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[0:00] Romans chapter 8, we're going to read verses 18 through verse 38, 39. We know that the whole creation has been grown as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

[1:04] Not only so, but we ourselves who have the first fruits of the Spirit grown inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

[1:17] For in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

[1:31] In the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness, we do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

[1:43] And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

[2:02] For those God foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of a son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

[2:12] And those he predestined, he also called. And those he called, he also justified. And those he justified, he also glorified. What then shall we say in response to this?

[2:25] If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

[2:40] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died, more than that, who was raised to life, is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

[2:58] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble, or hardship, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? For as it is written, for your sake we face death all day long.

[3:13] We are considered a sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

[3:24] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else, in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

[3:46] Pastor Aaron, come and preach. Keep your Bibles open there to Romans. It's good to be with you. I enjoy the opportunities to come back and to preach.

[4:00] This is the second half of a pulpit swap between Jason and I. Last year, after the retreat, Jason and I were both chaperones. And you get to the end of that week, and you're a little on the tired side, because I don't keep those hours anymore.

[4:18] And the week has been shortened, because you've missed a couple of days. And so last year, Jason and I traded, and I said, do you want to trade again this year? And he said, yes, but my part of the trade didn't come until a few weeks later.

[4:30] And so this is the second half of what's become, I hope will be an annual, at least until our kids are out of the retreat, annual retreat, pulpit swap.

[4:42] I'm just a little bit late on my end, but very glad to be here. I really just want to accomplish two things tonight, which in some ways are what we try to accomplish every time we open the Word of God and preach it.

[4:55] And that is that I want to encourage those of you who are believers. A lot of times you might hear us say, or your pastors say, that the Gospel matters, and it doesn't just matter at the beginning of your life when you're saved, but that you need it every day.

[5:12] That it matters every day. And maybe that's hard to process, or hard to work out. And I hope tonight to give you a very simple reason why you need the Gospel every day. A simple encouragement that shows you the value of it on a daily basis.

[5:26] And it's really just contemplating the greatness of the gift of God to us. Remarkable gift that God has given to us. And so I hope to encourage you with that gift and the importance of the Gospel every day in your life.

[5:40] And then at the same time, those same realities that should comfort and encourage and uplift the hearts of believers should also be a challenge to those of you that are unbelievers.

[5:52] So the second thing I want for tonight is for you who are unbelievers to hear of the greatness of God and His gift and His Gospel and to see the beauty of it and the danger and the folly of rejecting it.

[6:07] Really, really especially the folly of rejecting it. When you're saying, I don't need the Gospel, you are removing yourself from any possibility of the greatest of all possible blessings and then every other blessing that follows from that.

[6:21] You're missing out on all of it. And whatever you are holding on to tonight that you think is better than Jesus, you're wrong. And I hope you'll see it tonight.

[6:32] There is nothing that is better than Him. He is more than better anything that you're currently clinging to. And so I want to look to the Scriptures to find encouragement for saints and for those of you that don't know the Lord.

[6:48] I want you to see that there's every reason for you to know Him, to come to faith in Him tonight. So Romans 8, Pastor Jason has just read a jam-packed passage and really I could accomplish those two purposes from almost any one of the verses that he read.

[7:04] But I want to zoom in on verses 31 and 32. So let's read those again. I noticed the translation Jason's reading from was a little different than mine and that's okay. So if you hear some differences, that's fine.

[7:18] It means the same thing. So Romans 8, 31 and 32, this is God's Word. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

[7:31] 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?

[7:44] The reason I noticed a difference in the translation that was read from is because my first point of my sermon is these things. And that's not even in your translation. So that's okay.

[7:54] Verse 31, What then shall we say to these things? Somebody read, Jason, what do you have? What then shall we say in response to this? In response to this. Okay, this is my first point. Alright?

[8:05] Alright? In the ESV it's these things. Is that NIV? It's this. Okay? The first thing I want to talk about is this. What are these things? What's the this?

