https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/ForThoseWhoLoveGod.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n\tby Jeffrey W. Hamilton<\/p>\n\t
Text: Romans 8:28-30<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I. Jesus said that the greatest command is to love God – Matthew 22:37-38<\/p>\n
A. It is the greatest command because it is the foundation for all other commands<\/p>\n 1. It opposes all idolatry, the complete rejection of God (atheism), and sins\ndirectly against God\n 2. But it also demands love for our fellow man in a consistent way – I John\n4:20-21\n
3. Thus, the love of God leads to the love of neighbor – Romans 13:9-10<\/p>\n
B. Loving our neighbor shows our love for God – I John 4:7<\/p>\n
C. Loving God means following Him – I John 2:5<\/p>\n 1. When love our neighbor and keep God’s commands, then we love God – I\nJohn 5:2-3\n
II. God makes everything to work for the good of His people – Romans 8:28<\/p>\n
A. Blessed are those who fear God and walk in His ways – Psalms 128:1-2<\/p>\n
B. The righteous are rewarded for their deeds – Isaiah 3:10<\/p>\n
C. But do we love God just when things go our way?<\/p>\n 1. Later Paul clarifies that it bad things happen to God’s people – Romans\n8:35-37\n 2. Bad things do happen, but God is able to make those work out for the good\nof His people. \n
3. Affliction can keep people on the right track – Psalms 119:67, 71<\/p>\n
4. It is not fun at the time, but yields good results – Hebrews 12:11<\/p>\n
III. This benefit doesn’t come to everyone. It is for those who love God – Romans 8:28<\/p>\n
A. Notice that it is based on man’s decision to love God<\/p>\n
1. We have the ability to love God<\/p>\n
2. We are not forced into loving God<\/p>\n
3. Love has to be chosen<\/p>\n
B. God has prepared things for those who love Him – I Corinthians 2:9<\/p>\n
C. A crown of life has been promised – James 1:12<\/p>\n
D. It is for those who are called according to God’s purpose <\/p>\n
1. We are called according to God’s purpose – II Timothy 1:9<\/p>\n
2. God’s purpose was to bring about salvation – Ephesians 1:11-14<\/p>\n 3. God’s purpose then is the standard by which we are called – Ephesians\n3:8-12\n E. This isn’t about becoming saved. What Paul discusses in Romans 8 is about God\nworking to save those who have answered His call.\n
1. We are eager to reach heaven – Romans 8:23-25<\/p>\n
2. God works to see that He people reach heaven<\/p>\n
IV. God’s plans were made in advance – Romans 8:29-30<\/p>\n
A. God knows what He wants as the outcome (Ephesians 1:5). <\/p>\n
B. God always accomplishes His plans – Isaiah 46:8-11<\/p>\n
C. It is God’s plan to have many conformed to the image of His – Ephesians 4:11-13<\/p>\n
D. It is these type of people whom God called – Ephesians 4:1-3<\/p>\n
E. Called you to obtain glory – II Thessalonians 2:14<\/p>\n
F. Those who answer His call are justified <\/p>\n
1. Call on him through baptism – Acts 22:16<\/p>\n
2. Called out of darkness – I Peter 2:9<\/p>\n
G. And those justified are also glorified <\/p>\n
1. Jesus gave us his glory – John 17:22<\/p>\n
2. Heirs of a hope of eternal life – Titus 3:7<\/p>\n
V. God is working on behalf of His people<\/p>\n
A. He wants us saved – II Peter 3:9<\/p>\n
B. He brought us forth by His Word – James 1:18<\/p>\n
C. Those who love God have God helping them reach victory – Romans 8:31-32<\/p>\n
D. Suffering and death are a part of life on earth – Romans 8:33-36<\/p>\n
E. But we conquer through God’s love – Romans 8:37-39<\/p>\n
F. We need to hold on to the fact that God loves us and we in turn chose to love God<\/p>\n 1. Love is the critical element that sees us past all the hardships of life bring\nus to eternal life\n
2. This is why loving God is the greatest commandment<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 8:28-30 I. Jesus said that the greatest command is to love God – Matthew 22:37-38 A. It is the greatest command because it is the foundation for all other commands 1. It opposes all idolatry, the complete rejection of God (atheism), and sins directly against God 2. But it also demands love…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[119,32],"tags":[65],"class_list":["post-54731","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-audio","category-sermon","tag-love"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14259,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-greatest-commandment\/","url_meta":{"origin":54731,"position":0},"title":"The Greatest Commandment","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 13, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 22:34-40 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0From among the Pharisees, a lawyer came to Jesus to put him to the test. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He asked, \u201cWhich is the greatest commandment?\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A difficult question, given the large number of commands found in the Old Testament. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0How do you decide\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":63790,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/willing-to-do-his-will\/","url_meta":{"origin":54731,"position":1},"title":"Willing to Do His Will","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 7, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: John 7:14-24 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Two students enter a classroom. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0One is excited about the prospect of learning this subject. Though he hasn\u2019t started yet, he has plans on how he is going to put this knowledge to use in his life. He knows it\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":26788,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/does-a-husband-need-to-love-his-wife-more-than-anyone-on-earth\/","url_meta":{"origin":54731,"position":2},"title":"Does a husband need to love his wife more than anyone on earth?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 22, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Does a husband need to love his wife more than anyone on earth? Even his children? Answer: The question implies there is a set quantity of love that a person can give. It also assumes that love for, say children, is at odds with loving your wife. The greatest\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":51687,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-is-the-hardest-command\/","url_meta":{"origin":54731,"position":3},"title":"What Is the Hardest Command?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"October 6, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jefferson David Tant From time to time, we see articles written about love. We remember a lawyer asking Jesus a question, \"trying him: Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/KirklandMemorial-300x225.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":42859,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/love-and-respect\/","url_meta":{"origin":54731,"position":4},"title":"Love and Respect","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 6, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 5:25-33 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0There are some topics that are joined such that you cannot have one without the other. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Faith and obedience are two sides the same subject. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0You can\u2019t really have faith without obedience - James 2:14-18 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a02.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0And you can\u2019t really have obedience without\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":20109,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/teaching-love\/","url_meta":{"origin":54731,"position":5},"title":"Teaching Love","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 23, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 13:11-14 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I received a complaint several years ago. After reading an article on why sex outside of marriage is sin, the reader complained, \u201cI wish you guys would pay more attention to the golden rule, \u2018love thy neighbor,\u2019 than all the homophobic and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54731","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54731"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54731\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54731"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54731"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54731"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}