This week, Pastor Chris continued in our Romans series with a message about being secure in God’s love. The love of God is abounding and dependable, different from human love. If we are not careful, we can project our experiences with human love onto God, leading to a deceived and defeated life. With the Lord’s help we can tear down any wrong view of God’s love and start living as an overcomer in Christ.
1. Christ Is Our Advocate
Romans 8:31–34 (ESV)
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
Five Questions
1. What then shall we say to these things?
James 1:22–24 (ESV)
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
2. If God is for us, who can be against us?
3. He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
4. Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect?
Revelation 12:10 (ESV)
And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
Zechariah 3:1 (ESV)
Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.
Zechariah 3:2 (ESV)
And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?”
“If you’re making your enemies angry, you’re doing a good job.”
- Who is to condemn?
1 John 3:20 (ESV)
for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.
“Who can successfully accuse someone whom God has declared righteous?” John MacArthur
Four reasons Christians can never be found guilty…
1) Christ’s death.
2) His resurrection.
3) His exalted position.
4) His continual intercession for them.
1 John 2:1 (ESV)
But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
1 John 1:9 (ESV)
he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2. We Are More Than Conquerors in Christ
Romans 8:35a (ESV)
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
1 John 4:8 (ESV)
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 3:1a (ESV)
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Jeremiah 31:3b (ESV)
I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
Romans 8:35 (ESV)
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
Matthew 5:10–12 (ESV)
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Romans 8:36-37 (ESV)
As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 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 in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
3. Nothing Will Separate Us from the Love of God
Romans 8:38–39 (ESV)
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Colossians 2:15 (ESV)
He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Discussion Questions:
- Have you ever called God’s love into question? Did your life circumstances at the time play into those thoughts and if so, how?
- If the enemy can’t take us overtly, he’ll come in slyly often using our failures or mistakes to taunt us. Have you ever experienced this, and how could the message in Romans 8 help you fight the enemy next time?
- Nothing can separate us from the love of God! How does this change or challenge the way you walk through life’s trials?
- How can you apply the message of Romans 8 to comfort and guide others in their faith journey?
Application Questions:
- Pastor Chris talked about how sometimes we try to convince God that we love Him, but God already knows! This week in your quiet time with the Lord, take a step back and let Him love you!
- Ask the Lord to show you any areas in your life that needs God’s love and overcoming victory.
Join us for an in-person service at City Central Church in Tacoma, WA
Sundays at 9am + 11am