Dr. Cecil A. Fayard - 2001 Sermons
Sunday, August 26, 2001   

INTRODUCTION: The second and third words of this verse are precious to the believer: "We know." The agnostics say, "we do not know"; "We are not sure." Believers say: "We know."

The "we know" of Romans 8:28 is a "we know" of security and certainty. The words "we know" are used about thirty times to express what believers know to be true.

Note with me just a few of the things that believers know:

1. "We know" that Christ has come to earth to die for us that we may have an understanding of life eternal (I John 5:20).
   
2. "We know" that there is only one true God (I Corinthians 8:4).
   
3. "And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness" (I John 5:19).
   
4. "We know" He hears believers' prayers (I John 5:15).
   
5. Job said: "I know that my redeemer liveth and in my flesh I shall see God" (Job 19:25-26).
   
6. David said........ " This I know; for God is with me" (Psalms 56:9).
   
7. Paul said: "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day" (II Timothy 1: 12).

1. WE KNOW THAT GOD IS AT WORK IN OUR LIVES
   1. "All things work together."
      
      1. There is a divine providence that works in the life of every child of God. Not all things are good, but all thing work together for good.
         
      2. "All things..." The good, the bad, the sweet, the bitter, the happy, and the sad, the comfortable and the uncomfortable things work together.
         
      3. "All things" has no limits, no restrictions or conditions. "All things work together." This is why we, believers, can never be separated from God (Verse 39).
         
      4. God takes "all things," the good and bad, the sweet and bitter and works it together.
         
         1. God takes the things that happen to us in life and works through them. Sometimes it is only through allowing us to fail, allowing us to suffer, allowing us to fall that we can be drawn closer to God in obedience [Hot pepper-Jack Maroon's son Tad].
            
         2. In Psalm 119:35 the Psalmist says: "Make me to go in the path of Thy commandments; for therein do I delight." Then look with me at Psalm 119:67, 71, 75. These verses tell us that it is through affliction that God worked.
            
         3. Yes, God uses His tools on us to conform us to the image of His Son.

   2. "Work together."
      
      1. Be assured, dear child of God, that He is at work in your life.
         
      2. R. A. Torrey said that Romans 8:28 is "a soft pillow for a tired heart."
         
      3. God is sovereign, and He is at work.
         
         1. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way." Though he fall he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand" (Psalm 37:23-24) Even when we fall He will work it to good.
            
         2. God is working according to the counsel of his own will. We do not see the finished product from down here (Ephesians 1: 11). [Read Weaver]

2. WE KNOW THAT GOD WORKS FOR OUR GOOD
   1. Hardships work for our good (Deuteronomy 8:15-16).
      
      1. Hard times build character into our lives.
         
      2. Joseph suffered hardship in Egyptian bondage; yet God worked it not only for his good but for the good of Israel (Genesis 50:20).
         
      3. Trials and testing strengthen God's children (James 1:2, 3; 1 Peter 1:7).

   2. The faithfulness of God works for our good.
      
      1. When we are unfaithful to God, He remains faithful to His own. Lamentation 3:23 says; "Great is thy faithfulness."
         
      2. I Thessalonians 5:24, "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. "
         
      3. Philippians 4:19, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

   3. The elect angels work for the good of the saints.
      
      1. Hebrews 1:14
         
      2. Elect angels are agents in answering prayer (Dan 9:20-24).

3. WE KNOW THAT GOD WORKS ALL THINGS FOR THE GOOD OF THOSE THAT LOVE HIM
   1. True believers love the One who saved them, the one who lifted them from sinking sand, the one who redeemed their hell bound souls.

   2. We can only love Him because of His love for us.
      
      1. The natural man does not seek God; he does not desire God (Romans 3:10-12).
         
      2. 1 John 4:19 says: "We love him, because he first loved us."
         
      3. 1 John 4:10 tells us that God loved us and sent His Son to save us.

   3. Those who love God love what He loves and hates what He hates.
      
      1. Those who love God love His Word; and they love His ways.
         
      2. Those who love God hate what He hates. They hate sin and the paths of sin (I John 2:15).

   4. Those who love God, love His people (I John 5:1-2).

4. WE KNOW THAT GOD WORKS ALL THINGS TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THE CALLED
   1. No man has ever been saved apart from the divine call of God (John 6:44).

   2. God calls His people by the preaching of the Gospel (II Thessalonians 2:13-14).

   3. We are not saved by good works; we are called and saved it according to His own purpose and grace...... (II Timothy 1:9).

   4. The call spoken of here is the effectual call of God.

5. WE KNOW THAT GOD WORKS ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE
   1. The purpose of God for the believer is given in verse 29.

   2. In Romans 9:1 1, we see that God's purpose will be carried out as it was with Jacob and Esau.

   3. We may not and I believe we do not see it clearly now; but friends, God is working all things according to His purpose (Isaiah 46:9-11).