Sermons
November 5th, 2023 by Pastor Solley102923AM Timeless Truths for Troubled Times #2
Sub. Troubling times
Theme: Bible truth for troubled times.
Text: Rom 8:28-34
“Timeless Truths for Troubled Times” #2 Romans 8:28-34
Introduction
We continue this morning looking at some timeless truths for troubled times. The events of the past week on the world stage as well as here in America affirm that we are living in troubled times. The war in Israel expanding, many of our military bases in that region have been attacked, another mass shooting in Main and so on point to the fact that we are living in very perilous times. The most evil of sins praised and good condemned. We see before our eyes this morning what Jesus said in Matt 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. We know today why Jesus asked this question in Luke 18:8…. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? We are living in troubling times.
I. But how troubled should the child of God be, how troubled should the born again believer be? According to the command of Jesus not so troubled at all. – John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. Talking to those in that upper room who were about to face some very troubling times Jesus commanded them “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.”
A. So how troubled should the born again believer be today? Not troubled as the world is troubled. Not when we look to the Bible.
1. Jesus said this about what we are seeing in the middle east today: Matt 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
2. When trouble seems to surround us the Bible says this: 2 Thess 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us,…
3. When our minds are turned by troubles the Bible says this: 2 Thess 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled,…
4. The last time the word trouble is found in the Bible we are told this: 1 Peter 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
5. So how troubled should the born again believer be today? According to the Bible not so troubled at all.
B. It is a very simple command we are given: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” But how do we obey this very simple command? That is the question of the message today as it was last week.
II. In Romans chapter eight we find some timeless truths for troubled times: Rom 8:28-34 And I thank God today for my Bible and for my King James Bible. This Bible that I hold in my hands this morning is timeless truth, is the pure, eternal Word of God.
A. Romans chapter eight, from the first verse to the last, gives us some precious truths for troubled times: Rom 8:1 , 39 And every verse in between is for the child of God today. (This is why the KJB in the Word of God and is important. Every Bible perversion removes the last ten words of Rom 8:1.)
B. In Rom 8:28-34 we find a part of God’s eternal purpose followed by five Bible doctrines: Rom 8:28-34 It is the eternal purpose of God that all things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. – Rom 8:28 – This statement made stronger and of great comfort to the believer in Christ by the Bible doctrines that follow.
1. By the foreknowledge of God: Rom 8:29 There is nothing that takes God by surprise, nothing God does not know before it happens. That means God knows all that is going to touch my life and God will use it for His glory and my good. That relieves trouble.
2. God is also working to conform me the image of Jesus Christ, to make me more Christ like: Rom 8:29 Predestination has nothing to do with salvation, God wants all to be saved because Jesus Christ died for all.
a. God does want every believer in Christ to be changed from what they were to what they now are, a child of God.
b. God works to being about those changes in our lives as we submit to His will for us.
c. Those two verses together relieve trouble. – Rom 8:28-29
C. This morning we continue in this passage: Rom 8:28-34
PROP: Before us is the key to obeying the command of Jesus “Let not your heart be troubled”. TS: But we need to follow the Bible.
Body
I. Predestined to be conformed to His image that He might receive the glory and honor for the change in us: Rom 8:29 It is Jesus Christ who is the firstborn among the brethren, not the one who has been born again. – Col 1:18 ; Rev 1:5 – It is Christ who died, who rose from the grave, who conquered sin and death, who ascended back to heaven and who stands at this very moment at the right hand of the Father. Jesus Christ is the firstborn among many brethren.
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A. The changes that take place in the life of a believer as we are conformed to the image of Jesus Christ are to bring glory and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ: Rom 8:29 Why? Because He changes us, the Holy Spirit within changes us, it is the power of God within the child of God that brings about the changes that conform us to the image of Jesus Christ.
