Scripture Focus (Romans 8:35-39) – “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? [36] As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, [39] nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
I. His Relentless Love is Stronger Than Life’s Instability (Romans 8:35-37)
The question posed – “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
A. Times of trouble (Romans 8:35a) – “…tribulation…distress…persecution…”
B. Times of vulnerability (Romans 8:35b) – “…famine or nakedness…”
C. Times of danger (Romans 8:35c-36) – “…danger or sword. As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
D. Times of trusting (Romans 8:37) – “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”
II. His Unstoppable Love Overcomes Opposing Powers (Romans 8:38a)
A. The ultimate finish – “For I am sure that neither death…”
Death has no hold because of His resurrecting power
B. The universal fight – “…nor life…”
The Christian life is not a picnic ground but a battleground
C. The unyielding foes – “…nor angels nor rulers…nor powers…”
D. The unpredictable world – “…nor things present…”
III. His Faithful Love Guides You Through Unknown Potentials (Romans 8:38b-39)
A. Whatever tomorrow holds (38b) – “…nor things to come…”
Paul’s life: imprisonment, defamation, rejection, abandonment, shipwrecks, trials, martyrdom.
B. Whatever decisions we make (39a) – “…nor height, nor depth…”
1. As high as we might rise (David’s ascent in the Kingdom)
2. As low as we might fall (David’s moral implosion with Bathsheba)
C. Whatever might be left (39b) – “…nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”