2017.12.17 礼拝

2017.12.17 礼拝

2017.12.17 Romans 8:31-39 “Rediscovering the Joy of our Faith”

“Rediscovering the Joy of Salvation”

Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew then for the Gentile.

➀ God is “for us” because of the Son

Romans 8:31-34 31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? 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, along with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 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.

・Our heavenly Father is on our side to the last even if everyone should forsake us. (verse 31)

・The cross of Jesus is the proof. (verse 32)

・No one can charge us nor judge our sins against God’s decision. (verse 33)

・Jesus intercedes for us even at times of our failures and sins. (verse 34)

・If it had not been for Jesus, we would still be an enemy of God. (Romans 5:10)

・If it had not been for the cross of Jesus, our sins would still remain. (verse 33)

Colossians 2:14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.

Because of Jesus:

・we are freed from lonliness and isolation,

・we need not care about being bullied nor left out from a group,

・nor assessment from others,

・and stay calm even when school, work or home environment should change.

Are you enjoying these blessings?

➁ Feeling the victory of Christ’s love

Romans 8:37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

・Love of Christ and Father in heaven will not change whatever happens. (verses 35, 38-39)

・Because of God’s love, we can live in victory despite changes in our health, finance, career or social situations.

Since we are loved by Jesus:

・success or value of this world in the sense of “winner” and “loser,” will not affect us.

・we can live with confidence regardless of our education, career, income, assets or birth.

・we can make a triumphant return to heaven as we part from this world.

Are you experiencing the joy of a winner?