The Works of God
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God works
God works
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.
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
For Christians Only.
For Christians Only.
“for those who love God”
Before we put confidence in OUR love for God we must remember - 1 John 4:19
19 We love because he first loved us.
The only way we know true love is because God first demonstrated love to us.
10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
To Be Like Jesus.
To Be Like Jesus.
“for good” - What is meant by Good?
Not rich for 1000’s of Christians are not rich.
Not healthy for 1000’s of Christians are not healthy.
Not successful for 1000’s of Christians are not successful or admired in the world’s sense.
The answer is to be like Jesus as stated in v29.
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.
1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
The highest good we can pursue is to be like Jesus.
Good & Bad things.
Good & Bad things.
“All things” - What does all things mean?
Good - When you obey your parents, when you are liked by your friends, when you do your homework with a good attitude, when you get a 100 on your quizzes and pass all of your tests.
Bad - When you are sick, you are not liked, when you mistreated, or laughed at. When you do not honor your parents or when you mistreat your friends. When you fail your test.
Now this text does not teach that these things are good. It teaches us that God works to bring good out of evil.
What good is God working in you? To be conformed to the character of Jesus.
Illustration: A pot of stew filled with good & bad
Who wants to be more like Jesus?
Who wants to be more like Jesus?
We can know.
We can know.
What country do you live in?
What state do you live in?
What school do you attend?
This is not a maybe or hope so, we can confidently know that God in his mysterious, sovereign, providential way works ALL things together for good.
What is the good? v29 to be conformed to the image of His son.
I heard recently about how a young women was working at a Subway store and her co-worker looked at her with a scowl and barked “Why are you so happy all the time?” the young lady said, “Because I am a Christian have put my trust in Jesus.” She said it loud enough for the customers waiting in line heard it and they fixed their gaze upon her with disapproval.
14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
The Golden Chain (5 doctrines)
The Golden Chain (5 doctrines)
Illustration: Use a chain to emphasize doctrines
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. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
God foreknew v29
God foreknew v29
This simply means God’s love in regards saving people has its origin in God and not man.
God has fixed his love upon believers.
Covenantal love or God foreloved
What is a covenant? A relationship that God established with us and guarantees by his word. (Deut 29:20-12)
2 “You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
2 “You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth; Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”
God predestined v29-30
God predestined v29-30
God’s love is fixed and the purpose is predetermined to be conform believers to the likeness of Jesus.
God called v30
God called v30
God’s love and purpose then results in calling. God calls men, women, boys, girls to come to Him by repentance, surrender, and faith.
Illustration: Have any of you heard your mother or father call you to come in from outside, or down from upstairs or up from down stairs? Do you always come immediately? Do mom or dad have to call a second or third time?
God justified v30
God justified v30
Illustration: Have you ever done something and a teacher takes you out into the hall and your teachers says, “Why did you ____________?” And then you say, “Well, I didn’t really do that. Or He took my pencil so I threw my book at him. What are you doing? You are trying to justify yourself.
This is where God serves as the judge. He says despite your rebellion, sin, serving yourself, and dishonoring me I declare you innocent not because on any good in you but on the basis of my one and only Son Jesus Christ who took your sin, suffered, and died for you.
God glorified v30
God glorified v30
This is the final step of salvation that we are made like Jesus just as God had predetermined.
God promises to glorify those he foreknew (foreloved), predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, called to Himself, and justified by the merit of Jesus.
In other words
6 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.
Are you being called by Jesus