ABUNDANT LIVING A NEW PERSPECTIVE

Spiritual Convention & 47th Church Anniversary

7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.

9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 10:7-10

Abundant Living is NOT . . .

• Living in luxury, prosperity and wealth

• Something we strive to attain • Enjoying “problem-less” living

Abundant Living IS . . .

• Learning to live as more than a conqueror (from Romans 8:26-28 and 31-39)

• Learning to receive rest in

Christ (from Matthew 11:25-30)

MAKING

More than a Cliché

Romans 8:31-39

31 What then shall we say 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 with him graciously give us all things?

Romans 8:31-39

33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Romans 8:31-39

35 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.”

Romans 8:31-39

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Romans 8:31-39

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 8:31-39

Did you notice the Questions?

Romans 8:31-39

Let us count the questions!

Romans 8:31-39

31 What then shall we say 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 with him graciously give us all things?

1

2

3

Romans 8:31-39

33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

4

5

Romans 8:31-39

35 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.”

7

6

Romans 8:31-39

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 8:31-39

How many questions in all?

7 questions!

Is there any significance in there being 7?

A complete set of questions!

The Reason for Our Security

Verse 31

If God is working for you –

no one can work against

you

1

The Reason for Our Security

Verse 32

If God has given you what is most precious to Him –

Nothing that is good for you

will be withheld from you

2

The Reason for Our Security

Verse 33

If God has justified you–

No one can bring a guilty charge against you

3

The Reason for Our Security

The Reason for Our Security

“I am justified and acceptable to God – even tough there (is) in me sin, (and) unrighteousness…”

Martin Luther

Verse 34

If Jesus is interceding for you –

No one can condemn you

4

The Reason for Our Security

The Reason for Our Security

Verse 35a

If you have the love of Christ –

No one can come in

between Christ and you

5

The Reason for Our Security

Verse 35b

If you have the love of Christ –

Nothing can come in

between Christ and you

6

The Reason for Our Security

The Reason for Our Security

Verse 37-39

If, because of Christ’s love you cannot be separated

from Him –

You are more than a conqueror in Christ

7

Shoichi Yokoi

The Reassurance of Our Security

Romans 8:31-39

31 What then shall we say 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 with him graciously give us all things?

Romans 8:31-39

33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Romans 8:31-39

35 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.”

Romans 8:31-39

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Romans 8:31-39

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 8:31-39

Did you notice the Answers to the questions?

Romans 8:31-39

• It is God who justifies (v.33)

• Christ Jesus . . . is interceding for us (v.34)

There are 3 answers!

Romans 8:31-39

• It is God who justifies (v.33)

• Christ Jesus . . . is interceding for us (v.34)

• (Nothing) will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (v.39)

There are 3 answers!

Romans 8:35

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

7 Man-made or natural disasters that will not be able to separate us from

Christ’s love

Romans 8:38-39

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.

10 Limitations or Authorities that will not be able to

separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because

the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:26-28

In other words . . .

• God loves you and justifies you and you are not separated from God

• Christ loves you and intercedes for you

• The Holy Spirit helps and prays for you

• Hence, this amazing activity of God leads us to realise the . . .

The Reassurance of Our Security

God Loves you and Justifies

you You are more than a conqueror

Christ Loves you and

continues to Intercede for

you

The Holy Spirit helps and

prays for you