Unshakeable Assurances of Salvation in Christ
Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound assurances of our salvation and inheritance in Christ, as outlined in Romans chapter 8. We began by acknowledging the current global and local challenges, praying for peace and divine intervention, particularly for our friends in Israel. This set the stage for a deeper reflection on our spiritual security and the unshakeable promises of God.
We delved into the nature of our inheritance in Christ, emphasizing that it is secure, imperishable, and reserved in heaven for us. This assurance is not just a theological concept but a practical reality that impacts how we live daily. We discussed how our inheritance is protected by God's power, highlighting that no past mistakes or present challenges can jeopardize what God has stored for us.
Transitioning from the security of our inheritance, we focused on the five assurances found in Romans 8:31-39. The first assurance is that God is unequivocally for us. This truth should empower us every morning, reminding us that no opposition, either spiritual or worldly, can stand against us when God is on our side.
The second assurance is the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. Jesus did not die for us because we were already perfect or deserving. He died for us while we were still sinners, which demonstrates the depth of God's love and commitment to us. This leads to the third assurance, our justification. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we are declared righteous before God, not based on our deeds but solely on Christ's redemptive work.
The fourth assurance is Christ’s ongoing intercession for us. Christ does not simply save us and leave us to fend for ourselves; He continually intercedes on our behalf, advocating for us in the heavenly realms. This perpetual intercession ensures that our relationship with God is maintained and strengthened, even when we falter.
Lastly, we explored the assurance that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. This promise encapsulates the essence of our security in Christ. No trial, tribulation, or external force has the power to disconnect us from the love that God has for us in Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
1. God’s Unfailing Support: Every morning, we should remind ourselves that God is for us. This isn't just a comforting thought but a powerful truth that should influence our daily decisions and interactions. When faced with challenges or opposition, remember that the Almighty is your advocate, ensuring your victory in all circumstances. [35:55]
2. The Depth of Christ’s Sacrifice: Reflecting on Christ’s sacrifice should move us beyond mere gratitude to a profound understanding of our worth and identity in God’s eyes. He chose to die for us at our worst, which means our value in His eyes isn’t based on our perfection but on His love. [37:21]
3. Justification Through Christ: Being justified by Christ is not merely a legal declaration; it's an invitation to view ourselves as God views us—righteous and beloved. This should transform our self-perception and our interactions with others, knowing we are clothed in Christ’s righteousness. [39:18]
4. Christ’s Intercession: Knowing that Christ continually intercedes for us should give us confidence in our prayer life and in facing life’s challenges. We are never alone; our Savior is actively involved in our lives, advocating and securing the best for us in the heavenly realms. [41:47]
5. The Inseparability from God’s Love: Understanding that nothing can separate us from God’s love is crucial, especially during trials. This assurance should be a source of unshakeable peace and joy, knowing that our relationship with God is secured against all odds. [45:48]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 8:31-39
2. 1 Peter 1:3-5
3. Psalm 122:6
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 8:31, what is the significance of God being "for us"? How does this assurance impact our daily lives? [35:55]
2. In 1 Peter 1:3-5, what are the characteristics of our inheritance in Christ? How is it described in terms of security and permanence? [28:46]
3. What does Romans 8:34 say about Christ's role in our lives after His resurrection? How does His ongoing intercession affect our relationship with God? [41:47]
4. Psalm 122:6 instructs us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on praying for global and local challenges? [06:46]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Romans 8:31-39 lists several assurances of our security in Christ. How do these assurances collectively contribute to a believer's sense of spiritual security? [32:19]
2. Reflect on the statement from the sermon: "Christ does not simply save us and leave us to fend for ourselves; He continually intercedes on our behalf." How does this ongoing intercession shape our understanding of Christ's love and commitment to us? [41:47]
3. The sermon mentioned that our inheritance in Christ is "imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away." How does this description challenge or reinforce your current understanding of what it means to have an inheritance in Christ? [28:46]
4. The sermon emphasized that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. How does this assurance help believers face trials and tribulations? [45:48]
#### Application Questions
1. Every morning, we are reminded that God is for us. How can you practically incorporate this truth into your daily routine to influence your decisions and interactions? [35:55]
2. Reflecting on Christ’s sacrifice, how does understanding that He died for us at our worst change your perception of your worth and identity in God’s eyes? How can this understanding impact your self-esteem and relationships? [37:21]
3. Being justified by Christ means we are declared righteous before God. How can this truth transform the way you view yourself and others, especially in moments of self-doubt or judgment? [39:18]
4. Knowing that Christ continually intercedes for us, how can this assurance enhance your prayer life and give you confidence in facing life's challenges? [41:47]
5. The sermon highlighted that nothing can separate us from God’s love. How can this assurance provide you with peace and joy during difficult times? Can you think of a recent trial where this truth could have been a source of comfort? [45:48]
6. The sermon encouraged us to pray for global and local challenges, including the situation in Israel. How can you make prayer for global issues a regular part of your spiritual practice? [06:46]
7. The concept of our inheritance being reserved and protected by God was emphasized. How does this assurance affect your long-term perspective on life and your daily priorities? [28:46]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Unfailing Support
Every morning, believers are reminded that God is unequivocally for them. This powerful truth is not merely a comforting thought but a dynamic force that influences daily decisions and interactions. When faced with challenges or opposition, it is crucial to remember that the Almighty is an advocate, ensuring victory in all circumstances. This assurance should embolden every believer to face each day with confidence, knowing that they are supported by the highest power. [35:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8brmBkJFlQ&t=2140s)
Psalm 56:9-11: "Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
Reflection: How can you actively trust God's support in a current challenge you are facing?
