CAUTION: GOD AT WORK
ROM 8:28-31

28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to {His} purpose.  29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined {to become} conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren;
30 and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.  31 What then shall we say to these things? If God {is} for us, who {is} against us? (NAS)

1. God Works Through His . . Purposes. v 28
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to {His} purpose.

A. The . . Wisdom In His Purposes. 8:28a

NASB And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God,. . .

NIV And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, . . . " NIV

KJV And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, . . . " KJV

        1. Context of the text. The arrangement of Greek Text.
                a. Blackboard Illustration. GODISNOWHERE               

                    (1. GOD IS NO WHERE!                    
                    (2. GOD IS NOW HERE!

        2. Difference In The Newer Greek Text.       
        3. Comfort to Know the . . Positive; God is in Control.       
        4. Comfort to Know the . . Negative; Things don't Control.               
                a. This verse does not say all things work for good but God works through all things.               
                b. Gen. 50:20
                    20 "And as for you, you meant evil against me, {but} God meant it for good                   
                    in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. NAS

B.    The . . Works In His Purposes. 8:28b
        ". . . God causes all things to work together. . ."

The verb ("works") and the participial phrase ("those who love him") are in the present tense. --New American Commentary

        1. He Is Right Now Working.

C. The . . Worth In His Purposes. 8:28c
        ". . . for good to those who love God,. . ."

        1. Those who Love God.            
            a. Shown in actions and Deeds.

D. The . . Warrant In His Purposes. 8:28d
    ". . .to those who are called according to {His} purpose.. . ."

       1. The Calling In This Warrant.           
            a. This word associated with Saints.
            b. GREEK word used 10 Times in the N.T.
            c. Usually refers to the call to salvation.            
            d. The word Church means "called out ones"

                Rev 17:14 "These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because
                He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him {are the} called and chosen
                and faithful."(NAS)

        2. The . . Construction of God's Promises. v 28 a            
                ". . . according to {His} purpose."               
                    a. Sometimes we think it should be our purposes.

Illustration Topic: Providence Index: 2905-2913 Date: 7/1996.857
Happinessce Jones is a renowned concert organist and teacher at Baylor University. Several years ago she played the first full concert on the new pipe organ at the Crystal Cathedral in California, which cost over $1 million.

At the age of sixteen she was a piano major at the University of Texas. A sprained wrist interrupted her promising career as a pianist. For six weeks she could not touch a keyboard. Not wanting to waste the time, she decided to learn to play organ pedals with her feet, and a new career was born. "God has a way," she relates, "to get your attention and say, 'Hey, I have something better for you to do."'

Application

What experience in your life may very well illustrate God is working in your life according to His Promise.

2. God Works Through His . . Plans. 8:29-30
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined {to become} conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; 30 and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

A. A Plan of Conforming through . . His Calling. v 30 a

        1. This word is similar but a little different to the word in verse 28.            
            a. The Predestined Call is a conforming Call.
                1) We are not saved just for heaven.
                2) We are saved to be the leaven in this world                     
                        a) We are to be like Jesus.

        Rev 19:9 And he said to me, "Write, 'Blessed are those who are invited (called) to the marriage
        supper of the Lamb.'" And he said to me, "These are true words of God." (NAS)

B. A Plan of Conforming through . . His Justification. v 30 b
        1. He has made the Christian Justified.

        2. He will make them Justified.

1 Tim. 3:16>; (b) "to declare to be righteous, to pronounce righteous," . . . " (from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words) (Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

C. A Plan of Conforming through . . His Glorification. v 30 c
30 and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

    Predestination
        1. If predestination is true, then how can there be free will?
            Check this sitehttp://www.carm.org/email/doc_predestine.htm

        2. An illustration would be that I could arrange for mychild to choose ice cream over something else and not violate his free will. For instance, I could put a bowl of chocolate ice cream and a bowl of dirt and rocks in front of my child and I know exactly which one the child will choose to eat. But my knowing does not violate my child's free will.

Illustration
The story is told of a group of theologians who werediscussing predestination and free will. Things became so heated that the group broke up into two opposing factions. But one man, not knowing which to join, stood for a moment trying to decide. At last he joined the predestination group.

"Who sent you here?" they asked. "No one sent me," he replied. "I considered the facts and decided on my own." "Free Will!" they exclaimed. "You can't join us! You belong with the other group!"

So he followed their orders and went to the other clique. There someone asked, "When did you decide to join us?" The young man replied, "Well, I didn't really decide--I was sent here." "Sent here!" they shouted. "You can't join us unless you have decided by your own free will."

What does it mean to be glorified.

Thayer's Dictionary says: 1392 doxazo- 4) to make glorious, to adorn with lustre, to clothe with splendor
a) to impart glory to something, to render it excellent

b) to make renowned, to render illustrious, to cause the dignity and worth of some person or thing to become manifest and acknowledged

John 17:1 These things Jesus spoke; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify Thy Son, that the Son may glorify Thee, (NAS)

John 17:5 "And now, glorify Thou Me together with Thyself, Father, with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was. (NAS)

2. We Conform in Glorification as we are to be examples..

Rom 15:6-7 6 that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Wherefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. NAS

Illustration Topic: Glorifying God Index: 1423-1425

The following is a wonderful prayer by Norwegian Theologian Ole Hallesby:

"Lord, If it will be to Your glory, heal suddenly.

Lord, If it will glorify You more, heal gradually;

Lord, If it will glorify You even more, . . .
may your servant remain sick awhile; and;

Lord if it will glorify Your name still more, . . .
take him to Yourself in heaven."

Illustration Topic: Glorifying God Index: 1423-1425
George Atley was killed while serving with the Central African Mission. There were no witnesses, but the evidence indicates that Atley was confronted by a band of hostile tribesmen. He was carrying a fully loaded, 10-chamber Winchester rifle and had to choose either to shoot his attackers and run the risk of negating the work of the mission in that area, or not to defend himself and be killed. When his body was later found in a stream, it was evident that he had chosen the latter. Nearby lay his rifle -- all 10 chambers still loaded. He had made the supreme sacrifice, motivated by his burden for lost souls and his answering devotion to his Savior. With the apostle Paul, he wanted Christ to be magnified in his body, "whether by life or by death."

Application

What experience in your life may very well illustrate God is working in your life according to His Plan for you to be Conformed to the likeness of Jesus.

3. God Works Through His . . Position. v 31
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God {is} for us, who {is} against us? (NAS)

A. God Works through a . . Satisfying Position. v 31 a
        31 What then shall we say to these things? If God {is} for us,      

        1. We are silent because we see the hand of God.

Rom 3:4 May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man {be found} a liar, as it is written, "That Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and mightest prevail when Thou art judged."

B. God Works through a . . Superior Position. v 31 b
". . . who {is} against us?" (NAS)

    1. The World is ultimately silenced because they see the hand of God.

Illustration Topic: God Index: 3808-3811
I read a story about a shipwreck. When the sole survivor reached a small, uninhabited island, he prayed for God to rescue him, but help didn't come. Eventually he built a hut out of driftwood for protection from the elements. One day he returned from scavenging for food and found his hut in flames, the smoke rising into the sky. Angrily he cried,

"God, how could You do this to me?" The next morning he was awakened by rescuers. "How did you know I was here?" he asked.

"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

Application

Caution God at work. He wants us totally surrendered.

What experience in your life may very well illustrate God is working in your life according to His Position. It is for you to be Conformed to the likeness of Jesus.

CONCLUSION

God Works Through His . . Purposes.
God Works Through His . . Plans.
God Works Through His . . Position.