March 3, 2025 • 47 mins
Join Pastor Karl as he wraps up Romans 8 in this powerful sermon, diving into verses 29-39. In this message, he explores how God works all things together for good—not for our ease or comfort, but to conform us to the image of Jesus. Pastor Karl tackles big topics like predestination, free will, and God’s providence, showing how our trust in God’s character fuels our faith.
Discover what it means to live as a "hyper conqueror"—not just surviving life’s battles, but rejoicing in them with the strength of Christ. From everyday struggles to cosmic forces, nothing can separate us from God’s love.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:07):
Are any of you tired of that video yet?
Can you start saying the wordsahead of time?
You know, kind of whereit's going to be with us for a while.
You spent a couple monthsso far in the book of Romans,
and we're going to be, finishing,finishing out Romans eight this morning.
And so if you have a Bibleand brought one with you on a smart device
or whatever turned there, Romans eight,I'll give you a moment to get there.
(00:30):
And before we open that up,let me just give you a little bit of,
family businessas far as the church is concerned.
Kaylee Dubay has been serving
this church on staff for over four years.
And, hey, there's gone by fast for years.
And just this school year,
she accepted a full time positionat Stone Creek Elementary.
(00:52):
So for the past seven months,she's working full time there
and then still leading all thingschildren's ministry here.
To say that's a big taskis an understatement.
And she has been working very hardfor a very long time.
And I'm so proud of you. And I thank you.
You've done a great job.
(01:12):
You and Seanhave served together for a long time.
But what's happened?
Because as we grow,
we need to make a change.
And Kaylee and I have talked about this,and she's good with it.
But we're making a changeas far as Kaylee's role here to.
She won't be on paid staff as she hasbeen.
(01:32):
Michael Rondon, who has been our youthpastor, is moving into the position
of next gen ministry to oversee birththrough eighth grade
and to administrateand coordinate the whole thing.
And Kaylee is stepping asideas far as being a paid staff member.
Still lovesthe church, loves us, loves your kids,
(01:53):
and still involved,but in a way that allows her,
a little bit of breathing room in her.
I know you love her.
Say that again.
Jeff's in there. You. Absolutely.
So it's it's it's within.
And this needs to happen.
But also, it'sa little bit of a sad heart, too.
So after the service,just make sure you give Kaylee a hug.
(02:16):
Tell her you love her.
Thank her for all of her ministryand her years of service,
and we're going to celebrate her next weeka little bit as well.
But just want to let you knowthat ministry is still in good hands.
Okay.
It's still in really good handsand we're excited.
What God's doing?
But I didn't want this to happenwithout your knowledge.
I want you to be able to love herand celebrate her in that we're good.
Okay, Cathy. You good? Yeah.
(02:39):
All right.
Hey. Romans eight.
Before we were going to be in, verses29 through 39 today, but.
But I need to go back to verse28 to kind of set the stage for us.
We need to set the table before we eat.
So in setting the table, verse 28,and we know that
for those who love God,all things work together for good,
(03:02):
for those who are calledaccording to his purpose.
Here's what I know.
That's a promisefrom God that he is synergize all things
for good for those who love himand are called according to his purpose.
But here's the thing.
Our trust in that promise
will be based on our belief
(03:23):
of the character of God.
Our trust in that promise
is going to be the foundation of our trust
in that is going to be on what we believeto be the character of God.
If we don't trust the character of God,we will not trust the providence of God.
Do you understand?
Providence is God's way of working
(03:45):
within natural systemsto work out his good and perfect will.
Not. Miraculously,that's when he overrides those systems,
but providentially working within themto accomplish his good purpose and will
and our trustthat God is providentially working.
All things, synergizeall things providentially
(04:06):
for good is going to be based onhow much we trust his character.
If you don't trust his character,you don't trust his providence.
That makes sense to you, doesn't it?
Anytime we start to doubt
the providence of God,
it's really a statementthat we're starting to doubt his character
because we don't trust him.
(04:27):
And and so so all of this, these promises
to synergize all things together for good.
Our trust resides in the trustof his character, of his heart
and understanding what it is.
He is working all things togetherfor good for.
And that's what gets us to verse 29.
(04:49):
So because I trust his character,I'm going to believe this verse,
that he's synergize all things together
for those whom he for new.
He also predestined to become,to be conformed to the image of His son
in order that he might be the firstbornamongst many brothers.
So we're going to get into thisin a minute.
We're going to deal with some some issueshere that some people bicker about a lot.
(05:13):
But before we get there,I want you to understand
that verse 29 tells us that verse 28 says
he synergize all things together for goodand the good.
He synergize all things together foris to conform us to the image of Jesus.
See, we often think that because Godhas promised to work
(05:34):
all things together for good,it means our ease and our comfort.
That's how we translate good.
Like God's going to synergizethis pain for my pleasure.
God is going to synergizethis difficulty for my comfort.
God is going to synergizethis turmoil for my ease.
And that's not what God means by good.
(05:54):
What God means by goodis to conform us to the image of His Son.
We have to understand that
because if we think that God's going to
synergize, work together, all thingstogether for my ease and comfort.
How many of us can give testimonythat you know what?
Sometimes my life doesn'tturn out that way, right?
But through all things,
(06:15):
we can reflectthe image of Christ to the world.
Does that make sense?
That's the good God is working us towards
and synergize us towardso that we have to.
And so let's just let let's go back nowand put 29 and 30 together.
For those whom he foreknew,he also predestined to be conformed
(06:36):
to the image of His son,
in order that he might be the firstbornamong many brothers.
And those whom he predestinedhe also called, and those whom he called.
He also justifiedin the same jealous fire also glorified.
There's a
there's a lot of people
that want to sit downand talk about this whole idea
of predestination or free will, and that'swhat they get out of these verses.
(07:01):
Well, let's debateis it predestination or is it free will?
Does God predestined some to heavenor predestined some to hell?
If so, it doesn't seemlike people have much choice.
And there's others are like,you know, God just it's all free will.
You choose God?
And that's up to you. Listen,
let me explain to you
when Paul uses these words foreknowledge,
predestination, calling, justification.
(07:24):
Gloria Fication. Those are the biggies.
Yes, God for knows all things.
We call it omniscient, all knowing.
So God knows ahead of time
everybody who's going to respond to him.
You understand that?
(07:44):
Listen, here's the dealwe have to get this foreknowledge
does not necessarily imply content
or consent.
Foreknowledge is not imply consent.
You can know your kid's going to sneak outand be an idiot,
but does that mean you consent to it?
No. Okay, so
so foreknowledge doesn't necessarilyimply consent.
(08:06):
God has, for all he knows, all things,
and what he knows is what he has called.
He has predestined everybody.
Second Peter three ninethe Lord is not willing or not
slow to fulfill his promise,as some consider slowness, but is patient
towardyou and me, not wishing that any should
(08:26):
what he don't want anybody perish.
He doesn't predestined anybody to perish.
But all that all shouldwhat come to repentance?
So his predetermineddestination is repentance.
That's what he wants for everybody.
He, in his
foreknowledge, knows those who willand those who won't.
(08:47):
Just because he knows someone doesn't meanthat he consents to those who won't.
That's their choice.
So his foreknowledge knows all.
He is predestined.
Every person that's been created by himto live with him.
And though that is his predestined
(09:07):
destination,ultimately that's what he desires.
So then he calls.
Let's go back.
Those whom he predestined, he also called.
So he puts out the call to everyone
and calls them to respond.
Romans three.
Sorry.
Revelation 320 behold,I stand at the door and knock.
I'm calling.
(09:28):
I want you.
If you open the door and let me in.
We'll have fellowship.
So? So he knows who will and who won't.
His predetermined death desire is that we
all are a part of his familythrough faith.
He calls us to respond.
(09:50):
And those who respond, he justifies
for those who foreknow it predestinedto become the image of the son on earth.
Those might be the firstborn of his,of the brethren, of the brothers,
those who whom he predestined,he called, those he called and respond
with, or are justifiedwere made right with him
(10:11):
through faith by his grace,
not of our own doing.
And whoever he justifies, he,
he, he also has glorified. Now
God's know it foreknowledge knows whois going to open the door and who's not.
Who's going to reject that,
though he knows, doesn't mean
(10:33):
that he has determined solely.
He's determined thatthe desired destination is a relationship.
And so he callsand whoever opens the door of their free
will because God has initiated that,
he enters.
And because of what Jesus did on the crosshas justified made them right with God.
(10:55):
And whoever is justified through faithbecause of God's grace.
The Paul says, is is glorified.
Now the word of glorified meanscompletely made new.
