Intro:

Alexander the Great — You can call it good fortune, or you can call it the hand of God, but perhaps the most successful general to have ever led an army was Alexander the Great. He came to power at the age of 20, and fought battle after the battle where there were numerous instances where he should have lost, could have lost, but didn’t.

In the Battle of What if you couldn’t lose? For example, during the battle of Grannicus when Alexander was fighting the Persian Army, he personally was struck by the ax of a Persian soldier — momentarily dazzing him. The Persian raised his ax to finish Alexander off when one of his generals happened to be near and struck the Persian dead while his ax was in the air.

In another instance, Alexander was marching agains the city of Tyre which would be impossible to defeat without a navy — the problem is that Alexander didn’t have Navy! However, he had defeated a Persian city where a fleet of 80 Persian ships were normally stationed. At the moment Alexander wanted to attack Tyre, the 80 ship fleet came sailing into the harbor of the Persian town he had recently defeated, and Because the Persians of that town were more loyal to their city than to the Persian Empire, and because the city was now under Alexander’s rule, they gladly agreed to give the entire 80 ship fleet to Alexander. This fleet of ships he immediately used to sail to Tyre and defeated the city.

In another batter, The siege of Sogdian Rock, the men who lived up in this city told Alexander he would need an army that could fly if he wanted to defeat the city — So Alexander commissioned 300 of his men to climb the cliff face to the city at night (30 of the men fell from the cliff and died that night) in the morning 270 of his men had succeeding using tent pegs and sheets tied around them to scale the cliff — when they were on the wall they signaled to the men at the bottom. Those men yelled to the guards on the other side of the city, telling them that they had succeeded to scale the cliff and offering them to surrender. The city was so surprised they surrendered.

The almost supernatural phenomenon of Alexanders life is that he never lost a battle!

What would it be like to know that you could never lose?

One of the greatest guarantees of the gospel is the promise given to believer’s that when we face the Judgment — when we are starring our eternity in the face, there can be absolute assurance that we will pass through victorious!

Some of the greatest statements of hope are found right here in Paul’s letter to the Romans in chapter 8 — statements that guarantee (through the gospel) assurance of Salvation!

(Romans 8:1 NKJV) [There is] therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

(Romans 8:14 NKJV) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

(Romans 8:28 NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to [His] purpose.

(Romans 8:37-39 NKJV) Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. What do these statements mean?

#1 — Jesus doesn’t want you to lose! (over and over the Bible affirms this truth) #2 — It is possible to have total assurance of Salvation, and know today which side of eternity you are on. (to many live with uncertainty and doubt regarding their destiny when it is given to them to know fully whether or not they are saved)

#3 — The Guarantees of the Gospel are within the reach of all, because they are offered to all readers of Romans who comply with the Gospel conditions.

We are going to look at some of these guarantees from God — but first we must consider the background, or lead up to these guarantees, because Romans 8 begins with “Therefore” meaning that there is a whole lead-up or foundation for why these guarantees are sure and we find that lead-up in Romans 7.  

First Foundational Pillar: We are held by the law as long as we live (Rom 7:1)

— The Bible says before we are converted, we are held in slavery to sin and the law condemns us. The problem is that we can not free ourselves from the Old man of sin, and thus we can not find freedom from the condemnation of the Law until the Old man of sin dies.

(Romans 6:6 NKJV) knowing this, that our old man was crucified with [Him], that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

How does the Old Man of Sin die?

Jesus describes it as “being born again” — Peter says it is being “converted”… and conversion is a decision that begins in the mind and bears fruit in the actions of (Confession, Repentance, and Faith):

(Acts 3:19 NKJV) “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

(1 John 1:9 NKJV) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(Acts 16:31 NKJV) So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Now here is where some find failure — They confess their sins, say to themselves they won’t do it again, and say Jesus help me but find they are still bound to the old man of sin. What happened? We will never be free until we have surrendered everything to the Lord. Often there is no victory, because there is only a half-hearted surrender to God. We are not the Lord’s until we are the Lord’s completely — and an entire surrender involves putting the entire will on the Lord’s side:

You will be in constant peril until you understand the true force of the will. You may believe and promise all things, but your promises and your faith are of no account until you put your will on the right side. If you will fight the fight of faith with your will-power, there is no doubt that you will conquer. CTBH 148.1

Your part is to put your will on the side of Christ. When you yield your will to his, he immediately takes possession of you, and works in you to will and to do of his good pleasure. Your nature is brought under the control of his Spirit. Even your thoughts are subject to him. If you cannot control your impulses, your emotions, as you may desire, you can control the will, and thus an entire change will be wrought in your life. When you yield up your will to Christ, your life is hid with Christ in God. It is allied to the power which is above all principalities and powers. You have a strength from God that holds you fast to his strength; and a new life, even the life of faith, is possible to you. CTBH 148.2” — Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 148.

