God's Unfailing Love and Assurance in Salvation
Summary
In reflecting on Romans 8:32, we delve into the profound assurance of God's unwavering love and commitment to us. The verse, "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" serves as a cornerstone for understanding the doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints. This doctrine assures us that God, having begun a good work in us, will see it through to completion, bringing us to ultimate glorification.
The argument is built on the premise that if God did not withhold His own Son, but rather delivered Him up for our salvation, then there is nothing He will withhold from us that is necessary for our spiritual journey and ultimate glorification. This is an argument from the greater to the lesser; having done the greatest thing, God will surely do the lesser. The cross is the ultimate demonstration of God's love and commitment, where He did not spare His own Son but allowed Him to endure the full wrath and penalty of sin on our behalf.
The sermon emphasizes that the cross was not merely a demonstration of love but a necessary act of justice. God's holiness and righteousness demanded that sin be punished, and in His love, He provided His Son as the substitute. This act of delivering up His Son was not done reluctantly but freely, out of His grace and love for us, even while we were still sinners and enemies of God.
Understanding this profound truth should lead us to a place of assurance and confidence in our salvation. If God has already done the greatest thing by giving His Son, He will certainly provide all that is necessary for our perseverance and ultimate glorification. This assurance is not based on our merit but on God's unchanging character and His eternal purpose.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Unwavering Love: The cross is the ultimate demonstration of God's love, where He did not spare His own Son but delivered Him up for us. This act assures us that God's love is steadfast and unchanging, providing a foundation for our faith and hope. [03:05]
2. The Doctrine of Perseverance: The assurance of our final perseverance is rooted in the fact that God, having begun a good work in us, will complete it. This is not based on our ability but on God's faithfulness and the finished work of Christ. [01:36]
3. The Necessity of the Cross: The cross was not just a demonstration of love but a necessary act of justice. God's holiness required that sin be punished, and in His love, He provided His Son as the substitute, bearing the full wrath of God. [16:55]
4. Freely Given Grace: God's act of delivering up His Son was done freely, out of His grace, not in response to anything in us. This highlights the freeness of God's grace and the depth of His love for us, even while we were still sinners. [34:54]
5. Assurance in All Circumstances: If God has already done the greatest thing by giving His Son, He will certainly provide all that is necessary for our perseverance and ultimate glorification. This assurance is not based on our merit but on God's unchanging character. [39:44]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Introduction to Romans 8:32
- [00:40] - The Doctrine of Perseverance
- [01:17] - Assurance of Glorification
- [02:10] - The Question of God's Love
- [03:05] - The Cross as God's Action
- [04:16] - God's Own Son
- [05:31] - The Meaning of "Spared Not"
- [06:32] - The Offering of Isaac
- [07:43] - The Fullness of Christ's Suffering
- [09:00] - Delivered Up for Us All
- [10:35] - The Mystery of the Cross
- [12:00] - The Power of Darkness
- [13:00] - Agony in Gethsemane
- [14:11] - The Cry of Dereliction
- [16:55] - The Wrath of God
- [19:24] - The Glory of the Cross
- [23:44] - The Agony of the Cross
- [29:07] - On Behalf of Us All
- [34:54] - Freely Given Grace
- [39:44] - Assurance in All Circumstances
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 8:32
- Genesis 22:16
- 2 Corinthians 5:21
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Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of God not sparing His own Son according to Romans 8:32? How does this relate to the assurance of our salvation? [03:05]
2. How does the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22:16 parallel the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross? What does this tell us about God's commitment to His promises? [06:32]
3. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, what does it mean that Jesus was "made to be sin for us"? How does this connect to the concept of substitutionary atonement discussed in the sermon? [14:37]
4. How does the sermon describe the nature of God's love as demonstrated through the cross? What are the implications of this love for believers? [35:19]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints provide comfort and assurance to believers, according to the sermon? [01:17]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between God's justice and love in the context of the cross? How are these attributes of God reconciled? [16:55]
3. How does the sermon explain the necessity of Jesus enduring the full wrath of God? What does this reveal about the seriousness of sin and the extent of God's grace? [26:44]
4. In what ways does the sermon argue that God's love is magnified through the act of not sparing His Son? How does this understanding challenge common perceptions of God's love? [36:44]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you doubted God's love or commitment to you. How does the assurance provided in Romans 8:32 help you address those doubts? [39:44]
2. The sermon emphasizes that God's grace is freely given, not based on our merit. How can this understanding impact the way you view your relationship with God and others? [34:54]
3. Consider the concept of substitutionary atonement. How does knowing that Jesus took your place on the cross affect your daily life and decisions? [14:37]
4. How can the assurance of God's unwavering love and the promise of perseverance influence the way you handle challenges and setbacks in your spiritual journey? [01:36]
5. The sermon highlights the necessity of the cross as an act of justice. How does this understanding shape your view of sin and the need for repentance in your life? [16:55]
6. In what ways can you actively remind yourself of God's love and commitment, especially during times of doubt or struggle? What practical steps can you take to reinforce this assurance? [39:44]
7. How can you share the message of God's unwavering love and the assurance of salvation with someone who is struggling with doubt or fear? What specific actions can you take this week to reach out to them? [38:47]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Love Demonstrated Through Sacrifice
God's love is profoundly demonstrated through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. This act of not sparing His own Son but delivering Him up for us is the ultimate assurance of His steadfast and unchanging love. The cross is not just a symbol of love but a testament to the lengths God will go to ensure our salvation. It is a reminder that if God has already given us His greatest gift, He will not withhold anything else we need for our spiritual journey. This assurance is rooted in the character of God, who is faithful and true to His promises. [03:05]
Isaiah 53:5-6 (ESV): "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
Reflection: Consider the depth of God's love for you as demonstrated through the sacrifice of Jesus. How does this assurance of His love impact your trust in Him today?
Day 2: Assurance of Perseverance Through God's Faithfulness
The doctrine of perseverance assures us that God, who began a good work in us, will bring it to completion. This assurance is not based on our strength or ability but on God's faithfulness and the finished work of Christ. The cross is the foundation of this assurance, as it demonstrates God's commitment to our ultimate glorification. We can rest in the knowledge that God will provide all that is necessary for our spiritual journey, as He has already given us His greatest gift. [01:36]
Philippians 1:6 (ESV): "And 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."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to trust in God's faithfulness for perseverance? How can you remind yourself of His promises today?
Day 3: The Cross as a Necessity of Justice and Love
The cross was not only a demonstration of love but also a necessary act of justice. God's holiness and righteousness required that sin be punished, and in His love, He provided His Son as the substitute. Jesus bore the full wrath of God on our behalf, satisfying the demands of justice while extending grace to us. This profound truth should lead us to a deeper understanding of God's character and His unwavering commitment to both justice and love. [16:55]
2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV): "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Reflection: How does understanding the necessity of the cross for justice and love change your perspective on God's character? How can you live in response to this truth today?
Day 4: The Freeness of God's Grace
God's act of delivering up His Son was done freely, out of His grace, not in response to anything in us. This highlights the freeness of God's grace and the depth of His love for us, even while we were still sinners. It is a reminder that our salvation is not based on our merit but on God's unchanging character and His eternal purpose. This understanding should lead us to a place of humility and gratitude, recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God. [34:54]
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Reflection: Reflect on the freeness of God's grace in your life. How can you express gratitude for this gift today, and how does it influence your interactions with others?
Day 5: Assurance in All Circumstances
If God has already done the greatest thing by giving His Son, He will certainly provide all that is necessary for our perseverance and ultimate glorification. This assurance is not based on our merit but on God's unchanging character. In every circumstance, we can trust that God is working for our good and His glory. This assurance should lead us to live with confidence and hope, knowing that God is with us and for us in every situation. [39:44]
Romans 8:31-32 (ESV): "What then shall we say to these things? 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 with him graciously give us all things?"
Reflection: In what current circumstance do you need to be reminded of God's assurance and provision? How can you actively trust Him in this situation today?
Quotes
The argument is that if God justifies the men that men can be sure that he's going to be glorified very well we are now looking at the second objection the first of course was in the 31st verse if God be for us who can be against us puts up any possible challenge to the power of God and shows there's nothing. [00:01:38]
He that spared not his own son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things we began considering this last week we looked at the argument in general and we saw that it's an argument from the general to the particular from the greater to the less if you like. [00:03:13]
The whole case here depends upon what happened on the cross on Calvary's Hill that's the on which we can be sure that God's love will never wane never become less than it is or ever abandon us it's what happened on the cross and Gallagher is he'll what was it well the first thing he says is it was God doing. [00:04:19]
He was delivered up by God the Father to bear the full wrath of God himself against sin he was delivered up to bear the full penalty of God's holy law upon sin and transgression that's what he was deliver doctrine and nothing was with him now it's an extraordinary thing how people try to detract from this. [00:16:47]
He knew that there was to be a moment when God having made him to be sin God having put our sins upon him God his father was going to smite him he was going to strike him he would avert his face from him and he you had ever looked into the face of his father and loved him from all eternity would be separated from him. [00:26:00]
He delivered him up for us all well it actually means on behalf of it isn't merely that it was done for our benefit now I know that the actual word used here by the Apostle is not the word that he normally uses when he wants to convey this notion on behalf of but that's the word he uses elsewhere. [00:29:20]
He delivered him up for us even while we were enemies and haters of God he delivered him up for us then you see the importance of every single word in this verse put the full content into that ass you see that's his argument wasn't it in Kevin chapter 5 verse 10 if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God. [00:31:55]
He did it all freely there was nothing in us to recommend us he didn't do it in response to our cry or anything else we were enemies and alienated in our minds by wicked works we were the children of Wrath even as others why did God do all this we did it freely he did it of his grace. [00:34:54]
If God's already done that for us there is nothing that can ever happen to us so that we can ever do that can ever separate us from the love of God but what if I fall into Sims or somebody my friend you'd fall into sin much more before and you are an enemy and an early on at arrival he'd sent his son. [00:39:44]
He will freely given all that is necessary to keep us to hold us to guide us to Mose until at last we shall see him as he is and be made likely and be with him in the glory everlasting Christian people do you work out this argument are you assured of us salvation are you sure of your final perseverance. [00:44:53]
He that spared not his own son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things that we'll ever need in health in sickness in pleasure in pain in plenty in penury whatever the condition he will freely given all that is necessary to keep us to hold us to guide us. [00:49:23]
He that spared not his own son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not surely that's the word that I told you was left out surely he shall with him also freely give us all things it's guaranteed if he is full of you he's pretty destinated and if his great destiny to you - his call. [00:53:43]
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