Day 2: Reflecting on the Depth of Christ’s Sacrifice
Christ's sacrifice is a profound demonstration of God's love, where He chose to die for us at our worst. This act is not just about evoking gratitude but understanding our worth and identity in God's eyes. Our value is not based on our perfection but on His boundless love. This realization should deeply affect how we view ourselves and interact with others, knowing that we are loved unconditionally and saved not by our deeds but by His grace. [37:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8brmBkJFlQ&t=2226s)
Hebrews 9:28: "So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him."
Reflection: In what ways can you live out the reality of being valued by God, especially in areas where you feel inadequate?
Day 3: Living in the Light of Justification
Being justified by Christ transforms our self-perception and our interactions with others. It is not merely a legal declaration but an invitation to view ourselves as God views us—righteous and beloved. This new identity should guide how we relate to others, promoting a life of grace and forgiveness, reflecting the righteousness we have received through Christ. [39:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8brmBkJFlQ&t=2343s)
Colossians 1:21-22: "And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him."
Reflection: How does understanding your justification change the way you interact with someone you usually have difficulty with?
Day 4: Confidence in Christ’s Intercession
Christ’s ongoing intercession for us is a source of immense confidence. He advocates for us, ensuring that our relationship with God is maintained and strengthened. This knowledge should empower our prayer life and our approach to life's challenges, knowing that we are never alone and that our Savior is actively involved in securing the best for us. [41:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8brmBkJFlQ&t=2492s)
1 John 2:1-2: "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."
Reflection: How can you lean on Christ's intercession to bolster your confidence in a current struggle or decision?
Day 5: Secured by God’s Unshakeable Love
Understanding that nothing can separate us from God’s love is essential, especially during trials. This assurance provides a foundation of unshakeable peace and joy, knowing that our relationship with God is secure against all odds. This promise is the essence of our security in Christ, a truth that should permeate every aspect of our lives. [45:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8brmBkJFlQ&t=2733s)
Romans 8:38-39: "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."
Reflection: What current fear or trial can you surrender to God, trusting in the security of His unchangeable love?
Quotes
"for the redemption of our bodies he said what shall we say to these things if God is for us and that is not a question well is God for us? no since God is for us in the Greek language there's different forms of the conditional clause and this is the one conditional clause that you can put the word since instead of if but they leave that in there just for interpreters purposes but since God is for us who is against us?" [35:55]
"God is for me so application right away is wake up in the morning and remind yourself God is for me this day how is he for me? to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ to make you more like his son a lot of times that's joyful sometimes it's a little painful because he's trying to buff out some of those corners on all of us but God is for us" [36:48]
"Christ died for us look at verse 32 he said he who do not spare his own son when did he not spare his own son? when did he do that? was that when we were already children of God and everything was hunky dory and he did something nice for us because we were his children? when did God send his son to die for us?" [37:21]
"God's love does not shield us from trials. Sink that in. Trials are not excluded. And if you run, run into trials, it does not mean that God does not love you. In fact, it means just the opposite. Why? Well, let's find out. But in all things, all of these things, notice what Paul says in 37. In all these things." [48:47]
"Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation? No. Trouble? Persecution? Famine? Nakedness? Danger? Or even so, or death? mean, those are pretty, don't go past those seven things. Those are heavy-duty lists. And Paul experienced almost every single one of them, including being chased by the sword." [45:48]
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