[8:16] What shall we say to what? What's He talking about? And then I want to see that God is for us. And then make a note as our third point that there are many against you.

[8:27] Which may seem like a strange third point coming out of this passage but I hope you'll see what I mean as we go. So first of all, this. What is the this? What are the these things? What then shall we say to this?

[8:39] To these things? He wants us to think about what He has already said and then draw some conclusions with Him. And His conclusion is if God is for us who can be against us? He gave up His own Son how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?

[8:54] That's the conclusion. What leads Him to that conclusion? What leads Him to say if God is for us who can be against us? Well, we could go all the way back to the beginning of Romans to see what He said.

[9:06] All the way along. We could go back to the beginning of chapter 8. We don't have time for that tonight. Let's go back to verse 18 which is the passage that was read. And just notice a few things that He said that lead to that conclusion.

[9:19] So in verses 18 through 25 He's showing there the hope that we have as we anticipate being delivered from the suffering that we currently face.

[9:29] And notice verse 18 that we do face suffering now. I consider that the sufferings of this present time. Right? So there's suffering. And He's showing us though the hope.

[9:42] Those sufferings can't compare with the glory that is to be revealed. And then the whole creation He said is groaning under corruption and one day be set free.

[9:53] So too will we. Don't we groan under the weakness and the frailty of our bodies and the suffering that we face one day to the redemption of our bodies is surely coming.

[10:06] That's our hope and our current suffering and it's a sure and sufficient hope. So there is suffering but it's temporary. Your body is going to be redeemed one day believer.

[10:19] It's not going to be broken and painful and hard to get out of bed in the morning anymore. That's coming. It's certain. So what shall we say to that?

[10:30] Well, our suffering cannot defeat God's plan for it. Who can be against us? That's Paul's conclusion. Suffering is temporary.

[10:42] God's going to conquer that for you. Who can be against you if God is going to take care of that? Well, our suffering that doesn't measure up. It can't be against us ultimately and finally.

[10:55] He keeps going verses 26 through 30 which are packed so full. We are weak but the Spirit helps us and prays for us in verses 26 and 27. And when you read that the Spirit is praying for you don't you conclude that God is for us?

[11:10] God the Spirit is praying for you. What shall we say? God is for us. And then the very famous words in verse 28 that for those who love God and are called according to His purpose all things work together for good.

[11:26] Since that is the case what an appropriate conclusion to draw. Everything is working for your good believer. So who can be against us?

[11:40] You see His conclusion? Everything is working for you. Who can be against us if that is the case? You see where He's getting this conclusion. And then as if that wasn't enough in verses 29 and 30 He anchors that confidence and that hope in the determined sovereignty of God that extends back into eternity past and all the way into eternity future.

[12:03] those He foreknew before the foundation of the world those He foreknew He predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son those He predestined He called those He called He justified and those He justified He also glorified.

[12:19] And while our glorification is yet future if you're sitting here tonight you know that your glorification has not happened yet. Mine hasn't either. It's coming one day. But do you notice how He talks about it?

[12:32] It's already done. Those He justified He also glorified. It's as good as done. Who can be against us? See where He's getting this conclusion?

[12:43] From all of these truths that He's piling up? So what shall we say? These things furnish abundant evidence that God is indeed for us and gives us everything needed.

[12:57] And while there will certainly be many against us they shall not they cannot prevail against us. Now this is why I say that we need the gospel every day.

[13:08] And I want to see even more but I want to note it right now. The these things or this from verses 18 down through verse 30 those are gospel things.

[13:21] Those are gospel truths. The redemption of our bodies that He talks about that only comes through the work of Christ the risen Savior. Death is lost.

[13:32] We just sang it. That's a gospel truth. Your body is going to be redeemed one day. Those for whom the Spirit prays that He talks about are those for whom Christ has died and purchased with His blood.

[13:47] That's gospel truth. Those justified are those who are forgiven through Christ's sacrifice and are righteous before God through Christ's obedience. That's gospel truth. And all of these gospel realities give us every reason for confidence that our current right now sufferings cannot compare to the glory that is going to be revealed.