It's the glorification that happenswhen we are with God in heaven.
All things new.
And Paul talks about itas if it's already happened.
(11:17):
Now listen, I have been justified
through Jesus with the father.
So God looks at me through faith becauseof his grace, as if I had never sinned.
Now Paul says, I am right now glorified.
Now here's my problem.
I looked in the mirror this morning.
And though he talks about me
as being glorified,I don't feel glorified.
(11:41):
Anybody else?
Yeah.
So why would he say that?
Here's why.
He says that because of who God is.
Let me just expand on who this God is.
God is what we call omnipresent.
God is.
God is.
(12:01):
So God get this that he'soutside the space time continuum.
If I can just blow your mind for a minute.
There was a time when time wasn't.
All of time exists within God.
He's bigger than time.
So if you can.
You understand. I'm saying,like there's a time when time was that.
You understand that?
(12:22):
No you don't. It's too big.I don't understand it either.
We understand the words,but we can't get our minds around that.
But because God is outsideof this space time continuum,
he talks about things that are inour future as if they've already happened.
Because for him, they have.
So he sees us.
He's already at that pointwhen we're glorified with him in heaven.
(12:44):
And so he talks about usas if you're in me through my son.
You're glorified. It's a done deal.
You don't have to hopethat happens one day.
It's a done deal.
And so that's what he's saying.
He said so listen, God is synergizeall things together
for the good so that you look like my sonbecause he's desired you.
(13:08):
He's called you.
You've opened the door.
You're right with me through my son.
And you stand now glorified before me.
It's amazing.
Definitely amazing.
No, a lot of people use these verses
to debate predestinationor for or free will.
(13:29):
Listen, I will never havethat conversation with you
because these passages are notabout the debate of predestination.
These verses are about the assuranceof culmination.
This is where it's headed.
It's not so that we can debate destinationor free will.
Listen.
If you could know,
(13:49):
there are some things in Scripturethat are just in tension with each other.
They're not in contradiction.Their intention.
And if
we could understand everythingthat's in tension in Scripture,
if we could understand all of thatabout God, God wouldn't be very majestic.
I'm comfortable living with the tensionthat is in Scripture
(14:09):
because it says to me, My God is so big.
Listen.
Any of you men who are married, can
you understand everything about your wife?
You know,
they give testimony.
We don't even understanda thing about a wife.
How can we thinkwe can understand everything about God?
There are things about Godthat cause tension.
(14:32):
Like I don't understand.
And personally,I'm comfortable living in that tension
because it just shows me. Here's the deal.
I can make a case from Scriptureand convince you
about predestinationthat God has chosen from the beginning
who will come to faithand who will not like.
It's his decision and it predestined.
(14:52):
I can make a biblical case from that.
I can also make a biblical case thatyou wouldn't be able to argue with that.
It's about our free will.
I can make a case for both biblically,
that's tension.
And I'm comfortable living in thattension, because what Scripture tells me
is not about the process,what Scripture tells me.
(15:12):
It's about the culmination.
Do you understand?
For you and I,
he is knocking on the door of your heart.
He's chosen you already,
but he knocks on the door.
He has chosen you.
But yet Jesus says, whoever will come,let him come.
(15:34):
So there's still the choice.
And that's the tension.
Watch what he says.
Where am I?
Verse 31.
What then shall we say to these things?
If God is for us, who can be against us?
Okay, so so what's your responseas he says, what's your response?
What are you gonna say?
(15:55):
Now, we don't knowexactly what Paul's talking about.
He could be talking to all of Romansup to this point.
He could be talking about.So what do you say now?
What is it now?
You deserve wrath.
But, Jesus, what do you say now?
He could be talking about everythingwe've talked about in the book of Romans.
Or he could just be talking about whatwe've talked about in in Romans eight.
(16:16):
And what do you say now?
Now there's no condemnationbecause of Jesus.
So what do you say about that?
What do you say now?
Now you've been adopted. All the rightsand privileges. A son is yours.
You're a career with Christ.What do you say?
What do you say now? Romans 828.
All things God synergize us for the goodso you'll look like Jesus.
What do you say about that?
That's what he could be talking about.Everything in Romans eight.
Or he could just be talkingabout this whole
(16:37):
foreknowledge, predestinationcall justification and glorification.
What do you say about that?
What he's doingis he's asking you for a response.
He's asking me for a responseno matter what it is.
He's.What do you think? What's your response?
And then he answers his own question.
If God is for us, who can be against us?
Now, a lot of people could be against us.
(17:01):
That's the answer.
Right.
If you ever had someone against you.
Do you have had someoneagainst your faith?
Have you ever had someone against the wayyou're trying to live?
There's a lot of people. Could be.
But the the question is not.
Well, nobody can be against it. Well done.
A lot of people could be against it,but who cares?
Who cares? That's the point of it.
(17:22):
Who cares who's against me? Why?
Because God's for me.
And God's alreadymade his declaration over me.
He loves me. He gave his son for me.
I'm right with him.
So your opinion. You.
Do youreally think I care about your opinion?
Like whenever I say stuff like that,my wife is like Carl.
(17:45):
Like, don't be mean.
You should care.
Sometimes,
I guess, but.
I'm not suggestingbe a jerk and don't care.
I'm not saying that.
But like, Paulis going to develop this further.
Like, as if God is for us. Who cares?
(18:05):
Verse 32, he who did not sparehis own son, but gave him up for us all,
how will he not also with himgraciously give us all things?
Listen, Paul's making both
a logical and a theological argument.
He's saying, If God gave you his son,
why would he hold anything elseback from you that you need?
(18:26):
Does that make sense?
He gave you his son,
so whywould he hold anything else from you?
Think about it like this.
The most expensive diamond in the world.
It's called the pink.
(18:47):
The pink lady.
Okay.The most pensive diamond in the world.
I think it's 52 carats, $72 million.
Can you imagine
it now?
Now, consider for a momentthe one who own that says to you.
There's just something about you.
And I so value you and treasure you.
(19:09):
I'm captivated by you.
I want to gift you this diamond
gives you that $72 million diamond,
and you're taking it back.
And think about it for a moment.
You're holding this diamond in your hand,
and you say the gift to the giftor of that diamond.
(19:30):
This is
some think
I don't want to carry it out of my pocket,though.
And I don't want to get all smudgy.
Can I have.
Will you give me a little black velvet?
You know, a little case to put it in.
Can you imagineafter they just gave you that diamond?
Can you imagine the saying?
(19:51):
What do you want me to give you for free?
A little baggie?
Are you kidding me?Who do you think you are?
Why would I just give that to you?
That makes no sense.
Why do we approach God that way?
He just gave us his son.
(20:11):
Why did we come before him and think.
Can can I bother you for something? No.
Like, could you at allsee it in your heart?
Do you understand?
He just.
Paul saying this is both logicaland theological.
(20:34):
Someone gave you his son.
God gave you his son.
Why would he keep anything else from you?
Now? Apparently,
we have the freedom
to ask the father for anything
(20:55):
because he didn't spare his own son.
And so, if you have a need,I will boldly tell you to ask.
Just ask.
Be bold in that.
And the reason I can be
so bold in telling you to be boldis because I know you're not asking me.
You're asking God.
If you're asking me for something,you better temper your ask.
(21:18):
Yeah.
Do you understand?
I will not give my son for you.
I won't get my bulldog for you.
I don't know that I'll give youmy sandwich, let alone you know.
And so you can ask God boldly.
But in your ask, you trust his character,
and you know that his answer to your ask
(21:41):
is going to be in line with what energizesyou into the image of Jesus.
So sometimes that ask will be in linewith his synergy to make you like Jesus.
And he will say, absolutely.
Thank you for trusting me and asking.
And other times you will say no
because to say no
is works a greatergood of the image of His Son in you.
(22:05):
Do you follow?
So ask.
The verse to leave off,
and I don't remember.
He didn't say, okay, so look at verse 33.
So who shall bring any chargeagainst God's elect?
It's God who justifies.
(22:26):
Verse 34, who is to condemn Christ?
Jesus is the one who died.
And more than that was also raised.
He was at the right hand of God,who in is indeed is interceding for us.
He says, lookwho's going to bring a charge against us.
Well, like we just said, a lot of people.
Anybody can bring a charge.
So for me,
(22:47):
you know,
the uniqueness of the charges against me
are pretty significantbecause here's the deal.
I have this role as pastor,
and people have brought a
lot of chargesbecause they don't agree with my faith.
You understand?
It's a lot of church hurt out there,a lot of religious people out there,
a lot of non-religious people out therewho would make charges.
(23:09):
Okay, I get it.
