Unshakeable Assurance: The Power of God's Love

Devotional

Day 1: Assurance of Belonging

In our journey of faith, we often seek assurance of our place in God's family, much like a new member finding their place in a household. Romans 8 provides this assurance, reminding us that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. This love is not contingent on our actions or circumstances but is rooted in God's unchanging nature. Just as a family provides a sense of belonging, God's love offers us a secure place in His eternal family. This assurance allows us to live confidently, knowing that our relationship with God is steadfast and unwavering. [05:09]

"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:15, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways do you seek assurance in your relationship with God, and how can you embrace the truth that you are unconditionally loved and belong to His family?

Day 2: Unconditional Love

God's love is unlike any human love we experience; it is unconditional and sacrificial. While we often view love as something earned or conditional, God's love is demonstrated through Jesus' death on the cross. This act of ultimate sacrifice assures us that despite trials and tribulations, we are more than conquerors through Christ. Understanding this profound love transforms our perspective, allowing us to face life's challenges with the confidence that we are deeply loved and valued by our Creator. [10:16]

"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding God's unconditional love change the way you view your current struggles or challenges?

Day 3: Purpose in Suffering

The story of John Harper on the Titanic illustrates that our suffering can serve God's purposes. Through Christ, we have overwhelming victory over any opposition, and our trials can lead to a renewed spirit and perspective. Harper's selfless act of sharing the gospel, even in the face of death, exemplifies the transformative power of God's love. This perspective encourages us to see our suffering not as a burden but as an opportunity to grow closer to God and fulfill His purposes in our lives. [25:31]

"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." (Romans 5:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Can you identify a recent trial in your life and consider how it might be serving a greater purpose in God's plan for you?

Day 4: Inseparable Love

Romans 8:38-39 assures us that nothing in creation can separate us from God's love. This assurance is rooted in God's covenantal love, expressed through Jesus Christ, encouraging us to face life's challenges with courage and purpose. Understanding this inseparable bond with God provides a foundation of security and peace, knowing that His love is constant and unwavering, regardless of our circumstances. [19:57]

"For I am sure 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." (Romans 8:38-39, ESV)

Reflection: How can the assurance of God's inseparable love empower you to face a specific challenge you are currently experiencing?

Day 5: Worth of Following Jesus

The assurance of God's love, the victory we have in Christ, and the purpose found in our trials affirm that trusting in God is indeed worth it. Despite life's challenges, God's love remains unyielding, providing a foundation for our faith. This understanding encourages us to live with purpose and conviction, knowing that following Jesus is a journey filled with hope, love, and eternal significance. [26:05]

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a moment when you questioned the worth of following Jesus. How can the assurance of His love and purpose in your life reaffirm your commitment to Him today?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound assurance of God's love as articulated in Romans 8. We began with a personal story about our new puppy, Ellie, to illustrate the concept of belonging and assurance. Just as Ellie needed reassurance of her place in our family, we too seek assurance in our relationship with God. The first seven chapters of Romans can feel overwhelming with their focus on sin and God's wrath, but they set the stage for the beautiful truths in Romans 8, where Paul assures us of the inseparable love of Christ.

Paul's message in Romans 8 is a culmination of the gospel's power, emphasizing that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. This love is not based on our actions or circumstances but is rooted in God's unchanging nature. We often view love as conditional, but God's love is unconditional and sacrificial, as demonstrated through Jesus' death on the cross. This love assures us that despite trials, persecution, or any form of adversity, we are more than conquerors through Christ.

The story of John Harper, a passenger on the Titanic, further illustrates this truth. Harper's selfless act of sharing the gospel, even in the face of death, exemplifies the transformative power of God's love. His actions remind us that our suffering can serve God's purposes, and through Christ, we have overwhelming victory over any opposition.

Paul's words in Romans 8:38-39 provide a profound assurance that nothing in creation can separate us from God's love. This assurance is not based on our strength but on the steadfastness of God's covenantal love, expressed through Jesus Christ. It encourages us to face life's challenges with courage and purpose, knowing that God's love is unyielding.

Ultimately, the question of whether following Jesus is worth it is answered with a resounding yes. The assurance of God's love, the victory we have in Christ, and the purpose found in our trials affirm that trusting in God is indeed worth it.

Key Takeaways

1. 39 assures us that nothing in creation can separate us from God's love. This assurance is rooted in God's covenantal love, expressed through Jesus Christ, encouraging us to face life's challenges with courage and purpose. [19:57]
5. Worth of Following Jesus: The assurance of God's love, the victory we have in Christ, and the purpose found in our trials affirm that trusting in God is worth it. Despite life's challenges, God's love remains unyielding, providing a foundation for our faith.

