“And We Know”
Romans 8.28-30
A Labor Day Sermon September 7, 2009 FBC Chester, Illinois Dr. Mike Fogerson
Introduction
A Labor day is celebrated all of the world, most times in May (May Day) and it is a day to celebrate the achievements & strides made by workers & labor unions.
1 The first Labor Day observed in the U.S. was in 1882 in NYC, but it wasn’t made a national holiday until 1894, just days after the horrific Pullman Strike in Pullman, IL.
a Employees of the Pullman Palace Car Company, made railroad cars, went on a wildcat strike after the company drastically decreased the employee’s wages because of diminished sales caused by the Economic Crisis of 1893.
b This strike caused a shut down of practically all railroad transportation west of Chicago to a halt.
aa W/in 3 days of Pullman employee’s walking off the job, 40,000 railroad workers walked off the job as a sign of solidarity.
bb It crippled America.
c President Grover Cleveland sent in U.S. Marshals & 12,000 soldiers to break up the strike.
aa Of course, this controversial move is still debated as to its constitutionality, but never the less . . . the strike was broken up.
bb 13 strikers were killed, 57 wounded and over $6 million of property had been damaged.
d In the wake of the Pullman Strike, Cleveland, wanting to bring some reconciliation to the workers involved in the strike, had congress fast track Labor Day as a national holiday and six days after the end of the strike . . . we had ourselves a national holiday.
2 One can only imagine the horror, blood, tensions, pain, suffering of this event . . . but most of you don’t have to work tomorrow and . . . as far as I’m concerned . . . that’s a good thing.
B Rom. 8. 28-30
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8:28-30 (NASB)
1 Some of the teaching you hear today was taught during our Mid-Week service, but by & large this all fresh bread. (Just need to teach this to the body today.)
a I want you to know that you can trust God with everything. (Strength for today & hope for tomorrow)
b The devil doesn’t want you to hear this message.
aa If he can keep you in doubt, discouraged, he can circumvent God’s purpose for your life.
bb You’ll miss blessings & rob God of Glory (John 8.54 NIV)
2 Pray.
I “And We Know . . .”
A The security force for U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan received global attention (& scrutiny) in the last few days due to their bizarre hazing & initiation practices. (Lewd & gross behavior.)
1 ArmourGroup (a subsiderary of Wackenhut Services) is the contracted group.
a To be a part of the group, a new employee must undergo humiliating, embarrassing, disgusting rituals.
b Once you’ve undergone the initiation, you’re in. Trusted.
aa You’re in the “know.”
bb Nearly every organization has it’s own set of initiation rites (Masons to the Moose: Lions, Eagles, etc.)
2 Cub Scouts: Hand shake, motto, special language (Akela) YOU KNOW!
B We Christians are traveling together w/ each other and we all say “We Know!”
1 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20 (NASB)
a These 3 words express the Christians 100% certainty of their eternal salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
aa This is not Paul’s opinions: inerrant truth of God’s Word
bb These words go beyond ALL doubt, fear, aspects of life.
b “And we know” is a soft pillow for a tired heart.
c We can know the comfort & find the hope of these 3 words IF we take God at His Word.
2 God’s child NEVER has to worry/fear of being cast out of his/her Father’s house; fear losing citizenship in His kingdom of righteousness.
a Preacher, how can you be sure Jesus is the ONLY way to Heaven . . .
Preacher, how can you know that the Lord Heals? . . .
Preacher, how can you know that God doesn’t leave or forsake?
And We Know!
b We’ve been through the blood, identified with His suffering through baptism, take the bread & cup . . .
aa 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED ." 13 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." Romans 10:9-11,13 (NASB)
bb And we know? How? Because the Bible tells me so!
3 The Scripture does not say “And we . . . think, guess, assume, suppose . . . KNOW”
a If you don’t “Know” then you don’t know.
b This is not a cooperative effort between God & Man . . .we might fail . . . He doesn’t.
II “God causes all things to work for good . . .”
A In the O.T. book of 2 Kings 4, a Shunammite woman sons had died & she went searching out Elisha.
1 When she got close, Elisha’s servant Gehazi saw her and went to greet her.
a 26 "Please run now to meet her and say to her, ’Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?’ " And she answered , "It is well." 2 Kings 4:26 (NASB)
aa Her son is grave yard dead but IT IS WELL.
bb Her means of retirement had been removed but IT IS WELL.
cc Her future was bleak but IT IS WELL.
b HOW? Because she knew what you say you know!
2 She knew that God was in control, throne, and He had a purpose.
B Paul’s not saying God prevents us from experiencing “things” that can harm us.
1 He is saying that God will take what happens to us & turn those things ultimately into blessings.
a KJV wrongly translates this verse into “all things work together”;actually things are doing anything. They’re not working at all.
b God causes all things to work!!!!
aa ALL THINGS!! (Comprehensive, w/o limitations)
bb Dark/bright things, happy/sad things, bitter/sweet things, times of prosperity/adversity . . . for Good.
cc Sometimes He stirs you around storms, other times through them but with always the same outcome . . . to draw us closer to Him.
c Think of everything that happens (or could happen to us) over the course of the day.
aa You’re here today because God kept the other guy in his lane this morning.
bb Or the guy who would have crossed the line hit his snooze another time.
cc Really? Yes, because God causes ALL things to work together for good.
2 For everybody? No . . .for those who love Him.
a When we buried our own daughters the battle in our souls, wearing thin of our faith was real, but so is our healing. Ultimately, thanksgiving & blessing.
aa How? I love Him & I know He causes ALL things to work together for my ultimate blessing & for His Glory.
bb I would have never “thanked” God for taking my children if I didn’t think He loved me.
b Sing verse one, pre-chorus, chorus of “I Will Rise”, Chris Tomlin
aa The moment you realize that God loves you more than you love your sin, you’ll fall head over heals in love with Him.
bb 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Romans 8:31-32 (NASB)
Conclusion:
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Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
