God's Purpose in Suffering: Embracing His Refining Work

Romans 8:28 is often quoted as a promise that God will make everything in our lives work out the way we want, but a closer look at its context reveals a much deeper and more challenging truth. The journey through Romans up to chapter 8 is a sobering reminder of the reality of sin and the brokenness of our world. Yet, in the midst of this, Paul proclaims that there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. This belonging is not about earning or achieving, but about being adopted as God’s children, heirs to both his glory and his suffering.

The reality is that life as a follower of Jesus is not a guarantee of comfort or ease. In fact, suffering is woven into the fabric of the Christian experience. The promise of Romans 8:28 is not that all things are good, or that God will always give us what we want, but that God is at work in all things—good and bad—for the ultimate good of those who love him. This “good” is not defined by our comfort or our plans, but by God’s purpose: to shape us into the likeness of Jesus.

Living as God’s children means embracing both the privileges and the costs. Just as a good father doesn’t give his children everything they want, God uses even hardship and suffering to refine us, to draw us closer to him, and to prepare us for eternity. The world is broken—creation itself groans for redemption—and our suffering is a reminder that we are not home yet. But the hope of the gospel is that our present sufferings are nothing compared to the glory that awaits us.

God’s faithfulness is not measured by how comfortable or blessed we feel, but by his unwavering presence and his commitment to work for our good according to his purpose. He is not working to fulfill our every desire, but to conform us to the image of his Son. In every moment—big or small, joyful or painful—God is present and active, weaving all things together for his glory and our ultimate good. Nothing, not even suffering or death, can separate us from his love.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s promise is for our good, not our comfort. The deepest work God does in us often happens through hardship, not ease. If we worship comfort, we will be disappointed, but if we trust God’s refining process, we will find that he is shaping us to be more like Jesus, which is the greatest good we could receive. [46:22]
• 2. God is working for his purpose, not ours. Our plans and desires often fall short of God’s greater vision for our lives. True joy and fulfillment come not from getting God to bless our agenda, but from surrendering to his redemptive purpose and allowing him to use every circumstance to draw us into his story. [51:18]
• 3. Suffering is not a sign of God’s absence or failure, but a part of life in a broken world. The world is groaning under the weight of sin, and we share in that suffering as God’s children. Yet, God uses even the most painful experiences to mold us, and our hope is anchored not in present comfort but in the glory to come. [41:00]
• 4. God is present and at work in all things, not just the big moments. Every ordinary day, every mundane task, every season of doubt or struggle is an opportunity for God to work in us and through us. If we only look for God in the miraculous, we will miss his faithful presence in the everyday moments of life. [53:43]
• 5. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Our circumstances—whether blessing or hardship—do not determine God’s love for us. His love is steadfast, unbreakable, and the foundation of our hope, assuring us that even in suffering, we are never alone or abandoned. [57:04]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [26:57] - Series Introduction & Invitation
• [29:38] - The “Would You Rather” Game and Romans 8:28
• [30:59] - Common Misconceptions About Romans 8:28
• [32:32] - Context: The Journey Through Romans
• [33:28] - No Condemnation and Spiritual Adoption
• [35:31] - Sharing in Glory and Suffering
• [41:00] - The Brokenness of Creation
• [42:49] - The Reality of Aging and Suffering
• [43:47] - Comparing Present Suffering to Future Glory
• [44:53] - God’s Goodness Beyond Blessing
• [46:22] - God Works for Our Good, Not Our Comfort
• [51:18] - God’s Purpose Over Our Purpose
• [52:20] - Surrendering to God’s Purpose
• [53:43] - God Works in All Things, Big and Small
• [55:47] - God’s Presence in Every Moment
• [57:04] - The Unbreakable Love of God

Bible Reading

Romans 8:1, 17-23, 28-29, 35-39 (ESV) —
> 1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
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> 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
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> 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
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> 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.
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> 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope
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> 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
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> 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
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> 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
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> 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
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> 29 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 among many brothers.
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> 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
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> 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
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> 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
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> 39 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.

Observation Questions

1. According to Romans 8:28, what is the “good” that God is working toward in the lives of those who love Him? How does verse 29 help clarify what this “good” is?
2. In Romans 8:17, what does Paul say we inherit as God’s children, and what does he say we must also share in?
3. How does Paul describe the current state of creation and believers in Romans 8:19-23? What are both creation and believers waiting for?
4. In the sermon, what are some common misconceptions people have about Romans 8:28? ([30:59])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that God’s promise is for our good, not our comfort. Why might God allow hardship or suffering in the lives of His children? How does this challenge the way we often think about God’s blessings? ([46:22])
2. What does it mean that God is working for His purpose, not ours? How might our own plans and desires fall short of God’s greater vision for our lives? ([51:18])
3. The sermon mentions that suffering is not a sign of God’s absence or failure. How can suffering actually be a part of God’s refining process in our lives? ([41:00])
4. How does the assurance that “nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:35-39) affect the way we view suffering and hardship? ([57:04])

Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “If we worship comfort, we will be disappointed, but if we trust God’s refining process, we will find that he is shaping us to be more like Jesus.” What are some ways you might be tempted to seek comfort over growth? Can you think of a recent situation where God used discomfort to grow you? ([46:22])
2. When you face hardship, do you tend to see it as a sign that God is distant or not listening? How might you begin to look for God’s presence and purpose in the middle of your struggles? ([41:00])
3. The sermon challenges us to surrender our plans to God’s purpose. Is there an area of your life where you are holding tightly to your own agenda? What would it look like to surrender that to God this week? ([52:20])
4. The pastor said, “God is present and at work in all things, not just the big moments.” How can you become more aware of God’s presence in your everyday, ordinary routines? What is one small way you can invite God into your daily life this week? ([53:43])
5. Romans 8:17 says we are heirs with Christ “provided we suffer with him.” How does knowing that suffering is part of the Christian life change the way you pray for yourself and others? ([35:31])
6. The sermon ends with the assurance that nothing can separate us from God’s love. When have you doubted God’s love because of your circumstances? How can you remind yourself of His unbreakable love in hard times? ([57:04])
7. Think about a current challenge or area of suffering in your life. How might God be using this to shape you into the likeness of Jesus? What is one step you can take to cooperate with His work in this area? ([29:38])