1. Left to ourselves there would be no changes in our lives: That true for several reasons.
a. I would never even know there needs to be changes made in my life. – Jer 17:9-10 I see my heart as good right now.
b. I would look at small changes and see them as enough. – James 1:23-24 The mirror I look into says I am good enough right now.
c. Without Him I can do nothing.
2. There does need to be a change, old things are to pass away, all things become new: But it is the power of God that changes us.
a. As we are given to the Word of God and the preaching of the Word of God it convicts us that there needs to be changes made.
b. As we yield to the Holy Spirit within His power brings about those changes.
c. Soon it is the fruit of the Spirit and not the flesh that springs out of our lives. – Rom 8:4-9
3. It is the power of God within that brings about the changes in our lives as we are conformed to His image: Gal 5:18-25 Those changes for our good as we do not have to live in the self inflected sufferings of the lost. – Gal 5:19-21 – We are saved from all the heartache and misery that comes with that type of lifestyle.
4. As the fruit of the Spirit is produced in our lives we see how God has been using all things for our good and His glory: Rom 8:28
B. These changes to the praise of His glory so that others may see Christ and look to Him: Rom 8:29 ; Eph 1:11-14 Perhaps the best way for the lost to see Jesus Christ is to see the change that takes place in one who is born again.
1. In Acts 4 the High Priest, the pharisees, the scribes, that Jewish high counsel marveled at Peter and John and took knowledge that they had been with Jesus: The changes in those men so great that the lost took knowledge that they had been with Jesus.
2. People saw the great changes that took place in Saul of Tarshis: They knew who and what he was and were amazed at the changes that took place in the life of the apostle Paul.
3. Changes that take place so others can see Jesus Christ in you and me: Col 1:27 The best way to show the lost Jesus Christ is to let them see the changes that have taken place in you and me.
C. Predestined to be conformed to His image that He might receive the glory and honor for the change in us: Rom 8:29
II. Called then to serve, elected to serve Jesus Christ: Rom 8:30 , 33 Calling and election are linked. They are different words in English of course and they are different words in the Greek language as well, but they are linked.
A. Calling as used here is not a call to salvation and election is not to be seen as being elected to be saved: This chapter, beginning to end, is speaking to those already born again. – Rom 8:1-2 – The call as seen here and election are not pointing to salvation.
1. How many have been called to be saved? All. Jesus said in John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. All have been drawn, all have been called, all have the opportunity to be saved. Not some, all.
2. How many does God want to be saved? All. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
3. Jesus died on that cross, shed His blood for all the world: Not some, all.
4. The call as used here and election do not point to salvation: This is addressed to ones saved by the blood of Jesus Christ.
5. This is a call to service: This is what Jesus did walking by the sea in Matthew 4. Matt 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. This after John chapter one and those men had already believed that Jesus was the Messiah.
B. It is only reasonable that all things working together for good in our lives, before conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, that we would be called to serve the one who saved us, the one conforming us to His image: It is only reasonable. – Rom 12:1-2 – Those verses take on a deeper meaning when viewed in the light of Romans chapter eight.
1. No longer conformed to this world: Rom 12:2
2. Now conformed to the image of Jesus Christ for my good and His glory: Rom 8:29
3. Isn’t it then only reasonable that I serve Him? Rom 8:30 ; Rom 12:1-2
C. For those who think it unreasonable to serve Christ think of what He has done in serving you: Jesus left a home that the half cannot be told. Jesus left being praised continually. Jesus made Himself subject to man. Jesus suffered more heartache and heartbreak than any of us will every suffer. Jesus suffered more pain than any of us every will. Jesus suffered alone like none of us will ever have to. Jesus did all for you and me.
1. Jesus then willing to save us:
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2. Jesus then willing to make all things work together for good in our lives:
3. Jesus then conforming us to His image:
3. Isn’t then only reasonable that we serve Him: We have been called to serve and there are things all of us can do.
a. We can all witness for the Lord.
b. We can all worship and praise Him.
c. We can all have a ministry of prayer.
d. We can all use our physical talents.
