God is for Us

SCRIPTURE: Romans 8:31-39 (ESV)

DATE: 4-11-21

As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And the one thing I always want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us in person at our North Main campus or are joining us online — the one thing I want you to know is that God loves you and that I love you too.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Before we get to the sermon, I need to give a quick announcement to all of you. I try not to use sermon time for announcements, but every now and then something is of such importance that you deserve to hear the news from me.

This past week, we had our monthly all staff meeting. And I was made aware of the news I’m about to share with you. Parents and guardians of middle and high school students. Adam Borsay — our youth director — apparently made a deal with the students some time ago.

If 100 students show up to Sunday night youth life groups, Adam’s going to let someone give him a mullet. They’ve been close — the last few weeks — but haven’t crossed that 100 attendance goal.

So get your students to youth group tonight. I mean — have you seen Adam’s hair lately? It’s getting Shaun Meloy long — you know — before Shaun came to his senses. So Adam needs a haircut and your students need to be at youth group. It’s a win win for everyone. Youth life groups happen at our County Road 9 campus with middle school life groups starting at 5pm and high school groups at 7pm.

SERIES INTRODUCTION

Now on to the sermon. After a quick break for Easter, we’re returning to Romans chapter eight this weekend. And — we’re down to our last six sermons in this chapter. And all six of the sermons come from the verses we’re looking at today. So we’re going to spend quite a bit of time in these last few verses of our chapter — so let’s turn to them now.

ANNOUNCE THE TEXT

If you have your Bible please turn with me to Romans chapter 8. We’ll be looking at verses 31-39.

And as I just said — we’ll be in these verses for the rest of our time in this chapter — because these verses all go together — they’re one thought. But each week we’ll zoom in on a verse or two and by the end of our six sermons we’ll better see how all of these verses fit together.

So let’s begin. Here are the words found in Romans chapter 8. Beginning in verse 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. (Romans 8:31-39 ESV)

SERMON INTRODUCTION

Have you ever had the feeling that the world was out to get you? Where it seems as if everything is working against you?

Maybe you tried something you thought you’d be good at and failed.
Maybe you had your heart set on going to a particular college — so it was the only one you applied to — and you didn’t get accepted into the school.
Maybe you’ve experienced failed relationship after failed relationship after failed relationship and you wonder if you’re ever going to find yourself in a lasting relationship.
Maybe a business partner did some unethical things resulting in you losing everything and you wonder if anyone can be trusted.

Now these experiences reflect a truth we find in the Bible. Ever since Adam and Eve’s fall in the garden — when they chose to rebel against God — we’ve all been imprisoned in sin — every single person is born a slave to sin. In fact — as we’ve seen in Romans — sin has affected all of creation — including you and me. So in a real sense — because of sin — everything is working against us.

Countries are against countries.
Political parties are against political parties.
Groups are against groups.
Churches are against churches.
Husbands are against wives.
That newborn baby is against mom and dad getting sleep. And so on.

But — and this makes things even crazier — we’re even against ourselves. You are against you. I’m against me. That’s why we all have those things we can’t believe we’re still doing because we know doing it only results in sorrow, shame, and heartache.

Now — if you can relate to this feeling at all — the feeling of things are against you — well have I got some Good News for you today. It’s found in the verse we’re focusing on today. Verse thirty-one, which says, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 ESV)

WHAT SHALL WE SAY?

Paul begins with a question: What then shall we say to these things? “What things, Paul?” The things that come in the verses prior to ours. The verses we looked at two weeks ago. Verses that contain words that are meant to give us great hope and assurance. “What things, Paul?” Well here you go.

“And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, 29 because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.” (Romans 8:28-30 NET)

“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these?” That’s the question.

So what’s your answer — what do you say about these wonderful things? What do you say in response to this truth — this promise — that all things are working together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose — what do you say about that? And what do you say in response to some of the good things being worked out for us — things like God foreknowing us, predestining us, calling us, justifying us, and guaranteeing that we will be glorified — that nothing will keep the people of God from our promised eternity in the presence of our God and Savior.

