“VICTORS AND NOT VICTIMS”
Romans 8:28-29
I. INTRODUCTION: What this verse has meant to me.
A. At the time of his writing to the Church at Rome Paul had never been to Rome to preach, BUT HE WAS ANXIOUS TO GO THERE!
Rom 1:15 “So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.”
1. One can sense the excitement in Paul over the prospects of preaching the gospel message to them at Rome. He was so excited that—
B. In the first chapter of Romans he set out to introduce his 1Christ and the 2gospel message to them in the letter, rather than waiting until he went to Rome.
1. Paul didn’t exaggerate in his introduction of Jesus nor of the gospel message.
2. Rom 1:4 “And declared to be the Son of God 1with power, 2according to the spirit of holiness, 3by the resurrection from the dead.
a. Jesus’ resurrection made a statement to the O.T. Church and world about 1who He was and 2about the importance of holiness.
b. Jesus’ resurrection is a standard for our resurrection – “according to the spirit of holiness.” [Spirit – Grk. “Pneuma” = mental disposition, vital principal.]
c. Christ’s resurrection made a statement about who He was and how God feels about holiness.
d. Our resurrection OR transformation will make a statement to the N.T. Church and the world when the Rapture takes place.
Rom 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
(The Gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation because its message is about Christ, who is the Son of God with power – Who gives men power to become the sons of God!!
3. Paul would have them and us to understand that the gospel message is the power message. The power message for deliverance for the people of God, as well as salvation for the sinner
C. We need to understand what this means for the Christian [if we don’t know], and to be reminded if we do know. It means: