All Things Work Together For Good Base Text: Romans 8:28 I. Introduction A. Realization that life often has many difficult moments B. Many things happen for which we grapple, seeking explanation C. We can easily get discouraged and wonder where God went D. Yet we have this promise-- Romans 8:28 1. All things work out for "the good" for those who love God 2. A very comforting idea E. Often, however, many want to place asterisks on this type of promise 1. Many are skeptical that literally "all things" will work out for good 2. After all, so many terrible things can happen, and many without reason! 3. Should we accept this passage at its word? Do "all things" work out for good to those who love God? F. Let us consider what the Bible says about these matters II. Working Together for Good in the Bible A. We find many examples where things have worked together for good in the Bible B. David loved God, for instance, and God blessed him with a kingdom (1-2 Samuel) C. Abraham was blessed because of his faith (Genesis 12-25) D. The "good", however, was not always immediately obvious! E. Consider Joseph 1. Genesis 37:1-4: Joseph was the favorite son of Jacob, the firstborn of his beloved Rachel, and his brothers resented him 2. Genesis 37:5-11: Joseph's dreams did not help the situation 3. Genesis 37:12-36: Joseph's brothers take him, intend to kill him, end up selling him into slavery 4. Genesis 39:1-20: Joseph sold to Potiphar, ends up ruling latter's house; his wife tries to seduce him, and when it fails, he is cast into prison 5. Genesis 39:21-23: Joseph earned trust of prison guard, ran the prison 6. Genesis 40: Joseph interprets dreams of two prisoners 7. Genesis 41: One prisoner remembers Joseph when Pharaoh has dreams; Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams of feast and famine, is made second-in-command of Egypt 8. Genesis 42-45: Joseph's brothers come to obtain grain from Egypt twice; he reveals himself to them 9. Genesis 45:4-8: The thing was from God 10. Genesis 50:20: His brothers designed evil for him, but God meant it "for good" 11. We see, then, that even though Joseph suffered sin from the hands of many, God used the situation for the good of all men, preserving many through Joseph 12. Yet Joseph had to continue to love God and to follow His will! F. Job 1. Job also greatly suffered, and without cause (Job 1-2) 2. His suffering, however, was for his good, for he learned humility-- he trusted in his righteousness and not in the Creator God (Job 40-42) 3. Nevertheless, he needed to not "curse God" (cf. Job 2:9-10) and to have the willingness to be so humbled by God G. The Apostles 1. The Apostles were compelled to suffer many things on account of the name of Christ 2. They suffered beatings at the hand of the Sanhedrin (Acts 5:40) 3. ...and yet they rejoiced, since they suffered for the name of Christ (Acts 5:41) 4. Paul was cast into jail on account of the sins of others (Acts 16:17-24) 5. And yet through that the Philippian jailer obeyed Christ (Acts 16:25-33) H. These are just some of many examples to which we could point to understand how "all things" do work together for good "to those who love God" III. Understanding Romans 8:28 A. What, then, shall we say to these things? B. It is true that "all things work together for good to those who love God" C. All things indeed work together for "the good" 1. The question is: what is "the good" involved? 2. While it certainly was not good for Joseph to suffer from the sins of others, it was only through being sold as a slave and then being thrown into jail that he had the opportunity to come before Pharaoh and save the people 3. While it was not pleasant to suffer abuse, the Apostles knew that it was for the promotion of the Gospel 4. We must realize, therefore, that even if we cannot see "the good" in the midst of the situation, we may see it at the end somehow 5. Hebrews 12:3-12, James 1:2-4: suffering, temptations, etc., can work out for good for the Christian, even if we may not think it very pleasant! 6. 1 Peter 1:3-9: such suffering helps us to appreciate the ultimate good of Heaven! 7. In all things, let us remember 2 Corinthians 4:17! D. But "the good" comes to those "who love God" 1. An important aspect to all of this is to remember that the benefits are for those who love God 2. Many times people will suffer at various points, blame God, and use such as a pretext for falling away 3. While we can sympathize with those in difficult times, consider Joseph and Job and the others-- did they not have plenty of reason to reject God after what happened to them? 4. And yet, in the end, who preserved them? 5. Paul of all people had good reason to be angry-- and yet he is the one who considered his sufferings as "light momentary afflictions" (2 Corinthians 4:17) because he knew what was in store! 6. While it often may be difficult to persevere, we must trust that it will all work together "for good"-- but we must remain obedient! IV. Conclusion A. All things do work together for good for those who love God B. We have seen how God has used both positive and negative circumstances to accomplish good things C. We have seen that all things do work out for "the good", even if we do not fully understand how it could be "good" while we suffered it D. We have also seen, however, that we must persevere in faith and love God if we desire to see "the good" in the end E. Let us keep a proper perspective on these things and continue to love God! F. Invitation/songbook