It isn’t us who crucify the Old Man, we simply present the Old Man of sin to Christ through

Confession, Repentance, & Faith (Total surrender of our Will) and it is Christ who crucifies the

Old Man of Sin! Our Faith is in Christ to do what we are powerless to do, and the Spirit of Christ takes up residence in you and Christ begins living His own life through you.

(Romans 8:3-4 NKJV) For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God [did] by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

(Galatians 2:20 NKJV) “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the [life] which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Once the Old Man dies and Christ is living His life in you, the Law no longer can condemn you… You are free from the law of sin and death because you are no longer living in your flesh (old man of sin), Christ is living in you, so you are free to serve God’s Law with your mind.

(Romans 7:25 NKJV) I thank God–through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

There are two conditions we can be found: (In Sin, or In Christ)

• Those who are in sin live to gratify their desires, their flesh
• Those who are in Christ live to please God
• Those who are in sin are slaves of sin
• Those who are in Christ are servants of Christ
• Those who are in Sin are condemned
• Those who are in Christ are Justified

Romans 8 begins with this foundation — a guarantee of the gospel: (Romans 8:1 NKJV) [There is] therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

No condemnation! Isn’t that what we all want? To face the judgment, the second coming, to far end of time knowing for certain without any doubts that there is no condemnation hanging over us — knowing that we can’t lose, heaven is ours? — The Good News of the Gospel is YES you can have this assurance, but Romans 8 declares a truth lost by the Christian world at large.

You ask a typical Christian — Are you saved? Yes they say. How do you know? I accepted Jesus on October 5th 2004 — Once saved always saved… But you ask them, what about that beer bottle? Well they say: “I’m a carnal Christian”, “I’m a prodigal son”… But you know My salvation is sure in Christ, because there is therefore now NO CONDEMNATiON… I’ve accepted Jesus and I’m not condemned — I’m free in Him…  

But notice that the guarantee of the gospel is not for the Carnally minded.

(Romans 8:6-8 NKJV) For to be carnally minded [is] death, but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Can you be a Carnal Christian? Can live for Christ, and live in sin? Can you ask Jesus into your life, and yet not make an entire surrender to him and thus continue life in the old man of sin?

The Gospel doesn’t stop at FORGIVENESS — The false gospel of Christianity is that all I need is for Jesus to forgive me (I need my sins washed away!)… The False Gospel is to believe that Jesus will forgive your sins without transformation — but the Gospel of Jesus, the Gospel of

Paul, the Gospel Peter preached, & John, and Mark & Luke, the Gospel that saves us is the Gospel that transforms us… The Old Man of Sin must die, and we must have a new life from above working in us and through us. Unless we are found in Christ, condemnation remains on us.

(John 3:3 NKJV) Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

(John 3:19-20 NKJV) “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

This is why before someone is baptized, the gospel mandates that they totally renounce their life of sin… Now granted you may still have temptations and trials, and stumble after baptism, but a total commitment to Christ is a decision to turn your life completely away from sin — and until the old man of sin is crucified, it is impossible for you to be joined to Christ. This is what Romans 7 was talking about:

(Romans 7:3-4 NKJV) So then if, while her husband [Old man of sin] lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man. Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another-to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.

Wouldn’t it be inappropriate for a man to commit to marrying one woman, while still dating another? You can’t marry the Bride and have dinner with the Bridesmaid!

Marriage demands commitment, the very act of marriage declares you have renounced every other romantic relationship and commit yourself unreservedly to this ONE. So also, if we are Christ’s our loyalties can not be divided with sin! We either are joined to the old man of sin, or we are joined to Christ. The Gospel knows nothing of a Carnal Christian!

(Galatians 5:24 NKJV) [But] those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

It is not that those who are converted do not stumble, but their life is committed unreservedly to Christ. When they stumble they come again with confession, renounce and forsake their sin, and again place their faith in Christ. Day by day they are growing in faith and in holiness.

