To Start
We all have things that we hope for, or place our hope in. Many of us have experienced the crushing of our hopes as well. Is there anything we can hope in – which is certain, sure and forever. We can be separated from our wealth, our health, our friends, our jobs and our families. Is there anything that we cannot be separated from?
Pray
Take a moment to give thanks to God for David Robertson’s answer to this question on Sunday and for any guests or stories of encouragement.
To help, check out the following video from a congregation member.
Read
Romans 8:28-39
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. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
More Than Conquerors
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
To Start
What stands out to you from the passage?
Discuss
What has God predestined (vv.29-30)?
From v32, what has God already given and what will God later give?
Reflect
Is the future certain?
Is your future certain? What are your fears?
Reflect
We may struggle with feelings of guilt. After all, we are unworthy. And yet the passage addresses this. It says no one can “bring any charge against those whom God has chosen” (v33).
Why is it impossible to condemn God’s people (vv.31-34)?
We may struggle with suffering. We wonder, does God actually love us? But the passage addresses this. It says “trouble” and “hardship” can’t separate us from the love of God.
Why is it inappropriate for suffering to be used as a barometer of God’s love (vv.35-39)?
Discuss
Can you honestly say God is working for your good even when you suffer?
What does it mean, “in all things God works for the good of those who love him”?
From the sermon
Is there really a hope that cannot be taken away?
Share Life
What could you say to your family and friends about this sure hope?
Pray
Pray for each other, and for people outside our church community, that we might put our hope in Jesus Christ.
Close
Romans 8 really is an amazing chapter about the beautiful hope we have in Jesus Christ. It is personal, global and certain. And so we join the chorus of praise and glory to his wonderful name:
Romans 11:33-36
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?”
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever!