God Given Assurance

By James McCullen

Bible Book: Romans 8 : 31-39

Subject: Assurance; Promises of God; God's Protection

Introduction

God desires to give us assurance. God desires for us to be secure.

I. Assurance Based on God's Disposition. v 31-33

A. The .Declaration of God's Disposition. v 31

{31} What then shall we say to these things? If God <is> for us, who <is> against us?

B. The Delivery of God's Disposition

{32} He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

C. The Defense of God's Disposition

{33} Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies;

Illustration Feelings
A man once came to D. L. Moody and said he was worried because he didn't feel saved. Moody asked, "Was Noah safe in the ark?" "Certainly he was," the man replied. "Well, what made him safe, his feeling or the ark?" The inquirer got the point. "How foolish I've been!" he said. "It is not my feeling; it is Christ who saves!" - D.J.D Our Daily Bread, March 9

Application

II. Assurance Based on God's Doing. v 34

A. God's Doing includes The Sacrifice. v 34 a

{34} who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

1. A sacrafice without . . Condemnation.
2. A sacrafice with . . Confrontation. (He arose.)

B. God's Doing includes The Supernatural. v 34 b

{34} who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
C. God's Doing Includes The . . Supplication: v 34 c
{34} who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

1. Note the . . Position of His supplication.
"...at the right hand..."

2. Note the . . People pf His Supplication.
"... for us..."

Illustration Double Duty Radcliffe ...

At age 92, Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe can tell you baseball stories you love to hear. He says he wore "Thou Shalt Not Steal" on his catcher's chest-protector the time he threw out Ty Cobb trying to steal second. He recalls catching Satchel Paige when the legendary pitcher sent all his outfielders into the dugout for an inning and then proceeded to strike out the side.
Today in the Word, November 3, 1995, p. 8.

Application ...

The statements by Double Duty Radcliffe talked about mans doings. I am talking about God's doings.

III. Assurance Based on God's Devotion. v 35-39

A. In God's Devotion We Are the Conquering Ones. v 35- 37

{35} Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? {36} Just as it is written, "FOR THY SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." {37} But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

Illustration: More than Conquerors -- Victory ...

Lord Nelson sent a message to the British Admiralty after defeating the French fleet in the Battle of the Nile:

"Victory is not large enough a word to describe what took place."

The apostle Paul says much the same to us in Romans 8:37: "We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us."

B. In God's Devotion We Are the Convinced Ones. v 38 a

{38} For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, {39} nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

C. In God's Devotion We Are the Christ Ones. V 38 b

". . . which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. "

Illustration The Painter ...

The American painter, John Sargent, onCe painted a panel of roses that was highly praised by critics. It was a small picture, but it approached perfection. Although offered a high price for it on many occasions, Sargent refused to sell it. He considered it his best work and was very proud of it. Whenever he was deeply discouraged and doubtful of his abilities as an artist, he would look at it and remind himself, "I painted that." Then his confidence and ability would come back to him.

Confidence in self can be good, but confidence in God is better.

Illustration Basis of Assurance ...

1. Our Confidence Rests on the Word of God (John 1:12), But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: NKJV

2. Our Confidence Rest On the witness of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16),
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, NKJV