Does God Control Everything? (Romans 8:28-39)

The seventh and final message of an adventure in the eighth chapter of the book of Romans. Super8: Supernatural Living for Natural People.

Are you persuaded that nothing can separate you from the love of God in Jesus?

Our lead pastor’s small response on the big question: Does God Control Everything?

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Message title: Does God Control Everything?
Week 7 of Super8: Supernatural Living for Natural People, a series on Romans 8
Scriptures: Romans 8:28-39
Preacher: Jeff Patterson
Date: 9/29/13

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Scripture: Romans 8:28-39

We know that all the events of our lives are orchestrated by God’s sovereign will for our ultimate good, the salvation which belongs to all who love God, to all who have been called in His plan. That plan began in eternity past, carries on into eternity future and guarantees our full salvation.

For all whom God chose long ago, the same ones He also predestined to become perfect images of His son, so that the Son would be first in rank within a huge family. And all whom God predestined, the same ones He also called to faith. And all whom He called to faith, the same ones He also justified. And all whom He justified, the same ones He has also begun to glorify. No one is lost along the way.

What lesson then should we take from all of this? One thing. If God is on our side, who can deprive us of our full salvation? If God did not even spare His own Son but gave Him up at the cross for us all, how could He possible withhold anything else? Won’t He give us everything we need for salvation?

Who could mount an effective attack against the very people whom God has already chosen to be on His side? God is Himself the One who clears us of all our guilt by the merit of Christ. So who could argue against that defense? We have no one less than Christ Jesus, who died, who was also raised and who is now positioned at God’s right hand where He pleads for us. So what would have to happen to cut us off from the saving love of Christ? Affliction? Anguish? Persecution? Starvation? Exposure? Danger? Execution?

The Scriptures acknowledge that these terrible things do happen to God’s people: ‘

For your sake we are put to death all day long, we are treated like sheep ready for slaughter.’

But in all our sufferings we achieve total victory through Christ who loved us, for He will not let our faith die. It keeps springing back, overcoming whatever adversities we encounter.

In fact, I am convinced that nothing can rob us of our salvation—neither the terrors of death nor the enticements of life, neither angels nor demons, neither present-day troubles nor future crises, nor cosmic powers, nor anything in heaven above nor anything in hell below, indeed, nothing in the entire created order will be able to separate us from the saving love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Romans 8:28-39 in the wording of a new translation by Ray Ortlund, Jr., found in A Passion for God: Prayers and Meditations on the Book of Romans.

New City Catechism:

Q5: What else did God create?
A: God created all things by His powerful Word, and all His creation was very good; everything flourished under His loving rule.

  • For additional teaching and prayers tailored to this question, click here to go to the online catechism tool.

Commentary on this question:

NCC Q5: What else did God create? from The Gospel Coalition

Strong Love: Everything Because of One (Romans 8:31-39)

The sixth message in a new adventure in the eighth chapter of the book of Romans. Super8: Supernatural Living for Natural People.

Are you persuaded that nothing can separate you from the love of God in Jesus?

“God spared not His Son” (Romans 8:32). He let Him have it. He pulled no punches. Jesus Christ on the cross. Hell came down, all of God’s wrath and fury poured on the One He loves. All for our sake, the Father treated Jesus like He was us — disobedient children — so He could treat us like we are Him, the beloved Son who always does the Father’s will, all the way, from the heart.

When we see Jesus suffering, while thinking of our own suffering, we must conclude that life’s disappointments could not be because God doesn’t love us, or have a plan for us. We know that Jesus Christ, through whom God did all of His great plan, came to earth and had a miserable life. It was because God love Him that He had a mess of a life.

If God was willing to give up His Son, and if His Son was willing to take all of that, can you imagine why God would ever withhold anything short of that from you?

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Message title: Strong Love: Everything Because of One
Week 6 of Super8: Supernatural Living for Natural People, a series on Romans 8
Scriptures: Romans 8:31-39
Preacher: Jeff Patterson
Date: 9/22/13

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Scripture: Romans 8:31-39

31 What then shall we say 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 with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 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. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded 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 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.

New City Catechism:

Q4: How and why did God create us?
A: God created us male and female in his own image to know him, love him, live with him, and glorify him. And it is right that we who were created by God should live to his glory.

