Sermon Tone Analysis

*God has a Glorious Plan for Your Life \\ *An Exposition of Romans 8:28-30 \\ Pastor James M. Doyle

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*Read the passage:*

Romans 8:

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*Introduction*:

: \\ It is probably fair to say that there are no more perplexing times in ministry, and I am sure in your own life, than the times when we are called to come to the aid of someone in the throes of very difficult times, a brother or sister in the midst of some horrible distress, or when you are called to experience some kind of untold misery yourself.

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Whether the disorienting effects of the unexpected death of a mother or father; \\ The gut-wrenching relentless agony of losing a spouse \\ The unthinkable, life-shattering horror of the death of a child \\ No matter what the crisis – Financial ruin; broken families, an unfaithful spouse; unexpected loss of a job; sudden and severe loss of health of yourself or someone you love.

These are the times when everything we’ve come to know about tribulation are put to the test \\ \\ And I would hasten to add that it is highly likely that somewhere along the line, this passage, Romans 8:28-30 has or  will come to mind – either in order to minister to your own soul or in reaching out in compassion to others.

In fact I would say that this is without a doubt the most often misquoted biblical concept by unbelievers.

I think that it is innate in every person, stamped upon the soul, sort of like the natural revelation of God seen in the creative order.

But they usually put it something like this: “Well, we know that all things happen for a reason.”

\\ \\ RCA, be ready, be clear, be accurate \\ What you should know  What you should show

So how can we be ready to speak clearly, communicate truth accurately with gentleness and fear in light of some difficult times that we are certain to encounter.

\\ \\ Consider this scenario: \\ Your up here at Kohl’s late one night, here in north Santa Rosa.

You park in the North lot away from the other cars.

You put your bags in the back seat climb in and start the car.

But before you have chance to put the car in gear and pull away a very big, very mean looking man with a very big gun climbs into your back seat, puts a gun to your head, (or worse yet your child’s head) and demands that you take him to the nearest ATM.

He is planning a little unauthorized withdrawal from your checking account.

·        What do you do?

What is the first thing that comes to your mind?

How do you react?

·        Do you go into survival mode and jettison everything that informs your reasoning?

·        I don’t want to “spiritualize” this hypothetical situation, but

·        What is it that your mind and heart and disposition are so filled with and geared toward that determines your response?

·        What are the chances that the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard and guide you at this terrifying moment in time?

·        Is your heart so filled with the truths of scripture that they are what will come to your mind?

·        Will truths found in Romans 8:28-30 be your rock and your defense?

*This morning I am hoping to show you from the mind of Paul proof positive that God has a glorious plan for you life, and that there is nothing in heaven or on earth that can stop it.*

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I have a simple two point outline:

God’s Work is Your Good

God’s Purpose is Your Perfection

 

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*Looking at the big picture* \\ How does this piece of God’s truth fit into the whole puzzle of Paul’s intent to explain to us the mind of God?

 

·        I think that it is important for us to keep in mind that in context this is about the power of the Holy Spirit in the life of the child of God –

·        So how should that inform our understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ?

·        It starts with this awesome reality:

o       Those who are “in Christ” having been delivered from being “in Adam”

o       Chapter 8 begins with Paul telling us that our being united to Christ means that our lives take on whole new meaning, that we go from abiding in one realm, if you will to another.

o       Back up and look there with me:

o       In verse one here is how he puts it: (read verse one)

§         Explain the “laws” through the use of others

·        Gravity

·        Physics

·        Cause and effect

·        It is what Paul refers to as “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ” (v2)

1.

We walk according to the Spirit (v 4)

2.      We set our minds on the things of the Spirit (5)

3.      Which results in a state of life and peace

4.      We are “in the Spirit” (9) and the Trinity is at work in us

5.      The Spirit of God is in us (9)

6.

The Spirit of Christ is in us (9)

7.      The Spirit of the Father is in us (11)

8.      We live according to the Spirit (13)

9.      We are led by the Spirit (14) and are therefore sons of God

10.

We have the first fruits of the Spirit (23)

o       That is to say the first workings of the Spirit in the life of every child of God

 

·        That is the Spirit led, Spirit-filled life

·        And the Spirit is at work coming along side of us, as Paraklete, the Parakeletos,

·        The Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are children of God (16)

·        The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses (26)

·        The Holy Spirit intercedes for us (27)

 

 

·        That is the context!

·        The Holy Spirit’s working in our lives according to the will of God or literally, according to God – according to the absolute immutable, perfect, sovereign, desires and purposes of our Almighty Father in Heaven.

I think we are going to see this unfold by just walking through the passage.

*I.

God’s Work is Your Good (this is verse 28)*

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·        In verse 28 throws down a theological bombshell which obliterates any possibility that the circumstances that we find ourselves in are anything but ordained of God.

·        That’s right, God has a plan!

And it is a glorious plan.

It’s a perfect plan.

It’s not left to renegade chance or the capricious whims of an unsympathetic impersonal “force.”

·        It is the intentional administration of a predetermined plan by a loving, sovereign, benevolent, ALMIGHTY father!

·        That’s why he starts with this phrase “and we know”

 

Verse 28 \\ *And we know* \\ “And”

You know much I like conjunctions, especially when they give us a piece of the puzzle.

\\ The conjunction here, gives us the indication that this is an addendum thought – i.e., “and in addition to that…”

In addition to what?

In addition to the fact that we know that what God is accomplishing His will through work of the Holy Spirit in our lives in all these areas we just mentioned, including our prayer, and the fact is that God’s will cannot be usurped!

\\ “we know”

We have the ability to comprehend with conviction the truth of verse 28

That knowledge find’ its source in our faith in God and the reliability of his testimony.

\\ How do we know anything at all? \\ Knowledge obtained through a reliable source

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The testimony of God

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The testimony of others

Knowledge obtained through experience \\ Knowledge obtained through ???, I don’t know!

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Romans 5:3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; \\ \\ James 1:3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

\\ \\ 2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

So what is the content of this knowledge the Paul speaks of?

*“that God causes all things”* \\ \\ Just a quick note on the phrase.

You may have a translation that doesn’t contains the words “God causes.”

We really cannot comment on God causing “all things to work together for good” without first coming to grips with the reality that “God causes all things.”

Now, that is not the point, per se, here, but it at least needs to be considered.

\\ \\ God is absolutely sovereign over all things and that includes everything single thing as it pertains to me.

God is infinitely acquainted and in fact the efficient cause of all things that converge in my life to make it what it is.

\\ \\ God is actually the efficient cause of all things.

Simply stated this means that ultimately everything that happens happens because God caused it.

\\ \\ Think about this with me.

If God were not the efficient cause of all things, then what are the alternatives?

\\ \\ John takes up this question in his discussion of the possibility of salvation having an ultimate source other than God.

\\ John 1:12-13 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, \\ not of blood (some force of nature or carma, chance, or something) \\ nor of the will of the flesh (I am in control) \\ nor of the will of man, (others are in control) \\ but of God.

(to the exclusion of all else,  God is in control) \\ \\ and here is why that is good news: \\ \\