Wednesday, November 11, 2009

More than a Conqueror, THROUGH Him

Scripture:


Romans 8:35-39 (ESV) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? (36) As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded 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 sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, (39) 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 8:35-39 (Message) Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: (36) They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. (37) None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. (38) I'm absolutely convinced that nothing--nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, (39) high or low, thinkable or unthinkable--absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.


Observation:


Verses 35-36 were written to a church that would soon undergo terrible persecution. In just a few years, Paul's hypothetical situations would turn into painful realities. This passage reaffirms God's profound love for his people. No matter what happens to us, no matter where we are, we can never be separated from his love. Suffering should not drive us away from God but help us to identify with him and allow his love to heal us.


These verses (v. 35-39) contain one of the most comforting promises in all Scripture. Believers have always had to face hardships in many forms: persecution, illness, imprisonment, and even death. These sometimes cause them to fear that they have been abandoned by Christ. But Paul exclaims that it is impossible to be separated from Christ. His death for us is proof of his unconquerable love. Nothing can separate us from Christ's presence. God tells us how great his love is so that we will feel totally secure in him. If we believe these overwhelming assurances, we will not be afraid.



Application:


Nothing or no one shall be able to separate us from the love of Christ! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, no homelessness, not bullying threats, not back stabbing, nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic,...not one thing you can thing of and add to this list. Today and tomorrow, you will not be separated by God's love! Jesus LOVES you. Isn't that wonderful to know? In EVERYTHING that you may be facing at this very moment God says, YOU "are more than a conqueror!" How? "Through HIM who loved us." I am more than a conqueror, not through anything that I have done, but through Jesus. I watched a video a few years ago that said, "That's my king." I would like to share some of those words with you, and remind you of WHY you are more than a conqueror!


My King is the key of knowledge, He's the wellspring of wisdom, He's the doorway of deliverance, He's the pathway of peace, He's the roadway of righteousness
He's the highway of holiness, He's the gateway of glory, and He's the master of the mighty. He's the captain of the conquerors. He's the head of the heroes. He's the leader of the legislators. He's the overseer of the overcomers. He's the governor of governors. He's the prince of princes. He's the King of Kings. And He's the Lord of Lords. That's my King

His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His life is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His word is enough
His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy. And His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you, but He's indescribable, He's incomprehensible. He's invincible. He's irresistible. I'm trying to tell you, the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him. Let alone a man explain Him
you can't get Him out of your mind. You can't get Him off of your hands. You can't outlive Him. And you can't live without Him.


The Pharisee's couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him. Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree, And Herod couldn't kill Him. Death couldn't handle Him. And the grave couldn't hold Him. That's my King!


He always has been, and He always will be. He had no predecessor, and He'll have no successor. There was nobody before Him, and there'll be nobody after Him
you can't impeach Him. And He's not going to resign.


He's the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world. He's God's Son. He's the sinner's Saviour. He's the centerpiece of civilization. He's unparalleled. He's unprecedented. He is the loftiest idea in literature. He's the highest personality in philosophy. He's the fundamental doctrine of true theology. He's the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Saviour.


He supplies strength for the weak. He's available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He strengthens and sustains. He guards and He guides. He heals the sick. He cleansed the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharges debtors. He delivers the captive. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent. And He beautifies the meek. That is MY KING!


Hallelujah! I got excited just typing that! My friend, that is why NOTHING you face today, tomorrow, in the coming days, weeks or years, that will separate you from the love Jesus Christ! Because you are more than a conqueror...THROUGH HIM, my King! Is He your King? If not, why not ask Him to be right now!


Prayer:


"Lord, I am so thankful today that you have made me more than a conqueror. I am victorious not because of anything that I have done, but victory is through You. I confess that I have been fearful and confused at times in the midst of difficult times, but I am reminded right now that You are my King, and I am MORE than a conqueror. Nothing...ABSOLUTELY NOTHING that I face today can separate me from your love, or your purpose for my life. I acquiesce to you today. I choose to walk and live by the nudge of the Spirit. I choose to allow you to be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in my life today. I can face whatever today holds THROUGH you. In Jesus' name, amen!"

0 comments: