The Promises of God I. Introduction A. In our lives as Christians we often have difficult times 1. It's a long race (1 Corinthians 9:24-27) 2. There are many opportunities for us to get discouraged B. It is always good to open the Scriptures and consider the promises of God to us C. Romans 8 is a wonderfully encouraging chapter to the Christian, presenting many of God's promises to us D. Let us spend some time considering those promises now II. The Promise of Salvation A. The first few verses of Romans 8-- Romans 8:1-5-- establish the promise of salvation for us 1. If we are "in Christ Jesus", there is no condemnation 2. We have been set free through the law the Spirit in Christ of the law of sin and death B. This salvation was not procured by our own effort or righteousness 1. As Paul has explained in Romans, we are unable to save ourselves! 2. Through our obedience to the faith we have received the benefit of God's grace (cf. Romans 6:16-23) 3. This was done before we were born and when we did not deserve it (cf. Romans 5:6-8) 4. God has provided the way of salvation to us C. Salvation both present and future 1. As this text (and others) makes clear, we speak of two kinds of salvation: present and future 2. Salvation comes to those "in Christ Jesus"-- those who have obeyed Him initially 3. Final salvation, however, is still longed for and waited upon, as seen in Romans 8:23-25 4. Peter also in 1 Peter 1 explains our present salvation and our hope for the final salvation D. Let us be thankful for the promise of our salvation! III. The Promises of Christ and Adoption A. Paul goes on to speak of the promises of having Christ and the adoption as sons B. Romans 8:9-10 1. We learn that we are not of the flesh but of the spirit if the Spirit of God dwells in us 2. If we do not have Christ's Spirit in us, we are not His! 3. If He is in us, however, we have life in our souls! C. The necessary conclusion of this is in verse 11 1. If we have the Spirit in us, the same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead, we have the hope and promise of our own resurrection 2. This is the same hope for which the creation groans (vv. 23-25) 3. Thanks to the promise of the Spirit, we look to the promise of the resurrection! D. From this promise flows the next: if we are led by the Spirit, we are sons of God (Romans 8:14) 1. A very important and comforting promise! 2. Children are always special to their parents! 3. Because of this, we do not have the spirit of fear, but a spirit of adoption, by which we can speak in most tender terms to God (v. 15) E. If sons, then heirs (vv. 16-17) 1. Salvation naturally flows from this relationship-- if we are sons, then we also will be heirs! 2. Heirs with Christ, no less, and therefore the recipients of the heavenly places (cf. John 14:1-4)! F. Being heirs, however, is dependent on following after the pattern of Christ, even in suffering (Romans 8:17-18) 1. Parallel: Christ suffered, and was glorified (cf. Philippians 2:5-11); if we therefore seek to be glorified, we must also suffer! 2. On the other hand, the glory to be revealed is of such incomparable value so as to make the present sufferings seem as nothing 3. This itself is a promise: what God will do for us will make the current distress seem as nothing G. Wonderful promises indeed! IV. The Promise of Hope A. In this body we have the promise of hope B. Romans 8:23-25 1. We wait eagerly for the full realization of our adoption-- the redemption of our bodies 2. Such is not the redemption from sin per se but the resurrection! 3. This is the hope that we cherish-- it is hope because it is unseen 4. At some point this hope will be realized C. This is the need to persevere in love-- 1 Corinthians 13:7, 13 D. This is the "living hope" to which we have been born again (1 Peter 1:3) E. Therefore, we wait in patience for the realization of this hope! V. The Promise of Divine Assistance A. While we may often feel abandoned on earth, Paul makes it clear that we are not! B. As he establishes in Romans 8:32, if God was not willing to spare His own Son, why would He withhold anything from those who believe in Him? C. God has not abandoned us but is there for us! D. Romans 8:26-27: the Spirit prays with our spirit and intercedes for us, helping us in our weaknesses in the flesh E. Romans 8:28: All things "work together" for the good for those who love God F. Romans 8:29-31: Paul establishes how God has done all kinds of things for us, preparing the way of salvation for us-- if God is for us, who can be against us? 1. We have the promise, therefore, of God Almighty being for us! 2. Even though we may have enemies and beset with difficulties, we have the promise that we can prevail in Christ! VI. The Promise of God's Love A. Since God is love and God's love is manifest in Christ (cf. 1 John 4:7-21), it makes sense to have the promise of God's love for us B. While this love has been made manifest in all that has been described to this point, Paul brings this discussion to a close with the great demonstration of this love (Romans 8:33-39) C. Paul makes it clear that Christians will suffer 1. Some will try to bring charges against God's elect or to condemn them (cf. vv. 33-34) 2. Christians will suffer from tribulations, distresses, the sword, from earthly and spiritual powers, etc. (vv. 35-39) 3. Verse 36 makes this clear: we are to be "killed all the day long," considered as "sheep to be slaughtered" D. Nevertheless, we are not to fear! E. No one can truly bring charges or condemn, because God justifies the elect and Christ who died for us intercedes for us (Romans 8:33-34)! F. Even though all kinds of things may cause us to suffer, none of these external agents can separate us from God's love (Romans 8:38-39) G. We have the promise that we will be "more than conquerors" of these things through Christ Jesus (v. 37)! VII. Conclusion A. We have seen God's promises to us from Romans 8 B. We have the promises of salvation, Christ, adoption, hope, divine assistance, and love C. What wonderful promises we have if we are found in Christ Jesus! D. Let us constantly strive to be obedient to Him and therefore to be the recipients of all these promises! E. Invitation/songbook