Four Great Blessings from God: Four Certain Assurances

The first section establishes the foundation of four great blessings that God grants to those who believe in Christ. According to Romans 8:1, there is no more condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because we are justified by faith and reconciled to God through Christ (Romans 5:1). The foundation of these assurances is God's love, demonstrated when He was willing to sacrifice His Son for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). This foundational truth undergirds all subsequent promises and blessings.

The second section develops the first and second assurances: no condemnation and nothing separating us from God's love. The sermon notes that no one can accuse or condemn God's elect, because God is the one who justifies us (Romans 8:33-34). Furthermore, nothing whatsoever—whether death, life, angels, principalities, present things or future things, powers, height, depth, or any creature—can separate us from God's love in Christ (Romans 8:38-39). Tribulation, distress, persecution, hunger, nakedness, or the sword cannot do this either (Romans 8:35). These absolute assurances provide complete security to the believer.

The third section presents the third assurance: all things work together for good for those who love God (Romans 8:28). The sermon uses the example from Acts 27 about Apostle Paul to illustrate how God orchestrates difficult circumstances to accomplish His purposes. The wise person sees danger and hides, while the foolish rush in and suffer harm (Proverbs 22:3). A person's heart plans his course, but the Lord establishes his steps (Proverbs 16:9). This assurance does not mean life will be free from hardship, but that God will direct all circumstances toward the believer's ultimate good.

The fourth section presents the fourth assurance: both members of the Godhead intercede for us. Christ is the one who died and was raised, now sitting at the right hand of God interceding for us (Romans 8:34). At the same time, the Holy Spirit also helps our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings that cannot be spoken (Romans 8:26). The sermon emphasizes that these assurances form the foundation of believers' faith and assurance of salvation.

The final section applies these assurances to the practical life of the congregation. Since God did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us, He will surely give us all things along with Him (Romans 8:32). This message brings confidence that those chosen and called by God need not fear condemnation or the loss of His love. These assurances encourage believers to live with firm faith, knowing that they are absolutely protected and loved by God through Christ Jesus. The sermon concludes by reaffirming the four great blessings as unshakeable guarantees for every believer.