Fearless in Times of Trouble

LifePoint Church Chicopee

Text: Rom 8:18-30

Summary: There is nothing that God cannot and will not use for your good and His glory!

Review:

Wk 1 Rom 8:1-5 The struggle is Real, BUT so is the Victory

Wk 2 Rom 8:6-17 We are free to Be. It’s not merely what I’m free from BUT it’s what I’m free to.

Romans 8:18-30

1. God is doing something greater than we often see, feel and understand. V 18-25

A. Life has sufferings (plural). V 18.

Romans 8:18 (ESV) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Philippians 1:29 (ESV) For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,

Philippians 3:8 (ESV) Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

Philippians 3:10 (ESV)that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

4 Sources of suffering:

The brokenness of the world

The actions of others

Our adversary the devil

My own sinfulness

B. We answer suffering with godly hope!

Romans 8:24–25 (ESV)For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Colossians 1:27 (ESV)To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

2 Corinthians 1:6 (ESV)6If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.

2. God will use all things for my good right now. V 26-30

Romans 8:28–29 (ESV)And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

So what do I do today?

1. Stay faithful to my walk with God.

1 Peter 4:19 (ESV)Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

2. Live in faithful obedience to the revealed will of God.

John 17:16–18 (ESV)They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.

3. Go beyond the why!