God works for the good (Romans 8:28)

God works for the good (Romans 8:28)

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

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Me (Connection)

 

The Lord is leading my steps on an Assignment to Korea, This is an unaccompanied tour, one year assignment. I am leaving 27 June.

This is an emergency fill, my place of duty is Camp Stanley, in Ujoungbu Area.

I believe that my God will prepare me for the best assignment and ministry.

Today Bottom line up front is “God is in control, we can rest our burdens and anxiety to his grace.”

I remember this Romans chapter 8 when I was a graduate student in Texas A&M Commerce, studying Education Technology major. one class that I took was really hard. I needed to take a break because I got stuck during final exam prep time.  I did not know what to do with that class. I felt lonely, I felt isolated from family, I was struggling through so many things. The timing was around 02:00 AM. So I started to read my Bible, in Romans. I got to this chapter 8. It just melted my heart.

God was so close to me that night. “Nothing will separate us from the Love of God in Jesus Christ.” When I reached the end of Romans, I was overwhelmed by the love of God. I was single, just started graduate school, school was tough enough to manage, and all of my family was million miles away. I was devastated by the load of work and loneliness.

But, the Lord taught me that night, “God almighty is with me no matter what.”

This is my encouragement today to you.

When you get home tonight, before you sleep, I encourage you to read Romans, start from chapter one. Read until you cry, Read until God touches your heart.

One instruction from today’s sermon:

We handed out index card, please write today’s Bible verse up front. Roman 8:28.

On the back side please write your decision today, it’s good to have an action plan, a course of action.

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We Story:

How about our story.

We came to U.S with high hope. How was your journey?

You determined to come with a better life, a better opportunities for children, and a better quality of life.

How is it going for you?

Sometimes in our life, we feel stuck, we feel that we are going nowhere. So, we self-medicate, some people drink, play around, watch porn, and do the wrong things. And some others

, We watch Korean Drama, we go to church, and we do so many things, but bottom line,

Sometime we feel empty inside. Sometime we feel lonely here even though we are surrounded by love ones, groups of church family. Sometime we feel that nobody understand us.

Sometimes, we start to doubt about decision that we had made.

We start to think “Why did I decide to come here? We sometimes regret the decisions that we made, sometimes it feels as if my loved ones seem to not understand me.

Here is hope for you. Let us see that what God says to us today:

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God Story:

Romans 8:28,

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

First, God starts with “We” know. Apostle Paul did not say, ‘I know.’ He said, ‘We KNOW.’

In order words, I do not know. We as church, we know. God gives revelations and oracle to Church.

That is why I believe that fellowship with believers is very crucial part of our faith development.

Second thing, Romans 8:28,

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

God works for the good. God leads our life. In God we trust, not ‘In cash we trust.’

God is the proponent of our life not you. In other word, God has a plan for you.

Yes, you have plans. Secular wisdom says, yes, you have to have a game plan.

You set the goal. You pursue it as best as you can. Sure I believe some of this wisdom.

But, God leads, determine our steps. Proverbs 16:9 (NIV), ⁹ in their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

Third,

This promise is only for believer not everybody else in this world. Bible said, “Those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

For non-believer, this promise is not applicable. You got to believe what God said, otherwise, this is just a piece of paper.

When you believe it, it’s incarnated in you.

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 (NIV)

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Sometime in our life, we have this kind of issues.

Sometime we have no ideas what to do. Sometime we feel there is no God at all, it looks that darkness is everywhere.

However, be encouraged by this words, John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

We have to adjust our expectation in this world.

There will be so many challenges in our life. There will be so many more to come on our way.

But, be advised and be encouraged by the words of God.

Take heart, I have overcome the world. In God, our all mighty God is mighty enough, strong enough to calm the story in your life.

When you face the challenge, issues, problems, what we need to do “Look UP.”

1 Samuel 17: 45, “⁴⁵ David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”

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You

This is what I want you to do.

First, we have to trust the Lord. The Bible says, “We know.” Therefore we must ask around in Church whenever you face so many issues. When you face any kind of trouble, Sometimes our brain shuts down in shock. We do not know what to do. At That time, you need trust friends, trusted Pastor, trusted Deacons that will steer you in the right direction.

James 1:2-3, “² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance, ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Bible said that you will have so many problems in your life. It is not that God is punishing you.

God will use this opportunity to mature you and complete you. When God tested Abraham through sacrificing his son, Isaac, God already prepared a Ram in the bush. Crisis is God’s way that calling you to his ministry and his throne. God is saying to you. You come! I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Second, Trust and believe that God works for the good of those who love him.

God initiate all things. God changes people’s hearts. Think about Pharaoh’s heart. God changed his heart multiple times. I believe that the core of prayer is “Let God will be done” not my will be done. And also condition is that we love God. When you love God, you want to do something. Just like you are willing to do anything for your children. You have to demonstrate that “Do something for God.” I do not know how. But bottom line is that you have to do something for God every ways, and decisions.

Third, I want you feel blessed being a Christian family. This is amazing GRACE. We are not deserving his love, but God all mighty loved us first. I want to us to think about this for a second. This is an awesome privilege as Christians. This life on earth is just temporary, just like mist in the Morning, just like flower, blooms up, and fade away. After this life, amazing life is waiting with our savior, our Lord.

There will be no more tears and no more sorrow, no more custody battle, no more separation,  no more divorce, no more heart ack. God said, in Revelation 20:28 “‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

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We

Let me conclude today’s message.

I want you to read one more time today.

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

In this world, we will face so many issues.

Know, take a note for this.

1. Church knows. That is why we have to make effort get together in faith.

2. God will make it come through no matter what. We have to trust and believe his goodness and faithfulness in every things we do.

3. I want you feel blessed for being a good Christian. Our effort and love is not in vain. God will come back soon, when he comes, or when we go up, we will spend our eternal life with him

    

   Let us pray…. Benediction….