MORE THAN CONQUERORS

1. We have seen the signs advertising America’s resolve to get back to normal.

2. A variety of things have been done to show that America will eventually overcome terrorism.

3. What we are seeing reminds me of Rom. 8:37.

4. Paul said that “through him” (Jesus) we are more than conquerors.

A. The three words more than conquerors come from a single word in the original text.

B. Part of the original word is familiar to each one here.

C. We have all heard of Nike shoes.

D. In the ancient world there was a pagan God known as Nike.

E. Nike was the god of victory.

F. Victory comes in different ways.

G. There are different types of victories.

H. Some are won by a slim margin

I. Other victories are overwhelming.

J. Part of the word translated “more than conquerors” in Romans 8:37 is Nikao.

K. This is at the end of the word.

L. The first part of the word used by Paul has the word hyper; the meaning of this is “super.”

M. This single word means that God’s people are “super victors.”

N. One source uses the words “vanquish” and “overcome” to explain the word’s meaning.

O. Instead of being a “survivor” this word means that Christians are “super conquerors.”

P. Perhaps this is why the translators chose the expression “more than conquerors.”

5. By the time Paul wrote this section of Romans he had already asked three important questions.

A. The first question is in 8:31—“Who is against us?”

B. That is, since God is on our side who can successfully oppose us?

C. Who is a worthy opponent for a Christian?

D. A second question is found in 8:33.

E. Paul said, “Who can lay a charge against the elect?”

F. Who can successfully charge a faithful child of God with sin?

G. The third question is in verse 34 (“Who can condemn a faithful Christian”)?

H. If we are in Christ, what spiritual authority can successfully criticize us?

I. The fourth question is found in Rom. 8:35.

J. Who shall separate us from the love of God (Christ)?

K. In verses 35-37 Paul listed seven outside forces that each have their own terror.

L. Paul took some of the worst things known to man and said, “These cannot separate us from God.”

M. In verses 38-39 Paul appealed to some of the most extreme things man faces in life.

N. He affirmed that it is also impossible for these items to tear us away from God.

6. AT A TIME WHEN OUR NATION IS CONTINUING TO GET BACK ON TRACK IT SEEMS TO ME THAT A STUDY OF THE MATERIAL IN THIS PART OF ROMANS IS TIMELY.

A. We may not study all of the things described by Paul but we will study more than one or two of them.

B. I want to begin with the latter portion of our scripture reading (verses 38-39).

C. Paul said, “I am persuaded.”

D. This in the perfect tense.

E. This tense shows that in the past Paul had become persuaded about these matters.

F. This conviction (his firm belief) had continued.

G. Paul was 100% convinced about what he wrote.

H. A few moments ago I said that Paul used this section of the chapter to deal with extremes.

I. The first extreme is described as life and death.

J. Whether a Christian is alive or dead Paul said he or she is in the presence of God.

7. Let’s take some time to study the word death.

A. In this passage the word appears to describe everything associated with death.

B. This word shows that when people leave this world they are not separated from the Lord.

C. Jesus made this clear in Lk. 16:22, 25.

D. Lazarus left this earth but he was cared for.

E. God cared for him in a way that was substantially better than what he had previously experienced.

F. There have been several stories about the people who died in the recent attacks.

G. Some have tried to show how their loved one was a special or unique person.

H. Others have suggested that their friend or spouse was a hero.

I. In all of the stories that have been told, I have not heard someone use the word Christian.

J. To my knowledge no one has said, “My husband was a faithful Christian.

K. “My wife is missing but I am comforted by the fact that she was a faithful Christian.

L. “My boss/my co-worker was a child of God.”

M. “That firefighter was a Christian.”

N. Our nation is now grappling with death on a national scale.

O. We are being reminded of how painful this experience is.

P. Death is painful.

Q. In 1 Cor 15 Paul described death as a sting.

i). The wordsting described a pointed stick that was used to dominate and torture someone.

ii). It seems that Satan has used death to threaten and afflict people.

iii). Satan likes to give people a fatal prick with the stick of death so they die in sin.

iv). Our nation has been tortured and afflicted with death.