But not only as a pastor.
I'm also a high school coach.
And anybody who coaches the high schoolunderstands
they're going to be a lot of people
like players, moms.
It's like, just,
like.
(23:31):
You could never please anybody,
you know, like as a pastor or a coach,right?
Eric?
Is the point is, nobody'sgoing to make a charge.
This is a legal term. Par sock. Right.
And he says, who'sgoing to sustain a charge?
You cannot.
So you can make a charge against Godand against his people.
(23:53):
You can make it.
Anybody can make a charge.
Anybody could file a claim.
But can you sustain it in court?
Not even a little bit.
Who'sgoing to sustain a charge against God?
Go ahead and try.
And God has made his declaration about mespiritually.
You want to make a charge against mespiritually?
God's always made his declaration.
You can't sustain a charge against me.
(24:15):
So your opinion, Paul says,I'm not saying this.
I'm not being mean right now.
Like my wife would say.
I'm being like, so you're
what's the old adagethe lion doesn't care about the opinion
of the sheep?
Who's going
to sustain the charge against God?
It's Jesus who died and who was raisedand who is,
(24:38):
who is at the right hand of Godinterceding
for us like right now,
the son Jesus is standingbetween you and the father,
and Jesus is pleading your case
to him, to the father right now.
He's interceding for he'spleading on your behalf.
Can you imagine?
(24:59):
Now, I love the opportunityto pray with you and for you.
And there's a group of usthat meet at first Tuesday of every month
that pray over the needs of you.
If you let us know, and your church,it would be so much more power
if you were to come and pray with usfor you and your church.
But we stand and we love that.
(25:24):
But can you imagine Jesus himself
interceding for you?
How much likeyou don't need me to go to God.
You don't need a priest.
You don't need a saint, a patronsaint for any of that stuff.
You can go to Godbecause the son is interceding for you.
(25:45):
And why do we need the sonto make intercession for us?
Because we have an accuser against us.
Revelation 12 verse ten.
And I heard a loud voice
in heaven saying,now the salvation and the power,
and the kingdom of our Godand the authority of his Christ have come.
(26:08):
For the accuser of our brothershas been thrown down,
who accuses them day and night before God.
The reason we need an intercessorbefore God other than us, who is Jesus,
is because we have the devil against us,who stands before the father day
and night saying stuff like this
God, you know,
(26:29):
you know what Carl did?
You know what a failure he is.
You know what a sinner he is.
You know, he still struggles with,you know, he's still messed up.
You know,
you can't
you shouldn't move on his behalf.
You should be offended at him.
You should be disappointed at him.
(26:52):
You should have discouragementin your heart because that's the guy
you chose.
Are you kidding me?
That's what the devil does day and night.
And in the midst of that, Jesus like.
Father,
see Carl through me
and so well, the devil makesall these accusations day and night.
(27:14):
God the father goes,la la la la la la la la la la.
Shut up!
I don't pay attentionto the thing you say.
Jesus is there interceding.
No, father.
Now I covered him, remember,I covered him, I covered him.
You got some else to say?I covered that to.
Do you understand?
(27:36):
That's why
you can approach his throne of gracewith confidence.
Because we know that will receive graceand mercy to help us in our time of need.
Scripture says
interceding for us.
And so, Paul, in a summary statement,
he wraps this thing up with this who
who shall separate usfrom the love of Christ?
(27:57):
Shall tribulation,or distress, or persecution, or famine,
or nakedness, or danger or sword?
He says, who'sgoing to separate us from his love?
And then he listsseven things that are pretty bad things.
He lists seven things that would makethe ordinary person question God's love.
If you've
ever lived in the seasons of troublesand tribulations
(28:18):
and distress and persecution and famineand want and need
and nakedness and danger and peril,if you've ever lived in those seasons,
at some pointprobably we've asked God why,
if you love me, why do you allow this?
If you love me, why did you let my family,my wife, my child?
If you love me, why right?
(28:41):
So Pauldoesn't say these things won't come.
He says just when they come.
Don't let these things make you questionGod's love.
Because he gave you his son,and he synergize even those things
to make you in the image of his son,
who suffered.
So when you and I go through theseseven very terrible things,
(29:04):
we have confidence in God's character
that he synergizeeven those things to make us into
the image of his son,so that when we go through those things,
the question we ask ourselvesis, I'm going through trouble right now?
Is my responsethat trouble look like Jesus
as a response to his troubles?
(29:26):
I am really hurt by people.
Does my response in the midst of that hurtlook like Jesus's response
when he was hurt by people?
Where in scripture do we read that
Jesus got so stressed and angryhe just couldn't sleep at night?
Where do we read the Scripture?
Where he laid his head on his pillowand was still haunted by the injustice
(29:50):
that was done?
Where do we read in Scripturewhere he just lost his mind
over what God would allow?
We don't.
And so Romans 828, for
we know that God is centralizingall things to make us look like Jesus.
And sometimes we all gothrough tribulation
(30:11):
and distress and persecution, or famine,or nakedness and danger and sword,
because God synergizeall those things to give us
the opportunityto look like Jesus in this world.
It doesn't mean he makes thingsgood and easy.
It means he makes us look like his Sonand our responsibility,
and is to trust the character of God
(30:31):
and in those moments, respond like Jesus,
dare I say in those moments to post
like Jesus.
You follow. You.
How in the world is this possible?
(30:52):
I mean, does this sound like ourour normal modus operandi?
Is this is this how we normallyrespond when stuff happens?
Okay, I'll go on.
Verse 36 and 37
for your as it is written for your sake,we're being killed all day long.
We are.We are like sheep to be slaughtered.
That's a direct quote from Psalm. 4422.
(31:13):
And I don't have time to get into that.
But you Bible studentsmight want to dive into that psalm.
It's profound.
It says no.
And all these things were morethan conquerors through him who loved us.
How do you how do you respond?
Like how do you
how do you embody the image of Christ forthe wounded going through all this stuff?
And Paul says, we can't, butbut in Christ we're more than conquerors.
And this is a profound statement
(31:34):
that Paul has just madeabout being more than a conqueror.
Here's why.
When he uses
this, this whole idea more than conquerors
is this Greek word that he kind of putsa couple Greek words together.
Harbor Nick.
Oh, two different words.
This is what they mean.
The word hypohyper means super or more than Nick.
(31:59):
Oh, is that from the Greek god Nike,
which means conqueror?
And so he puts these two together.
He says, you're just not a conqueror.
You are a super conqueror.
You're just not a conqueror.
You're a hyper conqueror.
Like, here's how you know the difference.
A conqueror gets through the battle,
(32:20):
realizesthey've won, and rejoices in the victory.
I'm a conqueror, a hyper conqueror,a super conquer.
Paul says you're more than conquerorsis one who knows ahead of time.
They're already a conqueror, andthey rejoice in the midst of the battle.
Do you understand the difference?
Most of us live life.
We're in these troubles and difficulty,the trials and tribulations,
(32:41):
and we think, God, get me out of this.Get me through it.
And when God does one,we're a little bit surprised at a word.
And two, we're like,oh yes, now I'm a conqueror.
And the super conquers, say Godin the midst of it before you do a thing.
I am already a hyper conqueror.
I will rejoice in the battle.
(33:01):
Again, stand.
Most of us have decidedI want to live as a conqueror.
Because I want God to fix.
Paul says that is not whowe are in Christ.
We are hyper conquerorsin the midst of it.
Has that been your experience?
If not, as they say,
(33:23):
we're leaving money on the table.
Let me put it to you in terms of cards
in the car world, a conqueror is one
who can get us from point A to point BI I'm on this journey.
I'm on traveling.I need to get from point A to point B.
You can do thatin a lot of different cars.
For instance,you could do that in a Chevy Spark,
(33:45):
get you to point A to point B,you conquered the journey.
Good for you.
You you used all of your 84
horsepower to do it.
Did you make it
through?
Probably not
with a lot of confidenceor speed or elegance, but.
And isn't thathow we go through difficulties sometimes?
God, I justI just want to get to the end of this,
(34:08):
and you just putt along
and you just plod along like, man,
I hope the engine.
That's a conqueror.
You know what the super conqueror is?
The Hennessey Venom F5,
only 24 made.
$7 million or so.
(34:32):
The Hennessey Venom F5 6.6l twin turbo V8.
I wrote it down 1817 horsepower,
speed of 311 miles an hour.
That's a super conquer,
you understand
something? Most people have come to Jesus
and they just leave it aas a as a Chevy Spark.
(34:55):
And they got these hills,they got to climb and they just plugged
along, praying that the engine didn'tgive out in their own road back down hill.
