|
DATE |
CHURCH |
SUBJECT |
PREACHER |
BIBLE
REF. |
|
27.07.08 |
All Saints' Church |
You're Never Alone |
Rev. Tony Higton |
Romans 8:26-39 |
|
Do you remember that 1960s TV advert
depicting a dark, wet, deserted London street scene in which a
rain coated character, lit a cigarette and puffed reflectively.
Then a voice-over declared "You're never alone with a Strand".
Unfortunately people watching it began
to associate smoking Strand cigarettes with being lonely and the
brand, launched in 1959, was withdrawn in the early 1960s. It is
said to be one of the most disastrous tobacco advertising
campaigns of all time.
There is one who has a similar slogan
but is still very much in business – and always will be!
“You’re never alone with God!” He’s always with you supporting,
helping, protecting. Firstly,
The
Spirit intercedes for us
The Holy Spirit inspires our prayer.
Paul writes: “the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not
know what we ought to pray for but the Spirit himself intercedes
for us through wordless groans.” (Rom 8:26). God, the Holy
Spirit is here depicted as groaning in prayer for us. This
implies he has a very deep yearning for our blessing and
protection.
Think of that. The Holy Spirit loves us
so much that he groans in wordless prayer for us.
What is more he intercedes for us
perfectly. “He
who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit,
because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance
with the will of God.” (verse 27)
The Holy Spirit knows exactly what we
need – protection, provision, forgiveness, healing, support
etc., etc. And he prays for what he knows we need.
Secondly,
The
Father overrules for us
God always works for our good.
It’s just that in our lack of understanding it sometimes seems
that he doesn’t. Paul confidently affirms: “We know that in all
things God works for the good of those who love him, who have
been called according to his purpose.” (verse 28).
God works for our good in all things,
including the difficult, painful, unfair, fearful and
meaningless experiences of life. He is the redeemer. There is
nothing he can’t turn to our benefit.
The main good he works for is to make us
Christ-like. “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. And those he
predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified;
those he justified, he also glorified.” (verse 29).
Furthermore, God is always for
us. Paul asks: “What, then, shall we say in response to these
things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (verse 31)
The fact is that there is nothing that
can happen us that God can’t turn to our benefit. “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?” (verse
32).
Thirdly,
The
Son looks after us
He will graciously bring us to heaven,
even though we don’t deserve it. Jesus, who still bears in his
body the marks of his crucifixion for us, also intercedes for us
with God. “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has
chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then can condemn? 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.”
(verses 33-34).
He will graciously protect us always.
Nothing can separate us form the love of Christ. “Who shall
separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship
or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in
all these things we are more than conquerors through him who
loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future,
nor any powers, 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. (verses 35, 37-39).
Conclusion
Do you pray with a heart yearning?
Do you really trust God especially when
things are difficult?
Are you becoming more Christ-like?
Do you know that nothing can separate
you from the love of God in Christ? |