** [19:57]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:44] - New Puppy and Assurance
[05:09] - Romans and Assurance of God's Love
[07:21] - The Importance of Romans 8
[08:05] - Understanding Christ's Love
[09:07] - Different Views of Love
[11:18] - Trials and God's Love
[13:03] - Paul's Reference to Psalm 44
[14:34] - Overwhelming Victory in Christ
[16:20] - Temptation and Sin
[18:04] - The Cross and Our Victory
[19:57] - Inseparable Bond with God
[22:19] - John Harper's Story
[25:31] - Purpose in Suffering
[26:05] - Is Following Jesus Worth It?

Sermon Clips

"Um okay Silus you can take it down. That's that's probably enough of that. Anyway uh for you guys that are pet owners you bring a new pet home a new puppy home uh there's almost always this kind of adjustment period right because you're taking this this baby pet or puppy in our case out of a a life and existence that that is safe and secure to them." [00:01:32]

"To anyone who's read Romans up to this point they might be feeling some similar feelings because uh it's easy to to to start feeling some hesitation or uncertainty in reading the first part of Romans. There's 16 chapters in Romans. Uh and and through the first seven chapters um it's not all negative right but Paul he spends a lot of time going back and forth and he's he's contrasting uh the things like the wrath of God the realities of sin the effect it has on believers." [00:05:10]

"Paul's going to answer this question in verse 37. He says 'No despite all these things overwhelming victory is ours.' Now if we use Mike's free seminary lesson from last week when Paul says 'Despite all these things the things he's talking to are what he mentioned in the previous verse.' But not just the ones he listed. He is talking about everything right any kind of challenge despite trouble persecution hunger danger even death anything that might cause us to doubt the love that God has for us we have victory over that." [00:14:25]

"Paul says 'No despite these things overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us.' Loved. Notice that Paul intentionally uses the past tense of the word love. But why because what Paul is talking about is a single action that has already happened. He's talking about the cross. He's saying that our victory comes not from our own power comes not from our own effort but through Christ." [00:18:04]

"Verse 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life nor angels nor demons neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow. Not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. Not even the powers of hell. That one phrase encapsulates one of the most profound aspects of the Christian faith which is the inseparable bond between God and those who believe in him." [00:19:57]

"It emphasizes the the supremacy of God's love which surpasses any force of evil or adversity powers of hell forces of darkness spiritual warfare sin whatever you want to call it. It all symbolizes the ultimate expression of opposition to God's divine will. Yet Paul declares with certainty that not even these powers no matter how menacing or intimidating can disrupt the intimate relationship that we have with God." [00:20:48]

"And this is an assurance that's that's rooted not in our strength but in the steadfastness of God's covenantal love. It's a love that's expressed through the life death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It's a love that transcends all earthly and spiritual barriers providing comfort and security even in moments of danger. Life is filled with challenges. It's filled with fears. We'll will have struggles." [00:21:36]

"Paul Jesus and James all said that in this life you will have trouble. But Paul's words encourage believers to rest in the promise that God's love is unyielding so that we can face them with courage and purpose. Isaiah 40:29 God gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. 2 Corinthians 12:9 'My grace is sufficient for you. My power is made perfect in your weakness.'" [00:22:04]

"In proclaiming that not even the powers of hell can sever this connection Paul assures us to trust deeply in God's sovereignty and grace. You may stumble. You may mess up but nothing nothing will ever change your standing in God's family. This assurance strengthens our faith and offers a foundation upon which we can stand firm regardless of whatever life throws at us." [00:22:49]

"God not only delivers us from our suffering through the cross and resurrection of Jesus but he allows our suffering to serve his good purposes. That doesn't mean that you'll always suffer. But when the trials come God's strength allows us to face them with a fresh perspective and a renewed spirit. What Satan means for evil in our lives God now uses for good." [00:25:10]

"The good news is that the who of our salvation is greater than the who of our opposition. God's purpose is unchangeable. His power is unchallengeable. And his love is unconditional. And our assurance of that is revealed through the incredible sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for you and for me. So back to my original question is it worth it is putting all of your trust in God no matter what life throws at you worth it is it worth it is following Jesus worth it yes it is." [00:26:05]

"Thank you for sending your son Jesus. Thank you for the incredible grace that you give us. Thank you for God. Thank you for for us for allowing us the opportunity to worship you the opportunity to get to know you and the opportunity to learn more about you. God there is nothing in this life good or bad that we'd be able to do without you. It is only your strength. It is only your love that helps us get through." [00:26:40]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?