Norman’s Notes                                                                                        9-20-20

Are You Focused on the Big Picture?

Roman 8:28, 29

The Certainty of the Promise – And we know – vs 28

• Know means to learn by instruction.

The Completeness of the Promise – All things work together – vs 28

• All things include all the trials and tribulation we deal with in life.
• When one door closes, God has another door for you to walk through, a better door.

The Cause of the Promise – For good – vs 28

• Whatever we are facing in life, God promises that it will work together for good.

The Condition of the Promise – To them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose – vs 28

• We see there is a condition of the promise; it is not for everyone.
• It is a group of people who do two things:
  • Love God
  • Put His purpose first in their life
• This verse implies that a called one, is one who has heard the call, accepted it, and obeyed it.

The Consequences of the Promise – For whom he did foreknow, he also predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren – vs 29

• Foreknow means approve before hand.
• God knew He would approve of anyone who accepted His Son.
• What is the good that all things are working together for? To make us like Jesus.  To be conformed to the image of His Son.
• Conformed is a word that means a likeness inside and out. Romans 12:1,2; 2 Cor. 3:18
• Consequence is those who reject the call are lost, those who accept are saved.
• God wants you to be a part of his large family. That is God’s big picture.