Practical Theology - Part 25
November 13, 2022

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Practical Theology

Part 25 - Romans 8:31-39
Lead Pastor, Darrin Mariott

Big Idea: In Christ, a love has been revealed that conquers all.

I. Confidence in God’s Grace (vv. 31-34)
Romans 8:31-34
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.

A. These verses are some the most inspirational and uplifting in Scripture as they so eloquently reveal that no matter what we face, no matter what accusations are aimed at us, God is for us and not against us! As such, we need not live in fear of man or whatever life throws at us, God will never leave us or forsake us (v. 31; cf. Deut. 31:6-8).

Deuteronomy 31:6-8
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” 7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. 8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

B. We can have confidence in God’s grace because:

1. In Christ, God has given us His very best (v. 32; cf. Ps. 84:10-11)

Psalm 84:10-11
10 For a day in your courts is betterthan a thousand elsewhere.I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my Godthan dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withholdfrom those who walk uprightly.

2. In Christ, we have been justified by God (v. 33; cf. Isa. 50:7-9)

Isaiah 50:7-9
7 But the Lord God helps me;therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint,and I know that I shall not be put to shame. 8 He who vindicates me is near.Who will contend with me?Let us stand up together.Who is my adversary?Let him come near to me. 9 Behold, the Lord God helps me;who will declare me guilty?Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment;the moth will eat them up.

3. Jesus stands for us (v. 34)

C. Paul’s emphasis here is that we can have utter assurance God does not withhold anything we need to live for Him. God’s presence, power, and provision sustains us!

II. Conquerors through God’s Love (vv. 35-39)

Romans 8:35-39
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.

A. These verses are like icing on the cake. We know that God will not leave us or forsake us, and that Jesus defends us and intercedes for us. But now we see His overwhelming, unending love for us. Even more, in Messiah Jesus, nothing can separate us from that love (v. 35).

B. We are conquerors through God’s love:

1. In the physical realm (vv. 35-36)

2. In the spiritual realm (vv. 37-39)

C. Paul started this chapter with no condemnation in Christ, he ends it with no separation from Christ. We all face hardships in life, but we can stand firm with a confidence in God’s grace and be conquerors through God’s love.