What do you say about these things? So what do you say?

“Sounds nice.”
“I hope it’s true.”
“What else have you got, Paul?”
Or “This is unbelievably great news! It’s news I want to sing about! And tell others about! And live differently because of these wonderful things!”

What do you say about these things? What’s your answer to Paul’s question? Or to these questions.

Are these things true when life’s going great? Absolutely, these things are true!

Are these things true when life’s going not so great? Absolutely, these things are still true!

Are these things true when life seems like everything and everyone is against you? Absolutely, these things are still true!

Can you feel your emotions being stirred by Paul’s question? He’s been building up to this point since chapter five. And as he now thinks of the overflowing abundance of blessings after blessings after blessings that are ours — because of all that Christ has done for his people — Paul can’t help but ask, “What then shall we say to these things?” I don’t know — how about, “Amen! Or hallelujah! Or praise God from whom all blessings flow!”

Now — something I want you to be aware of — is that this is the first of seven questions that Paul’s going to ask us in our verses over the coming weeks — we’ll get to his second question in a bit. But not only are there seven questions — questions that are rhetorical, by the way — meaning — the questions are asked to make a point — the questions aren’t asked as if the answer is up for debate or discussion — they’re asked to make a point — and there’s seven of these questions. Seven — as I’m sure many of you are familiar with — seven is a biblical number. It’s a number in the Bible that indicates perfection.

So — here — we have seven rhetorical questions — all meant to make a point — the point being the perfect assurance found in Christ. Perfect assurance for the people of God even when it seems as if everything in the world is against us.

Paul’s first question — “What then shall we say to these things?” — teaches us that the only response that’s appropriate to the “these things” that he’s referring to — those wonderful promises to God’s people — the only response that’s appropriate is one of praise.

Praising God because he’s working out all things for the good of his people.
Praising God for foreknowing and calling and justifying and glorifying his people.
The first question — being asked — has only got one answer — a response of praise and thankfulness because of all that God has done for us.

IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?

Which leads us to question number two. Back to our verse. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 ESV)

Now — remember — this is a rhetorical question. So this question doesn’t mean “If God is for us” — like — “maybe he is maybe he ain’t.” No — it means “If God is for us” — like — “because God is for us” — or “since God is for us” — or “as a result of God being for us” — “in view of God being for us” — “by virtue of God being for us” — are you getting the idea? No. You want some more? OK. “Considering that God is for us” — “due to God being for us” — “on the grounds that God is for us” — “seeing that God is for us” — I think you get the idea now.

So — we’ll pause for effect — and let it soak in — “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

So what’s the answer to Paul’s question — but remember — he’s making a point — so he has a specific — not up for debate — answer in mind.

Well the only answer that fits the question, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” is “No one and no thing can be against us! Why? Because God is for us!” So let me ask you, “What do you say about that?”

Have you ever had someone in your life who you knew was for you? Maybe a coach or a teacher or a boss or a friend. I’ve been blessed with many people in my life who’ve been for me. Here’s one example.

After my parents got married, they moved from Nashville, Tennessee to Ocala, Florida. They left the place they grew up in, their family and friends — everything that was familiar to them — they left all of that when they moved to Florida for a job opportunity. And — eventually — baby me was born.

Now some of you can relate to the situation my parents found themselves in. A new baby. Their first child. No family nearby. Living in a new town in a new state. And once you have your first child you realize you have no idea what you’re doing as parents.

Now — I was a baby at the time — so I don’t know all of the details. But a neighbor — a little old lady in her 70s — who lived with her son — saw my parents. And she saw this young couple — with a new baby — and she decided to see if they could use some help. And this lady and her son became part of our family. In fact, growing up — I didn’t even think twice about having her and her son in my life. It just seemed so normal to have this grandma like woman in my life and her son who was like an uncle. And even when both they and my parents moved to different parts of town — even though they weren’t neighbors any longer — a relationship had been formed — a relationship that continued on.

