Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• It is very difficult during these times
• For students and teachers
• It can be hard for children
• Those children who find it hard at school and hard at home
• If you are a believer
• The most important thing to remember throughout our trials - is that we are loved by God
• Christ will never stop loving us
• This gives us peace
• Reading: Romans 8:35-39
• Beginning a new series 'Be Strong in the Lord'
• The apostle was absolutely persuaded in his heart and mind that nothing could separate him from the love of God
• Is that your experience?
• Paul was persuaded
• Do we rejoice in God?
• Example of puritan preacher
• We have every reason to rejoice
• "All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose"
• "If God is for us, who can be against us"
• Quote from George Muller
• Are we happy in God?
• Overview:
• What is the love of God?
• What tries to separate us from this love and why does it fail?
• Why can the Christian be strong in the Lord?

What is the love of God?

• Primarily found between the three Persons of the Trinity
• Eternal
• Innate to God
• "God is love" – 1 John 4: 8
• A description of God's love – Eph 3:16-18
• Do we comprehend the love of God?
• Do we pray that we will be filled with all the fullness of God
• Are we filled with the love of God?
• Not just to be described but known:
• 1 Cor 13 – it is the greatest thing of all
• God has so many attributes - but do we dwell on His love?
• Col 3:14 – "put on love"
• A demonstration of God's love
• Giving of His only Begotten Son [The sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ]
• The behaviour of Jesus - examples
• His sacrifice on the cross
• His love:
• An eternal love - underneath us are the everlasting arms
• An electing love - there is a special love for His people
• An irresistible love - He draws us to Himself
• An invincible love - it overcomes and never fails
• A personal love - Jesus loved us
• A unchangeable love - the same from day to day
• Two examples from hymns

What tries to separate us from this love and why does it fail?

• No circumstance can separate us from God
• Even our sins [provided we are in Christ]
• Satan cannot separate us - we are justified in God
• All the trials of life cannot separate us from God
• Tribulation and distress - v35
• The Greek meaning 'to be crushed and squeezed'
• Covid-19 is a tribulation for us all - it is extremely restrictive
• Covid-19 is a distress for some - examples
• There may be other tribulations or distress in your life
• Persecution, famine, nakedness, peril or sword - v35
• Examples of those persecuted - are they separated from the love of Christ?
• Paul is clear - no!
• Example of Old Testament characters - were they separated from the love of God?
• No - v36/37
• Paul had suffered these things - yet he was not separated from the love of God (cf 1 Cor 11)
• Example
• Covid-19 is an opportunity to show that we are different to the world
• A series of contrasts - v38-39
• Nothing in the universe can separate us from the love of God
• Time and space is in God's hand
• No created or supernatural thing will separate us
• Death - the great separator, yet it will not separate the Christian from the love of Christ
• It is a doorway into heaven
• We have the resurrection from the dead
• We should not fear death
• Life
• Quote from Hamlet
• Examples
• Life can be very cruel
• Life can be mundane
• Height nor depth
• No place can separate you from the love of God
• No created thing
• Can separate us
• But ... this love of God is only in Christ Jesus
• Have you come to Christ?
• Do not make excuses for your situation - we are more than conquerors in all things/situations
• It is as we trust in Christ that we find strength to conquer

Why can the Christian be strong in the Lord?

• How can you be strong in the Lord?
• Put you hand in His and trust Him
• Example of the woman who touched Jesus' cloak
• Example of Esther
• Trust and pray to Him

Closing Remarks