Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

This is the chemistry of the cross: that God can work bad situations for our good and His glory.

This verse reiterates the certainty and completeness of this ironclad, rock-ribbed promise of God. He works all things together for His glory and for our good. When we know this, we can appreciate the blessings we would otherwise mistake as burdens.

Adrian Rogers says, “It takes a lot of faith to say it is good for me that I have been afflicted. But it’s then that we begin to look up into the face of God. A sick bed can often teach more than a sermon.”

By the chemistry of the cross, the sweet, the sorrowful, and even the satanic and sinful things work together for good. The same God who rules in the affairs of this world can work the enemy’s attacks for our benefit.

Romans 5:20 says, “where sin abounded, grace abounded much more."

Because we are bound to sin, we are bound to suffer. But because of the cross, our suffering is met with God’s grace.

The simple and the smallest things are in God’s master control; He is the cause of it all.

Though this is a beautiful and big promise, it is not for everyone. There is a condition to Romans 8:28, which is, “to them that love God.”

When we accept the condition of Romans 8:28, we can fully understand the consequence of it, found in Romans 8:29: “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

The “good” that we receive is our sanctification; we are becoming more like Jesus. God is not finished with us; He will continue to use circumstances to make us look more like our Savior.



Apply it to your life
Are you the one who loves God and believes your circumstances are there to make you look more like Jesus? Spend time in Scripture today, so that you can gain perspective on all things: the sweet, sorrowful, satanic, sinful, simple, and small. He is working them for your good!

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Ephesians 5:18

The Christian life is a blessing, but if we don’t understand the ministry of the Holy Spirit, it can feel more like a burden. The secret to a blessed Christian life is being filled with the Holy Spirit. It is important to know how to have a spirit-filled life.

Ephesians 5:18 says, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit...”

Having a Spirit-filled life is a command from God to obey, as well as a blessing to enjoy. It is also our obligation as Christians, because on our own, we don’t have the strength to do what the Bible commands us to do.

The only way to truly worship God is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Our marriages and work relationships hinge on this as well. We serve our families and colleagues as we should when we first submit to the Holy Spirit.

It is also how we win in this spiritual warfare we face every day. It is our only hope in ever witnessing to others. We are up against the organized, demonic forces of Hell.

Ephesians 5:15-16 says, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

Adrian Rogers says, “There has never been a greater day, a greater age, a greater opportunity to preach the Gospel of Jesus than right now.”

What are the requirements of being filled with the Holy Spirit?

There must first be a complete commitment to Christ. We must continually yield control to Him, consciously claiming our dependence on Him every moment. When we do this, we receive a spirit of adoration for God—a passionate, blazing love for Jesus Christ that doesn’t burn out.

We also receive a spirit of appreciation for our circumstances. Ephesians 5:20 claims Christians are to be, “Giving thanks always for all things…”

Finally, we receive a spirit of accommodation toward others. Every day, every place, we are learning to submit to and serve others.

Apply it to your life

Adrian Rogers says, “We need a generation of Spirit-filled people. As the night grows darker, the saints grow brighter, and the hunger intensifies. And there are people who are looking, waiting, wondering: Is there an answer? The answer is in Christ.”

Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 10:12-14

As Christians, we have the power not only to overcome temptations but also to use them as a means to grow in our faith. 1 Corinthians 10 shows us how to turn temptations into triumphs.

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:12-13).

Being saved does not make us immune to temptation; everyone is subject to temptation.

There are three common sources of temptation.
The World
In this context, “world” means a system or order. This fallen world is entrenched in evil and we are not to fall for its schemes. The world wars against the soul: our minds, emotions and will, our ego, our psyche. We can’t let the world mold us, guide us, or control us.

The Flesh
The flesh is the “old nature,” the person the Christian used to be; it is the inclination to do evil.
Adrian Rogers says, “Sin is an inside job that comes from your flesh.” The flesh wars against the body, tempting us in the areas of appetite, lust, laziness, and violence.

The Devil
The devil wars against the spirit: we know God through our spirits. Our spirits are our vehicles of communication, worship, and spiritual knowledge. The devil wants to cut off that life source.

There are three key ways to subdue temptation.
Against the world: FAITH
Through faith, God is a bright, living reality that eclipses the temptation to squeeze into the world’s mold.

Against the Flesh: FIGHT
We must avoid situations that will tempt us to sin in the flesh.
Against the devil: FIGHT
The devil won’t leave us alone until we resist him. We fight by bringing the Word of God against him.

Satan does not want us to understand the power we have to overcome temptation. We must be strong in the Lord. We must resist the devil, and he will flee from us.
Apply it to your life
When temptation comes, remember: you are not on defense; you can be on offense. Flee from fornication, feed on Jesus to avoid worldliness, and resist the devil.