Romans chapter 8, starting at verse 28.

And we know that God calls us all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.

For whom he foreknew he also predestined to become conformed to the image of his son that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

In whom he predestined these he also called, in whom he called, these he also justified, in whom he justified, these he also justified, in whom he justified these he also glorified.

And now, Father, we want to understand and be changed by your foreknowledge of us and your

predestining of us and your conforming us to the image of Christ and his exaltation as the preeminent

one in all things. So come and help me now to speak the truth and grant that every person listening to me would have spiritual ears to hear and eyes to see the truth and the glory of Christ.

In his name I pray, Amen.

We devoted three messages to Romans 828, the great 828, and we said there that Romans A28 is part of Paul's argument for verse 18

18

that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing

to the glory that will be revealed to us.

Why are the sufferings of this present time not worth

comparing? Because all of them, including everything else, will work together for our good.

So you see the link between 28 and 18 now.

V. V. and 18. Now, verse 29 is where we go today, and it begins with the word 4, because, because

Paul is moving now into the foundation of this massive promise

that everything will work together for your good if you're called and if you love God. How can he say such a thing in a world like

ours? Because... Because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to become conformed to the image of his son so that he would be the first born among many brethren.

So there are three great works of God here that are performed to guarantee,

verse 28, to guarantee verse 18, and to put rock under your feet no matter what kinds of storms blow on you.

Work number one he forenew.

...