Series: God In Us Part 4: Trust God’s Loving Process
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Sermon Text: Romans 8:26-39
Supplemental Texts: Psalm 119:129-136, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
SLC Preacher: Josh Kleinfeld
The parables of the mustard seed, yeast, pearl and treasure in Matthew 13:31-33, 44-46 remind us that the message of Jesus is…
Small but mighty
Tiny but spreads
Worth selling everything for
As we continue Romans 8, let’s recognize that…
God’s will is that we be conformed to the image of His Son.
Salvation is more than a singular moment, but a process of moments of transformation.
Prayer is an essential result and part of God’s Loving Salvation Process.
ROMANS 8:26-39
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He 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? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. 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. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither 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.
God’s Loving Process
Those God foreknew he also predestined
Those he predestined, he also called
Those he called, he also justified
Those he justified, he also glorified.
2. Worldly Circumstances
Brokenness and pain in the world
Weakness in me
3. “What Shall We Say In Response to These Things?”
Are we going to focus on the difficulties?
Are we going to focus on God’s loving process?
The Golden Triangle of Spiritual Formation (adapted from Dallas Willard’s Divine Conspiracy)
One Suggestion to Live Out Jesus’ Way of Love: Develop a Daily Prayer
Buddy Robinson had a bold daily prayer:
"O Lord, give me a backbone as big as a sawlog,
and ribs like sleepers under the church floor.
Put iron shoes on me and galvanized breeches,
and hang a wagon- load of determination
in the gable end of my soul.
And help me to sign the contract
to fight the devil as long as I have a vision,
and bite him as long as I have a tooth,
and then gum him till I die!
All this I ask for Christ's sake...
Amen!"
Shape your own daily prayer around these questions:
What about God’s Loving Process do you want to center your mind on?
What are your worldly circumstances where you need guidance (family, vocation, neighbor obligations, etc)? What are your personal weaknesses where you need help?
What is your plan to live out God’s love in those circumstances and weaknesses?
Memory Verse:
“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”
Romans 8:11
Message Reflection Questions
Read Romans 8:11. Take two minutes to silently repeat this verse in prayer.
How would you describe your prayer life? Is it consistent, fulfilling, helpful? Is it sparse, confusing, frustrating?
What do we learn about prayer in Romans 8:26-39?
What do we learn about God’s love in these verses?
Real Talk: How can God be loving and powerful, but allow all the circumstances listed in verses 35-39?
Testimony Time: When you face the difficulties in life, what helps you keep your mind on Christ and respond with His love?
Look over those verses again: which verse could you use to help you keep your mind on Christ?
Confession Time: In what difficulties are you having a hard time responding with or remembering the love of Jesus?
Prayer Time: Bring those difficulties to God together. Also pray for others facing the difficulties that Paul lists (in our community, country and around the world).
Daily Readings
From June 4 — September 17, we’ll be exploring the good news that God is for us, in us and with us. Take the learning home with you and read Romans by yourself or with others. You can download the whole plan at www.stillnaz.com/pray.
As you follow the plan, consider these questions:
What does this text say God does "for" or "in" or "with" us?
What does this text invite me to be or do?
Who can I share this with?
Day 1: Romans 9:1-5, Genesis 18:10-15
Day 2: Romans 9:6-13, Genesis 21:8-13
Day 3: Romans 9:14-18, Exodus 33:18-23
Day 4: Romans 9:19-29, Hosea 2:21-23
Day 5: Romans 9:30-33, Hebrews 11:4-7
NEED PRAYER?
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WANT TO JOIN A SMALL GROUP?
We’d love to connect you with a group of people exploring what it means to follow Jesus together. Find out more info at www.stillnaz.com/discipleship.