Talk

In All Things, God Works

Louie Giglio
March, 3, 2024

Louie Giglio joins us for another week of Epicenter, picking back up in Romans chapter 8 and showing us how God uses our present sufferings for good.

Key Takeaway

We will face many sufferings on this earth, but we can rest knowing that God uses all our pain for our good and His glory.

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.

Romans 8:28

1.) What are the "all things"?

Romans 8:17-18. The "all things" are our present sufferings. The moment we share in His glory, we won't look back at the world and our sufferings. What's ahead of the believer is so stunning that we cannot even comprehend the goodness of what is to come. It doesn't mean the present isn't suffering; it means that what's coming does not compare to what we're experiencing now. In the present sufferings/blessings, God works.

2.) Who are the "those who love him"?

Romans 8:28-30. Those who have been called according to His purpose, and those He predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son. God knows beforehand and has predetermined. How do we know if we're one of the ones God has predestined? Well, did you answer the call? Are you in Christ? (Romans 8:3-4). We are not graded on the curve but on the cross.

3.) What is the "good in all things"?

Romans 8:16-18. The good that can come from our present sufferings is future glory. This glory won't be revealed in the future; it's revealed in us. Your future isn't an upgrade; it's that you will share in the glory of Christ. In all things, we do not lose heart. We may lose riches, friendships, loved ones, jobs, etc. But we won't lose heart. The inward is getting closer and closer to glory. He refers to our current troubles as light and momentary because what is to come is incomparable in glory. James 1:12 says that those who persevere trials will receive the crown of glory—the weighty crown of glorious eternal life.

What can be good about our present sufferings (all things)?

1. Our suffering allows us to experience the nearness of God in an amplified manner.

The nearness of God is my good. Psalm 34:18. It's a realization of His sustaining grace vs. the saving grace of God. We may know God or His grace, but when we face immense suffering, we begin to understand how much He can sustain us fully.

2. Our suffering is an undeniable platform by which we can boldly proclaim the good news of Jesus to a lost world.

Suffering is an undeniable platform. Many are saved through the death of another. Some people only get saved through suffering. There are few testimonies of being at the pinnacle of pleasure and success and getting saved.

3. Our suffering helps clarify what is truly important in life and eternity.

When suffering comes, the clarity comes. We understand the things that are important and the things that aren't. Without our present sufferings, we may not have the clarity to share what is ultimate with those around us.

4. Our suffering equips us to share with others in their suffering.

When people are suffering, they want to hear from people that have suffered. There is a sense that “you know,” and therefore, I can receive comfort from your encouragement. Comfort one another with the same comfort.

5. Our suffering allows us to speak true hope to those who have lost all hope.

If you let Him, He will use you.

6. Our suffering tethers us closer to God in dependence on Him.

We need to depend totally and completely on our Savior.

7. Our suffering refines us and is often the chisels that make us more like Christ.

Romans 8:29. The chisel is the suffering. Whether you move somewhere or not is not the most important prayer—it's the prayer that we are conformed to the likeness of Jesus. This is the plan.

8. Our suffering magnifies Christ greatly when in our pain, our worship is costly.

In the book of Acts, after being beaten and imprisoned, Paul was praising God at midnight, it was said that all of the prisoners were listening (Acts 16:25-26). Your worship matters on your best day, but there is power in praise that happens on the darkest day.

9. Our suffering intensifies our internal longing for our Heavenly home.

Romans 8:32.

This chapter begins and ends with the cross—its shadow looming over the entire chapter.

“
"What God did at Calvary, He will do for you. In the worst, He will work good."
”
Louie Giglio

Discussion Questions

  1. What present sufferings are you facing?

  2. How have your present sufferings challenged your faith?

  3. Read Revelation 21:1-4. How do these verses bring you comfort amidst your present sufferings?

  4. When did you answer the call to follow God? If you haven't answered the call, what are you waiting for?

  5. Share a moment in your life where you felt the most near to God.

  6. How have you seen God use your present sufferings to bring hope to the lost?

  7. Have you ever heard a testimony that completely changed the trajectory of your faith? What was it about?

  8. If you're facing suffering right now, how can you cling to God this season?

  9. Has anything in your life happened recently that has reminded you of the temporariness of this world? How has that changed your perspective?

  10. What is one worship song you clung to and praised God in a hard season?

Scripture References

28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
29For 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.
30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
3For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh,
4in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
12Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
18The
Lord
is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
26Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.
Louie Giglio
Louie Giglio
Louie Giglio is the Visionary Architect and Director of the Passion Movement, comprised of Passion Conferences, Passion City Church, Passion Publishing and sixstepsrecords, and the founder of Passion Institute.