More than Conquerors…

“In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” –Romans 8:37

More than…what a great two word expression! More than enough; more than we can ask or imagine and more than we need

Belonging to Jesus Christ means that we are people of the “more than” by God’s grace, because of His love and through His Spirit.

This summer we will spend the majority of our Sundays in Romans, chapter 8, said to be “one of the most celebrated chapters in all of Scripture” as well as “one of the most often quoted and misquoted” verses of the Bible are found in Romans 8.  None of these God-inspired verses should be taken out of context and the context is: life giving, liberating work of the Holy Spirit who “lives in you” – those who believe in and belong to Jesus Christ (Romans 8:9-11).

However, before we get to chapter 8, we need to wrestle with the sin seizing struggles of chapter 7:

“But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness” (7:8)

“For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment deceived me and through it killed me.” (7:11)

“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” (7:15)

“For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” (7:19)

 

Anyone struggling with sin lately or are you solely living by the Spirit?

I am weak “unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin” (7:14) BUT “thanks be to God” (7:25), He is More Than able, immeasurably more!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3vCHhPve_I

-More Than Able (Lyric Video) – Elevation Worship & Chandler Moore

#morethanable           #notdonewithmeyet              #notfinishedyet

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”

Philippians 1:6

In preparation for more than, read Romans 8 in one sitting and then go back to study one verse at a time.

Look for any assurances to hold, commands to follow, promises to claim and questions to study further.

Here are a few examples to get you started:

Assurance to hold = No condemnation for Christ followers!

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (8:1) because… (Why?) – Further study

Command to obey = Set your mind on what the Spirit desires

“Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires” (8:5b) but (How?) – Further study

Promise to claim = Nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus

“Nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God” (8:39) but (How? & Who?) – Further study

Questions asked & answered:

“Who can be against us, if God is for us?” – Who can prevail against us?  Nobody!

“Who will bring a charge against those whom God has chosen?” – Who can make a charge against us stand? Nobody!

“Who is he that condemns?” – Who is it that can condemn us before God?  Nobody!

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” – Who or what can keep us from His love?  Nobody!

Questions pursued:

What do the phrases: “Spirit of life” – “Spirit of adoption” and “Spirit of intercession” mean for believers in Christ?

One of the most often misapplied, misquoted, or nonchalantly spoken verses:

Well we know that “all things work out to the good for those who love God” (loose translation of 8:28)

One of the most debated verses:

“For those God foreknew He also predestined…and those He predestined, He also called…” (8:29-30)

 

So, are you ready for more? More dialogue, more examination, more life, more love, more power, more triumph

Grace & Peace as we seek to live according to the Spirit,

Pastor Scott