START CONVERESATION
If you were in a witness protection program, what would be your new name and where would you go? (Innocent McNobody or Gerald Fingerpointer)
Would You Rather Never Use Social Media Sites/Apps Again or Never Watch Another Movie/TV Show?
START TALKING
Today we finish our journey into Romans Chapter 8. It is a chapter that I called the Mt. Everest of Biblical revelation. We have climbed to the pinnacle and found Romans 8:28, “We know, in fact, that God works all things together for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.” This evening come face to face with a “pinnacle point” promise. Romans 8:31, “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Believer, there may be days that you fall flat on your face. And while you are there you feel old and beaten and done in. We have the promise that God’s love is changeless. All the music may go out of our lives and our private world may shatter to pieces. Even so, “we know, in fact” God will hold us in the palm of His steady hand. No turn in the affairs of our fractured lives can ever baffle God. Satan with all his braggadocio cannot distract us. Nothing can separate us from God’s measureless love–pain can’t, disappointment can’t, anguish can’t. Yesterday, today, tomorrow can’t. The loss of my dearest love can’t. Death can’t. Life can’t. Riots, wars, insanity, un-identity, hunger, neurosis, disease–none of these things nor all of them heaped together can budge the fact that we are dearly loved, completely forgiven, and forever free through Jesus Christ our beloved Son. What a great promise for the “co-heirs…the children of God.” Romans 8:28-39 [Delbert R. Terry Translation ????]
“Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines, let’s finish the race, let’s keep the faith, let’s fight a good fight’” (2nd Timothy 4:7). Put on your armor, grab your sword, and let’s get ready to rumble (Ephesians 6). We are “more than conquerors” (Romans 8:31) so let’s “fight from victory NOT for victory” (Colossians 2:15).
If you could just grasp what God is trying to say to you about his love for you, you’d immediately throw your car into gear. You’d shout “let’s roll” with joy! You might even do like David and dance before the Lord. It’s okay. When you understand how much God does love you, your walk has no limits.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
The goal of the study of Romans 8 has been to assist the believer into recognizing who they are “in Christ”. The natural question to begin tonight’s discussion is this: Do you know who you are “in Christ”? And what does it mean to be “in Christ”?
1. We Drive FROM Victory, not FOR Victory
31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He, who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ROMANS 8:31-32
QUESTION ONE: WHO CAN OPPOSE US?
Answer: Many try, but God is for us!
Bible says we have enemies: The world, the flesh and the devil. It also says “resist the devil and he will flee” (James 4:7). There are going to be many people who try to oppose us, but the GOOD NEWS… GOD IS FOR US. That means you and I do not have to fear. We never have to be afraid of anything the world, the flesh or the devil can throw at us! Psalms 27:1, “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear. The Lord is the stronghold of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?”
Whatever you walk into tomorrow, whatever you walk into this next week, you do not have to be afraid, because God is for you! Never fear when God is near.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
God Is for Us (8:31-32) So what can we say about all that God has done for us? What can we say about the privileged position in which we stand?
How does the Lord prove to us in that He really is for us, that is, on our side (Romans 8:32)?
2. We Operate from Liberty (Freedom)
33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ROMANS 8:33
QUESTION TWO: WHO CAN ACCUSE US?
Answer: Satan accuses, but God excuses!
The very name Satan in Hebrew means slanderer. Satan is our accuser. In fact, look at what the Bible says in Revelation 12:10, “For the accuser [Satan] of our brothers who accuses them before our God day and night has been hurled down.” Now, that’s in Revelation, 12. So many people think Satan is down in Hell right now with long red underwear with a pointed tail and horns, with a pitchfork shoveling coal. No! Satan is not in Hell. One day he will be cast into the bottomless pit forever. But now he has access to all of us on earth. “He (Satan) like a roaring lion, prowls seeking who he may devour” (1st Peter 5:8).
He accuses us, but God has said, “I forgive you. I have justified you. You are pardoned.” Isaiah, 43:25 says, “God has blotted out our transgressions and he remembers them no more.” This is what is happening for those of us who have been redeemed, who have been justified. Who can accuse us? Satan tries and he does, but God forgives and there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ” (Romans 8:1)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
How does Satan bring charges against God’s people?
3. We Serve with a Copilot
34Who it he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:34
QUESTION THREE: WHO CAN CONDEMN US?
Answer: No One!
The Bible says, “Who can condemn us?” Well, Jesus could, BUT for those of us who are in Christ, he is not condemning us, instead he is praying for us. You are either in Christ or you’re out of Christ. I’m glad I got an advocate with the Father this evening! Come to Jesus! He will be your advocate!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
How do you remind yourself of what God has done in your fearful moments?
4. We Celebrate with Love
35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37No, in all these things we are MORE THAN CONQUERORS through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
QUESTION FOUR: WHO CAN SEPARATE US?
Answer: Nothing and Nobody
Jesus’ love is not broken by emotional factors. Verse 35 mentions “trouble or hardship.” Trouble means “inner pressure.” Hardship means “outer pressure.” It’s like saying we are caught between a rock and a hard place. The Bible says even the worst of pressures cannot separate us from God’s love. Physical pain cannot separate us from God’s love. There are earthly factors and eternal factors (angels nor demons). Verse 39 says, “anything else in all creation.” It means other created things that don’t fit into these categories. If aliens invaded Earth, that can’t separate you from God’s love. With those great promises, I say again, “Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s time to start your engines. Let’s Roll!”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
How can a believer be “more than a conqueror” when it feels like we’re in the minority? (Romans 8:37)?
START PRAYING
Father, thank You for wanting a relationship with us. Please help us to grow closer to You. We want to experience Your presence, understand Your Word, and be a part of Your Church. In Jesus’ name, Amen
