Broadway Christian Church · Columbia, Missouri
Morning Worship · October 12, 2008
Twenty-Second Sunday After Pentecost
Prayer of the Day
Dear Lord, as we journey along life’s pathway, we know that we are not always going to understand everything that happens along the way. Teach us to live so fears and anxieties can be overcome, doubts give way to trust, anger and hate are lost in goodwill, and guilt loses its bitterness with reconciling love. Amen.
Scripture
Romans 8:28-39
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Message
God will do God's Part
Larry Gallamore
I’ll share a secret with you. When I was a child, I had a “security blanket.” Security blankets were not popular during those days. They became popular with the comic strip “Peanuts.” Linus van Pelt, Lucy’s little brother, carries around his blanket everywhere he goes, and when questioned about it, he talks about how it makes him feel more secure.
While adults often disregard the value of security blankets, children place a great deal of significance in them. Kids know security blankets can save your life. They can restore confidence. They can help you live a better life. Regardless of your age, you need a security blanket. Imagine what the world would be like if everyone had a security blanket. We wouldn’t need nuclear arms. Little by little, nations would become more and more secure. Wouldn’t it be amazing if you had something you could depend on – something that would never let you down, something you could always believe in? As adults you spend a lot of time trying to find some anchor, some foundation, some security blanket you can depend on. You’ve tried many things – just to mention a few – investments, pensions, bank accounts, friends, fitness, families, familiar places; only to discover that ultimately security and safety cannot be found in these things. Imagine what it would be like if you found a security blanket!
That’s why I’ve chosen Romans 8 this morning. In this text, Paul shows you the most powerful security blanket you’ve ever seen. He says, “If God is for you, who can be against you?” The question is rhetorical. It cannot be answered. It is obvious: no one can stand against you when God is for you. You need not fear anything. Your future is secure. You are really liking this, aren’t you? You’re feeling more secure already. You talk about a security blanket!
In the eighth chapter of Romans, you have the longest single logical presentation of security to be found anywhere. Paul announces that nothing can separate you from the love of God; nothing, “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor heights, nor anything else in all creation.” You can be free from all your insecurities in just minutes. Read it and believe it. Paul also says, “All things work together for good to them that love God.” Paul doesn’t miss anything. Paul pumps you up, gets you all excited, tells you that your security is in the hands of God; the same God who has been faithful down through all ages, the same God who has been present in all human history, the same God who revealed his love for you in Jesus Christ.
Aren’t you ready to stand up and shout? You are feeling more secure than ever, and then the objective side your brain kicks in and you say, “Wait, Paul. You just said all things work together for good? Are you saying that all the bad things that happen some how, some way work out for good? I’ve had some really bad things happen in my life! I need answers, Paul. Give me objective answers! Paul, how can you say all things work together for good? You were shipwrecked, in prison, and you had some strange illness described as a ‘thorn in your flesh.’ Your life was no ‘bed of roses.’ Now, Paul, level with me.”
And Paul says, “Let me explain. First of all, you must recognize that God is with you in good times and bad times. Wherever you go, God is there. God is present everywhere.” For all of you who need a big theological word, God is omnipresent – present in all places and all times.
Here is what Paul is saying. Let me illustrate. When I walked out on the chancel area this morning, God walked out here with me. God is standing right here beside me. If I ever walk out here, and God isn’t here, I will turn around and go back to my seat and start praying. I’ll pray until God returns, and then I’ll walk back out. I want to reassure you, I’ve been in the ministry for 30-plus years. I’ve never been in a church where I didn’t feel the presence of God. The presence of God is so strong here at Broadway! Your life is in the hands of God. My life is in the hands of God. The children’s and teenagers’ lives are in the hands of God. This is what Paul is saying: God is with us.
Can you imagine the changes that will occur in your life when you know God is ever present? Millions have experienced what I’m talking about. Some have even written about it. Listen to how one Old Testament character, David, describes this experience in the 23rd Psalm.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want;
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil;
For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
David was very familiar with the presence of God. You’ll find security in knowing God is always present.
Secondly, Paul goes further in his presentation. He assures you that God is present when bad things happen to you. God doesn’t cause bad things to happen in your life, but God will use them. God wants you to know you can make it through the storms of life. Out of your greatest problems will come your greatest possibilities. Out of your struggles will come your strengths. Paul knows about life’s struggles, and he wants to reassure you that you can rise above any struggle no matter how difficult. You can trust God.
You are born with certain basic drives that psychologists have listed for us for many years. One of the most interesting of these basic drives is the tendency for the human being to keep going. There is something in you that says, “Hang in there, wait for one more sunrise, try one more time, and then one more again and again.” No matter how defeated you feel, even when all hope seems to be gone, there is that small, inextinguishable flame of hope that stays lit, that keeps us going. You know what I’m talking about. It’s called persistence, and you cannot achieve anything without it.
Paul is saying if you have to go through all these struggles, God will help you get something out of them.
Let me assure you, thirdly, God knows how to get something out of your struggles. God is all knowing. The Bible is full of stories that tell us that God knows about your mistakes, and God still loves you.
Let me share just a part of the Old Testament story of Joseph with you. You know the story. God told Joseph, in a dream, that he was going to rule over his brothers and his entire family. His family would bow down to him.
Let me ask you. If you were the youngest of twelve children, the runt of the litter (a daddy’s boy) hated and scorned by your older brothers, would you share your dream to rule over your brothers with them? Let me remind you, God never told Joseph to do something so ridiculous. God never told him to share his dream. Joseph not only shared it with his brothers, he shared it with his whole family. He indicated that they all would bow down to him. Jacob looked at Rachel and said, “Has your son lost his mind?” to which Rachel responded, “He’s not my son, he is yours.”
Often God gives us a vision of the future but those around us are not ready to hear it. If people aren’t ready to hear what you have to say, don’t tell them.
You know the story. Joseph’s brothers beat him up badly and left him in a pit to die. That’s when Joseph realized he wasn’t doing too well with his life. He let God take over. From that day on, Joseph never forgot his dream, and he never forgot God. If we fast-forward to the end of this story, Joseph reaches the mountain he had dreamed of, and Pharaoh says to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”
The Pharaoh took his signet ring (Superbowl ring) from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in a robe of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. How’s that for getting something good out of a struggle?
When you reach your dream, don’t forget who helped you get there. Joseph knew he was only in the palace because of what God had done. Don’t be one who blames God for the pit you’re in and then forgets God when you are on the mountaintop.
Don’t give up on your dream. God had his hand on the life of Joseph from the very beginning. God has his hand on your life right now. Just keep doing what is right and, in the long run, you can count on your dreams coming true.
So be it. Amen.
Benediction
Partnering God, thank you for calling us to rise up and join our hearts to yours. Help us to be confident as we do our part and count on you to do yours. Let us trust that in all things you will work for the good of those who love you. Amen.
