Saved For Sure
Text: Romans
8:18-39
I. The Glory of the Future
A.
Sin wreaked havoc on both man and creation
1.
Creation has both beauty and cruelty
2.
There was perfect harmony before sin entered creation
3.
Possible effects after sin
a)
Thorns, undesirable plants
b)
Animals became carnivorous
c)
Nature began the process of deterioration
(1)
The law of increasing entropy (2nd Law of
Thermodynamics) states that things are slowly decaying
(2)
The genetic code is slowly disintegrating
(a)
As a whole, man is becoming weaker
(b)
Mental capacity is decreasing, not increasing
d)
Natural disasters became a part of creation
4.
This explains the seeming contradiction we see in nature.
a)
On the one hand there is the beauty and majesty that we see in
nature. This is the result of the
“good” in creation still being retained to some extent.
b)
On the other hand, there is the cruelty we see in nature
(1)
The survival of the fittest
(2)
One part of creation preying on another part of creation
(3)
Natural disasters: floods, tornadoes, storms
B.
Future is better for us
1.
God’s glory will be revealed in us
2.
The body will be redeemed
a)
This sinful body will be replaced in the resurrection with an
incorruptible body
b)
Our new body will be better than the old body, even the old
sinless body before Adam sinned
(1)
If it is like Jesus’ resurrected body then it will have these
characteristics:
(a)
Pass through walls
(b)
Ability to eat
(c)
Still had the marks of the crucifixion
(2)
Note: Some of these characteristics may be the result of
Christ’s deity, rather than the inherent nature of the new body
C.
Future is better for creation
II. The Spirit’s Role in the Plan of God
A.
Firstfruits of the Spirit are given to us
1.
The Spirit is our “down payment” securing our salvation
2.
The desires of the Spirit are given to us
B.
Spirit groans for us
1.
His groans are similar to our groans
2.
His groans are similar to those of creation
3.
This passage is not talking about speaking in tongues
a)
It is the Spirit groaning, not us
b)
The words are inexpressible
c)
He makes intercession for us
C.
Hope of the Christian
1.
Sure thing, not a “hope so” longing
2.
Twofold in scope
a)
Our suffering will end
b)
Our suffering will provide a better resurrection
D.
Spirit helps our praying
1.
We need help because of our infirmities (weaknesses)
a)
We are finite, limited in knowledge, still tainted with sin
b)
The Spirit is omniscient, infinite, moral
2.
In context, He helps in our prayers during suffering
a)
We don’t know how to pray
b)
Do you pray for healing, deliverance, death?
c)
We pray for god’s will to be done often not knowing what that
entails
d)
James tells us to “pray for wisdom” in the midst of trials
E.
Spirit works all things for the good of the Christian
1.
Not all things ARE good, but they do WORK for good
2.
We don’t know how to pray, but we do know the Spirit will work
things out to be good for us
3.
This promise is specifically for the Christian
a)
Not all things work together for good for the unsaved
b)
The unsaved, because of their damnation, do not have all
things work together for good
c)
The unsaved were vessels “made for destruction”
4.
Calling is for His purpose, not ours
a)
We began the study of Romans referring to a God-centered,
rather than a man-centered salvation
b)
Salvation is for God’s purpose, not ours
III. Eternal Security of the Believer
A.
We are eternally secure because of the plan of God
1.
God’s planning of events would not include saving, and then
losing some of His own
a)
No man can pluck them out of His hand
b)
He is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto him against
that day
c)
All that the Father giveth to me...
2.
This chain of events, while occurring at different points in
time, are considered to be parts of a whole
a)
Thus, once you have one part, you automatically have all
parts.
b)
This is the verse that changed me from being a FWB to an
independent Baptist
3.
If you are justified, you are also glorified
4.
Predestination involves conformity to the image of Christ
B.
We are eternally secure because no charge can be laid against
us
1.
God gave His Son to be delivered for us all
2.
God will then give us all things freely
3.
God is the one who justifies and He has decided to declare us
“not guilty” through His Son
a)
His Son is risen again signifying that he paid for our sins
b)
Legally, Christ suffered on behalf of us
4.
Christ is making intercession on our behalf
C.
We are eternally secure because nothing can separate us from
the love of God
1.
Dire circumstances cannot separate you from God’s love
a)
Circumstances are not an indication of love
b)
Note that there are times that even basic needs may not be met
when we are suffering for Christ
c)
When this happens, it is for “thy sake”
d)
We are more than conquerors through Christ
2.
Beings cannot separate us from God
a)
You are as close to God as you want to be
b)
You can’t blame your spiritual position (condition) on others