And when they make it to the top,they're like, whoo
hoo, boy,I don't ever want to do that again.
Oh, you're a conqueror.
I guess you made it. Is that really it?
When Paul says you're not a Chevy Spark?
You're a Hennessey Venom F5.
(35:18):
You got 1850 horsepower under the hood.
You don't go 311 miles an hour.
You can make it up the hilland then another one after that.
With no problem.
You get to the end destinationnot just making it,
but making it with power and speedand style.
Like, that's a super conqueror.
And my fear is that somany of us have settled
(35:40):
for a Chevy Spark faith
and never embraced the Hennessey Venom F5.
Faith.
I want to make it to the end,but I want to make it to the end
knowing that as I go through it,I got power to spare.
What am I worried about right now?
In the troubleand distress and difficulty?
(36:01):
What am I worrying right nowabout your opinion?
About the world's opinion about me?What am I worried, right?
I got strength to spare.
I'm a hyper super more than conqueror.
In the midst of it, I'm going to rejoicebecause I know it's already done.
Thank you. Understand what I'm saying?
And my fear is that we've settledfor a Chevy Spark faith.
(36:25):
God, I know you gave Jesus
for me and I'm thankful for forgiveness.
Could you please see it within your good
heart to maybe
I just want to make.
(36:45):
As your Christian experience,
as your faith has been, has your life,maybe you're separated from Christ.
You don't even have a Chevy Spark.
Has it looked and feltmore like a Chevy Spark existence
than a Hennessy Venom F5?
Do you realize what you've been called to
and gifted?
(37:12):
David, don't say anything else about this.
You're in the first serviceI'm seeing. You must.
Don't miss something.
I think I got it.
What he says.
Verse 38.
For I am sure that neither death,nor life, nor angels, nor rulers,
nor things present, nor things to come,nor powers, nor height,
nor depth, nor anything else,all creation will be able to separate
(37:33):
us from the love of Godthat is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Who have been adopted by God.
I'm a coworker with Christ,and nothing going to separate
from his love.
I'm a I'm not just I'm a super conquerors.
(37:55):
Nothing are going to separate mefrom his love.
I go back to verse one now.
There's no condemnation.
There's no failure in my lifethat's going to separate me from his love.
I'll go back to verse 15.
I've been adopted by God.
I'm forever loved as his child knows.
I'm going to separate him from that love.
I go to verse 28,
(38:17):
God is synergize in all things togetherso that I'll look like his son.
He's not going to abandon me now.
There'snothing will separate me from his love.
I go to verse 30 and 39, death.
That's not going to separate me.
Separate me from hislove. I've got eternal life,
rulers and authorities and powers
and he's talking about the forces of helland Satan himself.
They're not going to separate mefrom them.
(38:38):
So they've already been conqueredand defeated.
No charge they bring against me can stand.
No createdthing will ever separate me from his love.
Jesus proved it on the cross.
Romans five eightGod shows his love for us in this.
While we were still sinners,Christ died for us.
Nothing's going to separate me from that.
And this is all accessed through faithby his grace.
(38:59):
For by graceyou've been saved through faith.
This not of yourselves.
It's not your own doing.
It's the gift of God,not the result of works.
Nobody can brag about it.
God initiated Augustine that God did it.
We just respond to receive it.
Can you imagine this?
Hennessey.
Venom F5. Faith,
(39:22):
strength and power to spare.
Not because you deserve it.Not because I deserve it.
Not because we weren't just,but because of God's grace.
His love is so profound.
And so that's what drives me backto where I started this whole thing.
Grace really is greater than anythingyou want to put in a blank.
It's the free gift of God.
(39:42):
And if this isn't
your experience, that's not God's fault.
It's the free gift.
Through faith, by grace.
And this great thank you, Lord.
That's all I can say is thank you, Lord.
And so, my dear friends,
if this has not been reflectiveof the faith that you live with,
(40:07):
why not?
A complete transformation
of who I am, of who you are,
is available to us
freely
through faith,
(40:28):
because of God and by his grace.
And I invite you.
It's not my invitation.
Is Jesus's invitation into a super hyper
conquerer faith
because of who Jesus is.
And so
I invite you.
(40:49):
Let's pray. And.
If what we've talked about
has not been your experience,
I want to offer you the invitation
that Jesus has offered.
To be made new,
(41:10):
fully understand this
what I'm saying fully and completely new.
To allow yourselfto be conformed into the image
of the Son Jesus.
And to receive, by God's grace, freely,
a super hyper conquering faith.
(41:35):
Towards that end,
I invite you in this moment in prayer
to say, God,
I'm realizing what it is
I am and you are.
I am weak,
(41:56):
I fail.
And I've just been surviving.
And I want more.
I acknowledge who you are,
and I accept who you are
to be the God and the leader of my life.
(42:22):
I confess my sin to you.
Jesus.
I accept what you did for me on the cross.
And I receive
through faith, by grace
a right standing before you.
(42:42):
Father
and I receive the gift
of a hyper super conqueror faith no longer
do I want to live as Chevy Spark.
Life.
I want to be a super conqueror
(43:05):
that rejoices in the battle.
Because I'm being made
into the image of your son,
tell him I trust your character. God,
because I know you love me.
(43:25):
The Bible says,keep your eyes close to me.
Just be in prayer.
The Bible says that God looks toand fro about the earth
for those whose hearts are firmly his,that he may strongly support them.
He's looking for you right now.
His name is called Elroy,the God who sees.
(43:46):
He's looking for us right now.
To solidify
your commitment, not just in your heart,
but to solidify that commitment.
So I can pray with you.
So, Jeff. So David can.
Would you just. I'm going to pray over youspecially.
Just a minute.
(44:07):
Would you just raise up your hand and say,I prayed that prayer.
I want to be a super conqueror.
I want what God offers me.
Thank you. Good. Just keep it up for me.A pray over your hand.
I'm gonna pray over.You're raising your hand.
Thank you.
Good for you,good for you, good for you, good for you.
Just keep them. Keep them. Let me see.
This isn't for me.
It's for you.I just want you to solidify this.
(44:27):
I want you to allow me the opportunity,the privilege to put.
Thank you.
Good good good good good.
There you go. Thank you.
Just keep your hands off themand just let me just receive
this prayer, agree with me and prayyou guys with your hands. It.
Father,I thank you for these with their hands up
that their body is representingthe position of their heart.
They want you.
(44:48):
They want to receive all you have.
Thank you that it's not contingentupon what we've done about what they do,
but just and receiving every great showin the name of Jesus right now.
Do what you said you would do.
I pray a measure of your gracethat is so profound
and so unknown to them, that it wouldwow them with who you are,
that they would receive it as a free gift.
(45:10):
This hyper conqueror of faith,
that they would be allowedto be the image of you in this world.
That they would feel your presencein such a mighty way, such a profound way.
Father, that they would be so overwhelmedand impressed with you,
so grateful
for what you've done in their livesand for them that they would walk and move
and think and respondand be hyper conquerors in this world.
(45:33):
That is your desire.
You said that you're looking for peopleright now whose hearts are firmly yours.
God, see these hands?
See these people now in the name ofJesus, strongly support them
according to your word,
God. Thank you.
Thank you for these.
Thank you for this time. We love you.
In your name I pray. Amen.
(45:54):
Listen,
it's good for us to bethis good to go through His Word.
His word is alive and active,sharpened to an end to a sword.
It recreatesus, his spirit, us through his word.
This is good, if you may.
If you prayed some prayer like that.
Jeff, David,and we'd love to talk with you.
To pray with you again. I'll be here.We'll be in the welcomes.
Just come talk to usand let us just pray specifically
(46:18):
if that'd be good.
If you just want to spend timepraying yourself,
there's a prayer in my backthere. Nobody's in it.
You just need a little bit oftime. Just a you and God to
stick her aheadand see if anybody needs some prayer.
And I know Bob and Jenniferwould love to pray with you too. And
anyway, don't let this moment
(46:38):
I love you.
It's good for us to be togetheron this week.
Now go through Romans eight againand then read Romans nine Romans.
We just there's four sections to Romanswrite God's wrath, God's grace,
God's plan, and God's will.
We just finish this,that God's the God's grace part.
Now we're going to get into God'splan in Romans nine.
(47:00):
And it gets really pretty deep.
And I'm going to actuallygeek out over this stuff.
So I hope you don't mind,but it's going to be fun.
And I want you to read,
try to get your minds ready for whatGod's going to reveal to us in Romans 911.
Okay,
I love you.
I'm proud of you fellas. One more song.
You guys doing a great job.
