Lesson 112

Romans Chapter Eight

Freedom in Christ through the Holy Spirit

The Dynamic for living the Christian Life

Review:

4. The Purpose of our being conformed to the image of His Son is that it glorifies Christ! It exalts Him "that He, [Christ,] might be the first-born among many brethren."

- prwto,tokoj prwtoj + tiktw lit. first brought forth;

- It is used in a literal sense of Mary having brought forth her first born son in Lk. 2:7; Mt. 1:25

- When used of Christ it is used metaphorically of first in rank; one having pre-imminence; idea then is of having highest rank/position.

- Col. 1:15-16 Christ's supremacy is shown first in relationship to the Father; He is God's son by eternal relationship;

The Plan and Provision; The Big Picture!

1. God Himself is the author, the designer, and the one who executes each step of the Plan.

2. All who begin this plan of God will also finish it! No drop outs!

3. When contemplating the present with all its suffering, living in a sin cursed world, its truly comforting to know that the present is only a small segment of time between justification and glorification.

4. We need to come away from this context with a strong sense that God is our Father, and His provision for us is greater than our need, and that He through His plan has the ability to thwart any and all challenges that might impact His purposes for us in our life.

* Everything that God is doing in and through us in time is related to the elevation or exaltation of His Son! Whose the agent??

Ø 8:30 God's plan/ the destiny of the believer [in a nutshell]

Between the start and finish of God's plan are the 3 steps in view.

#1. these he also called kalew to call, invite; How are we called?

#2. "whom He called these He also justified" dikaiow

#3. "and whom He justified, these He also glorified." doxazw

Putting this all together, this is one of the strongest passages in the NT on the eternal security of the believer.

We are as certain of the glorified state as if we had already received it!

Ø The Believer's Protection/Security 8:31-39

a. Basis for; 8:31-34

b. Reality of; 8:35-39

8:31 What then shall we say to these things?

- When you consider all that He has done for you in Salvation based on the cross; what's your response to that?

- God is looking for a response from you! Now that you know what your destiny in Christ is; what's your response?

* Since God is for us it does not make one particle of difference who is against us! No one is able to stop God's purpose for you!