Contrary to those who are condemned who turn from the light and take pleasure in darkness and evil deeds — those who stand sheltered in the Gospel

(John 3:21 NKJV) “… comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

Jesus says those who are saved come to the light, Paul describes Romans 8 Christians this way:

(Romans 8:5 NKJV) For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

Set you minds: (phronéō) means to direct your thoughts.  

Where does Satan attack us? — Through the mind, through suggestions and temptations, his victory is to get us to set our thoughts on the things of the flesh. But those who are Christ’s refuse to let their minds settle on things that do not please Christ. They give no room for negativity but vanquish it by setting their minds on praiseworthy things. They give no room for lustful thoughts but vanquish them by giving their full attention to those things that are pure. They give no room for prideful thoughts because their attention is on Christ and His greatness. They give no room for angry thoughts for the Grace and Love of God is their meditation.

(Philippians 4:8 NKJV) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things [are] noble, whatever things [are] just, whatever things [are] pure, whatever things [are] lovely, whatever things [are] of good report, if [there is] any virtue and if [there is] anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.

Those who have committed their lives to God sometimes struggle with old temptations — It is important to know the part that your mind plays in this battle. If I allow my thoughts to run unguided by my will and by the Spirit of God, they will continue to cascade like an uncontrolled stream down, down, down until we find ourselves acting out the sinful thoughts.

“Few realize that it is a duty to exercise control over the thoughts and imaginations. It is difficult to keep the undisciplined mind fixed upon profitable subjects. But if the thoughts are not properly employed, religion cannot flourish in the soul. The mind must be preoccupied with sacred and eternal things, or it will cherish trifling and superficial thoughts. Both the intellectual and the moral powers must be disciplined, and they will strengthen and improve by exercise.” — Councils to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 544.

Those who are being led by the Holy Spirit will make this effort, they will consciously turn their thoughts to God and they will find victory after victory in their life. As we live this life Paul says that:

(Romans 8:16-17 NKJV) The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of

God, and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with [Him], that we may also be glorified together.

This is the experience of Romans 8 Christians — in addition, Paul says:

(Romans 8:26 NKJV) Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

• So Romans 8 Christians are NOT CONDEMNED
• Romans 8 Christians are DECLARED CHILDREN OF GOD
• Romans 8 Christians find VICTORY OVER THOUGHTS
• Romans 8 Christians have the HOLY SPIRIT INTERCEDE FOR THEM & HELP WITH THEIR WEAKNESSES

What else?  

(Romans 8:28 NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to [His] purpose.

The Father’s presence encircled Christ, and nothing befell Him but that which infinite love permitted for the blessing of the world. Here was His source of comfort, and it is for us. He who is imbued with the Spirit of Christ abides in Christ. The blow that is aimed at him falls upon the Saviour, who surrounds him with His presence. Whatever comes to him comes from Christ. He has no need to resist evil, for Christ is his defense. Nothing can touch him except by our Lord’s permission, and “all things” that are permitted “work together for good to them that love God.” Romans 8:28. — Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 71.

— Romans 8 Christians find ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD.

Carnal Christians don’t have these guarantees:

1. Carnal Christians remain under the condemnation of the law
2. Carnal Christians can not be declared children of God, but are still under Satan’s banner
3. Carnal Christians are enslaved in their thoughts to sin, and reveal that slavery to sin in their actions
4. Carnal Christians battle their weaknesses alone
5. Carnal Christians find the things in life aren’t working out for their good

But the greatest thing we will lose out on if we choose to be a Carnal Christian is the guarantee of eternally knowing and experiencing the love of God — to never be separated from God.

(Romans 8:37-39 NKJV) Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When probation closes, where will you be found? You don’t have to wait until then to find out. Today you can find yourself under the blessed assurance of the Gospel banner — You can claim the guarantees of the gospel today — but they can not be claimed while the old man of sin remains unsubmitted, uncrucified, still alive. He must die, that Christ may live in you.

Appeal: What would keep you from abandoning habits of sin today, setting your mind on

Christ, and making the decision to be converted right now? An entire surrender and faith in

Christ is all it takes!

If you have made that surrender to Christ, what would keep you from claiming the Guarantees of the Gospel — and living with total assurance today? Ask yourself these questions: Have I surrendered my life to Christ? Is there any sin unconfessed? Any sin unforsaken? Then the only thing left is to place our faith that the Christ who died for us, died that we might have this sure hope — That there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! Choose today to live by faith, and not by fear!