Doing the Gospel Math: The Logical Conclusion of this Chapter and the Gospel

Romans 8:28. Could there be any other conclusion to come to based on what Paul has already said?

• No condemnation. (Romans 8:1)

• Future resurrection from the dead. (Romans 8:11)

• Adoption as God’s children and no spirit of fear. (Romans 8:15)

• Suffering leads to inheritance and glory. (Romans 8:17)

• Suffering is nothing compared to the glory to come. (Romans 8:18)

• Suffering is the pregnancy of joy. (Romans 8:22)

• A salvation that is primarily future, for we have been saved in ‘hope.’ (Romans 8:24-25)

• The perfect intercession of the Spirit answered by God. (Romans 8:26-27)

If you think about the implications of all this and “add it all up” you come up with something like what we find in Romans 8:28!

Expect Gain through Pain (2)

Second part of the message from Romans 8:17.

5. Believe the pain is suffering with Christ.

Pain and suffering can tempt us to believe that God has left us. (Psalm 22:1-2)

But the truth is: Romans 8:17; Matthew 25:37-40; Acts 9:4-5; Isaiah 63:9

6. Believe that His grace is sufficient for all suffering.

Pain and suffering can tempt us to think that there is no way that we can endure one more day of “this” or that we could never handle “that.” (2 Corinthians 11:23-27)

But the truth is: Romans 8:17; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

7. Believe the gain is what Christ deserves and the pain is what we deserve.

Pain and suffering can tempt us to question whether we “deserve” it. (Ruth 1:19-21)

But the truth is: Romans 8:17; Hebrews 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Lamentations 3:39

8. Believe the pain is necessary.

Pain and suffering can tempt us to think, “Was this really necessary? Couldn’t there have been another way?” (Matthew 26:39)

But the truth is: Romans 8:17; 1 Peter 1:6; Hebrews 12:1-2

Remember: Expect broken carriages on the way to pick up your inheritance!

Expect Gain through Pain

Message from Romans 8:17.

1. God teaches us to expect gain through pain.

This is life in a fallen world and the path into the kingdom. (Romans 8:17; Genesis 3:16-19; John 16:20-22; Acts 14:19-22)

Have you ever thought about James 5? (James 5:13)

Why must the suffering person pray?

• Because suffering is a great test of faith and a place of temptation. (1 Peter 1:7; Matthew 26:41)

• Because it is in suffering that our unbelief comes to the surface and we need help to believe. (Mark 9:17-24)

What do we need help to believe?

2. Believe you are a child of God though in pain.

Pain and suffering can tempt us to doubt that we are children of God. (Matthew 27:41-43)

But the truth is: Romans 8:17; 8:1; 1 Peter 5:10

3. Believe the pain is gain.

Pain and suffering can tempt us to believe that we are losing instead of gaining – that our lives are being wasted. (Matthew 27:39)

But the truth is: Romans 8:17; Isaiah 53:10-11; James 1:2

4. Believe the gain is far greater than the pain.

Pain and suffering can tempt us to believe that nothing could be worth going through certain “things.” (Job 3:1-3)

But the truth is: Romans 8:17-18

Remember: Expect broken carriages on the way to pick up your inheritance!