1 Romans Paul’s Exposition of “Salvation by Grace Through Faith” Lesson 12 VI. God’s Righteousness: PROVIDING FOR MAN’S NEEDS Romans 8:1-39 (Page 92)

2 D. Comfort in Suffering Romans 8: Suffering is unimportant within God’s plan (18-21) a.Paul had just taught the Romans to embrace the gospel of Christ and become heirs of God (17) b.In verse 18, they are being told that they will have sufferings c.The sufferings of Christians come from two areas:  Because we are Christians  Because of physical problems of all kinds

3 D. Comfort in Suffering Romans 8: Suffering is unimportant within God’s plan (18-21) (continued) d.Paul let them know the present sufferings are insignificant compared to the glory to be revealed to us after this life (18) e.Their bodies will be raised in a better form and into a better place f.By faith they (and we) should be eagerly waiting for this reward (19)

4 D. Comfort in Suffering Romans 8: Suffering is unimportant within God’s plan (18-21) (continued) g.God made all mankind (creation) subject to the futility of this life (the bondage of corruption -- physical death) as a temporary condition (20-21) h.We have the hope of being delivered from this condition to the glorious liberty of the children of God (21)

5 D. Comfort in Suffering Romans 8: Suffering is not peculiar to God’s people (22,23) a.The entire human race endures their “birth pains” hoping against hope that their sufferings will come to an end (22) b.But Christians (the firstfruits of the Spirit) groan within themselves eagerly waiting the redemption of the body (23)

6 D. Comfort in Suffering Romans 8: Hope for final relief improves character (24,25) a.The promise of the resurrection of all dead gave a comforting hope to every saint (24) b.We are saved in this hope by faith in the resurrection -- something not yet seen (24) c.Hope of reward fosters perseverance and prevents us from abandoning our ultimate goal (25)

7 E. Assistance in Prayer Romans 8;26,27 1.The Spirit helps when we cannot pray as we should (26) a.Another reward of the Spirit -- He helps in our state of weakness (26) b.This help is done in part through the guidance He provides in the Scriptures (2 Tim.3:16,17) c.The Spirit makes intercessions for us to God because often “we do not know what we should pray for as we ought” (26)

8 E. Assistance in Prayer Romans 8;26,27 2.God understands and accepts prayers thus expressed (27) a.God understands the Spirit’s request for us because he knows the mind of the Spirit (27) b.We may not know how the divine Beings work together for us, but they do c.What a comfort to know that we have a representative to God who will intercede for us “according to the will of God” (27)

9 F. Trust in God’s Eternal Plan Romans 8: “All things” work for our salvation (28) a.“We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose” (28) b.What a precious promise [1] to those called to be a child of God and [2] to those who love God

10 F. Trust in God’s Eternal Plan Romans 8: God’s plan in its entirety will be accomplished (29,30) a.Never forget that God has a plan! 1)God foreknew those He would save (29)  His choice of the saved was based on a class of individuals, not on the individuals themselves 2)He predestined that the saved would be people in the image of Christ (29) 3)He called to salvation those who were chosen (30)

11 F. Trust in God’s Eternal Plan Romans 8: God’s plan in its entirety will be accomplished (29,30) (continued) 4)He justified those who accepted the call to be saved (30) 5)He glorified the justified by a resurrection to eternal life (30) b.All five of these steps in God’s eternal plan were formulated in His mind prior to the execution of any of them.

12 G. Conviction of Victory Over All Obstacles Romans God has shown His concern for our salvation (31-32) a.“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (31) b.What a profound promise to those brethren who were weak and undergoing sufferings c.Their opposition meant nothing as compared to God’s support! d.If God was willing to give His Son for us, he will surely give us all things as long as we love Him (32)

13 G. Conviction of Victory Over All Obstacles Romans Man cannot negate the roles of God and Christ (33,34) a.No one can bring a charge against us if God has forgiven us and justified us (33) b.No one can condemn us if we meet the conditions for forgiveness from God (34) c.Christ died and was risen; He is at the right hand of God; and, He makes intercession for us (34) d.What a savior!

14 G. Conviction of Victory Over All Obstacles Romans No influence from without can overcome our faith (35,36) a.“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” b.What greater love for man can be shown than for God to send His only begotten Son to die for our sins c.It is certainly not tribulation, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword d.None of these things will cause God to withdraw His blessings

15 G. Conviction of Victory Over All Obstacles Romans Christians grow stronger through perseverance in trials (37-39) a.“We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (37) b.Paul was persuaded that nothing in this world, no matter how powerful, could separate us from the love of God (38, 39) c.The only way one of His children can be separated from His love, is for the person to just quit, to give up, to stop loving Him. How sad when this happens.