Now — I’m sure I missed a day here or there — but nearly every day from kindergarten through high school — I’d call her as soon as I got home from school — and we’d talk about our day. She was in her 90s when I graduated high school and went off to college and we’d still talk regularly even while I was in college.

When Emily and I began dating — in college — I told Emily that there was this older woman in my life who she needed to meet — it was pretty much an “If she doesn’t approve of you, this relationship ain’t gonna work out” kind of meeting. Obviously, we’re married now — so she got the thumbs up.

What’s my point? This lady was someone who I knew — beyond a shadow of a doubt — I knew she was someone who was for me. And when Emily and I found out that our third child was going to be a girl, the decision had been made years earlier that she’d be named after this special lady who was for me. Thus our daughter has the vintage name of Alice.

Have you ever had someone in your life who you knew was for you? But how about this question: Have you ever been that person for someone else?

But back to where we began — because you may be thinking — “But, Josh. Sure, I know some people are for me, but it sure does seem as if some things and some people are against me.” And you would be right.

We do face opposition. But the power in the promise of our verse is that — because God is for us — and through our faith in Christ — we will win.

As Isaiah says, “Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame. 8 He who gives me justice is near. Who will dare to bring charges against me now? Where are my accusers? Let them appear! 9 See, the Sovereign Lord is on my side! Who will declare me guilty?” (Isaiah 50:7-9a NLT)

Don’t you love his confidence in the Lord being on his side?

But it’s not just Isaiah who has this confidence. David says, “My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side!” (Psalm 56:9 NLT)

Or Paul — the man who asked these rhetorical questions — is the same person who says, “You want to talk about having people oppose you? OK. Here’s my story.”

“I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. 28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.” (2 Corinthians 11:23b-28 NLT)

OK — here’s what we’ve got. The guy telling us that no one and no thing can stand against us — why — because God is for us — is a man familiar with opposition. He didn’t live a problem free life. He knows pain. He knows suffering. He knows the anxiety of having people out to get you.

And yet he declares, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

But why Paul? Why is God for us? Because of all that Christ accomplished on our behalf.

CHRIST CONNECTION

Paul — by using rhetorical questions — is telling us that we can know with certainty that God is for us because Christ — through his life, death, and resurrection — has made it clear and unarguable that God is for us. And this reveals to us two significant truths.

First, we know that God is for us through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Though there are many things we can learn about God through creation — “the heavens do declare the glory of God” — it’s only in Jesus Christ that we find “the visible image of the invisible God. [For] He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, 16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see — such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. 17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. 18 Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. 19 For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 20 and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.” (Colossians 1:15-20 NLT)

Through Christ — his life, death, and resurrection — God has reconciled and redeemed those who turn from their rebellion and sin and turn to Jesus in faith.

And as Paul later writes, “For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.” (Colossians 2:9 NLT)

This Jesus — who we turn to in faith — is God. Thus we know who God is and what he’s like by knowing who Jesus is and what he’s like. And so — in Jesus — we know who this God is who is for us.

For as the author of Hebrews writes, “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. 3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.” (Hebrews 1:1-3 NLT)

Jesus — the Son of God — shows us the very character of God. And having finished his work — doing all that was needed for us to be cleansed of our sins and be made right with God — having finished his work Christ now sits in the place of honor in Heaven. This is the God who is for us.

And as the apostle John states, “And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.” (1 John 5:20 NLT)

By knowing Jesus we know the true God. But — in rejecting Jesus — many reject knowing the only true God.

They believe they know what God is like, but the god they know isn’t a god who saves.
Isn’t a god who’s all-powerful.
Isn’t a god that’s worth giving their life to.
And is definitely not a god who gave his life for them.

But many reject knowing God by rejecting Jesus. And those who reject Jesus do not have God on their side — God is not for those who reject his Son.

