The Impenetrable Love of God.

Prayer is essential for physical protection and spiritual safety (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2). Our safety is not to be taken for granted. We have been investigating layers of spiritual protection from Romans 8 for those who are in Christ. Verses 33-34 ask two more questions without an immediate answer.

Tonight we begin a series on the Incarnation of Christ.
The unexpected and unaccepted Announcement of Christ

The Impenetrable Love of God.

We continue to study the hymn of security and assurance in Romans 8:31-39.

How do we deal with the real presence of fear in our lives?

Should believers still struggle with fear? What purpose does fear play in our life? How should we handle fear when it creeps in? What a relief to know that both David and Paul feared at times, as we see in Romans and Psalms. Part of God's work in our lives is allowing circumstances that cause fear.

Tonight we see the full extent of God’s power in Providence.

The Impenetrable Love of God.

In a time when our news is dominated by natural disasters and tragedies of all kinds, the glorious conclusion of Romans 8 is a comfort to our souls. This passage has been called a Christian hymn of security and assurance by many. Singing God's Word brings assurance and security to our hearts no matter what the circumstances may be.

Our Security in God’s Eternal Purpose.

Romans 8:28-30 is a text of comfort and reassurance along with the entire chapter of Romans 8. In these verses, we find:

• Our Ultimate Purpose
• God's Supreme Plan
• Our Pursuit

All these are discovered in the light of being in Christ.

Embracing Our Omnipotent Support in Knowing and Doing the Will of God.

A desire to do God's will is another assurance for a child of God.

God’s divine providence compels us to obedience.

If God is providentially in control of all things working out everything to the end of keeping His promises, then what part to I play? What does providence expect of me?

Embracing Our Omnipotent Support in Knowing and Doing the Will of God.

Romans 8:26 is another often-quoted verse from this chapter. Remember that its truth must be understood in the context of the spiritual security and assurance of the believer.

Lessons in Spiritual Security Taught by Creation.

Romans 8:19-25 offers Christians encouragement from Creation. The non-rational created order has a message for us in the context of the believer's assurance of spiritual security in Jesus Christ.

Haman Is a Threat to God's Promises.

God’s providential power is precise and personal; it is, therefore, the cornerstone for faith in the church age! For Esther, there were no miracles forthcoming. In this book, the Holy Spirit labors hard at weaning faith off the milk of miracle and on to the meat of God’s providential power. God’s providential power is comprehensive, yet the question may linger as to how precise and personal it can really be? Miracles are reassuring because they are incredibly precise and personal. We will see that God’s providential power is as precise and personal as it is comprehensive, and therefore must be the cornerstone for your faith as a believer.

Our Incomparable Glory, Part 2.

Last week, we discussed our personal approach and perspective in suffering. Now we will consider our prize, a glory that is beyond our comprehension.

God’s rich providential work is the appropriate building block for your faith in the church age.

Is this world spinning out of control? The book of Esther (along with Daniel, Nehemiah, and the story of Joseph) foreshadows the church age. They all take place when God’s people live in minority status in civilizations that are hostile to God’s authority. The author of Esther masterfully demonstrates that God’s providential work is up to the task of keeping his promises. Miracles are not the norm currently. They were at times and will be again in God’s economy. For now, however, we rest upon God’s rich providential care. God’s powerful operation of providence working in and through human agency and natural law to bring about His good pleasure is nothing short of breathtaking in the book of Esther.

Our Incomparable Glory.

The next portion of Romans 8 compares temporary suffering to eternal glory. All Christians experience suffering in varying degrees: Some faithfully serve despite chronic illness; others grieve over a straying child, unsaved spouse or parent; some persevere after losing a faithful spouse; and many are waiting to see friends they love come to Christ.

The Spirit of Adoption, Part 2.

At his death in 1902, Cecil Rhodes left 6 million pounds to Oxford University to establish the Rhodes scholarships. As great as a material inheritance can be, Christians value a spiritual heritage more than any earthly treasures (Colossians 3:1-2). The Holy Spirit ensures countless resources for the believer as a result of our adoption.

The Spirit of Adoption.

Romans 8:14-17 describes how God comes to our aid in our greatest time of spiritual need. These verses come in the midst of a passage describing the activities of the Godhead, specifically in keeping the believer eternally secure. The Holy Spirit's activities of giving life and now of adoption give great solace, comfort, and peace in times of personal loss. At every time, we are being kept safe by God.

Glorious Life in the Spirit.

Human history is filled with stories of empires that attempted to rule as much territory as possible. It is part of our fallen nature to want to rule the world. Romans 5 told us that we used to be ruled by sin, but salvation changes the ruler of our lives. We are now governed by the life-giving Spirit of God.

No Condemnation: Our Eternal Standing in Christ.

Christian parents often tell their children, "There is nothing you can do to change my love for you." How much greater is God's infinite love! There is nothing we can do to change God's love for us. God the Father keeps us eternally secure in Jesus Christ, omnipotently held by the Holy Spirit. These truths provide hope for us throughout this earthly journey regardless of our circumstances.