[14:09] See how He looks back at gospel truth and He says that's got relevance for me right now. What Jesus has done means that I'm going to get through today and tomorrow and the next day until He brings me safely home to glory.

[14:26] The gospel guarantees it. It cements those realities. The conclusion Paul draws about God being for us and God giving us everything that we need they flow out of these gospel truths.

[14:38] And so Christian if you can't see why that's needed by you today your heart may have grown cold. What do we need in the midst of our suffering and sorrow and grief and agony as we walk through this world but a reminder of this suffering Savior who suffered for us so that our suffering would be temporary and not eternal.

[15:04] A reminder that this world is not all there is and that our place in the renewed creation in the world to come our place there is absolutely unshakably secure because of what Christ has done.

[15:21] That means your place right here in this world today is unshakable. You're in the hand of God and nothing can snatch you out of it. The gospel the reality that you are God's child means that He's going to bring you safely home and that means that whatever you are going through right at this moment cannot derail your path to glory.

[15:42] The gospel matters right now today. So that's the background of these two verses verses 31 and 32 you say that's a long background.

[15:52] That's okay. We'll plow through these two verses now. Now let's get to the conclusion. Secondly, God is for you. Right? We've talked about this these things now God is for you.

[16:06] The answer to what then shall we say to these things to this it's interesting it doesn't have any verbs in it it just says if God on our behalf if God for us who against us so we have to add some verbs to sort of make make that sound a little bit better in English if God is for us who and we could say is against us who can be against us you can translate different ways but the idea is God for us who against us this is so great that this over here is just really in some ways insignificant now it's not I don't want to make your trial sound insignificant but but but scripture does this in more than one place here in Romans and in and and second Corinthians the eternal weight of glory far outweighs any suffering that we face here the sufferings that of the present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us if God is for us who is against us so he is for us that's for his people

[17:16] I believe that he's talking about that he's just made reference to in verses 29 and 30 who is he's for us all all of his people how is he for us what does he mean when he says God on your behalf well we've seen all the things that lead to that but now in verse 32 he gives us the greatest reason which all of the others are really built upon how do we know that God is for us verse 32 he didn't spare his own son that's how you know that God is for you he didn't spare his own son but he gave him up for us all there's more gospel truth isn't it this is the God who didn't spare his own son but gave him up you take a second you let that soak in he didn't spare his own son it echoes Abraham who when he was asked by God to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice we read in Genesis 22 that Abraham did not spare his son his only son just as God didn't spare his son his only son but for God offering up his son there would be no last minute substitution of a ram caught in a thicket like it was for Abraham sacrificing his son

[18:33] Jesus was the substitute so Abraham in some ways gets off the hook he doesn't actually have to sacrifice it not with the son of God he was the ram he was the substitute and God who had every right to never send him in the first place every right to spare him to withhold him from us he did not he did not spare him instead of sparing him what did he do he gave him up or delivered him up seems to imply giving over to punishment especially when you trace it out in the next verses in verse 34 there's no one to condemn us because Jesus is the one who died and is interceding for us I think he's saying that God gave him up to die in the place of his people the reason that no one can bring a charge against us that he goes on to talk about is because all of our chargeable offenses were taken by Jesus in our place at the cross you know the verses 2 Corinthians 5 21 for our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin so that in him we might become the righteousness of God that's God giving up his son for us

[19:50] Galatians 3.13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us for it is written cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree he was cursed so that we would be blessed that's God giving up his son for us John Murray says he did not withhold or lighten one wit of the full toll of judgment executed upon his own well beloved and only begotten son there was no alleviation of the stroke for it please the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to grief there was no mitigation judgment was dispensed upon the son in its unrelieved intensity God gave him up for us all he did not spare him I've got five sons and I love you all but I would not give up one of them for you I don't know if that's sinful or selfish selfish or human I couldn't so far as I can tell

