Romans 8:26-39

• 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
• 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
• 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
• 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
• 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
• 31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? 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, along with him, graciously give us all things?
• 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
• 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
• 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
• 36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered 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 convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
• 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Intro: To be a "conqueror" is to be a winner. But what then? What do we gain after the victory? There are always spoils after war. The victor takes money, land, whatever.

As we look at this idea from a Christian viewpoint, we must always remember that in a certain sense the war is already over. Satan's forces are as NOTHING compared to God's strength. Satan's wisdom is mere silly foolishness compared to the wisdom and knowledge of the Almighty. And Paul does not write in the future tense. He does not say "We shall be conquerors." He says, "We are already conquerors!"

So, what do we receive as those who are already conquerors, and as those who shall be even more so in the future?

I. We receive the intercession of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26-27).

• We need the Holy Spirit to pray for us, because we are weak.
• We need the Holy Spirit to pray for us, because we don't know what to pray for.
• We need the Holy Spirit to pray for us, because He can pray with power and clarity to the Heavenly Father.
• We need the Holy Spirit to pray for us, because He knows the will of God for our lives.

II. We receive the beneficial fore-ordination of God with regard to all our circumstances (Romans 8:28).

• God is working for good in our lives.
• God is working IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE for good in our lives.
• We ARE those who love Him; and we ARE those who have been CALLED by Him, so don't doubt that you are in that number.

III. We receive the assurance of salvation by a God who is making it all happen now: predestination; calling; justification; glorification.

The word "predestination" is sometimes mis-used to refer to "fore-ordination." Fore-ordination means that God knows the end from the beginning, and that He is sovereignly in control of every person, every thing, every event of history, every angel, and anything else you can think of. God is never suprised. God is never caught off guard. God has never learned a new thing. He is completely in charge.

Predestination refers to the ultimate end of every Christian person. God has determined YOUR destiny beforehand: to be like Jesus. To think like Jesus; to have knowledge like Jesus; to feel like Jesus; to act and react like Jesus; to do good like Jesus; to oppose sin like Jesus; to be free from sin like Jesus; and maybe even someday to walk on water; and walk through closed doors, as Jesus did.

I John 3:2 says..."Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is."

We have already been "called" to Christ by the Holy Spirit, by an effectual calling. God called us in such a way that we could not refuse. Could the lost sheep of the 100 sheep refuse the call of the good shepherd? Could Lazarus refuse the voice of Jesus calling: "Lazarus come forth?" Could Paul the Apostle have said "No" to God who had called him before he was born to be the Apostle to the Gentiles? No. Neither can you and I say "No" to God's effectual call in our hearts, to come to Christ.

Justification: to have been DECLARED RIGHTEOUS by the Judge of all the earth, based on our union with Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. He paid the price, and the Judge declares us innocent in His sight. Glorification: yet to come. We cannot imagine what it will be like.

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" -- I Corinthians 2:9

IV. We receive the intercession of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:34).

He is our Great High Priest. Aaron went into the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle, and sprinkled blood on the Mercy Seat; and interceded for the sins of the Israelites. Jesus our Great High Priest has entered the true Holy of Holies in Heaven, bearing His own blood, and pleading for the children of God.

Do you know the great hymn by Charles Wesley?

• Arise, my soul, arise;
• Shake off thy guilty fears;
• The bleeding Sacrifice
• In my behalf appears:
• Before the throne my Surety stands,
• Before the throne my Surety stands;
• My name is written on His hands.
• He ever lives above,
• For me to intercede;
• His all-redeeming love,
• His precious blood to plead;
• His blood for sin did once atone,
• His blood for sin did once atone,
• And now it pleads before the Throne.
• Five bleeding wounds He bears,
• Received on Calvary,
• They pour effectual prayers,
• They strongly plead for me:
• "Forgive him, O forgive," they cry,
• "Forgive him, O forgive," they cry,
• "Nor let that ransomed sinner die!"
• The Father hears Him pray,
• His dear anointed One;
• He cannot turn away
• The presence of His Son;
• His Spirit answers to the blood,
• His Spirit answers to the blood,
• And tells me I am born of God.

V. We receive the eternal love of Christ that can never be taken from us (Romans 8:35-39).

Paul makes a long list of things that people think can separate them from the love of God. But none of these things have that power. NOTHING can separate a child of God from the love of Christ, and from the love of the Father. He is yours, and you are His, and His love for you is eternal! His love for you began in eternity past; and His love for you will continue in eternity future. "Fear not little flock; it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom!" (Luke 12:32)

Conclusion: What are we already receiving; and what will we receive in overflowing measure? Why are we MORE THAN CONQUERORS?

• I. We receive the intercession of the Holy Spirit.
• II. We receive the beneficial fore-ordination of God with regard to all our circumstances.
• III. We receive the assurance of salvation by a God who is making it all happen now: predestination; calling; justification; glorification.
• IV. We receive the intercession of Jesus Christ.
• V. We receive the eternal love of Christ that can never be taken from us.