All of our band's up at camp. Yep.
(47:20):
You guys doing a great job.
We're running lean and lean.
This morning is good,
but I'm sure we're going to sing somethingabout Jesus and love.
You will be me.
We're going to go back a few years, right?
Stand up. Let's sing. Let's be happy.
Are any of you tired of that video yet?
Can you start saying the wordsahead of time?
You know, kind of whereit's going to be with us for a while.
You spent a couple monthsso far in the book of Romans,
and we're going to be, finishing,finishing out Romans eight this morning.
And so if you have a Bibleand brought one with you on a smart device
or whatever turned there, Romans eight,I'll give you a moment to get there.
(00:30):
And before we open that up,let me just give you a little bit of,
family businessas far as the church is concerned.
Kaylee Dubay has been serving
this church on staff for over four years.
And, hey, there's gone by fast for years.
And just this school year,
she accepted a full time positionat Stone Creek Elementary.
(00:52):
So for the past seven months,she's working full time there
and then still leading all thingschildren's ministry here.
To say that's a big taskis an understatement.
And she has been working very hardfor a very long time.
And I'm so proud of you. And I thank you.
You've done a great job.
(01:12):
You and Seanhave served together for a long time.
But what's happened?
Because as we grow,
we need to make a change.
And Kaylee and I have talked about this,and she's good with it.
But we're making a changeas far as Kaylee's role here to.
She won't be on paid staff as she hasbeen.
(01:32):
Michael Rondon, who has been our youthpastor, is moving into the position
of next gen ministry to oversee birththrough eighth grade
and to administrateand coordinate the whole thing.
And Kaylee is stepping asideas far as being a paid staff member.
Still lovesthe church, loves us, loves your kids,
(01:53):
and still involved,but in a way that allows her,
a little bit of breathing room in her.
I know you love her.
Say that again.
Jeff's in there. You. Absolutely.
So it's it's it's within.
And this needs to happen.
But also, it'sa little bit of a sad heart, too.
So after the service,just make sure you give Kaylee a hug.
(02:16):
Tell her you love her.
Thank her for all of her ministryand her years of service,
and we're going to celebrate her next weeka little bit as well.
But just want to let you knowthat ministry is still in good hands.
Okay.
It's still in really good handsand we're excited.
What God's doing?
But I didn't want this to happenwithout your knowledge.
I want you to be able to love herand celebrate her in that we're good.
Okay, Cathy. You good? Yeah.
(02:39):
All right.
Hey. Romans eight.
Before we were going to be in, verses29 through 39 today, but.
But I need to go back to verse28 to kind of set the stage for us.
We need to set the table before we eat.
So in setting the table, verse 28,and we know that
for those who love God,all things work together for good,
(03:02):
for those who are calledaccording to his purpose.
Here's what I know.
That's a promisefrom God that he is synergize all things
for good for those who love himand are called according to his purpose.
But here's the thing.
Our trust in that promise
will be based on our belief
(03:23):
of the character of God.
Our trust in that promise
is going to be the foundation of our trust
in that is going to be on what we believeto be the character of God.
If we don't trust the character of God,we will not trust the providence of God.
Do you understand?
Providence is God's way of working
(03:45):
within natural systemsto work out his good and perfect will.
Not. Miraculously,that's when he overrides those systems,
but providentially working within themto accomplish his good purpose and will
and our trustthat God is providentially working.
All things, synergizeall things providentially
(04:06):
for good is going to be based onhow much we trust his character.
If you don't trust his character,you don't trust his providence.
That makes sense to you, doesn't it?
Anytime we start to doubt
the providence of God,
it's really a statementthat we're starting to doubt his character
because we don't trust him.
(04:27):
And and so so all of this, these promises
to synergize all things together for good.
Our trust resides in the trustof his character, of his heart
and understanding what it is.
He is working all things togetherfor good for.
And that's what gets us to verse 29.
(04:49):
So because I trust his character,I'm going to believe this verse,
that he's synergize all things together
for those whom he for new.
He also predestined to become,to be conformed to the image of His son
in order that he might be the firstbornamongst many brothers.
So we're going to get into thisin a minute.
We're going to deal with some some issueshere that some people bicker about a lot.
(05:13):
But before we get there,I want you to understand
that verse 29 tells us that verse 28 says
he synergize all things together for goodand the good.
He synergize all things together foris to conform us to the image of Jesus.
See, we often think that because Godhas promised to work
(05:34):
all things together for good,it means our ease and our comfort.
That's how we translate good.
Like God's going to synergizethis pain for my pleasure.
God is going to synergizethis difficulty for my comfort.
God is going to synergizethis turmoil for my ease.
And that's not what God means by good.
(05:54):
What God means by goodis to conform us to the image of His Son.
We have to understand that
because if we think that God's going to
synergize, work together, all thingstogether for my ease and comfort.
How many of us can give testimonythat you know what?
Sometimes my life doesn'tturn out that way, right?
But through all things,
(06:15):
we can reflectthe image of Christ to the world.
Does that make sense?
That's the good God is working us towards
and synergize us towardso that we have to.
And so let's just let let's go back nowand put 29 and 30 together.
For those whom he foreknew,he also predestined to be conformed
(06:36):
to the image of His son,
in order that he might be the firstbornamong many brothers.
And those whom he predestinedhe also called, and those whom he called.
He also justifiedin the same jealous fire also glorified.
There's a
there's a lot of people
that want to sit downand talk about this whole idea
of predestination or free will, and that'swhat they get out of these verses.
(07:01):
Well, let's debateis it predestination or is it free will?
Does God predestined some to heavenor predestined some to hell?
If so, it doesn't seemlike people have much choice.
And there's others are like,you know, God just it's all free will.
You choose God?
And that's up to you. Listen,
let me explain to you
when Paul uses these words foreknowledge,
predestination, calling, justification.
(07:24):
Gloria Fication. Those are the biggies.
Yes, God for knows all things.
We call it omniscient, all knowing.
So God knows ahead of time
everybody who's going to respond to him.
You understand that?
(07:44):
Listen, here's the dealwe have to get this foreknowledge
does not necessarily imply content
or consent.
Foreknowledge is not imply consent.
You can know your kid's going to sneak outand be an idiot,
but does that mean you consent to it?
No. Okay, so
so foreknowledge doesn't necessarilyimply consent.
(08:06):
God has, for all he knows, all things,
and what he knows is what he has called.
He has predestined everybody.
Second Peter three ninethe Lord is not willing or not
slow to fulfill his promise,as some consider slowness, but is patient
towardyou and me, not wishing that any should
(08:26):
what he don't want anybody perish.
He doesn't predestined anybody to perish.
But all that all shouldwhat come to repentance?
So his predetermineddestination is repentance.
That's what he wants for everybody.
He, in his
foreknowledge, knows those who willand those who won't.
(08:47):
Just because he knows someone doesn't meanthat he consents to those who won't.
That's their choice.
So his foreknowledge knows all.
He is predestined.
Every person that's been created by himto live with him.
And though that is his predestined
(09:07):
destination,ultimately that's what he desires.
So then he calls.
Let's go back.
Those whom he predestined, he also called.
So he puts out the call to everyone
and calls them to respond.
Romans three.
Sorry.
Revelation 320 behold,I stand at the door and knock.
I'm calling.
(09:28):
I want you.
If you open the door and let me in.
We'll have fellowship.
So? So he knows who will and who won't.
His predetermined death desire is that we
all are a part of his familythrough faith.
He calls us to respond.
(09:50):
And those who respond, he justifies
for those who foreknow it predestinedto become the image of the son on earth.
Those might be the firstborn of his,of the brethren, of the brothers,
those who whom he predestined,he called, those he called and respond
with, or are justifiedwere made right with him
(10:11):
through faith by his grace,
not of our own doing.
And whoever he justifies, he,
he, he also has glorified. Now
God's know it foreknowledge knows whois going to open the door and who's not.
Who's going to reject that,
though he knows, doesn't mean
(10:33):
that he has determined solely.
He's determined thatthe desired destination is a relationship.
And so he callsand whoever opens the door of their free
will because God has initiated that,
he enters.
And because of what Jesus did on the crosshas justified made them right with God.
(10:55):
And whoever is justified through faithbecause of God's grace.
The Paul says, is is glorified.
Now the word of glorified meanscompletely made new.
It's the glorification that happenswhen we are with God in heaven.
All things new.
And Paul talks about itas if it's already happened.
(11:17):
Now listen, I have been justified
through Jesus with the father.
So God looks at me through faith becauseof his grace, as if I had never sinned.
Now Paul says, I am right now glorified.