[20:51] God gave up his son didn't spare him you want to know how this should read how we deserve it to read it should read he did not spare us but delivered us up that's not what it says praise God for us he did not spare his son but did deliver him up God the father gave God the son over to face his wrath in our place that is God for us God on our behalf so thirdly tonight there will be many against you right so we talked about these things this God is for us there will be many against you now you might think that's a poor heading for our third point it says who can be against us so what do you mean there will be many against you well let's think about that does Paul mean does God mean that no one or nothing will be against us as we walk with him through the world

[21:58] I don't think so remember verse 18 the sufferings of this present time or verse 23 the groaning while we're waiting for the redemption of our bodies or what about the verses afterwards verse 35 tribulation distress persecution famine nakedness danger sword what about being killed and slaughtered in verse 36 there will be all sorts of opposition and suffering and temptation and demonic attacks against us as followers of Christ in this world there will be many against you many in fact Paul writes to the Corinthians he tells them about a time when he asked God to remove a thorn from his flesh he had some kind of suffering going on maybe physical it might have been something else we had a thorn in the flesh he asked God three times to remove it and God didn't remove it and you want to know what Paul says he says he doesn't say well I didn't have enough faith and so I just I need a little bit more faith there's not going to be any opposition to us in this world it's just going to be blessing blessing blessing all the time time time it's not what he says he says rather ask God to remove the thorn in the flesh but he said to me my grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness that's that's God talking to

[23:24] Paul you know what Paul says in return it's it's hard he says Paul says therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me for the sake of Christ then I am content that's hard I am content with weaknesses listen to this list weaknesses insults hardships persecutions and calamities for when I am weak then I am strong Paul's not saying you're not going to have opposition he's not going to he's not saying there's there's not going to be anyone against you he's saying there will be and we're going to have to be content with that reality as we walk through this world so who is against us many are many will be and you don't need me to tell you that tonight you don't need me to talk about Paul's thorn in the flesh you have your own many of you come today maybe barely able to get here in some ways weak tired of the struggle feeling as though Satan has been relentless in his attacks against you you wonder if you can bear up another day the struggle is real it's painful and this is not pleasant but it will last until the day

[24:43] God takes us home to varying degrees that's the bad news and this question who can be against us is not meant to suggest otherwise doesn't mean that there will be no one against you but this question does suggest and state that in comparison to the God who is for us the vast enemies arrayed against you can do you no eternal harm they cannot derail your journey to glory they cannot but work for your good so dear one hurting suffering beaten down by circumstances at work financial woe physical suffering great grief broken friendship fierce temptation or one of a hundred other sources of pain and attack and suffering in your life the enemy would love to use those things to turn you aside given what God has done for you in Christ though it would be impossible listen it would be impossible for God to not graciously give you all things that you need in this life to endure to the end how will he not with him if he has given you

[25:59] Christ if he didn't spare his own son what do you think he is going to hold back from you that you need nothing he's not going to hold any of it back you see the argument from the greater to the lesser if God is for us who is against us if he did this here's why the gospel matters every day if he son and here's here's the everyday part how will he not also with that son that he gave you graciously give you all things everything that you need he's given the greatest gift he's healed your greatest problem and having done that he will give you every resource needed to endure whatever remains the great suffering at your doorstep is no match for the great God who is for you that's what

[26:59] Romans 38 8 30 31 and 32 says he will give you the strength you need to fight the temptation you are facing he will sustain you through the loss the deep waters of the loss of a loved one he will provide for your need he will heal you or give you grace to bear up under physical pain he will give you wisdom to navigate those impossible circumstances that you are facing whatever they are and you don't know and James says if you lack wisdom ask and he will give it he's given you a son how will he not also with him graciously give you all things give you the grace to raise your children and comfort your soul if they go astray you see you you see why these things that have gone before so foundational and why the gospel matters every day you are one on whom he has set his love from all eternity he he's justified you there's nothing that can alter that reality and so in the verses that follow he goes on to say that there's nothing that can separate us from his love which is just a different way of saying what he says here if