4. We can all serve because we have all been called: Isn’t it only reasonable to serve Him?
5. When we serve it relieves trouble in our lives: There is no greater joy in life than doing something for Jesus Christ and when we are found serving Him the joy that brings overshadows the troubles of this life.
D. Called then to serve:
III. Elected then to special areas of service: Rom 8:33 I believe according to the Bible that every born again individual has been called to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and that it our reasonable service to do so. – Rom 12:1-2 ; 8:30 – That is a general call to service and covers each and every individual who comes to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus wants your service and is more than deserving of your service. It is only reasonable that we serve Him.
A. Election them covers specific areas of service for the Lord: Rom 8:33 All called to serve but in what areas? Election is that specific area of service that the Lord has for us.
ILL. When we go the voting booth we vote for ones to serve is specific areas…
1. All called to serve but not all in the same area: 1 Cor 12:1-11We will not all be called, elected to the same specific areas of service but all will be called and all areas of service are important. – 1 Cor 12:12-25
a. My knees are just as much a part of my body as my eyes. Which do I need most?
b. I need each and every part and each part of my body does a specific work.
2. You have been called, you have been elected, and you have been gifted to serve the Lord Jesus Christ: That is Bible
B. Whatever area you have been elected to serve in God will gift and equip you for His glory and your good: Eph 4:11-16 Often when this passage is read the focus in on verse 11 – 13 which is natural. – Eph 4:11-13 We consider those offices named in verse 11 & 12 as areas of full time service for the Lord which they are. But only some are going to be elected to those offices. – Eph 4:11-12
1. Most believers will fall under verses 15 & 16: Eph 4:15-16 Notice the whole body, every joint, every part. – Eph 4:16
2. All have been called into service, all elected for a specific work: Not some, all.
3. Our obligation here is to present ourselves to the Lord, present ourselves as a servant: The very day Paul was born again he asked a very important question, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do”. God gave Paul much to do.
4. Have you ever asked the Lord what He would have you to do?
C. Most all of God’s working in our lives is Him preparing us to serve Him: Rom 8:28-30 Consider these verses in relation to service.
1. As a young teen I was bringing object lessons in church: Not sure who arraigned that but I was.
2. Then I had a spiritual grandfather telling me I would be a preacher one day:
3. Then l was privileged to set under some great preaching in church and then in camps:
4. Then before I knew God was going to call me into the ministry He gave me a pastor’s wife:
5. Finally after some revival meetings I bowed and asked Jesus “What wilt thou have me to do”: Then God called specifically.
D. God has something for you to do right where your are: Not all are going to fall under Eph 4:11- 12 but all will fall under 15-16.
1. Does God need Christian business men and women to serve Him?
2. Does God need Christian construction workers to serve Him?
3. Does God need Christian truck drivers and loggers to serve Him?
4. Does God need Christian housewives and mothers to serve Him?
5. You have been elected to serve: But are you willing to serve.
E. Elected then to special areas of service: Rom 8:33
Conclusion
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I. Predestined to be conformed to His image that He might receive the glory and honor for the change in us: Rom 8:29 It is Jesus Christ who is the firstborn among the brethren, not the one who has been born again. – Col 1:18 ; Rev 1:5 – It is Christ who died, who rose from the grave, who conquered sin and death, who ascended back to heaven and who stands at this very moment at the right had of the Father. Jesus Christ is the firstborn among many brethren.
II. Called then to serve, elected to serve Jesus Christ: Rom 8:30 , 33 Calling and election are linked. They are different words in English of course and they are different words in the Greek language as well, but they are linked.
III. Elected then to special areas of service: Rom 8:33 I believe according to the Bible that every born again individual has been called to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and that it our reasonable service to do so. – Rom 12:1-2 ; 8:30 – That is a general call to service and covers each and every individual who comes to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus wants your service and is more than deserving of your service. It is only reasonable that we serve Him.