Commentary on this question:

NCC Q4: How and why did God create us? from The Gospel Coalition

The Secret to a Happy Life (Romans 8:26-30)

The fifth message in a new adventure in the eighth chapter of the book of Romans. Super8: Supernatural Living for Natural People.

Christianity is meant to take shape in a relentless joy that rises above our present circumstances. The future glory gives perspective to our present sufferings, and we know based on Romans 8:28-30 that:

  1. God makes the bad things in our lives turn out for our good (v. 28);
  2. The good things cannot ever be lost (v. 29); and
  3. The best is yet to come (v. 30).

To the degree that we embrace these truths, our joy will be full (John 16:33). Because of these truths we should not be shocked or disappointed when bad things (difficult circumstances, brutal challenges) come our way. We put our hopes in God who promises us something more permanent than better circumstances. He promises a better life, with joy unending, forevermore.

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Message title: The Secret to a Happy Life: The Bad, the Good & the Glory
Week 5 of Super8: Supernatural Living for Natural People, a series on Romans 8
Scriptures: Romans 8:26-30
Preacher: Jeff Patterson
Date: 9/15/13

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Scripture: Romans 8:26-30

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saintsaccording to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work togetherfor good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For 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. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

New City Catechism:

Q3: How many persons are there in God?
A: There are three persons in the one true and living God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are the same in substance, equal in power and glory.

Commentary on this question:

NCC Q3: How many persons are there in God? from The Gospel Coalition

Groaning to Glory (Romans 8:16-25)

The fourth message in a new adventure in the eighth chapter of the book of Romans. Super8: Supernatural Living for Natural People.

When we suffer it’s easy to think God is not present, doesn’t care, or can’t do anything about it. He is, He does, He can. By His Spirit. #Super8

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Message title: Groaning to Glory
Week 4 of Super8: Supernatural Living for Natural People, a series on Romans 8
Scriptures: Romans 8:16-25
Preacher: Jeff Patterson
Date: 9/8/13

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Scripture: Romans 8:16-25

16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

New City Catechism:

Q2: What is God?
A: God is the creator and sustainer of everyone and everything. He is eternal, infinite, and unchangeable in his power and perfection, goodness and glory, wisdom, justice, and truth. Nothing happens except through him and by his will.

All in the Family (Romans 8:12-17)

The third message in a new adventure in the eighth chapter of the book of Romans. Super8: Supernatural Living for Natural People.

The Holy Spirit reminds us of our obligation, role, status as adopted sons of God, and the power of our Brother Jesus. #Super8

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Message title: All in the Family
Week 3 of Super8: Supernatural Living for Natural People, a series on Romans 8
Scriptures: Romans 8:12-17
Preacher: Jeff Patterson
Date: 9/1/13

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Scripture: Romans 8:12-17

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

New City Catechism:

Q1: What is our only hope in life and death?
A: That we are not our own but belong, body and soul, both in life and death, to God and to our Savior Jesus Christ.

The Spirit of Holiness (Romans 8:1-11)

The second message in a new adventure in the eighth chapter of the book of Romans. Super8: Supernatural Living for Natural People.

The Holy Spirit brings us a new freedom, creates a new vision for our lives, and begins a new work in our hearts. #Super8

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Message title: The Spirit of Holiness
Week 2 of Super8: Supernatural Living for Natural People, a series on Romans 8
Scriptures: Romans 8:1-11
Preacher: Jeff Patterson
Date: 8/11/13

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Scripture: Romans 8:1-11

8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Family memory verse:

“Come to Me,
lay down life’s heaviness,
and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke, learn from Me,
I’ll teach you the life that’s best.”

—summarizing Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28-30

Super Grace: Now No Condemnation (Romans 8:1-4)

The first message in a new adventure in the eighth chapter of the book of Romans. Super8: Supernatural Living for Natural People.

God’s acceptance of us is because of Jesus’ obedience and performance. He lived the life we should live by haven’t, and for all who are “in Christ Jesus” there is no longer any condemnation. #Super8

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Message title: Super Grace: Now No Condemnation
Week 1 of Super8: Supernatural Living for Natural People, a series on Romans 8
Scriptures: Romans 8:1-4
Preacher: Jeff Patterson
Date: 8/4/13

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Scripture: Romans 8:1-4

8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 

Family memory verse:

“Come to Me,
lay down life’s heaviness,
and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke, learn from Me,
I’ll teach you the life that’s best.”

—summarizing Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28-30