[28:20] God is for you who can be against you he's going to give you everything that you need so that you won't be separated from his love he's bound himself to do so and he cannot be unfaithful so the gospel matters every day if God has given you Christ and forgiven your sin there's the gospel he's not going to fail to get you through today he's done the greatest thing given the greatest gift and he will do the rest whatever it takes everything that you need to bring you safely home the resources at your disposal are as infinite as the God who supplies them Satan can unleash a legion of demons against you and it may feel like he has but who can be against you no one can prevail against you it's the uniform testimony of scripture even though

[29:21] I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for you are with me your rod and your staff they come for me if God is for us who even death itself can be against us psalm 56 11 in God I trust I shall not be afraid what can man do to me if God is for us who can be against us you hear this echoed it's all over the scriptures 2nd Peter 1 3 his divine power is granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness how will we not also with him graciously give us all things and his divine power has given us all things for life and godliness friends it would be impossible for God to not give you all the things that you need along with Christ who he did not spare but gave up for you if he paid that price he's not going to stop and fail to finish the work Philippians 1 6 and I am sure of this of course he's sure because he gave him

[30:24] Christ so of course he's sure I am sure of this that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ I hope you are as sure as Paul tonight if he began the work he's going to finish it how will he not so what shall what shall we say to these things and come back to you who are unbelievers tonight I want to encourage believers with a blessedness of the gospel for each day to encourage you to give you hope for unbelievers I want you to see that you're missing the greatest of all gifts if you're not trusting in Christ today there's something that you should say what should you say to this you should say Lord save me Lord come and be for me call me to yourself

[31:26] I want this I need this and it shouldn't just be a matter of wanting the lesser things that would be really nice if I didn't have to if I was guaranteed pain and suffering you're not guaranteed those things will go away you're guaranteed grace in the midst of those things your greater desire should be for your greater problem as that you're facing an eternity of suffering and torment for your sacrifice of the son is what you need and if you don't have that you will die forever and all these wonderful things I've spoken of tonight the reality of being preserved all the way to good it's not yours he gave up his son and you're saying no thanks and when you say no thanks!

[32:13] to that you're saying no thanks to the rest should be begging God that this great gift would be yours you desperately need it don't listen don't turn away from the Savior again as you have done repeatedly up to this point you need him if God is against you listen if if you're on the wrong side if God is for us who can be against us but if God is against you you!

[32:50] you are in deep trouble you cry out to him and he will come and save you and these great blessings can be yours and if you reject him make no mistake he is against you but you come to him and ask him to be for you and he will what should you say she say God be merciful to me sinner save me what about you believers I hope you're comforted I know these are not unfamiliar truths I know you know these things but I hope that you will have some encouragement as you walk into your week tomorrow or tonight when you walk out of here God is for you he is going to give you everything that you need because you know that it's guaranteed it's sealed it's just as sure as your glorification that he talks about like it's already completed because he gave you Jesus I hope you're comforted as you hear that tonight so what should we say we should say thank you hallelujah praise you

[33:52] Lord should fill our hearts with praise which should overflow in praise coming from our mouths to God beg God for that help that you're in such desperate need of pray would strengthen your faith to believe that he will keep you and is for you and will give you all things that you need all the way safely home pray for greater faith to believe these things and praise him that he has to this point provided them if you're here tonight he's given you everything that you need right up to this point and furnished you abundant evidence that he will continue to do so all the way praise him for that and trust him for what's to come two remarkable verses here couched in a remarkable chapter of God's truth for his people I pray that we will be moved to worship him for it let's pray together our father we thank you that you are for us we thank you that you show us that so clearly and not sparing your own son we pray that we would take heart and great comfort and encouragement from those realities we pray that you would send us from here confident that you will give us all things that we need and that nothing can separate us from your love open some eyes to that reality for the first time tonight do that for

[35:19]  Jesus sake and for your praise we ask it in Jesus name amen amen