus talks about in v.20-21 and in v.22 really authentic believers? Be ready to defend your answer.
3. Read Romans 8:35-37.
a. We are aware of those who down through history have truly suffered for Christ's sake. But can it be said that any believer who lives in a country whose government protects their right to believe as they see fit really experiences "suffering?" How so?
b. How can a believer be "killed all day long?" (v.36, quoting from Psalm 44)