Now here's my problem.
I looked in the mirror this morning.
And though he talks about me
as being glorified,I don't feel glorified.
(11:41):
Anybody else?
Yeah.
So why would he say that?
Here's why.
He says that because of who God is.
Let me just expand on who this God is.
God is what we call omnipresent.
God is.
God is.
(12:01):
So God get this that he'soutside the space time continuum.
If I can just blow your mind for a minute.
There was a time when time wasn't.
All of time exists within God.
He's bigger than time.
So if you can.
You understand. I'm saying,like there's a time when time was that.
You understand that?
(12:22):
No you don't. It's too big.I don't understand it either.
We understand the words,but we can't get our minds around that.
But because God is outsideof this space time continuum,
he talks about things that are inour future as if they've already happened.
Because for him, they have.
So he sees us.
He's already at that pointwhen we're glorified with him in heaven.
(12:44):
And so he talks about usas if you're in me through my son.
You're glorified. It's a done deal.
You don't have to hopethat happens one day.
It's a done deal.
And so that's what he's saying.
He said so listen, God is synergizeall things together
for the good so that you look like my sonbecause he's desired you.
(13:08):
He's called you.
You've opened the door.
You're right with me through my son.
And you stand now glorified before me.
It's amazing.
Definitely amazing.
No, a lot of people use these verses
to debate predestinationor for or free will.
(13:29):
Listen, I will never havethat conversation with you
because these passages are notabout the debate of predestination.
These verses are about the assuranceof culmination.
This is where it's headed.
It's not so that we can debate destinationor free will.
Listen.
If you could know,
(13:49):
there are some things in Scripturethat are just in tension with each other.
They're not in contradiction.Their intention.
And if
we could understand everythingthat's in tension in Scripture,
if we could understand all of thatabout God, God wouldn't be very majestic.
I'm comfortable living with the tensionthat is in Scripture
(14:09):
because it says to me, My God is so big.
Listen.
Any of you men who are married, can
you understand everything about your wife?
You know,
they give testimony.
We don't even understanda thing about a wife.
How can we thinkwe can understand everything about God?
There are things about Godthat cause tension.
(14:32):
Like I don't understand.
And personally,I'm comfortable living in that tension
because it just shows me. Here's the deal.
I can make a case from Scriptureand convince you
about predestinationthat God has chosen from the beginning
who will come to faithand who will not like.
It's his decision and it predestined.
(14:52):
I can make a biblical case from that.
I can also make a biblical case thatyou wouldn't be able to argue with that.
It's about our free will.
I can make a case for both biblically,
that's tension.
And I'm comfortable living in thattension, because what Scripture tells me
is not about the process,what Scripture tells me.
(15:12):
It's about the culmination.
Do you understand?
For you and I,
he is knocking on the door of your heart.
He's chosen you already,
but he knocks on the door.
He has chosen you.
But yet Jesus says, whoever will come,let him come.
(15:34):
So there's still the choice.
And that's the tension.
Watch what he says.
Where am I?
Verse 31.
What then shall we say to these things?
If God is for us, who can be against us?
Okay, so so what's your responseas he says, what's your response?
What are you gonna say?
(15:55):
Now, we don't knowexactly what Paul's talking about.
He could be talking to all of Romansup to this point.
He could be talking about.So what do you say now?
What is it now?
You deserve wrath.
But, Jesus, what do you say now?
He could be talking about everythingwe've talked about in the book of Romans.
Or he could just be talking about whatwe've talked about in in Romans eight.
(16:16):
And what do you say now?
Now there's no condemnationbecause of Jesus.
So what do you say about that?
What do you say now?
Now you've been adopted. All the rightsand privileges. A son is yours.
You're a career with Christ.What do you say?
What do you say now? Romans 828.
All things God synergize us for the goodso you'll look like Jesus.
What do you say about that?
That's what he could be talking about.Everything in Romans eight.
Or he could just be talkingabout this whole
(16:37):
foreknowledge, predestinationcall justification and glorification.
What do you say about that?
What he's doingis he's asking you for a response.
He's asking me for a responseno matter what it is.
He's.What do you think? What's your response?
And then he answers his own question.
If God is for us, who can be against us?
Now, a lot of people could be against us.
(17:01):
That's the answer.
Right.
If you ever had someone against you.
Do you have had someoneagainst your faith?
Have you ever had someone against the wayyou're trying to live?
There's a lot of people. Could be.
But the the question is not.
Well, nobody can be against it. Well done.
A lot of people could be against it,but who cares?
Who cares? That's the point of it.
(17:22):
Who cares who's against me? Why?
Because God's for me.
And God's alreadymade his declaration over me.
He loves me. He gave his son for me.
I'm right with him.
So your opinion. You.
Do youreally think I care about your opinion?
Like whenever I say stuff like that,my wife is like Carl.
(17:45):
Like, don't be mean.
You should care.
Sometimes,
I guess, but.
I'm not suggestingbe a jerk and don't care.
I'm not saying that.
But like, Paulis going to develop this further.
Like, as if God is for us. Who cares?
(18:05):
Verse 32, he who did not sparehis own son, but gave him up for us all,
how will he not also with himgraciously give us all things?
Listen, Paul's making both
a logical and a theological argument.
He's saying, If God gave you his son,
why would he hold anything elseback from you that you need?
(18:26):
Does that make sense?
He gave you his son,
so whywould he hold anything else from you?
Think about it like this.
The most expensive diamond in the world.
It's called the pink.
(18:47):
The pink lady.
Okay.The most pensive diamond in the world.
I think it's 52 carats, $72 million.
Can you imagine
it now?
Now, consider for a momentthe one who own that says to you.
There's just something about you.
And I so value you and treasure you.
(19:09):
I'm captivated by you.
I want to gift you this diamond
gives you that $72 million diamond,
and you're taking it back.
And think about it for a moment.
You're holding this diamond in your hand,
and you say the gift to the giftor of that diamond.
(19:30):
This is
some think
I don't want to carry it out of my pocket,though.
And I don't want to get all smudgy.
Can I have.
Will you give me a little black velvet?
You know, a little case to put it in.
Can you imagineafter they just gave you that diamond?
Can you imagine the saying?
(19:51):
What do you want me to give you for free?
A little baggie?
Are you kidding me?Who do you think you are?
Why would I just give that to you?
That makes no sense.
Why do we approach God that way?
He just gave us his son.
(20:11):
Why did we come before him and think.
Can can I bother you for something? No.
Like, could you at allsee it in your heart?
Do you understand?
He just.
Paul saying this is both logicaland theological.
(20:34):
Someone gave you his son.
God gave you his son.
Why would he keep anything else from you?
Now? Apparently,
we have the freedom
to ask the father for anything
(20:55):
because he didn't spare his own son.
And so, if you have a need,I will boldly tell you to ask.
Just ask.
Be bold in that.
And the reason I can be
so bold in telling you to be boldis because I know you're not asking me.
You're asking God.
If you're asking me for something,you better temper your ask.
(21:18):
Yeah.
Do you understand?
I will not give my son for you.
I won't get my bulldog for you.
I don't know that I'll give youmy sandwich, let alone you know.
And so you can ask God boldly.
But in your ask, you trust his character,
and you know that his answer to your ask
(21:41):
is going to be in line with what energizesyou into the image of Jesus.
So sometimes that ask will be in linewith his synergy to make you like Jesus.
And he will say, absolutely.
Thank you for trusting me and asking.
And other times you will say no
because to say no
is works a greatergood of the image of His Son in you.
(22:05):
Do you follow?
So ask.
The verse to leave off,
and I don't remember.
He didn't say, okay, so look at verse 33.
So who shall bring any chargeagainst God's elect?
It's God who justifies.
(22:26):
Verse 34, who is to condemn Christ?
Jesus is the one who died.
And more than that was also raised.
He was at the right hand of God,who in is indeed is interceding for us.
He says, lookwho's going to bring a charge against us.
Well, like we just said, a lot of people.
Anybody can bring a charge.
So for me,
(22:47):
you know,
the uniqueness of the charges against me
are pretty significantbecause here's the deal.
I have this role as pastor,
and people have brought a
lot of chargesbecause they don't agree with my faith.
You understand?
It's a lot of church hurt out there,a lot of religious people out there,
a lot of non-religious people out therewho would make charges.
(23:09):
Okay, I get it.
But not only as a pastor.
I'm also a high school coach.
And anybody who coaches the high schoolunderstands
they're going to be a lot of people
like players, moms.
It's like, just,
like.
(23:31):
You could never please anybody,
you know, like as a pastor or a coach,right?
Eric?
