PREACHING SEPTEMBER 15, 2024:

Pastor Bruno Donadio

MORE THAN WINNERS

In this week's service, with the visit of Pastor Bruno Donadio, we delved deeper into the theme "More than conquerors" taken from the Letter to the Romans. This sermon invites us to reflect on our identity in Christ. As believers, we are not simply victors in life's battles, but we are "more than conquerors" through Christ. God's power and love enable us to face difficulties and challenges with a profound awareness of divine support. The Pastor reminds us that freedom from the chains that oppress us comes from the Lord. This freedom is guaranteed by divine anointing, which also gives us the grace to proclaim the Gospel with power.

Romans 8:28; 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

This verse doesn’t speak only about some things, but about all things, including the difficulties we are facing. God uses everything for the good of those who love Him, and He is always at work in our hearts, preparing us for a new season in life. God has begun a good work in us and in our family, and He will bring to completion what He has started.

Verse 29; 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

The Father’s desire is for us to be conformed to the image of Christ Jesus, reflecting His character and His holiness. We should not measure ourselves against other brothers or those living in sin; our vision must be to become like Jesus, reflecting His character, His holiness, and consecration, thus showing the nature of Christ that God has placed within us.

Verse 30; 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Jesus has called us to eternal salvation, and God has justified us, making us righteous before Him. Despite our imperfections, we are glorified in Christ and perfect in His glory.

Verses 31-32; 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

God gave the most precious thing, His Son Jesus, to save us. If God is with us, no enemy can prevail.

Verses 34 e 39; 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Scripture states that Jesus made a public spectacle of Satan and his demons, triumphing over every form of evil, and He did it not for Himself, but for us.

Romans 5:8; 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Paul reminds us that it was not we who loved God, but He loved us first. God loves us unconditionally, a love that goes beyond our actions and mistakes. When we talk about Jesus, we often tell others that "Jesus loves you," but it is important to also remind ourselves: "God loves me." God would have sent His Son to die even for just one single person, showing how precious we are in His eyes.

Ephesians 2:4-6; 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

These passages show us how God, rich in mercy, has loved us and made us alive in Christ, even when we were dead in our sins. Physically, we are here on earth, but spiritually, we are seated in heavenly places alongside Christ, in the highest government of the universe.

Ephesians 3:14-19; 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Paul prays that we may be strengthened with power in our inner being, rooted in the vast and infinite love of God. This love, which we can only understand through revelation, is what enables us to be a blessing and a light to the world. When we reflect on the cross, we see two dimensions of love: the “vertical”, which represents God’s love towards us, and the “horizontal”, which is the love we must show to others. This scripture reminds us that God promises to always be with us in difficulties:

Isaiah 43:1-4; 1 But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3 For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. 4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

God has redeemed us through the blood of Jesus, a perfect and complete redemption. Even when we face trials, God promises never to abandon us. His faithfulness and love are unchanging; despite our failures and weaknesses, He continues to love us, and His goodness, not the law, is what leads us to repentance. Romans 8:28 reminds us that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Life is brief, and we are called not only to salvation but to an eternal destiny with a specific purpose. Between the calling and the election, there are trials and preparation, but God urges us to present ourselves to Him as living sacrifices. We live in a continuous process of sanctification, without which no one will see God.

Romans 6:1-2; 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

This verse affirms that grace is not an excuse to sin, but it teaches us to live a life that reflects a genuine transformation. Our way of living should testify that we no longer live for ourselves, but for the One who loved us and gave Himself for us. In this verse, Paul speaks to us about God's eternal purpose fulfilled in Christ:

Ephesians 3:11-12; 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

This purpose includes us and gives us the freedom to approach God with confidence.

Psalm 34:19; 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

Afflictions are part of the Christian life, but God is telling us that even though we face trials, He delivers us from every affliction. Many of us have found Christ through difficult times, such as struggles with drugs, alcohol, or depression. We need to have the faith of the centurion who believed in Peter's word. When we are afflicted, we should not stop serving and praising the Lord; rather, we should praise Him even more, because praise is powerful, as demonstrated by the example of Paul and Silas in prison: instead of complaining, they praised God, and an earthquake occurred, leading many to conversion. John reminds us that whatever is born of God overcomes the world. We are destined for victory in Christ and called to conquer entire nations for the glory of God. Our victory is in faith, which drives us to believe in God's promises. Even when we are unfaithful, and often we are, God remains faithful because He cannot deny Himself and His Word. Peter, despite his failure, remained within God's plan, and similarly, there is a plan and a promise for us: we must cooperate with God for these promises to come to pass. God wants us to reclaim the dreams and promises He has given us, knowing that He will do far more than we can ask or imagine.

Romans 8:31-32; 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Paul starts with a rhetorical question that immediately highlights a reality: with God on our side, no opposition can prevail. God, who did not spare even His own Son, will give us everything we need to live a victorious life in Him.

Verse 33; 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

Who is the accuser of the brothers? When we judge others, we are actually accusing ourselves. God calls us to show mercy and love, not to condemn; when we forgive those who have hurt us, we not only release the other person but also ourselves.

Verse 34-35; 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Jesus Christ, who died and rose again, continuously intercedes for us, nullifying every accusation of the enemy and every sense of condemnation through His work. The love we speak of is not a mere doctrine learned but is Jesus Himself, who loved us and gave Himself for us. Therefore, we should no longer live for ourselves but for Him, leaving the past behind, forgiving those who have hurt us, and blessing those who have cursed us, because God wants to lift us up and strengthen us, making us more than conquerors in Christ and for Christ. We conclude with these words from the Apostle Paul taken from the end of Romans 8:

Romans 8:36-39; 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflecting on these verses, we can be certain that whatever happens, God's love remains steadfast and constant, that nothing can separate us from Him, and that this assurance gives us the strength to face life's challenges with faith and hope, knowing that in Christ "we are more than conquerors".