Amazing Grace Awesome God Romans 8 28 30

Amazing Grace. Awesome God. Romans 8: 28 -30

Amazing Grace. Awesome God. Romans 8: 28 ‘a soft pillow for a tired heart’ (R A Torrey) w The providence of God – the Christian life is not a lottery w God has a game plan for our lives and he’s sticking to it

Amazing Grace. Awesome God. Romans 8: 28 w We’re bound by time – God focuses on eternity w We can see now – God sees tomorrow w We know a little – God knows all there is to know

Amazing Grace. Awesome God. Romans 8: 28 w Not a precise explanation for suffering There are times when we don’t know why; there are times when we’re not meant to know the reason why. w Doesn’t mean we can’t have a good cry

Amazing Grace. Awesome God. Romans 8: 28 w A God-promise to build our lives upon w It is God’s bright idea, not ours w God isn’t selective in what he uses w God tailor-makes every experience for our ultimate good

Amazing Grace. Awesome God. Romans 8: 28 w Joseph in Genesis 50: 20 w Jeremiah in Jeremiah 29: 10 w We ‘love’ him … a pulsating relationship with the Lord w We are ‘called’ by him … we owe it all to the Lord and his amazing grace

Amazing Grace. Awesome God. Romans 8: 29 -30 w An insight into God’s plan for our lives w The process for getting from A to B w ‘a golden chain of five unbreakable links’ w In God’s eyes, it’s done – for us, it’s still happening

Amazing Grace. Awesome God. Romans 8: 29 … ‘those God foreknew’ w God knows all there is to know w To know someone with a paternal love w Highlights a vibrant relationship between God and his people – one of care and affection w God loves you because he loves you

Amazing Grace. Awesome God. Romans 8: 29 … ‘he predestined’ w What God does for those who are saved w See the difference between election and predestination: E: to people – P: to a purpose E: the past – P: the future E: chosen from – P: chosen for

Amazing Grace. Awesome God. Romans 8: 29 w God wants us to be in the mould of Jesus w Sanctification – he knocks us into shape w His aim – for us to be Jesus look-a-likes w So that Christ might be recognised as Number One – unrivalled and unique

Amazing Grace. Awesome God. Romans 8: 30 … ‘those he called’ w Not like a puppet on a string w He calls us through the gospel of grace w The word means ‘to give a name to’ or ‘to call out of’ w We’re on the receiving end

Amazing Grace. Awesome God. He called me long before I heard, Before my sinful heart was stirred. But when I took him at his word, Forgiven – he lifted me. w When God calls … are we listening?

Amazing Grace. Awesome God. Romans 8: 30 … ‘he also justified’ w We are right with God w Something only God could do for us Near, so very near to God, Nearer I could not be. For in the person of his Son, I am as near as he.

Amazing Grace. Awesome God. Romans 8: 30 … ‘he also glorified’ w A day in the future when we rise to be with the Lord Jesus ‘A golden chain forged on the anvil of God’s grace with the hammer of God’s omnipotence that links eternity past with eternity future. ’

Amazing Grace. Awesome God. When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun; We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise, Than when we first begun.

Amazing Grace. Awesome God. take-home message … five links in the golden chain of redemption … none of which is the weakest link!