Is the point is, nobody'sgoing to make a charge.
This is a legal term. Par sock. Right.
And he says, who'sgoing to sustain a charge?
You cannot.
So you can make a charge against Godand against his people.
(23:53):
You can make it.
Anybody can make a charge.
Anybody could file a claim.
But can you sustain it in court?
Not even a little bit.
Who'sgoing to sustain a charge against God?
Go ahead and try.
And God has made his declaration about mespiritually.
You want to make a charge against mespiritually?
God's always made his declaration.
You can't sustain a charge against me.
(24:15):
So your opinion, Paul says,I'm not saying this.
I'm not being mean right now.
Like my wife would say.
I'm being like, so you're
what's the old adagethe lion doesn't care about the opinion
of the sheep?
Who's going
to sustain the charge against God?
It's Jesus who died and who was raisedand who is,
(24:38):
who is at the right hand of Godinterceding
for us like right now,
the son Jesus is standingbetween you and the father,
and Jesus is pleading your case
to him, to the father right now.
He's interceding for he'spleading on your behalf.
Can you imagine?
(24:59):
Now, I love the opportunityto pray with you and for you.
And there's a group of usthat meet at first Tuesday of every month
that pray over the needs of you.
If you let us know, and your church,it would be so much more power
if you were to come and pray with usfor you and your church.
But we stand and we love that.
(25:24):
But can you imagine Jesus himself
interceding for you?
How much likeyou don't need me to go to God.
You don't need a priest.
You don't need a saint, a patronsaint for any of that stuff.
You can go to Godbecause the son is interceding for you.
(25:45):
And why do we need the sonto make intercession for us?
Because we have an accuser against us.
Revelation 12 verse ten.
And I heard a loud voice
in heaven saying,now the salvation and the power,
and the kingdom of our Godand the authority of his Christ have come.
(26:08):
For the accuser of our brothershas been thrown down,
who accuses them day and night before God.
The reason we need an intercessorbefore God other than us, who is Jesus,
is because we have the devil against us,who stands before the father day
and night saying stuff like this
God, you know,
(26:29):
you know what Carl did?
You know what a failure he is.
You know what a sinner he is.
You know, he still struggles with,you know, he's still messed up.
You know,
you can't
you shouldn't move on his behalf.
You should be offended at him.
You should be disappointed at him.
(26:52):
You should have discouragementin your heart because that's the guy
you chose.
Are you kidding me?
That's what the devil does day and night.
And in the midst of that, Jesus like.
Father,
see Carl through me
and so well, the devil makesall these accusations day and night.
(27:14):
God the father goes,la la la la la la la la la la.
Shut up!
I don't pay attentionto the thing you say.
Jesus is there interceding.
No, father.
Now I covered him, remember,I covered him, I covered him.
You got some else to say?I covered that to.
Do you understand?
(27:36):
That's why
you can approach his throne of gracewith confidence.
Because we know that will receive graceand mercy to help us in our time of need.
Scripture says
interceding for us.
And so, Paul, in a summary statement,
he wraps this thing up with this who
who shall separate usfrom the love of Christ?
(27:57):
Shall tribulation,or distress, or persecution, or famine,
or nakedness, or danger or sword?
He says, who'sgoing to separate us from his love?
And then he listsseven things that are pretty bad things.
He lists seven things that would makethe ordinary person question God's love.
If you've
ever lived in the seasons of troublesand tribulations
(28:18):
and distress and persecution and famineand want and need
and nakedness and danger and peril,if you've ever lived in those seasons,
at some pointprobably we've asked God why,
if you love me, why do you allow this?
If you love me, why did you let my family,my wife, my child?
If you love me, why right?
(28:41):
So Pauldoesn't say these things won't come.
He says just when they come.
Don't let these things make you questionGod's love.
Because he gave you his son,and he synergize even those things
to make you in the image of his son,
who suffered.
So when you and I go through theseseven very terrible things,
(29:04):
we have confidence in God's character
that he synergizeeven those things to make us into
the image of his son,so that when we go through those things,
the question we ask ourselvesis, I'm going through trouble right now?
Is my responsethat trouble look like Jesus
as a response to his troubles?
(29:26):
I am really hurt by people.
Does my response in the midst of that hurtlook like Jesus's response
when he was hurt by people?
Where in scripture do we read that
Jesus got so stressed and angryhe just couldn't sleep at night?
Where do we read the Scripture?
Where he laid his head on his pillowand was still haunted by the injustice
(29:50):
that was done?
Where do we read in Scripturewhere he just lost his mind
over what God would allow?
We don't.
And so Romans 828, for
we know that God is centralizingall things to make us look like Jesus.
And sometimes we all gothrough tribulation
(30:11):
and distress and persecution, or famine,or nakedness and danger and sword,
because God synergizeall those things to give us
the opportunityto look like Jesus in this world.
It doesn't mean he makes thingsgood and easy.
It means he makes us look like his Sonand our responsibility,
and is to trust the character of God
(30:31):
and in those moments, respond like Jesus,
dare I say in those moments to post
like Jesus.
You follow. You.
How in the world is this possible?
(30:52):
I mean, does this sound like ourour normal modus operandi?
Is this is this how we normallyrespond when stuff happens?
Okay, I'll go on.
Verse 36 and 37
for your as it is written for your sake,we're being killed all day long.
We are.We are like sheep to be slaughtered.
That's a direct quote from Psalm. 4422.
(31:13):
And I don't have time to get into that.
But you Bible studentsmight want to dive into that psalm.
It's profound.
It says no.
And all these things were morethan conquerors through him who loved us.
How do you how do you respond?
Like how do you
how do you embody the image of Christ forthe wounded going through all this stuff?
And Paul says, we can't, butbut in Christ we're more than conquerors.
And this is a profound statement
(31:34):
that Paul has just madeabout being more than a conqueror.
Here's why.
When he uses
this, this whole idea more than conquerors
is this Greek word that he kind of putsa couple Greek words together.
Harbor Nick.
Oh, two different words.
This is what they mean.
The word hypohyper means super or more than Nick.
(31:59):
Oh, is that from the Greek god Nike,
which means conqueror?
And so he puts these two together.
He says, you're just not a conqueror.
You are a super conqueror.
You're just not a conqueror.
You're a hyper conqueror.
Like, here's how you know the difference.
A conqueror gets through the battle,
(32:20):
realizesthey've won, and rejoices in the victory.
I'm a conqueror, a hyper conqueror,a super conquer.
Paul says you're more than conquerorsis one who knows ahead of time.
They're already a conqueror, andthey rejoice in the midst of the battle.
Do you understand the difference?
Most of us live life.
We're in these troubles and difficulty,the trials and tribulations,
(32:41):
and we think, God, get me out of this.Get me through it.
And when God does one,we're a little bit surprised at a word.
And two, we're like,oh yes, now I'm a conqueror.
And the super conquers, say Godin the midst of it before you do a thing.
I am already a hyper conqueror.
I will rejoice in the battle.
(33:01):
Again, stand.
Most of us have decidedI want to live as a conqueror.
Because I want God to fix.
Paul says that is not whowe are in Christ.
We are hyper conquerorsin the midst of it.
Has that been your experience?
If not, as they say,
(33:23):
we're leaving money on the table.
Let me put it to you in terms of cards
in the car world, a conqueror is one
who can get us from point A to point BI I'm on this journey.
I'm on traveling.I need to get from point A to point B.
You can do thatin a lot of different cars.
For instance,you could do that in a Chevy Spark,
(33:45):
get you to point A to point B,you conquered the journey.
Good for you.
You you used all of your 84
horsepower to do it.
Did you make it
through?
Probably not
with a lot of confidenceor speed or elegance, but.
And isn't thathow we go through difficulties sometimes?
God, I justI just want to get to the end of this,
(34:08):
and you just putt along
and you just plod along like, man,
I hope the engine.
That's a conqueror.
You know what the super conqueror is?
The Hennessey Venom F5,
only 24 made.
$7 million or so.
(34:32):
The Hennessey Venom F5 6.6l twin turbo V8.
I wrote it down 1817 horsepower,
speed of 311 miles an hour.
That's a super conquer,
you understand
something? Most people have come to Jesus
and they just leave it aas a as a Chevy Spark.
(34:55):
And they got these hills,they got to climb and they just plugged
along, praying that the engine didn'tgive out in their own road back down hill.
And when they make it to the top,they're like, whoo
hoo, boy,I don't ever want to do that again.
Oh, you're a conqueror.
I guess you made it. Is that really it?
When Paul says you're not a Chevy Spark?
You're a Hennessey Venom F5.
(35:18):
You got 1850 horsepower under the hood.
You don't go 311 miles an hour.
You can make it up the hilland then another one after that.
With no problem.
You get to the end destinationnot just making it,
but making it with power and speedand style.
Like, that's a super conqueror.
And my fear is that somany of us have settled
(35:40):
for a Chevy Spark faith
and never embraced the Hennessey Venom F5.
Faith.
I want to make it to the end,but I want to make it to the end
knowing that as I go through it,I got power to spare.
What am I worried about right now?
In the troubleand distress and difficulty?
(36:01):
What am I worrying right nowabout your opinion?
About the world's opinion about me?What am I worried, right?
I got strength to spare.
I'm a hyper super more than conqueror.
In the midst of it, I'm going to rejoicebecause I know it's already done.
Thank you. Understand what I'm saying?
And my fear is that we've settledfor a Chevy Spark faith.
(36:25):
God, I know you gave Jesus
for me and I'm thankful for forgiveness.
Could you please see it within your good
heart to maybe
I just want to make.
(36:45):
As your Christian experience,
as your faith has been, has your life,maybe you're separated from Christ.
You don't even have a Chevy Spark.
Has it looked and feltmore like a Chevy Spark existence
than a Hennessy Venom F5?
Do you realize what you've been called to
and gifted?
(37:12):
David, don't say anything else about this.
You're in the first serviceI'm seeing. You must.
Don't miss something.
I think I got it.
What he says.
Verse 38.
For I am sure that neither death,nor life, nor angels, nor rulers,
nor things present, nor things to come,nor powers, nor height,
nor depth, nor anything else,all creation will be able to separate
(37:33):
us from the love of Godthat is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Who have been adopted by God.
I'm a coworker with Christ,and nothing going to separate
from his love.
I'm a I'm not just I'm a super conquerors.
(37:55):
Nothing are going to separate mefrom his love.
I go back to verse one now.
There's no condemnation.
There's no failure in my lifethat's going to separate me from his love.
I'll go back to verse 15.
I've been adopted by God.
I'm forever loved as his child knows.
I'm going to separate him from that love.
I go to verse 28,
(38:17):
God is synergize in all things togetherso that I'll look like his son.
He's not going to abandon me now.
There'snothing will separate me from his love.
I go to verse 30 and 39, death.
That's not going to separate me.
Separate me from hislove. I've got eternal life,
rulers and authorities and powers
and he's talking about the forces of helland Satan himself.
They're not going to separate mefrom them.
(38:38):
So they've already been conqueredand defeated.
No charge they bring against me can stand.
No createdthing will ever separate me from his love.
Jesus proved it on the cross.
Romans five eightGod shows his love for us in this.
While we were still sinners,Christ died for us.
Nothing's going to separate me from that.
And this is all accessed through faithby his grace.
(38:59):
For by graceyou've been saved through faith.
This not of yourselves.
It's not your own doing.
It's the gift of God,not the result of works.
Nobody can brag about it.
God initiated Augustine that God did it.
We just respond to receive it.
Can you imagine this?
Hennessey.
Venom F5. Faith,
(39:22):
strength and power to spare.
Not because you deserve it.Not because I deserve it.
Not because we weren't just,but because of God's grace.
His love is so profound.
And so that's what drives me backto where I started this whole thing.
Grace really is greater than anythingyou want to put in a blank.
It's the free gift of God.
(39:42):
And if this isn't
your experience, that's not God's fault.
It's the free gift.
Through faith, by grace.
And this great thank you, Lord.
That's all I can say is thank you, Lord.
And so, my dear friends,
if this has not been reflectiveof the faith that you live with,
(40:07):
why not?
A complete transformation
of who I am, of who you are,
is available to us
freely
through faith,
(40:28):
because of God and by his grace.
And I invite you.
It's not my invitation.
Is Jesus's invitation into a super hyper
conquerer faith
because of who Jesus is.
And so
I invite you.
(40:49):
Let's pray. And.
If what we've talked about
has not been your experience,
I want to offer you the invitation
that Jesus has offered.
To be made new,
(41:10):
fully understand this
what I'm saying fully and completely new.
To allow yourselfto be conformed into the image
of the Son Jesus.
And to receive, by God's grace, freely,
a super hyper conquering faith.
(41:35):
Towards that end,
I invite you in this moment in prayer
to say, God,
I'm realizing what it is
I am and you are.
I am weak,
(41:56):
I fail.
And I've just been surviving.
And I want more.
I acknowledge who you are,
and I accept who you are
to be the God and the leader of my life.
(42:22):
I confess my sin to you.
Jesus.
I accept what you did for me on the cross.
And I receive
through faith, by grace
a right standing before you.
(42:42):
Father
and I receive the gift
of a hyper super conqueror faith no longer
do I want to live as Chevy Spark.
Life.
I want to be a super conqueror
(43:05):
that rejoices in the battle.
Because I'm being made
into the image of your son,
tell him I trust your character. God,
because I know you love me.
(43:25):
The Bible says,keep your eyes close to me.
Just be in prayer.
The Bible says that God looks toand fro about the earth
for those whose hearts are firmly his,that he may strongly support them.
He's looking for you right now.
His name is called Elroy,the God who sees.
(43:46):
He's looking for us right now.
To solidify
your commitment, not just in your heart,
but to solidify that commitment.
So I can pray with you.
So, Jeff. So David can.
Would you just. I'm going to pray over youspecially.
Just a minute.
(44:07):
Would you just raise up your hand and say,I prayed that prayer.
I want to be a super conqueror.
I want what God offers me.
Thank you. Good. Just keep it up for me.A pray over your hand.
I'm gonna pray over.You're raising your hand.
Thank you.
Good for you,good for you, good for you, good for you.
Just keep them. Keep them. Let me see.
This isn't for me.
It's for you.I just want you to solidify this.
(44:27):
I want you to allow me the opportunity,the privilege to put.
Thank you.
Good good good good good.
There you go. Thank you.
Just keep your hands off themand just let me just receive
this prayer, agree with me and prayyou guys with your hands. It.
Father,I thank you for these with their hands up
that their body is representingthe position of their heart.
They want you.
(44:48):
They want to receive all you have.
Thank you that it's not contingentupon what we've done about what they do,
but just and receiving every great showin the name of Jesus right now.
Do what you said you would do.
I pray a measure of your gracethat is so profound
and so unknown to them, that it wouldwow them with who you are,
that they would receive it as a free gift.
(45:10):
This hyper conqueror of faith,
that they would be allowedto be the image of you in this world.
That they would feel your presencein such a mighty way, such a profound way.
Father, that they would be so overwhelmedand impressed with you,
so grateful
for what you've done in their livesand for them that they would walk and move
and think and respondand be hyper conquerors in this world.
(45:33):
That is your desire.
You said that you're looking for peopleright now whose hearts are firmly yours.
God, see these hands?
See these people now in the name ofJesus, strongly support them
according to your word,
God. Thank you.
Thank you for these.
Thank you for this time. We love you.
In your name I pray. Amen.
(45:54):
Listen,
it's good for us to bethis good to go through His Word.
His word is alive and active,sharpened to an end to a sword.
It recreatesus, his spirit, us through his word.
This is good, if you may.
If you prayed some prayer like that.
Jeff, David,and we'd love to talk with you.
To pray with you again. I'll be here.We'll be in the welcomes.
Just come talk to usand let us just pray specifically
(46:18):
if that'd be good.
If you just want to spend timepraying yourself,
there's a prayer in my backthere. Nobody's in it.
You just need a little bit oftime. Just a you and God to
stick her aheadand see if anybody needs some prayer.
And I know Bob and Jenniferwould love to pray with you too. And
anyway, don't let this moment
(46:38):
I love you.
It's good for us to be togetheron this week.
Now go through Romans eight againand then read Romans nine Romans.
We just there's four sections to Romanswrite God's wrath, God's grace,
God's plan, and God's will.
We just finish this,that God's the God's grace part.
Now we're going to get into God'splan in Romans nine.
(47:00):
And it gets really pretty deep.
And I'm going to actuallygeek out over this stuff.
So I hope you don't mind,but it's going to be fun.
And I want you to read,
try to get your minds ready for whatGod's going to reveal to us in Romans 911.
Okay,
I love you.
I'm proud of you fellas. One more song.
You guys doing a great job.
All of our band's up at camp. Yep.
(47:20):
You guys doing a great job.
We're running lean and lean.
This morning is good,
but I'm sure we're going to sing somethingabout Jesus and love.
You will be me.
We're going to go back a few years, right?
Stand up. Let's sing. Let's be happy.
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