R. In Rom. 8 Paul said that for the Christian death doesn’t matter.

S. If we die that is all right.

T. Paul said, “I am persuaded” (100% convinced) that death doesn’t matter.

U. The word death may also be related to the type of death we face.

V. Some leave this earth quietly and peacefully.

W. Others like Stephen (Acts 7:55-60) leave under very unpleasant conditions.

X. Whatever happens to us in relation to death Paul said, “it doesn’t matter.”

Y. We are still with the Lord.

Z. I read this past week that the number of people making airline reservations is still quite low.

AA. Airline traffic is off about 30%; that number could increase to 60%.

BB. People are driving to their destinations, using video conferencing, or something else.

CC. This fact implies that many are scared of death.

DD. To the people who are dedicated Christians Paul said, “death doesn’t matter.”

EE. There are some members of the church who are practicing what Paul taught.

FF. A preacher in this state is preparing to engage in some additional mission work overseas.

GG. To make that trip he needs to take an airplane.

HH. Some have expressed some concern about his going.

II. This brother has publicly said that he is not worried.

JJ. He believes and lived by the statements in Rom. 8.

KK. If we live or die we are with the Lord. He believes that.

8. I AM GOING TO COME BACK TO THE SUBJECT OF DEATH AT THE END OF THE LESSON. FOR NOW LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THE WORD LIVE (LIFE).

A. There are people who allow events in the world to separate them from God.

B. I suspect that there are some in the world who are currently mad at God.

C. Because God did not stop the terrorists some may have turned their back on Him.

D. People sometimes pray and do not receive what they pray for.

E. When some who pray do not get what they want it is “goodbye to God. See ya”

F. When God or His people do not do what others want some treat God abandon God.

G. They turn Him off and tune Him out. God is rejected.

H. Jim McGuiggan, a member of the church, wrote a commentary on Romans.

I. When he commented on the section of this section of Rom. 8 he offered three illustrations.

J. One of these illustrations goes something like this.

K. Suppose that we are a Christian and our religion is banned.

L. It is illegal to be a Christian and to practice Christianity.

M. We refuse to renounce the faith, officials find us, and we are subjected to punishment.

N. McGuiggan pictures our punishment as torture.

O. He suggests that the torture is so painful it brings us to the verge of insanity.

P. We pray to God with our all might but the beatings do not stop. Perhaps they increase.

Q. The point in Rom. 8 is this: “That type of beating will not separate us from the love of God.”

R. Someone can beat us until we lose consciousness.

S. A faithful Christian may be beaten until they are crippled or dead.

T. The abuser may do the same to a Christian’s family.

U. No matter how strong or widespread the abuse is, a Christian will not be separated from God.

V. McGuiggan may have realized that this would sound strange to people who are not Christians.

W. In his commentary he made some additional comments.

X. He asked about the basis (reason) for maintaining our faith at all costs.

Y. He asked if the basis is an “emotional surge.” The answer is no.

Z. Refusing to let life’s events separate us from God’s love is not based upon emotion.

AA. The basis is found in the cross of Christ.

BB. The Son faced horrible events but He was still loved by the Father.

CC. Paul says that the events in our lives cannot separate us from God’s love.

9. The word separate is a special word.

10. It is the same word translated “put asunder” (divorce) in Mt. 19:6.

11. According to an inspired man, no event in life can divorce us from God’s love.

12. This is a powerful and life changing truth.

13. If we stay in Christ, God says that no distance can come between Him and us.

14. No terrorist can separate us from the love of God.

15. No chemical weapon deployed where we live can separate us from God’s love.

16. No ruler, no enemy, no disease, and no military conflict can separate a Christian from God’s love.

17. Some think we will be attacked again. Perhaps this is right.

18. If this occurs some Christians may die.

19. If that happens Paul still said, “I am persuaded that not even death will separate us from the love of God.”

20. Instead of separating us from God’s love death brings us even closer to God’s love.

21. This is what we see in the life of Lazarus.

A. We are living in a time when people are worried.

B. There is great concern in our nation.

C. People are stocking up on guns and ammunition.

D. Some are buying gas masks.

E. Those who are faithful Christians can approach each day with confidence, strength, and cheer.

F. No matter what happens to us in life; no matter if we die in the near future or die a horrible death,

G. If we are a faithful child of God we are in surrounded by God’s love.

H. Nothing in life and nothing about death can separate a Christian from God’s love.

I. This blessing is for those who are “in Christ” (39b).

J. Are we in Christ?