How to Build Your Spiritual House
Sermon by: Rev. Dr. Austin Brinkerhoff
Sermon 5.3.20
Romans 8:28-39
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Heavenly Father,
What can I say? What can I say that will be meaningful to You at this time? What can I say that will bless You and honor You as You alone deserve? Well, what I can say is, “Thank You.” Thank You for my church family. Thank You each person who is a part of it, created in Your image, adopted by Your love, saved by Your grace, forgiven by Your mercy. Thank You for all of Your blessings in life – food to eat, clothes to wear, a roof over our heads, friends, family, the joy of knowing that this world is not all that there is – that I am not home yet – and that someday I will have the ultimate thrill of seeing You face to face and being with You forever and ever and ever. All of these good gifts and so many more have been given because of Your deep love for me.
Father God, I love You too! And I ask this day that You increase that love. Give me such a love of You, that I would see obedience to You, not as a requirement, but a delight. Give me such a love of You, that I would see the cost of loyalty to You, not an obligation but a privilege. Give me such a love of You that I would see Your commands in my life, not as chains that bind me, but as wings that enable me to soar. Give me such a love of You, that I would find serving others, not tiresome, but joyous; that I would see giving, not a burden, but a blessing; that I would see sharing, not a duty but a joy.
I now pray that You would touch the lives of those I know and love who are hurting (pray 3 minutes for whoever God puts on your mind) I also ask Your blessing upon those who feel empty inside; those who feel alone and unloved; those who are sick; those who feel helpless and hopeless. Father, be their Good Shepherd and their Great Physician. Protect them with Your Holy armor. Touch them as Jesus touched all who came to Him in faithfulness. May Your grace be sufficient for their every need.
I make this prayer in the name of Christ and now I pray as He taught me to pray:
“Our Father, Who art in heaven Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power, and the Glory Forever. Amen.”