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A DIVINE CORDIAL Daniel Patz, Lead Pastor Grace Church, Sunday Worship Romans 8:28-32 February 21st, 2010
Romans 8:28-32 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (ESV) Thomas Watson called it “a divine cordial.” A cordial is a liquid medicine that would bring healing from the inside out. 3 Observations to mediate on: 1. The Promise 2. The Promiser 3. The Promised 1. The Promise Implied in this text. “And we know that…all things work together for good…” A. We know – We are given this truth so we can know it in our hearts. B. All things Afflictions/pain Sin (ours and others) Relationships Circumstances Graces Word Spirit Angels Everything… C. Work together Like a magician, he puts together the potions of poisons in a perfect combination to bring blessing not harm. It is not that the evils are good in themselves – they are worked together for good. A Clock D. For Good Not the American Dream For good – God defines good – verses 29-30 Conformity to the image of Jesus There is another world and our good includes that Sanctification The opposite of Murphy’s law – whatever can go wrong, will go wrong This is a promise among promises What if we actually believed this – what would it do to our spirit? Consider Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Naomi, Daniel, Job, Peter, John, the disciples – Jesus Movie – Mel Gibson in Signs William Cowper 2. The Promiser
Psalm 115:2-3 [2]Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" [3]Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. Psalm 135:6 [6]Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. Ephesians 1:11 [11]In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, (ESV) Acts 17:26 [26]And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, (ESV) Matthew 6:26 [26]Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (ESV) Proverbs 16:9 [9]The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. Jeremiah 10:23 [23]I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Psalm 105:25 [25]He turned their hearts to hate his people, to deal craftily with his servants. Isaiah 45:6-7 [6]that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other. [7]I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the LORD, who does all these things. Lamentations 3:37-38 [37]Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? [38]Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come? Philippians 2:12-13 [12]Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, [13]for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (ESV) 3. The Promised “Those who love God” “called according to His purpose”
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