But for many — many today and many throughout history — just as Thomas exclaimed after his encounter with the resurrected Jesus — those who turn to Christ in faith exclaim — “My Lord and my God!” — and receive the assurance promised to them in the hope-giving, life-changing words found later in Romans.

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation. 11 For the scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”” (Romans 10:9b-11 NET)

Why won’t they be put to shame? Because their God and Savior — the one who they believe in — is for them. And if God is for us, nothing will put us to shame. And if God is for us, no one and no thing can stand against us.

If we want to know God — the God who is for his people — we must look to Christ and believe in him.

Second, when we look to Christ — in faith — we see that the God who’s working out all things together for our good — is good. We saw this earlier — in verse twenty-eight — but the assurance our promise gives us — is that the God and Savior we trust in and worship — is good. God is good and he is good to his people — the God who is for us — is — good.

But this can be hard to believe when it feels like the world is out to get you or when life isn’t going your way. It’s easier to believe — that God is good — isn’t it — when life’s good. But when life’s hard, believing that God is good can be something easily doubted.

That’s why we’ve spent so many weeks and sermons in this chapter of Romans. For the promises in this chapter are a weapon against the doubt that so easily creeps into our hearts and minds when life beats us up. Life can be hard — it can be devastating — and in those moments we need assurance. And assurance is found in these promises of God.

Do you remember the promises that are ours because of what Christ has done for us?

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1 NET)

“Moreover if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through his Spirit who lives in you.” (Romans 8:11 NET)

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14 NET)

“The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ) – if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him.” (Romans 8:16-17 NET)

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.” (Romans 8:26 NET)

“And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NET)

CONCLUSION

So — again — I ask, “What shall we say about these things?” What do you say about these things? What can we say except, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Nothing. No one.

And since God is for us, we have assurance in this life and in the life to come. As someone has said, “There is no moment when [God’s] eye is off me, his attention distracted from me, and no moment, therefore, when his care [for me] falters.”

This is what it means for God to be for us. This is what it means that God is for you — if you believe in Jesus Christ. And this means…

When life begins to crush you and doubt starts to creep in because all the evidence you’re experiencing seems contrary to God being for you — you remember — you cling to — you rest in — through faith in Christ — you believe this promise: If God is for you, nothing can stand against you. His eye is always on you. You have his attention. His care for you never falters.
And as the people of God, we must remember — because we live in a world where everyone’s grasping to get their fair share even at the expense of others and — in many ways — we’re the others. But we — the people of God — must remember that we don’t have to play by their rules — we don’t even have to play their game. Why? Because though they may try to be against us — in order to get what they think they want or deserve — even though others may be against us — God is for us — and they don’t stand a chance against him.

If God is for us, who can stand against us? Who indeed? No one. What then shall we see about things as wonderful as this? Praise be to God! Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, What shall we say to your wonderful promises to us? Thank you. What shall we say in response to you being for us? Thank you. What shall we say?

Jesus, to you we are in awe. Look at what you’ve done for us. You’ve made these promises possible and guaranteed them for your people. This is another glimpse of the extent of your love for us. You gave your life so that we would know — that since you are for us — nothing can stand against us. What hope we find in this promise. What confidence. What assurance. What reason to rejoice and celebrate that you are for us.

And, Spirit of God, may you open the hearts of those who need hope today. May they see the assurance being offered to them — in Christ — and receive the grace you freely give. Grace that makes them alive. Grace that gives them faith to receive these wonderful promises. Grace that causes them to repent of being against Christ and — in faith — believe in him. Grace that allows them — along with all of God’s people — to joyfully exclaim, “Praise God for these wonderful promises.

Praise God for the assurance he gives. Praise God from whom all of these blessings — and infinitely more — flow!” And we pray all of these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

BENEDICTION

May you go knowing that — through your faith in Christ — God is for you. And if God is for you, no thing and no one can stand against you. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.